The city recognizes that California Business and Professions Code Section 5412 encourages cities to enter into relocation agreements, and to adopt ordinances or resolutions providing for relocation of billboards. Thus, the intent of this section is to reduce visual clutter; eliminate non-conforming signage; facilitate the relocation and redistribution of existing billboards to more appropriate locations within the city to better serve the advertising needs of the local business community; to allow for incorporation of modern technology into relocated billboards in the form of digital displays; and to eliminate payment of public funds for the removal of existing billboards to accommodate a public project.
A. Content. Each relocation agreement shall contain, at a minimum, the following information:
1. Identification of the location of the relocated billboard(s) and the billboard(s) being permanently removed;
2. Conceptual design drawings for the relocated billboard(s), including sign area and dimensions; and
3. Description of the revenue or other consideration to be received by the city.
B. Review Process. All relocation agreements shall be reviewed and approved by the city council. The following findings must be made by the city council in order to approve a relocation agreement:
1. The proposed agreement is consistent with the goals, objectives, purposes and provisions of the Murrieta General Plan and the Murrieta Municipal Code;
2. The proposed relocation site is compatible with the uses and structures on the site and in the surrounding area;
3. The proposed relocation agreement contributes to the reduction of visual clutter in the city by proposing a net decrease in existing billboards and promotes activities of city-wide benefit and interest and generates significant revenue for the city; or in the case of relocations to accommodate a public project, the agreement serves the public interest eliminating the need for public fund expenditure;
4. The proposed billboard would not create a traffic or safety problem with regard to onsite access circulation or visibility;
5. The proposed billboard would not interfere with onsite parking or landscaping required by city ordinance or permit; and
6. The proposed billboard would not otherwise result in a threat to the general health, safety and welfare of city residents, based on factors including but not limited to such factors as distracted driving, driver safety, light and glare, or aesthetics.
C. Status of Existing Billboards. Only billboards that comply with the Murrieta Municipal Code or that are legal non-conforming billboards as of the date of adoption of this section are eligible to be relocated pursuant to a relocation agreement.
D. Permits Required. All relocated billboards shall require a building permit. Relocated billboards on city property shall also require a lease or license and a conditional use permit. Relocated billboards on private property shall also require a development agreement, and a conditional use permit (in addition to the development agreement) if required by the relocation agreement. Subsequent to the approval of a relocation agreement by the city council, the billboard owner and/or property owner shall file applications for the permits and agreements specified herein and in the relocation agreement. All of the foregoing applications submitted by the billboard owner must include the written consent of the property owner. All billboards, whether relocated, reconstructed, or new, require either a conditional use permit or development agreement as determined by the city.
E. Non-Conforming Billboards. Any non-conforming billboard relocated or reconstructed pursuant to an approved relocation agreement shall no longer be considered non-conforming for purposes of this code.
(Ord. 587 Exhibit B, (part), 2022)