The city recognizes the importance of an aesthetically pleasing community, to the continued welfare of its population, and to the economic development of the city. Sections 8.200 to 8.268 shall apply to all signs located within the city limits and the Urban Growth Boundary. The regulation of the quantity, size and type of signs in designated zones within the city provides equity among users and insulates neighbors from adverse effects of signs. Sections 8.200 to 8.268 do not regulate the content of any sign. The regulation of signs has the following specific objectives:
(1) 
To ensure that signs are designed, constructed, installed and maintained so that public safety and traffic safety are not compromised;
(2) 
To allow and promote positive conditions for meeting sign users’ needs, while at the same time avoiding nuisances to nearby properties and promoting a pleasing environment;
(3) 
To reflect and support the permitted uses found throughout the various zoning districts;
(4) 
To allow for adequate and effective signage for all industrial and commercial zoning districts, while preventing signs from dominating the visual appearance of the area;
(5) 
To ensure that the constitutionally guaranteed right of free speech is protected; and
(6) 
To maintain and protect the natural viewsheds associated with the city’s district natural qualities in accordance with the goals established in the Metropolitan Plan.
(7) 
To provide regulations that can be administered to allow sign owners and sign users choices while protecting the needs of the public.
(8) 
To protect residential neighborhoods from the adverse impact that signs may have on the residential atmosphere.
[Section 8.200 amended by Ordinance No. 6008, enacted March 18, 2002; further amended by Ordinance No. 6114, enacted February 7, 2005; further amended by Ordinance No. 6276, enacted March 19, 2012]
The building official is hereby authorized and directed to enforce the provisions of this code. The building official shall have the authority to render interpretations of this code and to adopt policies and procedures to clarify the application of its provisions. Such interpretations, policies and procedures shall be in compliance with the intent and purpose of this code. Such policies and procedures shall not have the effect of waiving requirements specifically provided for in this code. In the event that any part or provision of this code is held to be illegal or void, this shall not have the effect of making void or illegal any of the other parts or provisions.
[Section 8.201 added by Ordinance No. 6276, enacted March 19, 2012]
The meaning of specific terms pertaining to the regulation of signs are:
Abandoned Sign.
A sign structure not containing a sign, not in use, or in a state of disrepair for a continuous 90-day period. A sign may be considered not in use when the property where the sign is located ceases to be in use.
A-Frame Sign.
An advertising device that is usually in the shape of an “A,” located on the ground and is easily movable.
Approved Plastics.
As defined in the current Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC), as adopted by the city of Springfield.
Banner.
Any non-rigid material such as canvas, vinyl or cloth, with no enclosing framework that contains advertising copy.
Billboard.
Any sign greater than 200 square feet for one face shall be considered a bill-board.
Building Official.
The officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the State Building Code.
Business. A legal entity that owns or occupies premises in a commercial or industrial district and all activity carried on, conducted, or transacted by a legal entity on the same premises, including charitable, fraternal, religious, educational or social organizations.
A “legal entity” includes, but is not limited to, an individual proprietorship, partnership, corporation, nonprofit corporation, association, or limited liability company.
Copy Change.
The replacing of an existing advertising copy and/or sign face to reflect an image change without altering the existing sign structure.
Director.
The development and public works director.
Display Surface Area.
The area enclosed by the display surface of the sign excluding structural supports. Only one face of a double faced sign shall be considered in determining the display surface area.
Double-Faced Sign.
A sign that has two display surfaces that are used for advertising.
Electronic Reader Board.
An electric sign which conveys a message supported by one or more uprights in the ground or by an approved method attached to a building wall.
Electric Sign.
Any sign containing electrical wiring which is attached or intended to be attached to an electrical energy source and provides artificial light either through exposed lighting on the sign face or through transparent or translucent material from a light source within the sign.
Exempt.
Signs exempted from normal permit requirements; however, still subject to those restrictions as stated in sections 8.200 to 8.268.
Fees.
The amount required to be paid to the city as specified to undertake any provision of sections 8.200 to 8.268 in pursuit of installing a sign.
Flashing Sign.
An illuminated sign, or a sign constructed of reflective material to simulate movement, on or within which light is not maintained stationary and constant in intensity and color. An approved electronic reader board is not a flashing sign.
Freestanding Sign.
A sign supported by one or more uprights in the ground and detached from any building or structure.
Grade.
The lowest elevation point of the finished ground surface directly below or at the sign location, and any point within five feet from the sign location. If the sign or any projection is within five feet of a public sidewalk, alley, or other public way, the grade will be the elevation of the sidewalk, alley or public way.
Install.
This term shall mean attach, place, alter, construct, reconstruct, enlarge or move, and includes the painting of wall signs, but does not include copy changes on any sign.
Marquee.
A permanent roofed structure attached to and supported by the building and projecting over public property and constructed of durable materials such as metal, glass or plastic.
Murals.
A hand-painted work of visual art applied to and made integral with a wall surface. A mural does not include mechanically-produced or computer-generated prints or images, including, but not limited to, digitally-printed vinyl, electrical or mechanical components, or changing image displays.
Non-Structural Trim.
Material which is molding, battens, caps, nailing strips, latticing, cutouts or letters and walkways which are attached to the sign structure.
Portable Sign.
A single or double faced sign which is temporary in nature. The sign or sign frame is not attached permanently to the building or ground and does not meet the definition of a banner.
Projecting Sign.
Any sign other than a wall sign that projects more than 12 inches from an exterior wall.
Property.
The area contained within a lawfully-created lot or parcel or the development area as defined in Springfield Development Code section 6.1-110, whichever area is larger.
Rotating Sign.
A sign which moves or rotates as if on an axis.
Roof Sign.
A sign constructed upon or above a roof or parapet of a structure.
Sign.
A name, identification, description, display, illustration, or logo that is affixed to, painted, or represented directly or indirectly upon a building or other outdoor surface, which directs attention to or is designed or intended to direct attention to the sign face or to an object, product, place, activity, person, or business. Each display surface of a sign or sign face is considered a sign. Signs that are located completely within an enclosed building, and not exposed to view from a street, are not subject to this code.The scope of the term “sign” does not depend on the content of the message or image being conveyed.
Sign Copy.
Any lettering placed on a building wall or on a sign face.
Sign Face.
The entire area of a sign on which copy may be placed.
Sign Height.
The vertical distance from grade to the highest point of a sign or a sign structure
Sign Structure.
Any structure which supports or is capable of supporting a sign as defined in this code.
Temporary Sign.
A temporary sign is any sign, banner, pennant, balloon or valance not permanently attached to a building, structure or the ground.
Under Marquee Sign.
A sign which is attached only to a marquee and which is suspended or projects downward from a marquee and has no portion of the sign above the bottom surface of the marquee structure.
Wall Sign.
A sign painted on or attached to a building wall that projects no more than 12 inches from the wall. Hanging signs attached to a building eave or overhang and not classified as a projecting sign in section 8.202. Signs placed on, attached to or constructed on a canopy, awning or marquee, whether or not such structures are located in the public right-of-way, are also considered wall signs.
[Section 8.202 amended by Ordinance No. 5862, enacted September 15, 1997; further amended by Ordinance No. 6008, enacted March 18, 2002; further amended by Ordinance No. 6114, enacted February 7, 2005; further amended by Ordinance No. 6276, enacted March 19, 2012; further amended by Ordinance No. 6389, enacted October 15, 2018]