Compton City Zoning Code
§ 30-22.5
Sign Permit Process.
[Ord. #1971, § 1; Ord. #2101, § 16; Ord. #2179, § 1]
All new, altered or modified signs regulated by this section shall require a sign permit.
a.
Sign Review. All sign permit applications shall be reviewed and approved by the Architectural Review Board prior to issuance of a sign permit except for the following:
1.
Changes to copy for legally existing signs where no other signage change is proposed.
2.
New signs which conform to the provisions of a sign program previously approved by the Architectural Review Board.
3.
Temporary signs and banners which conform to the provisions of this subsection.
4.
Billboards within a B-O Zone.
b.
Sign Program. The purpose of the sign program shall be to integrate signs with building and landscaping design to form a unified architectural theme which conforms to the goals of the City's Comprehensive General Plan.
1.
This shall be achieved by:
(a)
Using the same background colors and limiting the number of sign colors per site.
(b)
Using the same type of cabinet supports, mounting methods, component construction materials and illumination.
(c)
Using uniform sign placement and proportionate letter and logo heights for large and small tenants.
2.
A sign program shall be required for the following projects:
(a)
New or substantially rehabilitated commercial, office and industrial projects with three or more tenant spaces.
(b)
Changeable copy signs.
(c)
Banners, streamers, flags, spinners and other advertising displays used on a permanent or rotating basis at multi-tenant centers of two acres or more.
(d)
Existing sites with three or more business identification signs where there is a request for a new, freestanding sign.
(e)
New signs on corner sites adjacent to major or secondary arterials.
(f)
Service stations.
(g)
All drive-thru businesses.
c.
Temporary Sign Permits. The following temporary signs are permitted.
1.
A temporary vinyl business identification sign for use by a business actively in the process of obtaining permits for permanent signage (six-month maximum).
2.
A sign advertising a temporary use approved by a temporary use permit.
3.
Banners advertising a promotional activity for a licensed business. Promotional banners shall be limited to one banner per site for a maximum of 30 days per permit. Such banners shall be affixed to the facade of the building holding the promotion and shall be no more than three feet in height.
4.
Special event signs for grand openings, sales, carnivals, parades and charitable events for premises of less than two acres for a maximum of 30 consecutive days every six months per calendar year. Streamers, flags and spinners may be used in conjunction with special event signs.
5.
Supergraphic and inflatable advertising structures for a maximum of 12 days per calendar year.
d.
Conditional Use Permits. A conditional use permit shall be required prior to initiation of permit processing and subject to the permitted use provisions of the base zone for the following signs:
1.
Advertising statuary.
2.
(Reserved)
3.
Murals and graphic designs more than 24 square feet in size.
4.
Hot air balloons, inflatable statuary and similar three-dimensional airborne structures.
5.
Marquee signs.
6.
Extension of use for legally nonconforming signs.
7.
Signs representing technological innovations not addressed by this section.
8.
Supergraphic signs.
e.
Sign Permit Approval. After an application for a sign permit has been reviewed, the approving authority shall grant or deny the permit in accordance with all of the following findings:
f.
Appeals. When an application for a sign permit is denied, the applicant may submit an appeal requesting administrative review of the decision by the Planning Director.
1.
All such appeals must be submitted, in writing, within 14 days of permit denial.
2.
The Planning Director will review the sign application and determine if the permit denial conformed to the provisions of this section. The Planning Director may uphold, reverse or amend the decision of the approving authority.
3.
The appellant shall be notified, in writing, of the decision of the Planning Director.