Ordinance No. 185388
ORDINANCE NO 185
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS ESTABLISHING A SIGN ORDINANCE
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS.
PART 1 - TITLE AND SCOPE
Section 1• This Ordinance shall be known as the Sign Ordinance of the
City of Cypress and will be referred to herein as "this Code '
Section 2: The purpose of this Code is to provide minimum standards
to safeguard life health prosperity and public welfare by regulating and
controlling the design, quality, construction, illumination, size, location
and maintenance of all signs and sign structures
Section 3 The provisions of this Code shall apply to construction
alteration, and repair of any sign within the City
Where in any specific case different sections of this Code specify
different requirements, the most restrictive shall govern.
Section 4. The provisions of this Code are not intended to prevent
the use of alternate materials or construction not specifically prescribed
by this Code, provided any such alternate has been approved.
The Building Official may approve any such alternate, provided he finds
that the proposed design is satisfactory and at least the equivalent of that
prescribed in this Code, in quality, maximum size and location.
Section 5. In order to provide for reasonable interpretations of the
provisions of this Code in the event of controversy between the Building
Official and Sign Applicant the Planning Commission of the City of Cypress
shall act as a Board of Appeals after the pioper sign variance information
has been submitted Variance provisions shall not be used to increase size
of sign.
PART 2 - PERMITS AND INSPECTIONS
Section 20• No person firm or corporation shall erect construct
enlarge, alter, modify or relocate any sign in the City or cause to be done
without first obtaining a building permit for each such sign or advertising
structure.
Where said sign is electric or illuminated by electricity, a separate electrical
permit shall be obtained
Section 21• Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing
upon forms furnished by the Building Department of the City of Cypress
The Building Official may require the filing of plans or othe r
pertinent information where in his opinion it is necessary to assure
compliance
Section 22. Before issuing any permit, the applicant shall pay a
permit fee determined on the basis of Table 2-A
Sign Area
TABLE 2-A
Ground Sign Ground Sign All Others
Under 15' High Over 15' High
20 sq ft or less
21 sq. ft. to 40 sq. ft
4n sq ft to 80 sq ft
80 sq ft to 100 sq ft
For each additional 100
square feet or fraction
thereof
$2 00
3 00
4 00
$3 00
5 00
7 00
6 00 9 00
5 00
$2 00
3 00
4 00
6 00
6 00 5 00
Ordinance No 185
Section 23• Where the Building Official requires the filing of plans
and/or calculations with the application, a plan check fee equal to one-half
(1/2) of the building fee shall be paid.
Section 24: Inspection requests and procedures shall comply with the
Building Code and Electrical Code
PART 3 - DEFINITIONS
The following terms are defined for the purpose and use of this
Ordinance
Area of sign: Shall mean the total square foot area of the exterior
dimensions of the sign including that portion of the supporting structures
which carries any wording, symbols or pictures Where a sign is composed
of "cutout" elements area of sign will be computed on the basis of a
rectangle equivalent in dimensions to the extreme height and width dimensions
of said sign
Business Frontage: Shall mean lineal footage or computed square footage of
the front face of the building or store occupied by an individual business.
Square footage to be measured by the lineal foot multiplied by the height
extending from finished grade to ceiling line of the most upper story
Display frontage• Shall mean the lineal foot of display frontage for those
businesses where the principal display of merchandise is located outside of
a main building
Billboard: A sign or advertisement exceeding 100 square feet in area used
as an outdoor display, for advertising which does not pertain to the business
or activity on the premises where said sign or advertisement is located
Street Clock: A clock supported by a building post marquee, or other
structure used in conjunction with advertising material The allowable
area shall be computed as a sign
Building Code• The adopted building code of the City of Cypress and
amendments
Electrical Code• The adopted electrical code of the City of Cypress
with amendments
Sign Includes every sign billboard, ground sign, wall sign roof sign,
illuminated sign electric sign, projection sign temporary sign, marquee sign,
awning sign canopy sign, and street clock and shall include any announcement
declaration, demonstration, display illumination, insignia or any structure
used to advertise or promote the interests of any person or thing when the
same is placed out of doors in view of the general public
Sign - Electric. Includes all signs and advertising structures served or
energized with electrical current for purposes of illuminating or for any
other purpose.
Sign - Combination A sign that is a combination of a roof sign combined
with a projecting sign or a roof sign combined with a ground sign
Sign - Directory• A ground sign on which are uniformly displayed the name
and nature of business only of a group of three or more business
establishments within an integrated development
Sign - Roof• A sign erected, constructed, and maintained wholly upon or
over the roof of any building
Sign - Parapet• A sign erected, constructed and maintained wholly upon
a parapet
Sign - Ground: A sign which is supported by one or more poles uprights,
or braces in, or upon the ground, which are not a part of a building
Sign - Community• A ground sign designating the name of Shopping Center
combined with a directory sign
Ordinance No. 185
Transitional Area: An area which is in the process of developing from
agricultural use to either commercial, industrial, or residential and
comprising more than one (1) acre Such area shall be considered transitional
for a period of six months after the first unit is issued a certificate of
occupancy
Sign - Illuminated A sign which has characters, letters, figures, designs,
or outlines illuminated by electric lights or luminous tubes.
Signs - Projecting- A sign suspended from or supported by a building or
structure and extending more than six inches (6") therefrom
Sign - Wall: A sign suspended from, supported by or painted on a building
or structure which is parallel to said building or structure and projecting
less than 6" therefrom
Sign - Temporary: A sign, banner, pennant, valance, or advertising display
with or without frames intended to be displayed and maintained for a
period not exceeding 90 days in any 12 consecutive months.
Sign - Marquee: A sign painted on, attached to, or hung from a marquee
Sign - Canopy A sign painted,on, attached to or hung from a canopy
Sign - Awning: A sign painted on, attached to, or hung from an awning
Canopy An overhanging shelter or shape supported wholly or in part by
poles, uprights, or braces which intrude into required yard setbacks line.
PART 4 - EXEMPTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS
Section 40 The provisions and regulations of Part 2 of this Code shall
not apply to the following signs, provided said signs shall be subiect to
all other provisions of this Code.
a. Real Estate Sign not exceeding six (6) square feet pertaining to
the sale or rental of the property on which it is displayed, but not
more than two such signs to the lot. Such signs may be two-faced or
printed on both sides, but may not be electric
b. Personal or professional name plates not exceeding one (1) square
foot containing only the name and occupation of the occupant of the
premises These signs may be electric and may be located on a post
not exceeding a total height of 6 feet
c Identification name plates or signs on apartment houses, boarding
or rooming houses, or similar uses not exceeding six (6) square feet
in area
d Municipal Signs - Traffic signs city limit signs public building
signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger and such
temporary emergency or non -advertising signs
e Memorial signs or tablets names of buildings and historical
monuments when such are cut into any masonry surface or when
constructed of bronze or other incombustible material
f Bulletin or announcement signs erected on the premises of a church
or a lawfully established place of public worship not exceeding one in
number per street frontage and used solely for the purpose of stating
items relating to said church activities conducted on the premises,
provided such church bulletin or announcement signs state the name of
the church or religious denomination and do not exceed 50 square feet
in area and do not exceed 6 feet 6 inches (6 6') in height above
adjacent grade elevation
g Temporary signs denoting the architect, engineer, contractor, or
lending institute when placed upon work under construction and not
exceeding 32 square feet in area.
h Transit Company and Public Utility signs erected pursuant to an
order of the Bureau of Franchise.
Or inance N . 185
i Temporary signs on windows advertising sale of products in
retail stores
PART 5 - PROHIBITED LOCATIONS
Section 50• No sign shall be erected in a location where placement
would constitute a traffic hazard so as to obstruct free and clear
vision of pedestrians or vehicular traffic, or at any location where, by
reason of the position, shape, lighting or color, it may interfer with
obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign,
signal or device, or which makes use of the words "STOP", "LOOK",
"DANGER", or any other word phrase, symbol, or character in such manner
as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic
Section 51. No sign shall project into any private alley whatso-
ever below a height of fourteen feet above grade nor more than one foot
when over 14 feet
Section 52: No sign shall be erected on public property or easements
Section 53 No sign shall project over public property. Except in
those cases where a building is built on the property line and then sign may
project a maximum of two feet. Buildings within 100 feet of other
buildings built on property line may be allowed same projection
Section 54. No sign or part of a sign less than 8 feet above grade
shall be located nearer than two feet from public property
Section 55 No sign or part of a sign shall obstruct any fire escape,
stairway, standpipe, exterior door required exit legally required light
and ventilation nor shall any sign or any of its supports be attached
to or supported by any fire escape or standpipe
Section 56. No flashing rotating or animated sign shall be
allowed within 200 feet of an intersection of a major, primary, or
secondary street with any other major, primary or secondary street.
Sec tion 57. All signs which are lighted with an intensity equal
to or exceeding the light of an headlight of an automobile and which
light is so directed as to shine directly into the eyes of the vehicle
operator are prohibited
Section 58: Signs extending over 30 feet in height or 10 feet over
roof lines are prohibited
Section 59. Billboards shall not exceed 350 square feet in area
PART 6 - SIZE LIMITATIONS FOR ZONES
Section 60. Only the following signs shall be permitted in the
following zones•
a A-1 Only the following signs shall be permitted in an A-1 zone•
1 Those signs allowed in Part 4 and
2 One (1) lighted or unlit sign not over 25 square feet in
area fronting on any one street advertising the sale of
products grown or produced on the premises or the sale, lease,
or hire of the building, property, or premises upon which
displayed except when such property is in a transition zone.
b A-2 Those signs allowed in an A-1 zone
c R-1 Only those signs allowed in Part 4 of this Ordinance
d R-2 Only those signs allowed in part 4 of this Ordinance.
e R-3 Only the following signs shall be permitted in an R-3 zone
1 Those Signs allowed by part 4 of this Ordinance.
2 If the property frontage exceeds 200 feet, one 15 square foot
unlighted sign advertising the rental or lease of the property
Ordinance No 185
3 One unlighted name place for each dwelling unit, attached
flat against the main building not exceeding 4 x 16 inches,
containing only the name and occupation of the occupant of
the premises
f R -4 Those signs allowed in an R-3 zone
g C-1 Only the following signs shall be permitted in a C-1 zone
1 Not more than two signs are permitted for the same business
frontage and then total advertising area shall not exceed either
(a) 207 of the face of the building frontage to which
the sign pertains, or
(b) 2 square feet per lineal foot of building frontage
to which sign pertains or
(c) 40 square feet, whichever is greater
2 In addition to the above a directory or community_ sign
permitted for each commercial development of three or more
businesses, provided the total area of sign is not over one
square foot per one (1) lineal foot of combined property frontage
is
3 Those signs permitted in Part 4 of this Ordinance
h C-2 Only the following signs shall be permitted in a C-2 zone•
1. Those signs permitted in a C-1 zone, and
2 A community or directory sign of three or more businesses
provided the total area of sign is not over two square feet per
one (1) lineal foot of combined property frontage
i C-3 Only the following signs shall be permitted in a C-3 zone•
1 Those signs permitted in C-2 zone, and
2 In the event the principal display of merchandise is located
outside of a main building, an additional one (1) square foot per
lineal foot of display frontage of sign is permitted
H -C Those signs permitted in the C-3 zone, and
1 Billboards not to exceed one for each 700 lineal feet
of street frontage
k. M-1 and P -M The following regulations shall apply to all signs
and outdoor advertisements in M-1 and P -M zones•
1 Those signs permitted in the H -C zone
1 P -D As set out above the regulations of the R-1 R-3 or C-1
district shall apply on applicable uses as approved by the Planning
Commission and/or City Council
m. R -C Only the following signs shall be permitted in an R -C zone•
1 Those signs permitted by Part 4 of this Ordinance, and
2 One 10 square foot of sign area for each one acre of R -C
property. Areas may be combined for the prupose of a larger
sign but in no case shall sign area be greater than 350 square
feet
n CEM Those signs permitted in an R -C zone
o. Transitional Area. Only the following signs shall be permitted
in a transitional area•
Ordi-.ance 146 185
1. Those signs permitted by Part 4 of this Ordinance, and
2 Temporary directional subdivision signs and temporary
signs advertising on-site commercial industrial, and
residential developments, provided that said temporary signs
will not exceed
a. One 80 foot sign and five 12 square foot signs
for any transitional area of less than five acres.
b. Two 100 square foot signs and ten 12 square
foot signs for any transitional area from five acres
to ten acres in size
c. An additional 100 square foot sign and five 12 -
square foot signs for each additional ten acres of
transitional area, or a fraction thereof
PART 7 - NON -CONFORMING SIGNS
Non -Conforming signs shall be amortized as follows:
a. Signs under 50 square feet one year
b Signs 51 square feet to 100 square feet two years.
c Signs 100 square feet to 200 square feet - three years
d Signs in excess of 200 square feet five years
PART 8 - PENALTY
Any person, firm, or corporation violating any of the provisions
of this Ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon
conviction therefor, shall be punishable by a fine of not more than
$500, or by imprisonment in the County Jail for a period of not more
than six months, or both such fine and imprisonment.
Adopted and approved this 23rd day of September, 1963, by the
following roll call vote.
AYES• 5 COUNCILMEN Gordon, Gorzeman, Van Dyke, Wright & Noe
NOES 0 COUNCILMEN None
ABSENT. 0 COUNCILMEN: None
MAYOR
ATTEST4':(/(-(4
TY CLER
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF CYPRESS )
1�.
I, Darrell Essex, City Clerk of the City of Cypress, do hereby
certify that the foregoing Ordinance had its first reading at a regular
meeting of the City Council held on the 26th day of August, 1963, and
had its second reading and was duly adopted by the City Council of the
City of Cypress on the 23rd dayof September 1963
CITY CLERK
0--dinanc e N ' 185