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(Repealed by Ord. 1965)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(Repealed by Ord. 1965)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(Repealed by Ord. 1965)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.
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.
(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.
R. 
Electronic display signs that display message or copy using any prohibited electronic display methods, as defined in Section 14.04.030.
(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)