Permitted sign types and sizes, in all nonresidential zones, any permitted nonresidential uses in the RH, Residential-High Density, and any nonresidential use in the PD, Planned Development, zones shall be as follows:
(A) Wall-mounted.
(1) Awning signs.
(a) AWNING SIGNS shall mean an awning on which any sign copy is attached to or painted on such awning.
(b) Sign copy on awning signs shall be restricted to the business name and street numbers on the valance. A single horizontal list of product or service description may also be provided on the valance front if not inherent in the business name and also provided there are no window signs.
(c) Sign copy, being restricted to the valance front of an awning sign, shall not exceed 50% of the valance width, the lettering being restricted to 66% of the height of the valance, which shall not exceed 18 inches.
(d) Businesses on the side streets of Old Town may have the business name on the side of the awning facing Myrtle Avenue so as to provide business identification from Myrtle Avenue. Signage shall be restricted to 33% of the side of the awning. No awning signage shall be allowed if the business has a projecting wall sign.
(e) Awning signs shall not be lit from under the awning (back-lit) so that the awning appears internally illuminated.
(f) Awning signs shall be regularly cleaned, kept free of dust and visible defects, and replaced when faded, discolored, or torn.
(2) Building wall sign.
(a) One sign shall be allowed on the building face at the front and/or entrance of each business and/or on the building wall fronting a major or secondary highway. The vertical distance to the bottom of the background area from grade shall be established by the Development Review Committee.
(b) Building wall signs in Old Town on the building face and/or entrance shall not be greater than a three-foot-high background and two-foot-high letters, nor shall such signs have a total length that exceeds two- thirds the total width of the business upon which it is to be placed. Building wall signs for office buildings with three or more stories shall not exceed 5% of the wall face of the first two stories. For all others, such signs on the building face and/or entrance of each building and/or on the building wall fronting a major or secondary highway shall not exceed 5% of the total wall face.
(3) Graphic signs.
(a) Graphics, excluding any lettering, shall be allowed provided the sign face is designed as a graphic representation of goods or services provided at the particular establishment, e.g., a boot to advertise a shoe repair shop. No graphic signs shall depict any nude or semi-nude persons, specified anatomical areas or specified sexual activities as defined in § 17.44.010(B), or instruments, devices or paraphernalia which are designed for use in connection with specified sexual activities.
(b) A graphic sign shall not exceed 3% of the total building face area.
(4) Marquee sign.
(a) One marquee sign shall be allowed on the building face or entrance of a playhouse or theater. The vertical distance to the bottom of the background area from grade shall be established by the Development Review Committee. Marquee signs shall be restricted to playhouses and theaters and shall be solely permitted in lieu of a building face sign. However, said signs shall not be permitted in the RH, Residential High-Density Zone regardless of use.
(b) Signs on the building face or entrance of each theater or playhouse shall not exceed 5% of the total wall face.
(5) Projecting sidewalk signs.
(a) One redwood sandblasted, hand-carved, or architecturally designed equivalent sidewalk sign for each business shall be allowed to face pedestrian traffic hanging from a canopy or an architectural projection over a pedestrian walkway. A redwood sandblasted, hand-carved, or architecturally equivalent “Open” sign shall be allowed to hang beneath the sidewalk sign.
(b) No part of a projecting sidewalk sign shall provide a vertical clearance of less than seven feet, six inches from the highest sidewalk surface. However, said signs shall not be permitted in the RH, Residential- High Density Zone, regardless of use. A sidewalk sign shall not have greater dimensions than 18 inches by three feet.
(6) Halo-lit signs.
(a) One halo-lit sign, in lieu of a building wall sign, shall be allowed per business, subject to review and approval by the Development Review Committee.
(b) Letters shall not exceed two feet in height and total length shall not exceed two-thirds the total width of the business upon which it is placed.
(7) Projecting wall sign.
(a) PROJECTING WALL SIGN shall mean a sign attached to and projecting out from a building and generally perpendicular to the building.
(b) A projecting wall sign shall be allowed in lieu of a building wall sign if integrated into the architectural design of the building.
(c) A projecting wall sign shall not be allowed if the business has awning signage.
(d) The projecting wall sign shall be in proportion with respect to height and width of the building, but in no case shall it exceed nine square feet with a maximum projection of 42 inches. The design of the sign supports shall be subject to the review and approval of the Development Review Committee.
(e) A vertical clearance of a minimum of seven feet, six inches from the highest sidewalk surface to the bottom of the projecting wall sign shall be maintained. The sign shall not extend past the roofline.
(8) Rear entrance signs.
(a) One rear entrance sign per business shall be allowed per business, subject to review and approval by the Development Review Committee.
(b) The rear entrance sign shall be a maximum of two feet by four feet.
(B) Monument.
(1) Identification monument sign.
(a) One monument sign shall be allowed for business identification (one per street frontage for shopping center and auto center) incorporated in a landscaped area the size of which shall be equivalent to the total sign area but in no case shall have a dimension of less than five feet.
(b) An identification monument sign shall not exceed six feet in vertical overall height (including base) and 50 square feet in area per face, except that those lots fronting Foothill Boulevard shall not exceed eight feet in overall vertical height (including base) and 60 square feet in area. The base shall not exceed two feet in height, excluding architectural treatments that do not raise the height.
(2) Identification monument sign for detached buildings.
(a) One monument sign shall be allowed for business identification incorporated in a landscape area the size of which shall be equivalent to the total sign area but in no case shall have a dimension of less than five feet.
(b) An identification monument sign for detached buildings shall not exceed six feet in overall vertical height (including base) and 25 square feet in area per face. The base shall not exceed two feet in height, excluding architectural treatments that do not raise the height.
(3) Tenant directory monument sign.
(a) One tenant directory sign incorporated in a landscaped area shall be allowed in lieu of an identification sign (for shopping centers, only those set back 150 feet from a public right-of-way or shopping centers with businesses not visible from the street). The tenant directory signs shall identify the center or building and businesses within the center. A tenant directory sign shall only list center identification and the names of the businesses on the site.
(b) Said sign shall be limited to an overall maximum height of eight feet (including base) and shall not exceed 60 square feet per side for shopping centers and a maximum overall height of six feet (including base) and shall not exceed 30 square feet per side for Office Building 3+ and Business Parks.
(C) Pole-mounted.
(1) Elevated center identification sign.
(a) One elevated center directory sign shall be allowed per street frontage at shopping centers with a minimum 200-foot width and minimum 300-foot depth. Such sign shall consist of a sign area elevated from the ground on two piers and incorporated in a landscaped area, the size of which shall be equivalent to the total sign area but in no case shall have a dimension of less than five feet. Such sign shall list only center identification and the names of the businesses on the site.
(b) Said sign shall be limited to a maximum height of 20 feet and shall not exceed 80 square feet per side in sign area.
(2) Freestanding sign.
(a) One freestanding sign shall be allowed on any one lot or contiguous lots which are occupied by a single business or by two or more businesses sharing common parking facilities except those lots fronting on Foothill Boulevard. Said sign shall be located in a landscaped area the size of which shall be equivalent to the total sign area, but in no case shall have a dimension of less than five feet, and shall not project into a public way.
Note: Only sign face change-outs shall be permitted for existing freestanding signs on Foothill Boulevard. However, said signs shall not be permitted in the RH Residential High Density Zone regardless of use.
(b) 1. The maximum area of one side of a freestanding, or pole sign shall be based on the lot frontage of all contiguous lots which are occupied by a single business or two or more businesses sharing common parking facilities and shall be in accordance with the following schedule; no one face shall exceed the area of the reverse face:
Frontage (in feet) | Maximum Height* (in feet) | Maximum Area per Face (in square feet) |
up to 150 | 20 | 40 |
151 to 250 | up to 20 21 to 25 | 60 75 |
251 or more | up to 20 21 to 25 26 to 30 | 60 75 100 |
* If a building is within 50 feet, the
sign cannot exceed the height of the building (unless the building is less than 20 feet in height, then the sign can be a maxi
mum of 20 feet in height). | ||
2. Freestanding public service signs require a conditional use permit and shall not exceed 35 feet in height and 125 square feet per face.
(3) Freestanding freeway identification sign. One freestanding freeway identification sign for parcels 1.5 acres or more may be permitted within 600 feet of a freeway upon securing a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission pursuant to this code. The location and dimensions of a proposed freestanding freeway identification sign (including height and sign face area) shall be subject to approval by the Planning Commission at the time a conditional use permit application for such sign is considered. Prior to the Planning Commission hearing, the Director of Community Development may require the applicant(s), at their own expense, to conduct a study of the proposed sign to determine its optimum location and dimensions. The Planning Commission shall base its decision with respect to the location and dimensions of the sign on the reasonable needs of the business for visibility, the elevation of the adjacent freeway, existing physical obstructions such as landscaping and a utility poles, the compatibility of the sign with neighboring uses, and its visual impact.
(D) Window-mounted.
(1) Permanent window signs.
(a) Permanent window signs shall be allowed, provided that the signs are either painted directly on the window or displayed as neon tube signs, if the letter style is compatible with approved signage on the building. Alternate material may be used if the Development Review Committee determines that the sign is of comparable quality. Only the business name and/or a list of products or services not implicit in the name shall be displayed.
(b) Window signs shall not exceed 10% of the total window area of the face of the building upon which the signs are mounted or applied.
(c) NEON TUBE or NEON TUBING shall mean glass tube lighting in which gas and phosphors are used in combination to create a colored light. NEON TUBE SIGNS shall mean a sign that has or uses neon tubing. The use of neon tubing and neon tube signs shall be subject to the following development standards:
1. Neon tubing used in neon tube signs shall not exceed one-half inch in diameter.
2. Neon tube signs adjacent to residential uses shall not exceed one-half foot-candle measured at the property line.
3. Neon tubing used in neon tube signs shall not be combined with any reflective materials (such as, highly glazed tiles, mirrors, polished metal or other similar materials).
4. Neon tube signs not directly applied to the window but part of a window display shall be counted toward the 10% of the window area restriction.
5. The use of neon tubing around doors, windows, window displays or similar elements is prohibited.
(d) On the window of the door the phone number, web address and hours of operation shall be allowed at a maximum height of one inch and two-thirds the width of the window on the door. Only professionally printed, decaled or applied signage is allowed.
(2) Temporary window signs.
(a) Temporary window signs to promote special sales shall be allowed with the Development Review Committee approval, provided that the signs shall not be displayed for more than 15 days at one time and shall not exceed 60 days in one year.
(b) Temporary window signs shall not occupy more area than 25% of the total window area of the face of the building upon which such signs are mounted.
(3) Definition. WINDOW SIGN shall mean a sign posted, painted, placed, or affixed in or on a window exposed to public view. An interior sign that faces a window exposed to public view and located within three feet of the window is considered a WINDOW SIGN for the purpose of calculating the total area of all window signs.
(E) Specialty type.
(1) Balloon sign.
(a) Non-auto center. One balloon sign shall be permitted for retail uses located on a parcel of land that fronts a dedicated street provided it shall not be displayed for more than 60 days in one year; and provided it meets the following criteria:
1. Balloon signs shall require Development Review Committee approval.
2. Balloon signs, except those parcels fronting on Foothill Boulevard, shall be anchored to a permanent fixture and shall stand no higher than 40 feet above the ground and shall be no closer than 50 feet from the front and rear property line. Balloons may not be lighter-than-air.
3. Balloon signs at parcels fronting Foothill Boulevard shall be anchored to a permanent fixture and shall stand no higher than 27 feet above the ground and shall be no closer than 50 feet from the front and rear property line. Balloons may not be lighter-than-air.
4. All anchorage points and balloon installations shall require a building permit.
(b) Auto center. One balloon sign, being three feet or greater in any dimension, shall be allowed for any one new car sales dealership building provided it meets the following criteria.
1. Balloon signs displayed for up to 30 days only shall be allowed without Development Review Committee approval, provided any such sign shall not be displayed more than four times in one year.
2. Balloon signs that are to be displayed for more than 30 days shall require Development Review Committee approval.
3. Balloon signs shall be anchored to a permanent fixture and shall stand no higher than 40 feet over the height of the highest building within 100 feet, and shall be no less than 50 feet from any street. Balloons may not be lighter-than-air.
4. All anchorage points and balloon installations shall require a building permit.
(2) Sidewalk signs. There are two types of sidewalk signs. A FREESTANDING SIDEWALK SIGN is a sign whose primary supporting structure is intended, by design and construction, to be used by resting upon the ground for support and may be easily moved or relocated. A SIDEWALK WALL SIGN is a sign that is attached to the wall of a building that is at eye level to pedestrians.
(a) A freestanding sidewalk sign, if permitted, shall be located within two and one-half feet of the building face provided that ADA clearance is maintained. The Development Review Committee may allow a freestanding sidewalk sign to be further from a building face if special conditions or constraints exist.
(b) Establishments such as bakeries, florists, candy shops and other businesses that have as their primary sales items perishable goods shall be allowed one sidewalk sign subject to Development Review Committee review and approval.
(c) Restaurants shall be allowed one sidewalk sign of each type subject to Development Review Committee review and approval.
(d) The Development Review Committee shall regulate the materials, color, style, quality and similar aspects of sidewalk signs to assure each sidewalk sign is compatible with the architecture of the building.
(e) Sidewalk signs are not permitted in the RH Zone.
(f) A freestanding sidewalk sign may have a single or double face. A freestanding sidewalk sign shall be four feet in height and each sign face shall be 18 inches by 24 inches.
(g) A sidewalk wall sign shall be a maximum 18 inches wide by 24 inches high and shall be located at eye level on the building. All letter height shall be a maximum of two inches.
(h) In Old Town, the Development Review Committee may approve sidewalk signs for businesses that are not eating establishments, bakeries, florists, and the like, so long as the sidewalk signs are integrated with the theme of the business and compatible with the historical character of Old Town. In considering this type of sign, the Development Review Committee may impose restrictions on materials, color, style, quality and the like to ensure compatibility with the historical character of the downtown area.
(i) In addition to the sidewalk signs described above, in Old Town, one temporary sidewalk display sign no bigger than four feet in height or three feet in width, to promote special sales and openings shall be allowed provided that any such sign shall not be displayed for more than 15 days at one time and shall not exceed four times in a 12-month period.
(j) For all sidewalk signs, insurance shall be required naming the city as an additional insured. The amount of insurance, type of coverage and any additional endorsements required for such insurance shall be determined by the city’s Risk Manager. Before placing a sidewalk sign, in addition to any approvals required by this chapter, a city encroachment permit shall be obtained from the Department of Public Works.
(k) A-frame signs are not permitted. A-FRAME is a structure, with two sign faces, forming the shape of the letter “A.”
(3) Temporary display sign.
(a) One temporary display sign to promote only special sales and openings shall be allowed provided that any such sign shall not be displayed for more than 15 days at one time and shall not exceed four times in one year.
(b) Any temporary display sign shall not exceed 30 square feet in area.
(F) Service stations.
(1) Service station emblem and price pole sign.
(a) One pole sign that integrates both the service station emblem or trademark and the State of California mandatory price sign on the same pole in a non-contiguous manner shall be allowed at any one service station. Said sign shall be located in a landscaped area the size of which shall be equivalent to the total sign area of both emblem and price signs, but in no case shall have a dimension of less than five feet, and shall not project into a public way.
(b) The maximum area of any face of the emblem or trademark section shall be 40 square feet. The maximum area of the price section, which shall not be contiguous with the emblem section, shall be 25 square feet. No one face shall exceed the area of the reverse face. The maximum height of said sign shall be 20 feet.
(2) Service station emblem and price monument sign.
(a) One monument sign that integrates both the service station emblem or trademark and the State of California mandatory price sign on the same monument shall be allowed at any one service station, provided that no pole sign is located at that site. Said sign shall be located in a landscaped area the size of which shall be equivalent to the total sign area but in no case shall have a dimension of less than five feet.
(b) The maximum area of any face shall be 70 square feet, with the price sign no larger than the emblem, and shall not exceed six feet in overall vertical height (including base). The base shall not exceed two feet in height, excluding architectural treatments that do not raise the height.
(c) The State of California mandatory fuel price sign that is part of a service station monument sign may be an electronic fuel price sign. An electronic fuel price sign means a sign that allows the price to be changed remotely through electronic means and utilizes an electronic display to display the price as digits. The area of the electronic display shall be included in calculating the total permitted sign area. The area of the electronic display may not exceed 50% of the total sign area.
1. An electronic fuel price sign shall contain only static price displays, and shall not have movement, or the appearance or optical illusion of movement, and shall not flash, scintillate, or vary the light intensity.
2. An electronic fuel price sign shall be illuminated no greater than the minimum level required to ensure nighttime readability from a distance of 300 feet. The illumination from an electronic fuel price sign shall not impair the vision of travelers on adjacent right-of-ways. The illumination shall be considered vision impairing when its brilliance exceeds the values set forth in § 21466.5 of the California Vehicle Code. An electronic fuel price sign shall not cause beams or rays of light to be directed at nearby properties, including without limitation nearby right-of-ways, if the light is of an intensity or brilliance as to cause glare, and shall be in compliance with § 17.32.090. An electronic fuel price sign shall not be so illuminated that it interferes with the effectiveness of or obscures any official traffic sign, device, or signal.
3. Any structures, visible devices, cages or shielding related to or attached to an electronic fuel price sign are prohibited, unless reviewed and approved by the Development Review Committee prior to installation.
4. The owner of an electronic fuel price sign shall promptly turn off the sign in the event of a malfunction that violates any provision of the Monrovia Municipal Code, or creates a public health or safety hazard. The sign shall remain off until the malfunction is remedied and the electronic sign is working in compliance with the Monrovia Municipal Code. The owner of an electronic price sign shall provide the city with contact information, including a telephone number, for a person who is available at all times to accept a report from the city that the message board is malfunctioning.
5. The Development Review Committee shall make the following findings before approving an electronic fuel price sign:
a. The electronic fuel price sign will not detract from the visibility of other signs; and
b. The electronic fuel sign and the conditions under which it will be operated will not be detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare, or materially injurious to properties or improvements in the vicinity.
(3) Service station emblem dispensing island sign.
(a) Two dispensing island signs displaying only the service station emblem or trademark shall be permitted for each dispensing island and shall be located at the island or on the canopy.
(b) A dispensing island sign shall not exceed six square feet.
(G) Other type.
(1) Construction sign.
(a) One construction sign denoting the architects, engineers, contractor, or other related subjects shall be permitted upon the commencement of construction, and will be permitted until such time as a final inspection of the building(s) designates said structure(s) fit for occupancy, or the tenant is occupying said building(s), whichever occurs first.
(b) A construction sign shall not exceed 100 square feet in area.
(2) Directional/instructional sign.
(a) Signs used to give directions to traffic or pedestrians or give instructions as to special conditions and shall be permitted in addition to the other signs listed in this section.
(b) Directional/instructional signs shall not exceed eight square feet in area and four feet in height.
(3) Future tenant identification sign.
(a) A sign listing the name of future tenants, responsible agent, or realtor, and identification of the specific complex shall be permitted until such times a final inspection of the building(s) designates the structure(s) fit for occupancy or tenant is occupying the building(s), whichever occurs first.
(b) A future tenant identification sign shall not exceed 24 square feet in area.
(4) Real estate signs.
(a) Real estate signs announcing a building or unit within a building for sale, lease, or rent shall be located on the land to which the sign refers. Said signs shall not exceed two signs per street frontage and shall not require Development Review Committee approval. One additional sign per street frontage shall be permitted if signs are at least 200 feet apart.
(b) For rent, sale or lease signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in surface area.
(`83 Code, § 17.28.100) (Ord. 94-03 § 6, 1994; Ord. 95-02 § 4, 1995; Ord. 2002-08 §§ 12 - 14, 2002; Ord. 2011-01 §§ 6 - 11, 2011; Ord. 2013-04 § 7, 2013)