HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance #3527 ORDINANCE NO. 3527
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH AMENDING
THE HUNTINGTON BEACH ZONING AND SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE BY
AMENDING CHAPTER 233 THEREOF RELATING TO SIGNS
WHEREAS, pursuant to the California State Planning and Zoning Law, the Huntington
Beach Planning Commission and the Huntington Beach City Council have held separate, duly
noticed public hearings to consider Zoning Text Amendment No. 01-04, which amends various
Sections of the Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance including three sections of
SP 5 (Downtown Specific Plan) relating to permit streamlining and development processing; and
After due consideration of the findings and recommendations of the Planning
Commission and all other evidence presented, the City Council finds that the aforesaid
amendment is proper and consistent with the General Plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach does hereby
ordain as follows:
SECTION 1: That Section 233.04 of the Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision
Ordinance is hereby amended to read as follows:
233.04 Permits Required
Sign permits are required for all signs, unless expressly exempted under Section 233.08. A sign
permit (building permit) for a new sign or change in sign panel/face shall be obtained from the
Planning and Building and Safety Departments prior to installation.
A. Sim Permit. A complete sign application shall include the following information:
1. Two sets of fully-dimensioned plans drawn to scale. The plans shall include
the following:
a. Site plan indicating the location of all proposed signs, as well as the
size and location of existing signs on the site. Photographs should be
submitted if available.
b. Sign elevations, indicating overall square footage and letter/figure
dimensions, letter style, color(indicate standard color number if
applicable), materials,proposed copy and illumination method.
C. Dimensioned building elevations with existing and proposed signs
depicted.
2. Property owner approval in the form of a letter or signature on the plans,
approving the proposed signs and authorizing submission of the sign
application.
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3. For wall signs, method of attachment; for freestanding signs, foundation plan,
sign support and attachment plan.
4. Type and method of electrical insulation devices,where applicable.
5. Any design modification from the requirements of this chapter that have been
approved shall be noted,.and compliance with the planned sign program,
limited sign permit, or sign code exception shall be demonstrated.
B. Planned Sign Program. Approval of a planned sign program pursuant to Section
233.20 shall be required prior to application for a sign permit for the following
requests:
1. A site with five or more non-residential businesses or uses.
2. A site with two or more freestanding identification signs where there is a
request for a new freestanding sign.
3. Commercial properties with 1,300 feet or more on one street frontage
requesting more freestanding signs than allowed pursuant to Section 233.06.
4. Consolidated subdivision directional signs identifying multiple projects on
multiple sign panels.
5. Service stations.
6. Wall signs for second floor businesses with exterior access.
7. Wall signs installed on a building wall not adjacent to the business suite.
C. Sign Code Exception: The Director may grant approval for a sign code exception of
not more than 10% in sign height or sign area. Ten(10)working days prior to
submittal for a building permit, applicant shall notice adjacent property owners and
tenants by first class mail. Notice of application shall include the following:
1. Name of applicant.
2. Location of planned development or use, including address.
3. Nature of the proposed development shall be fully disclosed in the notice.
4. Planning Department phone number and address of City Hall shall be
provided in the notice to call for viewing plans.
5. The date by which any comments must be received in writing by the Planning
Department.
6. Planning Director shall receive entire list including name and address of those
receiving the mailing.
The Design Review Board shall review and render a recommendation to the
Director for sign code exception requests of more than 10%in sign height or sign
area supergraphics, three-dimensional signs, and relief from the strict application of
Section 233.06. The following findings shall be made prior to approval of any sign
code exception:
1. The sign is compatible with the character of the area and is needed due to
special circumstances defined by the applicant and applicable to the property.
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2. The sign will not adversely affect other signs in the area.
3. The sign will not be detrimental to properties located in the vicinity.
4. The sign will not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic visibility and will
not be a hazardous distraction.
D. Limited Sign Permit: The owner of a sign which does not conform to the provisions
of Section 233.06 may file an application for a limited sign permit to the Director
for permission to change the face or copy of such sign. A limited sign permit
cannot be processed for illegal signs or signs listed as prohibited in Section 233.10.
The Director may approve the face change and extend a sign's use for a time period
deemed appropriate, not to exceed two (2)years. A sign permit shall be obtained
prior to installation of the new sign panel/face.
A cash bond in an amount determined by the Director to reflect the cost of removal
based on information provided by a sign company shall be required to guarantee the
sign's removal upon expiration of the limited sign permit. Approval shall be subject
to the following findings:
1. Due to unique circumstances, the sign's immediate removal will result in a
substantial hardship for the applicant.
2. The sign will not adversely affect other lawfully erected signs in the area.
3. The sign will not be detrimental to properties located in the vicinity.
4. The sign will be in keeping with the character of the surrounding area.
5. The sign will not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic visibility and will
not be a hazardous distraction.
E. Design Review Board. When authorized by the provisions of this code, the Design
Review Board(DRB) shall review and render a recommendation to the appropriate _
decision maker(Zoning Administrator, Director, Planning Commission, etc.) on the
following items prior to application for a sign permit to the Building Department:
1. Electronic Readerboard Signs.
2. Signs on properties within the following areas:
a. Redevelopment project areas;
b. Areas subject to specific plans which do not include design guidelines
for signs;
C. Areas within 500 feet of PS (Public Semipublic) districts;
d. OS-PR(Open Space-Parks and Recreation) and OS-S (Open Space-
Shoreline districts); and
e. Areas designated by the City Council.
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F. Temporary Sign Permits. The Director may issue a temporary sign permit valid for
up to 30 days, if it is found that the temporary sign is necessary to establish or
maintain identity until a permanent sign can be erected. Extensions of the 30 day
permit may be granted at the discretion of the Director. The Director may also
approve a temporary sign permit for the following temporary signs provided the
signs conform with the standards defined in Section 233.06:
i. Signs necessary to avoid a dangerous condition, including directional signs
during construction.
2. Signs pertaining to a use permitted by a temporary use permit.
3. Promotional activity non-exempt signs, a maximum of 90 days per calendar
year pursuant to Section 233.18.
SECTION 2: That Section 233.20 of the Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision
Ordinance is hereby amended to read as follows:
233.20 Planned Sign Program
A planned sign program shall be submitted to the Director when required by Section 233.04 B.
Such program shall be reviewed and approved by the Director prior to issuance of any permit for
signs. The purpose of the planned sign program is to encourage coordinated and quality sign
design as well as to permit more flexible sign standards for commercial and industrial centers.
The standards of Section 233.06 shall be used as a guide in the design of a planned sign program.
The property owner shall designate a person or firm as the primary liaison with the City for the
purpose of submitting sign permit requests in conformance with the approved planned sign
program.
A. Planned sign program applications shall be submitted to the Planning Division and
shall include the following:
1. A site plan, drawn to scale, depicting the precise locations of all buildings
and signs;
2. Drawings and/or sketches indicating the exterior surface details of all
buildings on the site on which wall signs, directory signs, or projecting signs are proposed;
3. Written text describing the specific sign criteria for the property. The
program shall, at minimum, include provisions regulating sign height, area,
sign type, colors, design and location.
4. A statement of the reasons for any requested modifications to the provisions
or standards of this chapter; and
5. The name, address, and telephone number of the person or firm responsible
for administering the planned sign program.
B. A planned sign program may include more than one freestanding sign per parcel or
other deviations from the standards of this chapter,provided that the total sign area
does not exceed the area otherwise permitted by Section 233.06 by more than
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10 percent, or by 30% for multiple automobile franchises occupying the same lot,
and commercial businesses with 50,000 square feet or more of floor area. In
approving a planned sign program, the Director shall find:
1. That the proposed signs are compatible with the style or character of existing
improvements on the site and are well related to each other, reflecting a
common theme and design style.
C. The Director may require any reasonable conditions necessary to carry out the
intent of the planned sign program. For developments with existing signs, a
schedule or phasing plan for bringing such signs into conformance with the planned
sign program shall be submitted and become part of the approval. A cash bond may
be required to guarantee their modification or removal.
SECTION 3: This ordinance shall take effect thirty days after its adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach at a
regular meeting thereof held on the 7 th day of January , 2002 .
ATTEST:
City Clerk a)-1ra2 Mayor
REVIEWED AND APPROVED: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
�7 r
City Admiristrator f0—City Attorney
INIT TED AND APPROVED:
A45
Director of Planning
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Ord. No. 3527
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss:
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH )
I, CONNIE BROCKWAY, the duly elected, qualified City Clerk of the City
of Huntington Beach, and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of said City, do hereby
certify that the whole number of members of the City Council of the City of Huntington
Beach is seven; that the foregoing ordinance was read to said City Council at a regular
meeting thereof held on the 17th day of December,2001, and was again read to said
City Council at a re ular meeting thereof held on the 7th day of January,2002, and
was passed and adopted by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all the members
of said City Council.
AYES: Dettloff, Bauer, Cook, Green, Boardman
NOES: None
ABSENT: Houchen
ABSTAIN: None
I,Connie Brockway CITY CLERK of the City of
Huntington Beach and ex-ofcio Clerk of the City
Council,do hereby certify that a synopsis of this
ordinance has been published in the Independent on
�/ /✓f//�/Z y /7 2002
In accordance with the City Charter of said City City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk
Connie Brockway. Ci Clerk of the City Council of the City
e utv Citv Clerk of Huntington Beach, California