Chapter 5.20 — ADVERTISEMENTS
Pasadena Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-29 · Pasadena
5.20.010 - Definitions.¶
Unless it is apparent from the context that another meaning is intended, the following words when used herein shall have the meaning attached to them by this section:
A.
"Advertisement" means any advertisement, sign, bill, poster, picture, map, plat, sample or device calling or directing public attention to any property or articles offered for sale, amusement, route of travel or other enterprise, when the object thereof is to derive profit or gain therefrom.
B.
"Distribute" means to distribute or place in doorways, vehicles, upon private premises or in, upon or about the streets.
C.
"Person" means any person, firm or corporation whether acting as principal, agent, servant or employee.
D.
"Public place" means any wall, billboard, fence, post, tree, building or other like place visible from any place to which the public is generally admitted, or upon which the public may travel.
(Ord. 2851 § 1, 1930)
5.20.020 - License required to distribute materials.¶
Subject to the exceptions of Section 5.20.030, it is unlawful for any person to distribute any advertisement unless such person or his principal has been duly licensed so to do as herein provided.
(Ord. 2851 § 2, 1930)
5.20.030 - Exceptions.¶
The prohibitions of Section 5.20.020 shall not be deemed to apply to:
A.
Any person displaying any advertisement relating to business conducted upon the premises where the advertisement is displayed;
B.
Any church, charitable or educational society or institution;
C.
Any political party or individual seeking public office when such advertising is confined to political or public matters;
D.
Notices prescribed or required by law and notices posted by lawful officers.
(Ord. 2851 § 3, 1930)
5.20.040 - Fees.¶
Licenses required by this chapter shall be issued by the city license collector only upon payment to him of the following fees:
For 1 year — $ 201.22;
For 6 months — 117.36;
For 3 months — 67.06;
For 1 month — 26.82.
(Ord. 6113 § 20, 1985: Ord. 3316 § 1, 1936: Ord. 2851 § 4, 1930)
5.20.050 - Refunds.¶
A.
Any license fee or penalty hereafter paid more than once, or hereafter illegally, erroneously or wrongfully paid or collected under this chapter may be refunded by order of the legislative body of the city, provided that a claim therefor, duly verified by the person making such payment, his attorney, duly authorized agent, guardian or his executor or administrator, shall have been filed with the legislative body of the city within 6 months after the date of payment of the amount sought to be refunded; the claim shall include the name and address of the claimant, the amount and date of the payment sought to be refunded, and the reasons or grounds upon which the claim for refund is based. In no case shall any judgment be rendered for the plaintiff in any proceeding brought to enforce the payment of any claim arising hereunder if such action or proceeding is brought by any person other than the persons designated herein.
B.
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection A, the following license fees or penalties may be refunded by the director of finance within 6 months after the date of payment if:
Paid more than once or illegally, erroneously, or wrongfully paid or collected under this chapter;
The amount paid exceeds the amount due by reason of clerical error or incorrect information supplied by the taxpayer; and
In any other case where the amount to be refunded is less than $25.00.
(Ord. 5099 § 1, 1973: Ord. 2851 § 4A, 1930)
5.20.060 - Posting on private property.¶
It is unlawful for any person, whether licensed hereunder or not, or whether within the exceptions of Section 5.20.030 or not, to display any advertisement upon any private property in the city without the expressed permission of the occupant, owner or person in possession thereof.
(Ord. 2851 § 5, 1930)
5.20.080 - Advertising in public place or way.¶
It is unlawful for any person whether licensed hereunder or not, or whether within the exceptions of Section 5.20.030 or not, to carry upon his person or to display upon the exterior of any vehicle in or upon any street, alley, park or pleasure ground in the city, any advertisement as herein defined; and it is unlawful for any person in a loud or boisterous manner to call or direct public attention to any property or article offered for sale, amusement, route of travel or other enterprise, when the object thereof is to derive profit or gain therefrom; provided, however, that this section shall not be deemed to prohibit the display upon any vehicle of advertisements not exceeding 12 square feet in area used in the conduct of any business, or of advertisements indicating the name or kind of or relating to such business.
(Ord. 2851 § 6, 1930)
5.20.100 - Violation—Penalty.¶
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter is deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $300.00 or by imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
(Ord. 2851 § 9, 1930)
5.20.110 - Penalty for fee nonpayment.¶
For failure to pay a license fee as required, the license collector shall add a penalty of 10 percent of the original license fee on the last day of each month after the due date, provided that the total penalty to be added shall in no event exceed 50 percent of the amount of the original license fee.
(Ord. 4867 § 1, 1968: Ord. 2851 § 9.1, 1930)
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- Article I — NAME AND BOUNDARIES
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- Article XVI — PARK PRESERVATION
- Article XVII — TAXPAYER PROTECTION
- Article XVIII — THE PASADENA FAIR AND EQUITABLE HOUSING CHARTE…
- Title 1 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Title 1 — FOOTNOTES
- Chapter 2.05 — CITY COUNCIL
- Chapter 2.10 — CITY COUNCIL VACANCY APPOINTMENT PROCESS
- Chapter 2.20 — INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
- Chapter 2.25 — PARKING AUTHORITY
- Chapter 2.28 — SURPLUS PROPERTY AUTHORITY
- Chapter 2.30 — CITY ATTORNEY'S DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.35 — CITY CLERK'S DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.40 — CITY MANAGER'S DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.45 — ADVISORY BODIES GENERALLY
- Chapter 2.47 — ARTS AND CULTURE COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.48 — ACCESSIBILITY AND DISABILITY COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.55 — CODE ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.60 — COMMUNITY POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.65 — COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
- Chapter 2.70 — COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
- Chapter 2.75 — HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.80 — DESIGN COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.85 — HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.86 — HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.90 — LIBRARY COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.95 — NORTHWEST COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.98 — PARKING METER ZONES ADVISORY COMMISSIONS
- Chapter 2.100 — RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.105 — PLANNING COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.110 — RELOCATION APPEALS BOARD
- Chapter 2.120 — SENIOR COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.130 — SOUTH LAKE AVENUE PARKING PLACE COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.135 — TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.140 — ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMISSION
- Chapter 2.150 — HAHAMONGNA WATERSHED PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE
- Chapter 2.155 — PASADENA COMMUNITY ACCESS CORPORATION BOARD
- Chapter 2.165 — PASADENA CENTER OPERATING COMPANY BOARD
- Chapter 2.175 — THE ROSE BOWL OPERATING COMPANY
- Chapter 2.250 — RETIREMENT SYSTEM
- Chapter 2.255 — AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS GENERALLY
- Chapter 2.265 — PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPA…
- Chapter 2.266 — PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.267 — LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.268 — HOUSING DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.270 — PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.275 — FINANCE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.280 — FIRE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.285 — HUMAN RESOURCES
- Chapter 2.290 — INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.295 — POLICE DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.300 — PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.302 — RENT STABILIZATION DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.303 — TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.305 — WATER AND POWER DEPARTMENT
- Chapter 2.350 — ACCEPTANCE OF SURETIES
- Chapter 2.355 — ADMINISTRATIVE RESOLUTION OF CODE VIOLATIONS
- Chapter 2.360 — EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN CITY EMPLOYMENT
- Chapter 2.365 — CLAIMS BY AND AGAINST THE CITY
- Chapter 2.370 — DISASTER EMERGENCY SERVICES COUNCIL
- Chapter 2.375 — EMERGENCY AUXILIARY FORCES
- Chapter 2.380 — HOUSING MEDIATION CONTRACTOR
- Chapter 2.385 — PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO ARREST PURSUANT TO PENAL…
- Chapter 2.390 — RECORD AND DOCUMENT FEES
- Chapter 2.395 — UNCLAIMED PERSONAL PROPERTY
- Chapter 2.400 — USE AND ACCESS OF CRIMINAL HISTORY INFORMATION
- Title 3 — CIVIC EVENTS AND FACILITIES
- Article I — General Provisions
- Article II — Permits
- Article III — Use Restrictions
- Article IV — Uses Requiring Permission
- Article V — Refunds—Penalties
- Chapter 3.28 — CIVIL DEFENSE TRAINING CENTER
- Chapter 3.32 — ARROYO SECO PUBLIC LANDS
- Article I — General Provisions
- Article II — Natural Preservation Area
- Article III — Brookside Park Area
- Article IV — Rose Bowl Area
- Article V — Brookside Golf Course Area
- Title 3 — FOOTNOTES
- Title 4 — REVENUE AND FINANCE
- Article 1 — General Provisions and Definitions
- Chapter 4.90 — CITY OF PASADENA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REVENUE B…
- Chapter 4.95 — PUBLIC WORKS BENEFIT ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS
- Chapter 4.100 — POWER DIVISION GENERAL FUND TRANSFER
- Chapter 4.101 — PASADENA TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
- Chapter 4.105 — SALES TAX INCENTIVES
- Chapter 4.106 — MOBILE SOURCE AIR POLLUTION REDUCTION ORDINANCE
- Chapter 4.107 — CITY OF PASADENA SPECIAL TAX FINANCING IMPROVE…
- Chapter 4.108 — SEISMIC AND FIRE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT ASSESSMENT…
- Chapter 4.109 — LIBRARY SPECIAL TAX
- Title 4 — FOOTNOTES
- Chapter 5.02 — PAYMENT OF A CITY-WIDE MINIMUM WAGE
- Chapter 5.04 — GENERAL PROVISIONS
- Chapter 5.08 — DEFINITIONS
- Chapter 5.10 — LICENSE REGULATIONS
- Chapter 5.12 — EXEMPTIONS TO TAX
- Chapter 5.16 — FEES FOR MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESSES
- Chapter 5.20 — ADVERTISEMENTS
- Chapter 5.24 — ALARM SYSTEMS
- Chapter 5.28 — CANNABIS BUSINESS TAX
- Chapter 5.32 — BILLIARD AND POOL ROOMS
- Chapter 5.33 — BINGO GAMES
- Chapter 5.34 — CHARITABLE SOLICITATIONS
- Chapter 5.35 — CONCEALABLE FIREARMS—RETAIL SALES
- Chapter 5.40 — ESCORT BUREAUS
- Chapter 5.44 — FRANCHISE GRANTS FOR USE OF PUBLIC WAYS
- Chapter 5.45 — SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES
- Chapter 5.48 — MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS
- Chapter 5.56 — PAWNBROKERS, JUNK AND SECONDHAND DEALERS
- Chapter 5.60 — SALES AND CLOSE-OUTS
- Chapter 5.68 — UNDERGROUND FACILITIES USE
- Chapter 5.72 — VEHICLES FOR HIRE
- Chapter 5.74 — LICENSURE OF TOBACCO RETAILERS
- Chapter 5.78 — COMMERCIAL CANNABIS ACTIVITY
- Chapter 5.80 — COVID-19 RIGHT OF RECALL
- Chapter 5.82 — COVID-19 WORKER RETENTION ORDINANCE
- Title 5 — FOOTNOTES
- Title 6 — ANIMALS
- Title 6 — FOOTNOTES
- Title 8 — HEALTH AND SAFETY
- Title 8 — FOOTNOTES
- Title 9 — PUBLIC PEACE, MORALS AND WELFARE
- Chapter 9.20 — GAMING AND GAMBLING
- Chapter 9.24 — ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN PUBLIC
- Chapter 9.26 — DEFECATION AND URINATION IN PUBLIC
- Chapter 9.28 — INDECENT EXPOSURE
- Chapter 9.36 — NOISE RESTRICTIONS
- Chapter 9.37 — LEAF-BLOWING MACHINES
- Chapter 9.40 — BALL GAME BACKSTOPS
- Chapter 9.41 — COMBUSTIBLE BALLOONS
- Chapter 9.42 — FORMATION FLYING
- Chapter 9.43 — FEES FOR SECOND OR SUBSEQUENT RESPONSE TO PROVI…
- Chapter 9.44 — DISTRIBUTION OF UNSOLICITED WRITTEN MATERIAL (R…
- Chapter 9.45 — UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
- Chapter 9.48 — FIRE HYDRANTS
- Chapter 9.52 — TRESPASSING
- Chapter 9.56 — OBSTRUCTING PUBLIC PLACE OR BUSINESS
- Chapter 9.58 — ABANDONED VEHICLE ABATEMENT
- Chapter 9.60 — GRAFFITI ABATEMENT ORDINANCE
- Chapter 9.62 — ABANDONED SHOPPING CARTS
- Article VI — Consumer Protection
- Chapter 9.68 — CURFEW
- Chapter 9.69 — SEALING OF SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MATERIAL
- Chapter 9.70 — SALE AND DISPLAY OF NARCOTIC PARAPHERNALIA
- Chapter 9.75 — TENANT PROTECTION
- Chapter 9.76 — PROHIBITED EQUIPMENT
- Chapter 9.78 — UNSERIALIZED FIREARMS
- Chapter 9.80 — DISCHARGING
- Chapter 9.84 — HAZARDOUS WEAPONS
- Chapter 9.88 — FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES AND DISCLOSURE ORDINANCE
- Chapter 9.89 — ELECTRONIC FILING OF CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE INFORM…
- Chapter 9.90 — REPORTING SALES OF UNREGULATED CHEMICALS
- Chapter 9.95 — EVICTION DUE TO ILLEGAL DRUG DEALING ACTIVITIES
- Chapter 9.97 — ELLIS ACT TENANT PROTECTIONS
- Title 9 — FOOTNOTES
- Title 10 — VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
- Title 10 — FOOTNOTES
- Title 12 — STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
- Title 12 — FOOTNOTES
- Title 13 — UTILITIES AND SEWERS
- Article I — Definitions and General Provisions
- Article II — Design and Construction
- Article III — Maintenance and Operation
- Chapter 13.28 — WATER MAIN ASSESSMENTS5
- Chapter 13.32 — GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED WATERCOURSES
- Title 13 — FOOTNOTES
- Title 14 — BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION
- Title 14 — FOOTNOTES
- Title 16 — SUBDIVISIONS
- Title 16 — FOOTNOTES
- Title 17 — Zoning Code
- Chapter 17.10 — Enactment and Applicability of Zoning Code
- Chapter 17.12 — Interpretation of Zoning Code Provisions
- Chapter 17.20 — Zoning Map
- Chapter 17.21 — Development and Land Use Approval Requirements
- Chapter 17.22 — Residential Zoning Districts
- Chapter 17.24 — Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts
- Chapter 17.26 — Special Purpose Zoning Districts
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- Chapter 17.29 — Hillside Overlay Districts
- Chapter 17.30 — Central District Specific Plan
- Chapter 17.31 — East Colorado Specific Plan 2022
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- Chapter 17.33 — Fair Oaks-Orange Grove Specific Plan
- Chapter 17.34 — North Lake Specific Plan
- Chapter 17.35 — South Fair Oaks Specific Plan
- Chapter 17.36 — West Gateway Specific Plan
- Chapter 17.37 — Lincoln Avenue Specific Plan
- Chapter 17.38 — Lamanda Park Specific Plan
- Chapter 17.39 — East Colorado Specific Plan 2003
- Chapter 17.40 — General Property Development and Use Standards
- Chapter 17.42 — Inclusionary Housing Requirements
- Chapter 17.43 — Density Bonus, Waivers and Incentives
- Chapter 17.44 — Landscaping
- Chapter 17.46 — Parking and Loading
- Chapter 17.48 — Signs
- Chapter 17.50 — Standards for Specific Land Uses
- Chapter 17.60 — Application Filing and Processing
- Chapter 17.61 — Permit Approval or Disapproval
- Article 2 — Zoning Districts, Allowable Land Uses, and Zone-Sp…
- Chapter 17.62 — Historic Preservation
- Chapter 17.64 — Permit Implementation, Time Limits, and Extens…
- Chapter 17.66 — Development Agreements
- Chapter 17.68 — Specific Plans
- Chapter 17.70 — Administrative Responsibility
- Chapter 17.71 — Nonconforming Uses, Structures, and Lots
- Chapter 17.72 — Appeals
- Chapter 17.74 — Amendments
- Chapter 17.76 — Public Hearings
- Chapter 17.78 — Enforcement
- Chapter 17.80 — Glossary of Specialized Terms and Land Use Types
- Title 18 — CABLE, VIDEO AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDERS