ORDINANCE 1559 ORDINANCE NO. 1559
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING EL SEGUNDO MUNICIPAL CODE (ESMC)
TITLE 15 (ZONING CODE) REGARDING SIGNS.
(ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT NO. 16-02)
The City Council of the city of El Segundo does ordain as follows:
SECTION 1: The Council finds and declares as follows:
A. On June 18, 2015, the United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous
decision in the case of Reed v. Town of Gilbert, holding that various
provisions of the Town of Gilbert's sign ordinance violated the First
Amendment. Some of the offending provisions afforded differing time, place
and manner restrictions to signs based on their individual content. Others
required specific minimum content requirements on certain types of signs;
B. On March 2, 2016, the City initiated the process to amend ESIVIC Title 15
(Zoning Code) related to sign provisions that could be perceived as being
contrary to the Court's decision. Also included in, the amendment are
updated definitions, updated general provisions, and, modified sign
standards to streamline the review process for signs;
C. The City reviewed the project's environmental impacts under the California
Environmental Quality Act (Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq.,
"CEQA"), the regulations promulgated thereunder (14 Cal. Code of
Regulations §§15000, et seq., the "CEQA Guidelines"), and the City's
Environmental Guidelines (City Council Resolution No. 3805, adopted
March 16, 1993);
D. The Planning and Building Safety Department completed its review and
scheduled the public hearing regarding the application before the Planning
Commission for July 27, 2017;
E. On July 27, 2017, the Planning Commission reviewed and considered the
proposed code amendments to Title 15 and continued the item to the
August 10, 2017 Planning Commission meeting. The item was
subsequently continued to August 24, 2017;
F. On August 24, 2017, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to
receive public testimony and other evidence regarding the proposed
amendment, including, without limitation, information provided to the
Planning Commission by city staff; and, adopted Resolution No. 2823
recommending the City Council approve the proposed project;
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G. On October 3, 2017, the City Council held a public hearing and considered
the information provided by City staff and public testimony regarding this
Ordinance; and
H. This Ordinance and its findings are made based upon the entire
administrative record including, without limitation, testimony and evidence
presented to the City Council at its October 3, 2017 hearing and the staff
report submitted by the Planning and Building Safety Department.
SECTION 2: Factual Findings And Conclusions. The City Council finds that
implementing the proposed ordinance would result in the following:
A. Add and clarify the definitions of: building face, sign, sign (abandoned),sign
area, sign (building marker), sign (changeable copy), sign (copy), sign
(directory), sign (electronic message centers), sign (identification), sign
(information), sign (light emitting diode or LED), sign (pole), sign (political),
sign (projecting), sign (roof), sign (window), store front, and tenant;
B. Reorganize sections of the chapter to make it easier to understand;
C. Clarify the review process for signs in order to secure a building permit;
C. Insert and clarify language to ensure the City does not regulate sign content;
D. Prohibit signs that imitate or resemble official traffic lights, signs, or signals
or signs that interfere with the effectiveness of traffic lights, signs, or signals;
E, Prohibit abandoned signs;
F. Exempt signs that are consistent with an approved master sign program;
G. Exempt signs required by federal, state, or local law;
H. Modify the required setback for signs;
I. Modify the requirements for monument, ground, and freestanding pole
signs;
J. Add provisions for ground directory sign;
K. Update provisions for LED signs, reclassifying them as "electronic message
centers (EMC's)";
L. Modify provisions for EMC's to allow the director to approve administrative
use permits for EMC's for nonresidential uses in the Multi-Family (R-3)
zone;
M. Update and streamline process for review of master sign programs;
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N. Update and clarify process for discretionary review for signs;
N. Clarify provisions for noncomforming signs;
O. Clarify provisions for the abatement of signs.
SECTION 3: General Plan Findings. As required under Government Code Section
65860, the ESMC amendments proposed by the Ordinance are consistent with the EI
Segundo General Plan as follows:
A. The proposed ordinance is consistent with Objective LU1-2 and Policy LU1-
2.2 because it will prevent deterioration and blight throughout the City by
maintaining the property at all times in accordance with City of EI Segundo
codes.
B. The proposed ordinance is consistent with Goal LU1-5 and Policy LU1-5.2
in that the amendment recognizes the City as a comprehensive whole and
is creating policies, design standards and documentation that will help
create a sense of place for the entire City. The amendment will modify the
sign ordinance that regulates the quantity, quality, and location of signs.
C. The proposed ordinance is consistent with Policy C1-1.9 of the General
Plan Circulation Element in that it will help provide all residential,
commercial, and industrial areas with efficient and safe access for
emergency vehicles through the implementation of driveway and
intersection clearance requirements.
SECTION 4: Zone Text Amendment Findings. In accordance with ESMC Section 15-26-
4 and based on the findings set forth in Section 2, the proposed zone text amendment is
consistent with and necessary to carry out the general purpose of ESMC Title 15 as
follows:
A. The ordinance is consistent with the purpose of the ESMC, which is to serve
the public health, safety, and general welfare and to provide the economic
and social advantages resulting from an orderly planned use of land
resources.
B. The ordinance is necessary to facilitate the development process and
ensure the orderly placement and maintenance of signs. The intent of the
ordinance is to clarify definitions of terms, clarify and update the
development standards for signs, and streamline the review process for
signs.
SECTION 5: Environmental Assessment. Pursuant to the provisions of the California
Environmental Quality Act, Public Resources Code Sections 21000, et seq. ("CEQA"),
and the regulations promulgated thereunder(14 California Code of Regulations§§ 15000,
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et seq., the "State CEQA Guidelines"), the proposed ordinance is exempt from further
review, because it consists only of minor revisions and clarifications to existing zoning
regulations and related procedures. It does not have the effect of deleting or substantially
changing any regulatory standards or findings required thereof. The proposed Ordinance
is an action that does not have the potential to cause significant effects on the
environment. Accordingly, no further environmental review is required pursuant to 14 Cal.
Code Regs. § 15168(c)(2).
SECTION 6: Section 15-1-6 is amended to read as follows:
"The following words and phrases, when used in this title, shall have the meanings
respectively ascribed to them in this chapter:
BUILDING FACE: Horizontal plane of a building fagade which may include recessed
portions of the building.
SIGN: Any structure, device, or material, temporary or permanent, fixed or portable,
moving or stationary, whether located inside or outside a building, that is visible from any
property where the primary purpose of the sign is to convey visual communication. "Sign"
does not include the following:
A. Interior signs that are located entirely within an enclosed structure and not
visible from the exterior;
B. Building features that are only decorative or architectural and do not include
trademarks. Such building features may include minimal lettering or moving
parts.
C. Symbols of noncommercial organizations or concepts including, without
limitation, religious or political symbols when they are permanently
integrated into the structure of a building;
D. Items or devices of personal apparel, decoration or appearance including,
without limitation, tattoos or makeup;
E. Marks on tangible products that identify the maker, seller, provider or
product, and that customarily remain attached to the product even after
completion of a sale;
F. Traffic, directional, emergency, warning or informational signs required or
authorized by a government agency having jurisdiction;
G. Public utility signs;
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H. Advertisements or banners mounted on duly licensed mass transit vehicles
including, without limitation, buses and trains, that legally pass through the
city;
I. Insignia located on legal vehicles and watercraft including, without
limitation, license plates, registration insignia, noncommercial messages,
messages relating to the business for which the vehicle is an instrument or
tool, and messages relating to the proposed sale, lease or exchange of
vehicles or watercraft;
J. Building marker signs; and
K. Newsracks and newsstands,
SIGN, ABANDONED: Any sign which was lawfully erected, but whose use has ceased or
whose structure has been abandoned for a period of one year. A lawfully erected sign
structure for a vacant property or building which is actively available for lease is not
abandoned unless the planning and building safety director determines the sign is a public
nuisance, pursuant to section 15-18-8 of this title.
SIGN AREA: The face or display area of a sign, including its border only when the border
carries or displays part of the message or copy. Supports or uprights on which such sign
is placed are excluded from the sign area calculation. For signs using individual channel
letters, the sign area is determined by not more than 2 rectangles, of at least 6-inch width,
drawn around the entire grouping of letters or words.
SIGN, BUILDING MARKER: Any sign indicating the name of a building and/or date of
construction, which sign is cut into a masonry surface or made of bronze or other
permanent material.
SIGN, CHANGEABLE COPY: A sign, or part of a sign, that includes a copy that can be
changed through manual or electronic means, regardless of method of attachment or
materials of construction.
SIGN, COPY: That portion of a sign which contains the letters, words, numbers, pictures,
or logos that convey a message to the viewer.
SIGN, DIRECTORY: A sign listing the tenants or occupants and their locations
throughout building or development.
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SIGN, ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTERS (EMCs): An outdoor sign that displays
words, symbols, figures, or images that can be electronically or mechanically changed by
remote or automated means.
SIGN, IDENTIFICATION: A sign with copy that identifies only the business name,
product, or service sold, and/or street address of the building upon which it is placed.
SIGN, INFORMATION: A sign that informs people of the purpose of an object or gives
them instruction on the use of something. An example is an a-S "air/water", the location
of restrooms or similar information, but does not contain advertising, brand, trade, or
center name information.
SIGN, LIGHT EMITTING DIODE OR LED: A sign incorporating light emitting diodes
(LED) to display a changeable copy. Signs that utilize LEDs for decorative, artistic or
accent purposes, or as the primary source of illumination behind translucent elements are
not included in this definition.
SIGN, POLE: A freestanding sign that is supported by a pole/post or poles/posts.
SIGN, PROJECTING: Any sign affixed to a building or wall in such a manner that its
leading edge extends more than six inches (6") beyond the surface of such building or
wall. Marquee signs are included in this definition.
SIGN, ROOF: Any sign erected and constructed wholly on and over the roof or parapet
of a building, supported by the roof structure, and extending vertically above the roof.
Signs that are attached to or painted upon a structure attached to the roof of a building
are included in this definition.
SIGN, WINDOW: Any sign that is placed within 3 feet of the inside of a window or upon
the window panes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the window.
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STORE FRONT: The fagade or entryway of a retail store which faces the street and is
located on the ground floor or street level of a commercial building.
TENANT: The lessee or sublessee of a facility space within a development project.
SECTION 7: ESIVIC Chapter 15-18 (Signs) is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
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Chapter 18
SIGNS
15-18-1 PURPOSE AND INTENT
15-18-2 PROHIBITED SIGNS
15-18-3 EXEMPT SIGNS
15-18-4 GENERAL SIGN STANDARDS
15-18-5 MASTER SIGN PROGRAMS, APPLICATIONS, AND PERMITS
15-18-6 NONCONFORMING SIGNS
15-18-7 SUBSTITUTION CLAUSE
15-18-8 ENFORCEMENT AND MAINTENANCE
15-18-1 PURPOSE AND INTENT
A. The purpose of this chapter is to encourage the effective use of signs, to help
maintain the aesthetic environment and the city's ability to attract businesses, to
encourage harmonious integration of signs with their surroundings, to ensure
pedestrian and traffic safety, and to minimize possible adverse effects.
B. This chapter was adopted pursuant to the city's police powers to advance the goals
set forth in the general plan to regulate the time, place, and manner that signs may
be used within the city.
C. Nothing in this chapter is intended to limit or circumscribe the content of any sign
placed pursuant to this chapter.
15-18-2 PROHIBITED SIGNS
All signs not expressly permitted under this chapter are prohibited. Such prohibited signs
include, but are not limited to:
A. Beacon signs, used in connection with commercial premises for commercial
purposes;
B. Balloons or other inflated devices or signs used in connection with commercial
premises for commercial purposes;
C. Billboards;
D. Flags and pennants, except those exempt under Section 15-8-3;
E. Signs that emit sounds (except ordering menu boards at drive-throughs), odor, or
visible matter, such as smoke or steam;
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F. Strings of lights not permanently mounted to a surface, except those exempt under
Section 15-8-3;
G. Trailer or portable signs;
H. Signs that flash, rotate, pulsate, or otherwise move in a way that create a traffic
hazard;
I. Signs that imitate or resemble official traffic lights, signs, or signals or signs that
interfere with the effectiveness of traffic lights, signs, or signals;
J. Strobe lights used in signs;
K. Abandoned signs..
15-18-3 EXEMPT SIGNS
The following signs and/or face changes are exempt from plan review, but all such signs
may require a building permit and must comply with the corner clearance and driveway
visibility standards of Chapter 2 of this title:
A. Any sign that is on a property with an approved master sign program and fully
complies with the program's standards and design requirements.
B. Face changes of existing signs previously approved under a valid master sign
program pursuant to 15-18-5C below;
C. Signs inside a building not attached to a window or door;
D. Signs required by federal, state, or local law;
E. Building marker signs;
F. Lights used for holiday decorations;
G. Temporary Election Season Signs: Temporary election season sign are allowed
in any zone subject to the following:
1. Sign cannot exceed four square feet in area;
2. Except as otherwise allowed by this chapter, such signs cannot be erected
more than 60 days before an election in which residents of the City of EI
Segundo are eligible to vote; and,
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3. Except as otherwise allowed by this chapter, such signs must be removed
not later than 48 hours after the election
H. Works of Art: Works of art, including decorative flags and murals, such as historical
and community oriented murals, which are not for commercial purposes are
permitted, subject to the following standards:
The use of registered, copyrighted, or trademark names, insignia, or logos is
permitted within the sponsor's portion of the artwork, but names, insignia, or logos
larger than 6 square feet or 1 percent of the area of the artwork, whichever is less,
may not include registration, copyright, or trademark symbols. Such artwork is
subject to review by the director or their designee to determine if the extent of any
commercial message in the mural is a minor component of the artwork. When the
use of names, insignia, or logos is larger than 6 feet of 1 percent, the entire artwork
will be treated as a sign that is subject to the requirements of this chapter.
15-18-4 GENERAL SIGN STANDARDS
A. SIGNS IN NON-RESIDENTIAL ZONES: All signs in non-residential zones must
be erected and maintained consistent with the purposes of the chapter.
1. Sign Types
i. Signs on Freestanding Buildings: Freestanding buildings allow wall,
fin, marquee, canopy, awning, projecting, and roof signs to have a
cumulative area up to 5 percent of each building face. This standard
is applicable to signs installed on the second story and above.
ii. Signs on Store Fronts: Store front shops are allowed signs up to 15
percent of each shop front per tenant space, including any wall, fin,
marquee, canopy, awning, and projecting signs. This standard is
applicable to signs installed on the ground floor or street level of the
primary entryway for a commercial building. Signs proposed on walls
other than primary entryway (i.e. side walls or rear wall) are allowed
a cumulative sign area up to 5 percent of each building face.
iii. Monument, Ground, Freestanding, or Pole Signs: One monument,
ground, freestanding, or pole sign that provides a shared usage of
such signs is allowed for every 100 linear feet of street frontage, or
fraction thereof. Such signs are allowed a sign area up to 150 square
feet per sign and must not be placed closer than 50 linear feet from
another monument, ground, freestanding, or pole sign on the same
property. Any such sign may be erected and maintained in a required
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building setback, provided it is at least 3 feet from the property line
and is not located in a required corner clearance or driveway visibility
area.
iv.
Additional development standards are as follows:
1. Monument or ground signs: Maximum height of 8 feet by
right. Signs over 8 feet and up to a maximum of 20 feet are
allowed with an administrative use permit.
2. Ground Directory Signs: Maximum height of 20 feet and are:
a. Designed to be viewed primarily by pedestrians and
b. Designed to have minimal visibility from the public
rights-of-way to the satisfaction of the director.
3. Freestanding or Pole Signs: Maximum height of 25 feet.
4. Off-Site Directional Signs: Maximum height of 8 feet by right
and must:
a. Provide directions to a business located on another
property within the city.
b. Maintain a maximum distance of 500 feet from the
property on which the sign is located.
c. Require an administrative for signs over 8 feet and up
to a maximum of 20 feet
2. Electronic Message Centers: Electronic Message Centers (EMCs) are
allowed in all non-residential zones. EMCs may be approved for
nonresidential uses in the Multi-Family (R-3) zone upon the approval of an
administrative use permit, pursuant to the requirements of chapter 22 of this
title. EMCs are subject to the following standards:
i. EMCs may have up to 2 faces;
ii. For all ground-mounted signs, the changeable copy portion of the
sign cannot exceed 75 percent of the total permitted sign area;
iii. EMCs may include animated graphics and video only when they are:
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1 . Designed to be viewed primarily by pedestrians and
2. Designed to have minimal visibility from the public rights-of—
way to the satisfaction of the director.
iv. When visible from the public right of way, the sign display must
remain fixed for at least 7 seconds and transitions between slides
must be instantaneous. Any form of blinking, scrolling, or sliding of
image elements is prohibited.
v. EMCs must be equipped with a sensor or other device that
automatically determines the ambient illumination, that are
programmed to automatically dim according to ambient light
conditions;
vi. In the case of malfunction, EMCs must contain a default design to
either freeze the sign in one position or go blank.
3. Large Signs: Any sign over 500 square feet that otherwise meets the
provisions of this chapter, requires an administrative use permit, pursuant
to Chapter 22 of this title.
B. SIGNS IN RESIDENTIAL ZONES: All signs in residential zones must be erected
and maintained consistent with the requirements of this chapter.
1. Sign Types
i. Identification Signs: One identification sign per lot is allowed, not to
exceed 20 square feet in area. The sign must not extend more than
6 inches above or out from the front wall and must contain only the
name and street address of the building upon which it is placed.
ii. Wall Signs: Permitted nonresidential uses in residential zones that
are currently in compliance with this code, except home occupation
businesses, are permitted one wall sign, not to exceed 6 square feet
in size for the purpose of identifying the business located on the
property. Such signs must not contain advertising.
C. TEMPORARY SIGNS: Except as otherwise provided, two temporary signs not
exceeding a cumulative total of 6 square feet, are allowed at all times. The
following additional types of temporary signs may be displayed upon the city's
issuing a temporary sign permit, provided the sign meets the following
requirements:
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1. Special Event or Sale Sign: A sign placed in connection with and on the
site of a special event or sale, up to a maximum size of 100 square feet, for
a specific maximum 30 day period is allowed, which may be renewed up to
a total of 120 days. Animals or human beings, live or simulated, designed
or used to attract attention to the premises may be used, provided they are
not located on public property or in the public right of way.
2. Construction Signs: Signs placed on an active, lawfully permitted
construction site up to a maximum size of 32 square feet per construction
site are allowed for a maximum period of 6 months. The Director may grant
up to three separate 6 month extensions. Construction signs must be
removed within 1 week after completion of construction.
3. New Development/New Business Signs: One temporary sign on the site of
a new development or business may be erected and maintained from the
time a building permit is issued until final inspection, but in no case may a
new development or business sign be displayed for more than one year.
New development or business signs for nonresidential uses are allowed a
maximum size of 100 square feet; residential uses are allowed a maximum
size of 6 square feet.
D. REAL ESTATE SIGNS: Real estate signs as defined and authorized by Civil Code
Section 713, do not require a building permit, but must comply with the following:
1. Signs must be displayed on private real property and only with consent of
the owner;
2. One sign may be placed on the real property to which it pertains in
residential zones; 3 signs may be placed on the real property to which they
pertain in all other zones;
3. Signs cannot exceed 6 square feet in size for residential uses in residential
zones, exceed 12 square feet in size for nonresidential uses in the R-3
zone, or exceed the cumulative total of 50 square feet in size for all other
zones;
4. Before the city issues a certificate of occupancy, multi-family apartment
buildings with four or more units must install one monument, ground,
freestanding, or pole sign that is for the sole purpose of unit owners
advertising their units. The design for the sign and its location on the
property must be approved by the planning and building safety director, or
his designee, before its installation. The sign may have up to 2 faces and
cannot exceed a cumulative total of 9 square feet in size per sign face.
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5. Removal: Signs must be removed within 5 days after the advertised
property is sold, rented, or leased.
6. Temporary Real Estate Directional Signs: Directional signs authorized by
Civil Code Section 713(a)(2)that identify and provide directional information
to any residential property that is offered for sale, lease, or exchange by the
owner or his or her agent must comply with the following:
i. Signs must be located only along direct routes to the residential
property from arterial streets;
ii. Not more than one sign is permitted at each intersection on private
property and only with consent of the owner;
iii. Signs must be removed when the subject property is sold or when
the event ends;
iv. Signs cannot exceed 9 square feet in area or 5 feet in height;
v. No real estate signs are allowed on public property.
E. SIGNS WITHIN 500 FEET OF FREEWAY OR HIGHWAY:
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this title, no outdoor advertising structure,
outdoor advertising display, or billboard, regardless of size, which does not advertise
the business conducted, the services rendered, or the goods produced upon the
property upon which the sign is placed may be placed within 500 feet of either side of
a state or county freeway or highway in a manner which makes the sign thereon visible
to persons or passengers upon any such thoroughfare.
15-18-5 MASTER SIGN PROGRAMS, APPLICATIONS, AND PERMITS
A. MASTER SIGN PROGRAMS
Multi-tenant developments of three or more commercial tenants require an approved
master sign program by the director or their designee. No permit may be issued for
an individual sign requiring a building permit until a required master sign program is
approved. A master sign program is not required for a development, lot, or business
that has less than three tenants.
1. An application for the master sign program must include:
i. Accurate plot plan of the lot;
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ii. Location of buildings, parking lots, driveways, and landscaped areas;
iii. Computation of the maximum sign area allowed, maximum area
allowed for individual signs, height and number of signs, and total
building wall area on which signs are proposed;
iv. Proposed location of each sign, present and future, whether
requiring a permit or not, shown on both the plot plan and elevations;
v. On site signs including, but not limited to, building marker signs,
directional signs, identification signs and onsite signs used for wither
ingress or egress, identification of facilities or similar features must
be submitted as a part of a master sign program;
vi. Optional consistency standards among all signs on the lots affected
by the program with regard to:
1. Color scheme;
2. Lettering or graphic style;
3. Lighting;
4. Material; and/or
5. Sign dimensions.
vii. Payment of the applicable fees established by the city council.
2. Window Signs: A master sign program may indicate the areas and general
types of window signs without specifying the exact dimension or nature of
every window sign.
3. Consent: Master sign programs must be signed by the property owner or
their authorized agent.
4. Review Procedure: Within 10 working days of receiving a complete master
sign program application, the director must either:
i. Approve the proposed program if it conforms with the provisions of
this chapter; or
ii. Deny the proposed program if it fails to conform with the provisions
of this chapter. In cases of a denial, the director will specify in writing
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the sections of this chapter with which the program is inconsistent.
The director's determination may be appealed pursuant to chapter
25 of this title.
5. Modifications: Any new sign locations or the increased size of signs require
an application for an amended master sign program that conforms to all
requirements of this chapter. Minor changes to signs including, but not
limited to, color scheme, material, sign dimensions, location on building
face, at the discretion of the director do not require an amended master sign
program.
B. ADMINSTRATIVE USE PERMITS, ADJUSTMENT, VARIANCES, AND
CONDITIONAL USES
1. Proposed signs that require discretionary review must be approved by the
director before building permits are issued.
2. Signs that require the approval of an administrative use permit will be
processed pursuant to chapter 22 of this title.
3. Deviations from any nonstructural provision of this chapter, including, but
not limited to, the number of permitted signs, the size of proposed signs up
to a maximum of 20 percent of the area of the building face, and setbacks,
may be granted upon the approval of an adjustment, pursuant to chapter 24
of this title. The director may consider a deviation request to be a request
for a variance and refer the request to the planning commission for review
pursuant to chapter 23 of this title.
4. Except as otherwise provided, all deviations from this chapter must comply
with the variance procedures set forth in chapter 23 of this title. All sign
regulations for land uses requiring conditional use permits are controlled by
this chapter and must be processed without regard to the proposed
message, content, or copy of proposed signs.
C. PERMITS REQUIRED
1. Before erecting, modifying, repairing, or relocating any sign, the City must
issue the building permit if the proposed sign meets all provisions of this
chapter and of the applicable master sign program.
2. Building permit applications reviewed for consistency with the applicable
master sign program do not require additional master sign program fee.
D. SIGNS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY AND PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAYS
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No signs shall be allowed on public property or in the public right of way, except as
approved by the public works department, consistent with title 9 of this code, and as
listed below:
1. Permanent Signs:
i. Public signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental body.
ii. Bus stop signs erected by a public transit company.
iii. Informational signs of a public utility regarding its poles, lines, pipes,
or facilities.
iv. Awning, canopy, marquee, projecting and suspended signs which
are attached to private property but project over public property or a
public right of way in conformance with the provisions contained
within the latest adopted uniform building code and uniform sign
code.
2. Emergency Or Construction Signs: Emergency and construction warning
signs erected by a governmental agency, a public utility company, or a
contractor doing authorized or permitted work within public property or the
public right of way.
3. Encroachment Permit: If a sign requires an encroachment permit under this
chapter, then the terms and conditions of the encroachment permit may be
incorporated into the sign permit.
4. Removal Of Other Signs: All signs installed or placed on public property or
in the public right of way not in conformance with this section may be
removed without complying with this chapter. Said signs shall be retained
by the city for a period of not less than three (3) working days. Thereafter,
any unclaimed signs may be discarded. Should the city be required to
remove any illegal sign pursuant to this section, the cost of removal shall be
assessed against the owner or person placing such sign.
5. Unless otherwise provided by this chapter or by city council resolution, it is
unlawful to display signs on public property owned by the city.
15-18-6 NONCONFORMING SIGNS
Nonconforming signs are subject to the provisions contained in chapter 21 of this title
(Nonconforming Buildings and Uses).
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15-18-7 SUBSTITUTION CLAUSE
Noncommercial copy may be substituted for any commercial copy on any sign that is
allowed by this chapter, whether permitted or exempt. Noncommercial copy of any kind
may be substituted for any other type of noncommercial copy on any sign that is allowed
by this chapter whether by permit or exemption. Message substitution may be made
without additional city approval or permitting. This section prevails over any more specific
provision to the contrary within this chapter. The purpose of this section is to prevent any
inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over any other noncommercial message. This
section does not create a right to increase the total number or size of signs on property,
does not affect the permitting requirements of this chapter, nor overrides terms and
conditions in private contracts.
15-18-8 ENFORCEMENT AND MAINTENANCE
A. SIGN CLASSIFICATION: The director of planning and building safety may classify
signs proposed in accordance with this chapter. Signs that do not clearly fall within
one of the definitions provided by this title must be placed in a classification based
on the sign's design, location, physical characteristic, and purpose. Unless
appealed to the planning commission pursuant to this code, the director's decision
is final. The director may refer any such request to the planning commission for
review.
B. COMPLIANCE WITH CODES: Signs must comply with applicable provisions of
the latest adopted building code, electrical code, and sign code at the time of permit
issuance.
C. PERMANENT MATERIALS: Except for banners, flags, temporary signs, and
window signs conforming with the provisions of this chapter, signs must be
constructed of permanent materials, and must be permanently attached to the
ground, a building, or other structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame, or
structure.
D. MAINTENANCE: Signs permitted pursuant to this chapter must be maintained in
good repair, structural condition, function properly, be free from defects including,
but not limited to, cracking, rusting, and peeling. Signs not so maintained will be
deemed a public nuisance and may be abated pursuant to this code.
E. ABATEMENT OF SIGNS: When the permittee, property owner, or person in
possession of control of the property fails to comply with the director's order
requiring compliance with the chapter, the city may declare the sign as a public
nuisance in accordance with Title 7 of the EI Segundo Municipal Code. Once
designated as a nuisance, the City is authorized to abate the nuisance according
to the provisions of this code.
ORDINANCE No. 1559
Page 19 of 21
SECTION 8: ESMC Chapter 15-21 (Nonconforming Buildings and Uses) is amended to
add a new Section 15-21-9 to read as follows:
15-21-9 NONCONFORMING SIGNS:
A nonconforming sign may not be:
A. Changed to another nonconforming sign or replaced by the same nonconforming
sign, except for face changes;
B. Structurally or electrically expanded or altered unless such alteration is designed
to and does bring the sign into greater conformance with current provisions of this
chapter and/or building and electrical codes;
C. Relocated to another site on the same property or any other property within the
city;
D. Reestablished after discontinuance of the use for 90 days or more; or
E. Reestablished after damage or destruction of more than 50% of the value of the
structure of the sign prior to said damage or destruction.
SECTION 9: ENFORCEABILITY. Repeal of any provision of the ESMC does not affect
any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred before, or preclude prosecution and imposition
of penalties for any violation occurring before this Ordinance's effective date. Any such
repealed part will remain in full force and effect for sustaining action or prosecuting
violations occurring before the effective date of this Ordinance.
SECTION 10: VALIDITY OF PREVIOUS CODE SECTIONS. If this entire
Ordinance or its application is deemed invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, any
repeal or amendment of the ESMC or other city ordinance by this Ordinance will be
rendered void and cause such previous ESMC provision or other the city ordinance to
remain in full force and effect for all purposes.
SECTION 11: SEVERABILITY. If any part of this Ordinance or its application is deemed
invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the City Council intends that such invalidity
will not affect the effectiveness of the remaining provisions or applications and, to this
end, the provisions of this Ordinance are severable.
SECTION 12: The City Clerk is directed to certify the passage and adoption of this
Ordinance; cause it to be entered into the City of EI Segundo's book of original
ordinances; make a note of the passage and adoption in the records of this meeting; and,
within fifteen (15) days after the passage and adoption of this Ordinance, cause it to be
published or posted in accordance with California law.
ORDINANCE No. 1559
Page 20 of 21
SECTION 13: This Ordinance will go into effect and be in full force and effect on the
thirty-first (31st) day after its passage and adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED ORDINCANCE No. 1559 this 17th day of
October, 2017.
3uWtvjt"c i*
ne Fuentes, Mayor
ATTEST;
O'A
Tracy L4, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
M
.�_.__.�. - k�ensley, Ci torr�ey
ark
ORDINANCE No. 1559
Page 21 of 21
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS
CITY OF EL SEGUNDO )
I, Tracy Weaver, City Clerk of the City of EI Segundo, California, do hereby certify that
the whole number of members of the City Council of said City is five; that the foregoing
Ordinance No. 1559 was duly introduced by said City Council at a regular meeting held
on the 3rd day of October, 2017, and was duly passed and adopted by said City Council,
approved and signed by the Mayor, and attested to by the City Clerk, all at a regular
meeting of said Council held on the 17th day of October, 2017, and the same was so
passed and adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Mayor Fuentes, Mayor Pro Tem Boyles, Council Member Brann, Council
Member Dugan, and Council Member Pirsztuk
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
WITNESS MY HAND THE OFFICIAL SEAL OF SAID CITY this day of October,
2017.
14
""o &)"V'6601
Tr6cY Weaver, City Clerk
of the City of EI Segundo,
California