Chapter 15.36 SIGN CODE

The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life, health, property and public welfare by regulating the design, quality of materials, construction, location, electrification and maintenance of signs and sign structures not located within a building. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

15.36.015 Scope.

The regulations of this chapter apply in conjunction with the regulations contained in PMC Title 19.

A sign shall not be erected in a manner that would confuse or abstract the interpretation of any official traffic sign, signal or device. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

15.36.020 Definitions and abbreviations.

The definitions contained in PMC 19.04.020 apply to this chapter. In addition to those definitions, the following definitions apply to this chapter:

A. “Building code” means the Uniform Building Code promulgated by the International Conference of Building Officials, as adopted and amended by this city.

B. “Building official” means the officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of this code or his duly authorized representative.

C. “Electrical sign” means any sign containing electrical wiring, but not including signs illuminated by an exterior light source.

D. “Noncombustible,” as applied to building construction material, means a material which, in the form in which it is used, is either one of the following:

1. Material of which no part will ignite and burn when subjected to fire. Any material conforming to UBC Standard No. 4-1 shall be considered noncombustible within the meaning of this section.

2. Material having a structural base of noncombustible material, as defined in subsection (D)(1) of this section, with a surfacing material not over one-eighth inch thick which has a flame-spread rating of 50 or less.

“Noncombustible” does not apply to surface finish materials. Materials required to be noncombustible for reduced clearance to flues, heating appliances or other sources of high temperature shall refer to material conforming to subsection (D)(1) of this section. No material shall be classed as noncombustible which is subject to increase in combustibility or flame-spread rating beyond the limits herein established, through the effects of age, moisture or other atmospheric condition.

“Flame-spread ratings,” as used herein, means and refers to ratings obtained according to tests conducted as specified in UBC Standard No. 42-1.

E. “Approved plastic material” means plastic having a self-ignition temperature 650 degrees Fahrenheit or greater when tested in accordance with UBC Standard No. 52-3 and (1) a smoke-density rating not greater than 450 degrees Fahrenheit when tested in accordance with UBC Standard No. 42-1, in the way intended for use, or (2) a smoke-density rating no greater than 75 when tested in the thickness intended for use by UBC Standard No. 52-2. Approved practice shall be classified as either CC1 or CC2, in accordance with UBC Standard No. 52-4.

F. “Sign permit” means a building permit issued by the building official for an approved sign or sign structure.

G. “UBC Standards” means the Uniform Building Code Standards, promulgated by the International Conference of Building Officials, as adopted by the city. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

Article II. Permits, Fees and Inspections

15.36.025 Permits required.

No person shall erect, re-erect, construct, alter or maintain a sign or sign structure without a sign permit issued by the building official, except as provided by PMC 15.36.035. A separate permit shall be required for each sign for each business entity, and a separate permit shall be required for each group of signs on a single supporting structure. In addition, electrical permits shall be obtained for electric signs. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

15.36.030 Application for permit.

Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing upon a form provided by the building official. The application shall contain the following information:

A. The name and address of the owner of the property, and the lessee, if any;

B. The location by street and number of the proposed sign structure;

C. The name and address of the sign contractor or erector;

D. Evidence of an approved sign review permit or historic resources permit issued by the community development department, as required by PMC 19.08.010.

The building official may require the filing of plans or other pertinent information where, in his opinion, such information is necessary to ensure compliance with this code. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

15.36.035 Exemptions.

The following signs shall not require a sign permit:

A. The changing of the advertising copy or message on a painted or printed sign only. Except for theater marquees and similar signs specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy, electric signs shall not be included in this exception.

B. Painting, repainting or cleaning of an advertising copy or message thereon shall not be considered an erection or alteration which requires a sign permit unless a structural change is made.

These exemptions shall not be construed as relieving the owner of the sign from the responsibility of its erection and maintenance, and its compliance with the provisions of this code or any other law or ordinance regulating the same. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

15.36.040 Permit fees.

A. A fee for each sign permit required by this code shall be paid to the building official, which fee shall be based upon the building permit fee schedule as set forth in Table 3-A of the 1991 Uniform Building Code and the fee schedule adopted by the city council resolution.

B. Other Inspections and Fees.

1. Plan review fee equal to 65 percent of the sign permit.

2. Additional plan review required by changes, additions or revisions to approved plans (per hour): $41.00.

3. Plan review sent to outside consultants will be the total consultant fee.

4. Inspections outside of normal business hours (per hour) (minimum charge of two hours): $70.00.

5. Reinspection fees (per hour): $70.00.

6. Inspections for which no fee is specifically indicated (minimum charge: one-half hour): $41.00. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

15.36.045 Inspections.

A sign for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official. Footing inspections may be required by the building official for a sign having footings. A sign containing electrical wiring shall be subject to the provisions of the governing electrical code, and the electrical components used shall bear the label of an approved testing agency. The building official may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of PMC 15.36.095. All signs may be reinspected at the discretion of the building official. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

Article III. Design, Construction and Maintenance

15.36.050 Design.

A. General.

1. Signs and sign structures shall be designed and constructed to resist wind and seismic forces as specified in this section. All bracing systems shall be designed and constructed to transfer lateral forces to the foundations. For signs on buildings, the dead and lateral loads shall be transmitted through the structural frame of the building to the ground in such a manner as not to over stress any of the elements thereof.

2. The overturning moment produced from lateral forces shall in no case exceed two-thirds of the dead-load residing moment. Uplift due to overturning shall be adequately resisted by proper anchorage to the ground or to the structural frame of the building.

3. The weight of earth superimposed over footings may be used in determining the deadload resisting moment. Such earth shall be carefully placed and thoroughly compacted.

B. Wind Loads. Signs and sign structures shall be designed and constructed to resist wind forces as specified in Chapter 23 of the building code.

C. Seismic Loads. Signs and sign structures shall be designed and constructed to resist seismic forces as specified in Chapter 23 of the building code.

D. Combined Loads.

1. Wind and seismic loads need not be combined in the design of signs or sign structures; only that loading producing the larger stresses need be used.

2. Vertical design loads, except roof live loads, shall be assumed to be acting simultaneously with the wind or seismic loads.

E. Allowable Stresses.

1. The design of wood, concrete, steel or aluminum members shall conform to the requirements of Chapters 25, 26, 27 and 28 of the building code.

2. Loads, both vertical and horizontal, exerted on the soil shall not produce stresses exceeding those specified in Chapter 29 of the building code.

3. The working stresses of wire rope and its fastenings shall not exceed 25 percent of the ultimate strength of the rope or fasteners.

4. Working stresses for wind or seismic loads combined with dead loads may be increased as specified in Chapter 23 of the building code. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

15.36.055 Construction.

A. General. The supports for all signs or sign structures shall be placed in or upon private property and shall be securely built, constructed and erected in conformance with the requirements of this code.

B. Materials.

1. Materials of construction for signs and sign structures shall be of the quality and grade as specified for buildings in the building code.

2. In all signs and sign structures, the materials and details of construction shall, in the absence of specified requirements, conform with the following:

a. Structural steel shall be of such quality as to conform with UBC Standard No. 27-1. Secondary members in contact with or directly supporting the display surface may be formed of gauge steel as specified in UBC Standard No. 27-9 in accordance with the specifications of the design of light and in addition shall be galvanized. Secondary members, when formed integrally with the display surface, shall be not less than 0.024 inches in thickness. When not formed integrally with the display surface, the minimum thickness of the secondary members shall be one-tenth inch. The minimum thickness of hot-rolled steel members furnishing structural support for signs shall be one-quarter inch, except that, if galvanized, such members shall be not less than one-eighth inch thick. Steel pipes shall be of such quality as to conform with UBC Standard No. 27-1. Steel members may be connected with one galvanized bolt, provided the connection is adequate to transfer the stresses in the members.

b. Anchors and supports when of wood and embedded in the soil, or within six inches of the soil, shall be of all heartwood of a durable species or shall be pressure treated with an approved preservative. Such members shall be marked or branded by an approved agency.

C. Restrictions on Combustible Material.

1. Ground signs may be constructed of any material meeting the requirements of this code.

2. Roof signs, where allowed by PMC Title 19, wall signs, projecting signs and signs on marquees shall be constructed of noncombustible materials, except as provided in subsection (D) of this section. No combustible materials other than approved plastic shall be used in the construction of electric signs.

EXCEPTIONS:

a. Approved roof signs may be constructed of unprotected combustible materials on roofs of combustible construction.

b. Approved roof signs with a maximum surface area of 50 square feet and a maximum height of five feet may be constructed of combustible materials on roofs of any type of construction.

c. Nonelectric wall signs may be constructed of unprotected combustible materials on walls permitted to be of unprotected combustible construction.

D. Nonstructural Trim. Nonstructural trim and portable display surfaces may be of wood, metal, approved plastics of any combination thereof.

E. Anchorage.

1. Members supporting unbraced signs shall be so proportioned that the bearing loads imposed on the soil in either direction, horizontal or vertical, shall not exceed safe values. Braced ground signs shall be anchored to resist the specified wind or seismic load acting in any direction. Anchors and supports shall be designed for safe bearing loads on the soil and for an effective resistance to pullout amounting to a force 25 percent greater than the required resistance to overturning. Anchors and supports shall penetrate to a depth below ground greater than that of the first line.

2. Portable ground signs supported by frames or posts rigidly attached to the base shall be so proportioned that the weight and size of the base will be adequate to resist the wind pressure specified in this chapter.

3. Signs attached to masonry, concrete or steel shall be safely and securely fastened thereto by means of metal anchors, bolts or approved expansion screws of sufficient size and anchorage to support safely the loads applied.

4. No wooden blocks or plugs or anchors with wood used in connection screws or nails shall be considered proper anchorage, except in the case of signs attached to wood framing.

5. No anchor or support of any sign shall be connected to, or supported by, an unbraced parapet wall, unless such wall is designed in accordance with the requirements for parapet walls specified for seismic zones in the building code.

F. Display Surfaces. Display surfaces in all types of signs may be made of metal, glass or approved plastics.

Glass thickness and area limitations shall be as set forth in Table No. 15.36-A.

Table No. 15.36-A
Size, Thickness and Type of Glass Panels in Signs
Maximum Size of Exposed Glass Panel:		Minimum Thickness of Glass (In inches)	Type of Glass
Any Dimension (In inches)	(In square inches)	Minimum Thickness of Glass (In inches)	Type of Glass
30	500	1/8	Plain, plate or wired
45	700	3/16	Plain, plate or wired
144	3,600	1/4	Plain, plate or wired
Over 144	Over 3,600	1/4	Wired glass

Sections of approved plastics on wall signs shall not exceed 225 square feet in area.

EXCEPTION: Sections of approved plastics on signs other than wall signs may be of unlimited area if approved by the building official.

G. Approved Plastics. The building official shall require that sufficient technical data be submitted to substantiate the proposed use of any plastic material and, if it is determined that the evidence submitted is satisfactory for the use intended, he may approve its use. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

15.36.060 Projection and clearance.

A. General. Signs shall conform to the clearance and projection requirements of PMC Title 19 and this section. The clearance of a projecting sign when measured from the sidewalk or grade to the bottom of the sign shall be no less than seven and one-half feet.

B. Clearance From High Voltage Power Lines. Signs shall be located no less than six feet horizontally or 12 feet vertically from overhead electrical conductors which are energized in excess of 750 volts. The term “overhead conductors,” as used in this section, means any electrical conductor, either bare or insulated, installed above the ground, except such conductors as are enclosed in iron pipe or other material converting of equal strength.

C. Clearance From Fire Escapes, Exists or Standpipes. No sign or sign structure shall be erected in such a manner that any portion of its surface or supports will interfere in any way with the free use of any fire escape, exit or standpipe.

D. Obstruction of Openings.

1. No sign shall obstruct any openings to such an extent that light or ventilation is reduced to a point below that required by this code.

2. Signs erected within five feet of an exterior wall in which there are openings within the area of the sign shall be constructed of noncombustible material or approved plastics. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

15.36.065 Electric signs.

A. General. Electric signs shall be constructed of noncombustible material.

The enclosed shell of electric signs shall be watertight, except that service holes fitted with covers shall be provided into each compartment of such signs.

B. Installation. Electrical equipment used in connection with display signs shall be installed in accordance with the National Electrical Code as adopted by the city. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

15.36.070 Maintenance.

A. General. All signs and sign support structure, together with all of their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in repair and in proper state of preservation. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or posted at all times.

B. Obsolete Signs. Any on-site sign, including its supporting structure, which no longer identifies the current occupancy of the premises, shall be removed from the premises not more than 30 days from the date that the sign no longer identifies the current occupancy.

C. Unsafe Signs. Any sign that, in the opinion of the building official, is unsafe, insecure, damaged or disfigured shall be repaired or removed, together with any supporting structure, within 30 days after written notice to remove the sign is mailed by the building official to the responsible party. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

15.36.075 Temporary signs.

A. Support. A temporary sign, which may include a cloth sign, shall be supported and attached with wire rope of three-eighths-inch minimum diameter. No strings, fiber ropes or wood slats shall be permitted for support or anchorage purposes. Cloth signs and panels shall be perforated over at least 10 percent of their area to reduce wind resistance.

EXCEPTION: Temporary cloth signs over private property, not exceeding 60 square feet, shall be supported and attached with wire rope which will meet the requirements of PMC 15.36.050.

B. Projection. Cloth signs may extend over public property, except for a public street, if in compliance with the clearance requirements of PMC 15.36.060. No sign may extend across a public street without prior approval of the building official.

C. Clearance. A sign which has been approved to extend over a public street shall maintain a minimum clearance of 20 feet.

A temporary sign, other than cloth, when eight feet or more above the ground, may project not more than six inches over public property or beyond the legal setback line. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

Article IV. Enforcement

15.36.080 Authority.

The building official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce all the provisions of this chapter. For such purposes he shall have the powers of a law enforcement officer. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

15.36.085 Right of entry.

Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any of the provisions of this code, or whenever the building official or his authorized representative has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any premises any condition or code violation which makes such building or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the building official or his authorized representative may enter such building or premises at all reasonable times to inspect the same or to perform any duty imposed upon the building official by this code; provided, that if such building or premises be occupied, he shall first present proper credentials and request entry; and if such building or premises be unoccupied, he shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other persons having charge or control of the building or premises and request entry. If such entry is refused, entry may be made only upon issuance of a warrant by a duly authorized magistrate. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

15.36.090 Posting prohibitions.

A. Public Property. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, except a public officer or employee in performance of a public duty, to paste, paint, print, nail, tack or otherwise fasten any handbill, sign, poster, advertisement or notice of any kind, or cause the same to be done, on any curbstone, lamppost, pole, hydrant, bridge or tree upon a public street or public property within the city, except as may be required by the ordinances of the city or the laws of the state or of the United States.

B. Private Property. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, except a public officer or employee in performance of a public duty, or a private person in giving a legal notice, to paste, post, paint, print, nail or tack or otherwise fasten any handbill, sign, poster, advertisement or notice of any kind upon any property, without the written consent of the owner, holder, lessee, agent or trustee thereof. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

15.36.095 Nuisance declaration.

Any sign remaining on a building or premises contrary in violation of the provisions of this chapter is unlawful and a public nuisance and the building official is authorized to cause the removal of the same pursuant to the enforcement provisions of Chapter 19.24 PMC. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

15.36.100 Violation a misdemeanor.

A person who erects, constructs, enlarges, alters, repairs, moves, improves, removes, converts or demolishes, equips, uses or maintains a sign or sign structure within the city or permits the same to be done in violation of the provisions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]

15.36.105 Violation – Penalty.

A violation of any provision under this chapter is punishable as a misdemeanor and upon conviction may be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months, or both. [Ord. 1058 § 8, 1993.]