Long Beach Municipal Code Div. II Development Standards

The maximum area of billboards shall be as indicated in Table 54-1.

(ORD-14-0006 § 1, 2014)

The maximum height of billboards shall be as indicated in Table 54-1.

(ORD-14-0006 § 1, 2014)

No billboard shall have more than two (2) faces. A face shall be considered the display surface upon which an advertising message is displayed.

(ORD-14-0006 § 1, 2014)

No billboard shall have more than one (1) face (display surface) oriented in the same vertical plane.

(ORD-14-0006 § 1, 2014)

No billboard shall be maintained in the City unless the name of the person or company owning or maintaining it is plainly displayed thereon.

(ORD-14-0006 § 1, 2014)

Spacing between billboards on the same side of a right-of-way shall be as indicated in Table 54-1. For spacing purposes, any double-faced, V-type, or back-to-back billboard with more than one (1) face (display surface) shall be considered as a single billboard.

(ORD-14-0006 § 1, 2014)

Billboards shall be provided with no more than one (1) support, and the support shall be constructed of steel. The support shall be architecturally treated to the satisfaction of the Planning Commission. At a minimum, unpainted steel structural supports and wood structural supports shall be prohibited.

(ORD-14-0006 § 1, 2014)

In order to decrease the negative effects of light pollution, illumination for non-electronic billboards shall be designed, aimed, and shielded if necessary so that all light falls on the billboard display surface, and light trespass into the night sky or onto adjacent private or public property is prevented. All service wiring shall be underground. Prior to issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall provide proof to the satisfaction of the Director of Development Services that this requirement is met. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant or owner to develop and maintain the billboard lighting system in compliance with this Section.

(ORD-14-0006 § 1, 2014)

A. Driveways. Billboards projecting over a driveway or driving aisle shall have a minimum clearance of sixteen feet (16') between the lowest point of the sign and the driveway grade.

B. Pedestrian Walkway. Billboards projecting over a pedestrian walkway shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet (8') between the lowest point of the sign and the walkway grade.

C. All Others. All other billboards shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet (8') between the lowest point of the sign and ground level so as not to provide an attractive nuisance for graffiti and vandalism.

(ORD-14-0006 § 1, 2014)

No billboard shall project over a public sidewalk unless an encroachment permit is granted by the Department of Public Works. In all cases, a billboard shall be a minimum of two feet (2') away from the curb. No billboard shall project over a public alley.

(ORD-14-0006 § 1, 2014)

All back or rear portions of single-faced and V-type billboards visible from a public right-of-way or other public or private property shall be screened. The screening shall cover all structural members of the sign, not including the pole supports, and shall additionally cover all electrical or electronic display equipment, and any associated antennas, cables, and other appurtenances.

(ORD-14-0006 § 1, 2014)

A. Billboards shall not contain any of the following:

1. Moving parts;

2. Appendages, cut-out letters or figures that exceed twenty percent (20%) of the permitted sign area or that protrude more than twelve inches (12") beyond the flat surface of the sign face;

3. Lights that flash, shimmer, glitter or give the appearance of flashing, shimmering or glittering. Exceptions to this restriction include time, temperature and smog index units, provided the frequency of change does not exceed four (4) second intervals;

4. Walls or screens at the base of the sign which create a hazard to public safety or provide an attractive nuisance;

5. Copy which simulates any traffic sign in a manner which confuses the public; or

6. Devices which emit audible sound, or odor or particulate matter.

B. For electronic billboards, the following restrictions also shall apply:

1. The duration of each message displayed shall be at least eight (8) seconds;

2. No message shall move, flash, shimmer, glitter, or give the appearance of moving, flashing, shimmering or glittering;

3. There shall be a direct change from each message to the next, with no blank or dark interval in between, to avoid a flashing or blinking effect;

4. Display of any form of motion or apparent motion within the message, and any form of video, are prohibited;

5. Any sign area not comprising the electronic display panel is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, static sign area, appendages, cut-out letters, and figures. A frame surrounding the display panel up to twelve (12) inches in width shall be permitted, and shall not contain any sign copy or graphics, and shall not count toward the sign area;

6. The brightness of the display surface shall be limited as follows:

a. Dawn to dusk: unlimited;

b. Dusk to dawn: the display surface shall not produce luminance in excess of 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light conditions, or the level recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) for the specific size and location of the billboard, whichever is less. Measurement of luminance shall be carried out in accordance with established scientific methods and industry standards, specifically IESNA TM-11-00, or a successive IESNA technical publication.

7. The display brightness shall be controlled by a photocell or light sensor that adjusts the brightness to the required dusk-to-dawn level based on ambient light conditions without the need for human input. Use of other brightness adjustment methods, such as timer- or calendar-based systems, shall only be used as a backup system;

8. The display shall be factory-certified as capable of complying with the above brightness standards. Such certification shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Director of Development Services;

9. The billboard owner shall provide to the City, upon request, certification by an independent contractor that the brightness levels of the electronic billboard are in compliance with the requirements of this Section;

10. All electronic billboards shall be oriented, and adequately shielded if necessary, so as to prevent the trespass of light and glare upon any residential land uses, including those in mixed-use districts, as existed on the date of building permit issuance; and

11. All electronic billboards shall be equipped with a control system that, in the event of a display or control malfunction, "freezes" the display on either a single, unchanging message, or a blank screen.

(ORD-14-0006 § 1, 2014)

Prior to issuance of a building permit for any billboard project subject to the requirements of this Chapter, the applicant shall provide the following:

A. The telephone number of a maintenance service, to be available twenty-four (24) hours a day, to be contacted in the event that a billboard becomes dilapidated or damaged, or malfunctions in the case of electronic billboards;

B. Proof of lease demonstrating a right to install the billboard on the subject property;

C. A list and map of locations of all billboards in the City owned or managed by the entity that will own or manage the subject billboard, to the satisfaction of the Director of Development Services. This information also shall be provided on a map. The intent of this requirement is to facilitate analysis of the proposed billboard's compliance with the spacing and location requirements, as well as the nonconforming billboard removal requirements of this Chapter.

(ORD-14-0006 § 1, 2014)

All billboard structures shall be maintained in a neat, clean, and orderly condition. Any structure which is highly rusted, has peeling paint or sign copy, or in any other way appears unattractive or in disrepair shall be deemed in violation of this Chapter and shall be removed or repaired in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. Any structure which the City Engineer or Building Official identifies as an immediate threat to public safety may be removed by the City Engineer or Building Official, or his designee, without notice to the property owner and at the property owner's expense.

(ORD-14-0006 § 1, 2014)