Irvine Municipal Code Ch. 7-2 Administration

A. Light beams (i.e., searchlights or laser beams).

1. Searchlights and laser beams are permitted in nonresidential planning areas in conjunction with an approved City of Irvine special event permit for a period not to exceed three consecutive nights. Subject to determination by the Community Development Department, review and approval by the Airport Land Use Commission, may be required. In no circumstance shall these light mechanisms be permitted in residential planning areas or within 300 feet of a residential dwelling unit.

2. Prior to the approval of a special event permit involving a laser, the applicant must provide the Director of Community Development with an approval letter issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

B. Signs requiring a sign program. The following types of signs shall require a sign program which must be approved prior to issuance of a sign permit. Refer to Chapter 2-31, Sign Program Procedures, for other circumstances requiring a sign program.

1. Exposed neon sign (also gaseous light and fiber optic tubing). The use of exposed neon signs, including decorations, shall be permitted only where authorized by other sections of this chapter or as part of a sign program approved by the Planning Commission. Exposed neon signs and decorations located within a business establishment, intended to be read or viewed from outside the business establishment, are not permitted, unless approved as part of a sign program.

2. Icon sign. An icon sign is a unique, artistic, two- or three-dimensional image reflective of a company's use, product or service. The image may be illuminated and may include, but is not limited to, exposed neon and animated or moving parts. The image may be a monument, wall or projecting sign. An icon sign shall be incorporated into a sign program and must be approved by the Planning Commission.

3. Village identification sign. A sign which displays the name of the village within which it is located. Whenever village identification signs are affixed to significant structures, such as, but not limited to, arch ways or other structures straddling sidewalks, streets or parkways, Planning Commission approval of the underlying structure is required. Approval of such structures shall be processed as a Master Plan prior to or concurrent with approval of the sign program. A village identification sign shall be incorporated into a sign program and must be approved by the Planning Commission.

4. Lightbulb strings. An external display of lights which consist of festoons and/or strings of open lightbulbs. The sign program shall demonstrate how the lightbulb strings or "Tivoli lights" are compatible with the project. Lightbulb strings in a nonresidential village shall be incorporated into a sign program and may be approved by the Director of Community Development. Lightbulb strings in residential villages shall be incorporated into a sign program and must be approved by the Zoning Administrator.

5. Attraction board sign. A sign which displays information about events or items offered at sites such as, but not limited to, movie theaters, educational facilities, or concert facilities. An attraction board sign shall be incorporated into a sign program and must be approved by the Planning Commission.

6. Super graphic sign. A painted design which covers an area greater than 10 percent of a wall, building facade, or other structure. A super graphic sign in a nonresidential village shall be incorporated into a sign program and may be approved by the Director of Community Development. A super graphic sign in a residential village shall be incorporated into a sign program and must be approved by the Zoning Administrator.

7. Decorative construction fence sign. A sign that contains a decorative theme with artistic merit in order to provide interest to the construction fence. A decorative construction sign shall be incorporated into a sign program and may be approved by the Director of Community Development.

8. Electronic message center. A changeable copy system that is controlled by an electronic computer. An electronic message center sign shall be incorporated into a sign program and must be approved by the Planning Commission.

9. Signs in the Jeffrey Open Space Spine. Any private development project and/or business identification sign located in the Jeffrey Open Space Spine shall be incorporated into a sign program and must be approved by the Planning Commission.

10. Residential beekeeping signs as required in Chapter 3-37, Section 3-41.

(Ord. No. 01-17, § 3, 10-19-01; Ord. No. 22-07, § 3(Exh. A), 5-10-22)

A. The following types of signs are exempt from the application, permit and fee requirements of this division:

1. Direction, warning or information signs or structures required or authorized by law or the federal, State, County or City authority.

2. Tombstones marking a grave.

3. Memorial tablets and plaques installed by a recognized governmental historical agency.

4. Official and legal notices issued by any court, public body, person or officer in performance of a public duty or in giving any legal notice.

5. Official flags of the United States of America, the State of California, and other states of the United States, counties, or municipalities, official flags of foreign countries, and flags of internationally and nationally recognized organizations including nautical flags.

6. Corporate flags mounted on approved posts, poles or standards.

7. Off-premises commercial signs erected or caused to be erected by the City.

8. Any ground sign, wall sign, projecting sign, flag, banner, awning sign, window sign, or other permanent or temporary sign that is intended for patrons already on a site; and is not readily visible from the public right-of-way. This exemption applies only to application, permit and fee requirements for applicable discretionary review only. Applicable building permit application, permit, and fee requirements are not exempt.

9. Signs specified in Section 7-3-3 as being exempt from permits requirements, subject to compliance with the standards set forth in that section.

(Ord. No. 01-17, § 3, 10-19-01; Ord. No. 16-06, § 3(Exh. A), 8-9-16, effective 1-1-17; Ord. No. 19-11, Exh. A, 8-13-19)

A. Unless permitted by special circumstances as described in Sections 7-3-1, 7-3-2, and 7-3-3, the signs listed below are prohibited. Administrative relief may not be granted for prohibited signs.

1. General. Any sign not specifically in accordance with the provisions of this division is prohibited.

2. Signs constituting a traffic hazard. No person shall install or maintain or cause to be installed or maintained any sign which will cause a roadway safety distraction such as glare from internal or external illumination. No sign shall simulate or imitate in size, color, lettering or design any traffic sign or signal. No sign shall use the words "stop," "look," "danger" or any other words, phrases, symbols or characters that may have the effect of interfering with, misleading, confusing or controlling the direction of traffic. No sign shall hide from view any official traffic control device.

3. Signs within any public right-of-way or attached to any public property. Signs are prohibited on any utility pole, tree, traffic sign post, traffic signal, or any other official traffic control device in accordance with Vehicle Code § 21464, and within or on any public structure, building or facility, whether City Hall, park, library, fire or police station or otherwise, except for any City-owned sign or as otherwise provided in this division. Signs shall not project over or into a right-of-way, shall not be placed in street medians/islands, nor shall obstruct sight lines at intersections. Only signs specified in this Division as being allowed in the public right-of-way may be so placed, subject to all applicable standards detailed in this Division. The City Council may by resolution make areas within or on any public structure, building or facility available to the public for the placing of temporary signs and prescribe regulations therefor.

4. Obscene or unlawful advertising. It shall be unlawful for any person to exhibit, post or display or cause to be exhibited, posted or displayed, upon any sign, anything of an obscene or unlawful nature.

5. Signs on doors, windows or fire escapes.

a. No sign shall be installed, relocated or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape, except those signs as required by other codes or ordinances.

b. No sign located on the exterior or interior of any window or storefront glass shall be permitted unless allowed by other sections of this division, or approved as part of a sign program.

6. Animated or moving signs. Signs consisting of any moving, swinging, rotating, flashing, blinking, scintillating, fluctuating or animated light, including temporary lighting, such as, but not limited to, search, flood fluorescent gel or laser lights, are prohibited, except as permitted by Chapter 7-3.

7. Off-premises commercial signs. Any commercial sign, installed for the purpose of advertising a project, event, person or subject not related to the premises upon which said sign is located, is prohibited except if otherwise expressly allowed pursuant to this Division. Off-premises commercial signs erected or caused to be erected by the City shall be exempt from this prohibition. In addition, an exception may be granted for the following:

a. Temporary banners for non-profit uses.

b. Properties located adjacent to a utility right-of-way that preclude placement of a business or project identification ground sign along an arterial roadway. Such signs shall meet all criteria described in Sections 7-2-3.A.10, 7-3-1, 7-3-2, 7-3-3, and 2-31.

8. Advertising devices. Signs defined as advertising devices are prohibited (Section 1-2-1 (General definitions)).

9. Vehicle signs. Signs on or affixed to trucks, automobiles, trailers or other vehicles, which advertise, identify or provide direction to a use or activity not related to its lawful making of deliveries or sales of merchandise or rendering of services from such vehicles, are prohibited. Parking of legitimate delivery, sales or service vehicles in an off-site location for purposes of advertising is prohibited.

10. Signs in proximity to utility lines. No permit shall be issued for any sign, and no sign shall be constructed or maintained, which has less horizontal or vertical clearance from authorized communication or energized electrical power lines than that prescribed by the laws of the State of California, or rules and regulations duly promulgated by agencies thereof.

11. Rooftop signs. Signs painted or mounted on roofs, unless required by the City Security Code, are prohibited.

12. Cabinet signs or canned signs. Cabinet signs or canned signs with translucent or transparent faces are prohibited except for individual channel letters, and except as noted in Section 7-3-1. Cabinet signs or canned signs with opaque faces are permitted.

13. Pole sign. Except as stipulated in Section 7-3.1, Auto Dealer electronic message center sign.

(Ord. No. 01-17, § 3, 10-19-01; Ord. No. 16-06, § 3(Exh. A), 8-9-16, effective 1-1-17)

A. Intent. It is the intent of this chapter to recognize that the eventual elimination, as expeditiously as possible, of existing signs that are not in conformity with the provisions of this ordinance is as important as is the prohibition of new signs that would violate these regulations. It is also the intent of this chapter that any elimination of nonconforming signs shall be effected so as to avoid any unreasonable invasion of established property rights.

B. General requirements. A nonconforming sign shall be properly maintained in accordance with Section 7-2-6, but may not be:

1. Changed to another nonconforming sign.

2. Improved or structurally altered so as to extend its useful life.

3. Expanded.

4. Reestablished after discontinuance for 90 days or more.

5. Reestablished after damage or destruction of more than 50 percent of its value.

6. Moved or relocated.

C. Removal. Any nonconforming sign may be required to be removed if it violates any other requirements of this chapter, or pursuant to State law as set out in Business and Professions Code div. 3, ch. 2 (Business and Professions Code § 5490 et seq.).

(Ord. No. 01-17, § 3, 10-19-01)

A. Signs shall be considered abandoned and subject to removal pursuant to the procedures of Section 7-2-9 under any of the following circumstances:

1. Where a sign is not kept in good condition, adequately repaired and maintained at all times; the standard for adequate repairs is that the repairs shall be at least equal in quality and design to the original work;

2. Where a sign pertains to activities or occupants that are no longer using a property, and it has not been removed or the sign copy changed within 30 days after the associated enterprise or occupant has vacated the premises;

3. Where a sign permit has expired and the sign has not been removed within 10 days from the expiration; or

4. Where the sign concerns a specific event and five days have elapsed since the occurrence of the event.

(Ord. No. 01-17, § 3, 10-19-01)

All signs, flags, pennants and banners shall be kept in good condition, be legible, and be adequately repaired, maintained, and painted by the owner thereof at all times. All repairs shall be at least equal in quality and design to the original signs. The standards for maintenance and repair of signs shall be that which will assure the highest visual quality for similar land uses contained within this division. Signs not properly maintained may be removed pursuant to Section 7-2-9.

(Ord. No. 01-17, § 3, 10-19-01)

Except as otherwise provided, application for administrative relief from the terms of this division shall be reviewed by either the Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission. A sign program must be submitted for all requests for administrative relief. See Chapter 2-2, Administrative Relief and Chapter 2-31, Sign Program Procedures. Where the approval body for the underlying sign program or sign type is the Planning Commission, the administrative relief request shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Refer to Section 2-2-8 for administrative relief findings for further information.

(Ord. No. 01-17, § 3, 10-19-01)

See Chapters 2-5, 2-23, and 2-29 for further information.

(Ord. No. 01-17, § 3, 10-19-01)

(For purposes of this section, "sign" refers to any permanent or temporary sign, except those identified in Section 7-2-6.B).

A. Notice of violation. Where it is determined that a sign has been erected or installed in violation of this division, abandoned as defined in Section 7-2-5, or improperly maintained as provided in Section 7-2-6, or the permit has terminated or been revoked under Chapter 2-29, or the sign is otherwise in violation of this division, written notice of this determination and the grounds therefor shall be sent or delivered to the owner of the sign or, where ownership is not known, to the owner of the property where the sign is posted. If the notice cannot be sent or delivered to the owner of the sign, then the notice shall be attached to the sign. The notice shall give the owner five days to remove the sign or to appeal the determination and shall include instructions for how such appeal may be made. The owner's right to reclaim the sign upon payment of costs shall be set forth in the notice of violation.

B. Removal without notice of nominal value signs. Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, signs in the public right-of-way, if posted in violation of the provisions of this division, may be removed without notice or hearing.

C. Emergency removal. When it is determined that the sign in question poses an imminent safety hazard or dangerous condition, such sign may be removed immediately and stored by the City. As soon as possible following removal, the owner, if known, shall be given a notice of violation and the right to a hearing by requesting such hearing in within five days of receipt of the notice of removal. The hearing shall be held before the Director of Community Development or his/her designee within 10 days of receipt of the written request for the hearing. The owner and the City shall be permitted to present evidence and cross examine each other's witnesses. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Community Development Director or his/her designee shall prepare a written decision. This decision shall be delivered to the owner personally or by certified mail within 10 days of the hearing. The owner may appeal the decision in accordance with Section 7-2-8. If the owner establishes such removal to be improper, the owner shall be entitled to a return of the signs without charge. In all other cases the sign will be returned to the owner only upon payment of removal and storage costs. If the sign is not claimed within 30 days after the decision becomes final, the sign may be destroyed.

(Ord. No. 01-17, § 3, 10-19-01)