Baldwin Park City Zoning Code

153.170 SIGN

REGULATIONS

§ 153.170.010 INTENT AND PURPOSE.

The intent and purpose of these sign regulations are to:

(A) Urban design and safety standards. Implement the city's urban design and safety standards as set forth in the general plan.

(B) City appearance. Maintain and enhance the city's appearance by regulating the design, character, location, number, type, quality of materials, size, illumination and maintenance of signs.

(C) Pedestrian and vehicular traffic safety. Protect and improve pedestrian and vehicular traffic safety by balancing the need for signs which facilitate the safe and smooth flow of traffic without an excess of signage which may distract motorists, overload their capacity to quickly receive information, visually obstruct traffic signs or otherwise create congestion and safety hazards.

(D) Traffic safety hazards. Eliminate traffic safety hazards to pedestrians and motorists posed by off-site signs.

(E) On-site signage. Generally limit private signage to on-site locations to protect the aesthetic environment from the visual clutter associated with the unrestricted proliferation of signs, while providing channels of communication to the public.

(F) Communication. Allow the communication of information for commercial and noncommercial purposes without regulating the content of noncommercial messages.

(G) Free speech. Respect and protect the right of free speech by sign display, while reasonably regulating the structure, location and other non-communicative aspects of signs, generally for the public health, safety, welfare and specifically to serve the public interests in traffic and pedestrian safety and community aesthetics.

(H) Nearby effects. Minimize the possible adverse effects of signs on nearby public and private property.

(I) Visual quality. Serve the city's interests in maintaining and enhancing its visual appeal by preventing the degradation of visual quality which can result from excess signage.

(J) Protect investment and quality of life. Protect investments in property and lifestyle quality made by persons who choose to live, work or do business in the city.

(K) Residential neighborhoods. Defend the peace and tranquility of residential zones and neighborhoods.

(Ord. 1346, passed 5-2-12; Am. Ord. 1397, passed 4-5-17; Am. Ord. 1402, passed 11-15-17; Am. Ord. 1510, passed 6-19-24)

§ 153.170.020 APPLICABILITY.

(A) Compliance. Signs or advertising displays that are erected or maintained within the city shall comply with the provisions of this subchapter and any other applicable federal, state and local statues or laws.

(B) Additive requirements. The requirements of this subchapter, shall be applied in addition to any other requirements contained in the zoning code.

(C) Conflicts. In the event of direct and irreconcilable conflict between any provisions of this subchapter and any other provisions of the zoning code or this code, the more restrictive requirements shall govern.

(Ord. 1346, passed 5-2-12; Am. Ord. 1397, passed 4-5-17; Am. Ord. 1402, passed 11-15-17; Am. Ord. 1510, passed 6-19-24)

§ 153.170.030 PERMIT REQUIREMENTS.

(A) Sign permit required. Unless otherwise exempted by § 153.170.040, a sign permit shall be required prior to the placement, construction or physical alteration of the size, height or location of any sign or advertising display in the city. A sign permit may be obtained from the Planning Division pursuant to the provisions of §§ 153.210 et seq., Administrative Procedures.

(B) Variance. Signs that do not comply with the requirements of this subchapter, shall not be permitted unless a variance has been granted pursuant to the provisions of §§ 153.210 et seq., Administrative Procedures.

(Ord. 1346, passed 5-2-12; Am. Ord. 1397, passed 4-5-17; Am. Ord. 1402, passed 11-15-17; Am. Ord. 1510, passed 6-19-24)

§ 153.170.040 EXEMPT SIGNS.

(A) Applicability. Unless otherwise specified, the signs listed in this subchapter are categorically exempt from the permit requirement. The signs listed in this section are subject to compliance with all other provisions of this subchapter and other applicable codes, regulations or rules.

(B) Restrictions on illumination. All exempt signs shall be non-illuminated, externally illuminated, or internally illuminated.

(1) Non-residential signs. On non-residential property:

(a) Up to 20 flags or pennants with a combined area of no more than 80 square feet on a staff or pole of no longer than 20 feet, however, no individual flag or pennant may exceed 15 square feet in area;

(b) Up to 15 permanent signs with a combined area of no more than 45 square feet and a height of no more than eight feet, however, no individual sign may exceed 15 square feet in area;

(c) Up to four temporary window signs with a combined area of no more than 24 square feet, however, no individual sign may exceed 12 square feet in area and no more than 40% of the area of any given window may be covered by window signs; and

(d) Up to eight other temporary signs with an combined area of no more than 30 square feet and a height of no more than four feet, however, no individual sign may exceed 15 square feet in area. Size limits for window signs with transparent backgrounds (instead of opaque backgrounds) placed on glass doors are doubled.

(e) Where properties include multiple tenants, each tenant may display two flags of no more than 12 square feet, and temporary or permanent signs with a combined area of no more than nine square feet, in addition to the non-residential exemption provided above.

(2) Residential signs. On residential property:

(a) Up to three flags or pennants of up to ten square feet on a staff or pole of no longer than eight feet;

(b) Up to three permanent signs with a combined area of no more than ten square feet and a height of no more than four feet;

(c) Up to six temporary window signs with a combined area of no more than nine square feet, except that no more than 50% of the area of any given window may be covered by window signs; and

(d) Up to four other temporary signs with a combined area of no more than ten square feet and a height of no more than three feet.

(e) Where residential properties include multiple dwelling units, each dwelling unit may display one flag of no more than six square feet, and temporary or permanent signs with a combined area of no more than six square feet, in addition to the basic residential exemption provide above.

(Ord. 1346, passed 5-2-12; Am. Ord. 1397, passed 4-5-17; Am. Ord. 1402, passed 11-15-17; Am. Ord. 1510, passed 6-19-24)

§ 153.170.050 PROHIBITED SIGNS.

The following signs are prohibited on any property within the city:

(A) Abandoned signs.

(B) Animated signs, except as provided for electronic readerboard signs as permitted pursuant to § 153.170.080(D).

(D) Roof signs.

(E) Murals.

(F) Can (box) signs.

(G) Off-site signs (billboards), except as approved as a part of a billboard relocation agreement pursuant to the terms of this chapter or as provided for billboards or digital billboards permitted per § 153.170.110.

(H) Off-site signs. Off-site identification signs, except government, civic signs as provided in this subchapter.

(I) Portable signs, including A-frame, sandwich board signs, and vehicle-mounted signs.

(J) Cross-visibility area. Any sign located within a required clear cross-visibility area.

(K) Permission not granted. Signs erected without the permission of the owner of the property on which the sign is located.

(L) Signs in the public right-of-way. Signs within or projecting over a public right-of- way.

(M) Imitation traffic signs. Signs which purport to be, are an imitation of, or resemble official traffic warning devices or signs, that by color, location or lighting may confuse or disorient vehicular or pedestrian traffic, impede the flow of traffic or create a traffic hazard, excluding authorized on-site directional sites.

(N) Painted signs. Signs painted directly on an exterior wall, fence, fascia or parapet.

(O) Signs attached to utility poles. Signs attached to utility poles, unless specifically approved by the utility company in writing.

(P) Signs attached other features. Signs attached to trees, fences, bridges or light poles.

(Q) Vehicle signs. Vehicle signs, where the primary purpose or use of the vehicle is the display of advertising material. This does not apply to signs maintained on vehicles when such advertising is incidental to the primary purpose for which the vehicle is being used.

(R) Disrepair. Any sign that is in disrepair.

(Ord. 1346, passed 5-2-12; Am. Ord. 1397, passed 4-5-17; Am. Ord. 1402, passed 11-15-17; Am. Ord. 1510, passed 6-19-24) Penalty, see § 10.99

§ 153.170.060 TEMPORARY SIGNS.

(A) Permitted temporary signs. In addition to exempt temporary signs pursuant to § 153.170.040(C), temporary signs may be permitted on the site of any business holding a grand opening or promoting a special product, sale, or event. The following types of temporary signs are permitted under such circumstances, provided they comply with

the applicable standards provided in division (B):

(1) Banners not exceeding 50 square feet.

(2) Pennants, with the area on which the pennants are located not to be permitted not permitted to exceed 15% of the square footage of the lot upon which they are located.

(B) Standard for temporary signs. Such temporary signs under division (A) shall comply with the following standards:

(1) Maximum number. A maximum of one temporary sign may be displayed for each non-residential property at any given time.

(2) Maximum duration. Each temporary sign may be displayed for a maximum of 30 consecutive days. Temporary signs may be displayed up to four nonconsecutive times within a 12-month period.

(3) Location and attachment. Temporary signs shall be attached to the main building wall or fence and shall not extend above the roofline or height of the wall or fence on which they are located.

(4) Balloons. Balloons shall not be used in conjunction with any temporary sign.

(5) Attachment and illumination. Temporary signs shall not be freestanding or illuminated.

(6) Safety and maintenance. Temporary signs shall be kept in a safe and presentable condition.

(Ord. 1346, passed 5-2-12; Am. Ord. 1371, passed 4-15-15; Am. Ord. 1397, passed 4-5-17; Am. Ord. 1402, passed 11-15-17; Am. Ord. 1510, passed 6-19-24)

§ 153.170.070 GENERAL SIGN STANDARDS.

All signs, including exempt and temporary signs, located within all zones shall comply with the following regulations:

(A) Sign lettering and numbering.

(1) To facilitate emergency response by public safety personnel, the sign nearest to the public entrance of a business which utilizes any non-Roman alphabet letters, characters and/or symbols shall also contain a general description of the business and other entities occupying the building written in English. The English language portion of the sign shall be readable from the public right-of-way.

(2) In all cases where a sign or other zoning permit is required by this chapter or other law, the applicant shall submit to the city a certification, issued under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, containing an English language translation of all non-Roman alphabet letters, characters and symbols proposed to be displayed on the sign. An application for such permit shall not be deemed complete until the applicant has provided such certification.

(B) Sign lighting and illumination.

(1) Unless otherwise specified for exempt and temporary signs, signs may be non-illuminated or internally illuminated. If internally illuminated, illumination of individual letters and logos is preferred. The Approving Authority of the sign permit may authorize external illumination.

(2) All signs shall be arranged, operated, shielded and maintained to prevent any glare, reflection, nuisance, inconvenience or hazardous interference of any kind to abutting or adjacent properties, streets and walkways.

(C) Sign location. No internally illuminated sign placed on any commercial or industrially zoned property shall be located within 50 feet of the lot line, if such line is shared with any residentially zoned lot, and if the sign face area is oriented toward the residentially zoned lot.

(D) Sign aesthetics.

(1) All newly erected signs shall comply with the Sign Design Guidelines Manual.

(2) All permanent signs located within any zone shall be compatible to the associated structure's architecture and design features.

(3) All permanent signs located on commercial and industrial structures shall be integrated within structure's architecture.

(Ord. 1346, passed 5-2-12; Am. Ord. 1397, passed 4-5-17; Am. Ord. 1402, passed 11-15-17; Am. Ord. 1510, passed 6-19-24)

§ 153.170.080 SIGNS REGULATIONS BY ZONE.

Table 153.170.080 identifies the types of signs permitted by zone district and the development standards applicable to such signs. In addition to the requirements set forth in table 153.170.080, the following criteria shall apply:

(A) Freestanding signs.

(1) As indicated in table 153.170.080, freestanding signs shall be permitted only in the FC, C-2 and I-C zones that have freeway frontage.

(2) The base of all freestanding signs shall be landscaped at the time of sign installation such that the base is fully obscured by landscaping to a minimum height of six feet within three years of landscape installation. Such landscaping shall be maintained in a neat and healthy condition at all times.

(B) Monument signs. Monument signs may be located in planter medians abutting a driveway or within the project driveway.

Table 153.170.080

Sign Regulations by Zone
Zone	Sign Type	Maximum Number	Maximum Sign Area	Maximum Height	Notes
R-G and R-3	Monument	1	24 sf	4 ft
R-G and R-3	Wall	1	36 sf	4 ft
C-1, MU-2	Monument	1 per frontage	32 sf	6 ft
C-1, MU-2	Wall	1 or more	50 sf	4 ft
C-2, F-C, I-C, MU-1 withou t freewa y fronta ge	Monument	1 per frontage	64 sf	12 ft	In lieu of a monument sign, an electronic readerboard sign may be permitted, subject to approval of a conditional use permit and design review, provided the sign complies with the provisions outlined in § 153.170.080(D).
	Wall	1 or more	2 sf of sign area per linear foot of primary building frontage	6 ft
	Secondary wall	1 or more	1 sf of sign area per linear foot of primary building frontage	4 ft
C-2, F-C, I-C, with freeway frontage	Freestandi ng	1	1 sf of sign area per 1 linear foot of street frontage	80 ft	1. A maximum of 1 freestanding sign is permitted for lots with less than 800 linear feet of street frontage. One additional freestanding sign is permitted for lots with more than 800 linear feet of street frontage. For this purpose, a commercial center is considered a single lot. 2. Additional sign face area for monument signs may be granted in lieu of use of freestanding signs, per criteria established by the Director of Community Development. 3. In lieu of a monument sign, an electronic readerboard sign may be permitted, subject to approval of a conditional use permit and design review, provided the sign complies with the provisions outlined in § 153.170.080(D).
I	Monument	1	40 sf	8 ft	In lieu of a monument sign, an electronic readerboard sign may be permitted, subject to approval of a conditional use permit and design review, provided the sign complies with the provisions outlined in § 153.170.080(D).
I	Wall	1 or more	1 sf of sign area for each linear foot of primary building frontage	6 ft

(1) A maximum of three wall signs shall be permitted for each wall of a commercial unit that contains a main entrance or is adjacent to a street.

(2) A maximum of one wall sign shall be permitted for each wall of a commercial unit that does not contain a main entrance.

(3) Wall signs shall not project more than 18-inches from the building wall.

(4) Sign height shall be measured from the bottom to the top of the sign.

(D) Electronic readerboard sign.

(1) Sign defined. An ELECTRONIC READERBOARD SIGN is a sign that incorporates changeable messages which may be changed by remote or automatic means.

(2) Applicability and review.

(a) Electronic readerboard signs are allowed, subject to approval of a conditional use permit and design review, for businesses with a minimum of three acres (for the overall business), within the C-2, Fe, I-C and I Zones and along a designated truck route. This sign type may be installed in lieu of, but not in addition to, freestanding and/or monument signage permitted on-site.

(b) Design review shall include review of the following sign elements: sign style, sign height, sign size, number of other signs on the site, sign placement and sign materials, subject to the criteria established in this division.

(3) Orientation. Signs shall not face residentially zoned properties or residential uses, schools, hospitals, convalescent hospitals and other sensitive land uses as deemed appropriate through the conditional use permit process.

(4) Message duration. Messages shall remain static for a minimum of eight seconds. Message changes shall occur within a timespan of no more than one second.

(5) Activity. Messages on the electronic readerboard sign shall rotate only during normal business hours or as deemed appropriate though the conditional use permit process.

(6) Contrast. Electronic readerboard signs shall be adjusted to maintain contrast between the sign face and surrounding areas, subject to review and approval through the conditional use permit process.

(7) Illumination. The following provisions apply to the illumination of electronic readerboard signs:

(a) Automatic dimming controls shall be installed, either by photocell (hardwire) or via software settings, in order to bring the lighting level down to avoid spillover and light trespass onto abutting or adjacent properties and to avoid glare at any time of the day.

(b) Electronic readerboard signs shall be adjusted to minimize the degree of brightness and glare. Lighting levels should be sensitive to the environment and react with natural light sources, subject to review and approval through the conditional use permit process.

(Ord. 1346, passed 5-2-12; Am. Ord. 1371, passed 4-15-15; Am. Ord. 1397, passed 4-5-17; Am. Ord. 1402, passed 11-15-17; Am. Ord. 1510, passed 6-19-24)

§ 153.170.090 SIGN REGULATIONS FOR SPECIFIC LAND USES.

In addition to other standards set forth in this subchapter, the following land uses are subject to the following regulations:

(A) Service stations.

(1) Each service station may maintain a maximum of four canopy signs, each having no more than 50 square feet of sign face area.

(2) Each service station may maintain one permanently installed sign not to exceed 40 square feet in area.

(3) Each service station may maintain a maximum of two permanently installed or portable price signs not exceed 20 square feet in area.

(B) Automobile dealerships.

(1) Each automobile dealership may display banners and pennants with a total area not to exceed 15% of the square footage of the lot upon which they are located.

(2) Each automobile dealership may display a maximum of 20 banners attached to freestanding light standards. Each banner shall not exceed 50 square feet of area.

(3) Each automobile dealership may display one pennant for every 2,500 square feet of lot area, up to a maximum of 12 such pennants. Each pennant shall not exceed 20 square feet in area.

(Ord. 1346, passed 5-2-12; Am. Ord. 1371, passed 4-15-15; Am. Ord. 1397, passed 4-5-17; Am. Ord. 1402, passed 11-15-17; Am. Ord. 1510, passed 6-19-24) Penalty, see § 10.99

§ 153.170.100 SIGN CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE.

(A) Compliance with codes and development standards. All signs shall comply with the appropriate provisions of the state Building Code, as adopted by the city, relative to design, construction, structural integrity, connections and safety. Signs shall also comply with the provisions of the applicable electrical code and the development standards.

(B) Maintenance. All signs shall be maintained in a good structural condition at all times and be kept neatly painted, including all metal parts and supports that are not made of a rust resistant material. Any crack, broken surface, malfunction, missing sign copy or other damaged portion shall be repaired or replaced.

(Ord. 1346, passed 5-2-12; Am. Ord. 1397, passed 4-5-17; Am. Ord. 1402, passed 11-15-17; Am. Ord. 1510, passed 6-19-24)

§ 153.170.110 NEW STATIC OR DIGITAL BILLBOARD CONSTRUCTION.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, a static billboard or digital billboard (as defined below) may be installed with copy visible from within any interstate freeway corridor (as defined below), subject to all the following:

(A) DIGITAL BILLBOARD. Any off- site advertising display (a static billboard), as defined in the California Business and Professions Code (BPC) § 5202, that uses state-of-the-art digital technology;

(B) INTERSTATE FREEWAY CORRIDOR. The area comprised of any interstate highway (as defined in BPC § 5215) and within 200 feet from the edge of the right-of-way (as defined BPC § 5222) and within a commercial or industrial zoned property;

(C) Each advertising structure (as defined in BPC § 5203), whether a static billboard or an advertising display that is used to support a digital billboard shall be placed within an interstate freeway corridor;

(D) The static billboard or the digital billboard owner must:

(1) Receive Caltrans' approvals, as necessary; and

(2) Execute an agreement with the city by which each billboard owner agrees to

(a) Indemnify, defend and hold harmless the city from any and all claims, lawsuits, awards and judgements, including any reasonable attorney's fees and court costs, that may arise from the approval of a static billboard or a digital billboard and associated advertising structure and removal of an applicable advertising structure that may or may not be required to be removed, in consideration for any one or more negotiated benefits, including but not limited to such items as new park signs, landscaping, sign removals, or development fees, pursuant to this section or to any other provision of this code, subject to the terms of that agreement; and

(b) Comply with any and all required mitigation measures, conditions of approval and all applicable provisions of this section and this code.

(E) The property owner upon which a static billboard or a digital billboard is to be erected executes an agreement with the city by which that owner consents to the city's entry onto his/her/its property to remove that static billboard or a digital billboard and associated advertising structure, as permitted in the agreement between the billboard owner and the city, and by which that property owner releases and indemnifies the city from liability for that permitted removal;

(F) The new advertising structure cannot be used to support more than two digital billboards with each one facing in different directions;

(G) The entire portion of an advertising structure that comprises the active display face of a static billboard or digital billboard shall not be more than 48' in width, 14' in height nor 672 square feet in area; provided, that, in addition, an apron for a static billboard or digital billboard can extend up to a maximum of approximately 36" below that digital billboard face or five and one-half-foot top extensions or two-foot side extensions;

(H) The overall height of the advertising structure that is a static billboard or that includes a digital billboard, and excluding extensions, shall not be more than 65', as measmed from the highest point of the main road or interstate highway from which the advertising is to be viewed;

(I) The distance between two static billboards or between a static billboard and digital billboard shall be at least 500'. The distance between two digital billboards shall be at least 1,000'. The distance requirements shall be the same as the minimum distance and separation criteria established by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and as defined in BPC § 5222;

(J) A digital billboard shall not operate at brightness levels of more than 0.3 foot candles above ambient light, as measured using a foot candle meter at a pre-set distance of 250' perpendicular to the display face of the digital billboard. Each digital billboard shall have a light sensing device that will automatically adjust the brightness of the digital billboard to meet that foot candle requirement, as ambient light conditions change;

(K) Only if the city agreement requires the removal of existing advertising structures, then if four or less advertising structures are being replaced by new advertising structures with digital billboards, then at least eight additional display faces and the advertising structures supporting the eight additional display faces must be permanently removed from the city by the digital billboard owner receiving the approval and the removal of all the display faces and their respective advertising structures to be removed shall be completed prior to construction by that owner of any advertising structure, including a digital billboard;

(L) Only if the city agreement requires the removal of existing advertising structures, then if five or more advertising structures are being replaced by new advertising structures with digital billboards, then for each new advertising structures, above four new advertising structures, at least two additional display faces must be permanently removed from the city by the digital billboard owner receiving the approval and the removal of all the display faces and their respective advertising structures to be removed shall be completed prior to construction by that owner of any advertising structure including a digital billboard;

(M) A digital billboard shall only display a series of still images and each still image must be displayed for a minimum of four consecutive seconds. No still image shall have animation, movement, or the appearance of an optical illusion of movement of any part of the advertising structure and each still image shall not include flashing, scintillating lighting or the varying of light intensity or any other means of not providing constant illumination. Transition time between one still image and the immediate next still image shall not exceed one second; and

(N) (1) If a digital billboard installed pursuant to this section must be removed due to a final court order or judicially approved settlement resulting from a legal action brought by a third party, who is not related to the owner or operator of that digital billboard (the OWNER/OPERATOR), that digital billboard replaced a non-digital billboard (the REPLACED NON-DIGITAL BILLBOARD), and the replaced non-digital billboard was the subject of a previous formal written agreement with the city, then the owner/operator shall be permitted to reinstall a new state-of-the-art non-digital billboard (the REPLACEMENT NON-DIGITAL BILLBOARD) on the same advertising structure used to support that digital billboard; provided, that the reinstallation of the replacement non-digital billboard must occur before the date the previous formal agreement would have terminated (the PREVIOUS TERMINATION DATE), the replacement non-digital billboard and supporting advertising structure must be removed on or before the previous termination date and the replacement non-digital billboard must comply with all the applicable criteria for digital billboards, as set forth in in this section and the agreement referred to in division (D)(2).

(O) The following sections do not apply to signs approved per this § 153.170.110: §§ 153.050.030, 153.170.050(D)

(Ord. 1510, passed 6-19-24)

§ 153.170.120 BILLBOARD RELOCATION AGREEMENTS.

Billboards are recognized as a legitimate form of commercial advertising in the city. However, the size, number, location and illumination of billboards can have significant influence on the city's visual character, and can, without appropriate control, create or contribute to visual light conditions. The purpose of this section is to provide the parameters under which existing billboards may be relocated and reconstructed subject to reasonable controls, while recognizing that community appearance is an important factor in ensuring the general community welfare. Nothing herein shall affect the right of any billboard in existence as of the date that this section becomes effective to continue to exist pursuant to an agreement or as a legal non-conforming use to be maintained pursuant to such agreement or in conformance with this chapter.

(A) General requirements.

(1) The requirements of this section shall apply to any off-site sign (billboard) project involving the installation or construction of relocated billboard, or the expansion, modification, or digitization of an existing billboard, or the addition of additional face(s) to an existing billboard within the city. Relocated billboards shall be permitted in the city only after an agreement has been negotiated and executed between the billboard operator/owner and city and a permit has been issued in accordance with the terms of this section. The agreement may include compensation to be paid to the city or the provision of other public benefits to be provided as a result of the relocation, installation and operation of any billboard or modification of an existing billboard within the city. All relocated billboards constructed shall comply with this chapter and all applicable requirement of the California Business and Professions Code and the California Code of Regulations.

(2) An owner or entity proposing an agreement for relocation shall establish that the relocated billboard meets one or more of the following eligibility requirements:

(a) The billboard proposed for complete demolition and relocation is the subject of any eminent domain action or threat of eminent domain action by a legally created public entity possessing eminent domain/condemnation authority and provides public benefits for such relocation;

(b) The applicant chooses to completely demolish and relocate an existing billboard, including a legal non-conforming billboard, to a more suitable location so as not to conflict with the proposed development or redevelopment of the property and provides public benefits for such relocation as negotiated in the agreement;

(c) The applicant chooses to completely demolish and relocate an existing billboard, including a legal non-conforming billboard, to a more suitable location within the city that lessens the overall negative aesthetic impacts on the city and its residents and provides public benefits for such relocation;

(d) The applicant has previously removed and completely demolished one or more billboards and maintains credits for such removal by the California Department of Transportation pursuant to California Business and Professions Code, § 5443.5 and such relocation benefits the city; or

(e) The applicant proposes to enhance, improve and modify an existing billboard already established within the city for the purpose of modernizing and improving the aesthetic appearance of such billboard.

(3) In the event of any conflict between any provision contained in this section and any other provisions contained elsewhere in this code, the provisions of this section shall govern.

(4) No billboard shall be approved and no existing billboard shall be modified without the applicant first providing proof of legal or equitable interest in the site proposed for relocation or modification, including, but not limited to a lease, easement or other entitlement, demonstrating the right to install and operate the billboard on the subject property for the term desired. Information to be provided shall include the written consent of the property owner if not readily ascertainable from the foregoing documents.

(5) All billboard agreements shall include requirements that applicants obtain all additional federal and/or state permits for installation. Nothing contained in this section shall require the city to negotiate and/or approve an agreement on terms that are unacceptable to the City Council.

(B) Physical requirements.

(1) The minimum distance between two or more billboards shall be the same as the minimum distance and separation criteria established by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). All distances shall be measured from the vertical centerline of each billboard face.

(2) All utilities for each billboard shall be underground.

(3) No billboard shall have more than one face (display surface) oriented in the same vertical plane. Additional display face may be added if used for on-premise advertising only in accordance with approved site plan.

(4) All billboards shall plainly display, and be visible from no less than 100 feet, the name of the person or company owning or maintaining it and the billboard identification number.

(5) All billboards shall be placed at least 100 feet from any single-family residential zone or single-family residential use. The measurement shall be from the closest edge of the billboard to the closest edge of the single- family residential zone or closest property line on which a single family residential use is located.

(1) Application requirements. In addition to the application requirements for sign permits required by this code, a person or entity wishing to enter into a billboard relocation agreement shall submit a request in writing for approval of an agreement that includes the following:

(a) The name, address phone number and other contact information of the person or entity proposing the agreement;

(b) Identification of the location proposed for a new or relocated or modified billboard and the billboard(s) being permanently removed or modified, where applicable;

(c) Information that establishes that the person or entity proposing the agreement has legal or equitable interest in the billboard being removed or modified and the site proposed for relocation or placement;

(d) Conceptual design drawings for the billboard that includes technical specifications to determine the billboard's compliance with this chapter;

(e) An explanation of the compensation to be paid or public benefits to be provided to the city; and

(f) The application must include photos of all existing signage or architectural renderings and elevations of proposed billboards as well as a scaled plot plan and elevations showing the locations of all existing structures and improvements on the property, and the proposed billboard.

(2) The applicant must pay a filing fee in accordance with an approved resolution. This fee shall be in addition to any other required fees for permits relative to the development of the property and shall be for the purpose of defraying the costs associated with city review and action on the application.

(3) Review process. All agreements shall be reviewed by the Planning Commission at a duly noticed public hearing. The public hearing shall be noticed in the same way that conditional use permits and variances are noticed pursuant to this chapter. The Planning Commission shall review the agreement and, after a duly noticed public hearing, make a recommendation to City Council, based on current development standards, the location of the proposed relocated or modified billboard and whether the proposed relocated or modified billboard meets the findings contained in this section.

(4) At a City Council meeting held no later than 45 days after the Planning Commission makes its recommendation, the City Council shall review and consider the agreement, at a duly noticed public hearing. The hearing before the City Council shall be

noticed the same as any conditional use permit and may be continued from time to time. In order to approve a request for an agreement, the City Council shall make the following findings for approval of an agreement:

(a) The proposed agreement is consistent with the goals, objectives, purposes and provisions of the general plan, the Municipal Code and any applicable specific plans;

(b) The proposed agreement would promote installation of a billboard that is compatible with the uses and structures on the site and in the surrounding area, considering the scale and materials of adjacent buildings, the desired character of the neighborhood, district, or corridor where the billboard is located, and pedestrian orientation;

(c) The proposed agreement authorizes the installation of a billboard that would not create a traffic or safety problem, including problems associated with onsite access circulation or visibility;

(d) The proposed agreement for installation would not interfere with onsite parking or

landscaping required by city ordinance or permit; and

(e) The proposed agreement does not promote construction of a billboard that would not otherwise result in a threat to the general health, safety and welfare of city residents.

(f) The proposed billboard, in addition to its aesthetic treatment, provides public benefits that would not otherwise accrue to the public in the absence of its installation.

(Ord. 1510, passed 6-19-24)

§ 153.170.130 COMPREHENSIVE SIGN PROGRAMS.

(A) Purpose. The purpose of a comprehensive sign program is to integrate all of a nonresidential or mixed-use project's signs with the overall site design and the structures' design into a unified architectural statement. A comprehensive sign program provides a means for the flexible application of sign regulations in order to provide incentive and latitude in the design and display of multiple signs and to achieve, not circumvent, the purpose of this subchapter. Approval of a comprehensive sign program may modify the standards provided in this subchapter as to the sign number, size, height, illumination, location, orientation, or other aspects or signs within the limits of this section.

(B) Applicability. The approval of a comprehensive sign program shall be required whenever any of the following circumstances exist:

(1) Whenever the floor area is in excess of 25,000 square feet;

(2) Whenever five or more separate commercial or industrial tenant spaces are present on the same site; or

(3) Whenever the City Planner determines that a comprehensive sign program is needed because of special project characteristics (e.g., the size of the proposed signs, limited site visibility, the location of the site relative to other lots, buildings, or streets, etc.).

(C) Approval authority and limitation. The Planning Commission shall be the review authority for a comprehensive sign program.

(D) Application requirements. A sign program application for a comprehensive sign program shall include all information and materials required by the Planning Division for a sign program review including a filing fee. Said fee shall be established by resolution of the city. The applicant shall still be required to obtain applicable sign permits and pay the related fee.

(E) Standards. A comprehensive sign program shall comply with the following standards:

(1) The proposed sign program shall comply with the purpose and intent of this subchapter;

(2) The proposed signs shall enhance the overall development, be in harmony with, and relate visually to other signs included in the comprehensive sign program, to the structures and/or developments they identify, and to surrounding development when applicable;

(3) The sign program shall address all signs, including permanent, temporary, and exempt signs;

(4) The sign program shall accommodate future revisions that may be required because of changes in use or commercial tenants;

(5) The sign program shall comply with the standards of the §§ 153.170 et seq., except that deviations are allowed with regard to sign area, total number, location, and/or height of signs to the extent that the comprehensive sign program will enhance the overall development and will more fully accomplish the purposes and intent of this subchapter;

(6) Approval of a comprehensive sign program shall not authorize the use of signs prohibited by this subchapter; and

(7) Review and approval of a comprehensive sign program shall not consider the signs' proposed message content.

(F) Findings. In order to approve a comprehensive sign program the following findings shall be made:

(1) The comprehensive sign program complies with the purpose of this subchapter, and the Baldwin Park Design Guidelines;

(2) Proposed signs enhance the overall development and are in harmony with other signs included in the plan with the structures they identify and with surrounding development;

(3) The comprehensive sign program contains provisions to accommodate future revisions that may be required because of changes in use or tenants; and

(4) The comprehensive sign program complies with the standards of this subchapter, except that flexibility is allowed with regard to sign area, number, location, and/or height to the extent that the signs proposed under the comprehensive sign program will enhance the overall development, achieve superior quality design, and will more fully accomplish the purposes of this subchapter.

(G) Revisions to comprehensive sign programs. The Community Development Director may approve revisions to the comprehensive sign program if the intent of the original approval is not affected. Revisions that would substantially deviate from the original approval shall require the approval of a new/revised comprehensive sign program by the Planning Commission.

(Ord. 1510, passed 6-19-24)

§ 153.170.140 OTHER APPLICABLE REGULATIONS.

In addition to the requirements contained in this subchapter, regulations contained in this chapter may apply to signage in the following sections:

153.210.090 General application processing procedures

153.210.265 Time for determination

153.220.200 S definitions.