Protect and promote the general public welfare and artistic village character of the community;

Implement community design criteria consistent with the general plan;

Preserve and enhance the community's appearance by regulating the design, character, location, type, quality, scale, color, illumination and maintenance of signs;

Promote signs that clearly identify uses and premises without confusion;

Encourage creative, artistic and well-designed signs that contribute to the visual environment of Laguna Beach, express local character and develop a distinctive image;

Encourage signs that are responsive to the aesthetics and character of their location and building architecture;

Recognize that many businesses in Laguna Beach are small, non-franchise establishments that depend on their sign's clear communication to draw customers; and

Provide a review and approval process for signs.

To establish a permit system for signs in various zoning districts;

To provide for temporary signs in limited circumstances;

To prohibit all signs not expressly permitted by this chapter.

Computation of Area of Individual Signs. The permitted size area of individual signs shall be as specified in Tables 1 and 2 at the end of this chapter. The area of a single-faced sign shall be computed by means of the simplest geometric shape(s) that will encompass the extreme limits of the sign, including any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed, but not including any supporting framework or bracing. (See Figure 1.) A background panel of not more than two-inch thickness, painted the same color as the wall or structure to which it is attached, shall not be considered part of the sign. Windows with mullions less than three inches in width shall be considered as one window.

Computation of Area of Multi-faced Signs. The sign area for a sign with more than one face shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces.

Computation of Height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at natural grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. Natural grade shall be construed to be the lower of: (1) existing grade prior to construction; or (2) the newly established grade after construction, exclusive of any filling, berming or excavating solely for the purpose of locating the sign. In cases in which the natural grade cannot reasonably be determined, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the natural grade at the base of the sign is equal to the elevation of the nearest street curb. In the event there is no curb, height shall be measured from the centerline of the street.

Computation of Total Allowable Sign Area. A site's combined allowable sign area of all permanent signs not exempt under Section 25.54.014 shall not exceed one square foot per linear foot of building or suite frontage, up to a maximum of one hundred fifty square feet. Single signs shall not exceed seventy-five square feet in size. Alley, blade or projecting, building marker, incidental, marquee, miscellaneous business signs, open house, real estate, temporary and suspended signs are exempt from the maximum combined sign area limit. Sites with two or more fronts on streets or pedestrian accessways may be permitted the above allowable sign area for each frontage on a street or pedestrian accessway, provided that such sign areas are not cumulative on any one street or pedestrian accessway or that the signage oriented toward any one street or pedestrian accessway does not exceed the total maximum allowable area.

Properties having secondary frontage on a public alley may be permitted a wall, blade or projecting sign at the entrance to the building from the alley.

Signs may be allowed on private property only in accordance with the sign luminance table in subsection (C)(3). If the letter "A" appears for a sign type in a column, such sign is allowed without prior permit approval. If the letter "P" appears for a sign type in a column, such sign is allowed only with prior permit approval; special conditions may apply in some cases. If the letter "N" appears for a sign type in a column, such sign is not allowed under any circumstances. (Note: These letters are subject to the footnotes appended to Table 1 at the end of this chapter.)

Design, Construction and Maintenance. All signs shall comply with the design standards set forth in Table 1 (Allowable Signs by Type and Use) and Table 2 (Design Standards by Sign Type). All signs shall be maintained in good condition for the life of the sign. Torn canopies or awnings, broken elements, faded or flaking paint, or similar evidence of poor maintenance are the responsibility of the owner to repair in a prompt manner. Signs not adequately maintained shall be considered nuisances and may be abated per Municipal Code Chapter 7.24.

Lighting.

Master Sign Programs. A master sign program shall be submitted for review and approval in relation to new office or shopping center construction or substantial façade improvements of an existing office or shopping center, when either contain four or more businesses or uses prior to the issuance of any sign permits. (See the master sign program submittal requirements in Section 25.54.018(A).) In order to assure aesthetic compatibility, the approval authority may establish whatever conditions are deemed necessary to maintain appropriate design, continuity and harmony of the signage for the site.

Signs Requiring a Permit. The following signs may be allowed subject to the permit procedures of Section 25.54.018:

Signs Not Requiring a Permit. The following signs do not require a permit prior to placement on public property:

Forfeiture. Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in conformance with the requirements of this section, shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation. In addition to other remedies hereunder, the city shall have the right to recover from the owner or person placing such a sign the full costs of removal and disposal of such sign.

Any public notice or warning signs required by valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation or ordinance;

Holiday lights and decorations with no commercial message, allowed only between November 15th and January 15th of the following year;

Except for luminous tube signs, all interior building signs not positioned primarily for the purpose of being read or visible from the exterior of a building in which the business is located. (Note: All luminous tube signs require a sign permit, regardless of internal location, if they are visible through a window from a public street or accessway.);

Miscellaneous business signs, such as credit card stickers, open and closed signs, hours of operation, etc., provided that each group/set of miscellaneous business signs do not exceed two and one-quarter square feet in area and there is only one group/set of such signs per entrance. (Note: Luminous tube open and closed signs are not allowed.);

Temporary election signs posted on private property, subject to the permission of the property owner;

Memorial signs and plaques;

Signs not visible from a public street or pedestrian accessway;

Street address numerals, when not part of the business name;

Bulletin boards twenty-five square feet and under used by public, educational or religious institutions; and

Official flags of the United States, the state of California and other states of the nation, counties, municipalities, foreign nations, and nationally or internationally recognized organizations.

Animated signs except those that qualify as an interior building sign;

A sign no longer identifying a bona fide existing business;

Banners and beacons, except as permitted in accordance with Sections 25.54.012 and 25.54.020;

Billboards, including mobile billboards on trailers;

Excepting marquees, internally illuminated signs;

Inflated display signs and tethered balloons, except as permitted in accordance with Section 25.54.020 or as a part of an approved outdoor display or sign program;

Portable signs;

Roof signs;

Signs of any type associated with a bus stop. (Bus stop signs erected by a public transit agency are allowed.);

Back-lit canopy/awning signs;

Pole signs;

Private incidental signs of any type, including "no parking" signs, located in the public right-of-way in an effort to monopolize or control public parking spaces.

Applications. All applications for sign permits or master sign programs shall be submitted to the department of community development on an approved application form.

The sign permit application shall require the development of a sign program for a business and include, but not be limited to, scaled drawings showing the dimensions, computation of sign area, location, height, sign copy, letter size, sign materials, colors and lighting elements for all signs, existing and proposed on the site. Construction specifications shall be provided for all new signs, including electrical components and wiring, and the method of attachment and design of the structure to which the sign attachment is made.

Master sign program applications shall include a complete set of coordinated, common sign standards, including, but not limited to, letter size, sign size, style, colors, types, placement, lighting elements, number of signs and sign materials. In addition, master sign program applications shall also provide an accurate plot plan showing the locations and sizes of existing and/or proposed signage in relation to existing and/or proposed buildings, parking lots, driveways, streets and landscaped areas of the development.

Fees. Each application for a sign permit shall be accompanied by the applicable fees, which shall be established by city council resolution.

Approval Required. The modification of an existing sign or the construction, creation or installation of a new sign requiring a sign permit shall be subject to the review and approval of the approval authority.

Design Criteria. The following design criteria shall be considered in the review of proposed signage:

Signs Eligible for Administrative Approval. Except for luminous tube signs, signs may be eligible for administrative review and approval by the director of community development, if they meet the following criteria. At the discretion of the director, such signs may be referred to the appropriate approval authority for review. Eligible signs include:

Appeals of a Determination by the Community Development Director. Any person disagreeing with a determination of the director shall have the right of appeal to the appropriate approval authority. The appeal must be filed within ten business days after such determination and shall be heard at the next regular meeting of the appropriate approval authority.

Creativity Encouraged. Except for the community development department director, the approval authority may, at his or her discretion, grant permits for signs not otherwise in conformance with this chapter up to a twenty-five percent increase in allowable sign area or height, if it finds the sign design to be extraordinarily creative and significantly contributing to the charm and character of Laguna Beach.

Application. Applications for temporary sign permits shall be submitted to the department of community development on an approved application form or in accordance with application specifications established by the director.

Fees. Each application for a temporary sign permit shall be accompanied by the applicable fees, which shall be established by city council resolution.

Term.

Limitation. A business license holder may post temporary signs up to a maximum of sixty days per calendar year.

Specific Temporary Sign Requirements.

Amortization Period. Any sign that does not conform to this chapter, but which lawfully existed as of the date of the enactment of the ordinance codified in this chapter, shall be abated or made to conform within the applicable amortization period as specified below.

Administrative Relief. Any property or business owner may seek an extension of the applicable amortization period by filing a written application, in the form specified by the community development department and subject to payment of the filing fee established by resolution of the city council, to the director of community development within ten days of receipt of the notice described in subsection (A); provided, however, that amortizations periods shall not be extended for any of the following: any sign with an intended life of less than fifteen years, any temporary sign, any sign erected without first complying with all ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of the construction and erection of the sign, any sign which has been more than fifty percent destroyed, any sign whose owner seeks relocation thereof, or any sign for which there has been an agreement between the owner thereof and the city for its removal as of any given date. The determination of the director of community development shall be made in writing within thirty days of receipt of a complete application. Any aggrieved applicant may appeal the determination of the director of community development pursuant to Section 25.05.070.

Criteria for Determination of Application. In making a determination as to whether an amortization period should be extended, the following matters, among other relevant information, should be considered:

Any nonconforming sign shall either be eliminated or made to conform with the requirements of this chapter when any change, including proposed changes to the information on the face of an existing nonconforming sign, repair or maintenance is proposed.

In newly annexed areas, all nonconforming signs shall be abated or made to conform within three years from the effective date of such annexation.

The billboard located at 31792 Coast Highway shall be abated on or before September 6, 2010 pursuant to the Van Wagner Settlement Agreement approved by city council on October 3, 1995.

Murals shall conform to the design standards and permit procedures outlined below; except that murals proposed in compliance with Chapter 1.09 (Art in Public Places) shall be governed by the design standards and permit procedures of that chapter, and mural proposals which are considered to be wall signs shall conform to the design standards applicable to wall signs. Signature(s) of the artist(s) shall be allowed and limited to a maximum of two square feet.

The following procedures shall govern the approval of mural proposals:

Signs, Façade Changes and Sign Programs for Arts Organizations. It is recognized that certain public benefit non-profit arts organizations, specifically the Festival of Arts, the Sawdust Festival, the Art-A-Fair, the Laguna Playhouse, the Laguna Art Museum and the Laguna College of Art and Design, conduct annual or ongoing special events which have special needs in terms of the audience or patrons they serve which may not be adequately addressed by the sign requirements applicable to private commercial enterprises.

Criteria. The above arts organizations may apply for and receive approval for sign permits or sign programs, including façade changes, from the planning commission in accordance with the provisions of this section. The proposed plans for a sign, façade change or sign program must: (1) specify the size and design for each sign or façade change; (2) the maximum display term; and (3) the location of each sign. The planning commission has complete discretion for these specifications, regardless of the other provisions of this chapter. The approved signs, façade changes or sign programs shall minimize clutter, be compatible with the village character of Laguna Beach, reflect an integration with the site's surroundings, promote the purpose and mission of the arts organization and not significantly differ from the historic pattern of the arts organization's signage and façade presentation.

Administrative Approval. The planning commission may authorize administrative approval by the director of community development for new signs or changes to existing signs subject to and in accordance with an approved sign program. The planning commission may establish special criteria for such administrative approvals by the director when it approves an arts organization's sign program.

Commercial Events. Signs for any type of private commercial events located at an arts organization's site shall require separate sign permits and be subject to the requirements of this chapter.