Chapter 18.20
SIGN REGULATIONS
Sections:
18.20.010 Sign regulations – Established.
18.20.015 Review process and fees.
18.20.030 Sign regulation exemptions.
18.20.050 General and specific design standards.
18.20.060 Permitted signs and sign standards.
18.20.100 Complete application requirements.
18.20.010 Sign regulations – Established.
This chapter hereby establishes sign regulations for the city of North Bend. In addition to the regulations outlined in this chapter, signs must meet all other applicable regulations, including but not limited to NBMC 15.04.010 regulating the construction of signs. (Ord. 1256 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 1020 (part), 1997).
18.20.015 Review process and fees.
Sign plans shall be reviewed and approved before issuance of sign construction permit. Procedures shall be as follows:
A. Signs pursuant to a sign construction permit shall be reviewed according to the procedures for building permits as Type I administrative applications per Chapter 20.01 NBMC.
B. The fee for sign reviews shall be in the underlying Type I construction permit application review fee. (Ord. 1256 § 1 (part), 2006).
18.20.020 Purposes.
The purposes of this chapter are as follows:
A. To promote the public health, safety, and welfare of residents and visitors to North Bend by establishing standards for the design, placement, size and maintenance of all exterior signs and sign structures in the city;
B. To provide opportunities for commercial and other land uses to advertise products, services, or information that are responsive to the needs of the public in locating a business establishment;
C. To recognize the economic importance of signage to business operation, improve business opportunity and effectiveness of individual signs as a result of the increased attractiveness of the city’s environment; and
D. To implement applicable goals and policies of the comprehensive plan, including the city’s vision plan, by ensuring that signs are visually appealing, are consistent in size, scale, appearance and materials, are complimentary to the respective zoning districts, and comport with the visual qualities of the Upper Snoqualmie Valley. (Ord. 1256 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 1020 (part), 1997).
18.20.030 Sign regulation exemptions.
The sign regulations in this chapter are superseded by unique regulations applicable to specific sub-areas of the city as listed below. Signs in these sub-areas shall comply with the specific regulations for the sub-area as listed below or subsequently amended.
A. The North Bend downtown historic district established July 27, 2000, by the King County landmarks and heritage commission (see Chapter 19.20 NBMC) is regulated by the North Bend historic commercial district sign design guidelines prepared by Makers Architecture and Urban Design in July 2002, and are herein adopted by reference.
B. The factory stores at North Bend are regulated by the “North Bend Factory Stores Tenant Signage Criteria” as prepared by Chelsea Property Group, October 2, 2007, and in response to the provision of city of North Bend Ordinance No. 692, subsections 9 F and 9 G, and are herein adopted by reference.
C. The Mountain Valley Shopping Center is regulated by the “Planned Sign Program for Mountain Valley Shopping Center March 7, 1996 Revision,” signage plan submitted pursuant to the master site plan application per city of North Bend Ordinance No. 953, subsection 7, and is herein adopted by reference.
D. All signs placed at the city-owned recreation fields require the permission of the city and may, in the discretion of the community services director, be subject to conditions. (Ord. 1288 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1256 § 1 (part), 2006).
18.20.040 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the words set out in this chapter shall have the following meanings:
“Abandoned sign” means any sign defined herein that is not currently being used to advertise a business licensed by the city of North Bend to operate at the location of the sign for a period of one year or more, or is left blank or unused for a period of one year or more, or any sign left out for display after the specified time limit on permit expires.
“Area of a sign” means the entire face of a sign, including the advertising display surface and any framing, trim or molding, but not including the supporting structure. Area is computed by multiplying the height of the display area by the width of the display area. For free-form signs and signs using channel letters and other irregular signs, the area is the calculated area of the smallest geometric shape that will enclose the letters or pictorial matter. Where letters or pictorial matter are placed on a lighted background or panel, the entire area of the lighted background or panel shall be considered as the area of the sign.
“Awning sign” means a sign placed upon, attached to, constructed on, or supported by an awning (a roof-like structure extending over or in front of a place) or canopy.
“Banner” means a sign, made of flexible, sturdy material and affixed to a building or other structure excluding state or national flags.
“Billboard” means outdoor advertising signs containing a message, commercial or otherwise, unrelated to any use or activity on the property on which the sign is located.
“Business entrance sign” means a wall or marquee sign mounted above or adjacent to the public entrance to a business, containing the name or logo of the business only.
“Business identification sign” means a sign that identifies the name or the logo of the business with the use of graphic or alphameric symbols that are readily identifiable as representing the business, including the business name, without any other advertising message.
“Canopy” means a freestanding structure affording protection from the elements to persons or property thereunder.
“Canopy sign” means any sign erected upon, against or directly above a canopy.
“Center entrance sign” means a commercial or industrial center identification sign located at the vehicle entrance or pedestrian entrance to the center. Center entrance signs may be monument type or pole type, provided the sign meets the size and height allowances associated with the zoning district and does not obstruct traffic visibility at the entrance.
“Center identification sign” means a freestanding monument type sign identifying a commercial or industrial center.
“Channel letter sign” means a sign made up of individual raised letters attached to a building, facade, or manufactured background. Either internally or externally lighted and either faced or unfaced (i.e., open letter style).
“Commercial center” means a group of four or more individual tenants on a single “integrated site,” under one ownership or multiple ownerships, containing at least two acres, and zoned for commercial or industrial uses as defined in Chapter 18.10 NBMC.
“Facade area” means the frontal plane of a building including the surface area bounded by the finished grade line, the cornice or roofline and the exterior side walls, excluding intermediate walls perpendicular to the frontal plane.
“Facade front” means the side of the building facing the street serving as the principal point of access or a center parking lot with an entrance open to the public, excluding the side of any building facing I-90 located on property adjoining I-90.
“Franchise” is the right or license granted to an individual or group to market a company’s goods or services in a particular territory.
“Halo-lit sign” means a lighting technique that allows for a subtle radiance of light to appear behind the sign letters, giving a halo effect.
“Height of sign” for a freestanding sign means the vertical distance measured from the grade of the nearest street or native grade, whichever is greater, to the highest point of the sign or sign structure; for a wall sign “height of sign” means the vertical distance measured from the building finished grade line to the highest point of the sign or sign structure.
“Innovative design” means the use of non-standard colors, shapes, lettering styles, image, or a modified message that would be unique to the franchise business located in the city of North Bend.
“Integrated site” means a parcel or parcels of property under single ownership or management, and sharing common architecture, parking and landscaping. Also applies to contiguous properties that have been integrated through a binding site plan or conceptual site plan and related development agreements.
“Kiosk” means a small structure with one or more sides that is used to advertise a business or services.
“Marquee sign” means a sign painted on, attached to, or consisting of an interchangeable copy-reader on a permanent overhanging shelter or architectural projection on the front facade and above the entrance to a building.
“Monument sign” means a self-supporting sign not attached to any building, wall, fence, or other structure, but in a fixed location, and limited to 10 feet in height.
“Multiple-tenant building” means a single structure on a site housing more than one retail, office, or commercial venture, but does not include residential apartment buildings, which share the same lot, access and/or parking facilities.
“Multiple-tenant site” means a commercial site containing two or more businesses on an integrated site.
“Mural” means a work of art applied to and made integral with a wall surface of a building that does not advertise goods or services currently available to the public.
“Nonconforming sign” means a sign legally established or installed prior to the effective date of the current sign regulation.
“Off-premises sign” means a sign that advertises a business, activity, product, or service not available on the premises on which the sign is displayed.
“Opaque color” means a color that reduces the light transmittance through the face of an internally lighted sign by at least 50 percent. Examples include, but are not limited to, muted colors such as green, blue, red, brown and black.
“Panel sign” means a sign constructed with flat graphics applied to a flat sign surface.
“Pole sign” means a sign that is mounted on a freestanding pole or other support so that the bottom edge of the sign face is at least 10 feet or more above grade.
“Prohibited sign” means any sign that is not specifically allowed or permitted by this code.
“Projecting sign” means a sign, other than a wall sign, that is attached to and projects from a structure or building face.
“Public entrance” means the entrance to the building that is located in the front facade and serves as the primary means of ingress and egress for customers or patrons. In the case of a business that is not enclosed in a building or is primarily oriented to outside display of merchandise, the public entrance shall be the pedestrian or vehicular means of ingress and egress for the outdoor sales area.
“Right-of-way” means all public streets, alleys and property granted, reserved for, or dedicated to public use for streets and alleys, together with all public property granted to, reserved for, or dedicated to public use including but not limited to walkways, sidewalks, trails, parking, shoulders, drainage facilities, bikeways, and horse trails, whether improved or unimproved, including the air rights, subsurface rights, and easements related thereto.
“Roof sign” means any sign erected upon, against or directly above a roof, or on top of or above the parapet of a building, including a sign affixed to any structure erected upon a roof, including a structure housing building equipment.
“Sandwich board sign” means a portable two-faced, A-frame style sign that is readily moveable and has no permanent attachment to a building, structure, or the ground.
“Sign” means any material, structure, or device, or part thereof, composed of letter or pictorial matter, or on which letter or pictorial matter is placed when used or located outside of or on the exterior of any building, for display of an advertisement, announcement, notice, directional matter, or name; and includes sign frames, billboards, reader-boards, sign boards, painted wall signs, hanging signs, illuminated signs, banners, pennants, fluttering devices, projecting signs or ground signs; and also includes any announcement, notice, directional information, declaration, display, illustration, or insignia used to advertise or promote the interest of any person or business when the same is placed in view of the general public.
“Site entrance sign” means a reduced size “center identification sign” located adjacent to the vehicle entrance to the center parking area. Site entrance signs may be monument style only, with limited size and height as set forth in Tables 18.20.060 and 18.20.060A.
“Temporary sign” means a sign permitted for erection or display for a limited period of time, either as specified on the permit, or within the code.
“Wall sign” means any sign attached to and supported by a wall of a building, or the wall of a structure, including a mansard roof, with the exposed face of the sign in a plane parallel to the plane of the wall. Any sign placed behind a window or visible within a building from the outside shall not be included in this definition.
“Window sign” means any sign located on or affixed to the exterior of a window of a building, whether temporary or permanent, lighted or unlighted, which is intended for viewing from the exterior of the building. (Ord. 1385 § 5, 2010; Ord. 1256 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 1065 § 1, 1999. Formerly 18.20.022).
18.20.050 General and specific design standards.
A. General Design Standards.
1. Integration with Site Design and Surroundings. The design of signs shall be compatible at the sole discretion of the city, with the overall site design, and surroundings, and not be a separate design statement.
a. Signs shall not adversely impact views of Mt. Si, Rattlesnake Mountain, other peaks in the vicinity, or public lands and private conservation lands by exceeding the height requirements outlined in this chapter.
b. Freestanding signs shall be placed to minimize the potential for conflict with features of the public rights-of-way, including street trees, lighting standards, utility poles and related streetscape improvements.
2. Integration with Building Design. The design of signs, attached or detached, shall reflect the design of the building with which they are associated.
a. Signs shall be subordinate to the building;
b. Signage shall be compatible with and not obscure or detract from the architecture, scale, materials, and color of associated buildings in the sole opinion of the city.
3. Innovative Graphic Design. The use of a creative graphic design approach is encouraged.
a. Easily identifiable, nonverbal graphic symbols or icons reflecting the specific type of product or service being provided are preferred.
b. Stand-alone raised letters, or channel lettering, is preferred against a facade in contrast to letters on a sign panel that is attached to the facade.
B. Specific Design Standards.
1. Franchise Signs. Franchise and/or chain commercial establishments shall be allowed to use their standard corporate signage and logos.
2. Freestanding Signs. The base of freestanding signs shall be visually integrated with grade level. Base landscaping, masonry treatment, or other base treatments shall be incorporated as necessary to integrate the sign base with the grade.
3. Quality. Signs shall be of professional quality as determined by the city, in design, materials, construction, graphics, lettering, and installation. “Professional quality” includes artisan-developed signs.
4. Size. Sign size standards are provided in Table 18.20.060.
5. Illumination. Type and intensity of sign lighting shall be reviewed and approved before installation.
a. Externally lit signs shall be shielded so the light falls on the face of the sign or on the building, structure or site. External lighting shall not shine directly off-site or into the sky.
b. Sign illumination shall not produce an excessively bright light level in the determination by the city, including glare, an island of light, or overpower other signs on a business site.
6. Graphics/Lettering. The number of letter styles in a sign shall not be limited.
7. Color. Sign colors shall be coordinated with and complement each other on a given site and the site building(s).
8. Message. For franchise businesses and for all other businesses whose goods and services are clearly reflected by the business name and/or business logo, advertisement of goods and services shall be prohibited on all permanent principal signs (i.e., monument, wall and pole), specifically excluding changeable copy reader-board signs. Limited use of qualifiers to characterize the business by naming the attributes of the type of products or services provided by the business on the primary sign is allowed; this does not apply to franchise business or other business whose goods and services are clearly reflected by the business name or logo. (Ord. 1256 § 1 (part), 2006).
18.20.060 Permitted signs and sign standards.
Tables 18.20.060 and 18.20.060A list the permitted types of signs, performance standards, design standards and size standards by zoning district and type of land use (i.e., “residential”; “commercial”; “industrial”; “public/quasi-public”; and “utility”) and are herein adopted by reference.
A. “Residential signs” are signs that identify a specific subdivision or residential complex, or are associated with residential uses listed under Table 18.10.030(1.00).
B. “Commercial and industrial signs” are signs that identify a business, industrial or commercial use listed under Table 18.10.030(2.00), (3.00) or (6.00).
C. “Public and quasi-public signs” are signs typically associated with government or the public sector listed in Table 18.10.030(4.00).
D. “Utilities signs” are signs associated with a utility provider listed in Table 18.10.030(5.00).
Table 18.20.060
PERMITTED SIGNS AND SIGN STANDARDS
|
ZONING |
PERMITTED SIGNS AND |
DESIGN AND BULK (SIZE) STANDARD(S): |
|---|---|---|
|
LDR |
I. Residential Uses – signs are permitted with the following guidelines: 1. Subdivisions must be >49 lots for an identifying subdivision sign to be permitted. 2. Signs for childcare facilities, bed and breakfast establishments, and home occupations are permitted; signs for other residential uses, and signs incidental to residential dwellings (e.g., except I.1 name signs, welcome signs, house number signs) are prohibited. 3. All residential sign materials shall be constructed of wood, natural, or simulated natural materials, with the exception of paint, hardware, or like materials needed for color/illustration, assembly, and footings, and with the exception of home occupation signs. 4. Backlighting of residential signs is prohibited; front lighting is permitted with associated landscaping. II. Public and Quasi-Public Uses – signs are permitted; must meet guidelines of I.3. and I.4. III. Utility Uses – signs are permitted. |
I. Residential Uses. 1. Subdivision identifying signs shall be monument style only, shall not exceed 30 square feet, and shall be horizontally oriented. Identification signs are intended only for distinctly separated subdivisions. 2. Signs for childcare facilities and bed and breakfast establishments shall be monument type or mounted on a front building facade, shall not exceed three square feet in cumulative area, and shall be horizontally oriented. 2.a. Signs for home occupations shall be mounted on a front door and may not exceed two square feet in cumulative area. II. Public and Quasi-Public Uses. 1. Signs shall meet size criteria of NBMC. 2. Church signs shall be monument type or mounted on an appropriate building facade, and shall be horizontally oriented. III. Utility Uses. 1. Utility facilities may have minor identifying signs (e.g., “Utility Name”) and associated public safety signs (e.g., “High-Voltage Hazard”; “No Trespassing”); signs shall be limited to six square feet in cumulative area. |
|
HDR |
All use and performance standards for signs in the LDR district (I.1, I.2, I.3, I.4, II, and III) apply except: I. Residential Uses. 5. Signs for elderly homes and related uses are permitted. 6. Multifamily complexes >3 structures may have an identifying sign. |
All design and bulk and dimensional standards for signs in the LDR district (I.1, I.2, I.2.a, II.1, II.2 and III.1) apply. In addition: I. Residential Uses. 5. Signs for elderly homes and related uses shall be monument type and/or mounted on an appropriate building facade, shall not exceed 20 square feet, and shall be horizontally oriented. 6. Signs for multifamily complexes shall be monument type and/or mounted on an appropriate building facade; shall not exceed 20 square feet; and shall be horizontally oriented. |
|
NB |
All use and performance standards for signs permitted in the LDR and HDR districts shall apply (i.e., I.1, I.2, I.3, I.4, II, III, I.5, and I.6 apply). In addition: I. Residential Uses. 7. Manufactured and mobile home parks >14 units may have an identifying sign. IV. Commercial Uses. 1. Commercial signs are permitted. 2. Commercial signs are not subject to residential sign standards I.3 and I.4. |
All design and bulk and dimensional standards for signs in the LDR and HDR districts apply (I.1, I.2, I.2.a, II.1, II.2, III.1, I.5 and I.6), except: I. Residential Uses. 7. Childcare facility and bed and breakfast signs may be up to eight square feet in area. 8. Manufactured and mobile home park identifying signs shall be monument type only, shall not exceed 30 square feet, and shall be horizontally oriented. IV. Commercial Uses. 2. Size limit for commercial signs is 75 square feet (cumulative area). Seventy-five-square-foot measurement is for a single property, provided, with two-sided signs, only one sign counts toward the 75-square-foot figure. Banners shall not exceed 25 square feet in area per banner, are limited to two banners per business and are limited to a 45-day display time. Each business is limited to a maximum of 12 banners per year. Height limit for commercial signs is 35 feet for wall-mounted, 20 feet for pole signs and 10 feet for monument signs. V. Commercial Uses, Multiple. a. A multiple-tenant site may have one site entrance sign for each vehicle entrance to the site. The sign shall be monument type, either ground-mounted or pole-mounted. The maximum size shall not exceed 30 square feet per side; maximum height shall not exceed eight feet above the adjacent grade. Entrance signs may have two faces and may be internally lighted; provided, that 60 percent of the face panel shall be an opaque color that will subdue the light emitted. The signage on the entrance sign will apply to the total amount of signage allowed for the site. b. Each business located on a multiple-tenant site or in a multi-tenant building or a single business located on multiple parcels with a structure on each parcel may have one wall sign for business identification. The size and number of signs shall be as provided in Table 18.20.060A. The wall sign may be internally or externally lighted; provided, that if external illumination is desired, the lighting fixture(s) shall be shielded to focus the light on the sign area and shall avoid light spillage into the sky or onto adjacent property. If internal illumination is desired, at least 60 percent of the face panel shall be an opaque color that will subdue the light emitted. The wall sign shall be mounted on the front facade of that portion of the building containing the business’s public entrance, or it may be mounted on a portion of the building that is architecturally integrated with the business’s front facade. Where it can be shown that reasonable difficulty exists in mounting the sign as provided above, the sign may be mounted on an alternate side of the building as long as the alternate location will not detract from the design of the building or violate any other provision of the design guidelines. |
|
NB |
|
c. Each business located on a multiple-tenant site may have one business entrance sign, wall type, or marquee type, limited to four square feet in area per side. The entrance sign shall not exceed 10 feet in height above the adjacent grade or entry landing. d. When a business located on a multiple-tenant site or in a multi-tenant building goes out of business or relocates the amount of signage allocated to that business needs to be removed from the site and does not revert to the other businesses located on the site. |
|
DC |
All use and performance standards for signs permitted in the NB district, with the exception of I.7, shall apply. |
All design, bulk, and dimensional standards for signs permitted in the NB district, except I.8, shall apply. |
|
IMU |
I. Residential Uses. All use and performance standards for signs in the HDR district apply. IV. Commercial Uses. All use and performance standards for signs permitted in NB district apply. |
I. Residential Uses. Same as HDR. IV. Commercial Uses. 1. Size limit for commercial signs is 100 square feet cumulative area. One-hundred-square-foot measurement is for a single property; provided, with two-sided signs, only one side counts toward the 100-square-foot figure. Height limit for commercial signs is 25 feet. V. Commercial Uses, Multiple. a. A multiple-tenant site may have one freeway-oriented center identification sign, located on the center property with a maximum size of 100 square feet per side (based on a sign with two faces), and a maximum height of 25 feet. No moving parts or changing images are permitted. The sign may be internally lighted, provided 60 percent of the display area is an opaque color that will subdue the light emitted. Up to 50 percent of the sign area may be used to identify major tenants. b. A multiple-tenant site may have one entrance sign for each vehicle entrance to the site. The sign shall be monument type, either ground-mounted or pole-mounted. The maximum size shall not exceed 30 square feet per side; maximum height shall not exceed eight feet above the adjacent grade. Entrance signs may have two faces and may be internally lighted; provided, that 60 percent of the face panel shall be an opaque color that will subdue that light emitted. Up to 50 percent of the display area may be used to identify major tenants. A center entrance sign may be strategically located away from the actual entrance, provided at least 25 percent of the message thereon is dedicated to providing directions to the vehicle entrance and the signage on the entrance sign will apply to the total amount of signage allowed for the site. |
|
IMU |
|
c. Each business located on a multiple-tenant site or in a multi-tenant building or a single business located on multiple parcels with a structure on each parcel may have at least one wall sign for business identification. The size and number of signs shall be as provided in Table 18.20.060A. The wall sign may be internally or externally lighted; provided, that if external illumination is desired, the lighting fixture(s) shall be shielded to focus the light on the sign area and shall avoid light spillage into the sky or onto adjacent property. If internal illumination is desired, at least 60 percent of the face panel shall be an opaque color that will subdue the light emitted. The wall sign shall be mounted on the front facade or that portion of the building containing the business’s public entrance, or it may be mounted on a portion of the building that is architecturally integrated with the business’s front facade. Where it can be shown that reasonable difficulty exists in mounting the sign as provided above, the sign may be mounted on an alternate side of the building as long as the alternate location will not detract from the design of the building or violate any other provisions of the design guidelines. When a business located on a multi-tenant site or within a multi-tenant building goes out of business or relocates, the amount of signage allocated to that business needs to be removed from the site and does not revert to the other business located on the site. d. Each business located on a multiple-tenant site may have one business entrance sign, wall type or marquee type, limited to four square feet in area per side. No lighting of the business entrance sign is permitted. The entrance sign shall not exceed eight feet in height above the adjacent grade or entry landing. |
|
IC |
V. Commercial Uses. 3. Commercial signs are permitted. |
IV. Commercial Uses. 3. Size limit for commercial signs is 150 square feet (cumulative area). One-hundred-fifty-square-foot measurement is for a single property; provided, with two-sided signs, only one side counts toward the 150-square-foot figure. Height limit for commercial signs is 35 feet. V. Commercial Uses, Multiple. a. A multiple-tenant site may have one freeway-oriented center identification sign, located on the center property with a maximum size not to exceed 150 square feet per side (based on a sign with two faces), and a maximum height not to exceed 35 feet. No moving parts or changing images are permitted. The sign may be internally lighted, provided 60 percent of the display area is an opaque color that will subdue the light emitted. Up to 50 percent of the sign area may be used to identify major tenants. |
|
IC |
|
b. A multiple-tenant site may have one site entrance sign for each vehicle entrance to the site. The sign shall be monument type, either ground-mounted or pole-mounted. The maximum size shall not exceed 30 square feet per side; maximum height shall not exceed eight feet above the adjacent grade. Entrance signs may have two faces and may be internally lighted; provided, that 60 percent of the face panel shall be an opaque color that will subdue the light emitted. Up to 50 percent of the display area may be used to identify major tenants. A center entrance sign may be strategically located away from the actual entrance, provided at least 25 percent of the message thereon is dedicated to providing directions to the vehicle entrance. Business signage on the entrance sign will apply to the amount of signage allowed for the site. c. Each business located on a multiple-tenant site or in a multi-tenant building or a single business located on multiple parcels with a structure on each parcel may have at least one wall sign for business identification. The size and number of signs shall be as provided in Table 18.20.060A. The wall sign may be internally or externally lighted; provided, that if external illumination is desired, the lighting fixture(s) shall be shielded to focus the light on the sign area and shall avoid light spillage into the sky or onto adjacent property. If internal illumination is desired, at least 60 percent of the face panel shall be an opaque color that will subdue the light emitted. The wall sign shall be mounted on the front facade of that portion of the building containing the business’s public entrance, or it may be mounted on a portion of the building that is architecturally integrated with the business’s front facade. Where it can be shown that reasonable difficulty exists in mounting the sign as provided above, the sign may be mounted on an alternate side of the building as long as the alternate location will not detract from the design of the building or violate any other provisions of the design guidelines. When a business located on a multi-tenant site or within a multi-tenant building goes out of business or relocates the business signage needs to removed from the site and does not revert back to the other business on site. d. Each business located on a multiple-tenant site may have one business entrance sign, wall type, or marquee type, limited to four square feet in area per side. No lighting of the business entrance sign is permitted. The entrance sign shall not exceed eight feet in height above the adjacent grade or entry landing. |
|
EP-1 |
V. Commercial Uses. 4. Commercial signs are permitted. |
V. Commercial Uses. 4. Size limit for commercial signs is 150 square feet (cumulative area). One-hundred-fifty-square-foot measurement is for a single property; provided, with two-sided signs, only one side counts toward the 150-square-foot figure. Height limit for commercial signs is 35 feet. |
|
EP-2 |
IV. Commercial Uses. 5. Commercial signs are permitted. |
V. Commercial Uses. 5. Size limit for a commercial sign is 150 square feet (cumulative area). One-hundred-fifty-square-foot measurement is for a single property; provided, with two-sided signs, only one side counts toward the 150-square-foot figure. Height limit for commercial signs is 35 feet. |
|
POSPF |
All use and performance standards for signs permitted in the LDR district shall apply. IV. Commercial Uses. 6. Commercial signs are permitted for resource uses listed in Table 18.10.030(6.00). |
All design, bulk, and dimensional standards for signs permitted in the LDR district shall apply. IV. Commercial Uses. 6. Size limit for commercial signs shall meet qualitative guidelines of NBMC. |
Table 18.20.060A
|
Facade Area |
Number of Signs* |
Maximum Sign Area* |
Maximum Height of Sign |
|---|---|---|---|
|
0 to 1,000 sf |
1 |
10% of the area of the facade or 50 sf maximum |
15′ |
|
1,001 to 2,000 sf |
1 |
75 sf |
15′ |
|
2,001 to 3,000 sf |
1* |
100 sf |
18′ |
|
More than 3,000 sf |
1* |
125 sf |
18′ |
|
* The allowable area may be divided to create two signs, provided the secondary sign does not exceed 25 square feet. The location of the second sign shall be consistent with the intent of this chapter and the city’s design guidelines, and subject to the approval of the technical review committee. |
|||
(Ord. 1576 § 11 (Exh. D), 2016; Ord. 1464 § 1 (Exh. A (part)), 2012; Ord. 1256 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 1065 §§ 2, 3, 4, 1999; Ord. 1020 (part), 1997. Formerly 18.20.030).
18.20.070 Prohibited signs.
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning designations:
A. Abandoned signs;
B. Billboards;
C. Blinking or flashing lights such as any sign illuminated by or containing blinking, flashing, intermittent, or moving light(s), except the time and temperature portion of a sign;
D. Changeable image signs, such as electronically controlled or computer generated images that change shape, size, color, etc.;
E. Repealed by Ord. 1256;
F. Illuminated signs that allow unshielded light upon a street, highway, sidewalk, adjoining property, the night sky, or other nuisance-like conditions;
G. Interstate 90 signs including signs located on a building or property parallel and adjacent to the Interstate 90 right-of-way, including on-ramps and off-ramps, where the building elevation is considered secondary frontage or a secondary facade;
H. Inflatable objects used for commercial purposes, except with a maximum 10-day special events permit or as a holiday sign for a public display;
I. Laser lights and search lights, except with a maximum 10-day special events permit;
J. Monument signs exceeding 10 feet in height;
K. Natural features and street furniture: signs, balloons or devices affixed or painted on trees, rocks, other natural features, and street furniture including but not limited to benches, bus stops, waste receptacles, etc.;
L. Signs affixed to or painted on parked vehicles, trailers, or carts used for commercial display. Off-premises signs in the right-of-way of Interstate 90 or SR-202 except those signs placed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (see RCW 47.42.030, 47.42.040 and WAC 468-30-100). Signs pertaining to or associated with any business that are attached, painted, or otherwise affixed to parked vehicles or trailers with or without wheels and that are visible from a public right-of-way unless one or more of the following exceptions applies:
1. Normal business identification information painted on or otherwise affixed (magnet sign) to the side of a conventional vehicle; or
2. The vehicle/trailer is temporarily being loaded or unloaded for delivery purposes or conducting business-related or personal functions; or
3. The vehicle/trailer is on the business property site, and within 100 feet of the business’s building not exceeding 24 consecutive hours; or
4. The vehicle/trailer is an authorized government vehicle; or
5. The trailer or cart houses a business possessing a valid city business license; or
6. The vehicle is parked at the owner’s place of residence;
M. Posters not associated with movies, plays, theaters or similar public performances scheduled or playing at the time of display;
N. Pole signs except in the IC and IMU zoning districts and NB zoning districts on major arterials where the speed limit is 50 miles per hour or above;
O. Reader-boards, except for those allowed by code, such as movie theater signs and marquee signs;
P. Roof signs;
Q. Strings of pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, Mylar balloons, or other similar moving or fluttering devices of a carnival-like nature;
R. Traffic hazard or public nuisances created by signs, including:
1. Signs with advertising copy that imitate official traffic signs, or signals or use such words as “stop,” “look,” “danger,” “caution,” “warnings” or “go slow”;
2. Signs that may confuse motorists or detract from any legal traffic-control devices as determined by the city engineer; and
3. Any sign placed in such a manner that it obscures the vision of a motorist as determined by the city engineer;
S. Utility or public street feature: signs, balloons, or devices affixed to or painted on utility poles, street sign poles, traffic signal equipment and poles, garbage receptacles, benches, bridges, railings, fences, and bus shelters, except for bus route maps, bus route information, and directory of sponsors, if applicable. (Ord. 1256 § 1 (part), 2006).
18.20.080 Off-premises signs.
Off-premises signs are allowed in the city of North Bend as long as they meet the following criteria:
A. The signs shall be limited to eight square feet per side;
B. The signs shall be anchored such as to not allow them to fall over;
C. The signs shall be removed at the end of each day;
D. Per RCW 47.42.040, off-premises advertising signs are prohibited in the right-of-way along state highways, and are prohibited to be seen from the main traveled way of an interstate system (I-90), primary system (SR‑202), or scenic system (SR-202), except directional or other official signs or notices that are required or authorized by law;
E. Off-premises signs are prohibited within the downtown commercial zoning district along North Bend Way between Sydney Avenue and Ballarat Avenue unless the following criteria are complied with:
1. The sign must be located within 15 feet of the front entrance of the business it is advertising.
2. The business owner must have applied for and received a street use permit from the city. (Ord. 1256 § 1 (part), 2006: Ord. 1065 § 5, 1999. Formerly 18.20.032).
18.20.090 Administration.
A. The building official shall administer and enforce this chapter within the guidelines provided in the Uniform Sign Code and the Construction Administrative Code as adopted in NBMC Title 15.
B. The administration of these sign regulations shall include, but not be limited to:
1. Providing forms and application procedures.
2. Providing permits as required for all new signs and collection of fees for same as adopted in the city of North Bend taxes, rates and fees schedule.
3. Reviewing all applications for conformance with the provisions of this chapter prior to issuing a permit.
4. Retaining a record of all sign permits issued.
C. In addition to the provisions found in the administrative code and the code enforcement provisions of Chapter 20.10 NBMC, the building official may authorize the following actions in order to obtain conformance with the provisions of these regulations.
1. Initiate proceedings to revoke the business license for noncompliance with the provisions of the chapter. (Note: this will require amending Chapter 5.04 NBMC to require compliance with the zoning code as a condition of the business license.)
2. Off-premises signs that are placed on the public right-of-way may be confiscated immediately without notice to the owner of the sign.
3. Off-premises signs installed in violation of the provisions of this chapter may be removed after notifying the permittee of the violation by phone, e-mail, or mail.
4. Any signs removed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be available for recovery by the owner for a period of two weeks, after which they shall be disposed. If a sign is illegally displayed a second time a $50.00 fee per sign will need to be paid by the owner to the city before the sign will be returned. If a sign is illegally displayed a third time, the sign will be removed by the city and not returned to the owner. If illegal signs continue to be displayed by a business or person after the third infraction, a civil citation will be issued.
D. A record shall be maintained by the building official of all confiscated signs, the date and time the signs were removed, the owner of the sign, the date the owner was contacted and the action taken by both the owner and the city. (Ord. 1256 § 1 (part), 2006).
18.20.100 Complete application requirements.
All of the items below must be submitted at the time of application in order for the application to be accepted. An application will not be considered complete unless all required drawings and plans are created at a verifiable standard scale no less than one inch equals 20 feet or one-sixteenth inch equals one foot.
A. A sign permit application with appropriate property, owner/tenant, contractor information and signatures.
B. A color drawing of each proposed sign showing details of face, copy of text and graphics, and method of illumination (if any).
C. Construction plans drawn to scale to include:
1. Installation detail, sign dimensions in square footage.
2. Written details on sign materials and method of illumination (if any).
3. Elevations of the face(s) of the building(s) and the location of the proposed and existing sign(s).
4. A calculation of the square footage of all existing and proposed signage on the site.
D. For all freestanding signs:
1. Structural details of signs (including footings) with computations, diagrams, or other data sufficient to show proper structural stability of the installation.
E. A detailed site plan drawn to scale showing:
1. Property lines with dimensions; and
2. Proposed sign location(s) and the location of all existing signage on the property. (For locations meeting the definition of “commercial or multiple use” only the location of signage associated with the specific application storefront needs to be provided); and
3. Setbacks for freestanding signs; and
4. North arrow and recognizable scale; and
5. If applicable, sight distance triangles for all driveway locations or corners of properties at intersections.
F. Historic District Signs.
1. A completed certificate of appropriateness (COA) application.
2. A project description consisting of a written analysis, including any supplemental graphic submittals, necessary to demonstrate consistency between the proposed sign(s) and the design standards of the historic district as determined by the King County landmarks and historic commission.
G. Factory Store Signs.
1. A written analysis describing how the proposed sign is in conformance with the factory store planned sign program specifications.
H. Mountain Valley Shopping Center Signs.
1. A written analysis describing how the proposed sign is in conformance with the Mountain Valley Center sign program specifications.
I. Temporary Public, Quasi-Public and Special Event Signs.
1. Location sign is to be placed.
2. Dates and times that the sign will be displayed. (Ord. 1256 § 1 (part), 2006).