The following signs shall not require a sign permit but shall
conform to all other applicable provisions of this chapter and shall
be allowed outright in all zones, except as otherwise noted:
A.
One
sign per occupancy or premises not exceeding 4 square feet, nonilluminated,
and not exceeding 3 feet in height if ground-mounted.
B.
Temporary
signs which are nonilluminated, have an overall face area not exceeding
16 sq ft, are not permanently installed, and are intended to be located
on property for short durations of time. Such signs may include, but
are not limited to, real estate lease and sales, political signs,
building permits, public hearing notices, garage sale, open house,
special event, holiday, and similar signs. Temporary signs shall be
removed within 6 months. Temporary signs for construction projects
may be maintained for the duration of the project. Real estate lease
and sales signs may be maintained for the duration of the sale or
lease.
C.
Signs
placed in the right-of-way by the City, jurisdiction responsible for
the right-of-way, or transportation district operating within the
right-of-way.
D.
Bench
signs which comply with all regulations in Chapter 12.20 of the Milwaukie
Municipal Code.
E.
Banners
on community service use properties, as defined in Subsection 19.904.2,
not exceeding a total display area of 40 square feet per face per
site, and pennants not to exceed a length of 50 feet per site. Such
banners and pennants may remain in place for 6 months or less in any
one calendar year.
F.
(Repealed
by Ord. 1965)
G.
Flags.
H.
Signs
carved into a building or which are a part of materials which are
an integral part of the building such as cornerstones and similar
signs.
I.
(Repealed
by Ord. 1965)
J.
Window
signs in the downtown zones which occupy a total display area of no
more than 20% of the window area. In all other commercial and manufacturing
zones, window signs which occupy a total display area of no more than
50% of the window area. No sign prohibited by Subsection 14.12.020.A
may be used as part of the window sign authorized by this exemption.
K.
(Repealed
by Ord. 1965)
L.
Signs
oriented toward, or intended to be legible for, users of a site, such
as a recreational facility, and not oriented toward or intended to
be legible from a right-of-way or other property.
M.
Art
murals, and any identified subcategories, as permitted by Title 20.
Such displays are not considered signs and are exempt from all provisions
of Title 14.
N.
Signs
or tablets, (including names of buildings and the date of erection)
when cut into any masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other
similar durable noncombustible surface, that meet the following requirements:
1.
Not
to exceed 2 sq ft for wall signs; or,
2.
2
sq ft and no taller than 3 ft for a monument sign; and
3.
This
exemption is limited to:
a.
Historic properties as listed in Appendix A of the Milwaukie Comprehensive
Plan; or
b.
Any building that is shown to be at least 50 years old; or
c.
A City-identified heritage tree; or
d.
An historic site recognized and acknowledged by the City Council
or a duly appointed city commission or committee.
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Except when installed within a park, only one sign per structure, or heritage tree, or site if no structures are present is permitted. The sign may not be installed in the public right-of-way unless permitted as an encroachment within the public right-of-way per MMC Chapter 12.14.
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(Ord. 1733 § 1(1) (Exh.
A), 1993; Ord. 1880 § 6
(Exh. A), 2000; Ord. 1965 §§ 2,
3, 2006; Ord. 2025 § 3,
2011; Ord. 2078 § 2 (Exh.
B), 2014; Ord. 2168 § 2,
2019)
It is unlawful for any person to install, display or maintain,
and no permit shall be issued for the installation, display or maintenance
of, any sign or advertising structure falling within any of the following
descriptions:
A.
Moving
signs that change more frequently than once every 10 seconds, revolving
signs that rotate at more than 6 revolutions per minute, or signs
that move in the wind or by forced air. These signs are prohibited
in order to prevent unduly distracting or hazardous conditions to
motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians.
B.
Signs
installed within the right-of-way except as permitted by Subsections
14.12.010.C and 14.20.040.A.
C.
Strings
of banners, pennants, balloons, and similar signs, except as permitted
under Subsection 14.12.010.E.
D.
Temporary
signs, except as permitted under Subsections 14.12.010.B and E.
E.
Fin
signs.
F.
(Repealed
by Ord. 1965)
G.
(Repealed
by Ord. 1965)
H.
No
sign or portion thereof shall be installed within future street right-of-way,
unless and until an agreement is recorded stipulating that the sign
will be removed or relocated upon street development or widening at
no expense to the City.
I.
No
sign or portion thereof shall be placed so that it obstructs any fire
escape, stairway or standpipe; interferes with human exit through
any window or any room located above the first floor of any building;
obstructs any door or required exit from any building; or obstructs
any required light or ventilation.
J.
(Repealed
by Ord. 1965)
K.
(Repealed
by Ord. 1965)
L.
Window
signs which obscure more than 50% of the window area or are not subject
to the provisions of Subsection 14.12.010.K.
M.
(Repealed
by Ord. 1965)
N.
Searchlights.
O.
Pole
signs in the downtown zones.
P.
Reflective
backgrounds and materials are not allowed.
Q.
Signs
that imitate traffic control devices and are located in places where
they are likely to be confused with a traffic control device, and
any sign obscuring the view of a traffic control device.
(Ord. 1733 § 1(1) (Exh.
A), 1993; Ord. 1916 § 3
(Exh. B), 2003; Ord. 1917 § 3
(Exh. B), 2003; Ord. 1965 §§ 2,
3, 2006; Ord. 2040 § 2
(Exh. B), 2011)
