Lancaster

Any notice, placard, bill, card, poster, sticker, banner, sign, advertising or other device calculated to attract the attention of the public which any person posts, prints, sticks, stamps, tacks or otherwise affixes, or causes the same to be done to or upon any street, right-of-way, public sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, lamppost, hydrant, tree, telephone pole or lighting system, or upon any fixture of the police or fire alarm system of the city of Lancaster or county of Los Angeles;

The following regulations shall apply to all signs in the I zones: 1. In no case shall a lighted sign or lighting device thereof be so placed or directed so as to permit the beams and illumination therefrom to be directed or beamed upon a public street, highway, sidewalk or adjacent premises so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance. 2. Existing outdoor advertising signs are subject to Section 17.40.210. 3. Subdivision signs are subject to Section 17.40.220. 4. Signs, except outdoor advertising signs, may be single-, double- or multifaced, provided that: a. The distance between the faces of any double-faced sign, other than a "V"-shaped projecting sign, shall not exceed 36 inches; and b. The separation between the intersecting faces of any multifaced sign shall not exceed 12 inches. 5. Any sign located on vacant and unoccupied property, and which was erected for an occupant or business unrelated to the present occupant or business, or any sign which pertains to a time, event or purpose which no longer exists shall be removed within 30 days after the purpose for, or use utilizing such sign has been removed from such property. 6. Any permitted sign may be a changeable copy sign. 7. All signs shall be designed in the simplest form and be free of any exposed bracing, angle iron, guy wires, cables or similar devices. 8. The exposed backs of all signs visible to the public shall be suitably covered, finished and properly maintained. 9. All signs shall be maintained in good repair, including display surfaces which shall be kept neatly painted or posted. 10. Any sign which does not conform to the provisions of this title shall be made to conform or shall be removed as provided in subsection B.4. of Section 17.32.850 except as provided in Section 17.32.850B.4.c. 11. Except where otherwise specifically provided by this title, sign regulations established pursuant to this title shall not apply to signs within a building, arcade, court or other similarly enclosed area where such signs are not visible to the public without entering such facilities. 12. The height of all signs shall be measured from the highest point of the sign.

The surface area of any sign face shall be computed from the smallest rectangles, circles and/or triangles which will enclose all words, letters, figures, symbols, designs and pictures, together with all framing, background material, colored or illuminated areas, and attention-attracting devices forming an integral part of the overall display, but excluding all support structures, except that: 1. Superficial ornamentation of a non-message-bearing character which does not exceed 5% of the surface area shall be exempted from computation; and 2. Wall signs painted on or affixed directly to a building wall, façade or roof, and having no discernible boundary, shall have the areas between letters, words intended to be read together, and any device intended to draw attention to the sign message included in any computation of surface area; and 3. Signs placed in such a manner, or bearing a text, as to require dependence upon each other in order to convey meaning shall be considered one sign and the intervening areas between signs included in any computation of surface area; and 4. Spherical, cylindrical or other 3-dimensional signs not having conventional sign faces shall be considered to have 2 faces and the area of each sign face shall be computed from the smallest 3-dimensional geometrical shape or shapes which will best approximate the actual surface area of said faces.

Business signs may be permitted in the I zones subject to Sections 17.16.040, 17.16.220, and the restrictions of this section. For more information concerning specific types of signs see Section 17.04.240, Definitions. A. Wall and Freestanding Business Signs Monument and post signs are the only freestanding business signs permitted in the I zones. 1. Area and Number Permitted a. A maximum of one square foot of wall or freestanding sign area for each one linear foot of continuous lot frontage up to a maximum of 150 square feet of total sign area. b. No more than one freestanding sign per property shall be permitted. c. No more than one sign per tenant, except on corner sites where not more than 2 signs per tenant is permitted. d. Each tenant shall be entitled to a minimum sign area of 20 square feet up to the maximum square footage allowed for the site. 2. Height Permitted a. Wall business signs shall not extend above: 1) Eighteen inches below the top of the wall of a single-story building; or 2) The lowest point of a sloping roof of a single-story building. b. Freestanding business signs shall not exceed a maximum height of 12 feet measured vertically from ground level at the base of the sign, or 3 feet below the roof line, whichever is least. 3. Projection Permitted Wall business signs shall not project more than 18 inches from the building wall to which they are attached. Freestanding signs may not project over the public right-of-way. 4. Lighting Wall and freestanding business signs may be internally or externally lighted, but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited. B. Window Signs Each business establishment may be permitted display window signs subject to the following restrictions: 1. Area permitted: Maximum of 25% of the window area. 2. Lighting: Window signs may be internally or externally lighted, but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited. C. Incidental Business Signs Each business establishment may be permitted incidental business signs provided: 1. That such signs are wall signs or window signs or are attached to an existing freestanding sign structure; and 2. That such signs do not exceed 3 square feet in sign area or 6 square feet in total sign area; and 3. That the sum of the sign areas of all such signs does not exceed 10 square feet 4. Incidental business signs may be internally or externally lighted but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited.

Building identification signs may be permitted subject to the following restrictions: A. Area Permitted One wall-mounted sign may be permitted provided: 1. Such sign does not exceed 6 square feet in sign area where located less than 30 feet above ground level measured at the base of the building below said sign; or 2. Such sign does not exceed 2% of the exterior wall area of the building wall on which it is mounted, excluding penthouse walls, where located more than 30 feet above ground level measured at the base of the building below said sign. 3. The area of the building identification sign shall be subtracted from the area submitted for wall signs. B. Height Permitted Such signs shall not extend above a line 18 inches below the highest point of a parapet wall or the lowest point of a sloping roof. C. Lighting Building identification signs may be internally or externally lighted but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited.

Temporary signs may be permitted in the I zones subject to the following restrictions: A. Area Permitted Temporary signs which are posted or erected for 90 days or less shall not exceed 16 square feet in sign area or 32 square feet in total sign area as defined in Section 17.04.240. Temporary signs which have obtained a permit pursuant to subsection G of this section and which are posted or erected for more than 90 days shall not exceed 32 square feet in sign area or 64 square feet in total sign area. B. Height Permitted 1. Freestanding temporary signs shall not exceed 6 feet in height. 2. Temporary signs which are posted, attached or affixed to buildings of more than one story shall not be higher than the finished floor line of the second floor of such building. 3. Temporary signs which are posted, attached or affixed to a single-story building shall not extend above: a. Eighteen inches below the top of the wall of the building; b. The lowest point of a sloping roof of the building. C. Projection Permitted Where temporary signs are attached to a wall such signs shall not project more than 18 inches from the building wall to which they are attached. D. Lighting Temporary signs shall not be lighted. E. Placement Temporary signs shall not be placed on public property (see Section 17.16.150B.6.), or in any manner that would endanger the public (see Section 17.16.150B.14.). F. Duration No temporary sign shall be posted for more than 90 days without obtaining a sign permit pursuant to subsection G of this section. No sign permit for a temporary sign shall be valid for more than one year. Upon written request for an extension, the director may grant an extension for up to one additional year upon finding that the sign is otherwise in compliance with the requirements of Section 17.16.140 et seq. and that the extension is necessary to accomplish the purposes for which the sign has been posted. No additional extensions may be granted. All temporary signs shall be removed within 14 calendar days after occurrence of the event, if any, which is the subject of the temporary sign. The date of the posting shall be permanently and legibly marked on the lower righthand corner of the sign face. G. Permit Required Any person who proposes to post or erect a temporary sign for more than 90 days shall file an application for a sign permit with the Department of Community Development. The applicant shall also file a statement of responsibility as required in subsection I of this section. H. Standards for Approval 1. Within 7 working days the director or his designated representative shall act upon the application for a temporary sign permit. 2. The action on the application shall be based on character, location and design, including design elements such as material, letter style, colors, sign type or shape, and the provisions of Section 17.16.140 et seq. 3. If the action is to disapprove, the notice of disapproval shall specify the reasons therefor. I. Statement of Responsibility Each person desiring to post or erect a temporary sign(s), regardless of duration, shall submit to the Department of Community Development a statement of responsibility in a form approved by the director with a description sufficient to identify the temporary sign(s), the locations of the sign(s) to be posted, and certifying a named individual who is responsible for removing each temporary sign. In the event the responsible individual fails to remove the temporary sign(s) as required by subsection F of this section, the temporary sign(s) shall be deemed abandoned and may be removed by the city, the cost of which removal shall be payable by the responsible individual. J. Removal of Unauthorized, Unmaintained or Dangerous Signs 1. Temporary signs posted for which a statement of responsibility has not been submitted and, if required, a permit has not been obtained, are subject to immediate removal by the city without compensation. The city may, at its option, also pursue legal action under Section 17.04.220. 2. Temporary signs which are deemed by the city to constitute a threat to the public health and safety are subject to immediate removal by the city without compensation. (Some examples might include such signs which are not secured against the wind or were placed in a manner which would interfere with the vision of drivers or pedestrians.) The city's cost of removal shall be payable by the responsible individual. 3. Temporary signs for which a statement of responsibility has been submitted and, if required, a permit has been obtained, and which do not pose a threat to public health and safety but are otherwise posted in violation of Section 17.16.140 et seq. shall be subject to removal in accordance with the following procedures. The city shall provide written notice to the responsible individual for each temporary sign established pursuant to subsection I of this section, that the sign is in violation of Section 17.16.140 et seq., shall specify the nature of the violation and shall direct the responsible individual therefor to remove or alter such temporary sign. If the responsible individual fails to comply with the notice within 3 working days after such notice is mailed, the sign(s) shall be deemed abandoned, and may be removed by the city, the cost of which shall be payable by the responsible individual to the city.

Freestanding or wall-mounted directional and/or information signs may be permitted in the I zones subject to the following restrictions: A. Area Permitted Directional and/or informational signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in sign area or 24 square feet in total sign area. B. Height Permitted 1. Wall-mounted directional and/or information signs shall not extend above a line 18 inches below the highest point of a parapet wall or the lowest point of a sloping roof. 2. Freestanding directional and/or informational signs shall not exceed 10 feet measured from the base of the sign. C. Location of Signs All such signs shall be located on site. D. Lighting Directional and/or information signs may be internally or externally lighted but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited.

The following special purpose signs may be permitted as provided herein: A. Civic Organization Signs If a site plan is first submitted to and approved by the director, as provided in Article VI of Chapter 17.32, freestanding civic organizations signs may be permitted at or near the entrance to the city subject to the following restrictions: 1. Area Permitted: Such signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in sign area or 100 square feet in total sign area. 2. Height Permitted: Such signs shall not exceed a maximum height of 12 feet measured vertically from the base of the sign. 3. Lighting: Civic organization signs shall be unlighted. 4. Design: Such signs shall be architecturally related to the area in which they are located. B. Bulletin or Special Event Signs One freestanding or wall-mounted bulletin or special event sign may be erected and maintained on each lot or parcel of land developed for a publicly owned, charitable, religious or educational institution subject to the following restrictions: 1. Area Permitted: Such sign shall not exceed 50 square feet in sign area or 100 square feet in total sign area. 2. Height Permitted: a. A wall-mounted sign shall not extend above a line 18 inches below the highest point of a parapet wall or the lowest point of a sloping roof. b. A freestanding sign shall not exceed a maximum height of 12 feet measured vertically from the base of the sign. 3. Location of sign: A freestanding sign shall not be located nearer than 25 feet to any lot line. 4. Lighting: Bulletin or special event signs may be internally or externally lighted, but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited. 5. Design: Such sign shall be architecturally related to the structure to which it is appurtenant. C. Fuel Pricing Signs Fuel pricing signs are permitted for each business offering gasoline or other motor vehicle fuel for sale subject to the following restrictions: 1. Types of Signs: Such signs shall be monument signs. 2. Area Permitted: a. One sign, not to exceed 30 square feet in sign area or 60 square feet in total sign area, shall be permitted for each street or highway frontage. b. If said business is located on a corner, one sign, not to exceed 50 square feet in sign area or 100 square feet in total sign area, shall be permitted at the corner in lieu of separate signs on each of the intersecting frontages. c. The area per sign face of a combined freestanding business and fuel pricing sign shall not exceed the sum of the permitted areas per sign face of the 2 merging signs. Nor shall the business portion of said sign exceed the area per sign face that would be permitted a business sign were it erected separately. 3. Height Permitted: a. No separate freestanding sign shall exceed 12 feet in height at a corner or 5 feet in height elsewhere. Such height shall be measured vertically from the base of the sign. b. No combined business and fuel pricing sign or no business sign to which fuel pricing panels are mounted shall exceed the maximum permitted height of a freestanding business sign as established in Section 17.16.160. 4. Location of Sign: No separate freestanding sign shall be located nearer to an existing freestanding sign or to a lot line, other than one adjoining a street or highway, than 25 feet. 5. Lighting: Fuel pricing signs may be internally or externally lighted, but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited. D. Outdoor Menu Signs for Restaurants with Drive Through or Car Service Outdoor menu signs may be permitted for each business offering food to drive through or car service customers subject to the following restrictions: 1. Types of Signs: Such signs shall be separate freestanding signs designed to serve the needs of motorist customers and shall be permanently affixed to the ground. 2. Area Permitted: Two signs, not to exceed 30 square feet each in total sign area may be permitted for each business. 3. Height Permitted: No outdoor menu sign shall exceed a height of 6 feet. 4. Location of Sign: No outdoor menu sign shall be located in any required yard. 5. Lighting: Outdoor menu signs may be internally or externally lighted but any continuous or sequential flashing operation is prohibited. E. Time, Temperature, and Public Service Message Signs Signs using any system for the display of time of day, atmospheric temperature, or programmable electronic messages may be permitted subject to the prohibitions in Section 17.16.150B and the following restrictions: 1. Type of Signs: All time, temperature, and public service message signs shall be wall, post or monument signs. 2. Area Permitted: One sign not to exceed 24 square feet in total sign area may be permitted for each street frontage up to a maximum of 2 for each business. 3. Height Permitted: No such sign shall exceed a height of: a. For monument or post signs — 12 feet; b. For wall signs — not less than 18 inches below the top of the wall of a single-story building. 4. Location of Sign: Such signs shall be placed not closer than 500 feet to any business already using this type of sign. 5. Other: Such signs must not violate the restrictions imposed by Section 17.16.150 B.1.d.

The automobile parking facilities required by this section shall be provided and permanently maintained as such unless and until a substitute has been provided which is in full compliance with the provisions of this title. The following parking requirements shall be complied with in the I zones: A. General Conditions The provisions of this section shall apply at the time that: 1. A building or structure is erected; or 2. An existing building or structure is altered to increase the number of bowling alleys, exercise area (i.e., fitness centers), seating capacity (fixed or not fixed) or service bays; or 3. An existing building or structure is enlarged. EXCEPTION: An existing building or structure which has insufficient lot area upon which to provide the required parking or landscaping may be enlarged by an area not to exceed 20% of the gross floor area including the original building or structure and all legal additions thereto for which required parking and associated landscaping have been provided. This exception applies only when there will be no reduction of existing parking or landscaping on the site; or 4. The use of a building or structure is changed. EXCEPTION: Buildings or structures legally constructed in accordance with the parking requirements in effect at the time of building permit issuance will not require full compliance with the parking space requirements of this section provided that: a. Said change in use creates no greater demand for parking spaces (as defined by this

No use shall be established or expanded within the I zones unless and until the required parking and loading facilities are provided in accordance with this section. The number of parking spaces required by this section shall be determined by the use which most recently preceded the proposed use, except that if the proposed use requires more parking spaces than the use which most recently preceded it, the number of parking spaces shall be determined by the proposed use. In no event shall the number of parking spaces be less than that required for the proposed use, nor shall the number of parking spaces be less than that required for the use which most recently preceded it, and a. All available space not used for parking shall be improved for purposes of parking and landscaping in accordance with this section and Section 17.16.220 (not to exceed the parking requirement for said use) prior to the new use occupying said premises.

Space required by this section for automobile parking shall either: 1. Be owned by the owner of the premises because of the use of which the automobile parking space is required; or 2. Subject to director's review and approval the owner of such premises shall have the right to use such space for automobile parking, solely to serve existing buildings or structures, by virtue of a recorded lease for a term of not less than 20 years, which lease requires that if canceled the party canceling such lease, not less than 60 days prior to the effective date of such cancellation, shall notify the Director of Community Development of such cancellation. Such lease shall be approved by the city attorney as to form and content, and once executed shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder and copies thereof filed with the director; or 3. Subject to director's review and approval the owner or owner-authorized lessee of any property, may authorize joint use of parking facilities solely to serve existing buildings or structures occupied by the following uses or activities, provided that all the requirements of this zone can be complied with: a. The parking facilities required for any non-residential use, which is primarily a daytime use may be fulfilled by the parking facilities of a use which is primarily a nighttime and/or Sunday use, and vice versa, provided such parking facilities meet the requirements of subsection B.3.b. of this section. b. All of the following conditions shall be met in order for the director to approve joint usage of parking: 1) The lots or parcels upon which the uses referred to in subsection B.3.a. of this section are proposed shall be adjoining as defined in this title, and 2) There shall be no substantial conflict in the principal operating hours of the uses for which joint usage of parking is proposed, and 3) That the joint usage of the off-street parking facilities shall be contingent upon the execution of an agreement, which requires that if canceled the party canceling such agreement, not less than 60 days prior to the effective date of such cancellation, shall notify the director of such cancellation. Such agreement shall meet the approval of the city attorney as to form and content. Once approved, the executed agreement shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder and copies thereof filed with the director. 4. The owner of such premises shall enter into an agreement with the redevelopment agency for the provision of all, or part, of the required parking off-site in a separate facility, including public parking lots. Such agreement may include provisions for payment of an in lieu parking fee as specified by the Redevelopment Agency. Nothing herein shall require the Agency to approve such an agreement.

When the application of this section requires a fractional part of an automobile parking space or parking place sufficient to accommodate a fractional number of automobiles, any such fraction shall be construed as a whole. This section does not apply to the specification of an area by square feet, or of an area equal to another area.

Access. a. Driveways providing access to the site may be combined, relocated, or otherwise limited in order to minimize traffic conflicts and improve public safety. All driveways shall be constructed to comply with current city standards. All driveway locations are subject to the approval of the Director. b. Entry drives into parking areas shall be of sufficient depth to provide for vehicle stacking appropriate to the size, location and intensity of the project served. c. Access to drive-through facilities shall have a sufficient depth to provide vehicle stacking for not less than 7 automobiles at a depth of 24 feet per automobile per drive-through facility. (One bank teller station equals one such facility.) Such stacking space shall be designed in a manner which will not restrict access to or from parking spaces, aisles or driveways. d. Public transit opportunities for turnouts, shelters and pedestrian access shall be considered for all sites abutting expressways or arterial streets. e. Access and bicycle parking facilities shall be considered for all sites abutting or adjacent to a planned bicycle and/or trail facility.

Lighting. The intent of this requirement is to properly illuminate the site without producing an adverse impact on neighboring property. Exterior lighting of the building and site shall be provided, maintained and utilized during the hours of darkness in accordance with the following requirements: a. Exterior lighting shall be part of the architectural concept. Fixtures, standards, and all exposed accessories shall be compatible with building design. b. Placement of lighting shall be in accordance with recognized crime prevention, and safety principles.

Outside storage or display. All outside storage shall be developed to comply with all standards set forth herein, except for those uses which have been specifically exempted therefrom: a. The uses listed in Section 17.16.130 B.5. are exempt from these requirements except for the following uses which shall comply: 1) Automobile impound yards; 2) Electric distribution substations; 3) Equipment rental and sales shall comply in the LI zone only; 4) Gas metering and control stations, public utility. b. All outside storage or display in the LI zone which is open to view from any street or highway abutting the lot or parcel of land upon which it is conducted, or which is open to view from any other lot or parcel shall be screened from view by a solid masonry wall constructed to Los Angeles County D-65 standards or as otherwise specified by the city. Gates, where used, shall also be of solid construction unless another design is approved by the Director. Chain link with slats is not acceptable. c. All outside storage or display in the HI zone which is open to view from freeways, expressways or arterial streets abutting the lot or parcel of land upon which it is conducted, or which is open to view from any area zoned or used for residential purposes, or which is open to view from any existing industrial use of a nature which, in the opinion of the Director, is adversely affected by the appearance of the outside storage

Paving. Required parking areas, as well as the maneuvering areas and driveways used for access thereto shall be paved with: (NOTE: Permits are required for any work done in the public right-of-way.) a. Concrete surfacing to a minimum thickness of 3½ inches with expansion joints as necessary; or b. Asphalt surfacing, rolled to a smooth, hard surface having a minimum thickness of 2 inches after compaction, and laid over a base of crushed rock, gravel or other similar material compacted to a minimum thickness of 4 inches. c. For commercial and industrial truck parking and drive aisles, asphalt surfacing rolled to a smooth hard surface having a minimum thickness of 3 inches after compaction and, at a minimum, designed to accommodate a traffic index (TI) of 6.5 as calculated in accordance with the latest edition of the CalTrans Highway Design Manual. Large industrial projects may need a greater TI based upon their use. d. Other alternative material that will provide at least the equivalent in dust-free service, life and appearance of the materials and standards which would be employed for development pursuant to subsection A.2.a. or b. of this subsection. e. The Director shall review and report on the adequacy of paving where modification of base is proposed under subsection A.2.b. of this section, or where alternative materials are proposed under subsection A.2.d. of this section. The Director may approve such modification or such alternative materials if, in his opinion, the evidence indicates compliance with subsection A.2.b. or A.2.d. of this section, as the case may be.

Size and Marking of Spaces. a. No less than 75% of the parking spaces shall exhibit minimum dimensions of 9 feet in width by 20 feet in length, with required disabled person spaces at the dimensions as provided by law. b. Compact Spaces. No more than 25% of the parking spaces may exhibit minimum dimensions of 8 feet in width by 17 feet in length. Such spaces shall be labelled "compact car only" in a manner acceptable to the Director. c. No parking shall occur in the first 10 feet of a required front or street side yard. d. Where parking abuts an alley, the improved alley may be used as an aisle subject to approval of the parking lot design. e. For parallel parking, minimum aisles are 12 feet and minimum parking space dimensions are 8 feet by 24 feet.

Circulation. Mark entrances and exits clearly. Vehicular circulation should be "one-way" in each aisle or "two-way" if the aisle width is a minimum of 20 feet. No aisle shall be less than 12 feet in width.

Buffering. A masonry wall of 6 feet in height shall be provided at the property line where the activities of a commercial or industrial use are anticipated to be incompatible with existing commercial, industrial or residential uses. It shall be the burden of the applicant to prove to the satisfaction of the Director or his designated representative that the project will not create or be subject to conditions necessitating a wall at the time of site plan review if a wall is not desired by the applicant.

Building Design. a. Building design standards applicable to all I zones: 1) Roof treatment shall be the same on the periphery of the building, except where a different treatment is required by the city building code. 2) Solar access and prevailing winds should be considered in building design and orientation. 3) Additions to existing buildings shall generally conform to the design of the existing building. New building size, materials and color shall be consistent with the scale and design of the building to which it is attached. b. Building design standards applicable to the LI zone: 1) Building components such as windows, doors, eaves and parapets shall have good proportions and relationships to one another. 2) Utility doors, access panels, fire doors, loading docks and other openings shall be treated as part of the architectural composition of buildings. c. Building design standards applicable only to the LI zone: 1) An exterior color scheme for all buildings or additions thereto shall be submitted with the building elevations for approval. The color scheme for existing neighboring buildings shall be indicated and considered.