Chapter 19.12
TEMPORARY SIGNS
Sections:
19.12.010 Area – Height limit – Setback.
19.12.030 Fees and general time limitations.
19.12.040 Construction/contractor signs.
19.12.050 Grand opening events.
19.12.060 Movable sign – Special events A-frame.
19.12.070 Outdoor commercial signs.
19.12.080 Outdoor vendor signs.
19.12.100 Real estate signs – On-premises (for sale/lease/rent).
19.12.110 Special or one-time events sign.
19.12.120 Certain off-premises temporary signs permitted.
19.12.010 Area – Height limit – Setback.
Individual temporary signs or a series of signs intended to be read or viewed as one sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and eight feet in height at grade of street frontage. Temporary signs may be placed adjacent to the property line, but may not encroach into or above the public right-of-way. The location of temporary signs shall not hinder sight distance for bicyclists, motorists, and pedestrians from either intersections or driveways. [Ord. 16-00 § 1, 2000].
19.12.020 Location.
Temporary signs must be placed on the subject property. Temporary signs are allowed on or above city street right-of-way, as excepted by WRMC 19.04.020. Signs shall not create a hazard for bicyclists, motorists, or pedestrians as determined by the community development/planning director. [Ord. 16-00 § 1, 2000].
19.12.030 Fees and general time limitations.
A. No fees for temporary signs;
B. Temporary signs require a sign permit to allow a review of the general sign plan and to establish the start date for placement of the sign(s). Temporary signs not otherwise limited in time within this title will be limited to a period of 120 days within a one-year period. [Ord. 16-00 § 1, 2000].
19.12.040 Construction/contractor signs.
Construction or contractor signs shall be limited to one per street frontage of site under construction. The signs may be posted for the duration of the construction period, but not exceeding one year. The signs must be set back a minimum distance of five feet from the frontage road and 10 feet from adjoining properties unless exceptions are made by the community development/planning director. The signs may not be illuminated. Commercial construction/contractor signs shall not exceed 32 square feet and the height shall not exceed 10 feet. Residential construction/contractor signs shall not exceed eight square feet and the height shall not exceed 10 feet. Construction/contractor signs not exceeding eight square feet do not require permit per WRMC 19.04.020. [Ord. 16-00 § 1, 2000].
19.12.050 Grand opening events.
Grand openings are allowed for both new business openings and for new ownership. The following regulations shall apply to all grand opening events:
A. A sign permit is required for all grand openings.
B. All signs not exempted by WRMC 19.04.020 shall be briefly described on a single permit for the grand opening period.
C. All signs shall be located on or above private property unless approved per Chapter 19.14 WRMC.
D. All signs specifically approved as part of the grand opening event shall be deemed temporary signs per this section. The temporary signage for the grand opening may be in place no more than 10 days before the grand opening and shall be removed no later than 30 days after posting.
E. During the period of a grand opening, the total surface area of all signs may equal up to 300 percent of that which would be allowed as primary and secondary signage. The number of individual signs is unlimited; provided, however, the restrictions contained in WRMC 19.16.010 remain in effect.
F. Search lights, laser lights, and large inflatable objects may be allowed with grand opening events with a special events permit issued by the city.
G. No more than one grand opening event for the purpose of this definition may occur for any one location within any 12-month period; provided, that each separate business location within a complex of two or more businesses shall be entitled to a grand opening event separate from the grand opening event for the complex as a whole. [Ord. 16-00 § 1, 2000].
19.12.060 Movable sign – Special events A-frame.
Special events A-frame movable signs may be allowed to advertise any event for which a special events permit has been issued by the city, such as Harvest Festival, and to give directions to the event or to event parking. Special events A-frame movable signs shall not exceed six square feet per face and shall not exceed four feet in height. The location of the sign, where allowed, shall not create a hazard for bicyclists, motorists, or pedestrians by blocking vision or movement of people or vehicles. Signs shall not be illuminated. Movable A-frame signs shall be maintained in an aesthetically good condition. [Ord. 16-00 § 1, 2000].
19.12.070 Outdoor commercial signs.
A. No temporary outdoor commercial sign shall be allowed unless a sign permit has been issued for it per WRMC 19.04.010.
B. All temporary outdoor signs shall be wall signs except as allowed by this title.
C. No more than one temporary outdoor commercial sign may be displayed at any one time by a single business.
D. Temporary outdoor commercial signs shall not exceed five percent of the individual business building face on the primary frontage or 32 square feet, whichever is less.
E. Any single business shall be permitted a total display period for temporary signs not to exceed 90 days in any six-month period.
F. An exception may be granted at the discretion of the community development/planning director from regulations contained in subsections B and C of this section. [Ord. 16-00 § 1, 2000].
19.12.080 Outdoor vendor signs.
A maximum of two movable A-frame signs placed no closer than 30 feet apart are allowed on private property for temporary outdoor vendors (e.g., Christmas tree lots, fruit stands, public market). The signs are limited to a maximum of eight square feet per face, a maximum of two feet width and a height limit of four feet. Such signs are permitted during the hours of business. [Ord. 16-00 § 1, 2000].
19.12.090 Political signs.
Political signs, on-premises and off-premises, are permitted as follows:
A. Political signs are permitted if they are stationary, unlighted, and temporary.
B. Political signs are allowed up to a maximum of 16 square feet in area without a sign permit when located according to WRMC 19.04.020. Political signs greater than 16 square feet in area shall require a sign permit for each individual sign.
C. Permitted political signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and 10 feet in height.
D. Political signs may be displayed on private property with the consent of the property owner. Property owners shall be responsible for the removal of political signs when the campaign is over.
E. Political signs may be placed in the city street right-of-way; however, political signs in a right-of-way shall not impede vehicular or pedestrian movement or pose a safety hazard, as determined by the community development/planning director. Political signs are not allowed in the median of major streets. Political signs shall not be allowed in the planting areas of traffic islands.
F. Political signs shall be removed within 10 days after a voting day, except that signs promoting successful candidates in a primary election may remain displayed until 10 days following the immediately subsequent general election. Failure to remove signs may result in an assessment in the cost of their removal. [Ord. 16-00 § 1, 2000].
19.12.100 Real estate signs – On-premises (for sale/lease/rent).
A. Residential Property.
1. Signs not exceeding six square feet do not require a permit per WRMC 19.04.020.
2. Signs advertising the commercial sale of lots and/or houses in a subdivision or units (condominiums) may be located on land which is part of the subject development at the entrance of the development; provided, that not more than one such sign no larger than 32 square feet in area, and 10 feet in height, may be installed at one time at any one entrance. The display of such signs shall be limited to a 12-month period. Prior to the end of the 12-month period, the applicant may request one further extension of time not to exceed six months; otherwise the sign shall be removed.
B. Commercial Property.
1. Signs not exceeding six square feet do not require a permit per WRMC 19.04.020.
2. Signs advertising commercial or industrial property shall be limited to one single- or double-faced sign per street frontage. Signs may be displayed only while the building, or a portion thereof, is actually for sale, rent, or lease. The sign(s) may not exceed 32 square feet in surface area. If V-shaped, the total surface area shall not exceed 32 square feet in area. If freestanding, the sign may not exceed six feet in height. Maximum height for wall signs shall be 10 feet. Signs shall be located more than 10 feet from any property line or corner, and wholly on the property for sale or rent. Apartment building for rent signs are governed by subsection A of this section. Commercial for sale/rent/lease signs shall be limited to a 12-month period. Any extensions shall require a new sign permit.
3. Commercial on-premises signs for leasing/sales may also be allowed within multi-business developments on the bottom panel of freestanding signs as in WRMC 19.08.060. Such signs within a freestanding sign panel are not subject to time limits and may remain permanently in place. [Ord. 16-00 § 1, 2000].
19.12.110 Special or one-time events sign.
Temporary signs promoting a one-time or intermittent drive or event sponsored by a political, civic, seasonal, cultural, philanthropic, educational, or religious organization are permitted for a period not to exceed 60 days. The signs must be removed within seven days after the event. Maximum size is 64 square feet. Maximum height for freestanding sign is 12 feet. A temporary sign permit is required. The community development/planning director may grant an extension of the temporary sign permit. See WRMC 19.12.060, Movable sign – Special events A-frame. [Ord. 16-00 § 1, 2000].
19.12.120 Certain off-premises temporary signs permitted.
Notwithstanding the general prohibition of off-premises temporary signs, such signs are permitted, on a limited basis, in the following situations and under the following conditions:
A. General Provisions. All temporary signs permitted pursuant to this section are subject to the following conditions:
1. Signs may not be placed on private property without permission of the owner.
2. All signs shall be unlit.
3. Signs shall not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
4. It is the responsibility of the person posting a temporary sign to remove it.
5. Temporary signs shall not exceed 40 inches above the ground and shall not exceed six square feet in area.
6. Signs in Public Rights-of-Way. Signs may not be placed on public property except for publicly owned rights-of-way (along streets). In addition to all other applicable conditions, signs placed in rights-of-way shall be subject to the following conditions:
a. Signs may be placed on rights-of-way adjacent to private property only with permission of the adjoining property owner.
b. Signs shall not create a traffic safety or maintenance problem, and the city may, without notice, remove and dispose of any signs that constitute a problem.
c. Signs shall be freestanding and shall not be attached to any structure or vegetation.
d. Signs shall be attached to a stake driven into the ground well clear of tree roots, irrigation lines and any other underground vegetation or structures that could be damaged by a stake.
e. Signs shall not be placed on sidewalks.
7. Unless renewed pursuant to subsection D of this section, Permit Extension, a permit for a temporary sign shall expire 90 days after the date of permit issuance.
B. Special Provisions. Temporary signs permitted under this section are subject to the following:
1. Signs permitted under this section are intended to be visual aid directional signs.
2. A total of no more than two signs per business are permitted, and any sign must be placed as a directional sign along a street where the business being identified is not visible to the sign. A permitted sign must contain a clear message (arrow or text) that a traveler needs to turn left or right at an upcoming intersection in order to find the business.
3. A minimum three-inch space along the bottom edge of the sign shall be left clear, and, once a permit is issued, shall be marked with minimum two-inch lettering indicating the expiration date of the permit.
C. Permitting Procedure and Fee. Application for a permit for an off-premises temporary sign shall be made with the community development department the same as an application for other permitted signs. A permit fee as set forth by the city council in the master fee schedule shall be paid at the time of application, to be refunded if permit cannot be issued.
D. Permit Extension. One 90-day extension may be granted by the community development director for good cause shown. [Ord. 27-15 § 2, 2015; Ord. 30-07 § 1, 2007].