La Verne Municipal Code Ch. 17.16 Restrictions and Exemptions

The following signs are prohibited in all zones and shall not be established within the city, and all such signs existing upon the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title are declared nonconforming structures and shall be regulated by the provisions of Chapter 17.24:

A. Animated signs as defined in Section 17.08.190, except as provided in Section 17.20.110(E) and in Section 17.20.050(S);

B. Bench signs, except at designated public bus stops when the proposed advertising will pay for the construction, use and maintenance of said bench. Any person proposing to erect a bench sign must submit an application for a precise plan and sign permit pursuant to the procedures set forth in Sections 17.12.020 and 17.12.030;

C. Off-site signs as defined in Sections 17.04.050 and 17.08.350;

D. Portable signs as defined in Section 17.08.390;

E. Roof signs as defined in Section 17.08.440;

F. Signs emitting sounds, odor or visible matter;

G. Signs resembling traffic signs;

H. Ground signs greater than nine feet in height, with the exception as stated in Section 17.08.140, and located within five hundred feet of the centerline of any freeway or expressway;

I. Vehicle-mounted signs.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)

No person shall display upon any sign any obscene matter.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)

Signs illuminated internally or externally shall be located or shielded so as to prevent any glare from the bulb, tubes or other illumination devices from falling upon adjacent property or street rights-of-way.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)

All signs and sign structure shall be subject to the following:

A. No sign or sign structure shall be erected at the intersection of any street in a way that obstructs free and clear vision of pedestrians and vehicular traffic.

B. No sign or sign structure shall be erected at any location where, by reason of the position, shape, illumination or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device;

C. No sign or sign structure shall be erected that makes the use of the words "STOP," "LOOK," "DANGER," or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)

A. No sign shall be placed upon public property other than by the city, except a noncommercial sign erected for the purpose of directing traffic to specific locations, such as hospitals, cemeteries and schools.

B. No person shall place or cause to be placed any sign or sign structure on any curb, street, sidewalk, lamp post, street sign post, traffic sign, utility pole, public park, public street, alley, parkway or sidewalk or any other public property without first obtaining a written permit to do so from the director. Any person desiring to place or erect a sign on any public property shall submit a written application to the director containing the following information:

1. Name, address and telephone number of the applicant and authorized agent. If the applicant is an organization or other entity, the name, address and telephone number of the headquarters of the organization or entity and the authorized and responsible head(s) of such organization or entity;

2. Location or locations where the applicant intends to place said sign and sign structure, including the location of said sign structure in relation to existing signs, sign structures, buildings and other structures;

3. Sign and sign structure details, including, but not limited to, sign dimensions, colors, elevation, letter style and size, illumination, type and texture of materials and method of attachment;

4. Facts demonstrating the sign and sign structure are designed for dead load, wind pressure and lateral force in any direction in the amount required by this and all other laws and ordinances of the city;

5. The proposed length of time said sign and sign structure will be erected.

C. The director shall review this information and shall authorize the placing of a sign upon a determination that its placement will not damage any public property, that it will not detract from the aesthetic appearance of the area, and it will not interfere with the prominence of traffic and other public signs and lines of sight for drivers and pedestrians.

D. The director may impose reasonable restrictions, including, but not limited to, the length of time said sign or sign structure may remain on public property, the size and design of said sign or sign structure and the location or locations where said sign or sign structure may be placed. Authorization to erect a sign shall not be denied based upon its content or message.

E. The director shall issue a permit to any person authorized to place any sign or signs upon any public property. Said permit shall contain all restrictions or conditions imposed by the director.

F. No person shall place or cause to be placed any sign upon any private premises or property without the written consent of the owner or occupant or person in charge thereof. Nothing in this subsection shall authorize the placement of a sign or sign structure in violation of Section 17.04.050 of this chapter or any other provision of this code.

G. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the erection and maintenance of official warnings or directional signs by any department of the city or legal notices posted in the places and manner prescribed by law.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)

No sign or sign structure shall:

A. Project into any public alley;

B. Be erected so that its surface or supports will interfere in any way with the free use of any fire escape, exit or standpipe;

C. Obstruct any window to such an extent that any light or ventilation is reduced to a point below that required by any law or ordinance;

D. Be erected so that any portion of its surface or supports is within six feet of overhead electric conductors which are energized in excess of seven hundred fifty volts;

E. Be erected in a public street or right-of-way unless authorized by a variance under Section 18.108.040 of this code, or a permit under Section 17.16.050 of this chapter.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)

Searchlights shall be permitted subject to electrical permit approval in places of public assemblage, such as stadiums, auditoriums or athletic fields. Searchlights may also be permitted subject to electrical permit approval in commercial zones, not to exceed one three-day event per calendar year for any one business.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993)

The provisions and regulations of this title shall not apply to the following signs; provided, however, said signs shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 17.04.050, 17.04.060, 17.12.110 and 17.16.010 through 17.16.070, and Title 18 of this code:

A. Real Estate Signs. For residential uses and zones, one sign pertaining to the sale, lease or hire of only the particular building, property or premises upon which displayed. Permitted sign size shall not exceed six square feet. For nonresidential uses and zones, one sign pertaining to the sale, lease or hire of only the particular building, property or premises upon which displayed. Permitted sign size shall not exceed twenty-four square feet and seven feet in height;

B. Nameplates. One nameplate per occupant or tenant of the premises, containing only the name of the occupant or tenant. Permitted size shall not exceed thirty-five by eight inches;

C. Bulletin Boards. Bulletin boards, when located in areas for public, educational, charitable or religious institutions or entitles when the same are located on the premises of said institution or entity. Permitted size shall not exceed twenty-four square feet;

D. Construction Signs. One sign when displayed during the period of construction denoting the architect, engineer, contractor or lending institution when placed upon work under construction. Permitted size shall not exceed thirty-two square feet and seven feet in height. In no case shall the sign be displayed prior to the issuance of precise plan approval for the project and in no case shall the sign be displayed beyond the time of final inspection or issuance of any occupancy permit;

E. Occupational Signs. One sign per occupant in the premises, denoting only the name and profession of an occupant in a CPD, AP, CM, PID, institutional and appropriate specific plan zones. Permitted size shall not exceed two square feet;

F. Memorial Signs. One memorial sign or tablet containing the names of buildings and date or erection, when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials. Permitted size shall not exceed six square feet in area;

G. Municipal Signs. Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, state or federal signs, railroad crossing signs, danger, and such other temporary or emergency signs as may be approved by the city council;

H. House and Address Numbers. As contained in the official house number map on file with building official and when less than two square feet in size;

I. Interior Signs. As defined in Section 17.08.300 of this title;

J. Noncommercial signs, including political and special event signs, provided that:

1. They shall not be placed upon public property, power poles, street lights, traffic control devices, parkways or public rights-of-way. They may be placed in that portion of a lot that is subject to an easement for public right-of-way, provided that they are at least twelve feet behind the face of the curb,

a. Individual signs in residential zones except as provided in subsection (J)(2)(b) of this section, and in residential uses in institutional and mixed use zones shall not exceed six square feet in area and three feet in height and shall not be more than a total of four feet in height from the ground on which they stand, with the total amount of square footage on a lot not exceeding forty-eight square feet. In addition, noncommercial, nonilluminated window signs in compliance with Section 17.20.050(F) of this title are permitted in residential districts,

b. Individual signs on undeveloped, residentially zoned lots two acres or more in size shall not exceed thirty-two square feet in area and six feet in height and shall not be more than a total of eight feet from the ground on which they stand, with the total amount of square footage on a lot not exceeding sixty-four square feet,

3. Individual signs in nonresidential zones, including institutional zones shall not exceed thirty-two square feet in area and six feet in height and shall not be more than a total of eight feet from the ground on which they stand, with the total amount of square footage on a lot not exceeding sixty-four square feet. In addition, noncommercial, nonilluminated window signs in compliance with Section 17.20.050(F) of this title are permitted in nonresidential districts,

4. Signs pertaining to an election and other noncommercial signs pertaining to an event shall be removed no later than fourteen days after the election or event,

5. No noncommercial signs shall be placed on private property without the consent of the owner;

K. Special event signs, provided that such signs conform to the limitations set out in Chapter 17.20 of this title and any applicable building code requirements.

(Ord. 855 § 2, 1993; Ord. 986 § 2, 2006)