Public Notices and Signs. Public notices posted pursuant to law, signs erected by governmental agencies and public utilities, and warning or information signs required by law for public health and safety.

Parking and No Trespassing Signs. Signs such as "no trespassing," parking, or on-site directional information signs that do not exceed six square feet in area and which do not advertise merchandise or services.

Real Estate Signs. Real estate signs which are specifically permitted in Section 12-79.

Political Signs. Political signs shall be removed within ten days following the election for which they were intended. Such signs exceeding thirty-two square feet in area shall be subject to structural approval by the Building Division.

Portable Signs. One bi-faced, free-standing sign not exceeding four feet in height per each street frontage for a commercial property if such signs may be readily removed from public view at the end of each business day and if such signs are not placed upon any public right-of-way or in any on-site parking space or in any landscaped planter area.

Temporary Decorations. Temporary graphics and decorations for a holiday season which do not advertise merchandise or services, provided that such graphics and decorations are installed not more than thirty days before the date of the holiday and removed not later than two weeks after the holiday or a holiday season.

Temporary Construction Signs. Construction signs, provided that such signs are removed not later than one week after the completion of the construction project.

Changeable Copy Signs. The changing of advertising copy or message on theater boards, marquees and bulletin boards, when the basic board or marquee is permitted under the provisions of this Article.

Flags. National, state or other governmental flags, or flags depicting logos of, and displayed by, public institutions or nonprofit service organizations. Additionally, flags may be displayed in the same circumstances that string pennants may be displayed. All flags shall be maintained in a nondeteriorated condition. Notwithstanding this Section, flag poles are not exempted from requiring a Building Permit.

String Pennants. String pennants may be displayed only over automobile sales lots, plant nurseries, and other businesses that are permitted to maintain merchandise outdoors, and only when the string pennants are displayed in an orderly and well-maintained condition.

Temporary advertising items may be placed on the sidewalk in front of a business subject to compliance with Section 12-77.11 of this Chapter.

Signs Not Specified. Any sign, sign structure, or advertising device not specifically permitted in this Article.

Traffic Safety. Any sign or device which by design or location resembles or conflicts with any traffic control sign or device.

Safety Hazard. Any sign or device that creates a potential safety hazard by obstructing views of pedestrian and vehicular traffic at street intersections or driveways or by creating glare or other hazardous distraction.

Safety Clearance. Any sign that is erected within six feet horizontally or twelve feet vertically of any overhead electric conductors exceeding seven hundred fifty volts.

Roof Sign. Any sign erected upon a roof, or attached to a building and projecting above the roof line or eave line of said building, unless a Special Use Permit pursuant to Article 25 of this Chapter has been approved and only when it can be determined that circumstances prevent the utilization of any otherwise permitted signage.

Incompatible Signs. Any sign or sign structure that interrupts or covers a major architectural element upon a building or that disrespects such architectural considerations as symmetry, design, materials, or color.

Nondurable Material. Any sign constructed of a nondurable material including, but not limited to, cloth or other fabric (except when used as a political or other temporary sign), cardboard, paper, and unfinished wood.

Wind-activated Sign. Any wind-activated sign, including, but not limited to, flags, pinwheels or string pennants (except as specifically permitted in this Chapter).

Painted Wall Signs, unless a sign adjustment pursuant to Article 26.1 of this Chapter has been approved, and can/cabinet wall signs. Neon wall signs are excepted.

Sign Area Calculations. The surface area of a wall sign shall comprise the smallest area that can be enclosed by no more than eight connected straight lines, drawn so as to include all lettering, words, figures, lights, special painted surfaces, borders, or fringes within said lines. The surface area of a free-standing, projecting or roof sign shall be calculated by including all the surface of all sign faces of a sign. The area of signs listed in Section 12-74 as not requiring a permit shall not be included in the calculation of the total sign area of a lot or parcel of land.

Multiple Tenants. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner or his authorized agent to allocate sign area to each tenant when more than one business is located within the same building or upon the same lot or parcel of land or in the same shopping center. The total sign area of all individual tenant signs and any other signs on the property, when summed together, shall not exceed the maximum sign area or types of signs permitted by the specific sign standards for a single property for the respective zone in which said property is located.

Projecting Signs. Clearance. A minimum eight feet vertical clearance is required from the bottom of a projecting sign, marquee or awning to the sidewalk or grade immediately below the sign, etc. For projecting or pole signs only, one inch of horizontal projection is permitted for each additional inch of vertical clearance over eight feet, provided that no such horizontal projection into the public right-of-way shall exceed two and one-half feet.

Exception: Awnings designed primarily to provide protection or shade to pedestrians may project further over a public sidewalk, subject to City approval. Signs may be located only upon the vertical face of an awning or canopy and no sign shall be attached above or below an awning or canopy.

Moving or Animated Signs. Signs that rotate, flash, or otherwise change appearance are only permitted as follows:

Sign Design. The colors, design and materials of a sign and of its supporting structure shall complement the colors, design and materials of the subject building. The location of signs shall respect and compliment any architectural design or symmetry. Structural bracing for signs or for their supporting structures shall not be visible. When site conditions permit, pole signs shall be symmetrical.

Sign Location. Upon buildings having three or more stories, signs may be located only below the second-story windows or above the uppermost story windows. (Exception: Billboard signs that are subject to Planning Commission review and approval of a Special Use Permit.) (G) Sign Illumination. If illuminated, pole signs and projecting signs shall be internally lighted only. Monument signs, wall signs and billboards may be externally illuminated but such spotlight devices shall be minimally noticeable and shall not shine directly upon any public right-of-way or upon neighboring property.

Wall Signs. All permitted wall signs shall be made of individually-cut, molded, or embossed lettering or recessed into the façade. Neon wall signs are excepted. A business logo or symbol is allowed as long as it does not have a sign area in excess of four square feet and does not project more than nine inches from the building face. Painted wall signs are only allowed if a sign adjustment has been approved pursuant to Article 26.1 of this Chapter.

Marquee Signs. The height of letters located on a marquee shall be affixed flat to the surface and shall not have a vertical height of more than two feet and shall not extend vertically or horizontally beyond the marquee. Marquee signs are permitted for theaters, ticket outlets, sports and live entertainment uses and the signs may be utilized only for publicizing upcoming live events and live entertainment events. A marquee sign shall have a minimum vertical clearance of eight feet above grade.

Mural Wall Signs. A mural may cover a building or fascia wall a maximum of seventy-five percent. A mural may cover a maximum of one exterior building wall, or one side of a freestanding wall. Mural signs cannot have exposed illumination such as neon and fiber optics. Murals are subject to design review approval by the Planning Commission.

Real estate signs, political signs, temporary construction signs, decorations and the like, in conformance with the provisions of this Article.

Signs for permitted businesses in existing commercial structures in said zones and only when in compliance with the sign standards for the R-M Zone.

Nameplates not exceeding two square feet in area, containing the name and occupation of the occupant of the premises, and located upon the structure.

Building name identification signs not exceeding twenty square feet in area for multiple-unit dwellings and similar permitted uses.

Real estate signs, political signs, temporary construction signs, decorations and the like, in conformance with the provisions of this Article.

Signs for permitted businesses in existing commercial structures in said zones and only when in compliance with the sign standards for the R-M Zone.

Signs on parking lots in parking zones designating the business for which the parking is provided, in conformance with the provisions of Section 12-70.

The surface area of all signs on a lot or parcel shall not exceed three square feet of sign area for each lineal foot of lot frontage.

All signs permitted shall be attached to and shall be parallel with the wall of the building and shall not project more than twelve inches from the wall of the building, except:

Pole signs, projecting signs and roof signs are not permitted, except for pedestrian-oriented projecting signs over the sidewalk with a maximum size of fifteen square feet and Public Works Department approval.

Properties developed exclusively with residential structures shall comply with the sign regulations for the R-3 Zone.

Menu or product boards for drive-through restaurants, pharmacies, banks, and the like, cannot be more than six feet in height above grade, if freestanding. The menu board must be located adjacent to the drive through aisle and cannot be located within twenty feet of the street. No more than two menu boards shall be allowed per establishment.

Murals are subject to design review approval.

The surface area of all signs on a lot or parcel shall not exceed three square feet of sign area for each lineal foot of lot frontage.

No sign or advertising structure shall exceed twenty-five feet in height above the grade unless attached to the building as a wall sign.

In addition to wall signs, there shall not be more than one pole sign or, in lieu thereof, one projecting sign or monument sign per each lot or parcel, except that in cases of corner properties having at least two hundred feet of lot frontage per each street, there may be one monument sign for each frontage. Monument signs shall not exceed a height of six feet above grade.

Properties developed exclusively with residential structures shall comply with the sign regulations for the R-3 Zone.

Menu or product boards for drive-through restaurants, pharmacies, banks and the like, cannot be more than six feet in height above grade, if freestanding. The menu board must be located adjacent to the drive-through aisle and cannot be located within twenty feet of the street. No more than two menu boards shall be allowed per establishment.

Permanent window signs shall not exceed twenty percent of the total street-facing window area. If there is wall signage, the window signage cannot exceed five percent of the total window area. Window signs shall not be placed above the second floor of the building. Window signs must be placed on the interior surface of the window and the lettering must be individually cut. Window signs shall be limited to the business name, hours of operation and identification of the products sold or services offered.

Murals are subject to design review approval.

The surface area of all signs on a lot or parcel shall not exceed four square feet of sign area for each lineal foot of lot frontage.

No sign or advertising structure shall exceed forty feet in height above the grade unless attached to the building as a wall sign.

In addition to wall signs, there shall not be more than one pole sign or, in lieu thereof, one projecting sign or monument sign per lot or parcel, except that in cases of corner properties having at least two hundred feet of lot frontage per street, there may be one monument sign for each frontage. Monument signs shall not exceed a height of six feet above grade.

Menu or product boards for drive-through restaurants, pharmacies, banks and the like, cannot be more than six feet in height above grade, if freestanding. The menu board must be located adjacent to the drive-through aisle and cannot be located within twenty feet of the street. No more than two menu boards shall be allowed per establishment.

Permanent window signs shall not exceed twenty percent of the total street-facing window area. If there is wall signage, the window signage cannot exceed five percent of the total window area. Window signs shall not be placed above the second floor of the building. Window signs must be placed on the interior surface of the window and the lettering must be individually cut. Window signs shall be limited to the business name, hours of operation and identification of the products sold or services offered.

Murals are subject to design review approval.

The surface area of all signs on a lot or parcel shall not exceed one-half square foot of sign area for each lineal foot of lot frontage.

There shall not be more than one pole sign per each lot frontage. No such sign shall exceed twenty-five feet in height above the grade and no such sign shall exceed two hundred square feet per sign face.

Monument signs shall not exceed fifteen feet in height above grade. Mural signs are allowed.

Projecting signs are prohibited.

Signs located more than two hundred feet from the public right-of-way shall be exempt from subsections (A) through (D) and shall be regulated through design review approval by the Planning and Building Department Director or designee. Such approval or denial may be appealed by the applicant to the Planning Commission in accordance with the appeal procedures for a zone adjustment as specified in Article 26.1 of this Chapter. Application for design review approval shall include a site plan drawn to scale showing property dimensions and placement of all existing and proposed signs that are or will be within the design review area.

The fee for the design review shall be the same as for site plan review as specified in the Master Fee Schedule.

An off-site advertising message sign is permitted subject to Special Use Permit approval if located within the same sign area as a monument sign, pole sign or wall sign and that complies with the following:

The surface area of all signs on a lot or parcel shall not exceed one and one-half square feet of sign area for each lineal foot of lot frontage.

Exception: Any business fronting upon Manchester Boulevard may install signs in conformance with C-2 Zone standards.

No sign or advertising structure shall exceed twenty-five feet in height above the grade unless attached to the building as a wall sign.

In addition to wall signs, there shall not be more than one pole sign or, in lieu thereof, one projecting sign or monument sign per lot or parcel, except that in cases of corner properties having at least two hundred feet of lot frontage per street, there may be one monument sign for each frontage. Monument signs shall not exceed a height of six feet above grade.

Permanent window signs shall not exceed twenty percent of the total street-facing window area. If there is wall signage, the window signage cannot exceed five percent of the total window area. Window signs shall not be placed above the second floor of the building. Window signs must be placed on the interior surface of the window and the lettering must be individually cut. Window signs shall be limited to the business name, hours of operation and identification of the products sold or services offered.

Murals are subject to design review approval.

The surface area of all signs on a lot or parcel shall not exceed one square foot of sign area for each foot of frontage on the property.

No sign or advertising structure shall exceed fifteen feet in height above the grade.

In addition to wall signs, there shall not be more than one pole sign or, in lieu thereof, one monument sign, except that in cases of corner properties having at least two hundred feet of lot frontage per each street, there may be one monument sign for each frontage.

A projecting sign is permitted in lieu of a pole or monument sign if located upon any building erected prior to April 7, 1981. Projecting signs are prohibited from any building erected under the provisions of the M-1L standards after said date.

Any sign located in either the S-1 or S-2 Cemetery Zones and that is visible from the public street shall be subject to Planning Commission review and approval and payment of a fee equal to the Design Review fee as specified in the Master Fee Schedule.

No commercial sign shall be located in the O-S (Open Space) Zone.

Temporary freestanding sidewalk signs, clothed mannequins, display cases, clothing racks, and other non-permanent, freestanding items used to attract attention to businesses may be placed on the public sidewalk, directly outside the front of a commercial establishment structure in the C or M Zones that has less than an eighteen-inch perpendicular separation between the outermost building wall and public sidewalk. Said temporary advertising paraphernalia is subject to the following requirements:

Residential Zones. One unlighted sign, not to exceed six square feet per site and not more than five feet in height is permitted per lot or parcel. Flags (pennants) are permitted only when staked in the front yard area and only during the hours the property is available for interior inspection (open house). Any sign, flag, or other advertising device is prohibited in the public right-of-way and off-site directional signs are prohibited.

Exception: A condominium complex may additionally install one banner upon the wall of the building during the first sixty days only when the condominium units are initially available for sale.

Commercial and Industrial Zones. One sign not exceeding thirty-two square feet per side and not more than six feet in height, unless mounted flush upon the wall of the building, is permitted per lot or parcel. In no event shall roof signs be permitted for such use. Off-site directional signs are prohibited.

Prohibited Zones. Billboards and other types of off-site advertising are prohibited (except as provided for in subsections (F) and (I) of this Section) in all residential zones, in the R-M (Residential and Medical), P (Parking), P-1 (Parking), C-1 (Limited Commercial), C-R (Commercial and Recreation), CC (Civic Center), O-S (Open Space), S-1 (Special Cemetery), S-2 (Special Cemetery Restricted) and M-1L (Limited Manufacturing) zones, and in any public, flood control or railroad right-of-way.

Billboard Sign Standards. A billboard sign may be installed only if the following conditions will exist.

Special Use Permit Required. A Special Use Permit shall be required prior to the installation of any off-site sign, (except as otherwise provided for billboards) and such off-site sign shall not exceed the requirements for an on-site sign for the respective zone in which it would be located.

Modification upon Existing Billboard Structure. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (B) of this Section, a second sign face may be installed, without Special Use Permit approval, upon the rear side of an existing billboard sign, subject to the following provisions:

The applicant for any illuminated digital wall sign, tri-vision wall sign or other billboard sign (excluding a super graphic wall sign that is subject to a negotiated agreement) on which artificial light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity or color at all times when such sign is in use, including, but not limited to, moving, rotating, flashing, oscillating, shuttered or similar signs must submit written documentation to the satisfaction of the City of Inglewood Planning and Building Department that shows that artificial light from within, behind or upon such sign shall not interfere with normal use of adjacent roadways and properties.

Prohibited Billboard Advertising. It is unlawful for any person or entity to place, display, establish, keep, maintain or locate any advertisement for any tobacco product or any alcoholic beverage on any billboard within one thousand feet of, or so oriented that the message portion of the sign is visible from, any property zoned for residential use, school, child care facility, nursery school, hospital, place of worship, park or recreational facility in the City of Inglewood. Exceptions to subsection (F):

Super Graphic Wall Sign Standards. Refer to Section 12-80.5.

Billboard Sign Cost Recovery Fee. The following fee(s) shall become due and payable to the City of Inglewood prior to the issuance of any building permit for installation of any new, relocated or enlarged fixed billboard ground or wall sign:

Exempted Billboards. A billboard that is allowed as part of development of any island, triangular or irregular shaped corner residentially-zoned property as set forth in Section 12-18.8(b) (or subject to a negotiated agreement as approved by the City) shall be exempt from the requirements set forth in subsections (B) through (H) of this Section but shall comply with the following:

Sign Dimensions. The height and length of a super graphic wall sign shall be determined and established in a negotiated agreement between the City Manager and/or designee and the applicable outdoor advertising company sign applicant (the "Applicant"); however, in no instance shall the entire area of a super graphic wall sign cover more than seventy-five percent of a wall surface.

Installation. Super graphic wall signs shall be affixed parallel to a permanent part of the exterior of a building and shall project no more than eighteen inches from that wall.

Sign Height. No portion of a super graphic wall sign shall extend in height above the roofline of the building wall or fascia to which it is attached.

Sign Lighting. No super graphic wall sign shall be so illuminated that it interferes with the safety of aircraft flights in the vicinity of the super graphic wall sign location. No super graphic wall sign shall employ direct, indirect, internal, flashing, or other illumination with light sources or reflectivity such that the brightness of the illumination shall constitute a hazard to air traffic or a nuisance, interferes with the safety of motorized vehicles in the vicinity of the super graphic wall sign location, confuses or obstructs the view of any authorized traffic sign or signal, obstructs the sight distance triangle at any street or freeway intersection, extends into the public right-of-way, or interferes with the use and enjoyment of property of any adjacent property owners.

Sign Agreement and Fee. The super graphic wall sign agreement shall require payment by the Applicant to the City of Inglewood a fee equal to forty percent of the "net advertising revenues" generated in a given month. For purposes of this amendment and the sign agreement, "net advertising revenue" shall mean gross advertising revenues less production and installation cost not to exceed twenty percent of advertising revenues. The sign agreement shall provide for the specific terms and conditions of the fee payment. All fee payments must accurately reflect the advertising sign revenues earned for each month of display.

Street Location. A super graphic wall sign shall be located on a street that is designated as a major arterial street and is located within one thousand feet of a freeway. A super graphic wall sign shall not be located on a minor, collector, local or other street.

Sign Materials. A super graphic wall sign shall be constructed of materials that are durable and that are able to withstand sixty-five wind knots (equivalent speed of seventy-five miles per hour).

Sign Forms, Guidelines. The City Manager and/or designee is hereby authorized and directed to develop as necessary and implement these regulations, an appropriate application form, guidelines or other related information governing the form, size and location of super graphic wall signs.

Sign Agreement Procedure. All super graphic wall signs, except as otherwise provided in these regulations, shall require City Council approval in the form of a sign agreement negotiated by the City Manager and/or designee that will be placed on a regularly scheduled City Council agenda for approval consideration by the City Council.

Sign Agreement Broker. In the event that the City Manager utilizes the services of a broker or other third party consultant to negotiate some or all of the terms of a sign agreement, the services rendered by the broker or third party consultant shall be paid for entirely by the Applicant. The manner and timing of the payment of such fees shall be specified in the sign agreement.

City Manager Authority. The City Manager and/or designee may include assigned staff, an independent broker, an independent City contractor, a City representative or other consulting party that may from time to time be given the responsibilities and duties to negotiate the sign agreements or prepare independent market surveys, analyses or studies and other related items and materials for consideration by the City Council.

Sign Agreement Request. All requests for a permit for the installation or relocation of a super graphic wall sign shall be submitted to the City Manager and/or designee and shall contain or have attached at a minimum the following information in either written or graphic form:

Sign Agreement Application Completeness. Within twenty working days of receiving a request for a super graphic wall sign permit from the Applicant, the City Manager and/or designee shall review it for completeness. If the City Manager and/or designee finds that it is complete, the permit application shall then be processed. If the City Manager and/or designee finds that it is incomplete or lacks specificity, he or she shall notify the sign Applicant within the twenty working day period, regarding the specific items missing or incomplete to allow further review and the scheduling of negotiations. In the event that the Applicant fails to correct all deficiencies within a reasonable period of time as determined by the City Manager and/or designee, the permit application materials together with a brief written explanation rejecting the application shall be returned to the Applicant.

Scheduled Sign Agreement Negotiations. When the City Manager and/or designee makes a determination that the permit application materials comply with the specific requirements for a super graphic wall sign, he or she shall schedule and notify the Applicant of a scheduled meeting to review the permit application materials and to commence negotiations regarding the terms of a sign agreement. The City Manager and/or designee shall also describe the billing procedure for research, review and processing of work items including applicable staff costs, or third party broker or consultants costs.

Terms of Sign Agreement Negotiations. The City Manager and/or designee shall schedule one or more additional meetings with the Applicant to discuss the intended duration of wall sign use, the frequency of changes to sign copy, the location and intensity of lighting, the type of sign material, the height of the wall sign, the wall sign fee(s) to be paid to the City of Inglewood, insurance and indemnification requirements, violation fines, the schedule for sign removal once the agreement terminates, and a full description of all other particulars that will allow the safe and orderly use of the proposed super graphic wall sign.

Sign Agreement Approval Recommendation. Based on a determination by the City Manager and/or designee that a proposed sign agreement complies with the intent of this Code Section, the City Manager and/or designee shall forward a copy of the proposed sign agreement to the City Council with a written recommendation for final approval of the sign agreement. Prior to a sign agreement being placed on a City Council agenda, the City Manager and/or designee shall obtain full payment for research, review and application processing costs from the Applicant. A proposed sign agreement shall not be submitted to the City Council until such time that the staff costs or third party costs (as applicable) have been paid. In the event that a third party broker, consultant or other party negotiates the sign agreement, the City Manager and/or designee shall ensure that funds are paid to the third party broker, consultant or other party in a manner consistent with City of Inglewood billing procedures.

Sign Agreement Denial Recommendation. In the event that the City Manager and/or designee determines that the Applicant fails to conform with the requirements of this Chapter and unable to negotiate a sign agreement, or if the Applicant is unwilling to agree to specific proposal requests by the City Manager and/or designee, the City Manager and/or designee shall forward a written recommendation for denial to the City Council. Prior to a sign agreement being placed on the City Council agenda, the City shall have received full payment for any and all research, review and application processing costs from the Applicant. A proposed sign agreement shall not be submitted to the City Council until such time that the staff costs or third party cost (as applicable) have been paid. In the event that a third party broker, consultant or other party negotiates all or a portion of a negotiated sign agreement, the City Manager and/or designee shall ensure that all such funds shall be paid to the third party broker, consultant or other party in a manner consistent with City of Inglewood billing procedures.

Sign Agreement Non-public Hearing Review. The City Manager and/or designee shall place the matter of the sign agreement on a regularly scheduled City Council agenda as a non-public hearing item that shall require a majority vote of City Council for sign agreement approval.

Denial of Sign Agreement. In the event that a majority vote of City Council determine that the super graphic wall sign request fails to conform with the requirements of these regulations and vote to deny the sign agreement, or in the event of a tie vote, the sign agreement shall be deemed denied and the Applicant shall be prohibited from submitting the same or a similar super graphic wall sign application for the subject property for a minimum of six months. The action taken by the City Council shall become final. However, the City Manager and/or designee shall not be required to return the permit application and accompanying materials to the Applicant. In case of a denial by the City Council, the City Manager and/or designee shall notify the Applicant within forty working days following the City Council action of the reasons for the denial action taken by the City Council.

Approval of Sign Agreement. In the event that a majority vote of the City Council determine that the sign agreement conforms with the requirements of these regulations and vote to approve the sign agreement, the City Manager and/or designee shall obtain original signatures on three sets of the sign agreement from the City Clerk, City Manager, City Attorney and the Applicant. An original sign agreement shall be permanently maintained in the City Clerk's Office, one permanently maintained in Administration and one provided to the Applicant. The action taken by the City Council shall be final once taken.

Super Graphic Signage Considered On-site Signage. Under circumstances where a building or buildings is occupied by a valid City-licensed business with a retail component related to the super graphic wall sign, the applicable super graphic wall sign shall be constituted "on-site signage" and shall be regulated in accordance with the terms and conditions of a sign agreement.

Super Graphic Permit Fees. Any super graphic wall sign fees approved by the City Council shall be paid to and collected by the City upon issuance of a building permit by the Building Division. Once paid the fees shall be non-refundable.

Request for Clarification. From time to time, the City Council may refer a sign agreement back to the City Manager and/or designee with a request for further clarification of items or with direction regarding items that it believes requires further negotiation or staff review. This referral shall not constitute approval or denial. Any sign agreement subsequently returned to the City Manager and/or designee for further clarification or negotiation may be reviewed in its entirety or may focus only on those specific items that the City Council directed staff to negotiate or review. The Applicant shall not be required to pay staff review, research or processing costs for an item referred/returned by the City Council.

Annual Business License. All Applicants subject to these regulations shall pay to the Inglewood Business License Division an annual business tax equal to two percent of the gross annual revenue produced by the super graphic wall sign. The business license tax shall be prorated for periods that are less than a twelve-month calendar year.

Inspection Upon Completion. Any person installing, structurally altering or relocating a super graphic wall sign for which a permit has been issued shall first obtain approval for a sign permit from the Planning Division and a building permit from the Building Division. Final inspection from the Building Division shall be required upon completion of any such work. Other City permits, unless specified as a term and condition of the sign agreement shall not be required for a super graphic wall sign. If the construction is complete and in full compliance with these regulations and the building and electrical codes, the Planning Division and Building Division shall issue final sign approval. A site plan review shall not be required for super graphic wall signs.

Lapses of Super Graphic Wall Sign Permit. A super graphic wall sign permit shall lapse if the sign is abandoned, or if the Applicant's business license lapses, is revoked, or is not timely renewed. A super graphic wall sign permit shall lapse if the use of the super graphic is discontinued for a period of one hundred eighty days or more. A super graphic wall sign that was installed or maintained in conformance with a permit under these regulations, but for which the permit has lapsed, shall be in violation of these regulations and subject to Section 11-96.6 (Administrative Fine) of Article 11.4 (Administrative Citations) of Chapter 11.

Assignment of the Super Graphic Wall Sign Permit. A current and valid super graphic wall sign permit shall be freely assignable to a successor, as owner of the property where the super graphic sign is located subject to the filing of a permit application with the City. The City Manager may require as a condition of negotiating a sign agreement the payment of any applicable Business License Division fee for change of ownership. The assignment shall be accomplished by filing and shall not require City Council approval.

Violations. The City Manager and/or designee, upon finding that any provision of these regulations or any condition of a permit issued under these regulations is being violated, is authorized to direct staff to issue citations or may institute legal proceedings to enjoin violations of these regulations.

Complaints and Revocations. The City Manager shall be authorized to directly investigate any complaints or violations of these regulations or may assign the investigation of complaints to City Enforcement staff or to an outside contractor. Based on a complete investigation, the City Manager and/or designee may recommend to the City Council that a sign agreement be revoked if there is any violation of the provisions of these regulations, or any misrepresentation of any material facts in either the permit application or plans. The revocation of an approved sign agreement shall be scheduled in the same manner as a request for sign agreement approval and shall require a majority vote of City Council for revocation. In the event that a majority of the City Council does not vote for revocation, the City Council may refer the matter back to the City Manager for further review and/or corrective action.

Expiration of Sign Agreement. If an approved super graphic wall sign is not installed within a period of six months from the date the sign agreement is fully executed by the required signatories, the sign agreement shall expire and become null and void and the Applicant shall be prohibited from filing the same or a similar application for the subject property for a minimum period of six months.

Non-permitted Super Graphic Wall Signs. The City Manager and/or designee may direct City Enforcement staff to remove or order the removal at the expense of the Applicant, super graphic wall sign owner or lessor, as applicable, of any non-permitted super graphic wall sign or any other signs, other than an approved super graphic wall sign. The City Manager and/or designee may also impose fines specified in Section 11-96.6 of the IMC.

Immediate Harm or Hazard. If the City Manager and/or designee finds that any super graphic wall sign poses an immediate harm or hazard to persons or property, the super graphic wall sign shall be immediately removed and the City Manager and/or designee shall notify the City Council within a reasonable period of time about reasons for the sign removal. If the Applicant, super graphic wall sign owner or lessor (as applicable) cannot be located and notified of immediate removal of the super graphic wall sign, he or she shall order the removal of the wall sign at the expense of the Applicant, super graphic wall sign owner or lessor (as applicable), who shall be required to reimburse the City within thirty calendar days for all staff costs associated with sign removal.

Sign Agreement Amendments. From time to time the City Manager and/or designee may initiate amendments to this Section of the Code by following the procedures established for a general text change as outlined in Article 27 of Chapter 12, except that the City Manager may make direct requests to the City Council for the approval of minor adjustments that do not affect the intent of this Section of the Code. At that time, it shall be the responsibility of the City Council to determine if the request should be approved or denied.

Special venue freeway signs shall be restricted to displaying:

Special venue freeway signs shall also be limited to the following:

Except for signs approved as part of a Master Sign Plan in connection with a Sign Overlay Zone as set forth in Article 17.3 of Chapter 12 of this Code or a temporary banner program under subsection (c) below, no person shall paint, mark or write on, or post or otherwise affix, any handbill or sign to or upon any sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, curbstone, street lamp post, hydrant, tree, shrub, tree stake or guard, railroad signs, posts or poles, electric light or power or telephone or telegraph pole, or wire appurtenance or support thereof, or upon any fixture of a fire or police communications system, or upon any lighting or electrical power system, public bridge, drinking fountain, street sign or traffic sign, bus or parkway bench, bus shelters, sidewalk kiosks, fixture or object located upon or in a public street, sidewalk, walkway, boulevard or parkway maintained by the City, or any property of a public utility maintaining such property or improvements under easements granted by the City except as permitted by Section 12-77.11 of this Chapter.

Any handbill or sign found posted or otherwise affixed upon any public property contrary to the provisions of this Section may be removed by the Police Department, the Departments of Parks, Public Works, Code Enforcement, or other concerned observer. The person responsible for such illegal posting shall be liable for the costs incurred in the removal thereof and the Finance Department is authorized to effect the collection of said costs.

Notwithstanding any language in this Code to the contrary, the Public Works Department may establish a temporary banner program utilizing light poles located in the public right-of-way subject to the criteria set forth in Chapter 10, Article 5 of this Code.

Abandoned Signs. It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain or permit any nonconforming sign to remain in place for more than sixty days after the business to which the sign pertains has discontinued use of the site where the sign is located. It shall also be unlawful for any person to maintain or permit any conforming sign that advertises or denotes a previous tenant or use of a building to remain in place more than sixty days after a new tenant or use occupies the subject building or property.

Alteration of Nonconforming Signs. Nonconforming signs shall not be enlarged by any means or altered, except to make the sign conforming to the standards of this Article. Repairs as necessary to maintain the sign in a good and safe condition are permitted; however, in the event a nonconforming sign is damaged, it may be restored to its original condition only if the damage is estimated by the Superintendent of Building and Safety to be less than fifty percent of its before-damage condition.

Enforcement of Nonconforming Signs. No new signs shall be permitted upon any property or building until any existing nonconforming on-site sign is removed or altered to be made conforming to the standards of this Article. Additionally, nonconforming signs may be required to be removed or altered to be made conforming in consideration for the approval of any Special Use Permit, adjustment, variance, exception, and the like. Otherwise, any nonconforming sign may continue to be maintained only for periods designated within the amortization schedule specified in Section 12-87.

Nonconforming Billboard Signs. No new, relocated or enlarged billboard, pole(s), post(s) or similar supporting apparatus shall be permitted upon any property or building that is located on any street that is not designated as a major arterial street in the City of Inglewood Circulation Element and such property or building must be suitably zoned to allow a billboard sign.

Except as required under Section 12-87, any billboard sign, frame, pole(s), post(s) or similar supporting apparatus that exists on a "C" or "M" zoned property on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Chapter shall be removed no later than forty years after the date that a business license was first issued for the billboard sign. In the event that a business license was not issued, the sign shall be removed no later than forty years from the date that a building permit was first issued for the billboard sign. Billboard signs that were installed prior to 1983 shall be removed no later than December 31, 2023. This Section shall not apply to super graphic wall signs, or billboard signs for which a new permit is issued after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Chapter. Billboard signs that are installed after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Chapter may be used for no more than twenty years but in all instances must be dismantled and removed from a property no later than December 31, 2050.