Palos Verdes Estates
City Zoning Code

It is required that all exterior exposed signs located in the commercial zones relate to and be compatible with the character and architectural style of the related structure and surroundings.

To ensure compatibility, no new sign may be erected nor may any existing sign be remodeled or changed unless a permit to undertake such work is first obtained. If the proposed sign meets all of the standards set forth in this section, a permit shall be issued by the building official or his or her designee. If the proposed sign fails to comply with any standard set forth in subsection B of this section, a permit may be issued by the planning commission only upon a finding that the proposed sign is compatible with the character and architectural style of its proposed surroundings, including but not limited to the structure or area on which it is to be placed.

The signage requirements of this section apply to any lawfully erected sign, structure, housing, device, figure, statuary, painting, display, message, placard or other contrivance which has been designed, constructed, crafted, intended or engineered to advertise, or to provide data or information in the nature of advertising, for the following purpose: to designate, identify, or indicate the name or business of the owner or occupant of the premises upon which the lawfully erected advertising display is located for commercial purposes.

Said sign may be placed on a wall, canopy, in a window, or other location approved by the decisionmaking body;

Said sign shall not exceed one-half square foot in sign area for each linear foot of building frontage it identifies, not to exceed fifty square feet, and may be permitted only on the side of the building that faces a public right-of-way;

Canopy signs shall not project beyond the vertical face of the awning or canopy;

The maximum size of any letter, number or logo shall not exceed six inches in height or width;

Signs may be lighted. However, no signs shall be devised or constructed so as to rotate, blink, flash, emit smoke or fumes, or move in any fashion;

Signs shall be restricted to advertising only the person, firm, company or corporation operating the use conducted on the site or the products or commodities sold or services provided. Signs shall not be allowed to advertise the products sold or prepared or the individual services performed on the premises unless the products or services are an integral part of the business;

Colors used in signs shall be compatible with the related structure and surroundings;

No roof-mounted signs shall be permitted. In addition, no wall signs shall project above the roofline of any building.

In any commercial zone, illuminated signs, if used, shall be white, amber or light-toned in color.

Colored lights that, in the sole opinion of the city, could be confused with or construed as traffic-control devices are prohibited.

Neither the direct nor reflected light from primary light sources may create a hazard to operators of motor vehicles.

Signs of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest, erected by or on the order of a city employee in the performance of his or her public duty, such as public notices, safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic and directional signs, and the like;

Names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest and the like, when carved into stone, concrete or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum or other permanent-type material and made an integral part of the structure.

Every sign shall be maintained in a safe, presentable and good condition, including the replacement of defective parts, painting, repainting, cleaning and other acts required for the maintenance of such sign.

No existing sign shall be altered, moved or relocated unless the sign complies with all other provisions of this section, is altered so as to comply therewith, or obtains a permit from the planning commission in accordance with subsection (A)(2) of this section.

Sign changes or alterations shall be deemed to include any change of all or a portion of the copy or sign face, message or sign legend, except those changes which are for maintenance or are part of the normal function of the sign.

Signs which contain statements, words, pictures or other representations which violate the state of Cal. Pen. Code § 311 et seq.;

Signs which contain or are an imitation of an official traffic sign or signal or contain the words “stop,” “go,” “slow,” “caution,” “danger,” “warning,” or similar words, except construction signs and barricades, and except when these words are incorporated in the permanent name of the business;

Signs which advertise an activity, business or service no longer conducted or provided on the premises forty-five days after such discontinuance or abandonment;

Signs which move in any manner, have any portions which move, or have the appearance of moving, except for clocks, time and temperature and similar public service signs;

Signs which contain or consist of posters, pennants, banners, ribbons, streamers, spinners or other similar devices are prohibited except as otherwise permitted in these standards;

Signs which are portable, folding or similar signs, except as permitted for service station and automobile washing uses;

Signs which are displayed on the exterior of a building and are made of materials which are impermanent and will not withstand exposure to the weather, except as specifically authorized in these standards.

Every illegal or abandoned sign identified in the inventory, and every illegal or abandoned sign thereafter identified, shall be deemed to constitute a public nuisance.

The director is authorized to abate all illegal or abandoned signs pursuant to the procedures set forth in Chapter 17.32 PVEMC or, alternatively, pursuant to the California Outdoor Advertising Act.

Medical, dental, optometry or chiropractic offices and clinics, one space per two hundred square feet of net floor area;

Banks, lending agencies, financial and governmental uses, one space per two hundred fifty square feet of net floor area;

Realty offices, one space per two hundred square feet of net floor area;

Other professional offices, one space per two hundred fifty square feet of net floor area;

Retail and commercial uses:

Large care facilities, one space per two beds, or an alternate ratio as determined by a parking demand study approved by the city engineer.

All parking areas shall be paved with an asphaltic, concrete, turfblock, or masonry surfacing and shall have appropriate bumper guards or curbing, striping, and directional arrows.

Required parking spaces shall not be used for repair work or servicing other than in an emergency.

No tandem parking spaces shall be permitted.

All outdoor off-street parking spaces shall be screened on all sides where they adjoin, face or are across the street from residential zones or developed residential properties, where practical.

All landscaped areas shall be completely enclosed by a six-inch continuous concrete curb.

All portions of outdoor parking areas not used for automobile maneuvering, parking or for pedestrian walkways shall be landscaped.

All landscaped areas shall be equipped with low water usage irrigation systems.

For safety purposes, all landscaping adjacent to parking lot ingress and egress points shall not exceed the height of twenty-four inches.

Drought-tolerant trees and plants shall be a major design feature in all parking lots. However, trees shall be limited to a height not to exceed thirty feet at maturity.

No commercial use shall emit from a vent, stack, chimney, or combustion process any smoke that is visible to the naked eye, except normal fireplace usage.

All commercial uses shall comply with the requirements of the South Coast Air Quality Management District.