HomeMy WebLinkAbout89-06 Amendments to the Sign Ordinance to Incorporate a Sliding Scale and Clarify Sign CodeORDINANCE NO. 89-6
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF. COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA, CONCERNING
AMENDMENTS TO THE SIGN ORDINANCE TO
INCORPORATE A SLIDING SCALE AND TO CLARIFY
OTHER PORTIONS OF THE SIGN CODE.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COSTA MESA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN
AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.
1. The City Council finds and declares that:
a. The City's Comprehensive Sign Ordinance (Costa Mesa
Municipal Code Section 5-118.et. seq.) has been in effect
since March 1974, which allows its impact and
effectiveness to be evaluated;
b. Some sections of the Sign Ordinance contain wording which
is, to some degree, inexplicit or unclear and which has
required administrative interpretation;
C. A large number of Sign Variances have been applied for
and approved using a sliding scale concept to accommodate
commercial sites which have less than the currently
required street frontage for ground signs exceeding 7 ft.
high and 15 sq.ft. in area;
d. It is in the public interest to clarify the language of
the Sign Ordinance and to reduce the number of Sign
Variance applications.
e. This Ordinance will not make nonconforming, any sign that
was legally installed and for which permits have been
issued prior to the date of adoption of this Ordinance.
Accordingly, the City Council of the City of Costa Mesa amends
Title 5 of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code as follows:
Section 2.
A. General Provisions.
Amend Section 5-119 to add a definition of "awning sign":
"Awning sign shall mean a sign painted on or adhered to
an awning which may or may not be illuminated from
underneath or behind."
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Add, under Section 5-121(b) Prohibited signs:
(10) "Any inflatable material, including but not limited to
plastic, cloth, or canvas, with or without copy or in the
shape of any object in excess of twenty-four (24) inches
in diameter."
Amend Section 121(h)(1):
(1) "It shall be unlawful to display. signs pertaining to
activities or entities that are no longer using a
property. Nonconforming single -tenant signs, including
their structural components, shall be entirely removed
from the premises within sixty (60) days after the
associated activity or occupant has vacated the premises.
Conforming single -tenant signs and portions of conforming
multi -tenant signs relating to inoperative activities
shall be removed from the premises, or sign copy on such
signs or portions of signs shall be obliterated, within
sixty (60) days after the associated activity or occupant
has vacated the premises. Any portion of a nonconforming
multi -tenant sign, including its structural components,
which relates to an inoperative activity shall be
entirely removed from the premises within sixty (60) days
after the associated activity or occupant has vacated the
premises 'unless a change of copy is authorized as
provided under Section 5-126(E)(4). Failure to comply
with any requirement in this subsection shall be
unlawful."
Amend Section 5-122(A):
(A) "General. In accordance with the provisions herein,
signs may be authorized in commercial and industrial
districts as a part of a Planned Signing Program
notwithstanding that such signs do not conform to all
specific regulations applicable in general to ground
signs, wall signs, and other signs allowed pursuant to
this article. A Planned Signing Program is a voluntary,
optional alternative to the general sign regulations,
except in C1 -S zones where it is required. A Planned
Signing Program is intended to encourage the maximum
incentive and latitude in order to achieve variety and
good design, but shall not be used to circumvent the
objectives of this article."
K,
B. Commercial Signage.
Amend Section 5-123(B):
(B) "Sign district specifications. Sign height, area and
letter height shall not exceed the maximum established
for each district by Table 2, "Sign District
Specifications". Where there is a conflict with a more
restrictive provision of this article, the more
restrictive provision shall be the maximum. Letter
height restrictions shall apply to all signs except signs
above the first story allowed under Section 5-
123 (J) (3) (b) ."
Amend Table 2 as follows:
Table 2
Sign District Specifications
All SignS-
Ground Sign Ground Sign Area Letter Hght.
District Type of Highway* Height (Feet) (Square Feet) (Inches)
1 Freeway, major, [(Frontage -75).243+7 [(Frontage -75)1.4]+15 28
primary (25 maximum) (120 maximum)
2 Secondary [(Frontage -75).173+7 [(Frontage -75).63+15 20
(20 maximum) (60 maximum)
3 Others 7 15 14
*As per Master Plan of Highways
Amend Section 5-123 (G) (1) (c) :
(c) "A ground sign greater than fifteen (15) square feet in
area and seven (7) feet in height may only be displayed
on a continuous frontage of seventy-five (75) feet or
more."
Amend Section 5-123(G)(3):
(3) Placement of ground signs. All new ground signs shall
be placed in a landscaped planter equal in area to twice
the area of the sign face. No ground sign may be placed
in a location that will obstruct other legal, conforming
signs within one hundred fifty (150) feet. A ground sign
may not address a street on which the site does not have
direct frontage.
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Amend Section 5-123(H) as follows:
(H) "Roof signs. Roof signs as defined in Section 5-119 are
permitted subject to the letter height provisions of
Section 5-123 Table 2. Signs which project above the
highest point of the roof are prohibited. Roof signs may
be placed on buildings greater than one story in height
subject to the provisions of Section 5-123(J)."
Amend Section 5-123(J):
(J) Wall signs, canopy signs, and awning signs.
(1) Each activity is authorized one (1) or more wall
signs, canopy signs, or awning signs per building
front which abuts a street, or a parking area at
least forty-five (45) feet in width onto which the
activity has direct access. Letter height shall not
exceed limits listed in Section 5-123 Table 2,
unless the activity is authorized a top story sign
as per (3)(b), below.
(2) An activity without frontage on a public street, but
with direct access to a driveway, parking area less
than forty-five (45) feet wide, or a private
sidewalk, shall be permitted a wall sign, canopy
sign, or awning sign, not to exceed fifteen (15)
square feet in area.
(3) (a) Only activities on the first floor may be
authorized a wall sign, canopy sign or awning
sign, unless the activity is a major tenant
and is qualified for a top -story sign per
(3)(b), below.
(b) Each building may be authorized one top -story
sign per street frontage, not to exceed two (2)
top -story signs per building, limited to one
major tenant or complex identification. Copy
for all top -story signs on the same building
shall be identical. Said sign shall not
project above the roof line. Top -story sign
letter height shall be determined from Table
3 below. No other sign may be placed above the
first story.
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Building Height (Stories)
1
2
3-4
5-6
7-8
9 - 10
Over 10
Table 3
Top -Story Letter Height
Maximum Letter Height (Inches)
See Table 2
28
36
42
48
54
60
Delete existing Section 5-123(K) regarding canopy signs and
replace with the following:
(K), Window signs.
(1) Temporary window signs are allowed as provided under
Section 5-121(c)(5).
(2) Permanent window signs are allowed by permit with
the following restrictions:
(a) Maximum area: 25% of the window area not to
exceed maximum sign area as described in
Section 5-123(E).
(b) Window signs six (6) square feet in area or
less which indicate business hours or similar
information, but not including product
advertisement, may be permitted as convenience
signs.
(c) Items of information shall be calculated as
provided in Section 5-123(D).
Amend Section 5-123(L) as follows:
(L) Projecting signs. Projecting signs shall not exceed
fifteen (15) square feet in area. A projecting sign
shall not be placed within one hundred fifty (150) feet
of another projecting sign on the same site and shall not
be located above the first story.
Amend Section 5-123(M):
(M) Vertical clearance. canopy signs, projecting signs,
awning signs, and ground signs shall maintain eight (8)
feet vertical clearance above all walkways, and sixteen
(16) feet vertical clearance above all driveways and
parking areas.
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C. Industrial'Signage.
Amend Section 5-124(c) Wall signs:
(c) Wall signs, canopy signs, and awning signs.
(1) Each activity is authorized one (1) wall sign,
canopy sign or awning sign per building front which
abuts a street.
(2) An activity without frontage on a public street
shall be permitted a wall sign, canopy sign, or
awning sign, not to exceed six (6) square feet in
area.
(3) (a) Only activities on the first floor may be
authorized a wall sign, canopy sign or awning
sign, except if the activity is a major tenant
and is qualified for a top -story sign per
(3) (b) , below.
(b) Each building may be authorized one top -story
sign per street frontage, not to exceed two (2)
top -story signs per building, limited to one
major tenant or complex identification. Copy
for all top -story signs on the same building
shall be identical. Said sign shall 'not
project above the roof line. Top -story sign
letter height shall be determined from Table
3. No other sign may be placed above the first
story.
Add Section 5-124(f)(5):
(5) Must incorporate address numerals at least twelve (12)
inches in height.
Amend Section 5-124(G):
(G) Copy restrictions. Signs may display only the name and
logo of the complex or site occupant.
D. Residential Signage.
Amend Section 5-125(A)(3):
(3) "Complex identification signs. Multi -family developments
shall be authorized one double-faced monument complex
identification sign, two single -faced monument complex
identification signs placed at either side of the main
driveway, or one wall mounted complex identification sign
per street frontage. Identification signs shall be
limited to one square foot of area per dwelling unit, up
to a maximum of thirty (30) square feet. Internally
illuminated and painted signs shall be prohibited.
Complex identification signs shall use subdued colors and
shall be placed under the direction of the Planning
Division. Maximum height of monument signs shall be five
(5) feet. All monument complex identification signs must
incorporate address numerals at least twelve (12) inches
in height.
Amend Section 5-125(B)(1):
(1) Tract signs. Subdivisions which offer a minimum of ten
(10 ) units for sale or lease, may erect a temporary tract
sign within the boundaries of the tract. Tract signs
shall be non -illuminated and no larger than eighty (80)
square feet or higher than twenty-five (25) feet. Tract
sign permits shall be valid for a period of one year, or
until all units have been sold or leased, whichever
occurs earlier. As a condition of approval, the
applicant shall submit a cash deposit, savings and loan
certificate, or other security and a right of entry
agreement to assure prompt removal upon expiration. of the
permit.
Delete Section 5-125(B) (2.2) (a) and replace with the
following:
(a) Reserved..
E. Amortization.
Delete Section 5-126(C) and replace with the following:
(C) "Schedule I. Expired in 1977."
Delete Section 5-126(D) and replace with the following:
(D) "Schedule II. Expired in 1984."
Amend Section 5-126(E)(4): Multi -tenant signs.
(a) Change of copy permits may be issued for nonconforming
multi -tenant signs as long as no more than fifty (50)
percent of the area has been changed or abandoned or
identifies activities no longer existing on site or any
combination thereof.
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F. Variance Procedures.
Amend Section 5-127(b) and 5-127(b)(1) as follows:
(b) Authority of Planning Commission and Zoning
Administrator.' The Planning Commission and the Zoning
Administrator shall have the authority to grant Variances
from the strict application of the rules., regulations and
provisions of this article as follows:
(1) Jurisdiction. Before the Planning Commission or Zoning
Administrator shall have jurisdiction to grant a
Variance, the applicant must show that due to the
peculiar shape, size, location, or topography of the
property, there are special conditions involved which
would make the literal enforcement of the regulations of
the article result in practical difficulties which are
unnecessary for the purpose of the article and would
deprive the subject property of privileges enjoyed by
other properties in the vicinity in the same zoning
district classification, and under the same sign
ordinance restriction.
Amend Section 5-127(b)(4) as follows:
(4) Public welfare. The granting of any Variance shall not
be materially detrimental to the public welfare or
injurious to property improvements in the vicinity. The
Planning Commission and/or Zoning Administrator shall
ensure that the Variance will be compatible with the
purpose and intent of this article and not injurious to
the public health, safety, and general welfare.
Amend Section 5-127(c) as follows:
(c) Minor Variance powers. The Zoning Administrator shall
be authorized to approve, after making the necessary
determination in writing, minor Variances as defined in
Section 5-119, from the terms of this article. This
provision shall apply only to legally placed signs made
nonconforming by the adoption of this article.
Amend Section 5-127(d) as follows:
(d) Variance powers: Planning Commission. The Planning
Commission shall be authorized to approve Variances from
the terms of this article.
N
SECTION 3.
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force thirty
(30) days from and after the passage thereof, and prior to the
expiration of fifteen (15) days from its passage shall be published
once in the ORANGE COAST DAILY PILOT, a newspaper of general
circulation, printed and published in the City of Costa Mesa or,
in the alternative, the City Clerk may cause to be published a
summary of this Ordinance and a certified copy of the text of this
Ordinance shall be posted in the office of the City Clerk five (5)
days prior to the date of adoption of this Ordinance, and within
fifteen (15) days after adoption, the City Clerk shall cause to be
published the aforementioned summary and shall post in the office
of the City Clerk a certified copy of this Ordinance together with
the names of the members of the City Council voting for and against
the same.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this lz 1day of , 1989.
ATTEST:
ty Clerk of the City of Mayor of the Cif Costa Mesa
Costa Mesa f V
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss.
CITY OF COSTA MESA )
I, EILEEN P. PHINNEY, City Clerk and ex -officio Clerk of the
City Council of the City of Costa Mesa, hereby certify that the
above and foregoing Ordinance No. 81-4 was introduced and
considered section by. section at a r ularxmting of said City
Council held on the day of �, 19 06 and
thereafter passed and adopted as a whole/fit a egular meeti of
said Council held on the L day of (�L , 19 7, by
the following roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS :iii .
Al
/ ��
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: ��
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
IN WITNESS
Seal of the City
19�.
(896.ORD)
WHEREOF, I have hereb t my hand a aff'xed the
of Costa Mesa this day of ,
10
�,. . 'olo� �--� 4
Cfty Clerk and ex -officio Cler
of the City Council of the Citi
of Costa Mesa