Chapter 17.66
SIGNS
Sections:
17.66.030 Exceptions to permit.
17.66.040 Signs in residential districts.
17.66.050 Signs in commercial districts.
17.66.080 General design requirements.
17.66.090 Design requirements for all electronic message signs.
17.66.110 Noncompliance, abatement, and appeal.
17.66.010 Purpose and intent.
The purpose of this code is to accommodate and promote sign placement consistent with the character and intent of individual zoning districts through provision of minimum standards to safeguard life, health, property, public welfare and visual quality of the area while providing opportunities for individuals and businesses to advertise. This is accomplished by regulating and controlling the number, size, design, quality of materials, construction, location, illumination, electrification and maintenance of all signs and sign structures not located within a building. This chapter is further intended to preserve and improve the appearance of the city as a place to live, and as an attraction to nonresidents who want to visit or trade. It encourages sound signing practices as an aid to business and the public information, but prevents excessive, confusing signing displays. (Ord. 1650 NS § 1, 2019).
17.66.020 Permitting.
A. No person shall erect, construct, structurally alter or repair, or maintain a sign in the city without first obtaining a sign permit from the building and planning official. Application for a sign permit shall include all structural detail, dimensions, materials, illumination and advertising copy, and a plot plan, with a north arrow, showing property lines, abutting structures on the property, existing signs and proposed sign locations. In locations where animated and/or video signs may pose an elevated risk of adverse effects to public safety, the city may require additional mitigating measures to preserve public safety including, but not limited to, traffic safety. Additional engineering and/or structural data stamped by a civil or structural engineer registered in the state of Washington may be required. A permit shall become null and void if the work for which it was issued has not been completed within one year of its issuance.
B. In addition to these regulations, all signs shall comply with the Washington State Building Code, as adopted by the city.
C. In a situation where a sign is not specifically defined as to type, the building and planning official shall define the sign based on most similar sign types which are defined. (Ord. 1650 NS § 1, 2019).
17.66.030 Exceptions to permit.
A. Exceptions to Permit. A sign permit shall not be required for the following:
1. The cleaning, painting, or normal repair and maintenance of any existing sign; provided, that no structural modification is made;
2. Traffic, directional or other public information signs erected by a public agency;
3. On-premises nonilluminated incidental signs, not exceeding a maximum of four square feet. On-premises incidental signs conforming to the provisions of this section shall not be considered as part of the total sign surface area allowed for each occupancy;
4. Temporary signs located on private property, subject to applicable standards as outlined in this title;
5. House or building numbers;
6. Change of copy on a readerboard sign;
7. Permanent building identification signs, such as building plaques and corner stones;
8. Temporary decorations customary for special holidays, such as Christmas and Independence Day;
9. Signs painted on or attached inside a window;
10. Signs painted directly on a building;
11. Signs required by law, traffic or pedestrian control signs, signs indicating scenic or historic points of interest, which are erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of his public duty;
12. Sculptures, fountains, mosaics, and design features;
13. Yard sale signs;
14. Official public notices, official court notices. (Ord. 1650 NS § 1, 2019).
17.66.040 Signs in residential districts.
All signs in an R district shall comply with the following:
A. Maximum height for a pole or ground sign in an R district shall be eight feet from the ground level to the sign top.
B. No sign in the R district may be electric, pulsating, or flashing but may be externally illuminated.
C. Each single-family dwelling may have one permanent wall sign or one pole sign not exceeding four square feet in area, in addition to house numbers and/or any required identification on a mailbox.
D. Multifamily dwellings may have one permanent sign, not exceeding 32 square feet in area, adjacent to a public right-of-way which may be either a wall sign or a pole sign, in addition to house numbers and/or any required identification on a mailbox.
E. In addition to those permitted in subsections (C) and (D) of this section, home occupations may have one sign not exceeding four square feet in area and shall be placed flat against the building.
F. Exceptions in R District for Commercial Uses.
1. Public, charitable, educational, and religious institutions may have two permanent signs, each not exceeding a total of 32 square feet in area, in addition to address numbers and/or any required identification on a mailbox. Hospitals are permitted additional signage as necessary to direct traffic. Wall signs, pole, or ground signs are allowed.
2. Professional offices may have one permanent sign which may be a wall sign or a pole sign with an area not exceeding eight percent of the frontage wall.
3. Manufactured home parks may have one sign per entrance to the park from a public street each not exceeding 32 square feet in area, in addition to space numbers and/or any required identification on a mailbox.
4. Commercial uses in R district are subject to electronic message center guidelines in CMC 17.66.090. (Ord. 1650 NS § 1, 2019).
17.66.050 Signs in commercial districts.
Signs in the C-2, C-3, LI, I districts shall comply with the following:
A. Signs for dwellings may be permitted as in 17.66.040(C) and (D).
B. Maximum allowable sign surface area for wall signs shall be 20 percent of the square footage of the exposed portion of any wall on which the sign is placed, except when used in combination with other types of signs, then the maximum area shall be as provided in subsection (C) of this section.
C. Maximum allowable sign surface area for projecting signs, above-marquee signs, roof signs, or any combinations of signs (i.e., wall and projecting, roof and above-marquee, etc.) shall be 10 percent of the square footage of the exposed portion of any wall on or above which the sign is placed.
D. In addition to the maximum total sign surface area permitted, the building and planning official may permit the location of one under-marquee sign per entrance upon a determination that the additional signage is necessary for the convenience of the public. Such sign shall be located no less than eight feet above the grade of the sidewalk or walkway under the sign.
E. On property with an area of 10,000 square feet or less, one freestanding pole or ground sign may be permitted. One additional freestanding pole or ground sign may be permitted for each additional 15,000 square feet of property or portion thereof. The maximum allowable total sign surface area for a freestanding pole sign shall be 200 square feet per sign, or 200 square feet per sign side if the sign is double-faced. The maximum allowable area per ground sign shall be 32 square feet, or 32 square feet per sign side if the sign is double-faced.
F. Off-premises signs may be erected on ground or wall locations, and shall be subject to all regulations stated above except that the maximum allowable total sign surface area for off-premises signs shall be 100 square feet.
G. Signs are subject to electronic message center guidelines in CMC 17.66.090. (Ord. 1650 NS § 1, 2019).
17.66.060 Sidewalk signs.
A. A maximum of one sidewalk sign per business is permitted, including businesses having more than one street frontage. The sign shall be placed in front of and on the same side of the street of the business or establishment.
B. Buildings with multiple tenants who have access from a common entrance are permitted one sign per building upon which all interior tenants may be advertised.
C. Businesses located on a courtyard are permitted one sign per building upon which all interior tenants may be advertised. The sign may be placed on the street adjoining the courtyard, subject to the provisions of this section.
D. Maximum size of sign shall be eight square feet per sign face; maximum sign width is 30 inches; maximum sign height is four feet; minimum sign height is 30 inches.
E. Maximum height of sign shall be 48 inches above the sidewalk, walkway, or plaza upon which it is placed, and no materials (such as paper, balloons, windsocks, etc.) may be added to the sign to increase its height. The height of such signs may not be artificially increased above the allowed maximum by the placement of material underneath. For other than A-frame signs, sign bases shall be a maximum of 24 inches in diameter or 24 inches square. Bases shall be designed to prevent overturning based on a 15-pound-per-square-foot wind load.
F. Location. No sign shall be placed in such a way as to reduce the continuous unobstructed width of a sidewalk or walkway to less than five feet. No sign may obstruct an entrance to a building or any steps. No sign may be placed within a crosswalk nor closer than 15 feet from the curb line at an intersection. Signs must be at least 30 inches but not more than five feet from the curb. Signs must be placed at least 12 inches from a tree grate or other planting. Signs must be at least 15 feet from another sidewalk sign.
G. Materials. Sidewalk signs shall be constructed of weather-resistant materials, such as wood, plastic, metal, or durable fabric. Sidewalk signs constructed of, and/or incorporating, impermanent materials, including but not limited to cardboard and paper, are prohibited. Construction of all signs shall be in such a manner as not to create a safety hazard. No sign shall contain foil, mirrors, bare metal, or other reflective materials which could create hazardous conditions to motorists, bicyclists, or pedestrians, or contain lights of any kind. Wheels, tubs, buckets, or any other similar material shall not be allowed as sign bases.
H. Owners shall remove their sidewalk sign upon closing and during periods of strong wind.
I. Owners are responsible for the repair and maintenance of their sidewalk sign. Sidewalk signs will be inspected periodically.
J. The owner of a sidewalk sign shall provide proof of continuous liability insurance naming the city of Colville as co-insured.
K. No sidewalk sign shall be installed without first obtaining a sign permit from the building and planning official. An annual permit shall be issued for all sidewalk signs to be installed. (Ord. 1650 NS § 1, 2019).
17.66.070 Temporary signs.
Temporary signs are those intended and designed to be displayed for a limited period of time. They must be made of cloth, paper, cardboard or similar lightweight material and must be installed to be easily removed. They may not be lighted. Signs which are allowed to be placed within a public street right-of-way shall be located between the curb and the abutting private property, or where no curb exists, between the edge of the paved travel lane or paved shoulder and the abutting private property, but in no case on a sidewalk or driveway.
A. Signs for Properties for Sale or Rent.
1. Maximum number: one per dwelling unit or property for sale or rent;
2. Maximum Sign Area.
a. Detached dwelling units: six square feet per sign face;
b. Other uses: 32 square feet per sign face;
3. Permitted location: on the property for sale or rent;
4. Duration: must remove after the property is sold or rented;
5. Off-Site Signs. In addition to the provisions above, during any time when a property is open for public viewing, additional off-site signs may be displayed subject to the following:
a. Maximum number: one sign per block within one-quarter mile of the property for sale or rent;
b. Maximum sign area: six square feet per sign face;
c. Permitted location: except for areas required to be kept clear of sight obstructions:
i. On private property, with the consent of the property owner, or
ii. In public streets rights-of-way, other than paved vehicular travel lanes, paved parking area, sidewalks or pedestrian paths, driveway aprons and center medians.
B. Signs for Properties with Active Construction.
1. Maximum number: one per right-of-way abutting the property;
2. Maximum sign area: 32 square feet per sign face;
3. Permitted location: on the property actively under construction.
C. Signs Displayed prior to, during, and after Elections.
1. Maximum number: no limit;
2. Maximum sign area: six square feet per sign face on public street rights-of-way. No limitation on private property;
3. Permitted location:
a. On private property with the consent of the property owner; and
b. In public streets rights-of-way, other than paved vehicular travel lanes, paved parking areas, sidewalks or pedestrian paths, driveway aprons and center medians.
D. Temporary Signs in Nonresidential Zones.
1. Maximum number: three;
2. Maximum sign area: 20 percent of the square footage of the building frontage;
3. Permitted location: property in a nonresidential zone on which the business is located; attached to the face of a building, a wall or fence;
4. Permitted duration: during the use, event or condition advertised on the sign, but not more than 60 days.
E. Temporary Signs Promoting Special Events.
1. Maximum number: no limit;
2. Maximum sign area: no maximum;
3. Permitted location: must be located on private property only, unless a permit to place the sign in or over city right-of-way has been obtained from the building and planning official;
4. Permitted duration: These signs must be removed within 48 hours following the event.
F. Temporary Sign Used to Advertise the Name of a Business.
1. Maximum number: two;
2. Maximum sign area: 20 percent of the square footage of the building frontage;
3. Permitted location: attached to the building;
4. Permitted duration: six months. (Ord. 1650 NS § 1, 2019).
17.66.080 General design requirements.
A. Signs shall not interfere, confuse, or conflict with the recognition and visibility of any traffic control or directional devices or street name signs.
B. All signs whether internally or indirectly illuminated shall be designed and constructed with subtle lighting consistent with design and shall not obstruct vision or cause glare on surrounding uses. If external or flood lighting is used, it shall be arranged so that the light source is shielded from view. (Ord. 1650 NS § 1, 2019).
17.66.090 Design requirements for all electronic message signs.
A. Shall have a static display of at least two seconds “hold time” after moving onto the sign board.
B. Effects shall not revolve at a speed greater than five revolutions per minute. Effects sequence shall be even and regular or the effects will produce an apparent motion that is continuous, even and smooth flowing.
C. Shall not use effects that create an unduly distracting and hazardous condition.
D. Intermittent or flashing lights where the message is constantly repeated at extremely fast intervals are prohibited.
E. White lights shall not be used as the EMC background; the background shall not be white in color.
F. Shall be limited to messages that advertise a service or product provided on site. An on-premises EMC may display service and nonprofit messages limited to businesses inside city limits and/or Colville school districts.
G. Shall be equipped with photocell technology that automatically adjusts daytime and nighttime brightness according to ambient light conditions.
H. Message brightness, duration and transition methods shall be regulated, adjusted and enforced as directed by the Colville city building official or designee.
I. Changes to an EMC’s sign effects shall be submitted to the building official requesting review and approval prior to changes being made. This shall not affect message content.
J. ISA standards recommend a nighttime brightness level for an on-site EMC not to exceed three-tenths foot-candles above ambient light conditions when measured at an appropriate distance. (Ord. 1650 NS § 1, 2019).
17.66.100 Abandoned signs.
Abandoned signs shall be removed within 30 days of termination of occupancy. (Ord. 1650 NS § 1, 2019).
17.66.110 Noncompliance, abatement, and appeal.
All sidewalk and temporary signs shall comply immediately with the above standards. All sidewalk and temporary signs (conforming and nonconforming) in existence prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this section shall comply with the provisions of this title. Failure to comply with any of the above standards at any time may result in a civil infraction per Chapter 1.10 CMC or a criminal charge per Chapter 17.128 CMC. Violations of this title may also result in the termination of an existing permit.
A. Appeal Process. The building and planning official’s decision can be appealed in accordance with Chapter 17.116 CMC. (Ord. 1650 NS § 1, 2019).