ORD 684 ORDINANCE NO. 684
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RANCHO PALOS
VERDES, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING §17.75.B (LEGAL
NONCONFORMING SIGNS) OF CHAPTER 17.75 (SIGN
CODE) IN TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE RANCHO PALOS
VERDES MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALLOW FOR THE
REMODELING AND/OR RECONSTRUCTION OF
EXISTING LEGAL, NON-CONFORMING FREESTANDING
MONUMENT AND DIRECTORY SIGNS, AND POLE SIGNS,
AND DETERMINE THE CODE AMENDMENT IS EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
ACT (CASE NO. PLCA2024-0005)
WHEREAS, on November 16, 2021, the City Council approved a comprehensive
update of the City's Sign Code (Chapter 17.75 of the RPVMC), including regulations for
both commercial and non-commercial (residential) signs, intended to promote the public
health, safety, and welfare and balance the City's interests in aesthetics and traffic safety,
with the interest of residential uses and nonresidential uses to provide visible information
relating to the services or goods provided to existing and potential patrons; and
WHEREAS, the current Sign Code offers very limited capabilities for commercial
sites to remodel existing legal Nonconforming signage, including freestanding directory
and monument signs, and pole signs, requiring reconstruction of a legal Nonconforming
sign where 30 percent or more of the sign and/or sign structure is to be replaced to be
brought into full compliance with the Sign Code standards; and
WHEREAS, depending on the age,and/or condition of the existing Nonconforming
signs on the larger commercial sites, it may be impossible for an applicant to maintain
more than 70 percent of the original sign structure due to Building Code requirements;
and
WHEREAS, the Sign Code design standards are limited to a maximum height of
six feet and a maximum area of 40 square feet for larger commercial sites, limiting the
ability of commercial sites with multiple access points and multiple tenants to provide
effective informational directory signage, which may impact the commercial businesses
and cause confusion and conflicts for traffic trying to locate the businesses; and
WHEREAS, the Variance section of the RPVMC cannot be utilized for
nonconforming signage, and another method by which to allow remodeling of existing
legal, non-conforming signs would need to be added to the RPVMC in order to address
existing commercial properties; and
WHEREAS, given that the City Council's goals of maintaining and improving the
quality of life for Rancho Palos Verdes residents and supporting the viability and growth
of local businesses, including enhancing the aesthetics and businesses along the
Western Avenue commercial corridor, and many of these larger commercial sites in that
vicinity; and
WHEREAS, on May 21, 2024, the City Council initiated code amendment
proceedings to Chapter 17.75 (Sign Code) of the Rancho Palos Verdes Municipal Code
to allow the remodeling and/or reconstruction of existing, legal, non-conforming
freestanding monument and directory signs subject to certain requirements; and
WHEREAS, on May 23, 2024, a public notice was published in the Palos Verdes
Peninsula News informing the public of a public hearing by the Planning Commission to
consider recommendations to the City Council related to the adoption of code
amendments to Chapter 17.75 (Sign Code) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the RPVMC; and
WHEREAS, on June 11, 2024, the Planning Commission held a duly noticed public
hearing, considered the information provided by City staff, public testimony and other
evidence regarding the Project., and adopted Resolution No. P.C. 2024-20, and its
findings, based upon the evidence presented to the Planning Commission at its hearing,
to recommend that the City Council amend §17.75.B.3 (Removal without compensation;
legal Nonconforming signs) of Chapter 17.75 (Sign Code) in Title 17 (Zoning) of the
RPVMC to allow for the remodeling and/or reconstruction of existing, legal,
Nonconforming freestanding monument and directory signs, and pole signs, and
determine the code amendment is exempt from CEQA requirements; and
WHEREAS, on June 13, 2024, a public notice was published in the Palos Verdes
Peninsula News informing the public of a public hearing by the City Council to consider
adoption of code amendments to Chapter 17.75 (Sign Code) of Title 17 (Zoning) of the
RPVMC; and
WHEREAS, on July 2, 2024, the City Council conducted the public hearing, at
which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard and present
evidence on the proposed code amendments and introduced Ordinance No. 684 that
included additional language as recommended by the Planning Commission.
NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes does
hereby ordain as follows:
Section 1. Recitals. The facts set forth in the recitals of this Ordinance are true
and correct and incorporated herein by this reference as though set forth in full.
Section 2. CEQA Compliance. The City Council determines that the code
amendment described below is categorically exempt from the California Environmental
Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, section 15301 as they regulate the
alteration of existing structures and CEQA Guidelines, section 15311, placement of
signage and that none of the exceptions to the use of a categorical exemption set forth in
01203.0005/990385.1 Ordinance No. 684
Page 2 of 5
CEQA Guidelines, section 15300.2 apply to this code amendment and specifically this
code amendment does not present any unusual circumstances.
Section 3. Amendment to the Code. Title 17 (Zoning) of the Rancho Palos
Verdes Municipal Code Section 17.75.140.B (Legal nonconforming sign) of the Sign Code
is hereby amended as follows (Note: Additions are noted as bolded and underlined and
deletions as strikethrough):
17.75.140.B. Legal nonconforming signs.
3. Reconstruction of a legal nonconforming sign (other than a freestanding
monument sign or directory sign, or pole sign) where 30 percent or
more of the sign structure is replaced must be brought into full compliance
with this chapter.
4. The remodel and/or reconstruction of an existing nonconforming
freestanding monument or directory sign, or pole sign, may be
permitted provided that all of the following requirements are met:
a. The remodeled and/or reconstructed sign and sign structure and
framework shall maintain the same type of sign structure and
framework.
b. The sign structure and framework height shall not exceed the
existing non-conforming sign's current height.
c. The remodeled and/or reconstructed sign structure and framework
shall be located in the same general location as the existing non-
conforming sign, as determined by the Director.
d. The dimensions and square, footage of a remodeled and/or
reconstructed sign area shall not exceed that of the existing non-
conforming sign area.
e. The lowest portion of the sign area shall not be below the low point
of the existing non-conforming sign.
f. The remodeled and/or reconstructed sign and sign structure do not
extend into the public right of way, from ground to sky.
g. The remodeled and/or reconstructed sign and sign structure do not
create a public health and safety hazard with regards to sightlines
for driveways, intersections, etc., as determined by the Public
Works Director.
01203.0005/990385.1 Ordinance No 684
Page 3 of 5
h. If the existing lighting on a legal nonconforming sign and/or sign
structure changes, that lighting shall comply with the illumination
regulations set forth in RPVMC §17.75.080(C).
Section 4. The Code Amendment is consistent with the goals, policies, and
objectives of the General Plan because the Code Amendment is in the public interest in
that it will allow existing dilapidated freestanding monument and directory signs, and pole
signs to be remodeled and improve the aesthetics of the City. Specifically, the Code
Amendment is consistent with the following Goals and Policies of the City's General Plan:
1. Land Use Element Policy No. 15: "Require that scenic view preservation by
commercial and institutional activities be taken into account not only in the
physical design of structures and signs, but also in night lighting of exterior
grounds." Land Use Element, pg. L-8.
2. Visual Resources Element Policy No. 11: "Maintain strict sign standards to
ensure that signs are harmonious with the buildings, neighborhood, and
other signs in the area." Visual Resources Element, pg. V-3.
Section 5. Severability. If any provision(s) of this Ordinance or the application
thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of
competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect any other
provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are declared to
be severable. The City Council hereby declares that they would have adopted this
ordinance and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, part or portion thereof,
irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, clauses, phrases,
parts or portions thereof be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
Section 6. Posting. The City Clerk shall certify the passage and adoption of this
Ordinance by the City Council and shall cause this ordinance to be published or posted
in accordance with Government Code section 36933 as required by law.
Section 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall go into effect at 12:01 AM on the
31st day after its passage.
01203.0005/990385.1 Ordinance No 684
Page 4 of 5
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED on this 16th day of July, 2024.
O AA/1/k'
Joh uikshank, Mayor
Attest:
eresa k-aoka, City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )°
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES )ss
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
I, Teresa Takaoka, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, do hereby certify that
the whole number of members of the City Council of said City is five; that the foregoing
Ordinance No. 684 was introduced by the City Council of said City at a regular meeting
thereof held on July '2, 2024, was duly and regularly adopted by the City Council of said
City at a regular meeting thereof held on July 16, 2024, and that the same was passed
and adopted by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Alegria, Bradley, Ferraro, Seo and Mayor Cruikshank
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
eresa oka, City Clerk
I
01203 0005/990385.1 Ordinance No 684
Page 5 of 5
111
CITY OF RACHO PALOS VERDES
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
CITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES )
The undersigned, being first duly sworn, deposes and says:
That at all times herein mentioned, she was and now is the City Clerk of the
City of Rancho Palos Verdes;
That on July 18, 2024, she caused to be posted the following document
entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 684, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING §17.75.B
(LEGAL NONCONFORMING SIGNS) OF CHAPTER 17.75 (SIGN
CODE) IN TITLE 17 (ZONING) OF THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES
MUNICIPAL CODE TO ALLOW FOR THE REMODELING AND/OR
RECONSTRUCTION OF EXISTING LEGAL, NON-CONFORMING
FREESTANDING MONUMENT AND DIRECTORY SIGNS,AND POLE
SIGNS, AND DETERMINE THE CODE AMENDMENT IS EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT(CASE
NO. PLCA2024-0005), a copy of which is attached hereto, in the
following locations:
City Hall Ladera Linda Community Park
30940 Hawthorne Blvd. 32201 Forrestal Drive
Rancho Palos Verdes Rancho Palos Verdes
Hesse Park
29301 Hawthorne Blvd.
Rancho Palos Verdes
I certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is a true and correct
affidavit of posting.
‘' Clerk