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January 2, 2010

New sign laws in effect in Chatsworth

By Charles Oliver

CHATSWORTH — Chatsworth city officials say they plan to start enforcing a new sign ordinance now that the new year has begun, but they say they will work with business owners and residents to help them comply with the law.

The City Council passed the law in October, but city officials say they wanted to try to educate the public about its requirements before starting to enforce it.

“The (old) sign ordinance was many years old and hadn’t been updated,” said Chatsworth zoning administrator Dolley Flood.

One of the updates, according to Mayor Tyson Haynes, is that LED signs are now legal under the law.

“The old ordinance didn’t take into account all of the new LED signs that businesses like to use,” he said.

But the law bans flashing and animated signs, according to Flood, and copy cannot change more than every 10 seconds.

The law also calls for abandoned signs to be removed. It also bars portable signs, excluding “A frame” signs that are restricted to the central business district. Billboards are also restricted to certain areas, and roof signs are barred, says Flood. Signs that mimic traffic signs are illegal as are signs in the public right of way.

“We are really going to (enforce) this by asking people to comply with the ordinance,” said Flood. “If they do not comply, of course, we will cite them to court and the city judge will determine the fine, not to exceed $1,000.”

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