HomeMy WebLinkAbout14. Receive & File Report for Window Signage StandardsiteM
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APPROVED BY
TO: HONORABLE MAYORAND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY MANAGER
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
Y: ALDO E. SCHIDLER, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT,
DATE: SEPTEMBER 24, 2019
That the City Council receive and file the report on window signage standards.
At the July 23, 2019 City Council meeting, Council Member Saab requested staff to"return in a
couple of months with a report and presentation regarding the City's window decal standards.
This report chronicles staff's findings, and will be accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation to
City Council at the September 24, 2019 City Council meeting.
Commercial signage is a balance in every community because there is a need to allow businesses to
advertise their names and services while also ensuring that an overall standard and community
appearance is maintained. Window signage is typically a delicate part of this balance. The City of
Downey, consistent with most jurisdictions, has code regulations that set standards for window
signage to ensure that storefront windows are not covered with various forms of signage. The intent
of the City's codes is to encourage thought out and organized window signage.
All businesses with a storefront are allowed to install a sign to identify their business name at the top
of the frontage wall. Window signs serve as an accessory to the main wall sign and are often utilized
to display a business name or identify the goods or services offered by the business.
Many jurisdictions provide a maximum percentage of each window that is allowed to be covered by
signage. The purpose of setting a standard window coverage area is to ensure there is a consistent
appearance throughout commercial districts and the traditional storefront window appearance is
maintained.
The City of Downey's window signage regulations permit a maximum of 15% of a window to be
covered with signage. In preparation of this report, staff surveyed ten jurisdictions to evaluate the
window signage maximums that are permitted for their business storefronts.
The cities surveyed range from permitting 10% to 33% window coverage for their storefront
businesses. One city was an outlier with a standard that only allowed text instead of a percentage for
general advertisement. The most common percentages found in the survey were 10% and 25%;
each with three cities. The City of Downey falls within the middle of these common standards with an
allowable window sign area of 15%.
WINDOW SIGNAGE STANDARDS
SEPTEMBER 24, 2019
PAGE 2
City
Percentage for Window Signs
Anaheim
20%
-Brea
25%
Buena Park—
20%
Cerritos
10%
Fullerton
33%
La Mirada
25%
Lakewood
10%
Monrovia
10%
Pasadena
4 inch tall individual letters onl..
Whittier
25%
This code standard allows businesses to apply
variations in size, shape, and location of their window
signs but maintains a standard scale throughout the City. The illustrations below show the different
potential window signage layouts available.
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As previously noted, the intent of the code standards for window signage is to ensure that there is a
cohesive and attractive appearance for storefront businesses with window signage. This same goal is
achieved through the code's prohibition of neon signs and signs that flash or rotate. The use of these
signs, whether part of a primary wall sign or part of a window sign, can cause a hazard or distraction
to vehicular traffic. The City of Downey is consistent with many of the surveyed cities who also
prohibit this type of signage.
This report was prepared to provide the City Council with an overview of the window signage
standards that are in place for the City of Downey and how they are implemented. The
sign standards are appropriate and should remain.
Economic Vibrancy
Efficiency & Adaptability
There is no fiscal impact to the City's General Fund associated with this item.
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