Exempt Signs9.160.020 Exempt signs.
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La Quinta Municipal Code
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Title 9 ZONING
Chapter 9.160 SIGNS
9.160.020 Exempt signs.
A. Signs Not Requiring Sign Permits. The signs listed in Table 9-17 following do not require a sign permit
nor shall their area and number be included in the aggregate area or number of signs permitted for any
premises or use. However, this exemption shall not be construed as relieving the sign owner of the
responsibility of: (1) obtaining any building or other permits required for sign erection, if any; (2) proper
sign maintenance; or (3) compliance with applicable provisions of this chapter or of any other law or
ordinance. Exempt signs shall not be illuminated nor placed within any public right-of-way unless
specifically permitted hereinbelow.
Table 9-17 Exempt Signs Not Requiring a Sign Permit*
Sign Type
Placement
Maximum Area
Illumination
1. Official notices issued by any court or public body or officer and
n/a
n/a
n/a
notices posted by any public officer in the performance of a public duty
or by any person giving legal notice
2. Within residential districts, address or identification signs
Building-
1 sq. ft. aggregate
Required
mounted
3. Signs located in the interior of any building or enclosed outdoor area
n/a
n/a
Yes
which are designed and located to be viewed exclusively from within
such building or outdoor area
4. Tablets, stained glass windows or dates of erection cut into the surface
Building-
3 sq. ft.
No
of a wall or pedestal or projecting not more than two inches
mounted or
freestanding
5. Directional, warning or informational signs required by or authorized by
n/a
n/a
Yes
law or by a governmental authority, including signs necessary for the
operation and safety of public utility uses
6. Incidental accessory signs and placards (e.g., open/closed signs, six
Window or
3 sq. ft. aggregate
No
signs maximum per premises)
building -mounted
7. Temporary decorations clearly incidental and customary and commonly
n/a
n/a
Yes
associated with any national, local or religious holiday, provided such
signs are erected no earlier than forty-five days from the applicable
holiday and removed within twenty-one days after the applicable
holiday.
8. Sculptures, fountains, mosaics and design features which do not
n/a
n/a
Yes
incorporate advertising or premise identification
9. Property signs (e.g., "No Trespassing," "No Parking," etc.),
Building-
3 sq. ft.
Yes
informational/directional signs (e.g., "Restrooms," "Exit," etc.) and
mounted or
warning signs (e.g., "High Voltage")
freestanding
10. Vehicular directional signs used to identify street entrances and exits,
Building-
3 sq. ft.
Yes
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9.160.020 Exempt signs.
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maximum three feet if freestanding
mounted or
freestanding
11. Directional pavement marking
n/a
n/a
n/a
12. Newspaper stand identification
n/a
3 sq. ft.
No
13. Within commercial districts, chalkboards or small placards (e.g.,
Building-
3 sq. ft.
Indirect only
restaurant menu boards)
mounted
14. Vending machine signs and automatic teller signs
n/a
n/a
Yes
15. Directional and nonprofit public information signs for public, quasi-
Freestanding
n/a
No
public, and nonprofit uses on public or private property, adjacent to an
arterial thoroughfare. Number, shape, location and height (maximum 6
feet) of signs shall be approved by the director of planning and public
works
16. Within commercial zones, temporary information window signs
Window-
No one window sign
No
fronting on a street, parking lot or common on-site area, not covering
mounted
shall exceed 4' high
more than 25% of the area of the window(s) within which they are
or 8' long (32 sq. ft.)
placed for a period not to exceed 14 days nor more than 6 times per
calendar year. No more than 3 signs per elevation with windows may be
installed at any one time
17. Within residential zones, temporary decorative flags clearly incidental
Building-
7 sq. ft.
No
which may or may not be associated with any national, local or religious
mounted
holiday
Table 9-17 Exempt Signs Not Requiring a Sign Permit* (Cont.)
Sign Type
Placement
Maximum Area
Illumination
18. Temporary for sale, lease, open house, or rent signs located on the
Freestanding
6 sq. ft., 4 feet high.
No
subject property. One sign per street frontage.
Aggregate not to
exceed 12 sq. ft.
19. Temporary for sale, lease, open house, or rent signs located on
Freestanding
12 sq. ft. 6 ft high.
No
commercial/ten acre residential parcels in one ownership. One sign per
Aggregate not to
street frontage
exceed 24 sq. ft.
Signs in residential districts requiring a permit
See Section 9.160.040
Signs in nonresidential districts requiring a permit
See Section 9.160.050
Temporary and semipermanent signs
See Sections 9.160.060 and 9.160.070
* In this table:
"n/a" means not applicable or no restriction
"Building -mounted" means signs mounted flush -to -wall only
B.' Repainting. The repainting of a sign in original colors shall not be considered an erection or alteration
which requires sign approval unless a structural, text or design change is made. (Ord. 468 § 1, 2009; Ord.
394 § 2 (Exh. A) (part), 2003; Ord. 293 § 1 (part), 1996; Ord. 284 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 1996)
http://gcode.us/codes/laquinta/view.php?topic=9-9_160-9_160 020&frames=on 8/12/2011