[Ord. No. 1921, 7-2-1985; Ord. No. 1147, 12-13-1960; Ord. No. 789, 12-5-1961; Ord. No. 940, 7-16-1963; Ord. No. 1100, 3-6-1966; Ord. No. 2085, Enacted, 1-4-1994; Ord. No. 2231, Amended, 3-21-2000; Ord. No. 2316, Amended, 3-5-2002; Ord. No. 2346, Amended, 6-10-2003; Ord. No. 2438, Amended, 12-6-2005; Ord. No. 2579, Amended, 3-20-2012]
1. 
It is unlawful and a civil violation for any person to erect, construct, alter or relocate any sign without first obtaining a permit pursuant to the provisions of this chapter unless a provision of this chapter specifically exempts a sign from the permit requirement.
2. 
It is unlawful and a civil violation for any person to construct a sign that is not specifically allowed by this chapter or to erect, construct, maintain or allow to exist a sign in violation of the terms of the permit issued pursuant to this chapter.
3. 
a. 
The permit required by this section is issued by the City Manager pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
b. 
In determining whether the criteria for approval of a Sign Permit Application are satisfied, the City Manager shall use the criteria set forth in this Sign Code.
c. 
A decision is to be made within 14 days of receipt of a complete application.
4. 
An application for a sign permit shall include, in addition to such information as may be specified by the City Manager:
a. 
A completed Sign Permit Application form and fee;
b. 
A site plan and/or building elevation plans drawn to scale and dimension showing (as applicable):
i. 
Existing structures;
ii. 
Driveways;
iii. 
Street and right-of-way;
iv. 
Existing signs;
v. 
Proposed sign;
vi. 
Vision clearance (LOC § 42.03.130);
vii. 
All incidental signs.
c. 
A proposed sign plan drawn to scale and dimension showing (as applicable):
i. 
Height;
ii. 
Width;
iii. 
Square footage;
iv. 
Thickness;
v. 
Size and style of letters;
vi. 
Color;
vii. 
Type of illumination;
viii. 
Materials.
[Ord. No. 2085, Enacted, 1-4-1994; Ord. No. 2225, Amended, 2-1-2000; Ord. No. 2579, Amended, 3-20-2012]
In addition to the temporary and permanent signage allowed without permit in the residential zones the following signage is allowed subject to permit and fee.
1. 
Free-Standing Signs.
a. 
Allowable Area: For four or more units or lots, 16 square feet.
b. 
Number: One sign shall be allowed for the primary frontage. Another sign shall be allowed on any secondary frontage that is 300 feet or more in length.
c. 
Height: The maximum height shall be six feet.
d. 
Sign Types: Monument or wall (fence) signs.
e. 
Illumination: Only indirect lighting shall be allowed.
2. 
Signs Attached to Buildings.
a. 
Allowable Area: and number provisions for freestanding signs may be transferred to allow signs attached to buildings as an alternative.
b. 
Height: Signs shall be placed no higher than nine feet.
c. 
Sign Types: Signs shall be restricted to wall signs.
d. 
Illumination: Only indirect lighting shall be allowed.
[Ord. No. 2085, Enacted, 1-4-1994; Ord. No. 2225, Amended, 2-1-2000; Ord. No. 2393, Amended, 7-6-2004; Ord. No. 2579, Amended, 3-20-2012; Ord. No. 2617, Amended, 6-4-2013; Ord. No. 2723, Amended, 10-18-2016; Ord. No. 2727, Amended, 11-1-2016]
In addition to the temporary and permanent signage allowed without permit in the following commercial zones: GC, NC, WLG RMU and WLG OC, the following signage is allowed subject to permit and fee.
1. 
Freestanding Signs.
a. 
Allowable Area: Maximum 32 square feet.
b. 
Number: One sign shall be allowed for the primary frontage. Another sign shall be allowed on any secondary frontage that is 300 feet or more in length.
c. 
Height: Maximum 18 feet for pole signs and eight feet for monument signs.
d. 
Sign Types: Monument signs shall be allowed. Pole signs shall only be allowed when necessary to provide vision clearance at driveways or intersections and when there is no alternative, visible on-building or monument sign location. No pole signs shall be allowed in the WLG RMU and WLG OC zones.
e. 
Exceptions in GC Zone: The City Manager may grant exceptions to the size and height limitations for monument signs under subsections (1)(a) and (1)(c) of this section, as well as exceptions to the design standards of LOC § 47.06.200(4), as necessary to allow an existing pole sign in the GC Zone, that was nonconforming prior to May 21, 2004, to be converted to a monument sign on the same premises; provided, that:
i. 
The existing sign is widely recognized in the community as a unique symbolic icon identified with a particular era;
ii. 
The sign has been continuously displayed, unchanged, for at least 20 years prior to the conversion;
iii. 
The area of the sign does not exceed 50 square feet;
iv. 
The conversion results in no change to the face of the sign; and
v. 
The height of the monument sign, including the base, does not exceed 10 feet.
Following conversion to a monument sign, any exceptions allowed under this subsection (1)(e) shall apply until there is any alteration or change of the sign, including any change of copy, or until any change of use of the premises, at which time the sign shall be made to comply with all requirements of this Chapter.
2. 
Signs Attached to Buildings.
a. 
Allowable Area.
i. 
Wall Sign. The 32-sq.-ft. maximum allowed for freestanding signs may be transferred to allow signs attached to buildings as an alternative.
ii. 
Sign Band. In addition to a wall sign or a freestanding sign, additional sign(s) permitted by subsection (2)(b)(ii) of this section shall be allowed in a horizontal sign band that is up to two ft. high and up to 75% of either the length of the building or the business frontage, whichever is less.
b. 
Number.
i. 
One 32-sq.-ft. sign shall be allowed on each street frontage.
ii. 
The maximum number of signs within the sign band on each street frontage shall equal:
A. 
If multiple businesses are located on the ground floor: the number of frontage businesses located on the ground floor.
B. 
If only one business is located on the ground floor: up to the number of distinct services within the business located on the ground floor, e.g., for a grocery store: groceries, florist, deli, pharmacy.
c. 
Height.
i. 
The maximum 32-sq.-ft. sign shall not be placed higher than 18 ft. on any structure.
ii. 
The sign band shall not exceed two ft. in height and shall extend along one or more sides of a structure located between the windows and the parapet on a one-story building with a flat roof and at or below the fascia on a one-story building with a pitched roof. On a multi-story building it shall be located above the windows and below the second story line (retail cornice height).
d. 
Sign Types. Wall signs and sign bands are allowed.
Exception: Sign bands are not allowed in the WLG RMU and WLG OC zones.
3. 
Additional Signs Allowed.
a. 
Awning or canopy signs meeting the same size and number restrictions as sign bands may be substituted for the sign band signs allowed by LOC § 47.10.410(2). The awning or canopy may extend over the right-of-way, but shall come no closer than two feet from areas subject to vehicular travel. No such signs shall be allowed in the WLG RMU and WLG OC zones.
b. 
Multi-building complexes shall be allowed an additional monument sign of 32 sq. ft. This sign shall be located at the primary entrance to the complex and shall not extend more than ten ft. in height. No such signs shall be allowed in the WLG RMU and WLG OC zones.
c. 
Service stations and any business which is required by law to post specific signs shall be allowed up to an additional 22 sq. ft. of signage to communicate the mandated message. The sign may be installed with the primary sign or installed as a separate five-and-one-half-foot-tall monument sign. No such signs shall be allowed in the WLG RMU and WLG OC zones.
d. 
A theater or movie house with more than one auditorium shall be allowed an additional 48 sq. ft. of signage. No such signs shall be allowed in the WLG RMU and WLG OC zones.
e. 
Second story businesses shall be allowed an eight-square-foot sign erected at the second story level. No tenant signage shall be allowed above the second story. No such signs shall be allowed in the WLG RMU and WLG OC zones.
f. 
Overhanging signs which hang from canopies or awnings over the right-of-way perpendicular to the direction of pedestrian movement shall be allowed, but shall come no closer than two ft. from areas subject to vehicular travel. The signs shall be consistently eight in. in height and shall not exceed six ft. in length. The bottom of the sign shall have eight and one-half ft. of clearance to the walkway or ground below. One sign shall be allowed for each ground floor tenant. No frontage is required. An overhanging sign shall be allowed in the WLG RMU and WLG OC zones only as an alternative to a monument or wall sign.
g. 
A single overhanging sign not hung from a canopy or awning may be substituted for the 32-square-foot maximum sign. The overhanging sign shall be allowed to overhang the right-of-way provided it is attached to the building, comes no closer than two feet from areas subject to vehicular travel, maintains eight and one-half feet of clearance to the walkway or ground below and does not extend more than 14 ft. above that sidewalk or ground surface. No such signs shall be allowed in the WLG RMU and WLG OC zones.
4. 
Sign Features/Restrictions.
a. 
Signs may be indirectly or directly illuminated.
b. 
Awning or canopy signs shall only backlight individual letters or graphics. The entire canopy shall not be backlighted.
c. 
Changeable copy, manual or electronic, shall be allowed for up to 50 percent of any allowed sign.
d. 
Lighting which is within 200 feet of a residential zone and which is substantially visible from any residential unit or vacant residential lot shall be extinguished between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
[Ord. No. 2225, Add, 2-1-2000; Ord. No. 2316, Amended, 3-5-2002; Ord. No. 2438, Amended, 12-6-2005; Ord. No. 2579, Amended, 3-20-2012; Ord. No. 2617, Amended, 6-4-2013; Ord. No. 2727, Amended, 11-1-2016; Ord. No. 2772, Amended, 2-6-2018; Ord. No. 2890, Amended, 3-17-2022]
In addition to the permanent, temporary and exempt signs allowed pursuant to LOC §§ 47.06.205, 47.08.300 and 47.08.305 the following signage is allowed in the EC zone subject to permit and fee:
1. 
Permitted Signs.
a. 
Overhanging Signs. Overhanging signs may be attached at or below the first floor cornice over public or private pedestrian ways. Such signs shall be uniform in size and placement in relationship to such signs on adjacent buildings and must have a minimum clearance of eight and one-half feet above grade, but in no case shall they be larger than six square feet.
b. 
Cornice Signs. Signs of up to 32 square feet in size may be erected on a building within a 2-foot high signage area above the first floor windows and below the retail cornice. Lettering shall not exceed 14 inches cumulatively in height. See Table 47.10-A.
TABLE 47.10-A
METHOD OF MEASURING HEIGHT OF LETTERING FOR CORNICE SIGNS IN EC ZONE
c. 
Signs Above the First Floor Cornice. One sign per building may be located above the first floor cornice level if:
i. 
The sign is composed of individual letters affixed to or molded or carved into the surface material of the building, does not exceed 24 square feet in area, and the lettering does not exceed 14 inches in height; or
ii. 
The sign projects over the pedestrian way, does not exceed 16 square feet in area, and is designed to fit within a four-foot by four-foot square.
d. 
Awning Signs. A sign consisting of a single row of white or black letters or graphics up to six inches in height shall be allowed on an awning. In addition, a sign 18-inch x 18-inch or smaller graphic symbol or logo shall be allowed on an awning.
e. 
Window Signs. Signs painted on the glass surface of a window shall be allowed as long as total sign area does not exceed 4 square feet and white or gold lettering is used. More than one such sign is allowed per window as long as the 4 square foot area restriction is not exceeded.
f. 
Canopy Signs. A sign consisting of up to 32 sq. ft., with 14-in. maximum lettering height (cumulative for multiple lines) shall be allowed on a canopy. A graphic symbol or logo with a maximum of 14 in. by 14 in. can be part of the canopy sign.
2. 
Lighting.
a. 
All signs except for overhanging signs may be unlit, indirectly lit, or backlit. Awnings and canopy signs shall only backlight individual letters or graphics. The entire canopy shall not be backlighted.
b. 
Overhanging signs shall be unlighted or indirectly lighted.
3. 
Sensitivity to Architectural Detail Required. Notwithstanding the above provisions or the provisions of this Sign Code, no sign shall be erected in a manner that obscures architectural detail.
4. 
Modification of Certain Sign Restrictions. In order to encourage a variety of attractive signs and provide flexibility for property owners, if an applicant elects not to site a cornice sign under subsection (1)(b) of this section, the applicant may increase the size of a sign approved pursuant to subsection (1)(d) (awning signs) or (1)(e) (window signs) to the maximum square footage and letter size allowed for cornice signs pursuant to subsection (1)(b) and shall not be subject to any color restrictions otherwise applicable. If an applicant received approval for a window or awning sign under this subsection, the applicant may not thereafter receive approval to site a cornice sign unless the window sign or awning sign is first brought into compliance with subsection (1)(d) or (1)(e) of this section.
5. 
Sign Maintenance.
a. 
All signs, together with all their supports, braces, guys and anchors shall be kept in good repair and be maintained in a safe, neat, clean and attractive condition. Signs shall be kept free of rust, corrosion, peeling paint, cracks, fading and other surface deterioration.
b. 
Illuminated signs shall function properly.
c. 
Any sign structure or supports that are no longer used shall be removed.
d. 
Sign Structures shall only be used to support signs. They may not be used to support electrical, telephone, cable or other utility wiring. Exception, collocated telecommunications facilities that meet the requirements of the Community Development Code may be located on an existing sign.
6. 
Exempt Signs. The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this section.
a. 
Interior signs that are not readily visible from any exterior public right-of-way or area open to the public.
b. 
Interior signs that are located within 15 feet of the business frontage and are visible from any exterior public right-of-way or from any area open to the public that contain lettering of one inch or less in height; and similarly visible interior signs located beyond 15 feet of the business frontage that contain lettering three inches or less in height. Exception: If the combined amount of all visible interior sign faces exceeds 10 square feet, such signs shall be considered "window signs" subject to LOC § 47.10.412 (1)(e).
c. 
A sign that is recognized historic element of an historic landmark.
d. 
A sign erected by a public agency.
7. 
Exception to the Requirements of This Section.
a. 
The reviewing authority may allow exceptions to this section without the need to obtain a formal variance when the applicant demonstrates that the physical characteristics of the site or existing structure make compliance impractical.
b. 
A request for exception under this provision may be processed as part of the underlying application.
[Ord. No. 2085, Enacted, 1-4-1994; Ord. No. 2225, Amended, 2-1-2000; Ord. No. 2393, Amended, 7-6-2004; Ord. No. 2617, Amended, 6-4-2013; Ord. No. 2669, Amended, 4-7-2015; Ord. No. 2890, Amended, 3-17-2022; Ord. No. 2917, Amended, 12-20-2022]
In addition to the temporary and permanent signage allowed without permit in the commercial, public facility, and campus institutional zones the following signage is allowed in the MC, HC, CR&D, OC, PF, and CI zones subject to permit and fee:
1. 
Freestanding Signs.
a. 
Freestanding complex signs shall be allowed provided that:
i. 
The sign is located at:
A. 
The periphery of public street intersections of the complex area defined by Carman Drive, Kruse Way, Bangy Road and Ball Creek; and
B. 
The Marylhurst Campus Institutional Area/Hwy 43 street intersection (two streets); and
ii. 
The size shall not exceed 40 square feet, except that the maximum sign area may be increased in scale to a maximum of 60 square feet where appropriate for the scale of the complex and visual identity along Bangy Road, Kruse Way, or Carman Drive.
b. 
A building sign of up to 32 square feet may be located at each major access to a building site. The building sign shall be a monument type sign or shall be placed on the face of a landscape wall, retaining wall, or similar structure. Except as provided in subsection (1)(b)(ii) of this section, building signs shall be in addition to tenant signs. For building signs within the area defined by Carman Drive, Kruse Way, Bangy Road and Ball Creek, the following additional provisions shall apply:
i. 
If the sign consists of lettering, emblems or figures attached to a wall that is 75 square feet or larger, the sign area shall be considered to include only the area within the perimeter immediately surrounding the lettering, emblems or figures, regardless of the number of messages displayed on the wall. Except as provided in subsection (1)(b)(iii) of this section, the total area of all signage on the wall shall not exceed 32 square feet.
ii. 
If the signage is for a tenant, it shall replace the signage allowed under subsections (2)(b) and (2)(c) of this section.
iii. 
The allowed area of signage on a wall of 75 square feet or larger may be increased by no more than five square feet; provided, that the increased sign area is used to display only the number of the building address.
iv. 
For the south major access to the building site located at 5885 Meadows Road, the allowed signage may be placed on two walls that are each 75 square feet or larger. However, the area of all signage on both walls combined shall not exceed 48 square feet in total, plus an additional five square feet for the number of the building address.
c. 
Retail development shall be allowed the freestanding signs generally permitted in LOC § 47.10.410(1).
d. 
Incidental retail tenants (retail tenants located in other than retail buildings or shopping centers, and providing retail services primarily for businesses and employees within the complex) who are dependent on visibility for business shall be allowed one ground mounted for each exposure to vehicular traffic. The incidental retail tenant sign shall be in addition to the signs allowed in subsection (2) of this section.
2. 
Signs Attached To Buildings.
a. 
Wall signs for buildings having exposure to I-5/Hwy 217 shall be allowed as follows:
i. 
Hotels shall be allowed one on-building sign for each building elevation (side or face) visible to vehicular traffic on I-5 and Hwy 217. Each hotel shall be allowed a maximum of three such signs, and each sign shall have a maximum size of 64 square feet.
ii. 
All other buildings having exposure to I-5/Hwy 217 shall be allowed one sign for each tenant for each building elevation (side or face) visible to vehicular traffic. Each building shall not be allowed more than a maximum of six signs (with a maximum of three signs on any one side or face of a building), and each sign shall have a maximum size of 48 square feet.
b. 
Buildings without exposure to I-5/Hwy 217 shall be allowed one sign for each tenant for each building elevation (side or face) visible to vehicular traffic. Each building shall not be allowed more than a maximum of six signs (with a maximum of three signs on any one side or face of a building), and each sign shall have a maximum size of 24 square feet. The maximum area may be increased in scale to a maximum of 32 square feet where appropriate for the size of the tenant and the scale of the building.
c. 
As an alternative to a sign allowed under subsection (2)(b) of this section, a retail tenant in a nonretail development shall be allowed a sign band sign as provided in LOC § 47.10.410(2), or shall be allowed to substitute an awning or canopy sign for the sign band sign as provided in LOC § 47.10.410(3)(a).
d. 
Retail development shall be allowed the signs attached to buildings generally permitted in LOC § 47.10.410(2).
3. 
Additional Signs Allowed.
a. 
On-site incidental signs shall be allowed up to 24 square feet in area.
b. 
Off-site incidental signs of up to 24 square feet shall be allowed. Off-site signs shall only be located on property which is not contiguous with the development site and which is not in the same ownership. Off-site signs shall not be placed along arterial streets except at their intersection with another arterial or collector street. Off-site signs for hotels shall have a maximum size of 32 square feet.
c. 
An on-site sign oriented primarily toward vehicle circulation which shall be limited in area to a maximum if two square feet per tenant or use on the site, up to a maximum of 40 square feet.
d. 
One sign oriented toward pedestrian circulation areas shall be a maximum of 24 square feet in area, and eight feet in height. The sign may be freestanding or located on the building.
e. 
For a high school in the PF zone, one pole sign that:
i. 
Does not exceed 70 square feet;
ii. 
Does not exceed 15 feet in height;
iii. 
Is not less than 230 feet from the school campus property line;
iv. 
Is located at an entrance to an athletic field; and
v. 
Is designed and placed so that the sign spans over a walkway leading to the field.
4. 
Sign Features/Restrictions.
a. 
Except as provided in subsection (3)(e) of this section, no pole signs shall be allowed.
b. 
Signs shall not be attached to parking structures, or to portions of buildings that serve as parking facilities.
c. 
Off-site signs shall not be placed along arterial streets except at their intersection with another arterial, collector street or access entrance for multiple buildings.
d. 
Monument signs shall not exceed eight feet in height.
e. 
All developments shall have sign criteria affecting the development as a whole approved as part of any master plan (overall development plan and schedule/planned development) approval to insure compatibility between signs on individual development parcels or on individual structures.
f. 
Within the PF Zone:
i. 
Except at otherwise indicated, signs may be indirectly or internally illuminated.
ii. 
Changeable copy, manual or electronic, is allowed provided the copy does not change more frequently than 15 seconds at a time. Animated, moving, scrolling, flashing and similar changes in copy are prohibited.
iii. 
Lighting that is within 200 feet of a residential zone and is substantially visible from any residential unit or vacant residential lot shall be extinguished between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
[Ord. No. 2085, Enacted, 1-4-1994; Ord. No. 2225, Amended, 2-1-2000]
In addition to the temporary and permanent signage allowed without permit in the industrial zones pursuant to LOC §§ 47.06.205, 47.08.300(2)(b) and 47.08.305, the following signage is allowed in industrial zones subject to permit and fee.
1. 
Freestanding Signs.
a. 
Allowable Area: Maximum 32 square feet.
b. 
Number: One sign shall be allowed for the primary frontage. Another sign shall be allowed on any secondary frontage that is 300 feet or more in length.
c. 
Height: Maximum 8 feet.
d. 
Sign Types: Monument signs only.
2. 
Signs Attached To Buildings.
a. 
Allowable Area: The 32-square-foot maximum allowed for freestanding signs may be transferred to allow signs attached to buildings as an alternative. An additional sign or signs shall be allowed within a two foot high horizontal sign band. The sign band signs may be 75 percent of the building or business storefront whichever is less.
b. 
Number: The maximum 32-square-foot sign shall be restricted identically to the freestanding sign. Signs within the sign band shall equal the number of frontage businesses located on the ground floor.
c. 
Height: The maximum 32-square-foot sign shall not be placed higher than 18 feet on any structure. The sign band shall not exceed two feet in height and shall extend along one or more sides of a structure located between the windows and the parapet on a one story building with a pitched roof. On a multi-story building it shall be located above the windows and below the second story line.
d. 
Sign Types: Wall signs and sign bands are allowed.
3. 
Additional Signs Allowed.
a. 
Awning or canopy signs meeting the same size and number restrictions as sign bands may be submitted for the sign band signs allowed by LOC § 47.10.420(2). The awning or canopy shall not extend into the right-of-way.
b. 
Multi-building complexes shall be allowed an additional monument sign of 32 square feet. This sign shall be located at the primary entrance to the complex and shall not extend six feet in height.
4. 
Sign Features/Restrictions.
a. 
Signs may be indirectly or internally illuminated.
b. 
Awning or canopy signs shall only backlight individual letters or graphics. The entire canopy shall not be backlighted.
c. 
Changeable copy, manual or electronic, shall be allowed for up to 50 percent of any allowed sign.
d. 
Lighting which is within 200 feet of a residential zone and which is substantially visible from any residential unit or vacant residential lot shall be extinguished between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
[Ord. No. 2085, Enacted, 1-4-1994; Ord. No. 2617, Amended, 6-4-2013; Ord. No. 2890, Amended, 3-17-2022]
If an institutional, public facility or open space land use is in either: (a) a residential zone and is either (i) allowed as a conditional use or (ii) is a nonconforming use, or (b) is in the park and natural area (PNA) zone, and that zone does not allow the below signs by permit, then the following restrictions apply. These restrictions are in addition to the temporary and permanent signage allowed without permit in the zone in which the use is located.
1. 
Freestanding Signs.
a. 
Allowable Area: Maximum 32 square feet.
b. 
Number: One sign shall be allowed for the primary frontage. Another sign shall be allowed on any secondary frontage that is 300 feet or more in length.
c. 
Height: Maximum six feet.
d. 
Sign Types: Monument signs only.
2. 
Signs Attached To Buildings.
a. 
Allowable Area: The 32-square-foot maximum allowed for freestanding signs may be transferred to allow signs attached to buildings as an alternative.
b. 
Number: The sign shall be restricted identically to the freestanding sign.
c. 
Height: The sign shall not be placed higher than 18 feet on any structure.
d. 
Sign Types: Wall sign.
3. 
Additional Signs Allowed.
a. 
Non-illuminated eight-inch maximum signage shall be allowed on awnings or canopies.
4. 
Sign Features/Restrictions.
a. 
Except at otherwise indicated, signs may be indirectly or internally illuminated.
b. 
Changeable copy, manual or electronic, shall be allowed for up to 50 percent of any allowed sign.
c. 
Lighting which is within 200 feet of a residential zone and which is substantially visible from any residential unit or vacant residential lot shall be extinguished between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.