Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.44.400 Temporary signs

Certain classes of signs may be erected as temporary signs subject to the following regulations.

(ORD-13-0014, § 19(Att. A), 2013)

Promotional activity signs, as defined in Section 21.15.2720 of this title, are permitted, subject to the following:

A. Area. A promotional activity sign (banner) shall not exceed one (1) square foot of banner area for each linear foot of building street frontage and shall not exceed one hundred (100) square feet, whichever is less.

B. Number. Only one (1) promotional activity sign shall be allowed per street frontage, or per business in the case of a commercial building with multiple business tenants.

C. Aspect ratio. A promotional activity sign shall not have an aspect ratio exceeding 3.0 (three (3) units length per one (1) unit height).

D. Location. Promotional activity signs shall be placed on a building wall only. It shall be prohibited to place a promotional activity sign on a fence, supported from poles or trees, between buildings or walls, upon an existing sign cabinet or structure (whether in use or not), on a building roof or extending above the parapet wall, or upon another structure. Promotional activity signs shall not be placed overhanging or obscuring windows.

E. Time Limit. The following time limits shall apply to promotional activity signs:

1. A promotional activity sign permit shall be valid for only ninety (90) days and shall not be renewable in the same calendar year.

2. The allowed time period shall be measured in calendar days. The ninety (90) day period may be broken into two (2) forty-five (45) day periods or three (3) thirty (30) day periods, provided that the sign is removed at the end of each period.

3. If the ninety (90) days includes December 31 and January 1, the permit shall be prorated or adjusted accordingly, such that permits are not issued for a site for more than ninety (90) days in a given calendar year, including prior promotional activity sign permits having a portion of the ninety (90) days period in the same year.

F. Legalization of promotional activity signs (banners) without permits. Any promotional activity sign placed without a valid permit shall be subject to the following:

1. If a permit is to be issued, the applicant shall pay double fees;

2. The duration (in days) that the sign was in place without a permit shall be subtracted from the ninety (90) days allowed for a promotional activity sign if it is to be legalized through a permit;

3. If the sign was in place for ninety (90) days or more without a permit, the sign shall be removed and no permit shall be issued for the subject location in that calendar year; and

4. If the duration that the sign was in place without a permit is not known or is not divulged by the applicant, the sign shall be assumed to have been in place for ninety (90) days, and the sign shall be removed, and no promotional activity sign permit shall be issued for the subject location in that calendar year.

G. Exceptions.

1. Real estate signs and banners. Real estate signs and banners are considered "permit exempt" signs and are subject to the restrictions specified in Table 44-4.

2. Grand opening signs. One (1) promotional activity sign for a grand opening event shall be allowed for a period of ninety (90) days in a calendar year, in addition to one (1) other promotional activity sign in the same calendar year.

3. Automobile sales businesses/dealerships. Vehicle sales businesses may be exempted from the limitations of this section on promotional activity signs through the Creative Sign Permit process; except that all pennants, streamers, and inflatable, air-blown, balloon-type and all other prohibited signs or decorations shall be prohibited regardless.

4. Noncommercial promotional activity signs. Noncommercial promotional activity signs are considered permit exempt signs and are subject to the restrictions specified in Table 44-4.

H. Street Banners. Street banners and banners hung across a public street are subject to approval by the City Manager as provided in Section 18.04.010 of the Municipal Code, and are not regulated by this chapter.

I. Maintenance. Promotional signs shall not be in a condition of disrepair. Disrepair shall include torn, faded, sagging, or dirty signs, and signs with a message that is outdated or no longer relevant. Signs in disrepair shall be removed, or may be restored or repaired if still within the permitted ninety (90) day period.

(ORD-13-0014, § 19(Att. A), 2013)

Political campaign signs are not regulated as a separate class of signs.

(ORD-13-0014, § 19(Att. A), 2013)

Subdivision signs advertising the initial sale or lease of residential units within a single contiguous grouping comprised of fifteen (15) or more dwelling units, or fifteen (15) or more lots, are permitted, subject to the following regulations:

A. Display Period. A subdivision sign may be displayed during the period of construction and for a period not to exceed six (6) months from the date which eighty percent (80%) of the units have received certificate of occupancy, or until all of the units or lots have been sold or leased, whichever occurs first.

B. Permitted Sign Types. Only non-illuminated, freestanding signs are permitted.

C. Number. One (1) sign is allowed, plus one additional sign for each fifty (50) dwelling units or lots in the subdivision, or one (1) plus one (1) for each five (5) acres in the subdivision, whichever is less.

D. Sign Area and Height. The size of a subdivision sign shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet, and the height shall not exceed fifteen feet (15'), measured from grade to the highest point of signs.

(ORD-13-0014, § 19(Att. A), 2013)