Chapter 18.105
SIGN PERMITS
Sections:
18.105.010 Requirement.
18.105.020 Approval authority.
18.105.030 Procedures – Application, decision, effective date, appeal.
18.105.040 Findings.
18.105.050 Conditions of approval.
18.105.060 Lapse of approval – Changes to plans – Revocation.
18.105.070 Resubmittal of application.
18.105.010 Requirement.
No sign shall be erected or displayed without a sign permit or temporary sign permit, unless the sign is exempt under PHMC § 18.60.020.
A temporary sign permit is required to authorize certain temporary signs under PHMC § 18.60.030.C.
A master sign program, under PHMC § 18.60.080, is required for a site having four or more nonresidential occupants. (Ord. 856 § 2 (Exh. A), 2011; Ord. 854 § 3, 2011; Ord. 738 § 1 (Exh. B), 1999; Ord. 710 § 35-30A.1, 1996; 1991 code § 35-30A.1)
18.105.020 Approval authority.
The architectural review commission has the authority to approve a master sign program and an amendment to a master sign program, to prepare sign design criteria under PHMC § 18.60.090, and to approve a sign permit for a theater or marquee sign under PHMC § 18.60.050.F.
The zoning administrator has the authority to approve a sign permit, whether a master sign program exists or not, or a temporary sign permit under PHMC § 18.60.030. The zoning administrator may, in his or her discretion, refer a sign permit or temporary sign permit directly to the architectural review commission.
The planning commission has the authority to approve a variance under PHMC Chapter 18.110 and a use permit under PHMC Chapter 18.95. (Ord. 854 § 3, 2011; Ord. 738 § 1 (Exh. B), 1999; Ord. 710 § 35-30A.2, 1996; 1991 code § 35-30A.2)
18.105.030 Procedures – Application, decision, effective date, appeal.
A. Application. The applicant shall submit a request for a sign permit, master sign program or temporary sign permit to the zoning administrator on forms provided by the city. An application is determined to be complete in accordance with PHMC § 18.75.030.
The application for a master sign program shall include all of the following:
1. A master sign program, drawn to scale, delineating the site proposed to be included within the sign program and the general location of all signs;
2. Drawings and/or sketches indicating the exterior surface details of all buildings on the site on which wall signs, directory signs, ground signs or projecting signs are proposed;
3. A statement of the reasons for any requested modification to the regulations or standards of PHMC Chapter 18.60; and
4. A written program specifying sign standards, including color, size, construction details, placement, and necessity for city review, for distribution to future tenants.
No notice or public hearing is required.
B. Decision. The zoning administrator shall approve, conditionally approve or deny an application within 10 working days. The architectural review commission shall approve, conditionally approve or deny an application within 30 working days. The zoning administrator shall mail notice of the decision to the applicant within 10 calendar days of the decision. In the case of an appeal, the date of decision is the date of the adoption of a resolution of decision.
C. Effective date – Appeal. A sign permit or master sign program approval or temporary sign permit is effective on the date of approval. Any interested person may appeal a decision of the application by the zoning administrator to the architectural review commission and of the architectural review commission to the city council, in accordance with PHMC Chapter 18.130.
D. Projects with multiple discretionary applications. Notwithstanding subsections B and C of this section, for projects requiring a discretionary permit approval from the planning commission and/or city council in conjunction with approval of a sign permit and/or master sign program, the planning commission and/or city council shall be the final decision-maker for the sign permit and/or master sign program and any action of the zoning administrator and/or architectural review commission shall be considered advisory to the planning commission and/or city council. (Ord. 921 § 2, 2018; Ord. 856 § 2 (Exh. A), 2011; Ord. 854 § 3, 2011; Ord. 738 § 1 (Exh. B), 1999; Ord. 710 § 35-30A.4, 1996; 1991 code § 35-30A.4)
18.105.040 Findings.
A. Sign permit. The zoning administrator or architectural review commission shall consider the following elements in evaluating a sign permit application:
1. Visibility and legibility, including letter height and legibility, contrast-background relationship, placement and location, and the impact of other signs in the vicinity, and the average travel speed on adjacent streets.
2. Intensity of illumination of both the proposed sign and other signs in the vicinity, and other light sources such as street lights or canopy lights.
3. The relation to the architectural design of the building. An attractive scale between the sign, the building and the immediate surroundings shall be maintained. A sign which covers a window or which spills over natural boundaries or architectural features and obliterates parts of an upper floor of a building may not be permitted.
4. The graphic design, including emphasis on simplicity, style, trademarks or business identification and use of symbols.
5. The sign proposal conforms to the city-wide sign design guidelines and/or other applicable adopted design guidelines.
B. Master sign program. Before approving a master sign program, the architectural review commission must find that:
1. The program’s contribution to the design quality of the site and surrounding area will be superior to the quality that would result under the regulations and standards of PHMC § 18.60.050, Specific sign standards;
2. The proposed signs are compatible with the style or character of existing improvements on the site and are well-related to each other; and
3. Future tenants will not be denied adequate opportunities for identification if transfers of sign area from one building frontage to another are proposed by the master sign program.
4. The master sign program conforms to the city-wide sign design guidelines and/or other applicable adopted design guidelines.
C. Temporary sign permit. Before approving a temporary sign permit, the zoning administrator must find that:
1. The proposed temporary sign will be located, operated and maintained in a manner consistent with the general plan and this chapter;
2. Approval of the application will not be detrimental to adjacent properties or to property in the surrounding area or to the public health, safety or general welfare; and
3. The temporary sign proposal conforms to the city-wide sign design guidelines and/or other applicable adopted design guidelines. (Ord. 856 § 2 (Exh. A), 2011; Ord. 854 § 3, 2011; Ord. 738 § 1 (Exh. B), 1999; Ord. 710 § 35-30A.6, 1996; 1991 code § 35-30A.6)
18.105.050 Conditions of approval.
In approving a sign permit, master sign program or temporary sign permit, the zoning administrator or architectural review commission may impose reasonable conditions necessary to:
A. Achieve the general purposes of this chapter or the specific purposes of the zoning district in which the site is located, or to make it consistent with the general plan;
B. Protect the public health, safety, and general welfare; or
C. Ensure operation and maintenance of the use in a manner compatible with existing and potential uses on adjoining properties or in the surrounding area. (Ord. 854 § 3, 2011; Ord. 738 § 1 (Exh. B), 1999; Ord. 710 § 35-30A.8, 1996; 1991 code § 35-30A.8)
18.105.060 Lapse of approval – Changes to plans – Revocation.
A. Sign permit. A sign permit lapses one year after its date of approval, or at an alternative time specified as a condition of approval, unless the sign is placed within that time. A request for a change in the sign permit or a condition of approval requires a new application, for modification of the condition. If the zoning administrator determines that the modification is major, then the modification shall be referred for consideration to the final decision-making body that approved the original sign permit. If the zoning administrator determines that the proposed modification is minor, the zoning administrator may approve the minor modification administratively.
B. Master sign program. The approval of a master sign program does not lapse, but remains in effect to regulate future signs. A request for a change in the master sign program or a condition of approval requires a new application. If the zoning administrator determines that the modification is major, then the modification shall be referred for consideration to the final decision-making body that approved the original master sign program. If the zoning administrator determines that the proposed modification is minor, the zoning administrator may approve the minor modification administratively.
C. Temporary sign permit. A temporary sign permit is valid for the time period specified in the permit. The permit lapses if not used within the dates approved.
D. Revocation. A sign permit, master sign program or temporary sign permit exercised in violation of this chapter or a condition of approval may be revoked as provided in PHMC § 18.135.040. (Ord. 856 § 2 (Exh. A), 2011; Ord. 854 § 3, 2011; Ord. 738 § 1 (Exh. B), 1999; Ord. 710 § 35-30A.10, 1996; 1991 code § 35-30A.10)
18.105.070 Resubmittal of application.
Following denial of a sign permit or master sign program, no new application for the same, or substantially the same, permit or program shall be accepted within one year of the date of denial, unless the denial was made without prejudice. (Ord. 854 § 3, 2011; Ord. 738 § 1 (Exh. B), 1999; Ord. 710 § 35-30A.12, 1996; 1991 code § 35-30A.12)