9.34.070 - Off-Site Signs

1. Purpose. This Section provides standards for off-site signs, including standard and creative billboards, business district signs, large screen video signs, and tall wall signs.

2. Applicability. A Sign Permit issued in compliance with Section 9.34.100 (Sign Permits) shall be required for the establishment of any off-site signs allowed under the provisions of this Section.

3. Approval authority. The Commission shall have the authority to approve business district signs and large-scale video signs. The Director may approve all other off-site signs.

4. Billboards - Creative. A creative billboard may be approved as a temporary modification to an existing billboard, in compliance with this Section. The following regulations are intended to encourage creatively designed billboards that make a positive visual contribution to Sunset Boulevard and to the overall image of the City.

   1. Applicability. An applicant may request the approval of a Sign Permit for a creative billboard only within the SSP zoning district.

   2. Time limit. A creative billboard may remain in place for no more than six months.

   3. Standards. A creative billboard shall be designed and located as follows.

      1. The creative billboard shall alter an existing billboard without changing its location, or exceeding the height limitations identified in the Sunset Specific Plan. Any enlargement of the billboard shall be designed as an integral part of the billboard and contribute to the overall creativity of its design.

      2. The billboard shall be properly sited and well integrated within the context of its surroundings;

      3. The billboard shall not have more impact on public or private views than the building envelope permitted by the Sunset Specific Plan;

      4. The billboard shall exhibit one of the following elements:

         1. Architectural - The proposed billboard is compatible with the architectural elements of the structure(s) or site; or

         2. Media - The proposed billboard incorporates neon, unique lighting techniques, electronic graphics, moving or animated elements, three-dimensional elements, City of West Hollywood logo, or other creative concepts deemed appropriate by the Director.

      5. Moving or changing visuals shall be timed to not cause confusion or interfere with the flow of traffic, or otherwise adversely impact public health, safety, or welfare.

5. Billboards - Standard.

   1. Applicability. New billboards and the replacement of existing billboards shall be allowed along Sunset Boulevard in compliance with the Sunset Specific Plan subject to the approval of a Sign Permit.

   2. Standards for new billboards. Billboards shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in compliance with the provisions of the Sunset Specific Plan.

   3. Standards for existing billboards. Existing billboards and support structures may be replaced provided that the dimensions of the billboard are not increased and the billboard is replaced substantially in the same location as the previous billboard in compliance with the following:

      1. The top of the replacement billboard shall not be placed higher than the previous billboard. If the billboard is replaced at a height greater than that allowed by the Sunset Specific Plan then none of the following provisions shall apply and the billboard shall be replaced in exactly the same location as previously existed.

      2. The location of the replacement billboard shall not vary more than five feet in a side-to-side or front-to-back direction from the previous location. In no case shall the billboard be located within three feet of a front property line unless already existing in that location;

      3. The location of the replacement billboard shall not vary more than 10 degrees of rotation from the previous location.

6. Business district identification signs. A business district identification sign is an off-site sign for the identification of a specific business district or center identified in the General Plan or a business improvement or redevelopment area approved by the Council.

   1. Standards. Business district signs shall not:

      1. Interfere with pedestrian or vehicular safety to the satisfaction of the Director of Transportation and Public Works;

      2. Detract from the pedestrian quality of the surrounding area; or

      3. Add to an over proliferation of signs on one property or in an area.

   2. Maintenance agreement required. The owner of the sign shall enter into an agreement with the City for funding the ongoing cleaning, maintenance, and repair of the sign subject to the approval of the Director of Transportation and Public Works.

7. Large screen video signs.

   1. Applicability. Large screen video signs may be approved along Sunset Boulevard, on parcels identified as being within Geographic Areas Three, Four, Six, or Seven in the Sunset Specific Plan. Video signs shall be allowed only in conjunction with new construction of 5,000 square feet or more. The sign shall satisfy the applicant's urban art obligation in compliance with 9.38 (Urban Art Program).

   2. Standards. Proposed video signs shall comply with the following standards:

      1. The sign shall be at least 100 square feet in screen area;

      2. No more than four large screen video signs shall be allowed within the City;

      3. The sign shall be designed so as not to create safety and traffic hazards, as determined by the Director of the Department of Transportation and Public Works; and

      4. The sign shall include programming to qualify it as urban art as approved by the Fine Arts Advisory Board.

   3. Time limits and extensions. Large screen video signs shall be installed within two years from the date of approval. The Director may, upon request prior to the expiration date, extend the permit one time for an additional six months in compliance with 9.xx.xxx (Permit Implementation, Time Limits, and Extensions).

8. Tall wall signs.

   1. Applicability. Tall wall signs may be approved only within the SSP zoning district and only for buildings existing on the effective date of this Zoning Code.

   2. Standards.

      1. A tall wall sign shall have a minimum image area of 5,000 square feet.

      2. The measurement of minimum image area shall not include windows or other openings, and the sign shall not cover windows or openings.

      3. The sign shall be designed and oriented to provide an unobstructed view of the minimum image area of the sign from at least one pedestrian vantage point at ground level on Sunset Boulevard, but shall not be located on a building facade facing Sunset Boulevard.

      4. The area of the sign containing text shall not exceed 15 percent of the total sign area as measured in compliance with Subsection 9.34.040.C (Measurement of Sign Area).

      5. The sign shall be applied directly to the wall of the structure.

      6. The wall shall contain no other signs, except for street address, building identification sign, or the logo of the primary tenant.