The purpose of this section is to recognize the intent and function of signs in the Hotel Circle Specific Plan, to provide for their inclusion under this section of the Anaheim Municipal Code, and to regulate and control all matters relating to such signs, except the construction thereof.
.010 Definitions Pertaining to Signs. For the purpose of this chapter, the following abbreviations, terms, phrases and words shall be construed as specified below:
.0101 “Animated Sign.” Any sign that uses movement or change of lighting to depict or simulate movement, action or to otherwise create a special effect or scene.
.0102 “Area of Sign.” The area of a sign shall include the entire area within any type of perimeter or border which may enclose the outer limits of any writing, representation, emblem, logo, figure or character. The area of the sign having no such perimeter or border shall be computed by enclosing the entire area constituting the advertising message within the smallest polygon required to enclose a typographic/graphic element.
.0103 “Balloon.” Any air-filled or gas-filled balloon attached to a string, rope or similar ligature, and tethered to a fixed place or object, including a motor vehicle.
.0104 “Banner.” Any sign made of fabric, cloth, paper or other material that is fastened to a pole or building at one or more points. National, state or municipal flags, or the official flags of any bona fide religious or fraternal organization shall not be considered banners. Pennants as defined herein shall be considered banners for purposes of this chapter.
.0105 “Beacon.” Any light with one or more beams, directed into the atmosphere or directed at one or more points not on the same parcel as the light source; also, any light with one or more beams that rotate or move.
.0106 “Billboard” or “Off-Premises Sign.” A sign of any kind or character upon which any poster, bill, printing, writing, painting, graphic or other display of any kind or nature whatsoever may be placed for advertising purposes, and which structure is erected, maintained or used for the purpose of advertisement of goods produced, sold or available for sale, or services available or rendered, at locations other than the premises upon which the structure is located. The term “Billboard” or “Off-Premises Sign” shall not include:
.01 Official notices issued by any court or public body or officer;
.02 Notices posted by any public officer in performance of a public duty or by any person in giving legal notice;
.03 Directional, warning or information structures required or authorized by law or by federal, state, county or city authority;
.04 A structure which contains solely the name of the City and the names of, or any other information regarding, civic, fraternal or religious organizations located therein;
.05 Guide signs, on-premises signs, business signs, and temporary real estate signs, as defined in Section 18.118.140 (Sign Regulations – Advertising and Identification).
.0107 “Business Sign” or “On-Premises Sign.” Any sign and sign structure relating to the principal business or use of the premises upon which the sign is erected. This shall include a nameplate designating the name and occupation or profession of the occupant of the premises; any sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, service, or other activity which is sold, offered or conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located, or to which it is affixed. This sign type shall also include any sign with political, social, informational or otherwise noncommercial messages.
.0108 “Can-Type Sign.” A box-shaped sign which has copy on the outside of its surface and is internally illuminated.
.0109 “Canopy Sign.” Any 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 sign, as defined herein, is not a canopy sign.
.0110 “Changeable Copy Sign.” A sign, or portion thereof, including but not limited to, electronic message boards, with characters, letters or illustrations that can be changed or rearranged without altering the face or the display surface of the sign.
.0111 “Display Surface.” The surface of the sign structure available for the mounting of material, or the electronic message board, to carry an advertising message, trademark, emblem or logo.
.0112 “Dual-Lit Channel Letters.” Individual letters formed as a sign can structure, composed of opaque sides and transparent acrylic plastic on both the front and back of the letter. Lighting from within the sign can structure creates an illuminated face and a halo around the letterform.
.0113 “Emitting Sign.” Any sign that releases smoke, steam, water, bubbles or other solids, liquids or gases as a device for advertising.
.0114 “Electronic Message Board.” A changeable copy sign, upon which the copy is displayed or changed by electronic means.
.0115 “Entrance/Exit Signs.” Signs located at driveway entrances and displaying only “enter” or “exit,” along with a small logo.
.0116 “Exposed Neon Signs.” A sign where the neon or argon/mercury illuminated glass tubing is visible and not shielded from view by any material or sign structure.
.0117 “Flag.” Any fabric attached to a flagpole and complying with subsection 18.118.113.040 (Flagpoles), and containing distinctive colors, patterns or symbols, and used as a symbol of a government or other entity.
.0118 “Flashing Sign.” Any sign designed to operate under conditions of intermittent illumination, which operates in a manner to create the illusion of being on and off.
.0119 “Freestanding Monument Sign.” A sign which is permanently attached to the ground by means of a permanent solid base, and which is independent from any building or other structure.
.0120 “Illegal Sign.” Any sign or advertising display constructed or erected without first complying with all applicable ordinances and regulations in effect at the time of its construction, erection or use.
.0121 “Lighter Box Sign.” An illuminated sign that contains words, numbers or symbols, designed to be an integral part of the architecture of a service station, and intended to be placed above the fuel pumps of a service station to provide light for the working area and commercial identification.
.0122 “Location.” A lot, site, premises, building, wall or any place whatsoever upon which a sign is erected, constructed or maintained.
.0123 “Magnetic Sign.” A sign which is magnetically attached to a surface.
.0124 “Marquee (Changeable Copy) Sign.” A sign which is characterized by changeable copy whether said sign is a wall sign or whether said sign projects from and is supported by a building.
.0125 “Nameplate.” Any lighted or unlighted sign identifying the occupant of the premises.
.0126 “Nonconforming Sign.” Any sign that complied with all applicable ordinances and regulations in effect at the time is was erected, but which does not conform to one or more of the requirements of this chapter.
.0127 “Off-Site Sign.” Any sign not located on the same parcel to which such sign message pertains.
.0128 “On-Site Directional Guidance Sign.” Any sign located on-site specifically giving direction for on-site pedestrian or vehicular circulation.
.0129 “On-Site Directory Sign.” Any on-site sign, exhibiting the names and locations of on-site uses and/or facilities, and intended to facilitate the movement of patrons or visitors throughout the site.
.0130 “On-Site Sign.” Any sign located on the same parcel to which such sign message pertains.
.0131 “Outdoor Advertising.” Advertising on any board, fence, sign device, structure or building, or the placing thereon of any poster, bill, printing, painting, device or any advertising matter of any kind whatsoever, and the pasting, posting, printing, painting, nailing, tacking or otherwise fastening of any handbill, card, banner, sign, poster, advertisement or notice of any kind upon any property or place. Said term shall not include any signs or notices posted or displayed by any public officer in the performance of a public duty, or a private person in giving a legal notice.
.0132 “Parapet.” A vertical wall extending from and above the actual roof line, and intended to visually heighten the building or screen roof-mounted equipment.
.0133 “Parcel” or “Lot.” Any real property under separate ownership from any other adjacent “Parcel” or “Lot” which has street or highway frontage.
.0134 “Pennant.” Any plastic, fabric or other material, whether or not containing a message of any kind, suspended from a rope, wire, string or other similar device, usually in series, designed to move in the wind.
.0135 “Pole Sign.” A sign which is affixed to one or more poles attached to the ground, and which is constructed in a manner which does not fully obstruct the view of the area between the sign and the ground.
.0136 “Portable Sign.” 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 to A-frames or T-frames; menu and sandwich board signs; balloons used as signs; umbrellas used for advertising; and signs attached to or painted upon vehicles parked and visible from the public right-of-way, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day transportation operations of the business.
.0137 “Projecting Sign.” A wall sign which projects from the face of a building.
.0138 “Pump Top Sign.” Any sign atop a fuel-dispensing pump, either affixed to or placed upon such pump. A lighter box sign is not a “Pump Top Sign.”
.0139 “Raceways.” A metal box containing wiring, transformers and housings for a sign.
.0140 “Real Estate Sign.” Any sign or sign structure of a temporary nature, relating to the sale, lease or other disposition of real property.
.0141 “Reverse-Can Channel Letters, with Neon Halo Illumination.” Individual letters formed as a sign can structure, where the front surface is opaque and the back is open. Neon tubing is molded to fit the form of the can structure. The light from the neon shines out the opening in the back of the letter, and reflects off the surface of the building or structure where the letter is mounted. At night, this reflection appears to be a halo around the opaque letterform.
.0142 “Roof Sign.” A sign erected, constructed and maintained upon the roof of any building.
.0143 “Rotating or Revolving Sign.” Any sign, all or a portion of which moves, revolves or rotates in some manner.
.0144 “Sign.” Any device, fixture, placard, or structure that uses any color, form, graphic, illumination, symbol or writing to advertise, announce or identify the purpose of a person or entity, or to communicate information of any kind to the public.
.0145 “Structure.” The supports, uprights, bracing, guy rods, cables and framework of a sign or outdoor advertising display.
.0146 “Temporary Sign.” Any sign that is used only temporarily, and is not permanently mounted or affixed to the ground or any structure.
.0147 “Typeface.” The general form, structure style, or character common to all elements comprising an alphabet.
.0148 “Wall Sign.” A sign which is affixed to an exterior wall of any building, or which is affixed to any structure attached to the wall of any building.
.0149 “Window Identification Sign.” Any sign bearing only the name and/or logo and/or address of the business occupying the premises; and consisting of letters and/or numbers (made of gold leaf, paint, stencil or other such material) permanently affixed to the window.
.0150 “Window Sign.” Any sign, picture, symbol, or combination thereof, designed to communicate information about an activity, business, commodity, event, sale or service, that is placed inside a window, or upon the window panes or glass of a building, and which is visible from the exterior side of the window, excluding any window identification sign.
.020 Administrative Provisions – Sign Regulations. The location, size, type, construction and all other matters relating to signage in this zone shall be regulated and controlled exclusively by the provisions of this chapter, except to the extent reference is expressly made in this chapter to any other provision of this Code. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this chapter and any other provisions of this Code so referenced herein, the provisions of this chapter shall govern and prevail.
All signs, and all applications therefor, shall be administered by the Planning Director, except those signs which may be sought in conjunction with a conditional use permit or a zone variance.
.030 Resolution of Inconsistent Provisions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code to the contrary, all provisions governing signs or advertising structures of any type in the Hotel Circle Specific Plan Area shall be contained within this chapter; provided, however, the provisions of Section 18.44.170 (Temporary Signs – Special Event Permit) of Chapter 18.44 (Signs), and Chapters 4.04 (Outdoor Advertising Signs and Structures – General) and 4.08 (Advertising of Motel and Hotel Rental Rates) of the Anaheim Municipal Code shall apply to signs and advertising structures in this zone, to the extent such provisions are not inconsistent with this chapter.
.040 Variances From Sign Requirements. No person shall install or maintain any sign in this zone, except as permitted herein; provided, however, that any requirements or restrictions may be waived, in whole or in part, upon such conditions as may be imposed by the Planning Commission or the City Council, by a zone variance processed and approved in accordance with all procedures, requirements and restrictions established for variances pursuant to Chapter 18.60 (Procedures) and 18.74 (Variances).
.050 Legal Nonconforming Signs – General. Any sign or other advertising structure of whatever type or nature, other than an illegal sign, which violates or otherwise does not comply with the applicable requirements of the Anaheim Municipal Code, shall be subject to compliance with the regulations prescribed herein, in the time and manner hereinafter set forth.
.060 Legal Nonconforming Signs – Continuation and Termination. Any legal nonconforming sign or sign structure in existence on the effective date of this chapter, which violates or otherwise does not conform to the provisions hereof, shall be removed, altered or replaced so as to conform to the requirements of this chapter (hereinafter, the “abatement”), within five (5) years after the date said sign first becomes nonconforming to the provisions of this chapter, or on or before December 31, 2002, whichever is later; provided, however, in no event shall such abatement be required, unless and until the owner of said sign has received not less than one (1) year's advance written notice from the Planning Director of the City of Anaheim, requiring the removal or alteration of the sign.
.0601 Any advertising display which was lawfully erected, but whose use has ceased, or the structure upon which the display exists has been abandoned by its owner, for a period of not less than ninety (90) days, shall be removed, altered or replaced so as to conform to the provisions of this chapter, within six (6) months from the date of receipt of a written order of abatement from the Planning Director of the City requiring such abatement. Costs incurred by the City in removing an abandoned display shall be borne by, or charged to, the legal owner of the real property upon which said sign is located.
.0602 Any advertising display structure which has been more than fifty percent (50%) destroyed, and the destruction is other than facial copy replacement, and said structure cannot be repaired within thirty (30) days of the date of its destruction, shall be removed, altered or replaced so as to conform to the provisions of this chapter, within six (6) months from the date of receipt of a written order of abatement from the Planning Director of the City requiring such abatement.
.0603 Any advertising display whose owner requests permission to remodel and remodels that advertising display, outside of a change of copy; or expands or enlarges the building or land use upon which the advertising display is located, and the display is affected by the construction, enlargement or remodeling; or the cost of construction, enlargement or remodeling of the advertising display exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the cost of reconstruction of the building, shall remove, alter or replace such sign so as to conform to the requirements of this chapter in conjunction with said project.
.0604 Any advertising display whose owner seeks approval of the relocation thereof, and relocates the advertising display, shall relocate such sign within six (6) months of the approval of such relocation.
.0605 Any advertising display, for which there has been an agreement between the advertising display owner and the City for its removal as of any given date, shall be removed per said agreement.
.0606 Any temporary advertising display erected pursuant to a special events permit issued by the city shall be removed, as specified under Section 18.44.170 (Temporary Signs – Special Event Permit) of Chapter 18.44 (Signs), or within such other time as expressly authorized by the city.
.0607 Any advertising display which is an immediate danger to the public health or safety shall be removed, altered or replaced so as to conform to the requirements of this chapter, within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of a written order of abatement from the Planning Director of the City requiring such removal or alteration.
.0608 Any advertising display which, in the opinion of the City Traffic and Transportation Manager, constitutes a traffic hazard not created by relocation of streets or highways, or by acts of the City, shall be removed, altered or replaced so as to conform to the requirements of this chapter, within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of a written order of abatement from the Planning Director of the City requiring such removal or alteration.
.0609 Any other advertising display which does not conform to the provisions of this chapter, for which the City is exempt from the payment of compensation in conjunction with requiring its removal, as specified in Chapter 2.5 of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code of the State of California, or any successor provisions thereto, shall be subject to removal as specified in said code. (Ord. 5625 § 7; November 18, 1997.)
.070 Illegal Signs. Illegal signs, as defined in subsection 18.118.140.029 (Illegal Sign), shall be removed, altered or replaced so as to conform to the requirements of this chapter, within six (6) months following the effective date of this chapter.
.080 Regulation of Special Types of Signs – General. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the following special types and classifications of signs shall be permitted, subject to compliance with the limitations and conditions prescribed herein.
.0801 Signs Required By Law. Nothing contained in this chapter shall prevent the erection, location or construction of any sign on private property, where such erection, location or construction of said sign is required by any law; provided, however, no such sign erected, placed or maintained pursuant to this provision shall exceed four (4) square feet in area, except to the extent a greater sign area is expressly required by law.
.0802 Signs in the Public Rights-of-Way. Except as otherwise expressly permitted in this chapter, signs shall be prohibited in any public rights-of-way, as provided in Section 4.04.130 (Prohibition of Signs in Public Right-of-Way) of Chapter 4.04 (Outdoor Advertising Signs and Structures—Outdoor).
.0803 Political Campaign Signs. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, political campaign signs shall be permitted on private property in the Hotel Circle Specific Plan Zone, subject to the following:
.01 Sight Distance. Such signs shall comply with the minimum sight distance requirements set forth in subsection 18.44.080.080 (Minimum Sight Distance Requirements for Freestanding Signs and Monument Signs) of Chapter 18.44 (Signs); and
.02 Code Compliance. Such signs shall comply with the provisions of Section 4.04.130 (Prohibition of Signs in Public Right-of-Way) of Chapter 4.04 (Outdoor Advertising Signs and Structures—Outdoor); and
.03 Title 15 Compliance. Any structure to which a political sign is attached shall comply with all applicable provisions of Title 15 (Buildings and Housing) of the Anaheim Municipal Code, except that no building permit shall be required for a temporary political campaign sign having a surface area of thirty-five (35) square feet or less, and which structure is removed within one hundred twenty (120) days of its erection or placement, or within thirty (30) days after the election to which the sign relates, whichever occurs first. (Ord. 5444 § 1 (part); August 16, 1994: Ord. 5920 1 (part); June 8, 2004: Ord. 6156 § 50; September 22, 2009: Ord. 6506 § 68; February 9, 2021.)