Code Section: 602.21

Subject: Wall sign, thickness of

Effective Date: 12/95

Interpretation:

   This Section states that a wall sign may not project more than the thickness of the sign cabinet. The sign cabinet could not be thicker than necessary to accommodate the electrical box. This is thought to be no more than one foot. One must show such necessity to provide an electrical box thicker than one foot.

Code Section: 602.23

Subject: Wind sign

Effective Date: 12/00

Interpretation:

   A wind sign is defined as follows:

   SEC. 602.23.WIND SIGN.

sign composed of two or more banners, flags, or other objects, mounted serially and fastened in such a manner as to move upon being subjected to pressure by wind or breeze. (Added by Ord. 69-87, App. 3/13/87; amended by Ord. 276-98, App. 8/28/98)

   There has been some question whether an inflatable balloon sign is considered a wind sign under this ordinance. An inflatable balloon sign is a wind sign, since it is primarily design to move in the wind to attract attention. The balloon itself and the rope or string it is attached to constitute two different objects.

Code Section: 603

Subject: Exempt status of traffic signs in private parking lot

Effective Date: 4/96

Interpretation:

   This Section lists signs that are exempt from regulation by the Planning Code and includes, "governmental signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, street signs, danger signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs of public service companies indicating danger and aids to service or safety." The term, "governmental" appears to apply specifically only to signs for "traffic and other regulatory purposes." The remaining signs listed, including street signs, danger signs and those as aids to service or safety do not seem to be limited to those under governmental jurisdiction. Therefore, traffic directional signs in a private parking lot are also exempt from regulation by the Planning Code as aids to service or safety provided they contain no additional message of advertisement or promotion and are no larger than necessary.

Code Section: 604 (f)

Subject: Change of billboard copy

Effective Date: 9/89

Interpretation:

   This Paragraph states that, "in the case of signs the customary use of which does not involve frequent and periodic changes of copy, a change of copy shall in itself constitute a new sign subject to the provisions of this Section 604 if the new copy concerns a different person, firm, group, organization, place, commodity, product, service, business, profession, enterprise or industry." Therefore, a billboard primarily visible from the freeway whose copy consisted of neon tubing which spelled the name of the advertised product would require a sign permit as a new sign unless it were replaced with copy advertising the same name brand product. A permit application to change the copy to another product would not be allowed since billboards visible from freeways are no longer permitted per Section 608.5.

Code Section: 604 (f)

Subject: Change of copy.

Effective Date: 2/98

Interpretation:

   This Section states that any change of copy (wording, emblems, etc. shall constitute a new sign, where the mere change of copy on a sign is not frequent and periodic (e.g., a theater marquee advertising new films, shows, concerts, events, etc.). Therefore, any change of copy shall be subject to current Code requirements and be subject to obtain new permits.

Code Section: 604 (f))

Subject: Change of copy on a general advertising sign

Effective Date: 2/10

Interpretation:

   This interpretation supersedes an interpretation of Section 604(f) from 9/89.;p0;Section 604(f) requires that "in the case of signs the customary use of which does not involve frequent and periodic changes of copy, a change of copy shall in itself constitute a new sign subject to the provisions of this Section 604 if the new copy concerns a different person, firm, group, organization, place, commodity, product, service, business, profession, enterprise or industry.";p0;Because of the nature of general advertising and the land use rights conferred in a valid permit for a general advertising sign, changes of copy on a nonconforming general advertising sign, however infrequent, are not subject to the provisions of Section 604.;p0;In addition, while a building permit is required to alter a nonconforming general advertising sign, such permit may be approved so long as (1) those alterations are required in order to change copy and (2) there is no increase in the level of nonconformity.;p0;Therefore, a directly lit general advertising sign containing neon tubing spelling the name of an advertised product may be modified to advertise a wholly different product and convert the sign from direct to indirect illumination.

Code Section: 604 (h)

Subject: Alteration of nonconforming billboards

Effective Date: 11/86

Interpretation:

   This Subsection prohibits the alteration of a nonconforming billboard. However, Subsection 604(f) states that, "a mere change of copy on a sign the customary use of which involves frequent and periodic changes of copyshall not be subject to Planning Code regulations. Therefore, a nonconforming billboard may have its panels removed and replaced only if such removal and replacement is required due to the fact that the sign copy is ordinarily painted directly on the panels themselves.