Chapter 11.120
SIGNS
Sections:
11.120.030 Signs in residential zones.
11.120.040 Signs in commercial zones.
11.120.045 Signs in tourist commercial zones.
11.120.050 Signs in industrial, public facilities and agricultural zones.
11.120.060 Design review for historic preservation.
11.120.070 Nonconforming uses and nonconforming signs.
11.120.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote and protect the public health, welfare, and safety by regulating existing and proposed outdoor signs of all types. It is intended to protect property values, create a more attractive economic and business climate, enhance and protect the physical appearance of the community, help preserve the historic buildings and areas, preserve the scenic and natural beauty of designated areas, and provide a more enjoyable and pleasing community. It is further intended to reduce sign or advertising distractions and obstructions that may contribute to traffic accidents, reduce hazards that may be caused by signs overhanging or projecting over public rights-of-way, provide more open space, and curb the deterioration of natural beauty and community environment. (Ord. 2041 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 1024 § 11.03.081, 2001).
11.120.020 General.
A. The following sign standards by zone district are intended to include every zone in the city. Only signs as described herein and as may be described under “temporary signs” and “exceptions” will be permitted in each particular zone.
B. If any zone is omitted from this title or if a new zone is created after the enactment of the ordinance codified in this chapter, no sign shall be permitted therein until this title shall be amended to include the zone.
C. Permits and Fees. All signs shall have a permit issued by the city of Ritzville public works director or designated responsible official.
D. Application for Permit. Application for permit shall be submitted in duplicate and shall contain the following information:
1. Name, address and telephone number of applicant.
2. Location of building, structure or land where sign will be erected.
3. A detailed drawing or blueprint showing a description of the construction details of the sign including sign wordage, any photos or illustrations, position of lighting or other extraneous devices, a location plan showing the position of the sign on any building or land and its position in relation to nearby buildings or structures and to any private street or highway.
4. In the event the applicant is not the legal owner of the structure or property on which the sign is to be erected, written consent of the owner shall be provided in the application for permit.
E. Fees. The fee for each sign permit issued under this sign code shall be $25.00 for signs less than 32 square feet and $50.00 for signs exceeding 32 square feet.
F. Issuance of Permit. It shall be the duty of the responsible official, upon filing of an application for a permit to erect a sign, to examine plans, specifications and other data submitted with the application and, if necessary, the building or premises where proposed sign shall be erected. If the application meets the requirements of this sign regulation and is in compliance with all other applicable city regulations, the responsible official shall issue a permit within 15 business days. The permit is valid for six months from date of issuance. The permit may be reissued within 30 days of expiration for an additional fee of $5.00. A permit may not be reissued more than one time without reapplication and payment of full permit fees.
G. Permit Exceptions. The following actions shall not require a sign permit:
1. The changing of a message on an approved sign.
2. Any maintenance for approved sign including painting, repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of sign or sign structure unless a structural repair is made.
3. Temporary signs and exempt signs are exempt from permit requirements.
H. All signs shall comply with the city development regulations, the Uniform Building Code and the Uniform Sign Code.
I. Inspections. Signs may be inspected periodically for compliance with the city development regulations.
J. Maintenance. All signs and accompanying components shall be kept in good repair and in safe, neat, clean and attractive condition. (Ord. 2041 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 1042 § 2, 2002; Ord. 1024 § 11.03.082, 2001).
11.120.030 Signs in residential zones.
A. General. The term “residential” shall apply to all zones designated by this title as R-1, R-2 and R-3.
B. Size. One sign not exceeding two square feet in area shall be permitted per dwelling unit. For multiple dwellings, one or more additional signs totaling 12 square feet shall be permitted.
C. Location. Permitted signs may be anywhere on the parcel, except as noted below:
1. Signs may not be erected in areas restricted as noted elsewhere in this title.
2. Signs may not project beyond any property lines.
D. Ground Signs. Ground-mounted signs shall not exceed five feet in height.
E. Wall Signs. Signs mounted on the building shall be flush with the wall surface and shall not project above the eave or roofline.
F. Content. The sign per dwelling unit shall indicate only the name of the occupant and may include the address. The additional sign area permitted for multiple dwellings shall be only for the identification of the building. In the case of an approved home occupation, the sign may bear the name of the business or service offered.
G. Illumination. Illumination, if used, shall be what is known as white and not colored light and shall not be blinking, fluctuating or moving. Light rays shall shine only upon the sign or upon the property on which the sign is located and shall not spill over the property lines in any direction except by indirect reflection. (Ord. 2041 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 1024 § 11.03.083, 2001).
11.120.040 Signs in commercial zones.
Signs in the C-1 and C-2 zones shall comply with the following standards:
A. Wall Signs. The total area for all wall signs on each side of the building shall not exceed 75 square feet. In the case of projecting signs, sign area shall be calculated for one side of the sign. Signs flush against the building face may be located anywhere on the surface of the building. Signs projecting from the building face may project no more than six feet from the face of the building, have a maximum height of five feet and must have a minimum clearance of eight feet above a public sidewalk and 15 feet above public driveways or alleys.
B. Pole Signs. Pole or ground-mounted signs are permitted when the building does not cover the full width of the parcel upon which it is located. The total area for a pole sign shall not exceed 60 square feet. Such a sign may extend up to 100 feet above the ground level at the base of the sign, except as may be required by this title. Such signs may extend up to 50 feet above the roof when placed on a building. Pole signs more than 25 feet in height must be at least 500 feet from any residential zone.
C. Marquee Signs. Marquee signs may be on the vertical faces of marquees and may project below the lower edge of the marquee not more than 12 inches. The bottom of the marquee signs shall be no less than eight feet above the sidewalk or grade at any point.
D. Sidewalk Signs. Sidewalk signs no larger than four square feet per side, containing no moving parts and no lights, may be allowed during business hours. Sidewalk signs must be placed immediately in front of its place of business so as not to be a hazard to either pedestrians or vehicles.
E. Identity Signs. One ground-mounted identity sign is permitted not exceeding six feet in height with a maximum sign area of 75 square feet per side.
F. Miscellaneous Signs. All other signs on the property indicating services, products, prices, trade information, or other information shall not exceed, in total, 80 square feet in area. (Ord. 2041 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2010 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1024 § 11.03.084, 2001).
11.120.045 Signs in tourist commercial zones.
Signs in the C-3 zones shall comply with the following standards:
A. Maximum Signage. The maximum total number of signs for one lot is five unless on a corner where one additional sign is allowed. The collective maximum area of all signs may not exceed 800 square feet. The ratio of the sign surface to frontage of the building shall be based on the International Zoning Code per Figures 1008.1.2(2) and 1008.1.2(3) not including sign height. When multiple businesses are present on the same premises, the maximum size of all signs for each business shall not exceed one-half the allowable size for the type of sign.
B. Pole Signs. A freestanding sign (pole) is a sign principally supported by a structure affixed to the ground, and not supported by a building, including signs supported by one or more columns, poles, or braces placed in or upon the ground. Pole or ground-mounted signs are permitted when the building does not cover the full width of the parcel upon which it is located. The total area for a pole sign shall not exceed 60 square feet. The maximum number of pole signs is two. The maximum height of a pole sign shall not exceed 60 feet when measured from the threshold of the front door of the business. Such signs may extend up to 50 feet above the roof when placed on a building. The distance from the adjacent property line of a pole sign must be at least a minimum of 15 feet or 40 percent of the average of the two lot frontages. For purposes of calculating the sign area, only one side of a two-sided pole sign will count.
C. Wall Signs. The total area of all wall signs on each side of the building shall not exceed 100 square feet per side on single-story or two-story buildings. An additional 25 square feet may be added per side for each additional story. In the case of projecting signs, sign area shall be calculated for one side of the sign. Signs flush against the building face may be located anywhere on the surface of the building. Signs projecting from the building face may project no more than six feet from the face of the building, have a maximum height of five feet and must have a minimum clearance of eight feet above a public sidewalk and 15 feet above public driveways or alleys.
D. Marquee Signs. Marquee signs may be on the vertical faces of marquees and may project below the lower edge of the marquee not more than 12 inches. The bottom of the marquee signs shall be no less than eight feet above the sidewalk or grade at any point.
E. Identity Signs. One ground-mounted identity sign is permitted not exceeding six feet in height with a maximum sign area not to exceed 75 square feet per side.
F. Miscellaneous Signs. All other signs on the property indicating services, products, prices, trade information, or other information shall not exceed in total 80 square feet in area. (Ord. 2041 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 2020 § 1, 2008).
11.120.050 Signs in industrial, public facilities and agricultural zones.
Signs in all industrial, public facilities and agricultural zones shall comply with the following standards:
A. Wall Signs. The area and location requirements shall be the same as in RCC 11.120.040, except that wall signs shall be no larger than 50 square feet in area.
B. Identity Sign. One ground-mounted identity sign is permitted not exceeding six feet in height with a maximum sign area of 75 square feet per side. (Ord. 2041 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 1024 § 11.03.085, 2001).
11.120.060 Design review for historic preservation.
All signs erected in the historic area or historic buildings shall undergo a design review process with the historic preservation committee as described for the review of building permits. (Ord. 2041 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 1024 § 11.03.086, 2001).
11.120.070 Nonconforming uses and nonconforming signs.
A. Any building or land use not conforming to the provisions for the zone in which it is located shall, nevertheless, comply with all the provisions of this sign code for the conforming zone.
B. Signs existing and not conforming to the provisions of this chapter, but which were constructed in compliance with previous regulations shall be regarded as nonconforming signs. Such signs may be maintained in their present condition unless hazardous but may not be altered, erected, or relocated unless in conformity with the sign code. (Ord. 2041 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 1024 § 11.03.087, 2001).
11.120.080 Exemptions.
The following types of signs are exempted from all the provisions of this chapter, except for construction and safety regulations and the following requirements:
A. Public Signs. Signs of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of his public duty, such as safety signs, danger signs, trespassing signs, traffic signs, memorial plaques, signs of historical interest, and the like;
B. Institutional. Signs setting forth the name or any simple announcement for any public, charitable, educational, or religious institution located entirely within the premises of that institution up to an area of 24 square feet. Such signs may be illuminated in accordance with the regulations contained hereinafter. If building-mounted, these signs shall be flat wall signs and shall not project above the roofline. If ground-mounted, the top shall be no more than six feet above ground level;
C. Integral. Names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets, and the like when carved into stone, concrete, or similar material or made of bronze, aluminum, or other permanent type construction and made an integral part of the structure;
D. Private Traffic Direction. Signs directing traffic movement onto premises or within premises not exceeding three square feet in area for each sign. Illumination of these signs shall be permitted in accordance with the section hereinafter included on illumination. Horizontal directional signs on and flush with paved areas are exempt from these standards;
E. Small Signs. Signs not exceeding two square feet in area attached flat against the building, stationary, and not illuminated announcing only the name and occupation of building tenant;
F. Rental. Signs on the premises announcing rooms for rent, room and board, apartment or house for rent and not exceeding four square feet in area;
G. Vehicles. Signs on vehicles of any kind, provided the sign is painted or attached directly to the body of the original vehicle and does not project or extend beyond the original manufactured body proper of the vehicle;
H. Sale. Signs on premises announcing property for sale and not exceeding four square feet for residential signs and not exceeding 16 square feet for commercial signs. (Ord. 2041 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 1029 § 4, 2001; Ord. 1024 § 11.03.088, 2001).
11.120.090 Prohibited signs.
Prohibited signs are signs which:
A. Contain statements, words, or pictures of an obscene, indecent, or immoral character such as will offend public morals or decency;
B. Contain or are an imitation of an official traffic sign or signal or contain the words “stop,” “go slow,” “caution,” “danger,” “warning,” or similar words;
C. Are of a size, location, movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination which may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device or which hide from view any traffic or street sign or signal;
D. Advertise an activity, business, product, or service no longer conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located;
E. Move in any manner or have a moving part;
F. Contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of light bulbs, spinners, or other similarly moving devices, unless on private property;
G. May swing or otherwise noticeably move as a result of wind pressure because of the manner of their suspension or attachment;
H. Are erected in such a position as to completely blanket another sign already in place on either side. A sign is said to be blanketing when it hides other signs or a substantial portion thereof at a distance of 25 feet;
I. Off-premises signs, including billboards, except directional signs and signs of public interest. (Ord. 2041 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 1024 § 11.03.089, 2001).
11.120.100 Temporary signs.
The following types of signs are considered temporary and are exempted from all the provisions of this chapter except as follows:
A. Political. Signs related to political campaigns for public election may be erected on private property with the permission of the property owner; provided, that said political signs are removed following the end of the election.
B. Street Banners. Banners related to city-approved activities or events; provided, that said banners are taken down within three days following the end of the event.
C. Construction Signs. Signs directing traffic away from construction sites, detours and warning of construction site hazards. The city of Ritzville public works director or responsible official shall approve all signs related to city-approved construction. (Ord. 2041 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010; Ord. 1029 § 5, 2001; Ord. 1024 § 11.03.089a, 2001).