Chapter 11.92
SIGNS
Sections:
11.92.010 Statement of purpose and intent.
11.92.045 On-premises requirement.
11.92.050 General regulations.
11.92.060 Specific sign regulations.
11.92.070 Nonconforming signs.
11.92.080 Administration and enforcement.
Prior history: Res. 2000-129.
11.92.010 Statement of purpose and intent.
The purpose of this chapter is to accommodate and promote sign placement consistent with the character and intent of individual zoning districts and the comprehensive plan by providing minimum standards to safeguard life, health, and visual quality. This is accomplished by regulating and controlling the number, size, design, construction and location of all signs and sign structures. This chapter is further intended to preserve and improve the appearance of Chelan County as a place to live and to promote trade and tourism in the community. It encourages sound signing practices as an aid to communication, business and public information dissemination. (Res. 2008-13 (part), 2/5/08).
11.92.020 Applicability.
This chapter shall apply to all signs erected, structurally altered or relocated within Chelan County by any person, firm or corporation. It is the intent of this code that, within urban growth areas associated with an incorporated city having established sign regulations, Chelan County will implement and enforce the applicable city’s sign regulations, as they may be amended from time to time. All other unincorporated areas of Chelan County shall be governed by the regulations herein. (Res. 2008-13 (part), 2/5/08).
11.92.030 Exempt signs.
The following signs are exempt from obtaining a permit, except where a building permit is required by any applicable building codes, but must be in conformance with all other requirements of this chapter. Any sign exceeding the parameters of the following requirements are not considered exempt and shall be regulated as provided elsewhere in this chapter.
(1) Noncommercial signs less than two square feet in area and bearing only property, numbers, postal box numbers or names of occupants of premises, flush-mounted on a primary structure;
(2) A menu sign no greater than ten square feet in area, flush-mounted on a primary structure; and provided, that the menu displayed is the same as that provided for the customers;
(3) Mailbox signs on commercial mailboxes; provided, that the wording shall be limited to the name of the business or addressee, and shall consist of lettering one inch high or smaller;
(4) Official flags, emblems and/or insignia and including the flagpole of any governmental unit and internationally or nationally recognized organizations;
(5) Signs of a public or semipublic body, noncommercial in nature, including, without limitation, community service informational signs, public transit service signs, public utility information signs, warning, regulatory or information signs required by federal, state, or local law, traffic control signs and all signs erected by a public officer in the performance of a public duty;
(6) Official and legal notices posted by a court, public body or person in the performance of a public duty or office;
(7) Traffic directional/incidental signs; provided, that such signs shall not exceed six square feet in area, and meet requirements of the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices”;
(8) Commemorative plaques and integral signs with engraved lettering less than six inches in height and thirty inches in width;
(9) Construction signs; provided, that there is only one such sign per street frontage of a building; and provided, that the area of each sign shall not exceed thirty-two square feet and that all such signs shall be removed within thirty days of completion of the building;
(10) Real estate signs; provided, that there is only one such sign per street frontage and that the area of the sign shall not exceed eight square feet in area within urban growth areas nor exceed thirty-two square feet in areas outside of urban growth areas;
(11) Political campaign or public issue ballot signs are permitted on any privately owned lot or parcel, excluding right-of-way. Signs are to be removed by the candidate or sponsoring party within fifteen days of the election. For the successful candidate of a primary election, the sign may remain until fifteen days after the final election. For residential and designated resource land districts, signs shall not exceed six square feet in area. For all other districts, signs shall not exceed thirty-two square feet;
(12) Community bulletin board signs; provided, that only one such sign per block shall be allowed, that the community bulletin board contains no direct advertising of products or services and shall not exceed thirty-two square feet in area;
(13) Accessory commercial signs; provided, that such signs shall not exceed two square feet;
(14) Yard/garage sale signs used to advertise private sales of used goods may be erected so long as they are not displayed for a period of longer than five consecutive days. The date of posting shall be clearly written on the sign or it shall be removed and discarded. Said signs shall not be affixed to any utility pole, street light pole or standard, canopy poles in the downtown area, traffic sign or traffic control device pole or standard;
(15) Time and temperature signs are allowed as exempt signs in the commercial and industrial zones, notwithstanding the general prohibition on changing message center signs, provided they are accessory to a commercial use and do not interfere with safe vehicular and pedestrian traffic. They shall be part of another permanent sign, and they shall not exceed four square feet in area;
(16) Seasonal displays or decorations that do not identify a product, company or service;
(17) Temporary signs such as banners, “Sale” signs, or “Grand Opening” signs that are not permanently affixed to a building or sign structure and not displayed for more than thirty days, except as otherwise provided for in this title. (Res. 2008-13 (part), 2/5/08).
11.92.040 Prohibited signs.
(1) The following signs, as defined herein, are prohibited within all areas of Chelan County:
(A) Animated signs;
(B) Bench signs;
(C) Off-premises billboard signs;
(D) Portable signs, except sandwich-board signs as provided for herein;
(E) Roof signs;
(F) Signs erected on utility, street light or traffic control standard poles, unless placed there by the public entity owning the structure;
(G) Signs erected, drawn or painted on trees, rocks or other natural features;
(H) Except as may be specifically provided for herein, illuminated video signs, or signs containing flashing or moving lights.
(2) In addition to the above signs, outside of established urban growth areas changing message center or electronic reader-board signs, as defined herein, are prohibited. (Res. 2008-13 (part), 2/5/08).
11.92.045 On-premises requirement.
All signs shall be located on the premises of the business, activity, service, etc., being offered, with the following exceptions, provided they are consistent with the provisions of this chapter:
(1) Community bulletin board;
(2) Community service informational sign;
(3) Kiosk sign;
(4) Off-premises directional sign;
(5) Political campaign or public issue ballot signs;
(6) Informational, warning and/or regulatory signs of a public body, including traffic control signs, and any signs required by federal, state or local law;
(7) Traffic directional/incidental signs. (Res. 2008-13 (part), 2/5/08).
11.92.050 General regulations.
All signs, including exempt signs, excepting the height of flagpoles conforming to Section 11.92.030(4), authorized herein shall comply with the following minimum standards:
(1) For purposes of this chapter, all signs, except exempt signs, erected within Chelan County shall obtain a building permit, as necessary, issued by the county, consistent with the provisions of this chapter or the applicable city sign regulations where proposed within an unincorporated urban growth area. Signs that do not conform to the provisions of this chapter, except nonconforming and exempt signs as defined, are unlawful and shall be removed;
(2) All signs governed by the provisions of this chapter shall comply with all adopted building, electrical, structural, etc., codes;
(3) Only lawfully existing enterprises are allowed to utilize signs as listed herein;
(4) All signs, together with their supports, braces and guys shall be maintained in a safe and secure manner, as determined by the county building official, so as to not create a hazard to public safety;
(5) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the county from adopting special sign districts as part of a specific plan, redevelopment plan, planned unit development or the like when special sign provisions are necessary or appropriate to implement the comprehensive land use plan provisions and goals;
(6) A clear-view triangle shall be maintained at all intersecting public or private streets, driveways, and/or curb cuts for vision safety purposes, as defined in Title 11 of this code;
(7) Except where allowed or restricted otherwise in this chapter, all signs and supporting structures shall be no higher than the allowed building height in the applicable zoning district (excepting flagpoles in conformance with Section 11.92.030(4));
(8) Projecting, suspended, freestanding, and awning signs shall maintain a minimum clearance of seven and one-half feet above the finished grade over pedestrian ways, and shall provide a minimum of thirteen and one-half feet over vehicular ways;
(9) Signs shall not be placed within any required yard setback area, unless otherwise provided for in this title. Where there is no required yard setback area, all signs shall be at least ten feet from a front property line, and at least five feet from a side and/or rear property line;
(10) Except for exempt signs as provided herein, all signs shall be constructed of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame, or structure;
(11) Illumination from any sign shall be shaded, shielded, directed, or reduced so as to avoid undue brightness, glare, or reflection of light onto private or public property or right-of-way in the surrounding area and so as to avoid unreasonable distractions of pedestrians or motorists. Indirectly illuminated signs shall not project light from the light source across property lines, or directly towards traffic;
(12) The following principles shall control the computation of sign area and sign height:
(A) Area of Individual Signs. The area of a sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest rectangle thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed; but not including the area encompassing the address of the property, any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall that is clearly incidental to the display itself. In the case of a mural incorporating commercial wording, the sign area shall include only the portion of the mural that contains the wording, circumscribed as set forth above.
(B) Area of Multi-Faced Signs. The sign area shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces. When two identical sign faces are placed back-to-back the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces.
(C) Height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at the average finished grade of the property to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. In cases where the average finished grade cannot reasonably be determined, due to topographical irregularities or the property is improved with curbs and gutters, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the average finished grade at the sign is equal to the average elevation of the area surrounding the proposed sign location and for a distance of fifty feet in any direction of the proposed sign.
(D) Where calculations herein are based on building and/or wall face, this shall include all window and door areas and shall be measured from the sidewalk or ground line to the building eave line or parapet;
(13) Abandoned signs as defined in this chapter shall be removed by the county;
(14) If a building, structure or premises is vacated for a twelve-month period of time, the owner of said property shall be responsible for removing any commercial signs or signs thereon with the exception of signs relating to the leasing or sale of said property;
(15) No sign of a private entity shall be erected and/or placed so as to encroach onto or into a public right-of-way, except as provided herein;
(16) In buildings with multiple tenants, it shall be the building owner’s responsibility to apply for and obtain any sign permits, and to assign the allowed sign size and location between tenants to comply with the sign code;
(17) One multi-tenant freestanding sign is allowed for each public street frontage. Multi-tenant freestanding signs shall not exceed a maximum of one hundred fifty square feet in area. Where a multi-tenant development does not abut a public street frontage, one multi-tenant sign shall be allowed;
(18) Where applicable, the provisions of Chapter 47.42 RCW, Highway Advertising Control Act – Scenic Vistas Act, shall be adhered to, and nothing in these provisions is intended to supersede or impede implementation of state law. (Res. 2008-13 (part), 2/5/08).
11.92.060 Specific sign regulations.
(1) All permitted signs shall comply with one of the following types of structural and/or construction-related requirements:
(A) Wall and Window Signs.
(i) Wall signs shall not project above roof line;
(ii) Wall signs shall not extend more than twelve inches out from wall, and shall be mounted parallel with the building face;
(iii) Each wall and/or window sign, calculated together for any single building face, shall not exceed the figures derived from the following schedule:
|
Building Face |
Maximum Sign Surface Area Per Building Face |
|---|---|
|
Below 100 square feet |
Up to 12 square feet. |
|
100 – 200 square feet |
Up to 20 square feet, not to exceed 10% of the building face. |
|
201 – 500 square feet |
Up to 42 square feet, not to exceed 10% of the building face. |
|
501 – 1,000 square feet |
Up to 75 square feet, not to exceed 10% of the building face. |
|
1,001 – 1,500 square feet |
Up to 150 square feet, not to exceed 10% of the building face. |
|
1,501 – 3,000 square feet |
Up to 169 square feet, not to exceed 10% of the building face; and also provided, that no single sign shall exceed 160 square feet. |
|
Over 3,001 square feet |
Up to 214 square feet, not to exceed 10% of the building face; and also provided, that no single sign shall exceed 160 square feet. |
(B) Monument Signs.
(i) Unless otherwise permitted herein, each monument sign shall be no larger than thirty-two square feet;
(ii) Unless otherwise permitted herein, each monument sign shall be no taller than forty-two inches above street grade when located within the clear view triangle, and no taller than seventy-two inches above finished grade when located outside of the clear view triangle;
(iii) Only one monument sign is allowed on each frontage, including for multi-tenant buildings, provided it is not located on the same street frontage as an allowed freestanding sign.
(C) Freestanding Signs.
(i) Unless otherwise permitted herein, each freestanding sign shall be no larger than thirty-two square feet;
(ii) Only one freestanding sign is allowed on each frontage, including for multi-tenant buildings, provided it is not located on the same street frontage as an allowed monument sign.
(D) Suspended/Projecting Signs.
(i) Each suspended and/or projecting sign shall be no larger than four square feet;
(ii) Each suspended and/or projecting sign shall have at least two attachments to the building from which they project and such other guy wires, chains, or cables as may be deemed necessary by the county building official. Additional attachments may be required based on required engineering;
(iii) All guy wire supports shall be engineered and reviewed and approved by the county building official. No guy wires shall be spread at an angle less than twenty-five degrees and shall be fastened with approved expansion bolts to a solid brick or stone wall or by machine screws in an iron building face, or by light screws if the building face is solid woodwork;
(iv) Each projecting sign shall not project more than five feet from the building face for an individual business. The structure around or supporting the sign, such as wrought iron work, shall not be included in the total sign area;
(v) Only one projecting sign shall be permitted per exterior building entrance;
(vi) Fascia and projecting signs shall not extend above the height of the building;
(vii) Projecting signs may be placed in lieu of freestanding signs. Projecting signs are limited to one-half of the size of a freestanding sign.
(E) Sandwich-Board Signs.
(i) Each sandwich-board sign shall be no taller than forty-eight inches and no wider than thirty inches;
(ii) Each sandwich-board sign shall be properly anchored to ensure it does not tip over and/or blow away;
(iii) Each sandwich-board sign shall only be placed in front of the business it pertains to, and only during business hours;
(iv) Only one sandwich-board sign is allowed per business/use;
(v) No sandwich-board sign shall obstruct wheelchair ramps or in any other way obstruct pedestrian traffic.
(F) Canopy Signs.
(i) Only one suspended and/or projecting sign per business shall be allowed under a canopy, and in no case shall the size of the sign exceed four square feet;
(ii) Any projecting sign located under the canopy shall be mounted perpendicular to the building face. It shall be attached to the building and in no case shall a projecting sign be attached to the canopy posts;
(iii) A suspended and/or projecting sign shall not be mounted such that any portion of said sign is closer than twelve inches to the street-side edge of the gutter/curb;
(iv) All signs extending over any public right-of-way shall have at least two attachments to the building from which they project and such other guy wires, chains, or cables as may be deemed necessary by the county engineer. Additional attachments may be required based on required engineering;
(v) All guy wire supports shall be engineered and reviewed and approved by the county building official. No guy wires shall be spread at an angle less than twenty-five degrees and shall be fastened with approved expansion bolts to a solid brick or stone wall or by machine screws in an iron building face, or by light screws if the building face is solid woodwork.
(2) In addition to the structural and/or construction-related requirements above, the following additional requirements for specific sign types shall be complied with:
(A) Temporary Sign. Temporary signs, as identified and defined herein, are allowed, subject to the following standards:
(i) All temporary signs shall be securely affixed to the surface of a building wall or window, and shall not be affixed to any utility pole, county trees, street light pole or standard, canopy poles in the downtown area, traffic sign or traffic control device pole or standard;
(ii) All temporary signs shall have the date of initial posting clearly written on the face of the sign or they shall be immediately removed;
(iii) All temporary signs shall comply with the general provisions required for permanent signs as described herein;
(iv) Community event temporary signs shall comply with the following additional standards:
(a) Community event temporary signs may be up to one hundred square feet per sign face in size;
(b) Community event temporary signs may be displayed for up to sixty days prior to the community event and shall be removed within twenty-four hours of the event completion;
(v) Business sales and/or product event/announcement temporary signs shall comply with the following additional standards:
(a) Business sales and/or product event/announcement temporary signs shall not exceed eight square feet for every one hundred feet of frontage;
(b) Business sales and/or product event/announcement temporary signs may be displayed for up to seven days prior to the event and shall be removed within twenty-four hours of the event completion; provided, each business sales and/or product event/announcement shall not be reposted for six months.
(B) Neighborhood/Subdivision Signs, Multifamily and/or Manufactured Home Complexes.
(i) The above listed signs shall identify the particular development within one hundred feet of a street and/or development entrance;
(ii) Within urban growth areas regulated by this code, one monument sign, consistent with all provisions herein for monument signs, may be permitted per entrance from an access street to the property, provided the sign does not exceed twenty square feet and is forty-two inches or less in height, or as approved by the county at the time of preliminary subdivision approval;
(iii) Outside urban growth areas regulated by this code, and when located on a state highway, the above listed signs may be either a monument sign as provided for above, or it may be a freestanding sign, provided the sign does not exceed one hundred square feet and is thirty feet or less in height;
(iv) The sign shall be indirectly illuminated and shall be shielded to prevent glare visible from public rights-of-way and neighboring properties, no internal illumination is permitted;
(v) Such signs shall only give the name and street address of the development;
(vi) Such signs shall not obstruct visibility, create blind spots or obstruct pedestrian travel.
(C) Directory Signs.
(i) Directory signs can be a wall, freestanding or monument sign, and must comply with the applicable provisions for these types of signs, including height and size;
(ii) If a directory sign is either a freestanding or a monument sign, it shall take the place of said freestanding or monument sign, and shall comply with the requirement only allowing either one monument sign or one freestanding sign for a single street frontage;
(iii) The property owner shall apply for the building permit for the directory sign and shall include the layout of the individual signs that make up the directory sign plan;
(iv) Only one directory sign shall be allowed for each public street frontage;
(v) For multi-tenant buildings, only one directory sign is allowed.
(D) Informational Signs.
(i) Informational signs shall be no more than four square feet in area;
(ii) One information sign is allowed for each business in a multiple building complex, provided no more than ten informational signs are allowed for each complex.
(E) Community Bulletin Board Signs.
(i) One community bulletin board sign is permitted when associated with a government or municipal building, utility, public school, park, recreation facility, grange, fire station, church or other similar type uses;
(ii) Community bulletin board signs can be either wall, freestanding or monument signs, and must comply with the applicable provisions for these types of signs, including landscaping, height, and size;
(iii) The sign may be illuminated, provided it is consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
(F) Home Occupations in Residential Areas.
(i) Signs for home occupations in residential areas shall only be authorized for a legally established home occupation;
(ii) Only one home occupation sign shall be allowed;
(iii) Home occupation signs shall be a flush-mounted wall sign, unlighted and shall not exceed four square feet in area;
(iv) Outside of urban growth areas regulated by this code, one additional, unlighted sign shall be allowed at the driveway access point with the public road, provided it is no more than six square feet in area and is forty-two inches or less in height.
(G) Nonconforming Uses and Conditional Use Permits in Residential Areas.
(i) Signs for nonconforming uses and conditional use permits in residential areas shall only be authorized for those uses determined to be legally established;
(ii) Each use is permitted one monument sign having a maximum sign area of twenty square feet. The sign structure together with the sign shall not exceed a height of thirty-six inches. One additional monument sign is permitted if there is more than one primary entrance located on an adjacent street;
(iii) Each use is also permitted one flush-mounted wall sign having a maximum sign area of eight square feet. In lieu of a monument sign, the wall sign may be increased in area to the total square footage of the monument sign plus the square footage of the wall sign for a total of sixteen square feet.
(H) High-Intensity Light and Gas Discharge (Neon) Sign.
(i) Gas discharge (neon) signs shall only be a wall or window sign;
(ii) Gas discharge (neon) signs consisting of copy other than the business name shall only be internally mounted.
(I) Off-Premises Directional Signs.
(i) The maximum height of an off-premises directional sign shall not exceed ten feet from the ground level at its base.
(ii) The maximum sign dimensions for an off-premises directional sign shall be four feet in height and eight feet in length, excluding supports and foundations, for a total maximum sign area of thirty-two square feet per face. Off-premises directional signs may be either single-faced or double-faced.
(iii) A maximum of one off-premises advertising sign may be placed on any parcel or lot.
(iv) Location Restrictions.
(a) Four off-premises directional signs may be located within a six-hundred-foot diameter from a public road intersection; provided, that a greater distance may be required if the county finds that a specific off-premises directional sign at a specific location will obstruct or physically interfere with a motorist’s view of approaching, merging or intersection traffic.
(b) Off-premises directional signs shall not be located on a public right-of-way.
(c) Off-premises directional signs shall not be less than 15 feet from the outside edge of the public right-of-way.
(d) An off-premises directional sign shall not be located within six hundred feet of another sign on the same side of the street (excepting for road intersections described above). Back-to-back and v-type sign structures shall be considered one sign structure.
(e) Off-premises directional signs shall not be permitted as roof signs.
(f) Off-premises directional signs shall not block the public visibility of any on-premises signs or the visibility for motorists of any official traffic sign, signal or device.
(v) Lighting. Lighting on off-premises directional signs shall be for the sole purpose of illuminating the advertising message on the display surface and shall not constitute any part of the message itself, directly or indirectly. There shall be no blinking, flashing or fluttering lights. All lighting shall be directed towards the display surface and shall not create a hazard to motorists or a nuisance to adjoining property owners.
(vi) State Requirements. All off-premises directional signs visible from Washington State-designated scenic byway shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 47.42 RCW and other applicable state requirements, as administered by the appropriate state agency. (Res. 2008-13 (part), 2/5/08).
11.92.070 Nonconforming signs.
Nonconforming signs shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter 11.97, Nonconforming Lots, Structures and Uses. (Res. 2008-13 (part), 2/5/08).
11.92.080 Administration and enforcement.
Administration and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter shall be as established in the Title 14, Development Permit Procedures and Administration. Sign permits as required herein shall be processed consistent with the provisions for limited administrative review. (Res. 2008-13 (part), 2/5/08).
11.92.090 Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivatives shall be defined as specified in this section:
“Abandoned sign” is a sign that represents or displays any reference to a business or use which has been discontinued for more than six months or for which there is no current Washington State Master Business License, or any sign which pertains to any occupant, business or event unrelated to the present occupant or use.
“Alteration of sign” is any construction material, size, name, wording or location change to an existing sign, except for normal maintenance.
“Area” or “sign area” is the total area of a sign excluding the sign support structure. The area is calculated by measuring from the outside edge of the frame. For calculating the area of a double-faced sign, only one side of the sign is to be used. Architectural embellishments and decorative features which contain no written or advertising copy, which are not illuminated and which contain no logos or trademarks shall not be included in the sign area. Signs painted on or attached to a wall or awning are calculated by imaginary straight lines around the entire copy or grouping of letters, words, or symbols, using a maximum of eight lines.
“Awning” is an overhead shelter, supported entirely from the exterior walls of a building composed of a rigid supporting framework and a flexible or nonrigid covering.
“Building face” is the exposed building front or exposed exterior wall, including windows and doors, of a building from the grade of the building to the eave line or parapet and the entire width of the building elevation.
“Building side” is a surface of a building that extends more or less perpendicularly from an observer standing in front of a building.
“Canopy” is a freestanding permanent roof-like structure composed of rigid materials providing protection from the elements that may have support columns and/or it may be supported in whole or in part by an adjacent structure.
“Commercial,” for purposes of this sign code, is any activity carried on for financial gain.
“Community event” means a specific event sponsored by an organization or business that provides a function that benefits a wide range of the public. Examples of “community events” are: Founder’s Day Festival activities, school district activities, festivals held in community parks, food drives, charity events, service club events, entertainment and education events at public facilities, etc. “Community event” does not include those events that occur at a place of business including: product sales, business promotions, entertainment and activities designed for attracting sales for the benefit of that place of business.
“Drive-in restaurant” or “refreshment stand” is any place or premises used for sale, dispensing, or serving of food, refreshments, or beverages to customers in automobiles, including those establishments where customers may serve themselves and may eat or drink the food, refreshments, or beverages on the premises.
“Eave line” is the juncture of the roof and the perimeter wall of the structure.
“Erect” is to build, construct, alter, display, relocate, attach, hang, place, suspend, or affix any sign and shall also include the painting of murals, window signs and wall signs.
“Highway frontage” is property that abuts highways and state routes, including without limitation, U.S. 2/97, SR 97A, SR 150, SR 971, etc.
“Historical site” or “historical structure” is any structure, or collection of structures and their associated sites, deemed of importance to the history, architecture or culture of an area by an appropriate local, state or federal governmental jurisdiction. Included shall be structures on official national, state or local historic registers or official listings such as the National Register of Historic Places, the State Register of Historic Places, state points of historical interest, and registers or listings of historical or architecturally significant sites, places, historic districts, or landmarks as adopted by a certified local government.
“Material” is any wood, metal, plastic, glass, cloth, fabric, or any other substance used to construct a sign.
“Multiple building complex” is a group of structures housing two or more retail offices, or commercial uses sharing the same lot, access and/or parking facilities or coordinated site plan.
“Multiple tenant building” is a single structure housing two or more retail, office or commercial uses.
“Normal maintenance” means to restore a sign to a state comparable to its original condition within a reasonable period after decay or partial destruction, except where repair involves a total replacement.
“Public entity” is a state, county, district, public authority, or public agency.
“Repair” is to renew, refresh or restore to sound condition, but does not include a total replacement.
“Sign,” in the singular or plural, means any communication device, structure or fixture using letters, symbols, trademarks, logos or written copy that is intended to aid the establishment, and/or to promote the sale of products, goods, services, or events. The term “sign” does not include stock in trade on display and available for sale. The term “sign” includes, without limitation, the following types of signs:
(1) “Accessory commercial sign” includes, but is not limited to, open/closed signs, bank/credit card signs, travel club signs, welcome signs and vacancy/no vacancy signs; provided, that the sign does not advertise any business or product.
(2) “Agricultural identification sign” is a sign that identifies a specific crop that is being grown on the site of the sign, typically placed along the edge of the crop/field so as to inform the traveling public.
(3) “Animated sign” means any sign that includes the optical illusion of action or motion or color changes of all or any part of the sign facing to show or give the appearance of video or television-type pictures.
(4) “Awning sign” is a sign applied to or incorporated into the covering of an awning. An awning sign shall be considered a wall sign for the purposes of this chapter.
(5) “Banner sign” is a sign intended to be wall mounted, with or without a frame, possessing characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentations applied to cloth, fabric, vinyl, cardboard or other nonrigid material. A banner sign does not include flags, insignias, awning signs or posters. A banner sign shall be considered a temporary sign.
(6) “Bench sign” is a sign located on any part of the surface of a bench or seat placed on or adjacent to a public right-of-way.
(7) “Billboard sign” is a large format advertising display that is greater than thirty-two square feet and where the sign structure is not owned by the advertiser.
(8) “Canopy sign” is a sign applied to or incorporated into a canopy. A canopy sign shall be considered a wall sign for the purposes of this chapter.
(9) “Changing message center sign” or “electronic reader-board (Tri-Vision sign)” means an electronically controlled sign where different automatic changing messages, graphics or symbols are shown on the lamp bank or screen. This definition does not include time and temperature displays.
(10) “Commemorative plaque” is a memorial plaque or plate, with engraved or cast lettering, which is permanently affixed to or near the structure or object it is intended to commemorate.
(11) “Community bulletin board” is a sign associated with a government or municipal building that provides an area for temporary signs/announcements of general public interest (not including commercial sales and/or services) in a centralized location, the use of which is determined by each public or semipublic entity providing the bulletin board sign.
(12) “Community service informational sign” is a sign which displays the recognized shield, logo or symbol of a community service club with an established presence in Chelan County, such as but not limited to a Lions Club or Rotary.
(13) “Construction sign” is a sign on the site of a construction project that identifies the project, its character or purpose and/or the architects, engineers, planners, contractors, or other individuals or firms involved.
(14) “Directory sign” is a sign on which the names and locations of occupants, or the use or uses, of a building are given.
(15) “Directional/incidental sign” means signs indicating entrances, exits, service areas, loading only and parking areas, and that do not contain advertising, logos, or promotional information.
(16) “Flashing sign” is a sign or other advertising structure, or portions thereof, having lights or illuminations that flash, move, rotate, scintillate, blink, flicker, vary in intensity or color, or use intermittent electrical pulsations, except for time and temperature signs.
(17) “Freestanding sign” is a sign permanently supported from the ground in a fixed location by a structure of poles, uprights, and not supported by or attached to a building. All portions of such sign shall be located on the business property.
(18) “Freeway-oriented sign” means a sign that is associated with a freeway-oriented use, as defined herein, and that is designed to be viewed primarily from U.S. Highway 2/State Route 97.
(19) “Informational sign” means a sign within a multiple business property indicating only the name of a particular use and the direction in which it is located.
(20) “Illegal sign” means a sign that has not been legally authorized by the county in accordance with this chapter, and/or does not meet the minimum criteria necessary to be considered a legal nonconforming sign.
(21) “Illuminated sign” means an electric sign or other sign employing the use of lighting sources for the purpose of decorating, outlining, accentuating or brightening the sign area.
(A) “Indirectly illuminated signs” are signs that are illuminated from an external source that may or may not be attached to the sign.
(B) “Internally illuminated signs” are signs where the source of illumination is inside the sign and light emanates through the message of the sign, rather than being reflected off the surface of the sign from an external source.
(C) “Gas discharge (commonly referred to as neon) signs” are signs that are illuminated by the electrification of ionized gas.
(22) “Integral sign” is a memorial sign, tablet, name or date of erection of a building when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible material mounted on the face of a building.
(23) “Kiosk” is a small structure, owned by a public entity, with one or more open sides, that is used to advertise local public and community events.
(24) “Logo sign” is a sign bearing characters, letters, symbols, or characteristic design which, through trademark status or consistent usage, has become the customary identification for a business.
(25) “Menu sign” is a wall or freestanding sign that advertises the menu of a food and/or beverage service establishment.
(26) “Monument sign” means a sign permanently affixed to the ground by a wide, solid base that is nearly the same width as the sign face.
(27) “Moving sign” is a sign or other advertising structure having visible moving, revolving or rotating parts or visible mechanical movement of any kind or other apparent visible movement achieved by any means, except for street clocks and time and temperature signs.
(28) “Neighborhood/subdivision sign” means a sign erected for the sole purpose of identifying a neighborhood and/or subdivision.
(29) “Nonconforming sign” means a sign that was legally installed under laws or ordinances in effect prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter or subsequent revisions, but that is in conflict with the current provisions of this chapter. Abandoned signs shall not be considered a nonconforming sign.
(30) “Off-premises directional sign” is a sign, no larger than thirty-two square feet, which directs persons to a premises different from where the sign is located. These signs typically include an address or street name or a direction such as “two blocks south on the right.”
(31) “On-premises sign” means a sign whose message and design relate to a business, profession, product, service, event or other commercial activity sold, offered or conducted on the same property where the sign is located.
(32) “Pennants” or “streamers” are long tapering flags or strips of material used to attract attention to a business, place, or area.
(33) “Permanent sign” is a sign or advertising display intended to be erected for more than thirty days that is typically painted on or permanently affixed to a building or the ground. Types of signs included in this category include but are not limited to: freestanding, monument, wall, window, canopy, and awning signs.
(34) “Political sign” is a sign identifying or expressing a political candidate or viewpoint on public issues decided by ballot.
(35) “Portable sign” is a sign, excluding sandwich-board signs, that is capable of being moved easily and not permanently affixed to the ground, a structure or a building.
(36) “Projecting sign” is a sign other than a wall sign that extends horizontally from a building or structure.
(37) “Reader-board sign” is a sign face consisting of tracks to hold readily changeable letters allowing frequent changes of copy.
(38) “Real estate sign” is a sign that advertises the real estate on which it is located for rent, lease, or sale.
(39) “Residential sign” means any sign located in a residential district that identifies the occupants of a residence and that contains no commercial message.
(40) “Roof sign” is a sign erected or constructed wholly upon or over the roof of any building and supported on the roof structure.
(41) “Sandwich-board sign” is a two-sided, portable sign that is no more than forty-eight inches in height and thirty inches in width and weighted to prevent it from tipping over.
(42) “Suspended sign” is a sign that hangs below the permanent overhang or canopy extending over public or private sidewalks or rights-of-way.
(43) “Temporary sign” is a sign or advertising display intended to be displayed for no more than thirty days per calendar year. Types of signs included in this category include but are not limited to: community events, grand openings, special sales, special events, and garage sale signs.
(44) “Time and temperature” is that portion of a sign intended to display only the time of day and current temperature.
(45) “Trailer sign” means any sign mounted on a vehicle and/or trailer for advertising or promotional purposes.
(46) “Wall graphic or mural” is a painting or design applied directly to a wall or roof or building in which color and form are part of an overall design on the building. For the purposes of this code, wall graphics and/or murals do not contain any advertising and/or commercial content, including a business name, logo, etc.
(47) “Wall sign” is a sign painted, attached to or erected against and parallel to the wall plane of a building or structure. A wall sign shall be confined within the limits of said wall and shall not extend more than twelve inches from the face of the wall. Awning signs shall be considered wall signs for the purposes of this code.
(48) “Window sign” means any sign placed upon or painted on the interior or exterior surface of a window or placed inside the window within three feet of the window surface, which faces the outside and which is intended to be seen primarily from the exterior.
“Sign height” is the vertical distance measured from the grade below the sign to the highest point of the sign.
“Wall plane” is that portion of a building face which is contained on one general plane. If there is a shift in the facade forward or back, a new plane is created. A single wall plane may contain windows and doors. (Res. 2008-13 (part), 2/5/08).