South El Monte City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 17
15 ADVERTISING SIGNS
§ 17.15.010 Intent and purpose.
The intent and purpose of this section is to regulate signage area, sign height, sign types and sign design. These regulations are designed to protect the general welfare of the residents of the city by permitting signs which are both functional and aesthetically attractive and which enhance the commercial and industrial areas of the city.
(Ord. 1271, 4/23/2024)
§ 17.15.020 Policy.
The policy of the city with regard to signs and sign structures shall be: to recognize that advertising, including signs, is an integral part of the commercial life of the city; to recognize that aesthetics of the streetscape may be a source of community pride; to encourage those signs which make a positive contribution to aesthetics; to eliminate those signs which detract from the appearance of the city or of the neighborhood in which they are located and to vigorously enforce the provisions of these regulations.
(Ord. 1271, 4/23/2024)
§ 17.15.030 Sign approval and permits required.
It is unlawful for any person, firm, organization, or corporation to authorize, erect, construct, maintain, move, alter, attach, change, place, or suspend any sign within the city without first obtaining a written permit to do so from the building official and from the department of planning and community development, except that no such permit shall be required to maintain a sign legally in existence on the date of adoption of these regulations. Such permit shall not be issued until approval of such sign or signs is granted by the department of planning and community development or if required by the planning commission.
(Ord. 1271, 4/23/2024)
§ 17.15.040 Corrections and stoppage of work.
It is unlawful for any person, firm, organization, or corporation to authorize, erect, construct, maintain, move, alter, attach, change, place, or suspend any sign within the city without first obtaining a written permit to do so from the building official and from the department of planning and community development, except that no such permit shall be required to maintain a sign legally in existence on the date of adoption of these regulations. Such permit shall not be issued until approval of such sign or signs is granted by the department of planning and community development or if required by the planning commission.
A.
Application for Sign Approval. When signs are to be considered in conjunction with new construction or development, which in itself is subject either to site plan review or conditional use permit approval, the sign shall be considered as a part of this review. Requests for signs other than as a part of an overall project or development shall be submitted to the planning and community development department on forms prescribed by the department and accompanied by a fee established by resolution of the city council. The application shall be accompanied by three copies of a plot plan showing the following information:
1.
The position of the sign or other advertising structure in relationship to the adjacent buildings or structure;
2.
The design and size, structural details and calculations as required by the Uniform Sign Code or the building code, and the proposed location of the sign or sign structure;
3.
The location, size and dimensions of all signs existing on the premises at the time of the filing of the application.
B.
Sign Approval. Upon evaluation of the application, and after consultation with the applicant or his or her contractor, the director of planning and community development, or his or her designee, shall approve the application, disapprove the application, or approve the application with conditions. If the applicant disagrees with the decision of the director, or his or her designee, the applicant may appeal, at no cost, to the planning commission in accordance with provisions of Section 17.03.130 of these regulations.
(Ord. 1271, 4/23/2024)
§ 17.15.050 Revocation of sign permits.
The granting of a sign permit shall not prevent the director of planning or his or her designee from thereafter requiring the correction of errors in the work or from preventing further operations being carried out when such work or operations are in violation of the provisions of this section or the conditions of the sign permit.
(Ord. 1271, 4/23/2024)
§ 17.15.060 General sign provision.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following signs, nor shall the area of each sign be included in the area of signs permitted for any lot, building or use:
A.
Sign Maintenance.
1.
All signs, together with their supports and appurtenances, shall be kept in a proper state of repair. The display surface of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or posted. The building official may order the repair or removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of these regulations.
2.
All signs and advertising structures which are constructed on property lines, or within five feet thereof, shall have a smooth surface. No nails, tacks or wires shall protrude, except for electrical reflectors and devices which extend over the top and in front of the advertising structure.
B.
Signs at Intersections. No on-site advertising display or portion thereof shall be erected or maintained at the intersection of any public or private street within a triangular area formed by a line connecting points forty feet from the intersection of the projected street property lines. No sign shall be placed in such a location as to interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign or signal.
C.
Obstruction of Passage. No sign or sign structure shall be erected in such a manner that any portion of its surface or supports will interfere in any way with the free use of a fire escape, exit or standpipe. No sign shall obstruct any window to such an extent that light or ventilation is reduced to a point below that required by any law, code or ordinance.
D.
Signs on Public Property. Signs on public property or within the public right-of-way shall be prohibited unless otherwise authorized by these regulations.
E.
Signs on Curbs, Streets or Street Signs. No person shall paint, mark, paste, fasten, or in any manner affix or cause to be painted, marked, pasted, fastened, or any manner affixed to or on the curb, street, sidewalk, street sign post, or to or on any sign erected for the purpose of directing or warning traffic, or to or on any telephone, telegraph or electric light pole, or to or on any tree or shrub in any park, public street, alley, parkway or sidewalk any sign, poster, or advertisement of any kind without first obtaining written approval of the city council to do so. Nothing in this section shall be construed as to prohibit the posting of official signs by any department of the city, county, state or federal government, or to the posting of legal notices in the place or manner prescribed by law.
(Ord. 1271, 4/23/2024)
§ 17.15.070 Signs uses.
Table 17.15.070-A Approval and Permit Requirements per Sign Type - All Zones | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign/Use Type | Approval & Permit Requirements | ||||
Signs not exceeding 1 square foot in area, erected for convenience of the public such as signs identifying restrooms, public telephones, walkways and similar features or facilities | E | ||||
Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and dates of erection, when cut into the surface of the façade of the building or when projecting no more than 2 inches from the face of the building | E | ||||
Traffic or other municipal signs (signs required by law), railroad crossing signs, legal notices, and such temporary advertising signs as may be authorized by the city council | E | ||||
Signs of public utility companies indicating danger or which serve to aid the public safety or which show the location of underground facilities or public telephones | E | ||||
Directional signs not exceeding 3 sq ft in area, erected to aid the public in locating entrances to buildings, business or parking areas | E | ||||
Newspaper stands, provided the sign area does not exceed 6 sq ft | E | ||||
One real estate sign per lot frontage, provided such sign meets the provisions of Section 17.15.060 | E | ||||
House numbers, nonilluminated or directly illuminated, "no trespassing," "no parking" and similar warning signs located on the lot to which the sign is appurtenant and provided that the sign does not exceed 4 sq ft in area, 1 nonilluminated or directly illuminated name-plate, not exceeding 1 square foot in area for each dwelling unit, provided, that in the case of multiple dwellings, the total allowable area of such nameplates shall not exceed 1 square foot per dwelling unit, and provided further, that no sign identifying an occupation or business conducted on the premises shall be permitted | E | ||||
Signs located in the interior of any building or within an enclosed court or lobby of any building or group of buildings which signs are designed and located to be viewed exclusively from within the building, court or lobby | E | ||||
Window signs in all commercial and manufacturing zones, when placed within the inside of the window and not obscuring more than 25% of the total window area | E | ||||
Wind signs (banners, pennants, etc.) in all commercial and manufacturing zones during a 30-day period following the initial or grand opening of a store or business, or for a period or periods not to exceed 30 aggregate days per year for sales or promotional purposes | E | ||||
Governmental or other legally required posters, notices or signs | P - All Zones | ||||
Real estate signs provided that: | P - All Zones | ||||
• | Only 1 such sign is displayed per street frontage on the property to which it refers, | ||||
• | No sign shall exceed 3 sq ft in residential areas or 12 sq ft in industrial and commercial areas, | ||||
• | If freestanding, such sign shall not exceed 6 ft in overall height and shall be placed a minimum of 5 ft inside the property line, | ||||
• | Vacant parcels containing 5 or more acres in area may be allowed 1 real estate sign for each 150 ft of street frontage. Such sign shall not exceed 20 sq ft in area, nor be higher than 8 ft above grade | ||||
The American flag, state flag, governmental flags or emblems or flags of nonprofit organizations or of the owner or tenant of the site. The height of such flags is subject to height restrictions applicable to freestanding signs | P - All Zones | ||||
One contractor's sign on each street frontage of any construction site which will serve to identify the enterprises engaged in work on the project, or to announce intended or proposed future uses of the property. In the case of identification signs, a building permit shall have been issued prior to the issuance of the sign approval. In the case of signs announcing future uses, a building permit shall obtained not later than 1 year from the date of issuance of the sign permit. Such signs shall conform to the following conditions: | P - All Zones | ||||
• | Each enterprise or future use identified may be allowed up to 24 sq ft of sign area, provided, that the total sign area shall not exceed 120 sq ft, unless legally required to do so by government contract, | ||||
• | No sign shall exceed 8 ft in overall height, | ||||
• | No sign shall be located nearer than 5 ft to any property line, | ||||
• | Such sign may be either integral to a building or affixed to or in the ground, | ||||
• | Such signs shall be removed at the termination of the construction and commencement of the use of the improvement, or at the expiration of the building permit whichever is sooner | ||||
Political Signs. Unless otherwise provided in this section, political signs shall be regulated solely by the provisions of this section. | P - All Zones | ||||
• | Temporary political signs may be erected on private property in any zone during the period beginning with the first date a declaration of candidacy may be filed in connection with any election or from the time a notice of intention to circulate an initiative or referendum petition is filed with the appropriate legal officer until 5 days following the subsequent election or, in the case of an initiative or referendum, 10 days following the date upon which such petitions are deemed invalid by the proper officer, | ||||
• | Such political signs are subject to the following conditions: | ||||
• | No permitted political sign shall exceed 16 sq ft in sign area, | ||||
• | The total allowable sign area of all signs located on any single lot or parcel may not exceed 64 sq ft, provided, that 1 sign with a sign area not to exceed 16 sq ft per candidate may be placed on any parcel or lot, | ||||
• | No political sign may be placed on any public property or public right-of-way, | ||||
• | The city may remove any political sign or signs not complying with this section 48 hours following notification to the property owner of the city's intention to remove the sign or signs not in compliance. The city may have any political signs located in any public right-of-way immediately removed. Signs removed by the city may be claimed by the candidate, political committee or owner of the sign at any time following removal upon paying a service fee for the cost of removal as follows: | P - All Zones | |||
• | $0.50 for each temporary political sign, up to and including 4 sq ft in area, | ||||
• | $1 for each temporary political sign exceeding 4 sq ft in area, | ||||
• | A figure equal to the city's costs of removal for all other political signs. | ||||
Off-site signs (billboards), except as provided in Section 17.15.090 | X - All Zones | ||||
Roof signs | X - All Zones | ||||
Signs extending above the roof line of any building | X - All Zones | ||||
Any sign, including the illumination thereof, which is animated or designed or operated so as to flash, scintillate, or in any way simulate motion or emit sound other than: | X - All Zones | ||||
• | Time and temperature signs (public service signs) | ||||
• | Barber pole signs | ||||
• | Public service reader boards | ||||
Revolving signs | X - All Zones | ||||
Portable signs, except as otherwise provided in these regulations | X - All Zones | ||||
Vehicle advertising displays other than those painted on or permanently affixed to public transportation vehicles used regularly in a business to which the sign pertains. No vehicle shall be parked in any parking area or public or private street for the purpose of displaying a sign | X - All Zones | ||||
Signs, which by color, wording, design, location or illumination resemble or conflict with any traffic-control device, or which interfere with the safe and efficient flow of traffic | X - All Zones | ||||
No sign in which a live animal or human being is included as a part of the advertising display shall be permitted | X - All Zones | ||||
No word, statement, or symbol of an obscene or immoral nature, or any picture, illustration or other depiction of the human body or any feature thereof in such detail as to offend the public morals or decency shall be permitted | X - All Zones | ||||
Signs, which because of location or physical characteristics are determined to be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare | X - All Zones | ||||
Inflatable advertising devices | X - All Zones | ||||
Neighborhood Identification Signs. 2 nonilluminated neighborhood identification signs, each not exceeding an area of 10 sq ft nor a height of 6 ft, shall be permitted at each entry point in connection with any residential neighborhood | P - Residential | ||||
Building Identification. One permanent wall sign, identifying the building, and not exceeding an area of 20 sq ft, shall be permitted for each multifamily building of between 3 and 10 units | P - Residential | ||||
Any sign advertising a home occupation | X - Residential | ||||
Exterior lighted signs | X - Residential | ||||
A. | Freestanding Signs. | P - Commercial and Manufacturing | |||
1. | 1 freestanding sign shall be permitted for each 300 lineal ft of street frontage or fraction thereof. | ||||
2. | Sign Area. 1 square foot of sign area for each lineal foot of street frontage up to a maximum of 100 sq ft. | ||||
3. | Sign Height. No sign shall exceed 20 ft in height which shall be measured from average grade. | ||||
4. | Placement. No freestanding sign shall be placed in such a manner as to create a hazard or so as to eliminate any required parking. | ||||
5. | No freestanding sign shall encroach into a public right-of-way. | ||||
B. | Wall Signs. | P - Commercial and Manufacturing | |||
1. | Sign Area. A sign area of 1 1/2 sq ft for each lineal foot of building frontage shall be permitted. In the case of multiple tenancies, each occupant shall be entitled to the lineal portion of the building occupied. | ||||
2. | Sign Height. No wall sign shall exceed a height of 5 ft. | ||||
3. | Placement. The permitted sign area may be utilized on any or all building faces provided that the total permitted sign area is not exceeded and further provided that not more than 2 signs may be placed on any single building face. | ||||
4. | Painted wall signs prohibited. | ||||
Projecting Signs | P - Commercial and Manufacturing | ||||
• | 1 projecting sign may be permitted for each building frontage in lieu of 1 permitted wall sign | ||||
• | No projecting sign shall exceed 20 sq ft in area nor project more than 5 ft from any wall surface. No projecting sign shall extend into a public right-of-way | ||||
• | No projecting sign shall be installed lower than 8 ft in height measured from the ground level to the base of the sign | ||||
Gateway Signs | P - Commercial and Manufacturing | ||||
• | Gateway signs shall only be located on private property within 200 lineal ft of the following locations: the intersections of the centerlines of Garvey Avenue and Rosemead Boulevard; Rosemead Boulevard and Rush Street; Santa Anita Avenue and Merced Avenue; Peck Road and Michael Hunt Drive; Durfee Avenue and Rush Street. | ||||
• | Only 1 gateway sign shall be permitted at each of the specified locations. | ||||
• | The height, area, design and placement of each gateway sign shall be determined by the planning commission and design review board. Where such signs are to be located in a business improvement district, the signs shall also be subject to review and approval by the district board. | ||||
Automobile Service Station Signs | P - Commercial and Manufacturing | ||||
• | Freestanding Signs. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (A)(1) and (A)(2) of this section, the following freestanding sign(s) may be permitted for each automobile service station, regardless of the amount of the street frontage: | ||||
• | 1 freestanding single or double face, interior illuminated single pole sign with an area not to exceed 100 sq ft per sign face. | ||||
• | 1 freestanding single or double face, interior illuminated single pole sign with an area not to exceed 50 sq ft per sign face and 1 freestanding single or double face, interior illuminated or nonilluminated monument type advertising sign not to exceed 6 ft in height measured from the finished grade, with an area not to exceed 50 sq ft per sign face. | ||||
• | Wall Signs. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (B)(1) of this section, wall signs, not to exceed 100 sq ft in total shall be permitted for each automobile service station, regardless of building frontage. Such wall signs may be used on service station exterior walls, service station canopies, service bays and car wash facilities. When the service station also contains an additional retail commercial activity as per-mitted pursuant to Section 17.11.010(A), a total of 150 sq ft of wall sign may be permitted. | ||||
• | Architectural Review. Signs permitted by these regulations are subject to the approval of the architectural review board | ||||
Flags and Banners | P - Commercial and Manufacturing | ||||
• | Flags used to attract the attention of potential customers shall be limited to businesses engaged in the outdoor sale of motor vehicles and watercraft. Flags shall be displayed only after the city of South EI Monte community development department has issued a permit. | ||||
• | Flags may only be displayed on the property where the motor vehicles or watercraft are displayed for sale. | ||||
• | Each flag shall be no larger than 144 square inches in size, but individual flags may be joined together with other flags to form a continuous string of flags. | ||||
• | Each flag or string of flags shall be secured in such a manner to prevent it from moving about in a manor hazardous to persons or property. | ||||
• | Flags shall not be displayed over public rights-of-way nor attached to anything in the public right-of-way. | ||||
• | Flags shall not be allowed to become faded, worn or tattered and shall be removed or replaced promptly when such conditions occur. | ||||
• | Banners may be used out of doors by commercial and industrial businesses, schools and churches to advertise special events and limited-time offers only. Banners shall not be placed or displayed in any location within a building that makes the banner conspicuous to persons outside of the building. | ||||
• | Commercial and industrial advertising banners. | P - Commercial and Manufacturing | |||
 | Each business may only display 1 banner at any one time, except that businesses located on a corner lot or a through lot may have 1 banner for each street frontage. Banners shall be displayed only after the city of South EI Monte community development department has issued a permit. | ||||
| Banners may only be displayed on the property where the goods and/or services are available to the consumer. | ||||
| Each banner shall be no larger than 30 sq ft in size and may not obstruct the visibility of any other sign or business. | ||||
| Advertising of each special event or limited-time offer by banner(s) shall not exceed 30 days for each event or offer. | ||||
| Advertising by banners shall be limited to an aggregate of 120 days per year per business location. | ||||
• | School, church, local charities and youth group banners. | ||||
| Each facility or group may only display 1 banner at any one time, except that schools or churches located on a corner lot or a through lot may have 1 banner for each street frontage. | ||||
| Banners may only be displayed on the property where the special event is to occur, except that school, church, local charities and youth group banners may also be displayed, with permission, on the city-owned poles. Banners displayed on city-owned poles must be the standard size necessary to fit the pole spacing. | ||||
| When displayed on the subject property, each banner shall be no larger than 30 sq ft in size and may not obstruct the visibility of any other sign or business. | ||||
Signs advertising business, products or services not offered on the site (off-site signs). | X - Commercial and Manufacturing | ||||
Signage permitted within the public facilities zone shall be determined by the planning commission on a case-by-case basis. | P - Public Facilities | ||||
Commercial advertising except as it relates to publicly or privately owned public utility facilities | X - Public Facilities | ||||
Off-site signs unless a conditional use permit has been granted permitting such use pursuant to the provisions set forth in Section 17.03.060. The provisions of subsection 17.15.090(C) shall be applicable to any off-site sign authorized by this section. | X - Residential | ||||
Off-site signs unless a conditional use permit has been granted permitting such use pursuant to the provisions set forth in Section 17.03.060. The provisions of subsection 17.15.090(C) shall be applicable to any off-site sign authorized by this section. | X - Commercial and Manufacturing | ||||
Table 17.15.070-A Approval and Permit Requirements per Sign Type - All Zones | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign/Use Type | Approval & Permit Requirements | ||||
Signs not exceeding 1 square foot in area, erected for convenience of the public such as signs identifying restrooms, public telephones, walkways and similar features or facilities | E | ||||
Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and dates of erection, when cut into the surface of the façade of the building or when projecting no more than 2 inches from the face of the building | E | ||||
Traffic or other municipal signs (signs required by law), railroad crossing signs, legal notices, and such temporary advertising signs as may be authorized by the city council | E | ||||
Signs of public utility companies indicating danger or which serve to aid the public safety or which show the location of underground facilities or public telephones | E | ||||
Directional signs not exceeding 3 sq ft in area, erected to aid the public in locating entrances to buildings, business or parking areas | E | ||||
Newspaper stands, provided the sign area does not exceed 6 sq ft | E | ||||
One real estate sign per lot frontage, provided such sign meets the provisions of Section 17.15.060 | E | ||||
House numbers, nonilluminated or directly illuminated, "no trespassing," "no parking" and similar warning signs located on the lot to which the sign is appurtenant and provided that the sign does not exceed 4 sq ft in area, 1 nonilluminated or directly illuminated name-plate, not exceeding 1 square foot in area for each dwelling unit, provided, that in the case of multiple dwellings, the total allowable area of such nameplates shall not exceed 1 square foot per dwelling unit, and provided further, that no sign identifying an occupation or business conducted on the premises shall be permitted | E | ||||
Signs located in the interior of any building or within an enclosed court or lobby of any building or group of buildings which signs are designed and located to be viewed exclusively from within the building, court or lobby | E | ||||
Window signs in all commercial and manufacturing zones, when placed within the inside of the window and not obscuring more than 25% of the total window area | E | ||||
Wind signs (banners, pennants, etc.) in all commercial and manufacturing zones during a 30-day period following the initial or grand opening of a store or business, or for a period or periods not to exceed 30 aggregate days per year for sales or promotional purposes | E | ||||
Governmental or other legally required posters, notices or signs | P - All Zones | ||||
Real estate signs provided that: | P - All Zones | ||||
• | Only 1 such sign is displayed per street frontage on the property to which it refers, | ||||
• | No sign shall exceed 3 sq ft in residential areas or 12 sq ft in industrial and commercial areas, | ||||
• | If freestanding, such sign shall not exceed 6 ft in overall height and shall be placed a minimum of 5 ft inside the property line, | ||||
• | Vacant parcels containing 5 or more acres in area may be allowed 1 real estate sign for each 150 ft of street frontage. Such sign shall not exceed 20 sq ft in area, nor be higher than 8 ft above grade | ||||
The American flag, state flag, governmental flags or emblems or flags of nonprofit organizations or of the owner or tenant of the site. The height of such flags is subject to height restrictions applicable to freestanding signs | P - All Zones | ||||
One contractor's sign on each street frontage of any construction site which will serve to identify the enterprises engaged in work on the project, or to announce intended or proposed future uses of the property. In the case of identification signs, a building permit shall have been issued prior to the issuance of the sign approval. In the case of signs announcing future uses, a building permit shall obtained not later than 1 year from the date of issuance of the sign permit. Such signs shall conform to the following conditions: | P - All Zones | ||||
• | Each enterprise or future use identified may be allowed up to 24 sq ft of sign area, provided, that the total sign area shall not exceed 120 sq ft, unless legally required to do so by government contract, | ||||
• | No sign shall exceed 8 ft in overall height, | ||||
• | No sign shall be located nearer than 5 ft to any property line, | ||||
• | Such sign may be either integral to a building or affixed to or in the ground, | ||||
• | Such signs shall be removed at the termination of the construction and commencement of the use of the improvement, or at the expiration of the building permit whichever is sooner | ||||
Political Signs. Unless otherwise provided in this section, political signs shall be regulated solely by the provisions of this section. | P - All Zones | ||||
• | Temporary political signs may be erected on private property in any zone during the period beginning with the first date a declaration of candidacy may be filed in connection with any election or from the time a notice of intention to circulate an initiative or referendum petition is filed with the appropriate legal officer until 5 days following the subsequent election or, in the case of an initiative or referendum, 10 days following the date upon which such petitions are deemed invalid by the proper officer, | ||||
• | Such political signs are subject to the following conditions: | ||||
• | No permitted political sign shall exceed 16 sq ft in sign area, | ||||
• | The total allowable sign area of all signs located on any single lot or parcel may not exceed 64 sq ft, provided, that 1 sign with a sign area not to exceed 16 sq ft per candidate may be placed on any parcel or lot, | ||||
• | No political sign may be placed on any public property or public right-of-way, | ||||
• | The city may remove any political sign or signs not complying with this section 48 hours following notification to the property owner of the city's intention to remove the sign or signs not in compliance. The city may have any political signs located in any public right-of-way immediately removed. Signs removed by the city may be claimed by the candidate, political committee or owner of the sign at any time following removal upon paying a service fee for the cost of removal as follows: | P - All Zones | |||
• | $0.50 for each temporary political sign, up to and including 4 sq ft in area, | ||||
• | $1 for each temporary political sign exceeding 4 sq ft in area, | ||||
• | A figure equal to the city's costs of removal for all other political signs. | ||||
Off-site signs (billboards), except as provided in Section 17.15.090 | X - All Zones | ||||
Roof signs | X - All Zones | ||||
Signs extending above the roof line of any building | X - All Zones | ||||
Any sign, including the illumination thereof, which is animated or designed or operated so as to flash, scintillate, or in any way simulate motion or emit sound other than: | X - All Zones | ||||
• | Time and temperature signs (public service signs) | ||||
• | Barber pole signs | ||||
• | Public service reader boards | ||||
Revolving signs | X - All Zones | ||||
Portable signs, except as otherwise provided in these regulations | X - All Zones | ||||
Vehicle advertising displays other than those painted on or permanently affixed to public transportation vehicles used regularly in a business to which the sign pertains. No vehicle shall be parked in any parking area or public or private street for the purpose of displaying a sign | X - All Zones | ||||
Signs, which by color, wording, design, location or illumination resemble or conflict with any traffic-control device, or which interfere with the safe and efficient flow of traffic | X - All Zones | ||||
No sign in which a live animal or human being is included as a part of the advertising display shall be permitted | X - All Zones | ||||
No word, statement, or symbol of an obscene or immoral nature, or any picture, illustration or other depiction of the human body or any feature thereof in such detail as to offend the public morals or decency shall be permitted | X - All Zones | ||||
Signs, which because of location or physical characteristics are determined to be detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare | X - All Zones | ||||
Inflatable advertising devices | X - All Zones | ||||
Neighborhood Identification Signs. 2 nonilluminated neighborhood identification signs, each not exceeding an area of 10 sq ft nor a height of 6 ft, shall be permitted at each entry point in connection with any residential neighborhood | P - Residential | ||||
Building Identification. One permanent wall sign, identifying the building, and not exceeding an area of 20 sq ft, shall be permitted for each multifamily building of between 3 and 10 units | P - Residential | ||||
Any sign advertising a home occupation | X - Residential | ||||
Exterior lighted signs | X - Residential | ||||
A. | Freestanding Signs. | P - Commercial and Manufacturing | |||
1. | 1 freestanding sign shall be permitted for each 300 lineal ft of street frontage or fraction thereof. | ||||
2. | Sign Area. 1 square foot of sign area for each lineal foot of street frontage up to a maximum of 100 sq ft. | ||||
3. | Sign Height. No sign shall exceed 20 ft in height which shall be measured from average grade. | ||||
4. | Placement. No freestanding sign shall be placed in such a manner as to create a hazard or so as to eliminate any required parking. | ||||
5. | No freestanding sign shall encroach into a public right-of-way. | ||||
B. | Wall Signs. | P - Commercial and Manufacturing | |||
1. | Sign Area. A sign area of 1 1/2 sq ft for each lineal foot of building frontage shall be permitted. In the case of multiple tenancies, each occupant shall be entitled to the lineal portion of the building occupied. | ||||
2. | Sign Height. No wall sign shall exceed a height of 5 ft. | ||||
3. | Placement. The permitted sign area may be utilized on any or all building faces provided that the total permitted sign area is not exceeded and further provided that not more than 2 signs may be placed on any single building face. | ||||
4. | Painted wall signs prohibited. | ||||
Projecting Signs | P - Commercial and Manufacturing | ||||
• | 1 projecting sign may be permitted for each building frontage in lieu of 1 permitted wall sign | ||||
• | No projecting sign shall exceed 20 sq ft in area nor project more than 5 ft from any wall surface. No projecting sign shall extend into a public right-of-way | ||||
• | No projecting sign shall be installed lower than 8 ft in height measured from the ground level to the base of the sign | ||||
Gateway Signs | P - Commercial and Manufacturing | ||||
• | Gateway signs shall only be located on private property within 200 lineal ft of the following locations: the intersections of the centerlines of Garvey Avenue and Rosemead Boulevard; Rosemead Boulevard and Rush Street; Santa Anita Avenue and Merced Avenue; Peck Road and Michael Hunt Drive; Durfee Avenue and Rush Street. | ||||
• | Only 1 gateway sign shall be permitted at each of the specified locations. | ||||
• | The height, area, design and placement of each gateway sign shall be determined by the planning commission and design review board. Where such signs are to be located in a business improvement district, the signs shall also be subject to review and approval by the district board. | ||||
Automobile Service Station Signs | P - Commercial and Manufacturing | ||||
• | Freestanding Signs. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (A)(1) and (A)(2) of this section, the following freestanding sign(s) may be permitted for each automobile service station, regardless of the amount of the street frontage: | ||||
• | 1 freestanding single or double face, interior illuminated single pole sign with an area not to exceed 100 sq ft per sign face. | ||||
• | 1 freestanding single or double face, interior illuminated single pole sign with an area not to exceed 50 sq ft per sign face and 1 freestanding single or double face, interior illuminated or nonilluminated monument type advertising sign not to exceed 6 ft in height measured from the finished grade, with an area not to exceed 50 sq ft per sign face. | ||||
• | Wall Signs. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (B)(1) of this section, wall signs, not to exceed 100 sq ft in total shall be permitted for each automobile service station, regardless of building frontage. Such wall signs may be used on service station exterior walls, service station canopies, service bays and car wash facilities. When the service station also contains an additional retail commercial activity as per-mitted pursuant to Section 17.11.010(A), a total of 150 sq ft of wall sign may be permitted. | ||||
• | Architectural Review. Signs permitted by these regulations are subject to the approval of the architectural review board | ||||
Flags and Banners | P - Commercial and Manufacturing | ||||
• | Flags used to attract the attention of potential customers shall be limited to businesses engaged in the outdoor sale of motor vehicles and watercraft. Flags shall be displayed only after the city of South EI Monte community development department has issued a permit. | ||||
• | Flags may only be displayed on the property where the motor vehicles or watercraft are displayed for sale. | ||||
• | Each flag shall be no larger than 144 square inches in size, but individual flags may be joined together with other flags to form a continuous string of flags. | ||||
• | Each flag or string of flags shall be secured in such a manner to prevent it from moving about in a manor hazardous to persons or property. | ||||
• | Flags shall not be displayed over public rights-of-way nor attached to anything in the public right-of-way. | ||||
• | Flags shall not be allowed to become faded, worn or tattered and shall be removed or replaced promptly when such conditions occur. | ||||
• | Banners may be used out of doors by commercial and industrial businesses, schools and churches to advertise special events and limited-time offers only. Banners shall not be placed or displayed in any location within a building that makes the banner conspicuous to persons outside of the building. | ||||
• | Commercial and industrial advertising banners. | P - Commercial and Manufacturing | |||
| Each business may only display 1 banner at any one time, except that businesses located on a corner lot or a through lot may have 1 banner for each street frontage. Banners shall be displayed only after the city of South EI Monte community development department has issued a permit. | ||||
| Banners may only be displayed on the property where the goods and/or services are available to the consumer. | ||||
| Each banner shall be no larger than 30 sq ft in size and may not obstruct the visibility of any other sign or business. | ||||
| Advertising of each special event or limited-time offer by banner(s) shall not exceed 30 days for each event or offer. | ||||
| Advertising by banners shall be limited to an aggregate of 120 days per year per business location. | ||||
• | School, church, local charities and youth group banners. | ||||
| Each facility or group may only display 1 banner at any one time, except that schools or churches located on a corner lot or a through lot may have 1 banner for each street frontage. | ||||
| Banners may only be displayed on the property where the special event is to occur, except that school, church, local charities and youth group banners may also be displayed, with permission, on the city-owned poles. Banners displayed on city-owned poles must be the standard size necessary to fit the pole spacing. | ||||
| When displayed on the subject property, each banner shall be no larger than 30 sq ft in size and may not obstruct the visibility of any other sign or business. | ||||
Signs advertising business, products or services not offered on the site (off-site signs). | X - Commercial and Manufacturing | ||||
Signage permitted within the public facilities zone shall be determined by the planning commission on a case-by-case basis. | P - Public Facilities | ||||
Commercial advertising except as it relates to publicly or privately owned public utility facilities | X - Public Facilities | ||||
Off-site signs unless a conditional use permit has been granted permitting such use pursuant to the provisions set forth in Section 17.03.060. The provisions of subsection 17.15.090(C) shall be applicable to any off-site sign authorized by this section. | X - Residential | ||||
Off-site signs unless a conditional use permit has been granted permitting such use pursuant to the provisions set forth in Section 17.03.060. The provisions of subsection 17.15.090(C) shall be applicable to any off-site sign authorized by this section. | X - Commercial and Manufacturing | ||||
[Ord. 1271, 4/23/2024]
§ 17.15.080 Nonconforming signs.
Every sign or advertising structure or advertising device which does not comply with the provisions of these regulations, or any amendments thereto, but which was legally existing at the effective date of the regulations codified in this section shall be nonconforming.
A.
A nonconforming sign, sign structure, or device shall not be:
B.
A sign which was not legally existing on the date of adoption of the regulations codified in this section shall be removed or made to conform with these regulations within thirty days of their effective date.
C.
On-Site Advertising Displays. All nonconforming advertising devices or sign structures in existence on the effective date of the regulations codified in this section shall be altered or removed so as to conform with time periods from the date such sign became nonconforming:
D.
Valuation refers to the construction cost entered into the records of the building division at the time the permit for the advertising display was issued. In the event such cost figures are not available or do not fairly represent the true value of the replacement costs, the valuation shall be based upon a reasonable cost estimate established by the building official.
E.
Off-Site Advertising Displays. All off-site signs in existence on the effective date of the regulations codified in this section shall be altered to conform with the provisions of these regulations or may be removed in accordance with the provisions of state law.
(Ord. 1271, 4/23/2024)
§ 17.15.090 Regulation of off-site signs.
A.
No application for a conditional use permit shall be processed and no permit shall be issued for the installation of any off-site sign pursuant to this section unless the applicant:
1.
Is replacing an existing off-site sign with a new off-site sign to be located within the same general location as the existing off-site sign to be removed, as determined by the director of community development; or
2.
Agrees, as a condition of approval for a new off-site sign to remove or cause to be removed a sufficient number of existing off-site signs to cause a net reduction of off-site signs within the city. A list of signs to be removed shall accompany the application. Actual removal of the off-site signs shall precede the installation of any new off-site sign(s).
3.
Is proposing the sign on property owned and utilized by the city of South EI Monte for municipal purposes.
B.
In addition to the criteria set forth in Section 17.03.060, the following factors shall be considered in connection with the review of a conditional use permit for an off-site sign:
C.
No off-site sign shall be approved unless it complies with the following design criteria:
1.
Double-faced and "vee" signs shall be permitted provided that no vee sign with an angle greater than forty-five degrees shall be permitted, unless a variance is approved for the increased angle.
2.
No off-site sign shall exceed twenty-five feet in height measured from ground level to the base of the sign, unless a variance is approved for the increase in height.
3.
No off-site sign shall exceed six hundred seventy-two square feet in area, except for temporary cut-outs or extensions.
4.
No off-site sign shall be located within five hundred linear feet of any other off-site sign located on the same side of any public or private street or thoroughfare.
5.
All lighting employed on an off-site sign shall be designed so as to eliminate any intrusive glare on public rights-of-way or on neighboring properties.
D.
Any provision(s), requirement(s) or restriction(s) of this section shall not apply to any off-site sign when said provision(s), requirement(s) or restriction(s) is/are superseded by any other applicable law, court order or litigated settlement.
(Ord. 1271, 4/23/2024)
§ 17.15.100 Modification of standards.
§ 17.15.110 Appeals.
A.
Any decision of the director of planning and community development may be appealed, at no cost, to the planning commission. Such appeal must be presented in writing to the director of planning and community development and must indicate why the appellant feels the decision of the director was incorrect or must provide extenuating circumstances which the appellant feels would justify reversal or modification of the director's decision.
(Ord. 1271, 4/23/2024)