La Verne Municipal Code Ch. 17.04 General Provisions

A. Signs have become a prominent part of the scenery and have definite impact on the character and quality of the city. Their design requires sensitivity, in that they can attract or repel the viewing public, affect the safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and help set the tone of the neighborhood. Signs must harmonize with the neighborhood and other signs in the area.

B. Provisions consistent with the goals and objectives of the community are necessary to insure that the special character and image the community is striving for can be attained while servicing business needs in the community. Signs shall be designed to reflect the architecture, streetscape, and design characteristics of the property served. Signs are primarily to identify the general nature of an establishment or to direct attention to a product, activity, place, person, organization or enterprise.

C. The purpose of this title is to regulate the design, construction, location and text of signs, considering the aesthetic and safety standards and local uses, and preserving and maintaining the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of this city.

D. The objectives of the various sign regulations contained in this title are:

1. To provide a reasonable system of controls for signs, to ensure the development of a high quality environment;

2. To encourage signs which are well designed and pleasing in appearance and to provide incentive and latitude for variety, good design relationship, and spacing;

3. To enhance the economic value of the community through the regulation of such characteristics as size, number, location, design and illumination of signs;

4. To reduce possible traffic and safety hazards through good signs.

5. To implement goals and objectives contained in the La Verne general plan community design element.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)

The provisions of this title shall supplement building code requirements and such requirements as are provided for in Title 15 of this code.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)

No person shall place, maintain or alter any sign or sign structure without permit and which does not comply with this title. Any violation of this code shall be punished as an infraction or a misdemeanor at the discretion of the prosecuting attorney.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)

Every sign erected shall have its sign permit number, name of erector, installation year and when illuminated, the voltage, in a readily visible location. This section does not apply to noncommercial signs.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)

No sign now or hereafter existing shall advertise anything other than the general nature of an establishment, business conducted or product sold on premises where said sign is located, other than noncommercial signs, public information signs, special event signs, subdivision off-site signs pursuant to Sections 17.16.050 and 17.16.080 of this title.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)

A. All signs and sign structures, as well as the immediate premises surrounding them, shall be maintained by the sign owner and property owner in a clean, sanitary and inoffensive condition, in repair and free and clear of all obnoxious substances, rubbish and weeds. The building official may order the removal of any sign that is not erected or maintained in accordance with the provisions of this section.

B. All signs shall be subject to the following procedures, except as otherwise provided herein:

1. If the director finds that any sign or sign structure has been erected or maintained in violation of any provisions of this title or the sign permit, that the sign permit or precise plan review contains any material misstatements, or that any sign or sign structure is unsafe or insecure, shall give written notice of findings and intent to revoke to the permittee thereof. The permittee must remove or alter the sign or sign structure so as to comply with the standards herein set forth, or provide a written response sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this title, within ten days after the date of mailing such notice. Upon the failure of the permittee to do so, the building official shall revoke the sign permit. No new permit shall be issued to any permittee or owner who refuses thereafter to remove or alter an unlawful sign.

2. If the building official determines that a sign or sign structure has been abandoned, a written notice of these findings shall be given or mailed to the owner of the building or property where such sign or sign structure is located, and that the sign permit for said sign shall be revoked. If the owner does not provide written response demonstrating that said sign or sign structure is not an abandoned sign within fifteen days of mailing of such notice, the building official shall revoke the sign permit.

3. Any sign for which the sign permit has been revoked pursuant to paragraphs 1 or 2 of this subsection due to any material misstatement in the sign permit or precise plan review, the placement or maintenance of a sign in an unsafe or insecure manner, or the maintenance of an abandoned sign, is declared to be an unlawful sign and a public nuisance and shall be abated in the manner provided by law.

4. The building official may cause any sign or sign structure which is an immediate peril to the health or safety of any persons or property to be removed summarily and without prior notice. Upon the summary removal of any sign, the building official shall give written notice to the permittee.

5. Any person aggrieved by any decision of the director or building official may appeal such decision in the manner set forth in Section 18.16.140 of this code.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)

All signs and sign structures will be designed and constructed to withstand wind pressure and dead loads as required by the building code or other ordinance of the city.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)

All signs and sign structures not mounted on a wall shall be set back a minimum of five feet from any public right-of-way. Lordsburg Specific Plan ground signs are exempt from this provision if less than five feet in height.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)

All signs or sign structures which are constructed in the public right-of-way due to structure location, or within five feet of the minimum setback lines pursuant to a variance, shall have a smooth surface and no nails, tacks or supporting wires or cables shall be permitted to protrude therefrom, except electrical reflectors and devices which may extend over the top and in front of the sign.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)