50 Signs
Effective on: 1/1/1901
No owner or occupant or any other person having charge, care or control of any building or premises shall fail or neglect, after proper demand is made as herein provided, promptly to permit entry therein by the building official or his authorized representative for the purpose of inspection and examination pursuant to this chapter. Any person violating this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
For the purpose of this chapter, certain abbreviations, terms, phrases, words and their derivatives shall be construed as specified in this section. Words used in the singular include the plural, and the plural the singular. Words used in the masculine gender include the feminine, and the feminine the masculine.
A sign permit fee and a plan-checking fee shall be paid in accordance with an amount fixed by resolution of the city council. (Ord. 98-1179 §4(2), 1998; prior code Appx. A, § 13.5-4)
Effective on: 1/1/1901
All signs, together with all of their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in repair and in proper state of preservation. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or posted at all times.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
All signs for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official.
Footing inspections may be required by the building official for all signs having footings.
All signs containing electrical wiring shall be subject to the provisions of the governing electrical code and the electrical components used shall bear the label of an approved testing agency.
The building official may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with provisions of Section 17.50.050.
All signs may be reinspected at the discretion of the building official. (Prior code Appx. A, § 13.5-6)
Effective on: 1/1/1901
| Table No. 7-A, Size, Thickness and Type of Glass Panels in Signs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Size of Exposed Glass Panel | Minimum Thickness of Glass | ||
| Any Dimension (in inches) | Area (in square inches) | (in inches) | Type of Glass |
| 3 feet | 3 feet | ||
| 2 feet | 3 feet 6 inches | ||
| 1 foot | 4 feet | ||
(Prior code Appx. A, § 13.5-7) (Ord. # 25-1493U §4 (Exh. Q), adopted 12/09/2025, effective 12/09/2025)
Effective on: 12/9/2025
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Exception. Where such site is abutted by more than one (1) street, the above signs may be erected, installed or maintained on each street frontage;
Effective on: 1/1/1901
In the R-P zone, only the following signs shall be permitted per site, subject to the provisions and regulations hereinafter set forth:
Effective on: 1/1/1901
All new signs shall require approval by the planning commission and are limited to wall signs and ground signs, which should be constructed of appropriate natural appearing materials such as wood, shall not be illuminated except where necessary for safety purposes, and shall blend in with the natural setting of the open space area. (Prior code Appx. A, § 13.5-11)
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Intent: to regulate signs recognizing the unique characteristics of neighborhood commercial districts, namely their proximity to residential uses and their orientation to pedestrian users.
These signs may be electrical, illuminated or neon.
Exception. On each street frontage one (1) real estate sign not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet in sign area and one (1) construction sign not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet in sign area may be erected in addition to the allowable sign area on any one (1) site or entity.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Intent: to regulate signs recognizing the characteristics of the restricted commercial zone as a pedestrian-oriented shopping and entertainment district, and as the city’s downtown district.
No ground sign shall be allowed in the C-2 zone that is greater than eight (8) feet in height, measured from the grade to the highest point of said sign, with the exception of portable A-frame signs, as set forth in Section 17.50.220.
Exception. On each street frontage one (1) real estate sign not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet in sign area and one (1) construction sign not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet in sign area may be erected in addition to the allowable sign area on any one (1) site or entity.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Intent: to regulate signs recognizing the characteristics of the general commercial zone as an automobile-oriented strip commercial district.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Any political sign shall be permitted on private property only, with the consent of the property owner, in any zone, for a reasonable period of time preceding an election. No political signs shall be posted on public property or utility poles. All political signs shall be removed within fifteen (15) days following the date of the subject election. (Prior code Appx. A, § 13.5-16)
Effective on: 1/1/1901
An exception may be granted by the procedure set forth in Section 17.50.200(B) and (C).
If an exception is granted, additional signs may be allowed by the planning commission, not to exceed total allowable sign area. (Ord. 94-1106 §1, 1994; prior code Appx. A, § 13.5-17)
Effective on: 1/1/1901
The planning commission or the city council, on appeal, may attach appropriate and reasonable conditions to the approval of sign or signs in conjunction with the review of a precise development plan. Conditional use permit or other discretionary land use, including but not limited to allowable projection and height, allowable sign area, location of sign or signs upon the lot or building, and other design modifications. In granting its conditioned approval, the commission shall find that:
Effective on: 1/1/1901
The planning commission or the city council, on appeal, may grant a variance to the specific requirements of this chapter, provided a demonstrated hardship exists and the proposed sign will not adversely affect public safety or the design and appearance of the surrounding neighborhood and the following conditions are found to exist:
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Temporary signs are allowed in addition to permanent signs subject to the following criteria:
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Approved plastic materials shall be those which have a flame-spread rating of two hundred twenty-five (225) or less when tested in accordance with U.B.C. Standard No. 42-1 in the way intended for use; and a smoke density rating no greater than four hundred fifty (450) when tested in accordance with U.B.C. Standard No. 42-1 in the intended for use; or a smoke density rating no greater than seventy-five (75) when tested in the thickness intended for use by the chamber method of test under U.B.C. Standard No. 52-2.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Awning means a temporary shelter supported entirely from the exterior wall of a building.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Awning sign means any sign painted on, attached to or supported by an awning with the sign copy parallel or almost parallel to the plane of the supporting building wall.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Banner means a temporary sign constructed of cloth, canvas or a light fabric.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Billboard means any off-premises sign erected for the purpose of identifying a product, event person or subject not entirely related to the premises on which said sign is located.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Building means any structure built for the support, shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, chattels or property of any kind.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Building frontage means the exterior building wall of a ground floor business on the side or sides of the building fronting on or oriented toward a street or highway, which is used exclusively for pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Building frontage is measured continuously along the wall for the entire length of the building. In cases where the exterior walls of a business are oriented to more than one (1) street or highway, the primary building frontage shall be the frontage which is associated with the street identified with the street address of the business. Secondary frontage must have a building entrance/exit which is open to the public during business hours for customer/pedestrian use, which entrance is fronting on a street or highway.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Building line is a line established by the outer walls creating the perimeter of the structure. A building line may also be a property line.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Building official is the officer or other person charged with the administration and enforcement of this chapter or his duly authorized deputy.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Building identification sign is any sign containing the name or address of the building which may include hours of operation and emergency information located on the same site as the building.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Bulletin board means a structure containing a surface upon which is displayed the name of a park, church, school, library, community center or similar institution and the announcement of the services or activities thereof.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Business sign means a sign which identifies only the name, address and general nature of the business or businesses conducted from or upon the premises upon which the sign is located.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
California Building Code is the edition of the California Building Code adopted by the City pursuant to Title 15, as amended.
Effective on: 12/9/2025
Clock means any timepiece erected on the exterior of any building or structure for the convenience of the public.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Commission means the Hermosa Beach Planning Commission.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Commodity identification sign is any sign which advertises a product or service which is available on the premises on which the sign is located, using a brand name, symbol, logo or trade name as part of the sign. If a business name includes a brand name, symbol, logo, or trade name, signs using that business name shall not be considered to be commodity identification signs.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Construction sign means a temporary sign stating the name of individuals or businesses directly connected with the construction project, their addresses, and/or their telephone numbers.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Curbline is the line at the face of the curb nearest to the street or roadway. In the absence of a curb, the curbline shall be established by the city engineer (see "Legal setback line").
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Directional sign means entrance and exit signs, operating instructions, and such like signs.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
District means any zoning district designated in the zoning ordinance of the city of Hermosa Beach.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Double-face sign means a sign which has two or more display surfaces backed against each other, or against the same background, one (1) face of which is designed to be seen from one (1) direction and the other from the other direction.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Electric sign is any sign containing electric wiring, but not including signs illuminated by an exterior light source.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Entity means any person who is the lessee, owner or who has a proprietary interest in the business for which the sign is proposed. Each business shall be considered a separate entity.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Fascia means the flat outside horizontal member of a building having the form of a flat band or broad fillet.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Flag means a piece of fabric, plastic, canvas or any other soft material, in any geometric form, that is attached to a structure, pole or wire. Included in this definition are pennants and streamers. "Flag" shall not include any support, frame or standard used exclusively for the display of the flag of the United Stated of America, the state or the city, nor shall it include these flags.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Grade (adjacent ground elevation) is the lowest point of elevation of the finished surface of the ground, paving or sidewalk within the area between the building and the property line, or when the property line is more than five (5) feet from the building, between the building and a line five (5) feet from the building.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Ground sign is a sign which is supported by one (1) or more uprights, poles or braces in or upon the ground, other than a pole sign, as defined by this section.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Illuminated sign or lighted sign means a lighted sign which has the source of light on the surface of the sign or in the interior of the sign itself, or which has a source of light located such that the beam of the light falls upon the surface of the sign.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Legal setback line is an established line beyond which no building may be built. A legal setback line may be a property line.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Lot frontage means the linear distance of a lot line, separating the lot from the street or highway which is used for pedestrian or vehicular access to the business being conducted on said lot. In cases where a lot is contiguous to more than one (1) street, the lot frontage associated with the street identified with the address of the business.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Marquee sign means a sign painted on, attached to, or supported by a marquee with the exposed face of the sign in a plane parallel to the building wall which supports the marquee.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Mobile sign is any portable display surface mounted on any nonmotorized or inoperative vehicle or device for the purpose of advertising or identifying businesses services or products.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Moving sign means a sign which has any actual or apparent moving, revolving, scintillating, flashing or rotating parts activated by electric, electronic, kinetic or mechanical devices, or by wind current, and shall include, but not be limited to, balloons, time or temperature recording devices (except clocks), signs which are constructed of or faced with reflective tape or other similar materials, signs which change color, and signs where the intensity of lighting changes or appears to change.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Mural is a pictorial representation not specifically identifying goods or services offered by the business on the premises.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Neon sign means a sign utilizing electric energy combined with glass tubing and gaseous substance to create light source.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Noncombustible, as applied to building construction material, means a material which, in the form in which it is used, is either one (1) of the following:
Noncombustible does not apply to surface finish materials. Material required to be noncombustible for reduced clearance to flues, heating appliances, or other sources of high temperature shall refer to material conforming to subsection (1) of this definition. No material shall be classed as noncombustible which is subject to increase in combustibility or flame-spread rating beyond the limits herein established, through the effects of age, moisture or other atmospheric condition.
Flame-spread rating, as used herein, refers to rating obtained according to tests conducted as specified in U.B.C. Standard No. 42-1.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Noncombustible does not apply to surface finish materials. Material required to be noncombustible for reduced clearance to flues, heating appliances, or other sources of high temperature shall refer to material conforming to subsection (1) of this definition. No material shall be classed as noncombustible which is subject to increase in combustibility or flame-spread rating beyond the limits herein established, through the effects of age, moisture or other atmospheric condition.
Flame-spread rating, as used herein, refers to rating obtained according to tests conducted as specified in U.B.C. Standard No. 42-1.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Nonconforming sign is a sign which was validly installed under laws or ordinances in effect at the time of its installation, but which is in conflict with the provisions of the Hermosa Beach sign code.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Nonstructural trim is the molding, battens, caps, nailing strips, latticing, cutouts or letters which are attached to the sign structure.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Off-premises sign is a sign which is not located on the property which it directs attention to.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Permanent sign means any sign which is not classed as a temporary sign.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Person means a person who is, and includes, every person, firm, partnership, association or corporation, whether acting as principal, agent, employee or otherwise.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Pole sign is a sign wholly supported by a single member in the ground.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Political sign means a temporary, commercial sign identifying any person or proposition appearing on the ballot for any election scheduled to be held in the city.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Portable A-frame sign means a two (2) sided sign, hinged or attached at the top of the sign panels, identifying, advertising or directing attention to a business(es) product(s), operation(s) or service(s) sold or offered in the building in front of which the sign is located.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Premises means a lot or parcel of real property, or any portion thereof which is used separately from other portions thereof, any building located thereon, or any portion of such building which has a separate street address.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Projecting sign is a sign, other than a wall sign, which projects from and is supported by a wall of a building structure with the exposed face of the sign not parallel to the plane of said wall.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Projection is the distance by which a sign extends over public property or beyond the building line.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Real estate sign (such as a "For Sale" sign, a "For Lease" sign, or a "For Rent" sign) means a temporary sign indicating property for sale, lease or rent and the name, address, and telephone number of the owner, broker or other person offering the same for sale, lease or rent, located on the premises for sale, lease or rent or on property owned by another, with that persons consent. In addition, the works "Sold," "Leased," "In Escrow" or "Rented" may be added to a previously posted sign. The area of the sign shall include the area of any and all riders. All riders shall be attached to the face of the basic sign.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Rental sign means a permanent or temporary sign which is used for giving information on availability of rentals on multiple dwellings, hotels, clubs, lodges and similar permitted uses.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Roof line for the purposes of this section, the roof line is considered the apparent uppermost edge of the roof or the top of a parapet, whichever forms the top line of the building silhouette or facade.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Roof sign is a sign erected upon, above or extending above a roof line of a building or structure. Architectural projections above the roof line which function as background for a sign shall be considered a sign structure. A sign on such structure shall be considered a roof sign.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Sign is any medium including representational art with its structure and component parts which is intended to be used to attract attention to goods and/or services offered by the business on the premises.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Sign area means the area included within the outer dimensions of a sign. In the case of a sign placed or painted on a wall or other building surface, without any border and with its background the same color as the wall of the building, the area shall be computed by enclosing the entire sign within one (1) or more pairs of horizontally parallel and one (1) or more pairs of vertical parallel lines and determining the area thus enclosed.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Sign structure, for identification purposes only, is any structure which supports or is capable of supporting any sign as defined in this chapter. A sign structure may be a single pole or poles and may or may not be an integral part of the building.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Site means any separate parcel of property as shown on the latest available assessor’s maps; provided, however, when a shopping center has been divided into separate parcels, it shall continue to be considered as one (1) parcel of record; and provided, further, where one (1) tenant, business or enterprise occupies two (2) or more contiguous parcels, it shall be considered as one (1) parcel of record.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Street frontage means the linear distance of a lot line, separating the lot from the street or highway which is used exclusively for pedestrian or vehicular traffic, excluding alleys. Where such site is abutted by more than one (1) street, each street will qualify as frontage if the following condition exists: There are building entrances or exits opening onto the street which are open to the public during business hours.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Structure means that which is built or constructed, an edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts jointed together in some definite manner.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Temporary sign is any sign, banner, valance or identification display constructed of cloth, canvas, fabric, cardboard, wallboard or other materials, with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a limited period of time only.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Wall sign is any sign attached to or erected against the wall of a building or structure, with the exposed face of the sign in a plane parallel to the plane of said wall and not extending above the wall to which it is attached.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Wind sign means any cloth or plastic or other flexible light material made in strips, triangles or other shapes which are fastened together at intervals by wire, rope, cord, string or other means in such manner as to move by wind pressure and which are used or displayed to attract attention to a business, product, service or entertainment.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Window signs are permanent and/or temporary signs inside or outside of and attached to the surface of windows.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
50 Signs
Effective on: 1/1/1901
No owner or occupant or any other person having charge, care or control of any building or premises shall fail or neglect, after proper demand is made as herein provided, promptly to permit entry therein by the building official or his authorized representative for the purpose of inspection and examination pursuant to this chapter. Any person violating this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of an infraction.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
For the purpose of this chapter, certain abbreviations, terms, phrases, words and their derivatives shall be construed as specified in this section. Words used in the singular include the plural, and the plural the singular. Words used in the masculine gender include the feminine, and the feminine the masculine.
A sign permit fee and a plan-checking fee shall be paid in accordance with an amount fixed by resolution of the city council. (Ord. 98-1179 §4(2), 1998; prior code Appx. A, § 13.5-4)
Effective on: 1/1/1901
All signs, together with all of their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in repair and in proper state of preservation. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or posted at all times.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
All signs for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official.
Footing inspections may be required by the building official for all signs having footings.
All signs containing electrical wiring shall be subject to the provisions of the governing electrical code and the electrical components used shall bear the label of an approved testing agency.
The building official may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with provisions of Section 17.50.050.
All signs may be reinspected at the discretion of the building official. (Prior code Appx. A, § 13.5-6)
Effective on: 1/1/1901
| Table No. 7-A, Size, Thickness and Type of Glass Panels in Signs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Size of Exposed Glass Panel | Minimum Thickness of Glass | ||
| Any Dimension (in inches) | Area (in square inches) | (in inches) | Type of Glass |
| 3 feet | 3 feet | ||
| 2 feet | 3 feet 6 inches | ||
| 1 foot | 4 feet | ||
(Prior code Appx. A, § 13.5-7) (Ord. # 25-1493U §4 (Exh. Q), adopted 12/09/2025, effective 12/09/2025)
Effective on: 12/9/2025
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Exception. Where such site is abutted by more than one (1) street, the above signs may be erected, installed or maintained on each street frontage;
Effective on: 1/1/1901
In the R-P zone, only the following signs shall be permitted per site, subject to the provisions and regulations hereinafter set forth:
Effective on: 1/1/1901
All new signs shall require approval by the planning commission and are limited to wall signs and ground signs, which should be constructed of appropriate natural appearing materials such as wood, shall not be illuminated except where necessary for safety purposes, and shall blend in with the natural setting of the open space area. (Prior code Appx. A, § 13.5-11)
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Intent: to regulate signs recognizing the unique characteristics of neighborhood commercial districts, namely their proximity to residential uses and their orientation to pedestrian users.
These signs may be electrical, illuminated or neon.
Exception. On each street frontage one (1) real estate sign not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet in sign area and one (1) construction sign not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet in sign area may be erected in addition to the allowable sign area on any one (1) site or entity.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Intent: to regulate signs recognizing the characteristics of the restricted commercial zone as a pedestrian-oriented shopping and entertainment district, and as the city’s downtown district.
No ground sign shall be allowed in the C-2 zone that is greater than eight (8) feet in height, measured from the grade to the highest point of said sign, with the exception of portable A-frame signs, as set forth in Section 17.50.220.
Exception. On each street frontage one (1) real estate sign not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet in sign area and one (1) construction sign not exceeding twenty-five (25) square feet in sign area may be erected in addition to the allowable sign area on any one (1) site or entity.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Intent: to regulate signs recognizing the characteristics of the general commercial zone as an automobile-oriented strip commercial district.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Any political sign shall be permitted on private property only, with the consent of the property owner, in any zone, for a reasonable period of time preceding an election. No political signs shall be posted on public property or utility poles. All political signs shall be removed within fifteen (15) days following the date of the subject election. (Prior code Appx. A, § 13.5-16)
Effective on: 1/1/1901
An exception may be granted by the procedure set forth in Section 17.50.200(B) and (C).
If an exception is granted, additional signs may be allowed by the planning commission, not to exceed total allowable sign area. (Ord. 94-1106 §1, 1994; prior code Appx. A, § 13.5-17)
Effective on: 1/1/1901
The planning commission or the city council, on appeal, may attach appropriate and reasonable conditions to the approval of sign or signs in conjunction with the review of a precise development plan. Conditional use permit or other discretionary land use, including but not limited to allowable projection and height, allowable sign area, location of sign or signs upon the lot or building, and other design modifications. In granting its conditioned approval, the commission shall find that:
Effective on: 1/1/1901
The planning commission or the city council, on appeal, may grant a variance to the specific requirements of this chapter, provided a demonstrated hardship exists and the proposed sign will not adversely affect public safety or the design and appearance of the surrounding neighborhood and the following conditions are found to exist:
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Temporary signs are allowed in addition to permanent signs subject to the following criteria:
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Approved plastic materials shall be those which have a flame-spread rating of two hundred twenty-five (225) or less when tested in accordance with U.B.C. Standard No. 42-1 in the way intended for use; and a smoke density rating no greater than four hundred fifty (450) when tested in accordance with U.B.C. Standard No. 42-1 in the intended for use; or a smoke density rating no greater than seventy-five (75) when tested in the thickness intended for use by the chamber method of test under U.B.C. Standard No. 52-2.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Awning means a temporary shelter supported entirely from the exterior wall of a building.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Awning sign means any sign painted on, attached to or supported by an awning with the sign copy parallel or almost parallel to the plane of the supporting building wall.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Banner means a temporary sign constructed of cloth, canvas or a light fabric.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Billboard means any off-premises sign erected for the purpose of identifying a product, event person or subject not entirely related to the premises on which said sign is located.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Building means any structure built for the support, shelter or enclosure of persons, animals, chattels or property of any kind.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Building frontage means the exterior building wall of a ground floor business on the side or sides of the building fronting on or oriented toward a street or highway, which is used exclusively for pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Building frontage is measured continuously along the wall for the entire length of the building. In cases where the exterior walls of a business are oriented to more than one (1) street or highway, the primary building frontage shall be the frontage which is associated with the street identified with the street address of the business. Secondary frontage must have a building entrance/exit which is open to the public during business hours for customer/pedestrian use, which entrance is fronting on a street or highway.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Building line is a line established by the outer walls creating the perimeter of the structure. A building line may also be a property line.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Building official is the officer or other person charged with the administration and enforcement of this chapter or his duly authorized deputy.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Building identification sign is any sign containing the name or address of the building which may include hours of operation and emergency information located on the same site as the building.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Bulletin board means a structure containing a surface upon which is displayed the name of a park, church, school, library, community center or similar institution and the announcement of the services or activities thereof.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Business sign means a sign which identifies only the name, address and general nature of the business or businesses conducted from or upon the premises upon which the sign is located.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
California Building Code is the edition of the California Building Code adopted by the City pursuant to Title 15, as amended.
Effective on: 12/9/2025
Clock means any timepiece erected on the exterior of any building or structure for the convenience of the public.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Commission means the Hermosa Beach Planning Commission.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Commodity identification sign is any sign which advertises a product or service which is available on the premises on which the sign is located, using a brand name, symbol, logo or trade name as part of the sign. If a business name includes a brand name, symbol, logo, or trade name, signs using that business name shall not be considered to be commodity identification signs.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Construction sign means a temporary sign stating the name of individuals or businesses directly connected with the construction project, their addresses, and/or their telephone numbers.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Curbline is the line at the face of the curb nearest to the street or roadway. In the absence of a curb, the curbline shall be established by the city engineer (see "Legal setback line").
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Directional sign means entrance and exit signs, operating instructions, and such like signs.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
District means any zoning district designated in the zoning ordinance of the city of Hermosa Beach.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Double-face sign means a sign which has two or more display surfaces backed against each other, or against the same background, one (1) face of which is designed to be seen from one (1) direction and the other from the other direction.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Electric sign is any sign containing electric wiring, but not including signs illuminated by an exterior light source.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Entity means any person who is the lessee, owner or who has a proprietary interest in the business for which the sign is proposed. Each business shall be considered a separate entity.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Fascia means the flat outside horizontal member of a building having the form of a flat band or broad fillet.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Flag means a piece of fabric, plastic, canvas or any other soft material, in any geometric form, that is attached to a structure, pole or wire. Included in this definition are pennants and streamers. "Flag" shall not include any support, frame or standard used exclusively for the display of the flag of the United Stated of America, the state or the city, nor shall it include these flags.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Grade (adjacent ground elevation) is the lowest point of elevation of the finished surface of the ground, paving or sidewalk within the area between the building and the property line, or when the property line is more than five (5) feet from the building, between the building and a line five (5) feet from the building.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Ground sign is a sign which is supported by one (1) or more uprights, poles or braces in or upon the ground, other than a pole sign, as defined by this section.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Illuminated sign or lighted sign means a lighted sign which has the source of light on the surface of the sign or in the interior of the sign itself, or which has a source of light located such that the beam of the light falls upon the surface of the sign.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Legal setback line is an established line beyond which no building may be built. A legal setback line may be a property line.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Lot frontage means the linear distance of a lot line, separating the lot from the street or highway which is used for pedestrian or vehicular access to the business being conducted on said lot. In cases where a lot is contiguous to more than one (1) street, the lot frontage associated with the street identified with the address of the business.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Marquee sign means a sign painted on, attached to, or supported by a marquee with the exposed face of the sign in a plane parallel to the building wall which supports the marquee.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Mobile sign is any portable display surface mounted on any nonmotorized or inoperative vehicle or device for the purpose of advertising or identifying businesses services or products.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Moving sign means a sign which has any actual or apparent moving, revolving, scintillating, flashing or rotating parts activated by electric, electronic, kinetic or mechanical devices, or by wind current, and shall include, but not be limited to, balloons, time or temperature recording devices (except clocks), signs which are constructed of or faced with reflective tape or other similar materials, signs which change color, and signs where the intensity of lighting changes or appears to change.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Mural is a pictorial representation not specifically identifying goods or services offered by the business on the premises.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Neon sign means a sign utilizing electric energy combined with glass tubing and gaseous substance to create light source.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Noncombustible, as applied to building construction material, means a material which, in the form in which it is used, is either one (1) of the following:
Noncombustible does not apply to surface finish materials. Material required to be noncombustible for reduced clearance to flues, heating appliances, or other sources of high temperature shall refer to material conforming to subsection (1) of this definition. No material shall be classed as noncombustible which is subject to increase in combustibility or flame-spread rating beyond the limits herein established, through the effects of age, moisture or other atmospheric condition.
Flame-spread rating, as used herein, refers to rating obtained according to tests conducted as specified in U.B.C. Standard No. 42-1.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Noncombustible does not apply to surface finish materials. Material required to be noncombustible for reduced clearance to flues, heating appliances, or other sources of high temperature shall refer to material conforming to subsection (1) of this definition. No material shall be classed as noncombustible which is subject to increase in combustibility or flame-spread rating beyond the limits herein established, through the effects of age, moisture or other atmospheric condition.
Flame-spread rating, as used herein, refers to rating obtained according to tests conducted as specified in U.B.C. Standard No. 42-1.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Nonconforming sign is a sign which was validly installed under laws or ordinances in effect at the time of its installation, but which is in conflict with the provisions of the Hermosa Beach sign code.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Nonstructural trim is the molding, battens, caps, nailing strips, latticing, cutouts or letters which are attached to the sign structure.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Off-premises sign is a sign which is not located on the property which it directs attention to.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Permanent sign means any sign which is not classed as a temporary sign.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Person means a person who is, and includes, every person, firm, partnership, association or corporation, whether acting as principal, agent, employee or otherwise.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Pole sign is a sign wholly supported by a single member in the ground.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Political sign means a temporary, commercial sign identifying any person or proposition appearing on the ballot for any election scheduled to be held in the city.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Portable A-frame sign means a two (2) sided sign, hinged or attached at the top of the sign panels, identifying, advertising or directing attention to a business(es) product(s), operation(s) or service(s) sold or offered in the building in front of which the sign is located.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Premises means a lot or parcel of real property, or any portion thereof which is used separately from other portions thereof, any building located thereon, or any portion of such building which has a separate street address.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Projecting sign is a sign, other than a wall sign, which projects from and is supported by a wall of a building structure with the exposed face of the sign not parallel to the plane of said wall.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Projection is the distance by which a sign extends over public property or beyond the building line.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Real estate sign (such as a "For Sale" sign, a "For Lease" sign, or a "For Rent" sign) means a temporary sign indicating property for sale, lease or rent and the name, address, and telephone number of the owner, broker or other person offering the same for sale, lease or rent, located on the premises for sale, lease or rent or on property owned by another, with that persons consent. In addition, the works "Sold," "Leased," "In Escrow" or "Rented" may be added to a previously posted sign. The area of the sign shall include the area of any and all riders. All riders shall be attached to the face of the basic sign.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Rental sign means a permanent or temporary sign which is used for giving information on availability of rentals on multiple dwellings, hotels, clubs, lodges and similar permitted uses.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Roof line for the purposes of this section, the roof line is considered the apparent uppermost edge of the roof or the top of a parapet, whichever forms the top line of the building silhouette or facade.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Roof sign is a sign erected upon, above or extending above a roof line of a building or structure. Architectural projections above the roof line which function as background for a sign shall be considered a sign structure. A sign on such structure shall be considered a roof sign.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Sign is any medium including representational art with its structure and component parts which is intended to be used to attract attention to goods and/or services offered by the business on the premises.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Sign area means the area included within the outer dimensions of a sign. In the case of a sign placed or painted on a wall or other building surface, without any border and with its background the same color as the wall of the building, the area shall be computed by enclosing the entire sign within one (1) or more pairs of horizontally parallel and one (1) or more pairs of vertical parallel lines and determining the area thus enclosed.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Sign structure, for identification purposes only, is any structure which supports or is capable of supporting any sign as defined in this chapter. A sign structure may be a single pole or poles and may or may not be an integral part of the building.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Site means any separate parcel of property as shown on the latest available assessor’s maps; provided, however, when a shopping center has been divided into separate parcels, it shall continue to be considered as one (1) parcel of record; and provided, further, where one (1) tenant, business or enterprise occupies two (2) or more contiguous parcels, it shall be considered as one (1) parcel of record.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Street frontage means the linear distance of a lot line, separating the lot from the street or highway which is used exclusively for pedestrian or vehicular traffic, excluding alleys. Where such site is abutted by more than one (1) street, each street will qualify as frontage if the following condition exists: There are building entrances or exits opening onto the street which are open to the public during business hours.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Structure means that which is built or constructed, an edifice or building of any kind, or any piece of work artificially built up or composed of parts jointed together in some definite manner.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Temporary sign is any sign, banner, valance or identification display constructed of cloth, canvas, fabric, cardboard, wallboard or other materials, with or without frames, intended to be displayed for a limited period of time only.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Wall sign is any sign attached to or erected against the wall of a building or structure, with the exposed face of the sign in a plane parallel to the plane of said wall and not extending above the wall to which it is attached.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Wind sign means any cloth or plastic or other flexible light material made in strips, triangles or other shapes which are fastened together at intervals by wire, rope, cord, string or other means in such manner as to move by wind pressure and which are used or displayed to attract attention to a business, product, service or entertainment.
Effective on: 1/1/1901
Window signs are permanent and/or temporary signs inside or outside of and attached to the surface of windows.
Effective on: 1/1/1901