.010 Establishment. On September 11, 2018, the City of Anaheim adopted Ordinance No. 6444 establishing the "Arena/Stadium Special Sign District" exempting certain signs located on the premises of an arena or stadium from provisions of the Outdoor Advertising Act ("OAA", Chapter 2 of the California Business and Professions Code, commencing at Section 5200) as authorized by Senate Bill No. 31 (2013 Reg. Sess.). Pursuant to the provisions of Ordinance No. 6444, this Section 4.04.401 provides for a special sign district known as the "Stadium Special Sign District," the designation, location, and boundaries of which are shown on the map of the Stadium Special Sign District on file with the Planning and Building Department of the City of Anaheim, which boundaries are hereby approved and to which map reference is hereby made for further particulars.
.020 Purposes and Findings. In addition to the purposes set forth in Section 18.44.010 of this Code, the following purposes apply to the Stadium Special Sign District, which constitute findings that form a basis for these regulations and provide guidance for their application.
(1) Well-placed and visible signs and advertising displays for on-site businesses are beneficial to the general quality and economic stability of commercial businesses located in the Stadium Special Sign District. Current sign regulations, which are tailored to storefronts typical of the City's commercial districts, do not provide sufficient visibility and design opportunities within the Stadium Special Sign District. The City therefore desires to establish a Stadium Coordinated Sign Program for the Stadium Sign District pursuant to which future applications will be reviewed.
(2) Well-placed and visible signs and advertising displays that direct attention to a business, commodity, industry or other activity that is sold, offered or conducted elsewhere than on the premises of businesses within the Stadium Special Sign District are necessary to help ensure that Stadiums remain a viable sports and/or entertainment center. Revenues generated from Stadium Signs could benefit areas outside of the District in addition to supporting the construction, day-to-day operations, long-term maintenance, capital improvements, preservation and enhancement of businesses within the Stadium Special Sign District, including facilities management. In addition, Stadium Signs may be used at times to provide public information.
(3) The standards established by these regulations are reasonable standards related to the unique nature of the Stadium Special Sign District and the present and future needs of Stadiums in the City.
(4) The standards established by these regulations are essential requirements, forming a basic framework for future signs within the Stadium Special Sign District. They are not intended in any way to mandate any advertising display in the Stadium Special Sign District, or preclude further design refinement or review by the City that might consider more restrictive requirements as to any aspects limited herein, or as to additional aspects such as materials, color, graphics, types of representation, relationship of signs to one another and to architectural features, or to the general quality of design for signs proposed in the Stadium Sign District.
(5) The intent of these regulations is to preserve the City's ability to consider applications that may be submitted for appropriate and economically viable signage that (a) coordinates with architectural elements within the Stadium Special Sign District; (b) reflects a vibrant, contemporary image of the Stadium Special Sign District as a significant sports and/or entertainment center of the City; (c) limits visual clutter by regulating the number, size, and location of signs; and (d) controls potential traffic hazards and protects public safety.
.030 Definitions. The definitions contained in this subsection shall be consistent with the terms and conditions of Section 5272 of the California Business and Professions Code, as the same may be amended from time to time, and Section 18.44.030 of this Code, and shall govern the construction, meaning and application of words and phrases used in this Section 4.04.401.
"Advertising display" refers to advertising structures and to signs.
"Advertising structure" means a structure of any kind or character erected, used, or maintained for outdoor advertising purposes, upon which any poster, bill, printing, digital or electronic display, painting or other advertisement of any kind whatsoever may be placed, including statuary, for advertising purposes. "Advertising structure" does not include: (a) official notices issued by any court or public body or officer, (b) notices posted by any public officer in performance of a public duty or by any person in giving any legal notice, and (c) directional, warning or information structures required by or authorized by law or by federal, state or county authority.
"Stadium" means a venue for professional sports on a permanent basis that has a capacity of 15,000 or more seats.
"Stadium Special Sign District" means that area designated by City Council and show on the map on file with the Planning and Building Department of the City of Anaheim as the same may be amended by City Council from time to time, and that extends no more than 1,000 feet from a Stadium structure or any structure physically connected to the Stadium structure.
"Director" means either (i) the City of Anaheim Planning & Building Director or (ii) such other City department head as may be designated by the City Manager from time to time as the person responsible for administering the provisions of this Section 4.04.401.
"On-premises advertising display" means any advertising display on the Stadium property or within the Stadium Special Sign District encompassing the Stadium, adjacent to it, or separated only by public or private rights-of-way, and used exclusively for any of the following purposes:
(1) To advertise directions to, and the sale, lease, or exchange of real property upon which the advertising display is placed, including the lease of commercial space at buildings within the Stadium Special Sign District.
(2) To designate the name of the owner or occupant of the Stadium or to identify the Stadium.
(3) To advertise the business conducted, services rendered, or goods produced or sold upon the property on which the advertising display is placed if the display is on the same side of the highway and within 1,000 feet of the point on the property or within 1,000 feet of the entrance to the site at which the business is conducted, services are rendered, or goods are produced or sold.
(4) To advertise products, goods, or services sold by persons on the premises of a Stadium on a regular basis, or to advertise any products, goods, or services marketed or promoted on the premises of a Stadium pursuant to a sponsorship-marketing plan.
"Sponsorship marketing plan" means an agreement between the property owner, facility owner, facility operator, or occupant of the premises of a Stadium and a sponsor pursuant to which the sponsor is allowed to include its logo, slogan, or advertising on advertising displays and that meets both of the following conditions: (1) The sponsorship marketing plan is for a period of not less than one year; and (2) The sponsorship marketing plan grants the sponsor the opportunity to display its logo, slogan, or advertising in the interior of structures on the premises of a Stadium, or conduct promotions, public relations, or marketing activities on the premises of a Stadium.
.040 Regulations.
.0401 With respect to the Stadium Special Sign District, the standards and regulations set forth in that certain Stadium Coordinated Sign Program approved concurrently herewith and on file with the office of the Director, are hereby adopted for the Stadium Special Sign District and are incorporated herein by this reference as though fully set forth in this Section. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Chapter 18.44 (Signs) of this Code, all signage within the Stadium Special Sign District shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Stadium Coordinated Sign Program. All construction shall comply with the provisions of the Buildings and Construction Code, as adopted by the City in Title 15. The Stadium Coordinated Sign Program identifies the potential locations of advertising displays, within the Stadium Special Sign District authorized by this Chapter and by Section 5272 of the California Business and Professions Code as amended pursuant to Senate Bill No. 31 (2013-2014 Reg. Sess.) § 1.), and establishes regulations for such advertising displays that include all of the following:
(a) The number of signs and total signage area allowed;
(b) The maximum individual signage area;
(c) Minimum sign separation;
(d) Illumination restrictions and regulations, including signage refresh rate, scrolling, and brightness; and
(e) Illuminated sign hours of operation.
.0402 All advertising displays shall be on the same side of the highway as the qualifying Stadium and shall be located within 1,000 feet of the entrance to the Stadium site.
.0403 No advertising displays shall advertise products, goods, or services related to tobacco, firearms, or sexually explicit material.
.0404 No advertising display shall cause a reduction in federal aid highway funds as provided in Section 131 of Title 23 of the United States Code.
.0405 Every sign pertaining to an active business establishment shall be adequately maintained in its appearance. When the activity for which the business sign has been posted has ceased operation for more than 90 days, all signs pertaining to that business activity shall be removed after that time.
.0406 Except as otherwise provided in the Stadium Coordinated Sign Program; existing signs; or signs authorized by State law or other provisions of the Anaheim Municipal Code, no sign or other structure or feature shall be placed in any portion of the Stadium Special Sign District except such signs, structures and features as are specifically approved by the appropriate public authorities under applicable laws and regulations consistent with this Code and under such conditions as may be imposed by such authorities.
.0407 The standards and regulations established in the Stadium Coordinated Sign Program and by this Section 4.04.401 are deemed minimum requirements.
.050 Administration.
.0501 The Director is authorized to administer the provisions of this Section 4.04.401 and the Stadium Coordinated Sign Program.
.0502 Construction of signs within the Stadium Special Sign District may commence only after the Director finds that the construction proposal is in substantial compliance with these regulations and all applicable policies and regulations of the Stadium Coordinated Sign Program and only after any other acts or activities requiring the subsequent exercise of discretion by the City or any department thereof have occurred, including but not limited to issuance of a Stadium Sign Permit and compliance with CEQA.
.0503 Each Stadium Sign Permit application shall be first reviewed by the Director to determine how the standards of the Stadium Coordinated Sign Program have been incorporated into the location and design of the proposed sign and all its elements, and whether these standards have been successfully integrated with the requirements of this Section to create and position a sign that is consistent with the purposes of this Section and which represents exceptional quality, enhances community design, and is harmonious with the City's community character. Following the Director's review, the application will be submitted to the City Council for review and approval or disapproval.
.0504 Prior to approving a Stadium Sign Permit pursuant to this Section, the City Council shall find that all of the following are true:
(a) The proposed sign exhibits design quality and incorporates high quality materials that enhance the overall development and appearance of the site and will not have an adverse impact on the safe and efficient movement of vehicular or pedestrian traffic;
(b) The proposed sign is consistent with the goals, policies, and standards of the City's General Plan and any applicable specific plan or any applicable land use regulation; and
(c) That the granting of a Stadium Sign Permit pursuant to this Section does not constitute a grant of special privileges beyond the scope of the OAA.
.0505 The Director shall have the primary responsibility for ensuring that all signs remain in conformance with the provisions of this Section 4.04.401, the Stadium Coordinated Sign Program, Chapter 18.44 of this Code, and Section 5272 of the California Business and Professions Code. (Ord. 6444 § 1: September 11, 2018: Ord. 6542 § 1; October 4, 2022.)