WOODLAND HILLS—The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously on an ordinance that allows digital signs. The city approved the Warner Center 2035 Specific Plan on July 2. The new ordinance will affect the area bounded by the Los Angeles River to the north; De Soto Avenue to the east; the Ventura Freeway to the south; and the properties along Topanga Canyon Boulevard to the west.
The area consists of many retails stores, small businesses, and apartments. It offers extensive space for signs than in the past and allows signs to be embedded to buildings. According to the ordinance, the digital display will be a minimum of 800 square feet and a maximum of 3,200 square feet in area. Small digital signs are allowed to rise up to 300 feet. The display signs will be limited to downtown and uptown.
For an applicant to be allowed to put up a digital sign, they must show that all the existing signs on their property have a permit. According to the ordinance, all signs that don’t have permits or are illegally constructed must be brought into compliance or removed before the approval of any additional sign(s).
The ordinance prohibits:
1. Billboards.
2. Can Signs.
3. Captive Balloon Signs.
4. Illuminated Architectural Canopy Signs.
5. Internally-illuminated Awning Signs.
6. Off-Site Signs.
7. Pole Signs.
8. Projected Image Signs.
9. Roof Signs, including Open Panel Roof Signs.
10. Sandwich Board Signs.
11. Signs for which a permit is required on Vacant Property.
12. Signs covering window exteriors, except Window Signs and Integral Digital Display Signs permitted by this ordinance.
13. Supergraphic Signs.
The ordinance is intended to support land use and urban development. The city encourages pedestrian-oriented signs to reinforce pedestrian oriented character of Warner Center streets. In addition, the City is looking to ensure the quality of the
Warner Center’s appearance by avoiding clutter. The signs have to contribute to a lively, colorful, 24/7 pedestrian atmosphere.
