Ordinance No. 310 - Regulating Signs and Outdoor AdvertisingCITY OF ROSEMEAD
ORDINANCE NO. 310
0
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD
REGULATING SIGNS AND OUTDOOR ADVERTISING
IN THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, AND AMENDING
THE ROSEMEAD MUNICIPAL CODE.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD DOES HEREBY
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Article IX, Chapter 1, of the Rosemead
Municipal Code is amended by the addition of Part XXI11 thereto,
to read as follows:
PART XXIII - SIGN AND OUTDOOR
• ADVERTISING REGULATIONS
9150 Definitions. For purposes of this part, certain words,
terms, and phrases are defined, and shall be deemed to
have the meaning ascribed to them herein.
9150.1 Billboard shall mean a structure of any kind or character
erected or maintained by a state licensed outdoor
advertising company for outdoor advertising purposes,
• upon which any poster, bill, printing, painting, picture,
statuary, symbol, or other advertisement of any kind
whatsoever may be placed and which: (1) solicits public
support or directs public attention to the sale, lease,
hiring, or use of any objects, products, or services not
produced, sold, or otherwise available on the premises
where such advertising sign is erected and maintained;
or (2) contains a visual message to the general public
concerning candidates for public office, matters relating
to elections, or any public service announcement.
9150.2 Free Standing Sign shall mean any sign not attached to
a wall of any building, and shall include any sign
placed upon the roof of any building or is supported
by a structure of any type placed upon the roof of
any building.
9150.3 Freeway. A highway in respect to which the owners of
abutting lands have no right or easement of access to
or from their abutting lands or in respect to which
such owners have only limited or restricted right or
easement of access, and which is declared to be such
in compliance with the Streets and Highways Code of
the State of California.
• 9150.4 Freeway Oriented Business is any business which caters
to freeway users by service, maintenance and/or repair
to motor vehicles or the sustenance and/or comfort of
motor vehicles passengers.
9150.5 Sign shall mean any outdoor device or outdoor adver-
tising display for visual communication visible from
any public area that shall contain any announcement,
declaration, demonstration, display, illustration,
• insignia, message, symbol, banner, or pennant used to
advertise or promote the interest of any person, business,
group or enterprise, or identify the occupant or owner
of the premises.
9150.6 Multi-Faced Sign shall be any sign with two or more
faces providing the vertical edges of each face touch
or coincide with the edges of the adjacent faces, or any
sign with two faces providing the vertical edges of
either face are not more than 36 incles from the closest
point of the other face.
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9150.7 Sign Area shall mean the surface space within a
continuous perimeter containing words, letters, figures,
or symbols together with any frame, material, or color
forming an integral part of the display, but excluding
support structures, and also excluding any wall face of
a building not drawing attention to the subject matter
of the sign. The sign area of a multi-faced sign shall
be the area of the largest face in the sign excluding
any support structures.
9150.8 Temporary Sign shall mean a sign which is intended or
designed to advertise community or civic projects, construc-
tion projects, rent, sale or lease, matters relating to
elections, objects for sale or other special events on
a temporary basis. Such temporary signs shall not be
• permanently imbedded in concrete nor permanently affixed
to a building, wall, fence or pole.
9151 General Provisions - Sign Regulations. Signs shall not
be permitted in the various zones except as expressly
permitted by this part, and signs so permitted shall be
subject to all standards and regulations included in
this part.
9152 Signs in Residential Zones. The following signs are
• permitted in any residential zone:
A. Sale, Lease or Rent Signs. One (1) sign, not to
exceed seven (7) square feet in area, advertising
the premises for sale, lease or rent.
B. Signs During Construction.
(1) One (1) temporary sign, not to exceed sixteen
(16) square feet in area, giving the names
and other pertinent information of the
architects, contractors, and engineers of
the project during the construction period of
the structure, may be erected on the date the
building permit is issued.
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(2). Said temporary sign shall be removed from the
site not later than fifteen (15) days after
notice of completion is filed and occupancy
granted.
C. Identification Signs.
(1) Single and duplex dwelling structures. One (1)
sign per dwelling, not to exceed ten
(10.). square feet in area, displaying only the
name of the property owner, or occupant of the
dwelling, and the address. Temporary signs
shall be permitted.
(2) Multiple dwelling structures. There shall be
no limitation as to size of signs for multiple
dwelling structures, except that any pylon or
free standing sign shall not exceed a maximum
height of six (6) feet or project into the
public right-of-way. Temporary signs shall
be permitted.
D. Subdivision Signs.
(1) Subdivi.siion signs advertising the existence
• and availability of new single family duplex,
or multiple family dwellings in an approved
subdivision may be erected on property
included within the approved subdivision,
subject to the following limitations and
standards.
(a) Size, Area and Height Limitations.
Subdivision signs, where permitted, shall
not exceed a maximum size of twelve (12)
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feet by twenty-five (25) feet and an area
of three hundred (300) square feet, except
in subdivisions having less than ten (10)
lots, the Subdivision Signs shall not
exceed a maximum of six (6) feet by twelve
(12) feet and an area of seventy-two (72)
square feet. Maximum height of Subdivision
Signs shall not exceed twenty (20) feet,
measured from the adjacent grade level to
the top of the sign.
(b) Permitted Advertising Messages. Permitted
Subdivision Signs shall advertise only
information related to the tract.
• (c) Removal of Subdivision Signs. The developer
upon receiving approval of any Subdivision
shall agree, in writing, to remove all signs
from the tract within fifteen (15).days
after the close of escrow on the last lot
on which said signs are located, and shall
grant the City the right to enter upon the
property and remove said signs upon the
expiration of said fifteen (15) days and
failure to have removed said signs. The
developer shall bear all costs and liability
for City removal and disposal of said signs
by posting a bond or providing other
appropriate guarantee to performance.
(d) Lighting. Subdivision Signs may be lighted
only by internal or indirect lights and
shall be shielded from observers. There
shall be no flashing or blinking lights.
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9153 Signs Permitted in the C-1 Zone.
A. Building Directory Signs. One (1) exterior sign at
each building entrance, such sign not to exceed ten
(10) square feet in area, such sign to be a limited
directory type indicating only the name of the business
and the use conducted by tenant.
B. Exterior Wall Signs. Exterior wall signs may occupy
not more than twenty-five (25) percent of any front,
side or rear wall of a main building or structure, such
signs to pertain only to a use conducted, service
provided, goods produced or sold on the premises, or
the name of the owner or tenants of the building.
C. Free Standing Signs. One free standing sign'for each
lot having 75 feet or less of lineal front footage,
• provided that total area of any one sign shall not
exceed 100 square feet.
1. One additional free standing sign shall be permitted
on any lot having in excess of 75 feet of lineal
front footage based upon the following:
Lot Frontaqe
76 -
151
feet
152 -
227
feet
228 -
303
feet
304 -
379
feet
No. of Signs Total
Two Signs
Three Signs
Four Signs
Five Signs
2. Such signs shall pertain only to a use conducted,
• service provided, goods produced or sold on the
premises or the name of the owner or tenants of the
building.
3. Permitted free standing signs shall not project into
any public right-of-way.
9154 Signs Permitted in the C-3 Zone.
A. Building Directory Signs. One (1) exterior sign
at each building entrance, such sign not to exceed
ten (10) square feet in area, such sign to be a
limited directory type indicating only the name of
the business and the use conducted by tenant.
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not more than twenty-five
s1de,.'or rear wall'or
such 'signs to pertain
(25) percent of any front,
a main building or structure,
only to a use conducted, service
not..exceed 200 square feet.
'1 ;
One
additional free
standing sign shall be permitted'
on a
ny lot
having in
excess of 75 feet of lineal
fron
t foot
age based'
upon.the following:
Lot
Fronta
ge
No, of Signs Total
•
76
-,,151
feet
Two Signs
152
- 227
feet
Three Signs
228
_ 303
feet
Four Signs
304
- 379
feet
Five Signs
2.
Such
signs
shall per
tain only to a use conducted,
ten
a
~
y
1
•lim
of`. the.
Exterior viall signs may occupy
.,not more than twenty-five
4
(25) percent of any front,
side, 'or rear walI`or a main 'building or structure
such signs to pertain
s
.
only to a use conducted, service
;:::provided, goods produced or
sold
on
the premises,.o
'
name of the owner or tenants
of
the
building.
C. Free Standing Signs.'
One (1) free standing sign for
r the
a~ J
each lot having 75 feet or less of lineal front
footage, provided 'that
not exceed 200 square
total area of any one sign shall
feet.
l ''One additional free standing sign shall be
permitted
;on any lot having in excess of 75 feet of lineal
front footage based upon,the following;
Lot Frontage No, of Signs Total
76 - 151 feet Two Signs
15.2 -.227 feet' Three Signs
228 - 303 feet Four Signs
304 - 379 feet Five Signs
,2. 'Such signs shall pertain only to a use conducted,
service,provided, goods produced or sold on the
premises or -the name of the owner or tenants of the
building, ry
3. >Permitted free standing signs shall not project
into any public right-of-way.
D
Billb
d S
'
a
oar
-
igns:
Billboard signs shall be
llowed
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subject to. the provisions of Section 9156
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9156
1 Bi111board Standards and Limitations. 'Billboards shall
be;subjec.t to the following standards and limitations:
A Size, Area and Height. Limitations. Billboards shall
:.not exceed a horizontal length of twenty-five (25)._'..
'.feet; a'vertical width of twelve (12) feet; a
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maximum area of three hundred (300) square feet;
or a maximum,he! ghr of thirty five (35) feet: above
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p
.
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grade level of the adjoining sidewalk. The bottom
edge of such sign shall be not less than eight (8)
feet above the grade level of the ground upon which
the sign structure is mounted.
B. Location.
(1) Billboards shall not be located within three
hundred (300) feet of another billboard or
outdoor advertising structure on the same side
of the street.
(2) No billboard shall be located within thirty
(30) feet of the intersecting property lines
at any corner formed by two intersecting
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streets.
(3) No billboard shall be permitted in the Central
Business District, Civic Center area, or within
one hundred (100) feet of any boundary line of
said district or area.
(4) No billboard shall be permitted within one
hundred (100) feet of a public.schooa, the city
hall, a library or public park.
•
(5) No billboard shall be established or constructed
in such a manner as to be attached to or supported
by the roof of any building.
(6) No billboard shall be closer than fifty (50) feet
to any property line. abutting property zoned
other than C-3 or M.
(7) No billboard shall be placed or maintained on
property within five hundred (500) feet of freeway
right-of-way whether the same is landscaped or
not.
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C. Structural Support. The billboard structural
support shall be constructed of steel.
D, Owner identification. The name or insignia of
the the owner shall be displayed on any billboard.
E. Building Permit. No Billboard shall be erected
prior to securing a building permit therefor.
F. Maintenance.
(1) All billboards shall be maintained so as
to present a neat, clean appearance and post
no hazard to the public.
(2) The exposed rear of any single-faced bill-
board shall have a solid back, or be screened
with wood or metal and painted and maintained
to present a pleasant and unobtrusive
appearance.
G. Non-conforming Billboards.
(1) Amortization. All non-conforming billboards
shall either be removed or altered to comply
with the regulations set forth herein, except
• for the height requirements, within three (3)
years of the effective date of this part; non-
conforming billboards located in any territory
annexed to the City after the effective date
of this part shall be removed or altered to
comply with the regulations contained in this
part, except for the height requirement, within
three (3) years of the date of said annexation
to the City.
(2) Removal. Upon failure to remove, repair or
reconstruct a billboard erected or maintained
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in violation of the Rosemead Municipal Code,
after ninety (90) days notice in writing to
the property owner or occupant and the billboard
owner by an official of the City, the City
Manager is hereby authorized to cause removal
of such billboard. Any expense incident thereto
shall be paid by the owner of the billboard, or
the owner of the building to which the billboard
is attached or the land on which such billboard
is located. If such expense is not paid within
sixty (60) days after demand by the City, such
expense shall become a lien on.the real property
on which such billboard was located, after a
• public hearing has been held by the City Council
with not less than ten (10) days notice to the
owner of said real property.
9157 Signs Adjacent to Freeways.
A. Signs Prohibited. Notwithstanding any of the fore-
going provisions of this section, signs shall not
be placed or maintained on property adjacent to any
freewy or section thereof, whether landscaped or not,
is if such sign or any of its constituent advertising
structures or signs because of its location, size,
nature, or type constitutes, or tends to constitute
a hazard to the safe and efficient operation of
vehicles upon such freeway or section thereof, or
creates a condition which endangers the safety of
of persons or property thereon, or interferes or
tends to interfere with the free, efficient and
safe flow of traffic.
B. Removal of Prohibited Displays. Any advertising
or sign existing on the effective date of this part
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which is in violation of the provisions of this
part shall be removed within three (3) years from
the effective date of this part. Any advertising
structure which is now, or hereafter may be, in
violation of the provisions of this part shall be
subject to abatement and removal as an obstruction
nuisance in the same manner as provided in Section
3311, subsections (c), (d), and (f) of the Rosemead
Municipal Code.
9158 General Sign Standards and Controls.
A. Nature of Copy. No sign of any kind shall be
permitted to advertise or display any unlawful act,
business or purpose.
B. Illumination and Movement.
(1) Illuminated signs shall be located and the
light sources shielded in such a manner as
will-prevent glare, and annoyance or hazard
to the public or neighboring properties.
(2) Signs may be internally lighted or indirectly
lighted.
• (3) No blinking or flashing signs shall be
permitted in any zone, except for time and
temperature signs.
(4) Revolving signs may be installed in Commercial
and industrial zones provided such signs do not
exceed a speed of eight (8) revolutions per
minute.
(5) No scintillating, animated or giant statuary
signs shall be permitted, except upon approval
by the Planning Commission.
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C. Height of Sign Permitted. Maximum height of free
standing signs in any Commercial or Industrial
Zone shall not exceed thirty-five (35) feet above
grade level of the adjoining public walk, except
that any free standing sign located on the site
of, and advertising a freeway oriented business,
that is within five hundred (500) feet of the
freeway, may be constructed as high as, but not
to exceed, thirty-five (35) feet above the grade
of the freeway pavement nearest to the sign under
consideration.
D. Projecting Signs. Signs projecting out over the
building line or public right-of-way shall comply
with the provisions of the Rosemead Building Code,
•
except that
all such signs
shall
have minimum
clearance of
eight (8) feet
above
grade.
E, Permits. All signs which require construction of
any kind shall be established under a valid build-
ing permit in accord with Building Code regulations.
F. Excluded Signs.
The provisions of
this part
regulating signs
shall not apply to
the following
•
signs except as
otherwise indicated
herein:
(1) Official notices issued by any court, public
body or public officer.
(2) Notices posted by any public officer in per-
formance of a public duty, or by any public
agency to give legal notice.
(3) Traffic, directional, warning or information
signs required or authorized by law or by the
federal, state or municipal authority, including
directives of the Public Utilities Commission.
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(4) Official signs used for emergency purposes.
(5) Permanent memorial or historical signs erected by a public
agency.
(6) Signs displaying political election campaign material, pro-
vided that such signs meet all size requirements contained
in this part, and further provided that such signs are not
posted more than 30 days prior to the election which they
pertain and are removed within 0 days thereafter.
9159
Non-Conforming Signs. Any existing signs or existing billboards
that become classified as a non-conforming use as a result of the
adoption of this part of any previous ordinance, except for the
height requirement for billboards and except for the height re-
quirement for free standing signs constructed under a valid building
permit issued prior to the effective date of this part, shall be
altered to conform to the provisions of this part or shall be
removed within three (3) years of the date that such sign or bill-
board becomes non-conforming.
9160
Removal of Signs and Sign Structures Advertising an Abandoned Use.
All signs and sign structures complying with all provisions of
this Chapter shall be classified as conforming. Any signs or sign
structures advertising a use upon a lot, and the use is vacated,
terminated, or abandoned, for a period of 120 consecutive days,
regardless of being constructed under a valid building permit,
shall be classified as non-conforming and subject to removal in
the following manner:
A. The City shall send, by registered mail, a written notice to
•
the owner or person in possession of the property, whose name
and address appears on the latest tax assessment rolls of Los
Angeles County listing the signs and sign structures to be
non-conforming.
B. The notice shall state that a public hearing will be held before
the City Council to determine if said signs and sign structures
are non-conforming and therefore considered a public nuisance,
injurious to neighboring properties and to the health and
welfare of residents of the City and shall be removed.
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Said notice shall be delivered not less than ten
(10) days before the public hearing to the owner
or person in possession of the property.
C. The City Council shall consider all competent evidence
offered by the owner or person in possession of the
property or other interested parties.
D. If the City Council finds the signs and sign structures
advertising a use on a lot, and said use has been
vacated, terminated or abandoned, to be non-conforming
and therefore a public nuisance, injurious to
neighboring property, and to the health and welfare
of residents of the City, the Council shall order the
removal of said signs and sign structures within
thirty (30) days from date of hearing. The Council
may also order that any wall sign painted directly
onto the walls of the building or structure shall be
painted out.
E. Said removal of signs and sign structures shall be
at the expense of the owner or person in possession
of the property. Further, if said signs and sign
structures are not removed within the thirty (30)
• day period, the Council may order their removal and
such costs shall become a special assessment against
the property upon which the signs and sign structures
are located. A copy of the special assessment shall
be mailed to the office of the County Recorder and
the costs shall be collected in the same manner as
property tax.
9161 Maintenance of Signs and Sign Structures. All signs
and sign structures shall be maintained in a state of
safe condition and good repair. Any signs or sign struc-
tures that are allowed to deteriorate to such a condition
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that the paint, lettering, or plastic face begins to
crack, peel or weather, or sign structures become bent
or damaged in any way, said signs and sign structures
shall be repainted or.repaired to its original condition
when installed or entirely replaced.
Section 2. Article IX, Section 9181 of the Rosemead
Municipal Code is amended by the addition of subsection 22,thereto,
to read as follows:
22. Billboards in excess of three hundred (300) square
feet, or in excess of twenty-five (25) feet in length
or twelve (12) feet in height, but only if located
in the C-3 or M Zones. Said billboards shall other-
wise comply with all regulations set forth in Part
XXIII of this Chapter.
Section 3. The Rosemead Municipal Code is amended by
the deletion therefrom of the following:
A. Article VIII, Chapter 6 in its entirety.
B. Article IX, Chapter 1, Sections 9104.1C, 9104.1D,
9106.1E, 9108.1D, 9109.1Ad, 9113.1C.5, 9113.1C.8,
9116.2A.3, 9117.1H, and 9118.1C.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 11th day of May,
1971.
AYOR OF THE C TY OF ROSEMEAD
ATTEST:
ALA f~z
CITY CLERK