This Part 4 shall hereafter be known and cited as the "City
of South Pasadena Sign Regulations."
The purpose and intent of this Part 4 is to establish regulations
for the uniform control of signage within the City of South Pasadena.
These regulations are designed to protect and promote the general
health, safety and welfare of the public in a manner consistent with
the following objectives:
A. To foster an aesthetic environment that enhances the ability of existing
businesses to prosper and remain competitive and to preserve property
values while assuring that the noncommercial areas of the City retain
their residential character.
B. To enable adequate identification of businesses by the traveling
public in a manner which does not create a safety hazard to vehicular
or pedestrian traffic.
C. To prevent signs from reaching excessive size or numbers that would
obscure one another to the detriment to the City.
D. To preserve the right of free speech and expression in the display
of signs.
E. To provide for fair and consistent enforcement of these regulations.
All words used in Part
4 of Chapter
130 of the Land Development Regulations, except where specifically defined herein, shall carry their customary meaning when not inconsistent with the context in which they are used. The following words set forth shall have the meanings as defined herein:
ADVERTISING
Any form of public announcement intended to aid, directly
or indirectly, in the sale, use or promotion of a product, commodity,
service, activity or entertainment.
AREA OR SURFACE AREA OF SIGNS
The square-foot area enclosed by a rectangle, parallelogram,
triangle, circle, semicircle, other geometric figures or other architectural
design, the sides of which make contact with the extreme points or
edges of the sign, excluding the supporting structure which does not
form part of the sign proper or of the display. The area of a sign
composed of characters or words attached directly to a large, uniform
building wall surface shall be the smallest rectangle, triangle, circle,
parallelogram, other geometric figure or other architectural design
which encloses the whole group of words or characters.
ARTWORK
Drawings, pictures, symbols, paintings, or sculpture which
in no way identify a product or business and which are not displayed
in conjunction with a commercial, for-profit, or a nonprofit enterprise.
BANNERS
Any sign of lightweight fabric or similar material that is
mounted to a pole, a wire, or a building at one or more edges. Flags
shall not be considered banners.
BEACON
A stationary or revolving light which flashes or projects
illumination, single-color or multicolored, in any manner which is
intended to attract or divert attention; except, however, this term
is not intended to include any kind of lighting device which is required
or necessary under the safety regulations described by the Federal
Aviation Agency or similar agencies.
BUILDING OFFICIAL
The City official, or his/her designee, responsible for the
administration, interpretation, and enforcement of the building codes
of the City.
BULLETIN BOARD
Sign of permanent character, but with removable letters,
words, numerals or symbols, indicating the names of persons associated
with, or events conducted upon, or products or services offered upon,
the premises upon which such a sign is maintained.
BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT
Any individual person, nonprofit organization, partnership,
corporation, other organization or legal entity holding a valid occupational
license and occupying distinct and separate physical space.
CHANGEABLE MESSAGE
A portion of a sign on which message copy is changed manually
or automatically in the field through the utilization of attachable
letters, numbers, symbols and other similar characteristics.
DAMAGED SIGN
A sign missing more than 25% of the sign structure, or missing
more than 25% of the area of a sign face, or having suffered damage
to one or more structural support elements such that the sign is at
risk of imminent collapse.
DOUBLE-FACED SIGN
A sign which has two display surfaces backed against the
same background, one face of which is designed to be seen from one
direction and the other from the opposite direction, every point on
each face being either in contact with the other face or in contact
with the same background.
ECONOMIC HARDSHIP
The inability of the applicant to be able to afford to construct
or modify the sign to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
ERECT
To build, construct, attach, hang, place, suspend, affix,
or painting of signs.
FLAG
Any fabric, banner, or bunting containing distinct colors,
patterns, or symbols used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision,
corporation, business, or other entity.
FRONTAGE
The length of the property line for a parcel which runs parallel
to, and along, a road right- of-way or street, exclusive of alleyways.
"Building frontage" means the single facade constituting the length
of the building or that portion of a building occupied by a single
office, business, or enterprise abutting a street, parking area, or
other means of customer access such as an arcade, mall, or walkway.
GOVERNMENT SIGN
A sign that is constructed, placed, or maintained by the
federal, state, or local government, or a sign that is required to
be constructed, placed, or maintained by the federal, state, or local
government.
GROUND LEVEL
The level of finish grade of a parcel of land exclusive of
any fill, berm, mound, or excavation solely for the purpose of locating
a sign. Ground level on marina docks or floating structures shall
be the finish grade of the landward portion of the adjoining parcel.
HEIGHT
The vertical distance measured from ground level nearest
the base of the sign to the highest point of the sign.
LARGE-SCALE COMMERCIAL CENTER
Shopping centers, hospital campuses, superstores or other
commercial development with an approved site plan containing over
3 1/2 acres.
MAINTENANCE
The replacing, repairing or repainting of a portion of a
sign structure; periodically changing changeable copy or renewing
copy which has been made unusable by ordinary wear or weather or accident.
MULTITENANT BUILDING
A building containing more than one individual business where
the public enters through a common lobby as opposed to individual
exterior entrances, i.e., multistory office building.
PENNANT
Any series of small flag-like or streamer-like pieces of
cloth, plastic or paper, or similar material attached in a row to
any staff, cord, building or at only one or two edges, the remainder
hanging loosely.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, association, firm, partnership
and the like, singular or plural.
PROPERTY
The overall area represented by the outside boundaries of
a parcel of land or development.
SIGN
Any device, fixture, placard, or structure that uses any
color, form, graphic, illumination, architectural style, or design
or writing to advertise, attract attention, announce the purpose of
or identify the purpose of a person or entity, or to communicate information
of any kind to the public. "Sign" includes sign structure.
A.
ABANDONED SIGNSSigns on which is advertised a business that is no longer licensed or no longer has a certificate of occupancy or is no longer doing business at that location and any one of the above-listed circumstances have continued for 90 days.
B.
ANIMATED SIGNSAny sign which includes action, motion, the optical illusion of action or motion or color changes of all or any part of the sign facing, requiring electrical energy or set in motion by movement of the atmosphere or a sign made up of series of sections that turn and stop to show two or more pictures or messages in the copy area, except time and temperature signs. "Animated signs" shall include electronic reader boards. The term "animated sign" does not include signs which display time of day, temperature, or both, and does not include electronic message center signs.
C.
ATTACHED SIGNSAny sign attached to, on or supported by any part of a building (i.e., walls, integral roof, awning, windows or canopy) which encloses or covers usable space.
E.
CANOPY (AWNING) SIGNAny sign that is a part of or attached to an awning, canopy or other fabric, plastic or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window or outdoor service area. A marquee is not a "canopy."
F.
CONSTRUCTION SIGNAny sign giving the name of principal contractors, architects and lending institutions responsible for construction on the site where the sign is placed, together with other information included thereon.
G.
DIRECTIONAL SIGNAny sign which exclusively contains information providing direction or location of any object, place, or area, including but not limited to those signs indicating avenues of ingress/egress.
H.
EXEMPT SIGNSAll signs for which permits are not required, but which must, nonetheless, conform to the other terms and conditions of these regulations.
I.
FREESTANDING SIGNA portable sign which is ordinarily in the shape of an "A" or some variation thereof. "Freestanding sign" means a nonilluminated incidental freestanding portable sign which is ordinarily in the shape of an "A" or some variation thereof. Any sign not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported, including but not limited to signs designed to be transported by means of wheels; signs converted from A- frames; menu- and sandwich-board signs; balloons and other inflatables; umbrellas used for advertising.
J.
GROUND AND/OR POLE SIGNAny sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on or anchored in the ground and that are independent of any building or other structure.
L.
OFF-PREMISES SIGNAny sign identifying or advertising a product, business, person, activity, condition or service not located or available on the same lot where the sign is installed and maintained.
M.
ON-PREMISES SIGNAny sign which identifies a use or business or advertises a product for sale or service to be rendered on the lot where the sign is located.
N.
PROJECTING SIGNAny sign affixed perpendicularly to a building or wall in such a manner that its leading edge extends more than four inches beyond the surface of such building or wall if it is between 27 inches and six feet eight inches above a walkway.
O.
PUBLIC/SEMIPUBLIC SIGNAny sign erected on site for a nonprofit or quasi-public use such as a library, school, church, hospital, or government-owned building.
P.
ROOF SIGNAny sign erected and constructed wholly on the roof of a building or is supported by the roof structure, which is placed above the eaves, mansards, parapets, or other similar architectural features of such roof. Any sign erected or constructed as an integral or essentially integral part of a normal roof structure of any design, such that no part of the sign extends vertically above the highest portion of the roof and such that no part of the sign is separated from the rest of the roof by a space of more than six inches. Any integral portion of the roof shall not extend more than five feet above the structural roof.
Q.
SNIPE SIGNA sign which is tacked, nailed, posted, pasted, glued or otherwise attached to a tree, pole, stake, fence, public bench, streetlight pole, utility poles, streetlights, or to other objects on any public property right-of-way.
R.
SUBDIVISION SIGNA sign which contains only the name of a platted subdivision or other residential development.
S.
VEHICLE SIGNA temporary sign attached to or placed on a vehicle, including automobiles, trucks, boats, campers, and trailers, that is parked on or otherwise utilizing a public right-of-way, public property, or on private property so as to be intended to be viewed from a vehicular right-of-way for the basic purpose of serving as an on-premises or off-premises sign. This definition is not to be construed to include those signs that identify a firm or its principal products on a vehicle or such advertising devices as may be attached to and within the normal unaltered lines of the vehicle of a licensed transit carrier, when and during that period of time said vehicle is regularly and customarily used to traverse the pubic highways during the normal course of business.
T.
WALL SIGNA sign painted on or attached to and erected parallel to the face of an outside wall of any building and supported by such wall or building.
U.
WINDOW SIGNA sign located on a window or within a building or other enclosed structure, which is intended to be seen from the exterior through a window or other opening.
SIGN FACE
The part of the sign that is or can be used to identify,
display, advertise, communicate information or for visual representation
which attracts or intends to attract the attention of the public for
any purpose. No sign shall have more than two sign faces.
SIGN STRUCTURE
Any structure which is designed specifically for the purpose
of supporting a sign, has supported or is capable of supporting a
sign. This definition shall include any decorative covers, braces,
wires, supports, or components attached to or placed around the sign
structure.
SINGLE BUSINESS
Any building or buildings which house a single business under
common ownership or control. A single business may have more than
one building, i.e., gasoline station/car wash.
STREET
A public right-of-way used for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
SUPERSTORE
A single-structure retail establishment of 50,000 square
feet or more, under one roof, located on a site which is more than
3 1/2 acres in size, i.e., a grocery store containing a pharmacy,
photo lab, bank, and florist.
ZONE LOT
A parcel of land that is of sufficient size to meet minimum
zoning requirements for area, coverage, and use, and that can provide
such setbacks and other open spaces as are required by the applicable
local government zoning regulations. For the purpose of this definition,
a shopping center, mall, or other lot or parcel of land which contains
a single unit or an integrated group of commercial establishments
and is developed, operated, managed and/or owned as a unit shall be
considered as a zone lot.
The following types of signs are exempt from the permitting
process and other provisions herein, except those relating to construction,
illumination, safety, maintenance, and any other noted requirements:
A. Signs required by law or ordinance to be erected in the public right-of-way.
B. Address numbers on buildings. Address numbers shall contrast with
their background and be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers
shall not be spelled out. Each character shall be a minimum of four
inches high with a minimum stroke width of 1/2 inch and shall not
exceed six square feet in area.
D. Signs carried by a person.
E. Changeable message on permitted signs.
F. Garage sale signs in any land use category, provided that all signs are removed immediately following the sale. (See Chapter
111.)
G. Government and public signs, including but not limited to informational,
directional, and regulatory signs located within the rights-of-way
or on publicly owned property that are installed by the City or other
governmental signs installed with the approval of the City. No permit
is required if a government sign is necessary for the public health
and safety, or is used to identify public services or public facilities,
for traffic control, for events, for wayfinding or directions, or
to provide information to the community.
H. Flags. There shall be no limit on the number of flags which may be
displayed, except when used for commercial promotion. For commercial
promotion, flags are limited to three per parcel. The height of any
flag or flagpole shall not exceed 30 feet, except that City Hall is
exempt from this height restriction. The aggregate sign area of such
flags shall not be included in the calculation of building signs for
said premises. Flagpoles associated with multistory buildings may
exceed 30 feet, but not exceed the height of a building.
I. Holiday display decorations.
J. Nameplate. Any sign of two square feet or less containing the name
of the unit owner or occupant of a residential unit attached to the
unit or mailbox.
K. Off-premises directional signs no higher than six feet, with surface
area of four square feet or less in any land use category.
L. On-premises directional signs. A maximum of two signs per parcel
unless a greater number are depicted in an approved sign program.
No individual sign shall exceed four square feet in area per sign
face.
M. Temporary signs as permitted by §
130-84 of these sign regulations.
N. Window signs. Signs are permitted in all areas. In all nonresidential
districts, the maximum area of signs shall be 33% of each windowpane
facing a public street or parking lot. This figure shall be calculated
using a per-pane measurement, and permitted signage cannot be transferred
to allow more than 33% of any one pane to be covered. Window signs
shall not be included in calculating the maximum permitted signage
for a building.
Signs shall not be located on publicly owned land or easements
or rights-of-way, except signs required or erected by the City. Signs
shall include but not be limited to handbills, posters, advertisements,
or notices that are attached in any way upon lampposts, telephone
poles, utility poles, bridges, and sidewalks. Any sign not permitted
by these sign regulations is prohibited. Prohibited signs include,
but are not limited to:
B. Bus shelter signs and bench signs, except the identification of the
transit company or its route schedule and the City of South Pasadena
logo.
C. Damaged signs that exist in a damaged state for more than 90 consecutive
days.
D. Machinery signs. Examples are signs on newspaper machines and vending
machines, advertising something other than the product in the machine.
E. Off-premises signs, except those allowed by these sign regulations.
F. Pavement markings, except official traffic control markings.
G. Pennants, festoons, streamers, searchlights, twirling lights, or inflatable signs, except for grand openings for limited time and frequency as authorized by §
130-83H(1).
H. Signs attached to or painted on piers or seawalls, other than official
regulatory or warning signs which have been properly authorized.
I. Signs in or upon any bay, lake, pond, or other body of water within
the limits of the City, other than official regulatory or warning
signs which have been properly authorized.
J. Signs that are erected upon or project over public rights-of-way
or present a potential traffic or pedestrian hazard. This includes
signs which obstruct visibility.
K. Signs that emit sound, vapor, smoke, odor, particles, or gaseous
matter.
L. Signs that have unshielded illuminating devices, are lit in any manner
which may constitute a traffic hazard, may interfere with pedestrian
movements, or point directly into windows of adjacent or nearby properties.
M. Signs that move, revolve, twirl, rotate, or flash, including animated
signs, except:
(1) Devices required by the Federal Aviation Administration;
(2) Barber poles not exceeding four feet in height.
O. Vehicle signs with a total sign area on any vehicle in excess of
more than 80 square inches when the vehicle is parked for more than
60 consecutive minutes, except when the operator of the vehicle is
engaged in work at that location.
P. Any sign that is not specifically described or enumerated as exempt
or permitted within the specific land use classifications herein.
Q. Signs located within a required site distance pursuant to Florida
Department of Transportation Design Standard Index No. 546, or successor
regulation.
Any sign permitted by these sign regulations may display a noncommercial
message.