BEVERLY HILLS REAL ESTATE SIGN REGULATIONS City of Beverly Hills Municipal Code Pursuant to Beverly Hills Municipal Code 10-4-201, all real estate signs in the City require permits. Real estate signs are regulated based on the zones in which the properties being sold, leased or rented are located: Single Family Zones, Multiple-Family Residential Zones, and Non-Residential Zones (including Commericial and Industrial Zones). Click the link below for details. City of Beverly Hills Real Estate Sign Regulations [pdf format]

BEVERLY HILLS TAX CODE CHANGE City of Beverly Hills – Reduction in Taxes Due from Sale Agents On March 1, 2005, the Beverly Hills City Council unanimously voted to support a change to the tax code which among other changes will reduce the tax paid by sale agents from $3.50 to $1.00 per thousand and will require the broker to collect and remit the tax on behalf of their sales agents . Below is the text of the staff report and ordinance to this effect, in addition to the letter that the City is sending out to the real estate offices located in Beverly Hills. Staff Report and Ordinance [pdf format] BH letter to Real Estate Offices [pdf format] BH Quarterly Business Tax Reporting Form [pdf format]

CITY OF CULVER CITY REAL ESTATE SIGN REGULATIONS Culver City Zoning Code Pursuant to Culver City's Zoning Code 37-78.C, all real estate signs are subject to extensive and specific regulations. Click the link below for details. Culver City Real Estate Sign Regulations [pdf format]

$92 MILLION BUSINESS TAX RELIEF PACKAGE Numerous measures have begun January 1, 2006 as part of the City's continuing effort to retain and attract new businesses, including Rate Consolodiation, Rate Reduction, Small Business Exemption, Small Business Tax Assistance Program, and E-Filing. Read All the Details [pdf format]

LOS ANGELES DWP WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM The LADWP offers a program where you can get FREE high-quality toilets with FREE installation, FREE removal of old toilets, FREE water-saving shower heads and aerators with FREE installation. Everything is in compliance with LA Municipal Ordinance 172075 that requires low-flush toilets be installed when selling your property. Download the pdf below for details. LADWP Water Conservation Program [pdf format]

LOS ANGELES CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY PASSES BUSINESS TAX REFORMS On November 17, 2004, groundbreaking business tax reform was approved unanimously by the Los Angeles City Council after a decade of efforts by the business community to seek tax relief and simplify the tax system for all businesses. The reforms include $92 million in tax cuts for LA businesses, which were heralded by City Councilmembers Wendy Greuel and Eric Garcetti. Under the new reforms, LA businesses will benefit from simplification, modest rate relief and new payment options. An estimated 61 percent of the city’s business taxpayers will be exempt from paying taxes at all as new rules allow businesses grossing less than $100,000 annually to operate businesses tax free. For entertainment related businesses, such as musicians and screenwriters, the exemption increases to $300,000 gross receipts annually. However, LA businesses of all types and sizes will receive rate relief of 15 percent to be phased in over five years. In addition, the city’s 75 rate categories will be reduced down to seven, and taxpayers will be able to file their taxes online after December 28, 2004. HIGHLIGHTS of Los Angeles’ Business Tax Reform: Phased-in 15 percent tax break for all businesses Businesses with annual gross receipts of $100,000 or less will be exempt Entertainment-related businesses grossing less than $300,000 annually will be exempt Reduction of business tax categories from 75 to 7 Businesses may choose to pay on a cash or accrual basis For more information about the new tax rules in Los Angeles, log onto www.lacity.org/finance or call 213-473-5901.

CITY OF LOS ANGELES For Sale Real Estate Signs Q & A QUESTION ANSWER What size of “For Sale” (or “Lease/Rent”) sign is allowed in each residential zone? Section 12.21A.7.(f) states: “There may be one or more unlighted signs pertaining to the prospective rental or sale of the property, but the total area of all these signs shall not exceed 20 square feet on any lot in an “A” zone, nor exceed 12 square feet on any lot in a “R” Zone.” How long can signs remain on a property? There is no time limit. Is there is a limitation on the number of signs allowed on a property? There is no limit on the number of signs, provided the total area of all signs does not exceed 20 square feet. What are the rules for off-site Open House signs (directional signs Tuesdays and Sundays)? The City does not allow signs on any part of the Public Right Away. Open House signs can be displayed on the property; however the total area of all signs on the property cannot exceed 20 square feet. For more information, or if you have any further questions, please call the Department of Building and Safety at 888-LA4-BUILD.

SANTA MONICA REAL ESTATE SIGN REGULATIONS City of Santa Monica Municipal Code Pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code 9.52.130, real estate signs in the city of Santa Monica are exempt from ARB (Architectural Review Board) approval and therefore do not require permits. Click the link below for full details. City of Santa Monica Real Estate Sign Regulations [pdf format]

CITY OF SANTA MONICA Remodel Threshold On July 27, 2004, the City Council will hear an introduction and first reading of an interim ordinance of the City of Santa Monica modifying the threshold at which a structure is determined to be substantially remodeled and thereby subject to all current applicable zoning code regulations, establishing exceptions to the substantial remodel requirements, and authorizing zoning administrator adjustments in specified circumstances. Introduction and First Reading of an Interim Ordinance to Modify the Zoning Code Pertaining to the Substantial Remodel Definition and the Applicability Requirements for Adjustment Applications Read details [pdf format - 20 pgs]

ELLIS ACT EVICTIONS City of Santa Monica: Ordinance to amend Chapter 4.36 of Municipal Code to extend relocation benefit to residents displaced by Ellis Act Evictions In April 2004, in response to a recent change in State law, the Santa Monica City Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance extending relocation benefits to all residents displaced by Ellis Act evictions, irrespective of household income. The attached ordinance fulfills that direction. Staff recommends that the Council introduce the ordinance for first reading and also adopt a resolution adjusting for inflation the amount of permanent relocation fees paid to tenants. Read details [pdf format]

SANTA MONICA DISCLOSURES ON HISTORICAL STATUS OF PROPERTIES Effective for all properties entering escrow on or after January 15, 2004 the City of Santa Monica has implemented an ordinance requiring the Seller disclose to the Buyer the Historic Status of the property. If the property IS LISTED in either the Designated Landmarks or Historic Resources inventory, the “Santa Monica Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement” is REQUIRED. YOU MUST CHECK BOTH INVENTORIES WHEN LISTING ANY PROPERTY! If the property is NOT in either inventory, no disclosure is required. To assist our members, this essential information can be found by linking to the following documents: Map of Designated Landmarks Historic Resources Inventory SM Transfer Disclosure Statement

WEST HOLLYWOOD FLYER BOXES Placing "flyer boxes" on Properties for Sale is Illegal The Code Compliance Division of the City of West Hollywood has sent a letter to the BHGLAAR, reminding all REALTORS® doing business in the city that placing “flyer boxes” on properties for sale is illegal. The City will be issuing citations for this violation. If you have any questions, please contact Jeff Aubel, Lead Code Compliance Officer at 323-848-6424. Please help to spread the word in your offices. For information on sign requirements in the City of West Hollywood, go to www.bhglaar.com.

CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD Amendment to Zoning Ordinance The Planning Commission held a public hearing 4/21 to consider amendment of the City of West Hollywood Zoning Ordinance regarding inclusionary housing requirements and minimum property maintenance standards pertaining to evidence of water leakage, elevator maintenance and vegetation. Read the memo Read the original resolution Read the updated resolution

CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD New Ordinance Increases West Hollywood Tenant Relocation Fee Schedule In an effort to protect and enhance affordable housing opportunities in the City of West Hollywood, the West Hollywood City Council adopted an ordinance increasing relocation fees in certain instances. The City's laws have long required landlords to pay relocation fees to tenants who are displaced through no fault of their own, for example when extensive repairs are required or when the landlord has the tenant move so the landlord or a close family member can live in the rental unit. The new ordinance increases relocation fees for those tenants to the following amounts: $4,000 for a bachelor apartment; $5,000 for a one-bedroom apartment; $7,000 for a two-bedroom apartment; $10,000 for three or more bedroom apartment; and $8,000 for a senior citizen, a tenant with one or more minor, dependent children residing with them, a handicapped tenant, a lower income tenant and a terminally ill tenant. For more information, call the Rent Stabilization and Housing Department at (323) 848-6450.

WEST HOLLYWOOD SIGN ORDINANCE On June 21, 2004, the City Council of the City of West Hollywood passed Ordinance No. 04-683, which amends the West Hollywood Municipal Code regarding placement and text of open house signs. If you have any questions regarding this ordinance, you can contact Jeffery Aubel, Lead Code Compliance Officer at 323-848-6475. Ordinance No. 04-683 Zoning Text Amendments relating to Real Estate Open House Signs Table 3-13 Requirements for Temporary Signs, Real Estate Signs, of Chapter 19.34 Sign Standards is amended as follows: Sign Type Maximum Number Maximum Area Maximum Height Time Limit Additional Requirements Open Houses On-Site Signs 1 sign and 4 flags per open house, on-site only Not applicable Not applicable Shall not be installed before 8:00 a.m. on the day of the open house and shall be removed immediately after the open house. None Open Houses Off-Site Signs 1 per corner; maximum of 4 per intersection 18” high 24” wide 42” for sign on a stake; 36” for A-frame sign On Sunday and Tuesday only, from noon until 6:00 p.m. To be placed on private property only. Only text permitted is “open house” with an arrow in direction of the property. Double-faced sign only. No flags, no riders, no addresses, no company names, no agent names or descriptions.

PROPOSED ORDINANCE PROHIBITING LANDLORDS FROM REMOVING TENANT’S ON-SITE PARKING SPACES The City of West Hollywood will be approving an ordinance that will make it a misdemeanor offense to take away a parking space from a tenant. Complaints have increased on the number of landlords who remove parking from Before-Costa-Hawkins (BCH) tenants, in order to provide greater amenities to After-Costa-Hawkins (ACH) tenants, who are paying market rate. This ordinance will “establish that a landlord-provided on-site parking space is an inseparable part of (the) rental unit, and prohibit landlords from removing a tenant’s on-site parking space if the space is provided on or after March 1, 2004.” The purpose is to create a disincentive for landlords to remove parking spaces from BCH tenants. This does not preclude a landlord and a tenant from creating an agreement between themselves, or tenants from voluntarily accepting a legal rent reduction for the lost space. Please, PLEASE, PLEASE, consult the Rent Stabilization Department in West Hollywood at 323-848-6450 to clarify any specific issues. Don’t assume that if a client wants to invest in Los Angeles, Santa Monica, or West Hollywood, they are aware of the Rent Control laws. Get your clients down to City Hall to verify their rights and those of their tenants; and to clearly understand what their realistic expectations should be on their rental property investments. Read the text of the Proposed Amendment.

CELL PHONE REGISTRY Get On The "Do Not Call" List A directory of cell phone numbers will soon be published for all consumers to have access to. This will open the doors for solicitors to call you on your cell phones, using up precious minutes that we pay lots of money for. The Federal Trade Commission has set up a "do not call" list. It is called a cell phone registry. To be included on the "do not call" list, you must call from the number you wish to register. The number is 1-888-382-1222, or you can go to their website at www.donotcall.gov and add your number to the do not call list.