§ 18.76 — Whittier Zoning Code

18.76.010 - General standards. ¶

==> picture [216 x 219] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 1—Architectural Compatibility

The following standards are applicable to the design, construction, and placement of all signs in all zones:

A.

All signs must incorporate the major architectural design elements of the building or structure to which they relate, such that the design, materials, illumination, lettering, and colors of the signs reflect those used on the building exterior.

B.

Fluorescent or day-glo colors are prohibited.

C.

For the purpose of providing adequate emergency services, all main signs must be clearly legible, and must contain the street number and the name of the business in the English alphabet.

D.

Sculpted cabinet signs designed as logos are encouraged, particularly when they support the architectural style or era of the building.

E.

All Signs must be Illuminated Internally. This requirement does not apply to sign designs that utilize other forms of illumination such as exposed neon, decorative light fixtures attached to the facade, flexible tubing, and architecturally-integrated uplighting or backlighting.

F.

The lighting design is approved on the basis of consistency with the architectural design or character of the building to which it relates, as well as with the district or neighborhood in which it is located.

G.

The scale, size, design, and proportion of an existing sign may not be modified unless integrated through a comprehensive redesign of the original sign. Any modification or alteration of an existing sign requires that a supplemental sign plan or master sign program, as applicable, be submitted for review and issuance of a new permit.

H.

No signs are allowed other than on a primary or secondary facade (as defined in Section 18.72.020(21), (22). Any side of a building without a public entrance or not facing a public street may not have any signs.

I.

No signs in either the C or M zone may be made of wood, except as provided in Section 18.76.030.

J.

Letter types are limited to the following, unless expressly approved by the planning division:

1.

Cabinet letters with opaque background and dimensional letters;

2.

Individual letters;

3.

Channel letters;

4.

Reverse channel letters;

5.

Sculpted cabinet signs.

K.

All signs, together with all their supports, braces, guys, and anchors, must be kept in good repair and in the proper state of preservation. All signs for which a permit is required are subject to inspection by the manager of building and safety. All signs containing electrical wiring are subject to the provisions of city electrical regulations, and the electrical components used must bear the label of an approved testing agency. The manager of building and safety may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with this code. All signs may be reinspected at the discretion of the manager of building and safety.

All signs must be designed and constructed to withstand windloads as set forth in Table 23-F of the Uniform Building Code with a minimum design load of twenty pounds per square foot.

M.

All signs, including structural supports, must be constructed of approved materials.

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

(Ord. No. 3121, § 16, 8-25-20)

18.76.020 - Wall signs.

==> picture [192 x 148] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 2. Calculating Background Sign Area

Table 2 — Wall Signs (except Institutional Wall Signs)

	R3, R4, & R5	C-0, C-1, C-2 (HO),	C-2, C-3, M, MU-1 MU- 2, MU-3, MED, & INV
A. Number	1. 1 sign per business per primary facade; and 2. 1 sign per business on 1 secondary facade ≤ 50% size primary facade sign. For multi-story buildings, 1 sign per primary façade is permitted, with sign on secondary façade permitted only at an entrance to an individual business.
B. Location	1. Attached parallel to and in front of exterior wall. 2. May not protrude more than 12″ from wall. 3. May not project above parapet or eave line, nor below sign placement area. 4. Not allowed on freestanding exterior walls or fences. 5. May not cover signifcant architectural details.
C. Background Sign Area (Fig. 2)	≤ ⅓ square foot per lineal foot of facade.	≤ 1 square foot per lineal foot of facade.	≤ 2 square feet per lineal foot of facade.
D. Sign Length	≤ 75% of horizontal length of facade where sign is placed.
E. Letter Height	≤ 75% of height of sign placement area, and not less than 12″.
F. Fabrication	1. Individual letters and sculpted panels must be	1. Individual channel letters (including reverse channel letters), sculpted cabinet signs only, no can

	recessed, framed, or otherwise add relief to design. 2. No painted wall signs. 3. Other fabrication methods will be reviewed for consistency with design guidelines of this chapter.	signs. 2. Individual letters and sculpted panels must be recessed, framed, or otherwise add relief to design. 3. No painted wall signs. 4. Other fabrication methods will be reviewed for consistency with design guidelines of this chapter.

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007; Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

18.76.030 - Projecting signs. ¶

==> picture [239 x 145] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 3. Architecturally Integrated Support and Accessory Devices

Table 3 — Projecting Signs

	C-0, C-1, C-2 (HO), MU-1, M-2	C-2, C-3, MU-3, INV MED and M
A. Number	1. 1 sign per primary facade; or 2. 1 sign per secondary facade for	buildings that lack primary facade.
B. Location	1. Attached perpendicular to the exterior wall of building or placed to bisect corner of building. 2. May not extend above building parapet or roof eave line unless sign is consistent with architectural style of building, as determined by manager. 3. May not be supported by devices located on roof nor any area extending above building eave or parapet. 4. Must maintain clearance of 8 feet from grade of adjoining public right-of-way. 5. Must maintain minimum distance of 10 feet between one another whether on same or separate parcels. 6. Must be placed entirely within sign placement area.

	7. Separate structures/tenant spaces with shared walls: must maintain minimum distance of 5 feet from property/lease line separating structures/tenant spaces. 8. Separate structures/tenant spaces with immediately adjacent side walls: must maintain minimum distance of 5 feet from property line separating structures/tenant spaces. 9. Freestanding buildings: must maintain minimum distance of 3 feet from edges of building's exterior side wall or primary frontage or secondary frontage unless it bisects the corner of the building. 10. Not permitted on freestanding exterior walls, fences, or light fxtures.
C. Background Sign Area	1 square foot per lineal foot of either primary or secondary facade.
D. Sign Length	≤ 25% the overall height or vertical distance from roof peak to fnished grade of adjacent building frontage.
E. Fabrication (Fig. 3)	1. Wood or nonilluminated faces permitted if consistent with architectural style of building. 2. Sculpted projecting signs with opaque background and raised/routed lettering as an alternative to prohibited can signs. 3. Other fabrication methods must be reviewed by the design review board for architectural consistency with the building. 4. Supporting devices must be architecturally integrated with the building.
F. Illumination	1. Only external illumination. 2. Decorative illumination allowed (e.g., exposed neon, decorative light fxtures attached to structure, fexible tubing, architecturally integrated uplighting).	1. Projecting signs with opaque backgrounds may be internally illuminated. 2. Decorative illumination allowed (e.g., exposed neon, decorative light fxtures attached to structure, fexible tubing, architecturally integrated uplighting).

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

(Ord. No. 2932, § 19, 8-11-09; Ord. No. 3054, § 18, 8-9-16; Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24) 18.76.040 - Awnings and awning signs.

==> picture [216 x 117] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 4—Awning Signs

Table 4 — Awnings and Awning Signs

	All Zones
A. Number	1. 1 sign per individual awning.
	2. No more than 1 line of text and no more than 6 characters per lineal foot of text.
B. Location	1. Permitted for businesses located on the ground foor and abutting a public street/walkway (not alleys or service entries).
	2. Centered directly above a public entry or transparent window on the ground foor of a building.
	3. Awnings/canopies that complement the architectural style of the building, and that are not illuminated, may extend uninterrupted for the length of building facade with a public entrance or facing a public street.
C. Background Sign Area	≤ 50% of total area of fascia/fap.
D. Fabrication (Fig. 4)	1. Must be installed per industry standards, and must conform to the regulations governing their construction and installation, per the California Building Code and the Whittier Municipal Code.
	2. Must be fabricated of canvas or other similar natural material approved by the director of community development. Vinyl awnings are acceptable only when they are not internally illuminated.
	3. The shape of the awning or canopy must refect the architectural style of the building to which it relates.
E. Maintenance	1. Must be maintained in good repair. Must be removed and replaced when they become faded, torn, broken, discolored, or have otherwise deteriorated.
	2. Must be replaced or removed when the business to which the awning sign relates vacates the tenant space.
	3. New tenants/property owners must replace the awning or canopy fabric prior to including signs displaying their business name.
	4. An awning fascia replacement is required for a new sign.

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007; Ord. No. 3121, § 17, 8-25-20)

18.76.050 - Permanent window signs.

Table 5 — Permanent Window Signs

	All Zones
A. Number	1. Maximum 3 signs for windows up to 50 square feet in area.
	2. Maximum 5 signs for windows up to 100 square feet in area.
B. Location	1. Only allowed in transparent windows.
	2. Opaque windows may not contain either permanent or temporary window signs.
C. Background Sign Area	1. Total area of all window signs ≤ 25% of the window area.
	2. Illuminated neon around the contours of a window, or used to create a frame within a window, constitute a window sign, and are subject to the 25% of the window area limitation.
D. Fabrication	Must be professionally constructed and must conform to industry standards.
E. Maintenance	1. Must be maintained in good repair. Must be removed and replaced when they become faded, broken, discolored, or have otherwise deteriorated.
	2. Window signs are abandoned once the business/tenant to which they relate no longer occupies the building/tenant space.

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

18.76.060 - Freestanding signs. ¶

==> picture [210 x 120] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 5. Location of Monument Signs (within landscape planter)

==> picture [182 x 132] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 6. Monument Sign

==> picture [168 x 157] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 7. Multi-Tenant Pylon Sign

Table 6 — Freestanding Signs

(Except Institutional Freestanding Signs)

	R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5	C-0, C-1, and C-2 (HO)	C-2, C-3, MU1, MU2, MU3, INV, MED Lots < 2 acres	C-2, C-3, and MU-3 and M Lots 2 to 30 acres	C-2, C-3, & M Lots > 30 acres
A. Uses	Building/Community Identifcation Signage	For single and multi-tenant stand alone and mixed uses. To be incorporated into a Master Sign Program for buildings with three or more tenants.
B. Number	2 per lot	2 per lot	2 per lot	3 per lot	1. No maximum. 2. Master sign program approval required.
C. Type of Sign Allowed	Monument	Monument	Monument	Monument or Pylon	Monument or Pylon
D. Location	1. Freestanding signs must be located minimum 5 feet from the property line along the primary or secondary street frontage. (Fig. 5)
	2. Monument signs may extend up to 3 feet into the required 5-foot setback when placed within a landscaped planter area that contains and automatic irrigation system that has been reviewed and approved by the city of Whittier parks, recreation and community services department. (Fig. 5)
	3. Pylon signs must be located minimum 10 feet from the property line along either the primary or secondary street frontage.

	4. No freestanding sign may project into the public right-of-way.
	5. Must be placed minimum 10 feet from any driveway or point of ingress/egress on the property or any adjacent property.
	6. Must be placed minimum 10 feet from the side lot/shared property line separating 2 independent parcels not part of the same development.
	7. Minimum 150 feet between freestanding signs on the same lot, or contiguous lots under same ownership.
	8. Corner lots only: signs located on a secondary street, minimum setback from the corner > ⅓ the total linear distance of the secondary street frontage.
	9. All setback minimums are subject to maintenance of a line of sight trafc, as determined by the city trafc engineer.				for vehicular
E. Maximum Aggregate Background Sign Area	24 square feet	32 square feet	½ square foot per lineal foot of street frontage; and no more than 50 square feet	½ square foot per lineal foot of street frontage	½ square foot per lineal foot of street frontage
F. Maximum Aggregate Background Sign Area/Corner Lots	1. See maximum aggregate background sign area regulations for specifcations of allowed sign area per frontage, above.
	2. The aggregate sign area for the primary and secondary frontages must be calculated separately, based upon the dimensions of each individual frontage. A business with both primary and secondary street frontages may not aggregate the allowable sign area from both frontages in order to erect a larger sign than these provisions allow.
	3. Maximum aggregate background sign area is not transferable between street frontages.
	4. Signs placed along the secondary frontage not to exceed 60% of the allowable square footage for signs permitted along the primary frontage.
G. Maximum Sign Height	36" inches. Decorative features (pilasters, columns, or similar) may exceed the maximum height by up to 12"	48 inches	6 feet	25 feet	40 feet

H. Business Identifcation	1. All freestanding signs must include the numerical street address designed with Arabic numerals, and the name of the business the sign relates to in English characters, both a minimum of 6 inches in height. The purpose of this requirement is to make the business or property easy to fnd for emergency personnel.
	2. Street numbers and business name to complement the style and font used for the main lettering on the sign.
I. Business Identifcation/Multi- Tenant Signs (Fig. 7)	1. Content: limited to the names of the center and of the individual tenants, with the optional addition of a logo, character representation, or other decorative feature. The content restriction for multi-tenant signs is to ensure that emergency crews and customers can easily identify tenant businesses located in multi-tenant lots.
	2. Minimum 8-inch letter height for the name of the center.
	3. Minimum 6-inch letter height for the names of the tenant businesses.
	4. When designed with removable plexiglass panels for individual tenants, standard panel length, height, font, and background color must be established for the freestanding sign design, unless otherwise expressly approved in the master sign program.
	5. The purpose of the provisions regulating multi-tenant signs is to achieve design continuity in multi-tenant pylon sign designs, but also to allow for individual businesses to display their distinctive logo, or to allow display of creative signage, as approved by the planning division.
J. Fabrication	1. Only monument or pylon signs.
	2. All copy on freestanding signs must be of individual channel letters, routed push- through letters or logos, sculpted cabinets with opaque background material, or other three-dimensional designs as approved by the Director. Approval of copy type and design not listed above shall not be unreasonably withheld.
	3. All freestanding signs must have a base element. The base elements of monument or pylon signs consist of materials that refect the architectural style and materials of the buildings to which they relate.
	4. The pedestal base element of monument signs must be designed to "ground" the sign through materials, including but not limited to, rock, masonry, or wood, or through decorative treatment consistent with that on the associated building. Base materials and colors must difer from those materials used for the background area of the sign.
	5. Any other fabrication methods of freestanding signs, including but not limited to wires, brackets, or any other kind of exposed hardware, must be reviewed for consistency with the architecture of the subject building and the design guidelines found within this chapter.
K. On-Premises Directional Signs	Directional signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in background sign area and shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.

L. Off-Premises Off-premises directional signs are prohibited. Directional Signs

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

(Ord. No. 2958, § 6, 10-12-10; Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

18.76.070 - Readerboard and changeable copy signs. ¶

A.

Institutional Uses Only. Readerboard signs are limited to institutional land uses, as defined in Section 18.72.020(32).

B.

Readerboards may not be used for commercial advertising.

C.

Changeable copy signs are subject to all the provisions of this code regarding permanent signs.

D.

Readerboard and changeable copy signs may not display neon or day-glo colors.

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

18.76.080 - Temporary on-premises signs. ¶

Table 7 — Temporary On-Premises Signs

	Residential and Mixed-Use Zones	C, MED, INV and M Zones
A. Permit	1. No temporary on-premises signs may be erected without approval.
	2. Temporary sign approvals may be obtained at the Planning division.
	3. Temporary sign applications must contain all the following information:
	a. Proposed sign dimensions, fabrication, colors, and fonts.
	b. Number of temporary signs per business.
	c. Proposed placement of temporary signs.
	d. Proposed time duration of sign placement.

B. Permissible Temporary Signs	The following types of signs are only permissible for institutional uses:	The following types of signs are only permissible for nonresidential uses in all commercial zones:
	1. Banners and pennants (institutional uses only)	Maximum of one each
		1. Banners, wraps, and similar
		2. Portable signs;
		3. Painted window signs.
C. Temporary Outdoor Displays		Only on lots > 75,000 square feet
		1. Banners;
		2. Festoons (no text);
		3. Pennants or pennant strings;
		4. Infatable characters;
		5. Portable signs;
		6. Painted window signs;
		7. Commercial fags.
D. Maximum Sign Area; Number; Location	1. Unless otherwise specifed, temporary signs that have an area larger than 4 square feet may be subject to all the provisions regulating permanent signs, including the permit requirements.
	2. Temporary signs may not exceed 1 such sign per ¼ of an acre of property, in all zones.
	3. All temporary signs must maintain a setback of at least 5 feet from the public right-of-way. The setback requirement is subject to maintenance of a line of sight for vehicular trafc, as determined by the city trafc engineer.
E. Prohibited Temporary Signs	1. Balloon strings, with or without text.
	2. Vehicle-mounted signs, as defned in Section 18.72.020(62). This provision is not applicable to advertising displays on or in vehicles that provide mass transportation, whether publicly or privately owned or run.
F. Time Limitations	1. Temporary signs may not be displayed for longer than 30 consecutive days nor for more than four such periods during any calendar year. Temporary signs placed within 15 days of the opening of a new business (a "new business" sign) may be displayed once a construction fence is installed and must be removed if a new business sign is displayed. Such signs must Temporary signs during

	construction of a new business may be displayed once a construction fence is installed and must be removed if a "Grand Opening" sign is displayed. Such signs must remain in good condition and in compliance with any and all applicable provisions.
	2. The intent of this provision shall not be evaded by the intermittent placement and removal of temporary signs or by the placement of the same or efectively similar signs by diferent persons or entities, or in any other manner so as to avoid the time limitations and thus the permit requirements of this chapter. Intermittent means that less than 60 days pass between removal of a sign and placement of the same or efectively similar sign in the same place or area. Except as modifed in Chapter 18.76.080,Section F. (Time Limitations) Section 3 below.
G. Temporary Sign Removal	Removal of temporary signs is the responsibility of the owner of the property on which the temporary sign is located. Failure to timely remove a temporary sign is subject to an administrative citation per sign removed, to ofset the cost of removal by the city. Administrative citation amounts are determined by resolution of the city council. Property owners who can demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that they lacked actual knowledge of the presence of the temporary sign on their property will not be held to have violated the provisions of this section.
H. Banners, Wraps	1. Must be constructed of plastic, vinyl, canvas, or other weather resistant material. May not be constructed of paper, cardboard, clear plastic, or similar material.
	2. May not be used in lieu of a permanent sign.
	3. Must be located entirely within the subject property and may not project over property lines or into the public right-of-way.
	4. Must be attached to an exterior building wall, located below the eave or roof parapet. May not be displayed above the eave or roof line, on freestanding light fxtures, ancillary buildings, vehicles, landscape features, or plant materials. May be attached to approved construction fence.
	5. Temporary banners or wraps may not exceed ½ square foot per each lineal foot of street frontage.
	6. For multi-tenant commercial or manufacturing development, temporary banners may not exceed 1 square foot per lineal foot of street frontage for each tenant or unit space.
	7. Must be clean and properly maintained. If torn, faded, sagging, or detached must be immediately removed, replaced, or repaired.

I. Window Signs		1. Only allowed within translucent windows or glazing of a building. Opaque windows may not contain window signs.
		2. Must be located on windows along the facade directly adjacent to the street frontage of the lot.
		3. The aggregate area of temporary window signs in each individual window may not exceed 25% of the area of that window or glazing panel.
J. Portable Signs (Fig. 8)		1. All portable signs must be professionally designed, and constructed of wood, fberglass, or similar material, as approved by the planning division.
		2. Text, script, logos, or other information must be painted or applied in a manner consistent with the purpose and intent of this chapter to require quality signs.
		3. Portable signs may not extend into the public right-of-way or adjacent properties.
		4. Portable signs may not be placed within any required parking areas, parking lots, or planters. This restriction does not apply to portable signs placed upon one's person.
		5. Portable signs may not be located within required public access areas, which include on- site private walkways or sidewalks. Portable signs may be placed within building recesses or in a manner as not to obstruct pedestrian fow.

		6. Portable signs may not exceed 12 square feet in area.
		7. Portable signs may not exceed 4 feet in height.
K. Pennants/Pennant Strings		1. Only allowed for outdoor display uses located on lots 75,000 square feet or greater.
		2. Must be entirely located within the subject lot. Pennant strings may not extend beyond perimeter property lines and may not be attached to structures located on adjacent properties.
		3. May not contain any text or image.
		4. Installation is subject to the promotional sign program approval process per Section 18.76.090.
L. Festoons		1. Only allowed for outdoor display uses located on lots 75,000 square feet or greater.
		2. May be placed on light standards or other vertical elements located on the subject property, located over the outdoor display area of the subject lot.
		3. May project into the public right-of-way a maximum 12 inches with a minimum clearance of 8 feet from the adjacent sidewalk.
		4. May not contain any text or images intended to convey a message or information.
		5. Installation is subject to the promotional sign program approval process per Section 18.76.090.

M. Infatable Characters (Fig. 9)		1. Only allowed for outdoor display uses located on lots seventy-fve thousand square feet or greater, and subject to the following standards:
		a. Infatable characters must be located on and anchored to the ground, and in no event may be placed on the roof of any structure on the lot.
		b. Infatable characters must not contain any text or images intended to convey a message or information.
		c. Infatable characters, and their installation, are subject to the promotional sign program approval process, per Section 18.76.090.
N. Commercial Flags		1. Commercial fags may only be displayed for special events or promotions.
		2. Flag poles may be 1.5 times the height of the building, but not more than 50 feet tall.
		3. Commercial fags may not contain any text but may contain a corporate logo or representation.
O. Maintenance of Temporary Signs in Nonresidential Zones		Temporary signs must be properly maintained at all times. Any faded, torn, ripped, detached, defaced, or otherwise damaged temporary sign must be promptly repaired, replaced, or removed.
P. Seasonal or Holiday Displays		1. Seasonal or holiday displays may include painted window signs, twinkle or holiday lights, light standard decorations, fags, or other similar ornamentation

		approved by the planning division.
		2. Seasonal or holiday displays, other than window signs, do not require a permit.
		3. Seasonal or holiday display window signs require a permit, pursuant to Section 18.76.090(D) and this section.
		4. Window signs used as seasonal or holiday displays are subject to the size limitations of temporary window signs, per Section 18.76.090(D).
		5. No seasonal or holiday display may extend into the public right- of-way, adjacent properties, or public street or alley.
		6. No seasonal or holiday display may be placed so as to obstruct visibility of ingress or egress to the site.
		7. Seasonal or holiday displays may not be exhibited longer than 90 consecutive days.
		8. Seasonal or holiday displays may not extend into the public right-of-way, adjacent properties, or public street or alley.
Q. Temporary Noncommercial Signs	Refer to Chapter 16.10.020 (Temporary Non-commercial Signs)

==> picture [99 x 120] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 8. Portable "A" Frame Sign (see Section 18.76.080(J)—Portable Signs)

==> picture [176 x 132] intentionally omitted <==

Figure 9. Inflatable Character (for businesses with permitted outdoor commercial promotion)

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

(Ord. No. 2930, § 2, 7-28-09; Ord. No. 2955, § 2, 6-27-10; Ord. No. 2960, § 1, 1-11-11; Ord. No. 2977, § 2, 7-26-11; Ord. No. 3042, § 3, 8-11-15; Ord. No. 3121, § 18, 8-25-20; Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

18.76.090 - Promotional sign program.

A.

Annual Review. The purpose of the promotional sign program is to ensure the appropriate use, placement, and maintenance of temporary signs for unique land uses requiring outdoor commercial promotion due to a lack of indoor display areas for products sold on the premises. The promotional sign program requires annual review of all proposed plans for promotional and temporary signage: applicants must submit a promotional sign program application on an annual basis.

B.

Minimum Requirements.

1.

Promotional sign programs may only be approved for outdoor commercial promotion for individual businesses located on lots seventy-five thousand square feet or greater in area. Shopping centers or complexes, or individual tenants within a shopping center or complex, may not apply for the promotional sign program.

Promotional sign programs may be approved only for outdoor commercial promotion on lots located within the C-2, C-3, or M zones.

3.

All other uses are limited to temporary signage under Section 18.76.080.

C.

Application Required.

1.

An application for the promotional sign program may be obtained in the planning division.

2.

A completed promotional sign program application contains the following information:

Scaled site plan;

b.

Color illustrations of proposed signs, including accurately depicted font styles and sizes;

c.

Proposed number of signs;

d.

Proposed location of all signs;

e.

Proposed schedule of installation and removal of signs;

f.

Proposed maintenance plan for all signs;

g.

Name and current contact information of the person who is responsible for maintaining and repairing the sign throughout the promotional period, and who is responsible for removing the sign upon the termination of the promotional period, as outlined in the promotional sign program permit.

Modifications to an approved promotional sign program require review and approval by the planning division.

5.

All temporary signs permitted through the promotional sign program must be properly cleaned and maintained at all times. Any sign that is torn, faded, defaced, or otherwise damaged must be promptly removed, replaced, or repaired. Failure to remove, replace, or repair a torn, faded, defaced, or damaged promotional sign will result in administrative citations.

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

18.76.100 - Landmark signs. ¶

If a sign is determined to have historical or artistic significance to the city of Whittier, its designation as a landmark sign will allow legal nonconforming signs to remain, which would otherwise be required to be removed or altered within the amortization period.

Upon adoption of this chapter, the establishment of criteria and the review process for designating landmark signs is the responsibility of the city of Whittier historic resources commission.

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

18.76.110 - Murals. ¶

Commercial murals are subject to the following standards:

A.

The mural must be of a permanent material to be durable against graffiti, vandalism, fading, and weather, in order to require a low level of maintenance.

B.

The mural should be designed and executed by persons experienced in the production of murals.

C.

The mural must be permanently affixed to the property.

D.

The mural must be maintained by the property owner in a safe, neat and orderly manner acceptable by the city.

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

(Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

18.76.120 - Illumination—Neon signs. ¶

A.

Signs must be designed, installed, and maintained in such a manner that the spillover of any sign illumination onto residential property shall not exceed two foot candles above ambient light levels, and the spillover of glare produced by the illumination of signs must not negatively impact any surrounding properties.

B.

Signs illuminated with exposed neon and/or flexible tubing must meet the following standards:

1.

Illumination must not exceed thirty milliamps.

2.

Signs placed such that any portion of the sign is less than twelve feet above the adjacent ground level must be encased with plexiglass and/or covered to protect that glass tubes.

3.

Wall-mounted and detached exposed neon tube signs require noncombustible backing where attached to structures with a facing of wood or other flammable material.

4.

Exposed electrode housings are prohibited, except in the case of installations directly onto a noncombustible solid wall, such as a tilt-up cement wall.

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

18.76.130 - Drive-through menu boards. ¶

Menu boards for drive-through businesses may only be placed next to or above the speakers at the entrance of the business's drive-through lane, and the maximum height for menu boards is eight feet from the highest grade upon which the sign is placed.

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

18.76.140 - Institutional signs. ¶

Table 8 — Institutional Wall Signs

	Sign(s) Fronting on a Local Street(s)	Sign(s) Fronting on a Collector Street(s)	Sign(s) Fronting on a Major or Minor Arterial Street(s)

A. Number	A. Number	1. 1 sign per business or building use identifcation per primary facade; and 2. 1 sign per business or building use identifcation on 1 secondary facade ≤ 50% size primary facade sign.	1. 1 sign per business or building use identifcation per primary facade; and 2. 1 sign per business or building use identifcation on 1 secondary facade ≤ 50% size primary facade sign.	1. 1 sign per business or building use identifcation per primary facade; and 2. 1 sign per business or building use identifcation on 1 secondary facade ≤ 50% size primary facade sign.	1. 1 sign per business or building use identifcation per primary facade; and 2. 1 sign per business or building use identifcation on 1 secondary facade ≤ 50% size primary facade sign.	1. 1 sign per business or building use identifcation per primary facade; and 2. 1 sign per business or building use identifcation on 1 secondary facade ≤ 50% size primary facade sign.	1. 1 sign per business or building use identifcation per primary facade; and 2. 1 sign per business or building use identifcation on 1 secondary facade ≤ 50% size primary facade sign.	1. 1 sign per business or building use identifcation per primary facade; and 2. 1 sign per business or building use identifcation on 1 secondary facade ≤ 50% size primary facade sign.
B. Location		1. Attached parallel to and in front of exterior wall. 2. May not protrude more than 12″ from wall. 3. May not project above parapet or eave line, nor below sign placement area. 4. Not allowed on freestanding exterior walls or fences. 5. May not cover signifcant architectural details.
C. Background Sign Area (Fig. 2)		≤ ⅓ square foot per lineal foot of facade.		≤ 1 square foot per lineal foot of facade.			≤ 2 square feet per lineal foot of facade.
D. Sign Length		≤ 75% of horizontal length of facade where sign is placed.
E. Letter Height		≤ 75% of height of sign placement area, and not less than 12″.
F. Fabrication		1. Individual letters and sculpted panels must be recessed, framed, or otherwise add relief to design. 2. No painted wall signs. 3. Other fabrication methods will be reviewed for consistency with design guidelines of this chapter.		1. Individual channel letters (including reverse channel letters), sculpted cabinet signs only, no "can" signs. 2. Individual letters and sculpted panels must be recessed, framed, or otherwise add relief to design. 3. No painted wall signs. 4. Other fabrication methods will be reviewed for consistency with design guidelines.
Table 9 — Institutional Freestanding Signs
	Residential Zones (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, and R-5)		C-0 & C-1	and	C-2, C-3, MU1, MU 2, MU3, INV, MED Lots <2 acres	C-2 & C-3, MU1, MU2 and MU3 Lots 2 to 30 Acres		C-2, C-3, and M Lots ;>30 Acres
A. Approval	Conditional Use Permit		Director/Design Review Board
B. Number	One sign per street frontage for each lot that is part of the same development.		Same as shown in Table 6, Section "B."

C. Type of Sign Allowed	Monument (single or double face)	Same as shown in Table 6, Section "C."
D. Location	1. Freestanding signs shall be set back a minimum of 5 feet from the property line along the primary or secondary street frontage. (Fig. 5).	1. Same as shown in Table 6, Section "D." 2. No setback is required for directional signage, except as may be required by the City Trafc Engineer for vehicular sight distance visibility.
	2. Monument signs may extend up to 3 feet into the required 5-foot setback when placed within a landscaped planter area that contains and automatic irrigation system that has been reviewed and approved by the City of Whittier's Parks/Recreation/Community Services department. (Fig. 5). 3. No setback is required for directional signage, except as may be required by the City Trafc Engineer for vehicular sight distance visibility. 4. No freestanding sign may project into the public right- of-way.
	5. Must be placed a minimum of 10 feet from any driveway or point of ingress/egress on the property or any adjacent property. 6. Must be placed a minimum of 10 feet from any other sign located on the side lot/shared property line separating two independent parcels not part of the same development. 7. Minimum 150 feet between freestanding signs

	(except for directional signage) on the same lot, or contiguous lots under the same ownership. 8. All setback minimums may be increased, as necessary, subject to maintenance of a line-of-sight for vehicular trafc, as determined by the City Trafc Engineer.
E. Maximum Aggregate Background Sign Area	1. Maximum sign area of 24 square feet per each sign face for each monument sign on a local street, regardless of lot size. 2. Maximum ½-square foot per linear foot of street frontage, up to 50 square feet per each sign face, for each monument sign that is placed on a lot (or an overall development) that is less than 2 acres and situated along a collector, minor arterial or arterial street. 3. Maximum of ½-square foot per each lineal foot of street frontage, up to 120 square feet of sign area per sign face, for each monument sign that is placed on a lot (or an overall development) that is over 2 acres and located on a collector, minor arterial or arterial street.	Same as shown in Table 6, Section "E."
F. Maximum Aggregate Background Sign Area/Corner Lots	1. See maximum aggregate background sign area regulations for specifcations of allowed sign area per frontage, above. 2. The aggregate sign area for the primary and secondary frontages must be calculated separately, based upon the dimensions of each individual frontage. A use with both primary and secondary street frontages may not aggregate the allowable sign area from both frontages in order to erect a larger sign than these provisions allow. 3. Maximum aggregate background sign area is not transferable between street frontages.

	4. Unless required otherwise, signs placed along the secondary frontage shall not to exceed 60% of the allowable square footage for signs permitted along the primary frontage.
G. Maximum Sign Height	1. For projects with one or more contiguous lots forming part of the same development, the following sign heights are permitted as follows: a) Maximum 4 feet along a designated local street. b) Maximum 6 feet when adjacent to a designated collector or secondary street c) Maximum 8 feet when adjacent to a major or minor arterial street. 2. Maximum sign height may be exceeded by 12-inches to allow for architectural features or pedestal base only.	Same as shown in Table 6, Section "G."
H. Business Identifcation	1. All freestanding signs must include, at a minimum, the numerical street address designed with Arabic numerals, and the name of the business the sign relates to in English characters, both a minimum of 6-inches in height. The purpose of this requirement is to make the business or property easy to fnd for emergency personnel. 2. Street numbers and the business name shall complement the style and font used for the main lettering on the sign. 3. Content may also include the name of an accessory use or building use, with the optional addition of a logo,	3. Same as shown in Table 6, Items 2 through 5. 4. Minimum 4-inch margin of blank space between sign copy and edge of sign panel.

	character representation, or other decorative feature.
	4. Minimum 8-inch letter height for the name of the institutional use. 5. Minimum 6-inch letter height for the name(s) of any secondary, accessory use, associated with the primary institutional use on-site (example: daycare facility, etc.) 6. Minimum 4-inch margin of blank space between sign copy and edge of sign panel. 7. When designed with removable plexiglass panels, standard panel length, height, font, and background color must be established for the freestanding sign design, unless otherwise expressly approved as part of any master sign program.

C. Type of Sign Allowed	Monument (single or double face)	Same as shown in Table 6, Section "C."
I. Fabrication	1. Only monument signs are permitted. There shall be no pylon or pole signs permitted. 2. All copy on freestanding signs must be of individual channel letters, routed push- through letters or logos, sculpted cabinets with opaque background material, or other three-dimensional designs as approved by the planning manager. Approval of copy type and design not listed above shall not be unreasonably withheld. 3. All freestanding signs must have a base element. The base elements of a monument sign shall consist of materials that refect the architectural style and materials of the buildings to which they relate. 4. The pedestal base element of monument signs must be designed to "ground" the sign through materials, including but not limited to, rock, masonry, or wood, or through decorative treatment consistent with that on the associated building. Base materials and colors must difer from those materials used for the background area of the sign. 5. Any other fabrication methods of freestanding signs, including but not limited to wires, brackets, or any other kind of exposed hardware, must be reviewed for consistency with the architecture of the subject building and the design guidelines found within this chapter.
J. Sign Illumination	1. External, low-profle, foodlighting is permitted. 2. Internal illumination of sign copy is permitted. 3. Internal illumination of sign background is prohibited along local streets.

	4. The use of backlit (halo lighting) letters is encouraged. 5. Exposed neon is prohibited. 6. Exposed raceways are prohibited.
K. Readerboard Signs and Changeable Copy Signs	1. Permitted along a minor or major arterial street only. However, only one readerboard/changeable copy sign shall be permitted for the entire development. 2. A readerboard/changeable copy sign may comprise up to a maximum of 30 square feet per each sign face. 3. All readerboard/changeable copy sign shall be maintained in good operating condition at all times. 4. All readerboard/changeable copy signs shall display each message for a minimum of fve seconds. Fading in or out or scrolling of text shall be permitted as message transitions. 5. The electronic message display shall not be operated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. if the reader board sign is located within any residential zone.
	6. Readerboard/Changeable copy signs are limited to institutional land uses, as defned in Section 18.72.020(32). 7. Readerboards/changeable copy signs may not be used for commercial advertising. 8. Readerboard/Changeable copy signs are subject to all the provisions of this code regarding permanent signs, unless specifed otherwise. 9. Readerboard/Changeable copy signs shall not do any of the following: display neon or day-glo colors, incandescent lighting, or any illumination resulting in light spillover or excessive glare. Signs shall not display any fashing or blinking messages, or lights, nor create sound. 10. All readerboards shall have nighttime dimmer capabilities, which may be controlled and adjusted at the request of the City, to ensure appropriate sign intensity levels. 11. The intensity level (brightness level) of any new LED reader board signs shall require the review and approval by the Director of Community Development prior to the fnalization of any building permit.
L. On- Premises Directional Signs	1. Directional signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in background sign area and shall not exceed six (6) feet in height. 2. Directional signs may include the name/logo of the institutional use it serves. However, any sign or logo may not exceed a maximum of 50 percent of the sign area containing the directional information (i.e., "enter," "exit," "parking," a "display arrow," etc.).
M. Of- Premises Directional Signs	Of-premises directional signs are prohibited.

(Ord. No. 2960, §§ 2, 3, 1-11-11; Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

Chapter 18.78 - NONCONFORMING AND ILLEGAL SIGNS

18.76.010 - General standards. ¶

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

I.

J.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

K.

M.

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007; Ord. No. 3159, § 3(Exh. A), 11-12-24)

18.76.030 - Projecting signs. ¶

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

Figure 4—Awning Signs

Table 4 — Awnings and Awning Signs

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

18.76.060 - Freestanding signs. ¶

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

18.76.070 - Readerboard and changeable copy signs. ¶

A.

B.

C.

D.

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

18.76.080 - Temporary on-premises signs. ¶

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

A.

B.

1.

3.

C.

1.

2.

b.

c.

d.

e.

f.

g.

5.

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

18.76.100 - Landmark signs. ¶

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

18.76.110 - Murals. ¶

A.

B.

C.

D.

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

18.76.120 - Illumination—Neon signs. ¶

A.

B.

1.

2.

3.

4.

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

18.76.130 - Drive-through menu boards. ¶

(Ord. 2900 § 6 (part), 2007)

18.76.140 - Institutional signs. ¶

Sections: