Chapter 17.56
OVERLAY ZONE (OUTDOOR ADVERTISING STRUCTURES)
Sections:
17.56.030 Overlay restricted to certain zones.
17.56.050 Advertising displays adjacent to landscaped freeways.
17.56.060 Exempt advertising displays.
17.56.070 Removal of prohibited structures.
17.56.010 Generally.
Outdoor advertising structure zones shall be created in the same manner as property is reclassified from one zone to another within the city, as set forth in CMC 17.80.080 through 17.80.150. When such a zone has been created, it shall be designated upon the city’s official zoning map as an overlay zone, by adding the parenthetically enclosed letter “S” (S) after the zoning symbol which indicates the zone in which the property is included. Outdoor advertising structure zones shall be referred to as “S zones.” (1964 Code Appx. A § 9.50.)
17.56.020 Permitted uses.
In addition to all other permitted uses on properties which are included within an S zone, there shall be permitted the erection and maintenance of outdoor advertising structures, subject to the regulations set forth in this code. (1964 Code Appx. A § 9.51.)
17.56.030 Overlay restricted to certain zones.
S zones shall be overlaid only upon the following zones as the same are defined in this title: M-1 zones and C-P zones directly adjacent to freeway right-of-way. (Ord. 24-04 § 4, 2024; 1964 Code Appx. A § 9.52.)
17.56.040 Use limitations.
No person shall use, locate, construct or maintain an outdoor advertising structure on any property except in an S zone. The location and maintenance of outdoor advertising structures on such properties shall comply with the following regulations:
A. The total area of an outdoor advertising structure shall not exceed 800 square feet, nor be less than 300 square feet;
B. No advertising structure shall exceed an overall height of 35 feet, measured from the finished grade of the lot upon which the sign is located; nor shall the bottom of the structure be less than 12 feet above the grade;
C. Structures shall be supported by not more than two columns, which columns shall be metal, or material equal to or stronger than metal;
D. The standards for material used as a border around the sign area, as well as the screening on the back of single-faced structures, shall be as set forth by resolution of the city council, which resolution and standards therein may be amended from time to time, as necessary, to ensure the protection and preservation of the public health, safety and general welfare;
E. All outdoor advertising structures shall be maintained so as not to be unsightly to a person of normal sensibility, nor in such a manner as to constitute a nuisance at law. The planning director shall be charged with the enforcement of this subsection;
F. Outdoor advertising structures shall be located in compliance with the following:
1. No outdoor advertising structure shall be located other than in compliance with all setback requirements of the zone underlying the S zone upon which the same is located, and
2. No outdoor advertising structure shall be located within 400 feet, as measured along the street on one side thereof, of any property zoned for or used for residential, agriculture, church, school, park, hospital or civic center purposes, and
3. No outdoor advertising structure, except for bidirectional signs, shall be located within 450 feet, as measured along the street on one side thereof, of any other outdoor advertising structure whether or not on the same lot, and
4. No outdoor advertising structure shall be located within two feet of any other building or structure, except that bidirectional outdoor advertising structures may be located adjacent to one another if the distance between the same does not exceed 18 inches.
G. Advertising displays adjacent to landscaped freeways shall be subject to CMC 17.56.050. (Ord. 24-04 § 5, 2024; 1964 Code Appx. A § 9.53.)
17.56.050 Advertising displays adjacent to landscaped freeways.
Notwithstanding any other provisions to this code regarding outdoor advertising structures adjacent to a landscaped freeway, the following provisions apply:
A. Outdoor advertising structures adjacent to a landscaped freeway shall comply with the following provisions:
1. Any outdoor advertising structure adjacent to a landscaped freeway shall comply with Caltrans requirements.
2. In addition to required Caltrans provisions, any outdoor advertising structure adjacent to a landscaped freeway shall be required to have an accompanying development agreement approved by the Covina city council.
3. Any outdoor advertising structure adjacent to a landscaped freeway shall be required to obtain a conditional use permit that complies with Chapter 17.62 CMC.
4. Development Standards. In addition to the provisions of this chapter, any outdoor advertising structure adjacent to a landscaped freeway shall conform to the following development standards:
a. Height: Not to exceed 85 feet as measured from the finished grade of the outdoor advertising structure to the highest element of the outdoor advertising structure.
b. Size of advertising panel shall be no larger than 700 square feet in area.
c. Outdoor Advertising Structure Display Panel(s). An outdoor advertising structure may be single-sided or double-sided so the face of the advertising panel is designed to be primarily visible to freeway vehicular traffic. A maximum of two advertising panels per outdoor advertising structure is allowed.
B. Outdoor Advertising Structure Display Panel Disposition. An outdoor advertising structure display panel may be either digital or static.
C. A lighting study will be required, reviewed and approved by the planning department. (Ord. 24-04 § 6, 2024.)
17.56.060 Exempt advertising displays.
The provisions of CMC 17.56.050 shall not apply to any of the following listed advertising structures or signs used exclusively to:
A. Advertise the sale or lease of the property on which the advertising display is placed;
B. Designate the name of the owner or occupant of the premises upon which the advertising display is placed, or to identify the premises;
C. Advertise the business conducted or goods manufactured or produced, or services rendered upon the property upon which the advertising display is placed. (1964 Code Appx. A § 9.55.)
17.56.070 Removal of prohibited structures.
Notwithstanding any other contrary provisions of this code dealing with the removal of nonconforming uses, any advertising structure which is now, or hereafter may be, in violation of any of the provisions of CMC 17.56.020 through 17.56.060 shall be removed within three years from the effective date of the ordinance codified in this title except:
A. Outdoor advertising structures having supporting columns of wood shall be removed within one year of the effective date of the ordinance codified herein;
B. Outdoor advertising structures which comply as to location and zone, but not construction, shall be made to comply or be removed within one year of the effective date of the ordinance codified herein;
C. Outdoor advertising structures which may become nonconforming due to the future landscaping of a section or section of a freeway shall be removed within three years of the time the freeway landscaping has been completed or accepted, and the character of the section or sections has been changed from a freeway to a landscaped freeway. (1964 Code Appx. A § 9.56.)