Chapter 15.24
SIGN CODE*
Sections:
15.24.010 Uniform Sign Code adopted.
15.24.025 Abrogation and greater restrictions.
15.24.050 Permit and plan checking fees.
15.24.065 Temporary banners across public right-of-way.
15.24.070 Violation – Penalty.
*Prior legislation: Ord. 331.
15.24.010 Uniform Sign Code adopted.
The Uniform Sign Code (including all appendices), 1997 Edition, published by the International Conference of Building Officials, as the same now exists or may be hereafter amended, is hereby adopted by this reference and incorporated herein as if fully set forth as the sign code for the city of East Wenatchee, except such portions as may be deleted, modified, or amended by ordinance. (Ord. 98-8 § 16, 1998; Ord. 95-9 § 5, 1995; Ord. 90-11 § 17, 1990; Ord. 425 § 1, 1987; Ord. 390 § 6, 1985)
15.24.020 Enforcement.
The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by the code compliance officer of the city. The decisions of the code compliance officer shall be binding. (Ord. 425 § 1, 1987)
15.24.025 Abrogation and greater restrictions.
Whenever any conflict exists between the provisions of this chapter and the provisions of Chapter 17.74 EWMC or any other city ordinance, or the rules and regulations adopted by the council, whichever imposes the more stringent restrictions shall prevail. (Ord. 2000-03 § 2, 2000)
15.24.030 Appeal.
A. Whenever the building inspector disapproves an application or refuses to grant a permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the sign code do not apply, or that the true intent and meaning of the provisions of this code have been misconstrued or wrongfully interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decision of the building inspector to the city board of adjustment within 14 calendar days from the issuance of the building inspector’s decision pursuant to Chapter 19.06 EWMC, as now exists or as may hereafter be amended.
B. Applicants may apply to the board of adjustment for a variance from the sign code pursuant to EWMC Title 19, as now exists or as may be hereafter amended. The board of adjustment shall make written findings that the sign will be substantially in compliance with the provisions of this chapter and that requiring the applicant to change the noncomplying attributes of the proposed sign would cause the applicant to suffer a significant hardship.
C. Appeals from the board of adjustment decisions shall be made pursuant to EWMC 19.06.060 by filing a land use petition with the Douglas County superior court within 21 days of issuance of the decision as provided in Chapter 36.70(C) RCW, as now exists or as may be hereafter amended. (Ord. 98-8 § 17, 1998; Ord. 425 § 1, 1987)
15.24.040 Deletion.
Subsection 3 of Section 303 of the Uniform Sign Code is deleted from the city sign code. (Ord. 425 § 1, 1987)
15.24.050 Permit and plan checking fees.
Sign permit and plan checking fees shall be paid in accordance with the following schedule:
A. Electric or illuminated signs: $100.00;
B. Nonilluminated or nonelectric signs less than eight feet above grade: $40.00;
C. Nonilluminated or nonelectric signs eight feet or more above grade: $100.00;
D. Plan review fees shall not exceed 65 percent of the permit fee. (Ord. 10-02 § 4, 2010; Ord. 425 § 1, 1987)
15.24.060 Height limitation.
Repealed by Ord. 2000-03. (Ord. 425 § 1, 1987)
15.24.065 Temporary banners across public right-of-way.
Temporary banner signs may be hung across the public right-of-way in the city in area(s) designated by the city street superintendent. The city street crew shall hang and remove all temporary banner signs hung across public rights-of-way. The applicant shall pay a fee of $100.00 to the city to help cover the cost of hanging and removing the banner. The mayor or the city street superintendent may waive all or a portion of the fee. No temporary banner shall hang across the public right-of-way for more than 10 days per year. Applicants for a temporary banner to be hung across a public right-of-way shall execute a contract approved by the city street superintendent agreeing to release, indemnify and hold harmless the city from all liability that may arise out of the placement of the temporary banner over the public right-of-way. Only temporary banners promoting, supporting or advertising nonprofit community activities or events shall be hung across the public right-of-way. No temporary banner across the public right-of-way shall promote, support or advertise for-profit business ventures. The city street superintendent may deny the application to hang a temporary banner across the public right-of-way or remove any hung banner based on public safety considerations. Temporary banners to be hung across the public right-of-way shall conform to the following specifications and dimensions:
A. The banner shall be made of cloth or approved material by the city street superintendent;
B. Banner shall have no less than one wind slot or “U” per five feet of banner length;
C. The top banner support line shall be wire cable of three-eighths-inch minimum diameter;
D. The bottom banner support shall be wire cable of one-eighth-inch minimum diameter;
E. The banner shall be secured to the upper and lower support lines, and a cable shall be sewn into the banner with grommets every two feet;
F. The horizontal banner width shall be a minimum of 40 inches and a maximum of 48 inches. (Ord. 08-03 § 3, 2008; Ord. 89-1 § 1, 1989)
15.24.070 Violation – Penalty.
A. Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter or who shall violate or fail to comply with any decision from which no timely appeal has been taken, or who shall fail to comply with such an order as affirmed or modified by the board of adjustment, or by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall severally for each and every such violation and noncompliance, respectively, be guilty of a misdemeanor. The imposition of one penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue; and all such persons shall be required to correct or remedy such violations or defects within a reasonable time; and when not otherwise specified, each 10 days that prohibited conditions are maintained shall constitute a separate offense.
B. The instigation of misdemeanor proceedings in accordance with subsection A of this section shall not prevent the city from exercising all available civil remedies to force removal of prohibited conditions. (Ord. 425 § 2, 1987)