Manhattan Beach Municipal Code § 10.72.040 Exemptions

The purpose of signs is to provide business identification. The location, height, size, and illumination of signs are regulated in order to maintain the attractiveness and orderliness of the City's appearance; to protect business sites from loss of prominence resulting from excessive signs, particularly pole signs, on nearby sites; to protect the public safety and welfare.

(§ 2, Ord. 1951, eff. July 4, 1996)

A. Permits are required for all temporary and permanent signs except for those specified as exempt herein.

B. The maximum area of any single sign face, comprised of one (1) or multiple face panels, shall be one hundred fifty (150) square feet.

C. All sign illumination shall be internal or by lighting shielded from direct off-site view, and no sign shall have blinking or flashing lights or any other illuminating device which has a changing light intensity, brightness or color.

D. No sign shall move, have visible moving parts, or simulate movement by means of fluttering, spinning, or reflective devices.

E. The copy of all signs shall be permanently fixed in place in conformance with their corresponding sign permits unless an exception for changeable copy is provided pursuant to the regulations of this chapter.

F. Portable signs are prohibited, except as permitted or exempted in this chapter.

G. All signs shall be structurally safe, shall be of rust resistant material, and shall be maintained in good condition, subject to the approval of the Community Development Department. The visibly, exposed surfaces of all signs shall be of a decorative finish. Rough supporting members, electrical appurtenances, or equipment shall not be visible.

H. Abandoned signs shall be removed by the property owner within thirty (30) days of the City's determination that a sign is abandoned.

I. All sign permits issued for any multiple tenant site shall be in conformance with an approved site sign program.

(§ 2, Ord. 1951, eff. July 4, 1996)

"Abandoned sign" means any sign or structure which: identifies a use which has not occupied the site on which it is located for a period of ninety (90) days, does not clearly identify any land use for a period of ninety (90) days, or has keen in a state of disrepair or poor condition for a period of thirty (30) days.

"Area of sign" shall be determined by the outer edge of the frame of the sign. Each face of a multiple-faced sign shall be counted as part of the sign area. In cases where individual letters, words or other sign display are attached to a building, the sign area shall be determined by not more than by two (2) rectangles, of at least six-inch (6″) width, drawn around the entire copy or grouping of letters, words or other sign display.

"Awning/canopy sign" means sign copy printed on an awning or canopy of any material, projecting out from a building wall.

"Billboard" means any outdoor, off-site sign or advertising device.

"Changeable copy sign" means any sign with copy which can be changed or altered to advertise products, services or messages to the public.

"Corner side wall sign" means sign located on a side building wall, perpendicular to the front wall sign.

"Corner tenant" means any tenant space located at an end of a building and thus having perpendicular exterior walls, regardless of street frontage.

"Construction sign" means any construction sign on a construction site indicating names and other information about individuals or businesses directly involved in the project on the site.

"Directional sign" means a non-official sign designed to guide or direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

Frontage, Building. "Building frontage" means the width of a structure measured from the outer wall.

Frontage, Property. "Property frontage" means the width of a property measured from one (1) property line to the other along the longest street frontage.

Frontage, Tenant. "Tenant frontage" means the width of a tenant space measured from one (1) side wall to the other along the front exterior wall.

"Gasoline price sign" means signs located on-site, identifying company name and prices/grades of vehicle fuels for sale.

"Height of monument or pole sign" means the vertical distance measured from the public sidewalk or street grade nearest to the base of the sign, to the highest point of the sign structure.

"Illuminated sign" means any sign using an artificial source of light, including neon, to enhance the visibility of the sign, including internally and externally lighted, reflective, glowing or radiating signs.

"Monument sign" means a free-standing, ground mounted sign that does not exceed six feet (6′) in height.

"Off-premises sign" means any sign identifying a name, product or service which is not located up on the site that it occupies.

"On-premises sign" means any sign indicating a name, product or service incidental to a permitted use on the property where the sign is located.

"Pedestrian sign" means a small non-illuminated sign suspended under an awning or canopy or attached to a building by a decorative holder, oriented toward pedestrian traffic, to identify a business.

"Pole sign" means any free-standing sign exceeding six feet (6′) in height excluding signs specified as exempt in this chapter.

"Portable sign" means any unattached sign which can be readily moved or relocated.

"Project" means a developed site with defined and recognized boundaries.

"Projecting sign" means any sign which projects or cantilevers out horizontally more than one foot (1′) from a building or wall, or over the public right-of-way, excluding awning/canopy or pedestrian signs.

"Roof sign" means any sign located on or extending above the roof of a building.

"Sign" means any media, device, graphic depiction, illumination or display for the purpose of identifying, or attracting attention to business establishments or services, or promoting products, goods, services, or items for sale, rent or lease. Registered trademarks, with or without written text, shall be included in the definition of signage and shall be counted in the determination of total sign area. Should any uncertainty exist as to what elements constitute sign area, the determination shall be made by the Director of Community Development. The determination of the Director is appealable to the Planning Commission consistent with Section 10.01.070 (D).

"Sign program" means sign specifications for a multiple tenant site.

"Temporary sign" means any sign or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, cardboard, wallboard, or other light materials, with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a temporary period.

"Wall sign" means any sign attached to or painted on a wall, window, or parapet/mansard wall, of a business, parallel to the wall.

(§ 2, Ord. 1951, eff. July 4, 1996, as amended by § 4, Ord. 2007, eff. November 18, 1999, § 2, Ord. 2013, eff. June 15, 2000, § 2 (part), Ord. 2022, eff. February 16, 2001, § 2 (part), Ord. 2027, eff. May 3, 2001)

The following signs shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter; however, an electrical or building permit may be required:

A. Directional Signs. One (1) parking directional sign is permitted at each entrance or exit, not to exceed six (6) square feet or four feet (4′) in height.

B. Real Estate Signs. One (1) unlighted sign on each street frontage, not to exceed six (6) square feet or four feet (4′) in height. In addition, freestanding, directional signs may be used to direct traffic to an open house. Such signs shall be a maximum of four (4) square feet and maybe displayed between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. One (1) flag or pennant per sign is permitted.

C. Construction Signs. One (1) unlighted sign, not to exceed four (4) square feet in area on the site of a project actively under construction for each contractor, architect or engineer. Total signs on a site shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet.

D. Official notices authorized by a court, public body, or public officer.

E. Directional, warning or information signs authorized by federal, state, or municipal authority.

F. Memorial plaques and building cornerstones when made an integral part of a building or structure.

G. One non-illuminated permanent window, wall, door, or directory sign per business, not exceeding three (3) square feet, with letter heights not exceeding four inches (4″), limited to business identification, goods and service descriptions, hours of operation, address and telephone number.

H. Interior signs within a structure, not visible from neighboring properties or the public right-of-way.

I. Official City or utility company safety and notification signs on construction sites or in conjunction with public utilities.

J. Official flags of recognized federal, state, county or municipal organizations.

K. Automobile dealership price signs located on windshields of vehicles for sale on the dealership site.

(§ 2, Ord. 1951, eff. July 4, 1996)

The following schedule prescribes sign regulations for all types of land uses, as defined in Chapter 10.08 of this title. The columns establish basic requirements for sign quantities, sizes, and locations; letters in parentheses in the right-hand column refer to "additional regulations" following the schedule.

sf = square feet lf = lineal feet

Maximum sign area is sum of area of all sign faces unless otherwise specified

Permitted signs—Additional Regulations

A. Temporary Signs. The purpose of this section is to provide opportunity for businesses to advertise temporary special events including grand openings, sales, and seasonal promotions, while minimizing the potential for adverse visual and aesthetic impacts by regulating the duration, amount, and type of signs allowed. Temporary signs are allowed in addition to permanent signs, upon the issuance of a temporary sign permit, and subject to the following requirements:

1. Application. An application for a temporary sign shall be made to the Community Development a minimum of ten (10) days prior to installation. An application includes a temporary sign fee, performance bond to guarantee removal at the termination of the permit, and a time schedule for the duration of all proposed temporary signs.

2. Permitted Signs. Temporary signs shall include banners, posters, pennants, small party balloons, ribbons, or lettering and graphics painted on windows.

3. Allowable Area. During a single calendar year, each tenant space may apply for one (1) or more temporary signs for a total cumulative sign area not to exceed one (1) square foot per lineal feet of leased "tenant frontage" of a building as defined in Section 10.72.030 of this chapter. For buildings with less than a twenty foot (20′) tenant frontage, a maximum of twenty (20) square feet of sign area shall be permitted. In any case, the maximum cumulative area shall be eighty (80) square feet. The maximum area of a single temporary sign shall not exceed forty-eight (48) square feet.

For tenants occupying corner-leased spaces, a maximum of two (2) tenant frontages may be used to determine the maximum allowed sign area. The total amount of sign area displayed on each tenant frontage shall be proportionate to the lineal feet of each frontage.

4. Duration of Density. The duration of display in a calendar year shall not exceed an accumulation of nine (90) days.

5. Placement. Temporary signs shall be prohibited on building roofs and shall not cause unnecessary repetition, redundancy or proliferation of signage.

6. Maintenance. All temporary signs must be maintained in good condition and repair. Any which are torn, faded, sagging or in disrepair shall be replaced at the request of the Community Development Director.

7. Prohibited Signs. Prohibited signs shall include those listed in Section 10.72.070 of this chapter.

8. Temporary Sign Program. The intent of a temporary sign program is to provide flexibility for large retail oriented commercial sites which, due to their unusual size, building configuration or orientation, lack of street exposure, or by nature of business, cannot successfully advertise special events or promotions by adhering to the strict application of the signs standards stated above.

A site consisting of a minimum of two (2) acres, and improved with a building(s) predominantly occupied by retail sales uses, is eligible for a temporary sign program to establish site specific temporary sign standards specifically for allowable area and duration of display. An application for a temporary sign program shall be reviewed and approved by the Community Development Director and may be incorporated into a master sign program pursuant to Section 10.72.060 of this chapter. The following performance standards shall apply:

a. Placement of signs shall be oriented toward a commercial street and away from residential homes.

b. The temporary sign program shall specify sign design guidelines and sign area allocations to be applied to the entire site.

c. The duration of sign display authorized in a temporary sign program shall not exceed a total of one hundred twenty (120) days per calendar year.

d. Prohibited signs or devices shall be consistent with those provided in subsection E of Section 10.72.070, including but not limited to signs placed on public property and large inflatable tethered objects.

9. Appeals. Decisions of the Community Development Director may be appealed to the Planning Commission in accordance with Chapter 10.100.

B. Encroachment permits are required for structures projecting into the public right-of-way.

C. Signs and structures adjacent to street property lines must observe the visibility requirements of Sections 10.64.150 and 3.40.010.

D. A pole sign, where permitted, shall be located a minimum distance from each interior site property line of twenty feet (20′).

E. Changeable copy is permitted to be incorporated within one (1) primary monument sign of a public or semipublic site.

(§ 2, Ord. 1951, eff. July 4, 1996, as amended by § 5, Ord. 2007, eff. November 18, 1999)

An approved sign program is required for any multiple tenant site, consistent with the regulations of this chapter, prior to issuance of any sign permit upon said site. The purposes of a sign program are to establish uniform sign design guidelines and sign area allocations for all uses and/or buildings on a site which conform to the requirements of this chapter, and incorporate sign exceptions approved pursuant to Section 10.72.080. An application for a sign program shall be reviewed by the Director of Community Development, unless filed in conjunction with a use permit or amendment, in which case said application shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission. The Director of Community Development may approve modifications to all approved sign program which are in compliance with the sign regulations of this chapter, unless stated otherwise in the approved sign program.

(§ 2, Ord. 1951, eff. July 4, 1996)

A. Off-site or off-premises signs;

B. Outdoor advertising display signs (billboards);

C. Signs on public property, unless otherwise permitted by this chapter;

D. Portable, A-frame, or sidewalk signs, excluding business identification signs affixed flat on the body of a vehicle which provides services to said business other than identification or advertising;

E. Three-dimensional objects or statutes including air or gas-filled objects greater than eighteen inches (18″) in diameter each, and located, attached or tethered to the group site, merchandise, structure or roof and used to attract attention or as a sign as defined herein;

F. Abandoned signs;

G. Roof signs;

H. Projecting signs other than those permitted in Section 10.72.050;

I. Revolving, flashing, fluttering, spinning or reflective signs;

J. Signs other than those permitted by this chapter;

K. Signs determined to be unsafe, a danger to the public, or a traffic hazard, by the Community Development or Public Works Departments.

(§ 2, Ord. 1951, eff. July 4, 1996, as amended by § 6, Ord. 2007, eff. November 18, 1999)

On sites where strict application of this chapter creates results inconsistent with the intent of this chapter, the Planning Commission may approve modifications to the requirements of this chapter.

Applicants shall submit copies of a proposed sign program with plans and elevations drawn to scale of all existing and proposed buildings and signs as part of the exception application. Upon receipt of a complete application the item will be placed on the next available Planning Commission agenda.

An application for a sign exception as it was applied for, or in modified form as required by the Commission, shall be approved if, on the basis of the application, plans, and materials submitted; the Commission finds that:

A. The proposed sign exception would not be detrimental to, nor adversely impact, the neighborhood or district in which the property is located. Potential impacts may include, but are not limited to, design;

B. The proposed sign exception is necessary in order that the applicant may not be deprived unreasonably in the use or enjoyment of their property;

C. The proposed sign exception is consistent with the legislative intent of this title; and

D. For sign exceptions proposed in the coastal zone, the sign design and scale does not:

1. Obstruct views to or along the coast from publicly accessible places;

2. Adversely impact public access to and use of the water;

3. Adversely impact public recreation, access or the visual resources of the coast.

In granting any such exception, the Planning Commission may impose reasonable conditions or restrictions as deemed appropriate or necessary to assure compliance with subsections A through D of this section, and to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare.

In granting any such exception, the Planning Commission may impose reasonable conditions or restrictions as deemed appropriate or necessary to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare.

(§ 2, Ord. 1951, eff. July 4, 1996, as amended by § 2, Ord. 2013, eff. June 15, 2000, § 2 (part), Ord. 2022, eff. February 16, 2001, § 2 (part), Ord. 2027, eff. May 3, 2001)

A. Temporary Signs. Prohibited temporary signs as designated in this chapter shall be summarily abated within thirty (30) days of the City's determination of nonconforming status, unless otherwise approved by permit.

B. Permanent Signs.

1. Signs lawfully existing by benefit of permit prior to February 15, 1972, which were nonconforming under Ordinance No. 1238 shall be abated within thirty (30) days of the City's determination of nonconforming status, unless otherwise approved by permit.

2. Signs lawfully existing by benefit of permit prior to March 18, 1976, which were nonconforming under Ordinance No. 1447, shall be made to comply whenever any of the following conditions occur: transfer of ownership of business, sale of more than fifty percent (50%) of the interest in the business, inclusion or additional partners whose interest is more than fifty percent (50%).

3. Signs lawfully existing by benefit of permit which do not comply with the requirements of this chapter shall not be moved or enlarged unless they are made to comply.

C. All Signs.

1. Nonconforming signs which are nonconforming for reasons of danger to the public, traffic hazard, movement, rotation, flashing, or scintillating lights, such nonconforming portions shall be required to conform within thirty (30) days of the City's determination of nonconforming status, unless otherwise approved by permit.

2. Signs, other than those exempted in this chapter, which exist without benefit of permit on buildings or properties shall be abated prior to the issuance of a building permit or a permit for any new sign on the same building or property.

(§ 2, Ord. 1951, eff. July 4, 1996)

Sign permit and related fees shall be contained in a schedule established by the City Council under separate resolution.

A. A fee shall be required for each sign permit. A fee may be required for plan checking purposes. In addition, a performance bond shall be required to guarantee inspection of permanent signs.

B. A fee shall be required for temporary signs. In addition, a performance bond shall be required to guarantee timely removal of temporary signs.

C. Exempt from fee requirements are exempt signs in Section 10.72.040, including: directional signs, political signs, real estate signs, and construction signs.

(§ 2, Ord. 1951, eff. July 4, 1996)

The provisions of this chapter shall be administered and enforced by the community development department and are subject to Chapter 10.104 of this title.

(§ 2, Ord. 1951, eff. July 4, 1996)

Applications for appeals are subject to Chapter 10.100 of this title.

(§ 2, Ord. 1951, eff. July 4, 1996)