This chapter shall be referred to as the sign regulations of the City of Yamhill. The purpose of this chapter is to protect the health, safety, property and welfare of the public through the establishment of standards to regulate the erection, location, maintenance and use of signs. The goals of this chapter are:
(A) 
To maintain an uncluttered and attractive appearance in the community and to improve the effectiveness of signs in identifying and advertising businesses;
(B) 
To provide equity and effectiveness in displaying identification signs by establishing regulations on size and location of such signs;
(C) 
To promote public safety by ensuring that traffic regulating devices be easily visible and free from nearby visual obstructions, from signs resembling official signs and from excessive numbers of signs;
(D) 
To ensure that signs are compatible with their surroundings;
(E) 
To guide and regulate the design, materials, construction, location, illumination and maintenance of all signs and sign structures to be located within the city, and adjacent boundaries.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000)
No person shall erect, construct, alter, relocate, maintain or use any sign unless a sign permit has been issued or the sign has been exempted by provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000)
Commercial, office and business district signs shall comply with all provisions and regulations of this chapter:
(A) 
Freestanding Signs. Freestanding signs for commercial, office and other business uses are permitted subject to the following requirements:
(1) 
Number. One double-faced freestanding sign, identifying only the name of the development and no more than two of the principal uses of the premises, shall be permitted for a development.
(2) 
Height and Area. The sign height shall not exceed 25 feet. The maximum sign area shall not exceed 100 square feet per sign face.
(3) 
Location. No freestanding sign or any part thereof shall be located on or over any portion of a public right-of-way or property line.
(B) 
Freestanding Directory Signs. In addition to freestanding signs, freestanding directory signs are permitted only for office but not for commercial uses, and are subject to the following restrictions. Such signs shall be limited to identifying the buildings and the names of tenants or occupants.
(1) 
Number. One double-faced freestanding directory sign shall be permitted for each development containing one multiple tenant building or group of architecturally related buildings. For developments with vehicle entrances on more than one street frontage, an additional directory sign may be permitted at such additional entrance.
(2) 
Height and Area. The sign height shall not exceed seven feet with the face area not exceeding 42 square feet.
(3) 
Location. No sign or any part thereof shall be located on or over any portion of a public right-of-way or property line. The sign shall be located for viewing from the development by potential users of the development who have already entered onto the site. A freestanding directory sign shall not be attached to any other freestanding sign.
(C) 
Wall Signs. In addition to any other permitted sign, wall signs are permitted for commercial use, subject to the following requirements:
(1) 
Number.
(a) 
Walls Used. No more than two exterior walls shall be used for wall signs. Single tenant buildings shall use only two walls. Multiple tenant buildings shall use only the exterior walls which correspond with the portion of the building the tenant occupies.
(b) 
Signs. The permitted sign area per wall which has been designated to be used for wall signs may be divided among a maximum of three signs.
(2) 
Area.
(a) 
Single Tenant Building. Except as otherwise provided, the sign area of a wall sign, or combination of wall signs, shall not exceed 10% (up to a maximum of 250 square feet) of the area of the wall to which it is attached. For the purpose of this regulation, the area of the wall is determined by multiplying the height of the wall from the ground level to eaves or top of the fascia by length of the wall. If the building contains two stories or more, the height of the wall is measured from the ground level to the top of the second story.
(b) 
Multiple Tenant Building. Except as otherwise provided, the sign area of a wall sign or a combination of wall signs, shall not exceed 10% (up to a maximum of 250 square feet) of the area of the wall to which it is attached. For the purpose of this regulation, the area of the wall is determined by multiplying the height of the wall from the ground level to eaves or top of fascia by the length of the wall corresponding with the portion of the building the tenant occupies. If a tenant occupies two or more floors of a multiple story building, the height of the wall is measured from ground level to the top of the second story.
(c) 
Location. No sign shall extend above the line of the buildings eaves, the bottom of the fascia or above the second story of a multiple-story building.
(D) 
Window Signs. In addition to other permitted signage, window signs are permitted for commercial, office or business uses subject to the following requirements:
(1) 
Number. No more than one window sign shall be permitted per building of a single tenant building, or for each tenant in a multiple tenant building.
(2) 
Area. The sign area shall not exceed 20% of the total area of the window or group of windows in which it is placed. Window signs may be substituted for permitted wall signage, as long as there is corresponding reduction of permitted wall sign area.
(E) 
Shingle Signs. In addition to other permitted signage, shingle signs are permitted for commercial or office uses, subject to the following requirements:
(1) 
Number. No more than one shingle sign shall be permitted for each tenant in any building.
(2) 
Area. The sign area shall not exceed six square feet per sign (two feet by three feet) with its depth not exceeding four inches. Shingle signs may be substituted for permitted wall signage, as long as there is a corresponding reduction of permitted wall sign area.
(3) 
Height. All shingle signs shall have a clearance of not less than eight and one-half feet between the lowest portion of the sign and ground level. No shingle sign, or part thereof, shall be located above the second story of a building, or above the line of the eaves or the top of the fascia wall.
(4) 
Location. A shingle sign may project out from a building, but shall be perpendicular to the building and horizontal to the ground level. No shingle sign shall project out diagonally from the corner of the building. No more than six inches shall separate the sign from the wall to which it is attached. The sign shall not extend over a public right-of-way, except a sidewalk.
(5) 
Illumination. A shingle sign shall not be internally illuminated.
(F) 
Entrance or Exit Signs. In addition to any other permitted signage, no more than one sign designating an entrance or exit shall be permitted at each driveway serving a development. Such signs shall be limited to "in," "out," "entrance" or "exit." Such signs shall not exceed eight square feet in sign area and four feet in height.
(G) 
Readerboard Signs. Readerboard signs are prohibited except for theater marquees advertising only current presentations and automobile service stations. No more than one readerboard sign shall be permitted for each theater and automobile service station.
(H) 
Automobile Service Station Signs. In addition to other sections of this chapter, automobile service stations shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) 
All price signs shall be permanently affixed to the building or a freestanding sign;
(2) 
Price signs may be double-faced, but shall not exceed six square feet in area per face or as required by state or federal law;
(3) 
The maximum permitted freestanding and wall sign area shall be reduced by the sign area devoted to price signs;
(4) 
Signs not to exceed five square feet in area shall be permitted on each pump face.
(I) 
Bulletin Boards. Retail business, banks and organizations shall be allowed a bulletin board in addition to other permitted signs. The bulletin board shall not exceed 12 square feet in sign area and six feet in height. A permit is required.
(J) 
Roof Signs. Signs erected and maintained upon or against a sloped roof of a building, including a sign attached to any structure containing mechanical equipment.
(1) 
Roof signs will not be permitted except for tenants who have a total square footage of 5,000 square feet.
(2) 
Permit applications for a roof sign will be given based on the total square footage of a single tenant in a multi-tenant building whose square footage is 5,000 square feet or greater. The sign location on a lower slope not to exceed existing signs areas on present building and using the same design, color and material as other signs.
(K) 
Fascia Signs. In addition to other permitted signs, fascia signs are permitted for commercial/office and business uses as follows:
(1) 
Length. A space of no less than 12 inches on each end from the neighboring tenant.
(2) 
Height. The total height shall conform to the overall height of the fascia. It shall not extend above or below the edge of the fascia.
(3) 
Depth, not to exceed 20 inches.
(4) 
Area. Window or wall signs may be substituted for permitted fascia signs as long as there is a corresponding reduction of total permitted signage.
(5) 
Lettering may be internally illuminated by fluorescent lighting or other approved methods.
(L) 
Electronic Message Center Signs (EMC) shall be subject to the following regulations:
(1) 
Establishment of an EMC shall require approval of a conditional use; signs within the Central Business District Overlay shall also be subject to the sign variance provisions in Section 10.64.230.
(2) 
Location, Size and Display Method:
Zoning
Size of EMC
Number of EMC Signs
Static Message
Alternating Message
General Commercial (C-3) Public Facility Overlay
Up to 24 sq. ft. for the changeable portion of the sign
One
Allowed
Allowed
Light Industrial Employment Industrial
Up to 24 sq. ft. for the changeable portion of the sign
One
Allowed
Prohibited
Residential Zones
N/A
None
Prohibited
Prohibited
(3) 
Area Calculation. Any electronic changeable copy portion of a sign shall have its area calculated at a rate two times that of other non-EMC signs. Therefore, EMCs of the size shown in Subsection (L)(2) may or may not be allowed.
(4) 
Static Message. The display on the entire electronic message center shall stay constant for a period of at least 10 minutes, and during that period, does not appear to change, move, scroll, vary color, or vary light intensity.
(5) 
Alternating Message. The display on the entire electronic message center shall be held constant for a period of at least 15 seconds and does not appear to change, move, scroll, vary color, or vary light intensity during that period and where the image transitions to another image instantly or in a transition of less than two seconds.
(6) 
Lumination. Sign illumination shall be limited to the following:
(a) 
An electronic display sign may not have a nighttime (dusk to dawn) lumination intensity of more than 280 candelas per square meter (nits) and shall not have a daytime (dawn to dusk) lumination intensity of more than 140 candelas per square meter (nits) over ambient light conditions.
(b) 
All permitted EMCs shall be equipped with a sensor or other device that automatically determines the ambient illumination and shall be either programmed to automatically dim according to ambient light conditions, or manually adjusted to comply with subsection (D) above.
(7) 
Control. Electronic display signs shall be equipped with a means to immediately turn off the display when it malfunctions.
(8) 
An application for a sign permit shall include documents from the sign manufacturer showing the standards in subsections (L)(6)(a) and (b) and (L)(7) of this section are met and will continually be met. Failure for the EMC sign to continually comply with these provisions shall be considered a violation and subject to enforcement.
(9) 
Hours of Operation. Except for public-related buildings such as schools, police stations and similar facilities, static and alternating EMC signs shall be limited to business hours of operation, unless alternative operational hours are approved by the Planning Commission as part of the conditional use permit.
(10) 
State Highway Requirements. For signs located along a State Highway, applicants shall submit proof from the State Highway Division of the Oregon Department of Transportation the proposed sign complies with applicable State sign regulations.
(11) 
Electronic message signs established prior to the adoption of these regulations shall be considered legally conforming but shall be required to comply with the Lumination provisions in Subsection (L)(6), above.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 540, 12/20/2022)
Signs shall comply with the following standards:
(A) 
Permitted Sign Types. Signs shall be limited to wall signs or projecting signs. The edge of a projecting sign nearest the wall shall not extend more than 18 inches from a wall.
(B) 
Maximum Allowable Area. The maximum allowable sign area shall be computed as follows: one square foot of sign area for each one foot of building street-side frontage. This maximum area shall apply to all signs located on the building.
(C) 
Number. There shall be no limit to the number of signs, provided the total sign area for all signs does not exceed the maximum allowable area for the building.
(D) 
Illumination. Direct or indirect illumination shall be permitted, provided all illumination is directed away from adjacent property.
(E) 
Prohibited Sign Types. Signs extending above the roof line, balloon/tethered signs, blinking or flashing lights, and freestanding signs shall be prohibited.
(F) 
Exempt Signs. Window signs shall be exempt from the maximum allowable sign area requirements. Portable signs shall also be exempt provided they do not exceed 16 square feet in area (all sides).
(G) 
Electronic Message Center Signs. Electronic message center signs shall be subject to provisions in Section 10.64.030(L), and, shall also require approval of a Sign Variance per Section 10.64.220.
(H) 
State Highway Requirements. Applicants are advised to contact the State Highway Division of the Oregon Department of Transportation regarding other possible sign regulations along Maple Street.
(Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
Public and semi-public uses include, but are not limited to, government and special district facilities, community centers, golf courses, libraries, museums and shall be subject to the following requirements:
(A) 
Freestanding Signs. Only one freestanding monument sign shall be permitted not to exceed 18 square feet in sign area and five feet in height.
(B) 
Entrance or Exit Signs. No more than one sign designating an entrance or exit shall be permitted at each driveway serving the development. Such signs shall be limited to "in," "out," "enter," "entrance," "exit," or similar wording, and the name of the development. Such signs shall not exceed eight feet in sign area and four feet in height.
(C) 
Wall Signs. In addition to other permitted signs, wall signs are permitted subject to the following requirements:
(1) 
Number.
(a) 
Not more than two exterior walls for each building shall be used for wall signs.
(b) 
The total permitted sign area for each wall used for wall signs may be divided among a maximum of three signs.
(c) 
Area. The sign area of a wall sign, or combination of signs, shall not exceed 10% (up to a maximum of 150 square feet) of the area of the wall to which the sign is attached. For the purposes of this regulation, the area of the wall is determined by multiplying the height of the wall from the ground level to eaves or top of a fascia by the length of the wall. If the building contains two or more stories, the height of the wall is measured from ground level to the top of the second story.
(d) 
Location.
(i) 
A wall sign shall be attached to the wall from which the permitted sign area is calculated.
(ii) 
No sign shall extend above the line of the building's eaves, or the top of the fascia or above the second story of a multiple story building.
(D) 
Bulletin Board. Retail businesses, banks and organizations shall be allowed a bulletin board in addition to other permitted signs. The bulletin board shall not exceed 12 square feet in sign area and six feet in height. A permit is required.
(E) 
Government Facilities. All on-premises signs associated with government facilities shall meet all provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
Residential uses shall be permitted the following signs: identification sign. Subdivision, condominium developments, multifamily developments shall be allowed one, indirectly illuminated, freestanding monument sign or wall sign. The sign shall not exceed 18 square feet in area and five feet in height. For developments with more than one vehicle entrance, an additional sign may be permitted at such additional entrance. Phased subdivisions shall be considered a single subdivision for determining permitted signs under this section.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
The following signs do not require a permit but are subject to the provisions of this chapter:
(A) 
Incidental signs shall not exceed two square feet in area per business.
(B) 
Name plates and postal address signs shall not exceed two square feet in area and shall be part of the building or attached as a wall sign.
(C) 
No trespassing, keep out, danger and warning signs shall not exceed two square feet in area.
(D) 
Real Estate Signs—Residential Real Estate Signs—Single-Family, Duplex, and Multi-Family Dwellings. The owner or authorized representative of a single-family, duplex or multi-family dwelling, may erect the following real estate signs:
(1) 
On Premises. One double-faced, freestanding sign on the property front is permitted. It shall not exceed four square feet in area. The sign shall be removed from the property within 30 days of sale or immediately after transfer of possession, whichever occurs first.
(2) 
Off Premises. No more than three signs located on property, other than the property being marketed may be erected, but only with the written consent of the owner. Display shall occur only during daylight hours. Such signs shall not exceed four square feet in area, and may state only the name of the realtor, the owner or authorized representative and "open" or "open house" with an arrow indicating direction to the property. Sandwich board signs are permitted. No more than one off-premises sign shall be allowed on any one lot, regardless of the number of properties being marketed.
(3) 
Residential Subdivisions and Undeveloped Land. Signs advertising more than three contiguous lots or undeveloped land in a residential planning district shall be limited to one double-faced sign not to exceed 16 square feet per face or two 16 square foot single-faced signs. Such signs shall be located on the premises being marketed, not less than 500 feet apart and shall not exceed eight feet in height. Signs shall be removed within 30 days of sale of undeveloped land, or upon transfer of possession, whichever occurs first.
(4) 
Commercial and Undeveloped Lands. Signs advertising in a commercial district and undeveloped land shall be limited to one single-faced or double-faced sign for each street for two years or when 90% of the number of lots are sold, whichever occurs first.
(E) 
Temporary Window Signs. Such signs shall not obscure more than 40% of the total transparent area of a window or group of windows.
(F) 
Auction Signs. One freestanding or wall sign may be permitted, subject to the following requirements. It shall be displayed no sooner than one week prior to the date of the auction. The sign shall not exceed 21 square feet in area per face and eight feet in height. Such signs shall be removed no later than the day following the auction.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
(A) 
Temporary Sign Permit Application. An application shall be submitted on forms prescribed by the Planning Official. The application shall include the size of the sign, a description of the proposed location of the sign, and the length of time the sign will be displayed. The application shall also contain the name and address of the applicant and the applicant's signature.
(B) 
Fees and Approval. Only the temporary signs cited in subsection (C) of this section shall be subject to the fees set forth in this chapter, except as otherwise provided. Each temporary sign permit application shall be accompanied by a fee as required by the City's schedule of fees and penalties as approved through resolution of the City Council.
(C) 
Grand Opening, Special Event, Special Sale Signs, or Banners. The Planning Official shall have the authority to approve requests for advertising devices, signs or banners for a grand opening, special event or special sale. A permit can be granted for use up to 15 days. At least 60 days must separate each approved time period.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
The following signs are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:
(A) 
Signs which are authorized and installed by public utility, telephone or cable television companies which serve as an aid to public safety, or which show the location of underground facilities;
(B) 
Public signs;
(C) 
Signs not visible or not intended to be read from the public right-of-way or from common areas open to the public;
(D) 
Garage sale signs;
(E) 
Contractors advertising signs (must be removed no later than 30 days after the completion of the work).
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
Nonconforming signs shall not be altered in any way. Any alteration, relocation or replacement of a nonconforming sign or any part thereof shall require immediate compliance with all provisions of this chapter. If a nonconforming sign is altered, then the amortization provisions of subsection (B) of this section shall not apply.
(A) 
All nonconforming signs shall be removed or brought into conformance with the requirements of this chapter no later than two years from the effective date of this chapter, unless the original cost or most recent renovation of the signs preceding adoption of this chapter exceeds $100.00, in which case, the following schedule applies.
(1) 
If either the original cost of the nonconforming sign or the most recent renovation to the sign preceding adoption of this chapter exceeds $100.00, then the sign may be maintained and used only for a limited period of time based on the following schedule:
Sign Cost or Renovation Cost
Maximum Permitted Years from Effective Date of This Chapter
$ 101 to $ 1,000
3 years
1,000 to 3,000
4 years
3,001 to 6,000
5 years
6,001 to 10,000
6 years
over 10,000
7 years
(2) 
The original cost of a nonconforming sign shall be determined by sign value information submitted at the time a sign permit was issued. If such information was not submitted, the property owner shall submit documentation verifying the original cost of the sign. The property owner shall also be responsible for submitting documentation verifying the cost of the most recent renovation to the sign. If such information is not available, the original cost of the sign shall be used in establishing the date of removal or bringing the sign into conformance.
(3) 
After the applicable permitted number of years has elapsed, the status of the sign reverts from nonconforming to illegal and becomes subject to enforcement proceedings.
(B) 
The Planning Official shall notify owners of property on which nonconforming signs are located on the amortization process and schedule for bringing the signs into conformance or removal; however, failure of the Planning Official to so notify shall not act to extend the applicable time frame for compliance with the provisions of this chapter. A nonconforming sign which, after the expiration of the applicable maximum permitted years, if not removed, shall be illegal.
(1) 
All signs which comply with the provisions of this chapter and are associated with nonconforming land uses will be allowed to be continued, as long as the nonconforming use retains its status.
(2) 
Signs for which variances were granted prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter shall be subject to all portions of this section with the exception of subsection (A) of this section.
(3) 
A sign legally erected and maintained on property prior to annexation into the city which fails to conform to the provisions of this chapter shall be brought into conformance within two years of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter. The amortization schedule in subsection (A)(1) of this section shall not apply to such signs.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
(A) 
A sign constitutes a public nuisance under this chapter if:
(1) 
It is in violation of this chapter;
(2) 
It is deposited, left, displayed or located in the public right-of-way without authorization from the city, except a public sign; or
(3) 
It is a sign which, due to location or conditions, poses a threat to the public health, safety or welfare.
(B) 
The Planning Official is authorized to cause the removal and disposal of any signs which constitute a public nuisance in the following manner:
(1) 
Five days after written notice of the violation is mailed or 24 hours after notice is delivered in person to the person owning or controlling the nuisance sign the Planning Official may have the sign removed and stored. The sign shall be stored for 30 days, and if unclaimed within 30 days of removal, it shall be presumed to be abandoned, and may be immediately sold, destroyed or otherwise disposed of.
(2) 
If the nuisance sign is determined by the Planning Official to create a hazard to the public, for example, signs on the paved portion of the street or signs placed upon official traffic control signs, the five days advance notice need not be given and the sign may be immediately removed. Notice shall be given within one working day after removal.
(3) 
If the person responsible for the sign is not readily identifiable by the sign itself or by contacting adjacent property owners, the sign may be removed immediately without notice. If within the 30 days storage period, the person responsible for the sign becomes identified, then, notice should be made.
(4) 
If a previous notice has been given that a nuisance sign or substantially similar nuisance sign is again erected or placed (a change of copy or location does not constitute a different sign), any sign may be removed without further notice and stored for 30 days before further disposal. In such event, notice shall be given subsequent to removal and the owner shall be given an opportunity for a hearing before the Planning Commission to contest the violation and removal. The request for a hearing shall be made within three work days after removal and the hearing shall be held within 10 work days after removal. The scope of the hearing shall be limited to whether there was a subsequent violation and whether the sign was a nuisance. Upon request, a written decision shall be made concerning the violation and removal procedure. The decision of the Planning Commission may be appealed to the City Council.
(5) 
A responsible party desiring to claim a sign which has been removed and stored may do so, provided the claim is presented within 30 days of removal and that the cost of removal and storage is an amount not less than $10.00 for each sign and is paid to the city in advance.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
The following signs or advertising devices are illegal and expressly prohibited by this chapter. No such sign or device shall be placed anywhere within the City limits.
(A) 
Abandoned signs;
(B) 
Advertising bench-type signs;
(C) 
Pennants, streamers, festoon lighting, banners, inflatable signs including blimps and/or hot or cold air balloons except as provided by this chapter. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit the display of the flag of the United States, the State of Oregon or other political subdivision;
(D) 
Flashing sign;
(E) 
Illuminated signs which direct light into a residence;
(F) 
Obscene sign (displaying nudity and/or sexual activities);
(G) 
Obstruction sign;
(H) 
Off-premises sign, except for direction signs;
(I) 
Portable sign, except for real estate signs;
(J) 
Rotating or moving signs;
(K) 
Search lights or beacons;
(L) 
Signs attached to trees or public utility poles, except public signs;
(M) 
Signs mounted on public property or within the public right-of-way, except public signs;
(N) 
Signs on Vehicles. Signs attached to or located on a stationary vehicle or trailer which is visible from a public right-of-way, and infrequently moved or moved primarily for display of the sign;
(O) 
Signs Resembling Official Traffic Signs or Signals. Signs stating "stop," "go slow," "caution," "danger," and "warning," except as officially authorized or installed by the City, State Department of Transportation or the county;
(P) 
Signs using bare-bulb illumination or signs with a visible immediate source of illumination, except when permitted by this chapter;
(Q) 
Strobe lights;
(R) 
Structurally unsafe sign;
(S) 
Any sign which is erected, placed, maintained or used which fails to comply with a specific provision of this chapter;
(T) 
Except for permitted, nonconforming signs, any sign for which a permit is required, but for which no permit has been issued;
(U) 
Signs which have lost their status as nonconforming signs either due to alteration, relocation, replacement, or due to the expiration of the applicable amortization period will receive 30 days' notice to comply with this chapter after which a fine will be levied;
(V) 
Signs associated with illegal uses according to provisions of the Planning Commission review;
(W) 
Signs which constitute a public nuisance.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
All signs shall be maintained in good order and repair at all times. Signs which have become faded, worn or which pose a danger to members of the public shall be repaired or removed.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
All sign changes, alterations, relocations, construction and new developments shall follow the same processes and guidelines. The process for review will require the following items:
(A) 
Permit application obtained from City Hall and accompanied by an appropriate fee;
(B) 
Details of proposed signs accompanied with a diagram or sketches of proposed signs;
(C) 
Location of building and location of placement/renovation, change, alteration, construction of development where signs will be placed;
(D) 
Total size/area of sign height, color and type of sign;
(E) 
Method of illumination;
(F) 
Method of support;
(G) 
Approximate sign area for all existing signs pertaining to business or development and distance between signs;
(H) 
In new development or construction, additional plans and pertinent information, when deemed necessary and appropriate, shall be required to ensure compliance with this chapter and other applicable ordinances.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
In addition to provisions of this chapter, all signs, except temporary signs and those which are exempt from provisions of this chapter, shall be subject to an objective review of all information submitted. The decision reached on all signs, shall be based on the requirements contained in Section 10.64.140. In addition, construction shall be compatible with surrounding architectural design to promote and give consideration to location of signs, design or building, landscaping, visibility, construction, quantity of existing signs, pedestrian activities and traffic patterns.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
(A) 
Sign Permit Application. Application for a sign permit shall be submitted on forms prescribed by the Planning Official. The application shall address all criterion listed in Section 10.64.140. In addition, the application shall contain the names and addresses of the sign contractors, if any, the applicant, the owner of the property on which the sign will be erected and the property owner's consent. A separate application shall be submitted for each sign.
(B) 
Sign Permit. The Planning Official shall issue a sign permit when all applicable provisions of this chapter have been met. Except as otherwise provided, a separate sign permit shall be obtained for each sign.
(C) 
Sign Permit Fee. Each sign permit application shall be accompanied by a sign permit fee as required by the City's schedule of fees and penalties as approved through resolution of the City Council.
(D) 
Double Fees. When a sign is erected or placed prior to approval of a required sign permit, the sign permit application fee specified in the City's schedule of fees and penalties as approved through resolution of the City Council shall be doubled. Payment of the double fee shall not relieve an applicant from fully complying with the requirements of this chapter or from penalties prescribed in this chapter.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
All signs for which a sign permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the Building Inspector and/or Planning Official . Inspection may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
(A) 
Site inspection to assure compliance with the decisions of the Planning Official, the sign permit criteria, if any, and provisions of this chapter;
(B) 
Structural inspection;
(C) 
Inspection of braces, anchors, supports and wall connections.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
(A) 
A decision of the Planning Official's review on a sign application may be appealed to the Planning Commission in accordance with Section 10.128.020.
(B) 
A decision or action of the Planning Commission based upon a review of a sign application may be appealed to the City Council in accordance with Sections 10.28.190 through 10.128.200.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 491 §8, 2011; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
(A) 
The Planning Official is authorized to enforce the provisions of this chapter and to direct the removal of any illegal signs. When the Planning Official has determined that a violation of this chapter exists, a written notice shall be served to the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises on which the sign is located.
(B) 
Additional notice is not required if a written notice was previously served to the responsible person regarding a substantially similar sign on the same premises. Notice shall be delivered to the person allegedly responsible for the sign by certified mail with return receipt requested. Multiple sign violations may be incorporated into a single notice. The notice shall contain at least the following information:
(1) 
A description of the sign condition to identify the violation;
(2) 
A statement describing how the recipient of the notice is responsible for the condition;
(3) 
A statement that the condition or the sign has been found to violate this chapter with a brief and concise description of the nature of the violation;
(4) 
A statement of the action required to remedy the violation and a date by which the remedy must be completed. Unless otherwise provided, permanent signs shall be remedied in not more than 14 days and temporary signs shall be remedied in not more than 48 hours;
(5) 
If the sign is determined to be a nuisance, then a statement to that effect shall be included.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
It is intended that sign violations result in a penalty even though the responsible party does not knowingly or intentionally violate the provisions of this chapter. The mere fact that a violation exists and that a person is responsible or owns or controls the property on which the sign violation occurs, is sufficient to initiate enforcement proceedings and impose penalties. A person may be found liable, responsible or guilty of an alleged sign violation by reason of ownership, control or possession of the sign or the property on which the sign exists or has existed by reason of such person being the proximate cause of such sign's condition.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
It is a violation not to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter. It is also a violation to erect, maintain or use a sign contrary to this chapter. Conviction of a violation of any provision of this chapter will result in a penalty. Each day that a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense with a fine as required by the City's schedule of fees and penalties as approved through resolution of the City Council.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
The rights, remedies and penalties provided in this chapter are cumulative and not mutually exclusive, and are in addition to any other rights, remedies and penalties available to the city under any other provisions of law. All officials, departments and employees of the city vested with authority to issue permits or grant approvals shall adhere to and require conformance with this chapter, and shall issue no permit or grant approval for any sign which violates or fails to comply with the conditions or standards imposed by this chapter. Any permit or approval issued or granted in conflict with the provisions of this chapter, whether intentional or otherwise, shall be void.
(Ord. 454 §2, 2000; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)
Any allowance for signs not following the standards set forth in these regulations shall be by variance. Variances to Chapter 10.64 shall be processed according to the variance procedures in Chapter 10.100 but shall be subject to the following criteria:
(A) 
There are unique circumstances of conditions of the lot, building, or traffic pattern such that the existing sign regulations create an undue hardship.
(B) 
The granting of the variance compensates for those circumstances in a manner equitable with other property owners and is thus not a special privilege to the business. The variance requested shall be the minimum necessary to compensate for those conditions and achieve the purpose of this chapter.
(C) 
The granting of the variance shall not decrease traffic safety nor detrimentally affect any other identified items of public welfare.
(D) 
The variance will not result in a special advertising advantage in relation to neighboring businesses or businesses of a similar nature. The desire to match standard sign sizes (for example, franchise store signs) shall not be listed or considered as a reason for a variance.
(E) 
The variance request shall not be the result of a self-imposed condition or hardship.
(Ord. 540, 12/20/2022; Ord. 545, 7/9/2025)