Wallscape Advertising In Place Since 1984 Olympics Approved By City, But, Violates State Law.

L.A. building, purchased in 1999, had 8,000 square feet of advertising space on its side. Permits from the City were located at the time of purchase, but no investigation was done to determine whether there were state-issued permits. The Department of Transportation [Caltrans] found the wallscape to be in violation of the Outdoor Advertising Act [Business and Professions Code §5200, et seq.] The building’s owner unsuccessfully argued equitable estoppels and laches to both the trial and appellate courts. West Washington Properties v. California Department of Transportation  (Cal. App. Second Dist., Div. 8;  November 5, 2012) (Case No. B233295) 210 Cal.App.4th 1136, [149 Cal.Rptr.3d 39].