Ordinance No. 534ORDINANCE NO 534
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS
AMENDING CdAFTER 23 OF THE CYPRESS CITY CODE PERTAINING
TO SIGNS
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CIPRESS DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 23 of the City Code of the City of Cypress is hereby amended
to read as follows:
Article I. In General.
Section 23 -1. Definitions.
All terms used in this Chapter which are defined in the City of Cypress
Zoning Ordinance or the Uniform Building Code as adopted and as amended
by the City of Cypress are used in this Chapter as so defined unless it
clearly appears from the context of this Chapter that a different meaning
is intended.
Section 23 -2. Purpose of Chapter.
The purpose of this Chapter is to provide minimum standards to safe-
guard life, health and public welfare by regulating and controlling the
design, construction, location and maintenance of all signs and sign
structures. This Chapter supplements the design, illumination, size,
location and other regulations of Section 15 of the City Zoning Ordinance
(Ordinance No 497),
Section 23 -3- Inspections.
Inspection requests and procedures under this Chapter shall comply
with the Uniform Building Code and Electrical Code as adopted and as
amended by the City of Cypress.
Article II. Permits.
Section 23 -4. Required - Electrical permits required for illuminated and
electrical signs.
No person shall erect, construct, enlarge, alter, modify or relocate
any sign in the City or cause the same to be done without first obtaining
a building permit for each such sign or advertising structure.
Where such sign is electrical or illuminated by electricity a separate
electrical permit shall be obtained.
Section 23 -5. Same - Exceptions.
The provisions and regulations of this Article shall not apply to the
following signs; provided, that such signs shall be subject to all other
provisions of this Chapter:
(a) Real Estate signs not exceeding six 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 electrical.
(b) Personal or professional name plates not exceeding one 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. These signs shall not exceed a total height of six
feet above the adjacent ground elevation.
(c) Identification name plates or signs on apartment houses, boarding -
houses, rooming houses or similar uses, not exceeding six square
feet in area.
(d) Municipal signs, traffic signs, city limit signs, public building
signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger signs and
other temporary, emergency or nonadvertising signs.
(e) Memorial signs or tablets and names of buildings and historical
monuments, when such are cut into any masonry surface or when
constructed of bronze or other combustible material.
(f) Bulletin or announcement signs erected on the premises of a
church or 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 such church
activities conducted on the premises; provided, that such
church bulletin or announcement signs shall state the name
of the church or religious denomination and shall not exceed
fifty square feet in area and six feet six inches in height
above the adjacent grade, elevation.
(g) Temporary signs denoting the architect, engineer, contractor
or lending institute when placed upon work under construction,
not exceeding thirty-two square feet in area.
Section 23 -6, Application; filing of plans
An application for a sign building permit shall be made in writing
upon forms furnished by the building department.
The building superintendent may require the filing of plans or
other pertinent information where, in his opinion, it is necessary
to assure compliance with this Chapter.
Section 23 -7. Fees,
Before issuing any permit under this Article, the applicant therefor
shall pay a permit fee as determined by resolution of the City Council.
Article III., Standards and Specifications
Section 23 -8, Erection on public property prohibited,
No sign shall be erected on public property or easements except as
provided for by State Law and Chapter 15 of the City Zoning Ordinance
(Ordinance No. 497).
Section 23 -9. Obstruction of fire escapes, stairways, standpipes, exits,
etc., prohibited,.
No sign or part of a sign shall obstruct any fire escape, stairway,
standpipe, exterior door, required exit, legally required light or venti-
lation, nor shall any sign or any of its supports be attached to or supported
by any fire escape or standpipe.
Section 23 -10. Obstruction of or interference with traffic prohibited.
No sign shall be erected in a location where placement would constitute
a traffic hazard so as to obstruct free and clear vision of pedestrian or
vehicular traffic; or at any location where, by reason of the position,
shape, lighting or color, it may interfere 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 related word,
phrase, symbol or character in such manner as to interfere with, mislead
or confuse traffic.
All signs which are lighted with an intensity equal to or exceeding
the low beam of an automobile headlight and which light is so directed
as to shine directly into the eyes of a vehicle operator are prohibited.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Cypress at a
regular meeting held on the 12th day of x', 974./
ATTEST:
CITY CLE1( OF ' E ' iIy OF CYPRESS
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a
MAYOW OF /TH CITY IF CYPRESS
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) SS
I, DARRELL ESSEX, City Clerk of the City of Cypress, DO HEREBY CERTIFY
that the foregoing Ordinance was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the
said City Council held on the 12th day of August, 1974; by the following
roll call vote:
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEN: Frankiewich, Harvey, Kanel, Sonju and Lacayo
NOES: 0 COUNCILMEN: None
ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEN: None
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CITY CLERIC O THE CITY'' OF CYPRESS
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