[Ord. No. 1398, 9-15-1970; Ord. No. 1921, 7-2-1985; Ord. No. 2085, Enacted, 1-4-1994; Ord. No. 2225, Amended, 2-1-2000; Ord. No. 2266, Amended, 9-5-2000; Ord. No. 2316, Amended, 3-5-2002; Ord. No. 2358, Amended, 4-15-2003]
1. 
A non-conforming sign in all zones other than the EC zone as described and established by the Lake Oswego Community Development Code may be maintained or undergo a change of copy without complying with the requirements of this chapter, with the exception that any change for a new business or use or any changes in a wall sign which is painted on a structure will comply with this chapter at such time as change in copy or alteration occurs.
2. 
All non-conforming signs are required to meet the provisions of this chapter at such time as the sign is altered, as defined by LOC § 47.03.015.
3. 
Signs installed in violation of any prior Sign Code or applicable laws or regulations, and which are in violation of this chapter, shall be removed, replaced or altered in order to conform to the requirements of this chapter.
4. 
Signs recognized as an historical element of a historical landmark are exempt from this chapter.
5. 
All non-conforming pole signs shall be altered to conform to the requirements of this chapter by May 21, 2004.
6. 
A sign for which a variance is granted under the provisions of this chapter is not considered nonconforming.
[Ord. No. 2225, Add, 2-1-2000; Ord. No. 2316, Amended, 3-5-2002; Ord. No. 2358, Amended, 4-15-2003; Ord. No. 2890, Amended, 3-17-2022]
In the EC zone, as defined and established by the Lake Oswego Community Development Code:
1. 
Non-conforming signs may continue in use subject to the restrictions in this subsection. All nonconforming pole signs shall be brought into compliance with LOC § 47.10.412 by May 21, 2004.
a. 
A non-conforming sign shall not be:
i. 
Modified, unless the modification brings the sign into compliance with this Chapter. A change of copy is allowed, except that any change in a wall sign which is painted on a structure shall comply with LOC § 47.10.412.
ii. 
Expanded.
iii. 
Relocated.
b. 
A non-conforming sign may undergo normal maintenance, except:
i. 
"Normal maintenance" excludes major structure repairs designed to extend the useful life of the non-conforming sign.
ii. 
If a non-conforming sign is damaged by wind, fire, neglect or by any other cause, and such damage exceeds 60% of its replacement value, the non-conforming sign shall be removed.
c. 
Upon change of use of a business or premise, a non-conforming sign shall be brought into compliance with LOC § 47.10.412 within one-hundred-eighty (180) days.
2. 
Unlawful Signs: A sign is an unlawful sign if it does not conform to the provisions of LOC § 47.10.412, and did not conform to any Sign Code applicable on the date of installation. An unlawful sign shall be removed or made to conform within 60 days after written notice from the Department of Planning. Said 60-day period may be extended if the owner of an unlawful sign submits to the Planning Department a declaration signed under penalty of perjury, on form provided by the Department, stating that the owner intends to terminate the business identified by said sign within 12 months of the date of the notice and agrees to remove the sign upon the expiration of the 12-month period or the date the business is terminated, whichever occurs first.
[Ord. No. 2085, Enacted, 1-4-1994; Ord. No. 2225, Amended, 2-1-2000]
All signs, except in the EC zone, which are placed inside a structure or building, which are not visible through windows or building openings and are not intended to be visible to the public are exempt from the provisions of the Sign Code.
[Ord. No. 1921, 7-2-1985; Ord. No. 2085, Enacted, 1-4-1994; Ord. No. 2225, Amended, 2-1-2000; Ord. No. 2310, Amended, 5-14-2002; Ord. No. 2438, Amended, 12-6-2005]
1. 
No sign, unless exempt or allowed pursuant to this chapter shall be permitted except as may be permitted pursuant to LOC § 47.12.500 (Variances).
2. 
No sign or sign structure shall be allowed that is constructed in such a manner or at such a location that it will obstruct access to any fire escape or other means of ingress or egress from a building or any exit corridor, exit hallway or exit doorway. No sign or supporting structure shall cover, wholly or partially, any window or doorway in any manner that it will substantially limit access to the building in case of fire.
3. 
In a commercial, public function, or industrial zone no sign shall be placed inside or outside a structure so as to obscure more than 25 percent of any individual window surface. In a residential zone no sign shall be placed so as to obscure more than 10 percent of any individual window surface. Glass doors shall be considered an individual window surface.
4. 
No permanent sign, other than a public sign, may be placed within or over any portion of the public right-of-way, except those signs which are consistent with the provisions of this chapter and which are legally installed in accordance with LOC Chapter 45 (Building Code).
5. 
No sign shall be allowed within 2 feet of any area subject to vehicular travel.
6. 
Except as provided in LOC § 47.08.300 (2)(c), no temporary sign, other than banner signs for which a permit has been issued under LOC § 47.08.305 and those necessary for temporary traffic control that comply with LOC § 47.08.300 (1)(b)(ii) shall be placed within or over any portion of the public right-of-way of a major collector or arterial street.
7. 
No sign shall be located in a manner which could impede travel on any pedestrian or vehicular travel surface.
8. 
No temporary signs, bench signs, banners, pennants, wind signs, balloon signs, flags or any other temporary sign structure shall be allowed as except specifically authorized by this Chapter.
9. 
No sign shall be equipped or displayed with moving, flashing or intermittent illumination except athletic scoreboards.
10. 
No sign shall have or consist of any moving, rotating, or otherwise animated part.
11. 
No signs on buildings shall be placed on the roof or extend above the roof line or parapet of the structure.
12. 
No sign shall be attached to a tree or vegetation.
13. 
No non-public sign which purports to be, is an imitation of, or resembles an official traffic sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic on the street, or which hides from view any official traffic sign or signal shall be permitted.
14. 
No public address system or sound devices shall be used in conjunction with any sign or advertising device.
15. 
No signs that are internally illuminated shall be permitted in any residential zone.
16. 
No sign that obstructs free and clear vision of the traveling public at the intersection of any street or driveway shall be permitted.