Ordinance - 1143ORDINANCE NO. 1143
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF ARTICLE IX OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL
• CODE RELATING TO SIGNS. (Amendment No. 111)
The City Council of the City of West Covina does ordain
as follows:
SECTION 1. Sections 9210 2q 10, 9211.2(r)ll, 9212.1(c)12,
9212.8(c� )121 92.13.1(b)12, 9213:8�q�12, 9214�A.2(q)9, 9214.5-12,
9215(b)8, and 9227.2(q)12 of the West Covina Municipal Code
are hereby amended by adding at the end of each section, the
following:
"An obvious border designed as an integral part
of a sign shall be calculated in the total square footage
allowed."
SECTION 2. Sections 9210.2(q)3, 9211.2(r)3, 9212.1(c)3,
9212.8(q)3, 9213.1(b)3, 9213.8(q)3, 9214.5-3, 9214A.1(b)35
and 9227.2(q)3 of the West Covina Municipal Code are hereby
amended by adding at the end of each section, the following:
"The sign colors shall be indicated and shall
be coordinated with the color of adjacentbuilding
exteriors."
SECTION 3. (a) Section 9210.2(q)12 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
1112. When the name of any business exceeds a
total of fifteen (15) letters, a ten percent (10%)
increase in allowable square footage of sign may be
permitted after the approval of the Planning Director.
(b) Section 9211.1(c)19 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"19. When the name'of any business exceeds a
total of fifteen (15) letters, a ten percent (10%)
increase in allowable square footage of sign may be
permitted after the approval of the Planning Director."
(c) Section 9212.1(c)20 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"20. When the name of any business exceeds a
total of fifteen (15) letters, a ten percent (10%)
increase in allowable square footage of sign may
be permitted after the approval of the Planning Director
. (d) Section 9212.8(q)20 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
1120. When the name of any business exceeds a
total of fifteen (15) letters, a ten percent (10%)
increase in allowable square footage of sign may be
permitted after the approval of the Planning Director."
(e) Section 9213.1(b)20 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
1120. When the name of any business exceeds a
. total of fifteen (15) letters, a ten percent (10%)
increase in allowable square footage of sign may be
permitted after the approval of the Planning Director."
(f) Section 9213.8(q)20 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"20. When the name of any business exceeds a
total of fifteen (15) letters, a ten percent (10%)
increase in allowable square footage of sign may be
permitted after the approval of the Planning Director."
(g) Section 9214.5-20 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"20. When the name of any business exceeds.a
total of fifteen (15) letters, a ten percent (10%)
increase in allowable square footage of sign may be
permitted after the approval of the Planning Director.,"
(h) Section 9214A.1(b)13 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"13. When the name of any business exceeds a total
of fifteen (15 letters, a ten percent (10%) increase
in allowable square footage of sign may be permitted
after approval of the Planning Director."
(i) Section 9227.2(q)20 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"20. When the name of any business exceeds a total
of fifteen (15) letters, a ten percent (105iv-) increase. in'
allowable aquare footage of sign maybe permitted after'
approval of.the Planning Director."
SECTION 4. Sections 9212.1(c)4, 9212.8(q)4, 9213.1(b)45
9213.8(q)41 9227.2(q)4, and 9214.5-4 of the West Covina
Municipal Code are amended to read as follows:
"One single or multi -faced roof sign, not to exceed
one-third again the height of the building from the
roof surface up to a maximum of forty-five (45) feet,
shall be allowed. The square footage of one face of a
double-faced sign shall be counted; however, the square
footage of such sign face shall in no case exceed one-
half the total allowable signage allowable on the front
• of the building. Structural members, other than main
supports, shall not be exposed to public view."
SECTION 5. Sections 9211.2(r)10, 9212.1(c)ll, 9212.8(q)ll,
9213.1(b)11, 9227.2(q)ll, and 9214.5-11 of the West Covina
Municipal Code are amended to read as follows:
s
-2-
"All sign illumination shall be from the
interior of the sign, except that indirect lighting
shall be permitted, provided the light source is not
visible from the street, public parking, or public
thoroughfare.
Exposed neon tubing shall not be permitted,
except that such signs erected prior to September 27,
1967, shall be deemed legal non -conforming signs.
Only normal sign maintenance shall be permitted and
copy changes or sign reconstruction shall not be
permitted.
Logos or identification symbols shall be
considered signs and shall conform to all provisions
of this part, except that barber poles shall be
permitted to rotate at not to exceed eight (8) RPM."
SECTION 6. (a) Section 9210.2(q)13 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"13. A parking directional sign shall be allowed
at each major entrance to a parking lot, provided such
signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and
fifteen (15) square feet per face, to be located within
a minimum twenty-four (24) s uare foot landscaped
planter surrounded by a six (6) inch concrete curb."
(b) Section 9211.2(r)20 is hereby added.to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
1120. A parking directional sign shall be allowed
at each major entrance to a parking lot, provided such
signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and
fifteen (15) square feet per face, to be located within
a minimum twenty-four (24) square foot landscaped
planter surrounded by a six (6) inch concrete curb."
(c) Section 9212.1(c)21 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
1121. A parking directional sign shall be allowed
at each major entrance to a parking lot, provided such
signs shall not exceed six (9) feet in height and
fifteen (15) square feet per face, to be located within
a minimum twenty-four (24) square foot landscaped
planter surrounded by a six (6) inch concrete curb."
(d) Section 9212.8(q)21 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"21. A parking directional sign shall be allowed
• at each major entrance to a parking lot, provided such
signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and
fifteen (15) square feet per face, to be located within
a minimum twenty-four (24) s uare foot landscaped
planter surrounded by a six (6) inch concrete curb."
(e) Section 9213.1(b)21 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
-3-
"21. A parking directional sign shall be allowed
at each major entrance to a parking lot, provided such
signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and
fifteen (15) square feet per face, to be located within
a minimum twenty-four (24) s uare foot landscaped
it planter surrounded by a six �6) inch concrete curb."
f Section 2 8 ( ) 9 13. q)21 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"21. A parking directional sign shall be allowed
at each major entrance to a parking lot, provided such
signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and
fifteen (15) square feet per face, to be located within
a minimum twenty-four (24) s uare foot landscaped
planter surrounded by a six (6) inch concrete curb."
(g) Section 9214.5-21 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"21. A parking directional sign shall be allowed
at each major entrance to a parking lot, provided such
signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and
fifteen (15) square feet per face, to be located within
a minimum twenty four (24) square foot landscaped
planter surrounded by a six (6) inch concrete curb."
(h) Section 9214A.l(b)14 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"14. A parking directional sign shall be allowed
at each major entrance to a parking lot, provided such
signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and
fifteen (15) square feet per face, to -be located within
a minimum twenty-four (24) s uare foot landscaped
planter surrounded by a six (6) inch concrete curb."
(i) Section 9227.2(q)21 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"21. A parking directional sign shall be allowed
at each major entrance to a parking lot, provided such
signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and
fifteen (15) square feet per face, to be located within
a minimum twenty-four (24) s uare foot landscaped
planter surrounded by a six inch concrete curb."
SECTION 7. Sections 9210.2(q)6, 9211.2(r)6, 9212.1(c)7,
9212.8(q)7, 9213.1(b)7, 9213.8(q)75 9227.2(q)73 9214.5-7, and
9214A.l(b)5 of the West Covina Municipal Code are hereby
amended by adding at the end of each section, the following:
• "Unimproved property shall be permitted one (1)
free-standing For Sale, lease, or rent sign not to
exceed six (6) feet in height and twenty-four (24) square
feet of surface area. After approval of a sign permit,
forty (40) square feet of surface area not to exceed
six (6) feet in height shall be permitted."
-4-
SECTION 8. (a) Section 9211.2(r)21 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the IFest Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"21. Real estate offices shall be permitted two
(2) real estate flags not to exceed six (6) feet in
0 height nor a dimension of 18" x 30", to be used in
daylight hours only and with location subject to
approval by the Planning Director."
(b) Section 9212.1(c)22 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"22. Real estate offices shall be permitted two
(2) real estate flags not to exceed six (6) feet in
height nor a dimension of 18" x 30", to be used in
daylight hours only and with location subject to
approval by the Planning Director."
(c) Section 9212.8(q)22 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"22. Real estate offices shall be permitted two
(2) real estate flags not to exceed six (6) feet in
height nor a dimension of 18" x 30", to be used in
daylight hours only and. with location subject to
approval by the Planning Director."
(d) Section 9213.1(b)22 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"22. Real estate offices shall be permitted two
k2) real estate flags not to exceed six (6) feet in
height nor a dimension of 18" x 30", to be used. in
daylight hours only and with location subject to
approval by the Planning Director."
(e) Section 9213.8(q)22 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"22. Real estate offices shall be permitted two
(2) real estate flags not to exceed six (6) feet in
height nor a dimension of 18" x 30", to be used in
daylight hours only and with location subject to
approval by the Planning Director."
(f) Section 9227.2(q)22 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"22. Real estate offices shall be permitted two
(2) real estate flags not to exceed six (6) feet in
• height nor a dimension of 18" x 30", to:be used in
daylight hours only and. with location subject to
approval by the Planning Director."
=5=
SECTION 9. Section 9213.8(q)23 is hereby added to
Chapter 20 Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code
relating to sign abatement:
"23. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections
. 9221.1 and 9221.8, signs constructed prior to September 27,
1967, that have since become non -conforming as to height
because of Ordinance 1005, shall be allowed to remain
as non -conforming uses until such time as redevelopment
of the premises upon which sign or signs are located
occurs.
Non -conforming signs may not be expanded, extended,
rebuilt, altered or reconstructed in any way, except
for normal maintenance or to protect public safety."
SECTION 10. Section 9222.25 is hereby added to Chapter 2,
Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code relating to a
Board of Sign Adjustment:
"9222.25. Board of Sign Adjustment.
Whenever a strict interpretation of the provisions
of the sign regulations of this Article, would result
in the unreasonable deprivation of the use or enjoyment
of the property, the Board of Sign Adjustment as herein
established may grant an adjustment to the sign regula-
tions to permit the modification of area ok height limi-
tations on signs; or to permit the extension of time
required for the removal of signs.
Prior -to the granting of a sign adjustment, it
shall be shown that:
(a) The proposed adjustment would not be detri-
mental to the neighborhood in which the property
is located;
(b) The proposed adjustment is necessary in order
that the applicant may not be deprived unreasonably
in the use or enjoyment of his property;
(c) The proposed adjustment is consistent with
the legislative intent of this Article."
SECTION 11. Section 9222.26 is hereby added to Chapter 2,
Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code relating to a
Board of Sign Adjustment:
"9222.26. SAME. Composition of Board.
A Board of Sign Adjustment in the City is hereby
created. The Board of Sign Adjustment shall consist of
five members who shall be appointed by the City Council
and who shall be qualified electors of the City, but who
shall not be officers of said City. The Board of Sign
• Adjustment is created pursuant to and shall be subject to
the provisions of Chapter 3 of Title 7 of the Government
Code of this State.
The terms of office of the members of the Board of
Sign Adjustment shall expire on the following dates
10
•
n
LJ
and each two years thereafter: Two (2) on September 30,
1971, and three (3) on September 30, 1972. Each member
shall hold office after the expiration of his term. until
his successor is appointed and qualified. The Board
of Sign Adjustment shall serve without compensation and
shall .adopt• a schedule of meetings by resolution."
SECTION 12. Section 9222.27 is hereby added to Chapter 2,
Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code relating to a
Board of Sign Adjustment:
"9222.27. SAME. Adjustment - Definition.
For the purpose of this section, sign adjustment
shall mean variance of not to exceed twenty (20%) per
cent of sign regulations of this Code."
SECTION 13. Section 9222.28 is hereby added to Chapter 2,
Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code relating to a
Board of Sign Adjustment:
"9222.28. SAME. Application.
The applicant for such adjustment shall apply
therefor on application forms furnished by the Planning
Department, stating the modification requested and
explaining wherein the strict application of the Code
would result in the unreasonable deprivation of the
use or enjoyment of his property. The applicant shall
submit a fee of $25.00 with said application (to cover
the cost of investigation and postage) along with the
names and addresses of all persons owning property abut-
ting the subject property, drawings, diagrams or photo-
graphs that fully describe and explain the request."
SECTION 14. Section 9222.29 is hereby added to Chapter 2,
Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code relating to a
Board of Sign Adjustment:
119222.29. SAME. Hearing.
The Planning Department shall set each application
for hearing before the Board of Sign Adjustment at such
time and place as the Board shall designate, and shall
give written notice thereof at least five (5) days before
said hearing by United States mail (postage prepaid) to
the applicant and to the owners of all property abutting
or contiguous to the subject property or separated there-
from only by a street or alley, at the address of such
owners as shown on the latest available assessment roll.
The Board shall conduct a public hearing upon the
application at said time and place, or at such time as
said hearing may be adjourned to, at which time the Board
shall hear the applicant and any protests. If it finds
that facts exist justifying the granting of the variance
requested, it shall grant the same in writing stating
the reasons therefor subject to such conditions as it
may find to be necessary to protect the public peace, health,
safety, morals or general welfare and shall thereupon trans-
mit copies thereof to the members of the Planning Commis-
sion, City Council, and applicant. If the Board does not
find such facts to exist, it shall deny the application
in writing and transmit a copy of such denial to the
applicant.
-7-
A copy of the findings and decision of the Board.
shall be mailed to the applicant within seven (7)
days of the hearing."
SECTION 15. Section 9222.30 is hereby added to Chapter'2,
. Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code relating to a
Board of Sign Adjustment:
119222.30. SAME. Appeal.
The decision of the Board in granting or denying
an adjustment shall become final and effective twenty
(20) days after the date of mailing its findings and
decision, unless within ten (10) days after the said
mailing of the findings and decision, an appeal in
writing is filed with the Planning Commission by either
the applicant or any other interested person, or unless
within said twenty (20) days period the Planning Commis-
sion or the City Council in a regular or special meeting
of the Planning Commission or City Council initiate such
an appeal. An appeal may be taken by filing a written
notice of appeal in letter form with the City Clerk
together with an appeal fee in the sum of $25.00."
SECTION 16. Section 9213.8(q)24 is hereby added to
Chapter 2, Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code to
read as follows:
"24. Any high-rise building (five or more stories
in height) will be allowed signs as follows: (subject
to all other provisions of this part)
(a) Three (3) square feet of advertising sign
will be allowed on the front, sides, and rear
of the building for each foot of building frontage.
For each story above the fourth, a 5% increase in
total building signage will be allowed.
(b) Advertising signs will be allowed on the
ground floor only and signs on the top floor or
penthouse will be limited to building identification
signs and must be architecturally integrated with
the building design.
(c) Sign locations for any high-rise building shall
be subject to approval by the Planning Commission
as a part of the precise plan of design as required
by Section 9218."
SECTION 17. Section 9201 of the West Covina Municipal
Code is hereby amended by adding the following:
"Building Identification Sign.
A sign or signs which portray, through the use
• of words, the identifying name assigned to the building
by the owner thereof.
High -Rise Building.
Any building, five (5) or more stories in height.
SECTION 18. Section 6215.1 is hereby added to Chapter 2,
Article IX of the West Covina Municipal Code relating to
business licenses:
"6215.1. Signs.
No business license shall be issued or renewed
for any business until all existing signs on the
premises which do not relate to the business authorized
by the license for which application is made, have
been removed therefrom."
SECTION 19. Section 9221.8 of the West Covina Municipal
Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
"9221.8. Required Removal of Non -Conforming Signs.
Signs which are non -conforming under this Chapter
shall not be expanded, extended or rebuilt, altered or
reconstructed in any way, except to protect public
safety. All such non -conforming signs shall be demol-
ished, removed or made to conform to this Chapter on
or before May 1, 1971, or three years from the date
they became non -conforming, whichever is later."
SECTION 20. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage
of this Ordinance and shall cause same to be published as
required by law.
Passed and approved this 28th day of September , 1970.
� 0--
4ayor
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES SS.
CITY OF WEST COVINA
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Ordinance No.1143
was regularly introduced and placed upon its first reading
at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
West Covina on thel4th day of September , 1970, and
that thereafter, sa'i-Ordinance was duly adopted and passed
at a regular meeting of the City Council on the 28th day of
September , 1970, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmen:
NOES: Councilmen:
ABSENT: Councilmen:
Shearer, Nichols, Young, Lloyd, Chappell
None
None
iyClerk '
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Geor W. Wakefield, City Attorney
By
-9-