Chapter 18.44
SIGNS
Sections:
18.44.010 Purpose – Applicability.
18.44.020 Compliance required.
18.44.040 Height regulations – Front or side yard setback area.
18.44.060 Permit – Application.
18.44.075 Conditional exemptions.
18.44.140 Residential zone districts.
18.44.150 Commercial and industrial zone districts.
18.44.155 Multiple building complexes and multiple tenant buildings.
18.44.160 Greenbelt and open space zone districts.
18.44.010 Purpose – Applicability.
A. It is the intent of this chapter to recognize that an attractive city will encourage desirable economic development and to ensure that signing works to the advantage of all citizens by reasonable control of the size, number, and location of signs.
B. It is the intent of these regulations to protect public health, safety, and welfare and to protect the city’s economic base, and the right of businesses, civic, philanthropic, educational, and religious organizations to advertise properly and to enhance both the overall economy and environment of the city.
(Ord. O2017-007, Amended, 11/05/2018; Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. O94-018, Amended, 07/19/1994; Ord. 883, Added, 05/06/1984)
18.44.020 Compliance required.
No sign shall be permitted unless it conforms to the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. O2017-007, Amended, 11/05/2018; Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. 883, Added, 05/06/1984)
18.44.040 Height regulations – Front or side yard setback area.
Signs located within the front or side yard setback area shall comply with fence height regulations as outlined in TMC 18.46.030. Multiple tenant building and multiple building complex identification signs are exempted from these requirements as provided in TMC 18.44.155(A). Signs located within the front or side yard setback areas shall not be higher than forty-two inches in height except as otherwise exempted in TMC 18.44.155(A).
(Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. O94-018, Amended, 07/19/1994; Ord. 1254, Amended, 02/05/1991; Ord. 883, Added, 05/06/1984)
18.44.050 Permit – Required.
A. No sign shall be erected, altered, or relocated without a sign permit issued by the city, except where only the actual sign face is changed, repainted, cleaned, repaired, or maintained without structural or size alterations. The signs listed in TMC 18.44.070 under exempt signs are exempt from the requirements of this section.
B. State electrical permits shall be obtained for all electric signs.
C. No permit for any sign shall be issued unless the sign complies with all requirements of this chapter and applicable regulations of the building code as adopted in TMC Title 15.
(Ord. O2017-007, Amended, 11/05/2018; Ord. O2010-017, Amended, 12/21/2010; Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. 883, Added, 05/06/1984)
18.44.060 Permit – Application.
The application for a sign permit shall be filed with the city on forms furnished by the city. The application shall contain the location of the sign structure, the name and address of the sign owner and of the sign erector, drawings or photographs showing the design and location of the sign, and such other pertinent information as deemed necessary by the administrative official to ensure compliance with the ordinances of the city. A sign permit fee and a plan review fee shall be paid in accordance with the fee schedule adopted by resolution of the Tumwater city council.
(Ord. O2010-017, Amended, 12/21/2010; Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. O94-018, Amended, 07/19/1994; Ord. 1147, Amended, 12/15/1987; Ord. 883, Added, 05/06/1984)
18.44.070 Exemptions.
The following signs are exempt from the permit requirements of this chapter, and shall not be included in the computation of sign size area for regulated signs. This shall not be construed as relieving the owner of the sign from the responsibility of its erection and maintenance and its compliance with any other applicable law or ordinance. Exempt signs are:
A. Signs associated with active construction posted during the construction period, and thirty days after an occupancy permit has been issued, subject to the following:
1. One unilluminated, double-faced sign is permitted for each public street upon which the project fronts;
2. No sign shall exceed thirty-two square feet in area or ten feet in height, or be located closer than thirty feet from the property line of the adjoining property; and
3. Signs must be removed by the date of first occupancy of the premises or one year after placement of the sign, whichever occurs first;
B. 1. Signs up to eight square feet in area that are posted on developed residential property or buildings actively for sale, lease, or rental, limited to one sign per street frontage. Signs must be removed within thirty days of the sale, lease, or rental process being completed; and
2. Signs up to thirty-two square feet in area that are posted on undeveloped residential property or commercial or industrial property or buildings actively for sale, lease, or rental, limited to one sign per street frontage. Signs must be removed within thirty days of the sale, lease, or rental process being completed;
C. Traffic control signs established by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), installed by a government entity, or authorized by the public works department;
D. Plaques, tablets, or inscriptions not exceeding four square feet in area, attached flat against a building, stationary and not lighted; provided, that not more than one such sign shall be allowed on any face of a building;
E. Flags flown from a permanent flagpole or pole bracket:
1. For flags and permanent flagpoles in residential zone districts (SFL single-family low density residential, SFM single-family medium density residential, MFM multifamily medium density residential, MFH multifamily high density residential, and MHP manufactured home park zone districts) flags are limited to twenty-four square feet in area and permanent poles are limited to twenty-five feet in height; and
2. In all other zones, flags are limited to ninety-six square feet in area and permanent flagpoles are limited to fifty feet in height. Flags larger than forty square feet in area must be at least one hundred feet away from residential zone districts (SFL single-family low density residential, SFM single-family medium density residential, MFM multifamily medium density residential, MFH multifamily high density residential, and MHP manufactured home park zone districts);
F. Signs within a ballpark or other similar recreational facility and are intended to be primarily viewed from within that facility;
G. Noncommercial signs that are carried and not permanently or temporarily affixed;
H. Temporary noncommercial signs, including noncommercial A-frame signs, subject to the following:
1. The maximum height of freestanding signs shall be four feet;
2. Building mounted signs shall not be displayed above the roofline;
3. Signs shall not exceed six square feet in area in residential zone districts (RSR residential/sensitive resource, SFL single-family low density residential, SFM single-family medium density residential, MFM multifamily medium density residential, MFH multifamily high density residential, and MHP manufactured home park zone districts) and the temporary sign area limits for commercial and industrial zone districts found in TMC 18.44.150;
4. Signs shall not be placed within the rights-of-way or block the sight distance of motorists;
5. Signs shall not be illuminated internally or externally;
6. Signs shall not incorporate or include flags, spinners, pennants, ribbons, balloons, or similar devices;
7. Signs placed on the inside of windows shall not exceed fifty percent of the area of the window on which they are displayed in aggregate; and
8. Signs may be displayed for up to one hundred and twenty days in any calendar year;
I. Pennants, streamers, ribbons, motionless air-filled figures, or motionless gas-filled figures, subject to the following restrictions:
1. Such displays shall conform to the height restrictions for permitted signs; and
2. Such displays shall be allowed for a period not to exceed fourteen days in any calendar year;
J. Signs not intended to be viewed from and not readable from a public right-of-way;
K. Window merchandise displays;
L. Point-of-purchase displays;
M. Official or legal notices issued and posted by any public agency or court;
N. Historic plaques marking sites on Tumwater’s Register of Historic Places under TMC Chapter 2.62;
O. Gravestones;
P. Signs painted directly on or attached to an operable motor vehicle operating in the normal course of business; and
Q. Signs of an official nature.
(Ord. O2017-007, Amended, 11/05/2018; Ord. O2014-020, Amended, 11/18/2014; Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. O94-018, Amended, 07/19/1994; Ord. 1254, Amended, 02/05/1991; Ord. 883, Added, 05/06/1984)
18.44.075 Conditional exemptions.
Except to the extent that permits may be required under the International Building Code, the following signs are conditionally exempt from the permit requirements of this chapter, but they shall be included in the computation of sign size area for regulated signs. An application for a conditionally exempt sign must be completed on forms available at the community development department and accompanied by a fee as established by resolution of the city council. The application shall require such information as deemed necessary by the community development director, including but not limited to specific location and sign design.
A. Signs flush-mounted or painted directly on the wall of a building, or erected against the wall of a building parallel to the wall;
B. Temporary commercial signs, subject to the following:
1. The maximum height of freestanding signs shall be six feet;
2. Building-mounted signs shall not be displayed above the roofline;
3. Signs shall not be placed within the rights-of-way and they shall not block the sight distance of motorists per TMC 18.42.040(A);
4. Signs shall not be illuminated internally or externally;
5. Signs shall not have any pennants, balloons, or similar device attached to it;
6. Owners of such signs shall be required to keep their signs legible, intact, clean, graffiti free, and in good repair;
7. Signs placed on the inside of windows shall not exceed fifty percent of the area of the window on which they are displayed in aggregate;
8. Signs may not be displayed more than six weeks in a calendar year except for A-board or sandwich board signs, which may be displayed year-round during business hours only; and
9. A-frame or sandwich board signs are subject to the following, additional requirements:
a. The sign shall be no more than sixteen square feet in area total, including all faces of the sign; provided, that no one sign face is larger than fifty percent of the total allowable sign area;
b. Only one sign is allowed per business;
c. The sign must be placed on the ground and cannot be elevated in any way; and
d. Signs shall be constructed out of materials able to withstand typical Northwest weather. Such materials may be metal, finished wood, chalkboard, whiteboard, or plastic. Signs and copy shall be of professional quality.
(Ord. O2017-007, Amended, 11/05/2018; Ord. O2011-002, Amended, 03/01/2011; Ord. O2009-004, Amended, 05/19/2009; Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. O94-018, Added, 07/19/1994)
18.44.080 Prohibited signs.
The following signs are prohibited:
A. Signs that are of a size, location, movement, coloring, or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic-control device or which hides from view any traffic or street sign or signal, or which obstructs the view in any direction at a street or road intersection;
B. Signs that purport to be, or are, an imitation of or resemble an official traffic sign or signal;
C. Signs that contain or consist of spinners, strings of light bulbs, blinking or fluctuating lights, or other similar or moving devices;
D. Signs that are pasted or attached to utility poles, trees, other signs, rocks, or other natural features. This does not prohibit the use of pole banners of an official nature, wayfinding signs of an official nature, or engraved rocks used as monument signs;
E. Except as provided in TMC 18.44.070 or TMC 18.44.075, any sign that is not permanently anchored or affixed to the ground, structure, or building, including any sign displayed on an advertising vehicle or trailer. This regulation shall not be deemed to prohibit advertising on moving vehicles on public streets;
F. Signs erected upon, against or directly above the roof, or on top of or above the parapet of a building, or located on any portion of a parapet that is located more than twenty-four inches higher than the main roofline of a building. For the purposes of this section, the face of a mansard roof or fascia shall not be considered a part of the roof;
G. Signs that are the primary use of the land on which they are located;
H. Any sign or illumination that causes any direct glare into or upon any building other than the building to which the sign may be related;
I. Signs that are located upon or projecting over public streets, sidewalks or rights-of-way, except signs of an official nature such as traffic signs, pole banners, wayfinding signs, or street banners;
J. Signs that are attached to fences, except those signs erected in conformance with TMC 11.20.100(G) and TMC 18.44.070(G);
K. Freestanding signs greater than thirty feet in height;
L. Signs that create a sight distance hazard as determined by the criteria in Section 4.16 of the Tumwater Development Guide set forth in TMC 18.42.040(A);
M. Any sign that is otherwise allowed, but does not comply with the provisions of this chapter;
N. Off-premises signs; and
O. Feather flags.
(Ord. O2017-007, Amended, 11/05/2018; Ord. O2014-020, Amended, 11/18/2014; Ord. O2014-006, Amended, 6/17/2014; Ord. O2006-034, Amended, 07/17/2007; Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. O94-018, Amended, 07/19/1994; Ord. 883, Added, 05/06/1984)
18.44.090 Existing signs.
Any existing sign may continue to be in operation and be maintained after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter and shall be a legal nonconforming sign provided:
A. The burden of establishing a sign to be legally nonconforming under this section rests upon the person or persons, firm or corporation claiming legal status for a sign.
B. A nonconforming sign may not be structurally altered or relocated. However, if such alteration or relocation is required as a result of government action, then said action is exempt.
C. Changes in the sign face wording of a nonconforming sign shall not be deemed an alteration under this section.
D. A nonconforming sign will cease to be a legal nonconforming sign if improvements are made to the property on which the sign is located amounting to twenty-five percent or greater of the assessed valuation of the property within any twelve-month period. Improvements to single-family dwellings shall be exempt from this requirement. Improvements made to any residential structure due to fire, earthquake, or storm damage, or other natural disasters shall be exempt from this requirement.
E. Any permanent nonconforming sign located in an area annexed into the city after January 1, 1996, shall be brought into compliance within five years of the date of annexation. Any temporary nonconforming sign located in an area annexed into the city after January 1, 1996, shall be brought into compliance within ninety days of the date of annexation.
(Ord. O2022-013, Amended, 10/04/2022; Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. O94-018, Amended, 07/19/1994; Ord. 883, Added, 05/06/1984)
18.44.100 Inspection.
Signs may be inspected periodically by the administrative official for compliance with this and other codes of the municipality.
(Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. 883, Added, 05/06/1984)
18.44.110 Maintenance.
All signs and components thereof shall be kept in good repair and in a safe, neat, clean and attractive condition. Any sign not maintained in accordance with this section shall be subject to the enforcement and removal provisions contained in TMC 18.44.120.
(Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. O94-018, Amended, 07/19/1994; Ord. 883, Added, 05/06/1984)
18.44.120 Removal.
A. If any permanent sign shall be unlawfully installed, erected or maintained in violation of any provisions of this chapter, the owner or the person or firm maintaining same shall, upon written notice by the administrative official, make such sign conform to the provisions of this chapter, or shall remove it within thirty days. Said party shall only be authorized to exercise the appeal rights set forth in TMC Chapter 18.62 after application has been made and permit fees paid, if applicable. Provided, the thirty-day appeal period shall commence upon the date of notice, whether a permit was applied for or not.
B. If any temporary sign shall be unlawfully installed, erected or maintained in violation of any provisions of this section, the owner or the person or firm maintaining same shall, upon written notice by the administrative official, make such sign conform to the provisions of this chapter, or shall remove it within two business days. Administrative review shall not be authorized for interpretations regarding temporary signs. In the event compliance is not obtained, enforcement action including the imposition of penalties shall be brought by the city attorney.
C. If any order of the administrative official, as set forth in subsection A or B of this section, is not complied with, the administrative official may cause such sign to be removed at the expense of the owner or lessee.
D. Signs which the administrative official finds upon public streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way, or other public property may be immediately removed by the administrative official without prior notice. For signs that appear to the code administrator to have substantial value (that is other than poster board types of signs such as political and real estate signs), the sign will be retained for five business days and the code administrator should make a reasonable attempt to notify the sign owner that the sign has been confiscated and extend an offer for the owner to retrieve the sign within this five-business-day time period. Hazardous signs shall be removed in accordance with the International Building Code.
1. This section does not create any liability by the city for failing to retain the sign for the time specified or for the manner in which the sign is stored, maintained or disposed of, or for failure to notify the owner.
(Ord. O2009-004, Amended, 05/19/2009; Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. O94-018, Amended, 07/19/1994; Ord. 883, Added, 05/06/1984)
18.44.130 Area measurements.
A. The sign area of a freestanding sign is the entire background of a sign upon which a message could be placed, counting all faces including the frame but no other supporting structure unless such supporting structure conveys a message. Of the total area of freestanding sign, not more than fifty percent may be on one face. For ease in converting to percentages, the examples set forth in Diagram 18.44.130 are based on a total of one hundred square feet in area.
B. Unless otherwise clearly shown by a frame or border, the sign area of a wall-mounted sign is measured by the smallest regularly shaped figure or contiguous figures which may be drawn around the message shown. Examples are set forth in Diagram 18.44.130.
(Ord. O2017-007, Amended, 11/05/2018; amended during 2011 reformat; O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. O94-018, Amended, 07/19/1994; Ord. 1254, Amended, 02/05/1991; Ord. 883, Added, 05/06/1984)
18.44.140 Residential zone districts.
The following regulations shall apply to all residential zone districts (RSR residential/sensitive resource, SFL single-family low density residential, SFM single-family medium density residential, MFM multifamily medium density residential, MFH multifamily high density residential, and MHP manufactured home park zone districts):
A. Individual residences are allowed signs that when combined do not exceed six square feet in area;
B. A monument sign of up to thirty-two square feet in area may be permitted for each street frontage for a multiple-unit residential building of five units or more;
C. A monument sign of up to thirty-two square feet in area may be permitted for single-family residential developments of five units or more at each entrance;
D. Any sign located within the front or side yard area shall comply with fence height regulations, as outlined in TMC Chapter 18.46;
E. One sign having a total of twelve square feet in area may be permitted for each nonresidential and nongovernmental use per parcel, except home occupations, which are limited by subsection A of this section;
F. In all residential zone districts, the height of any freestanding sign shall not exceed six feet;
G. Agriculture uses on lots less than one acre in size are allowed a single sign, twelve square feet in area. Agriculture uses on lots one acre and larger are allowed a single sign thirty-two square feet in area for each street frontage; and
H. Schools, public buildings, and churches located in residential zone districts are allowed up to fifty-five square feet of signage. Signs may be freestanding or wall mounted. The allowed square footage may be applied to more than one sign, but the overall amount may not exceed fifty-five square feet.
(Ord. O2022-013, Amended, 10/04/2022; Ord. O2017-007, Amended, 11/05/2018; Ord. O2014-020, Amended, 11/18/2014; Ord. O2010-029, Amended, 06/07/2011; Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. O94-018, Amended, 07/19/1994; Ord. 883, Added, 05/06/1984)
18.44.150 Commercial and industrial zone districts.
A. The following general regulations shall apply to the following zone districts: NC neighborhood commercial, CS community services, MU mixed use, GC general commercial, LI light industrial, HI heavy industrial, ARI airport related industry, TC town center, CBC capitol boulevard community, and BD brewery district:
1. Any sign located within the front yard area shall comply with fence height regulations, as outlined in TMC Chapter 18.46;
2. Signs shall be located at least two feet from the curb line or a service drive or travel lane;
3. All wall signs shall be flush against the building and shall not project above the roofline;
4. No freestanding sign shall be permitted to be higher than the principal building on the lot; provided, that no sign shall be higher than thirty feet; and provided also, that the height of any freestanding sign shall be limited to the heights set forth within each zoning district; and
5. No permanent window sign affixed to or incorporated into an exterior window shall exceed twenty-five percent of each window area.
B. The following specific regulations shall apply to signs in the NC neighborhood commercial zone district:
1. Signs shall be limited to a total of eighty square feet in area on all faces of all permanent freestanding signs; provided that no one sign face is larger than fifty percent of the total allowable sign area;
2. Wall signs shall be limited to an area not to exceed twenty percent of the public facade; provided, that the total area of signs on an individual public facade or other wall of a building does not exceed fifty percent of the sign area allowed for freestanding signs;
3. Twenty-five square feet in area shall be allowed for temporary signs; however, the temporary sign allowance shall be included in the signage amounts allowed for permanent signs;
4. No freestanding sign shall be higher than ten feet; and
5. The following specific regulations shall apply to pedestrian-oriented signs in the NC neighborhood commercial zone district:
a. Such signs shall not exceed eight square feet in area per sign face; provided, that such signs located below a pedestrian weather protection structure shall not exceed four square feet in area;
b. One such sign is allowed for each public entry of the first floor use onto the adjacent street;
c. The bottom of any sign of this type shall be at least nine feet above the sidewalk and shall not contain commercial messages other than the name of the use or business;
d. The maximum height of a pedestrian-oriented sign shall not exceed fifteen feet above the sidewalk; and
e. A pedestrian-oriented sign shall not be free-swinging and must not extend horizontally beyond the limits of a pedestrian weather protection structure.
C. The following specific regulations shall apply to signs in the CS community service and TC town center zone districts:
1. Signs shall be limited to a total of one hundred forty square feet in area on all faces of all permanent freestanding signs; provided, that no one sign face is larger than fifty percent of the total allowable sign area;
2. Wall signs shall be limited to an area not to exceed twenty percent of the public facade; provided, that the total area of signs on an individual public facade or other wall of a building does not exceed fifty percent of the sign area allowed for freestanding signs;
3. Freestanding signs are limited to monument signs only, and no freestanding sign shall be higher than six feet; and
4. The following specific regulations shall apply to pedestrian-oriented signs in the CS community service zone district:
a. Such signs shall not exceed eight square feet in area per sign face; provided, that such signs located below a pedestrian weather protection structure shall not exceed four square feet in area;
b. One such sign is allowed for each public entry of the first floor use onto the adjacent street;
c. The bottom of any sign of this type shall be at least nine feet above the sidewalk and shall not contain commercial messages other than the name of the use or business;
d. The maximum height of a pedestrian-oriented sign shall not exceed fifteen feet above the sidewalk; and
e. A pedestrian-oriented sign shall not be free-swinging and must not extend horizontally beyond the limits of a pedestrian weather protection structure.
D. The following specific regulations shall apply to signs in the MU mixed use, GC general commercial, LI light industrial, CBC capitol boulevard community, BD brewery district, and HI heavy industrial zone districts:
1. Signs shall be limited to a total of two hundred square feet in area on all faces of all permanent freestanding signs; provided, that no one sign face is larger than fifty percent of the total allowable sign area;
2. Wall signs shall be limited to an area not to exceed twenty percent of the public facade; provided, that the total area of signs on an individual public facade or other wall of a building does not exceed fifty percent of the sign area allowed for freestanding signs;
3. Seventy-five square feet in area shall be allowed for temporary signs; however, the temporary sign allowance shall be included in the signage amounts allowed for permanent signs;
4. No freestanding sign shall be higher than thirty feet; and
5. The following specific regulations shall apply to pedestrian-oriented signs in the MU mixed use, GC general commercial, LI light industrial, CBC capitol boulevard community, BD brewery district, and HI heavy industrial zone districts:
a. Signs shall not exceed eight square feet in area per sign face; provided, that such signs located below a pedestrian weather protection structure shall not exceed four square feet in area;
b. One such sign is allowed for each public entry of the first floor use onto the adjacent street;
c. The bottom of any sign of this type shall be at least nine feet above the sidewalk and shall not contain commercial messages other than the name of the use or business;
d. The maximum height of a pedestrian-oriented sign shall not exceed fifteen feet above the sidewalk; and
e. A pedestrian-oriented sign shall not be free-swinging and must not extend horizontally beyond the limits of a pedestrian weather protection structure.
E. The following specific regulations shall apply to signs in the ARI airport related industry zone district:
1. Signs shall be limited to a total of two hundred square feet in area on all faces of all permanent freestanding signs; provided, that no one sign face is larger than fifty percent of the total allowable sign area;
2. Wall signs shall be limited to an area not to exceed twenty percent of the public facade; provided, that the total area of signs on an individual public facade or other wall of a building does not exceed fifty percent of the sign area allowed for freestanding signs;
3. Twenty-five square feet in area shall be allowed for temporary signs; however, the temporary sign allowance shall be included in the signage amounts allowed for permanent signs; and
4. No freestanding sign shall be higher than thirty feet.
F. Illuminated awnings may be used in place of building-mounted signs in any commercial or industrial zone district, subject to the following restrictions:
1. Illuminated awnings shall not cover more than thirty-three percent of the face of any building;
2. Illuminated awnings shall not be placed higher than the first story of any building; and
3. Illuminated awnings shall conform to the hours of illumination set forth in TMC 18.44.170(D).
(Ord. O2017-007, Amended, 11/05/2018; Ord. O2014-007, Amended, 07/15/2014; Ord. O2006-034, Amended, 07/17/2007; Ord. O2001-020, Amended, 05/07/2002; Ord. O97-025, Amended, 12/02/1997; Ord. O96-022, Amended, 12/17/1996; Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. O94-018, Amended, 07/10/1994; Ord. 1254, Amended, 02/05/1991; Ord. 883, Added, 05/06/1984)
18.44.155 Multiple building complexes, multiple tenant buildings, and large commercial or industrial buildings.
The following regulations shall apply to all freestanding signs located within multiple building complexes, or intended to serve multiple tenant buildings; and further shall apply to wall signs installed upon large commercial or industrial buildings having more than fifty thousand square feet of floor area:
A. One freestanding sign for a multiple building complex or a multiple tenant building may be located within yard setback areas; provided, that it is part of an overall landscaping plan and it is not determined by the city to create a sight distance hazard. Any such sign in a yard setback area may exceed the height limits set forth in TMC 18.44.040, but it must conform to all other height restrictions in the underlying zone district.
B. Any freestanding sign for a multiple building complex or multiple tenant building located outside yard setback areas may exceed the maximum freestanding sign size restrictions set forth in TMC 18.44.150 by thirty-five percent; provided, that the sign is a part of a consistent signage plan for the entire site.
C. For multiple building complexes or multiple tenant buildings having more than fifty thousand square feet of floor area, monument signs not exceeding forty percent of the size of the principal freestanding sign may be located at any other site entrance intended for use by the general public. These monument signs are permitted in addition to the freestanding sign allowed in subsection A of this section, and shall not be included in the overall sign size computation for the development.
D. In addition to the allowable square footage for wall signs set forth in TMC 18.44.150, an increase in the allowable square footage for wall signs on large commercial or industrial buildings may be approved by the community development director to the limits described below; provided, that an equivalent reduction of allowable square footage for freestanding signs (pole and monument) is agreed to in writing by the building owner.
|
Building Area |
Percentage of Additional Wall Sign Area |
|---|---|
|
>50,000 sq. ft. |
up to 15% additional wall sign area |
|
>75,000 sq. ft. |
up to 20% additional wall sign area |
|
>100,000 sq. ft. |
up to 25% additional wall sign area |
If such buildings have more than one public facade, the allowable square footage for wall signs may be combined on a single public facade or distributed among the various facades; provided, that the total square footage of wall signs does not exceed twenty percent of the public facade upon which the sign is placed.
E. In addition to the allowable square footage for wall signs above, additional wall signage up to the amount allowable for multiple public facades on the same building may be installed on one other building facade other than a public facade; provided, that the total square footage of wall signs on the additional facade does not exceed twenty percent of either the public facade or the other wall upon which the sign is placed.
(Ord. O2011-002, Amended, 03/01/2011; Ord. O2002-008, Amended, 08/20/2002; Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. O94-018, Amended, 07/19/1994; Ord. 1254, Added, 02/05/1991)
18.44.157 Reserved.
18.44.160 Greenbelt and open space zone districts.
The following regulations shall apply to the GB greenbelt and OS open space zone districts:
A. One thirty-two-square-foot in area monument sign may be permitted for each street frontage;
B. Any sign located within the front yard shall comply with fence height regulations, as outlined in TMC 18.46.030, relating to residential zones; and
C. All signs other than those regulated by subsection A of this section shall be limited to a total of twelve square feet in area on all faces of all signs.
(Ord. O2017-007, Amended, 11/05/2018; Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. O94-018, Amended, 07/19/1994; Ord. 883, Added, 05/06/1984)
18.44.170 Exterior lighting.
The use of exterior lighting shall be subject to the following regulations:
A. In conjunction with any commercial use, an exterior light source shall not be located above the building height of the nearest commercial building to which the light pertains;
B. Light that either prevents or tends to prevent proper interpretation of traffic-control lighting or signs shall not be permitted; and
C. Signs may be illuminated except that such illumination shall not blink, fluctuate, or move. Light rays shall directly shine only upon the sign or upon the property within the premises.
D. In the NC neighborhood commercial, MU mixed use, TC town center, and the CS community service zone districts, signs may be illuminated during the actual hours of operation of the business on the property on which the sign is located, or until 10:00 p.m., whichever is later.
E. In the GC general commercial zone district, lighted signs located within two hundred feet of and visible from the RSR residential/sensitive resource, SFL single-family low density residential, SFM single-family medium density residential, MFM multifamily medium density residential, MFH multifamily high density residential, or MHP manufactured home park zoning districts that are illuminated by incandescent, fluorescent, neon, or similar lighting sources shall either (1) be turned off at the close of business or 10:00 p.m., whichever is later, or (2) shielded by use of indirect lighting or translucent panels.
(Ord. O2017-007, Amended, 11/05/2018; Ord. O2001-020, Amended, 05/07/2002; Ord. O2000-004, Amended, 07/18/2000; Ord. O96-022, Amended, 12/17/1996; Ord. O95-035, Amended, 12/19/1995; Ord. O94-018, Amended, 07/19/1994; Ord. 883, Added, 05/06/1984)
FIGURE 18.44.150
SIGN HEIGHT AND AREA ALLOWANCES
|
RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ZONING DISTRICT |
|
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE AREA |
MAXIMUM HEIGHT |
|||
|
TEMPORARY NONCOMMERCIAL SIGNS |
OCCUPANT, ADDRESS, HOME OCCUPATION IDENTIFICATION SIGNS |
RESIDENTIAL MULTIUNIT OR DEVELOPMENT IDENTIFICATION SIGNS |
NONRESIDENTIAL IDENTIFICATION SIGNS OTHER THAN HOME OCCUPATIONS |
SIGNS NOT IN FRONT OR SIDE YARDS |
SIGNS LOCATED WITHIN FRONT OR SIDE YARD AREAS |
|
|
RSR, SFL, SFM, MFM, MFH, AND MHP |
6 s.f. |
6 s.f. |
32 s.f. (one per street frontage) |
12 s.f. |
6 feet |
Front yard: 42 in. Side yard: 72 in. (see note 1) |
|
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
ZONING DISTRICT |
MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE AREA |
MAXIMUM HEIGHT |
MONUMENT SIGNS |
||||
|
TEMPORARY SIGNS (see notes 3 and 4) |
FREESTANDING SIGNS |
BUILDING AND WALL SIGNS |
ILLUMINATED AWNINGS |
FREESTANDING SIGNS (See notes 1 and 2) |
BUILDING AND WALL SIGNS |
||
|
NC |
25 s.f. |
80 s.f. |
Limited to 20% of public facade; total area of any facade not to exceed 50% of freestanding sign limit |
Illuminated awnings in place of building signs; no larger than 33% of building face; no higher than 1st story |
10 ft. |
All building and wall signs shall be flush against building and shall not project above the roof line |
OPTIONAL |
|
GB |
N/A |
32 s.f. |
6 ft. |
REQUIRED |
|||
|
OS |
N/A |
32 s.f. |
6 ft. |
REQUIRED |
|||
|
CS |
N/A |
140 s.f. |
6 ft. |
REQUIRED |
|||
|
TC |
N/A |
140 s.f. |
6 ft. |
REQUIRED |
|||
|
MU |
75 s.f. |
200 s.f. |
30 ft. |
OPTIONAL |
|||
|
GC |
75 s.f. |
200 s.f. |
30 ft. |
OPTIONAL |
|||
|
CBC |
75 s.f. |
200 s.f. |
30 ft. |
OPTIONAL |
|||
|
BD |
75 s.f. |
200 s.f. |
30 ft. |
OPTIONAL |
|||
|
ARI |
25 s.f. |
200 s.f. |
30 ft. |
OPTIONAL |
|||
|
LI |
75 s.f. |
200 s.f. |
30 ft. |
OPTIONAL |
|||
|
HI |
75 s.f. |
200 s.f. |
30 ft. |
OPTIONAL |
|||
NOTES:
1. On corner lots, signs located within fifteen feet of the intersection of property lines abutting the street are limited to thirty-six inches in height above grade.
2. The height of any freestanding sign may not exceed the height of the principal building.
3. The temporary sign allowance shall be included in the amounts allowed for permanent signs.
4. Maximum allowable sign areas may be increased within multiple building complexes or in multiple tenant buildings pursuant to TMC 18.44.155.
5. Signs on product dispensers and vending machines are included in the maximum allowed for freestanding signs.
|
ZONING DISTRICTS |
|
|---|---|
|
RSR Residential/Sensitive Resource |
CS Community Services |
|
SFL Single-Family Low Density |
TC Town Center |
|
SFM Single-Family Medium Density |
MU Mixed Use |
|
MFM Multifamily Medium Density |
GC General Commercial |
|
MFH Multifamily High Density |
ARI Airport Related Industry |
|
NC Neighborhood Commercial |
LI Light Industrial |
|
GB Greenbelt |
HI Heavy Industrial |
|
OS Open Space |
CBC Capitol Boulevard Community |
|
MHP Manufactured Home Park |
BD Brewery District |
(Ord. O2017-007, Amended, 11/05/2018; Ord. O2014-007, Amended, 07/15/2014)