By Jason Islas
Staff Writer

November 5, 2013 -- Six months after City Hall stepped up efforts to curb violations of Santa Monica’s 28-year-old sign ordinance, officials say they are making headway.

Since City officials launched an education campaign in late April geared toward letting local business owners know how their signs might be violating a 1985 ordinance that critics allege City Hall has not adequately enforced, nearly 40 businesses have been cited, officials said.

“(P)rohibited and unpermitted signage is an issue that we contend with on a daily basis,” said Joe Trujillo, the City’s code enforcement manager.

While Trujillo could not confirm how many estimated sign violations there were currently in the city, in 2000 official estimates put the number of illegal signs in Santa Monica at more than 1,000. ("Troubling Signs," February 17, 2002)

“(F)rom May 1st to present we have issued a total of 210 administrative citations 37 of which are sign code violations,” Trujillo told The Lookout in an email Monday.
Each of those 37 violations came along with a $75 fine, he said.

As part of the April campaign, City Hall sent businesses throughout the Santa Monica a flyer explaining that fluorescent and animated signs, balloon signs, banners, A-Frame signs, high-rise and rooftop signs, flags and pennant signs were all prohibited under the 1985 ordinance. ("Santa Monica Businesses Need to Fix Their Signs, Officials Say," May 1)

“Educating and issuing warnings is the first step in our enforcement process, when a citation is issued there may be specific corrections (removal, relocation or alteration) that are required depending on the type and location of the sign,” said Trujillo.

For example, the City Council recently approved a pilot program allowing A-Frame signs on private property along Main Street.

In the past, City Hall has come under fire for not enforcing Santa Monica’s stringent sign ordinance.

In 2002, many city officials, including former mayor Herb Katz and several members of the Architectural Review Board, complained that City Hall was not treating the sign ordinance seriously enough.

Planning officials at the time said that though enforcing the sign ordinance was an important part of City business, other violations took precedence and, without the resources available, officials wouldn’t be able to address all concerns.

While Trujillo said his department is busy making sure that Santa Monica’s signs meet the City’s standards, he reiterated much of what was said in 2002.

“We do not limit our enforcement efforts based on violation type,” he said. “(O)ur goal is to enforce the entire municipal code and our priorities change from day to day and many times minute to minute so our resources are dedicated as the needs of the community change.”

One major issue his department deals with is clutter on the sidewalk.

“Of course public safety is of the highest priority and private property left in the public right of way can be a safety hazard and cannot be allowed unless properly permitted,” he said.