Chapter 14.170
SIGNS
Sections:
14.170.020 Sign standards – Generally.
14.170.030 Business identification signs.
14.170.040 Temporary signs on private property.
14.170.100 Construction requirements, inspection and maintenance.
14.170.110 Inspection and maintenance.
14.170.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards regulating and controlling the size, height, design, quality of materials, construction, location, lighting and maintenance of all signs and sign structures not enclosed within a building, in order to accomplish the following:
(1) To protect and enhance the character of the city in general;
(2) To encourage signs which are well designed and pleasing in appearance;
(3) To provide a fair, consistent and equitable treatment of sign users. [Ord. 409 § 3, 2017; Ord. 320 § 1, 1999. Formerly 14.85.010]
14.170.020 Sign standards – Generally.
The sign standards set forth in this chapter apply to signs in every zoning district of the city.
(1) Measured Area. The measured area of a sign shall be the collective area required to encompass the entire visual display, including all words and graphics, from top to bottom and side to side. For freestanding signs, the sign area shall be the entire face of the sign. For double-sided signs, the area of the reverse or second side of the sign shall not be included in the calculation of sign area.
(2) Sight Distance Area. No sign shall be located within the sight distance area, as defined within Chapter 14.20 BMC (Definitions), such that the bottom of the sign is less than eight feet above ground level.
(3) Flat Wall-Mounted Signs. Wall-mounted signs may be painted directly on an exterior structure wall or attached flat against a building. A wall-mounted sign which projects outward shall not protrude more than 12 inches from the wall to which it is attached. No wall-mounted sign shall exceed 16 feet in height and in no case shall it extend above the edge of the roofline of the wall to which it is attached. A wall sign which projects out from a wall must be either no more than three feet above grade or a minimum of eight feet above grade at its lowest point. [Ord. 409 § 3, 2017; Ord. 320 § 1, 1999. Formerly 14.85.020]
14.170.030 Business identification signs.
Business identification signs are subject to the area, height and illumination restrictions described herein. For purposes of this section, the term “business identification signs” refers to any material containing the name and/or the logo of a business and displayed in a manner visible from the exterior of the business site.
(1) Business identification signs are permitted on the exterior walls and within the windows of structures in commercial and industrial districts and may be displayed on any sides of a structure in such districts subject to the following:
(a) The total area of all business identification signs affixed to a building wall shall be limited to:
(i) One square foot square of sign per linear foot of parcel frontage for a single business within a structure; or
(ii) Two square feet of sign per linear foot of parcel frontage for structures containing more than one business.
(b) Regardless of total linear street frontage of a structure, each separate business establishment shall be permitted a 30 square feet of sign area and the maximum allowed sign area for any one business shall not exceed 200 square feet of sign area per building frontage.
(2) Ground Signs. One ground sign per structure is permitted with a maximum sign area of 30 square feet. Ground signs shall be located entirely on private property and the top of such signs shall not exceed three feet above surrounding grade in a sight distance area or five feet above surrounding grade in other areas. [Ord. 409 § 3, 2017; Ord. 320 § 1, 1999. Formerly 14.85.030]
14.170.040 Temporary signs on private property.
The following temporary signs are permitted in the residential, commercial and industrial zones, provided such signs are not illuminated and are located entirely on private property:
(1) Construction Signs. One sign noting architects, engineers, and/or contractors of a building under construction, alteration or repair and signs announcing the character of the building enterprise or the purpose for which the building is intended shall be permitted in any zoning district of the city, provided such signs shall not exceed a total of 32 square feet of surface area and shall not exceed six feet in height. Construction signs must be removed upon completion of the project.
(2) Real Estate Signs. The following temporary real estate signs shall be permitted in any zoning district of the city:
(a) Individual Lots or Parcels. One temporary sign advertising the sale, rental, or lease of a lot, parcel, or residential dwelling unit(s) on which the sign is displayed shall be permitted in all zoning districts of the city. The height of such sign shall not exceed six feet above grade. The surface area of such sign shall not exceed six square feet for residential districts, nor 20 square feet in any other zoning district.
(b) Subdivisions. Two temporary signs announcing a proposed subdivision or the sale or lease of any lot, parcel, or unit within a subdivision shall be permitted on any land within the subdivision in all zoning districts of the city. Such signs shall not be lighted and shall not exceed six feet above grade. The surface area of the face of such signs shall not exceed 32 square feet. Such signs shall not be erected until a final subdivision map for the subdivision is filed and shall not be maintained for a period exceeding one year from the date the sign was erected.
(3) Temporary Window Signs. In addition to other signs allowed by this chapter, temporary window signs may be placed in commercial or industrial structures; provided, that the total surface area of all temporary and permanent window signs shall not exceed 25 percent of the total transparent area of any window. Window signs may be attached to the exterior window surface; provided, that:
(a) Such signs would not be clearly visible when placed inside the structure due to special treatment of the window for glare reduction and energy conservation;
(b) Such signs are constructed and installed in a manner that will withstand inclement weather.
(4) Temporary Directional Signs. Signs to an open house or other temporary occasion not exceeding eight square feet in surface area shall be permitted in any zoning district. Such signs must be removed within 24 hours after the event.
(5) Garage and Yard Sale Signs. One sign announcing a garage or yard sale and not exceeding four square feet of surface area shall be permitted on any residential lot. Such sign may be erected no more than 24 hours before the event and must be removed within 24 hours after the event. [Ord. 409 § 3, 2017; Ord. 320 § 1, 1999. Formerly 14.85.040]
14.170.050 Political signs.
Political signs are permitted in the residential, commercial and industrial zones, provided they comply with the following regulations:
(1) Residential Districts. Two political signs not exceeding 16 square feet of surface area each may be posted on private property or in street rights-of-way between back of curb and private property line in residential districts. Such signs shall not exceed five feet as measured from the ground.
(2) Industrial and Commercial Districts. One political sign not exceeding 32 square feet of surface area may be posted on any one parcel in the commercial and industrial zoning districts. Such sign shall not be located within the sight distance area and shall be placed entirely on private property.
(3) Political signs shall be authorized for a period of 90 days prior to an election and removed within seven days following the election. [Ord. 409 § 3, 2017; Ord. 320 § 1, 1999. Formerly 14.85.050]
14.170.060 Exempt signs.
The following signs are exempted from all other provisions of this code except regulations pertaining to construction and safety:
(1) Institutional Signs. Any sign or bulletin board, wall-mounted or ground-mounted, denoting the name of any public, charitable or religious institutions, when located on the premises of such institution, provided the total surface area of all such signs or bulletin boards shall not exceed 64 square feet in surface area, shall be indirectly lighted, and shall be located behind setback lines as listed in this title. The maximum height of ground-mounted signs shall be seven feet above grade.
(2) Public Signs. Signs of a public noncommercial nature, which shall include safety, danger and “no trespassing” signs, signs indicating scenic or historical points of interest, signs showing locations of public telephones, signs placed by a public utility to show the location of underground facilities, and all signs erected by a public officer in the performance of a public duty, or which are mandatory by law.
(3) Traffic Directing Signs. Nonilluminated directional signs indicating traffic movement onto, off of or within a premises, not exceeding four square feet of surface area for each sign in commercial districts, and six square feet in surface area for each sign in industrial districts. Each entrance on the premises is limited to one such sign. Directional signs painted on paved areas shall be exempt from the standards indicated in this section.
(4) Memorial Signs and Tablets. Nonilluminated memorial signs or tablets indicating the name of a building or date of erection, not exceeding six square feet in surface area, which are part of the building structure or are attached as wall signs.
(5) Seasonal Decoration. Seasonal decoration shall be permitted during the period from November 15th to January 15th for display purposes on private property, provided such decorations are safely maintained.
(6) Open and Vacancy Signs. One sign per street frontage, not over four square feet per face with the message “open,” “no vacancy” or similar sign. Such signs shall be located entirely on private property and the sign shall be considered part of the allowable identity sign area within all districts.
(7) Special promotional signage consisting of balloons, bunting, portable or mobile signs, banners, flags, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers and similar articles, subject to the following:
(a) Such signage shall only be permitted on commercial properties;
(b) Such signage shall only be used in conjunction with a special promotional event;
(c) Such signage shall only be permitted for a maximum of two events in any 12-month period, with such signage permitted for no more than five consecutive days, and a minimum of 30 days between the use of such signage;
(d) Such signage shall be installed totally on the property at which the event is being conducted;
(e) Such signage shall not be installed so as to occupy any part of the sight distance area or otherwise create a safety hazard;
(f) Balloons and other inflatable devices authorized by this section shall not exceed three feet in diameter; and
(g) No part of the promotional signage shall exceed the maximum height of buildings on the site by more than 15 feet.
(8) Decorative banners shall be permitted as follows:
(a) Decorative banners which convey a message regarding holiday and community events, such as fundraisers for local educational and service institutions, are allowed within commercial districts.
(b) Decorative banners which do not contain a written message, but are intended to serve a decorative or commemorative function are allowed within all districts. [Ord. 409 § 3, 2017; Ord. 320 § 1, 1999. Formerly 14.85.060]
14.170.070 Prohibited signs.
No sign shall be constructed or erected or maintained:
(1) Which bears or contains statements, words or pictures of an obscene nature;
(2) Which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic sign or signal which bears the words “stop,” “danger,” “warning,” or similar words, except by an authorized public agency;
(3) Which advertises or publicizes an activity, or identifies a business, product or service not conducted or sold on the premises upon which such sign is maintained;
(4) Which rotates or has a rotating or moving part or parts, with the exception of barber poles;
(5) Which consists of balloons, bunting, portable or mobile signs, banners, flags, pennants, ribbons, strings of light bulbs, spinners or elements creating sound or smell except as provided in BMC 14.170.060;
(6) Which has blinking or flashing lights unless required by law or utilized by a governmental agency;
(7) Parking of Advertising Vehicles. No person shall park any vehicle on the street or in a location on private property which is visible from a street which has attached thereto therefrom any advertising sign except a sign painted directly upon or permanently affixed to the body or other integral part of the vehicle for permanent or temporary identification of the company which owns the vehicle. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to signs affixed to vehicles of public carriers operated within the city;
(8) Which is located in or on any public property or public rights-of-way, except as specifically authorized in this chapter. [Ord. 409 § 3, 2017; Ord. 320 § 1, 1999. Formerly 14.85.070]
14.170.080 Illumination.
Except where otherwise restricted, signs may be illuminated subject to the following restrictions:
(1) Artificial lighting or reflective material intended to illuminate signs shall not be constructed or placed so as to directly illuminate any private residence.
(2) No exposed reflective-type bulb or incandescent lamp which exceeds 25 watts shall be used so as to expose the face of the bulb, light or lamp to any public street.
(3) No illuminated signs shall be allowed within any residential district. [Ord. 409 § 3, 2017; Ord. 320 § 1, 1999. Formerly 14.85.080]
14.170.090 Abandoned signs.
A sign shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located when the business which it advertises is no longer conducted on the premises. If the owner or lessee fails to remove it, the city shall give the owner 30 days’ written notice to remove it. Upon failure to comply with the notice, the city or its authorized representative(s) may remove the sign at the owner’s expense. [Ord. 409 § 3, 2017; Ord. 320 § 1, 1999. Formerly 14.85.090]
14.170.100 Construction requirements, inspection and maintenance.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all signs shall be constructed pursuant to the requirements of the Uniform Building Code and a building permit shall be required for the installation of all permanent signs. [Ord. 409 § 3, 2017; Ord. 320 § 1, 1999. Formerly 14.85.100]
14.170.110 Inspection and maintenance.
All signs and sign structures, together with their braces, guys, bolts and supporting frames, shall be maintained at all times in a state of good repair and safe condition, free from deterioration, rot, rust and loosening. The display surfaces shall be kept neatly painted or posted, shall have broken or cracked panels replaced, and shall have all sources of illumination in proper working order at all times. [Ord. 409 § 3, 2017; Ord. 320 § 1, 1999. Formerly 14.85.110]