The purpose of this chapter is to regulate such factors as the size, number, location, illumination, and construction of signs with the intent of safeguarding and enhancing the aesthetic character of the city.
(Ord. 24-05, 6/5/2024)
No sign may be erected unless it conforms with the regulations of this chapter. Sign permits, as required by Section 17.62.060 must be approved prior to the erection of the sign.
(Ord. 24-05, 6/5/2024)
The following general provisions shall govern all signs, in addition to all other applicable provisions pertaining to signs:
A.
Sign Face Area.
1.
The area of sign faces enclosed in frames or cabinets is determined by the outer dimensions of the frame or cabinet surrounding the sign face (see Figure 1 of this chapter). Sign area does not include foundations, supports and other essential structures which do not serve as a backdrop or border to the sign. Only one side of a double-faced sign is counted in measuring the sign face area. (To be considered a double-faced sign, the sides of the sign must be flush.)
2.
When signs are constructed of individual pieces the sign area is determined by a perimeter drawn around all the individual pieces taken together (see Figure 2 of this chapter).
3.
For sign structures containing multiple sign modules oriented in the same direction, the sum of the sign area of the individual sign modules are counted as one sign face (see Figure 3 of this chapter).
4.
The area of a sign shall be determined according to the following:
a.
Rectangle or square: length times width.
b.
Triangle: length times width divided by two.
c.
Circle: 3.14 times R squared, where R is the sign's radius.
d.
Oval: the area contained within a rectangle whose length times width does not exceed 30 square feet.
e.
The city shall measure other sign shapes, not listed above, according to the formula it determines to be most appropriate.
5.
Where a business or use has more than one entrance, the business owner shall specify which entrance is the business frontage for the purpose of calculating sign face area.
B.
Height of Signs. No freestanding, projecting, or awning sign, including supporting structures, shall be more than 16 feet in height. The overall height of a sign or sign-supporting structure is measured from the existing grade directly below the sign to the highest point of the sign or sign-supporting structure (see Figure 4 of this chapter).
C.
Clearances. Clearances are measured from the existing grade directly below the sign to the bottom of the sign structure enclosing the sign face (see Figure 5 of this chapter).
D.
Corner Signs. Corner signs facing more than one street shall be assigned to a site frontage by the applicant. The sign must meet all provisions for the site frontage it is assigned to.
E.
Sign Placement.
1.
Placement. All signs and sign structures shall be erected and attached totally within the site except where permitted to extend into a street right-of-way.
2.
Frontages. Signs allowed based on the length of one site frontage may not be placed on another site frontage.
3.
Vision Clearance Areas. No sign may be located within a vision clearance area as defined in Section 17.60.040.
4.
Vehicle Area Clearances. When a sign extends over a private area where vehicles travel or are parked, the bottom of the sign structure shall be at least 14 feet above the ground. Vehicle areas include driveways, parking lots and loading and maneuvering areas.
5.
Pedestrian Area Clearances. When a sign extends over sidewalks, walkways, or other spaces accessible to pedestrians, the bottom of the sign structure shall be at least eight feet above the grade. An exception is provided for a sign that is attached to the structural element associated with a doorway or entry that is less than eight feet above the grade. In this case, the sign shall be placed no lower than the lowest point of the structural element associated with the doorway or entry.
6.
Projecting Signs. Signs shall project no more than two feet into a public right-of-way.
F.
Sign Lettering. The maximum letter height shall be 12 inches.
G.
Signs Not to Constitute a Traffic Hazard. Signs or sign supporting structures shall not be located so as to detract from a motorist's view of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or a traffic sign.
H.
Glare. All signs shall be so designed and located so as to prevent the casting of glare or direct light from artificial illumination upon adjacent publicly dedicated streets and surrounding public or private property.
I.
Prohibited Signs. The following signs are prohibited:
1.
Signs that contain flashing elements;
2.
Signs that contain moving, rotating or otherwise animated parts;
3.
Signs that contain luminescent, fluorescent or phosphorescent paints or paper. This includes paints referred to as day-glo, hot or neon;
4.
Signs that contain neon-type lighting, including such signs when located within a building where that sign is visible from the street adjacent to the exterior of the building;
5.
Signs that are internally lighted;
6.
Signs placed so that the sign extends above a flat roof or the ridge of a pitched roof;
7.
In the C1, C2, RM, MP, OSR, IN and PK zones, no devices such as pennants, streamers, spinners, windsocks or kites, or similar devices which move as a result of air pressure. These devices, when not part of a sign, are similarly prohibited;
8.
A public address system, sound system or similar device, either permanently or temporarily installed exterior to a building, whether or not it is used to advertise a business or product, where the sound is audible from a public street or adjacent property;
9.
Sandwich board sign;
10.
Reader board sign;
11.
Bench sign; and
12.
Wall graphics.
J.
Materials.
1.
A sign subject to a permit shall meet the material and construction methods requirements of the Uniform Sign Code (1985).
2.
Signs shall be constructed of wood or have a wood exterior or be painted or etched on a window or be part of an awning. Signs consisting of other materials must be approved by the design review board.
3.
The supporting structure of a sign shall not exceed the sign's height or width by more than two feet.
K.
Maintenance. All signs, together with their supporting structures, shall be kept in good repair and maintenance. Signs shall be kept free from corrosion, peeling paint or other surface deterioration. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept in a neat appearance.
L.
Removal of Abandoned Sign. It is the responsibility of the property owner to remove any abandoned sign within 30 days of the cessation of its use.
M.
Permanent Signs. Permanent signs are not allowed on undeveloped sites.
N.
Sculpture. Sculpture that represents a business logo shall be considered a sign and shall meet the relevant sign requirements for the site on which is located.
O.
Freestanding signs are subject to review by the design review board. The review shall be conducted as a nonhearing item.
(Ord. 24-05, 6/5/2024)
A.
C1, C2, and RM Zone Sign Requirements. For all uses and lots in the limited commercial (C1), general commercial (C2) and residential motel (RM) zones, the following number, sizes, and types of signs are allowed. All allowed signs must also be in conformance with the regulations in Chapter 17.62.030.
1.
Total sign square footage permitted.
a.
The total square footage of all signage associated with a lot shall not exceed one square foot of sign face area per lineal foot of site frontage.
b.
The total square footage of all signage associated with a business shall not exceed one square foot of sign face area per lineal foot of business frontage up to a maximum of 36 square feet. Notwithstanding subsection (A)(1)(a) above, each business is permitted a minimum of 20 square feet of sign face area e.g., there are five businesses located on a lot with 50 feet of site frontage. Subsection (A)(1)(a) above would limit the total sign face area of all five businesses to no more than 50 square feet. However, this provision ensures that each of the five businesses would be permitted up to 20 square feet.
2.
Freestanding Signs. Each lot is permitted one freestanding sign per site frontage. The maximum sign face for a freestanding sign is 24 square feet.
3.
Signs Attached to Buildings.
a.
A business or use shall have no more than one permanent sign, other than a freestanding sign, for each building frontage and the sign must be placed on the corresponding building frontage, e.g., a business with two building frontages cannot place both signs on one of the building frontages.
b.
The maximum sign face area for an individual sign shall be no more than 24 square feet or one square foot of sign face area per lineal foot of business frontage, whichever is less.
4.
Types of Signs. The following types of signs are permitted: permanent, freestanding, wall, projecting, window, awning, temporary, incidental and lawn signs.
B.
Manufactured Dwellings and RV Park (MP), Park Management (PK), Institutional (IN), and Open Space/Recreation (OSR) Zone Sign Requirements. For all uses and lots in the manufactured dwelling and recreational vehicle park (MP), park management (PK), institutional (IN) and open space/recreational (OSR) zones, the following number, sizes, and types of signs are allowed. All allowed signs must also be in conformance with the regulations of Chapter 17.66.
1.
Total Square Footage Permitted. The total square footage of all signage associated with a lot or business shall not exceed 36 square feet of sign face area.
2.
Freestanding Signs. Each site is permitted one freestanding sign. The maximum sign face area for a freestanding sign is 24 square feet.
3.
Signs Attached to Buildings.
a.
A business or use shall have no more than one permanent sign, other than a freestanding sign, for each building frontage and the sign must be placed on the corresponding building frontage, e.g., a business with two building frontages cannot place both signs on one of the building frontages.
b.
The maximum sign face area of an individual sign is no more than 24 square feet or one square foot of sign face per linear foot of business frontage, whichever is less.
4.
Types of Signs. The following types of signs are permitted: permanent, freestanding, wall, projecting, window, awning, temporary, incidental, and lawn sign.
C.
Residential Very Low Density (RVL), Lower Density (RL), Moderate Density Residential (RI), Medium Density Residential (R2), High Density Residential (R3), and Residential-Alternative/Manufactured Dwelling (RAM) Zones Sign Requirements. For all uses and lots in the residential very low density (RVL), lower density (RL), moderate density residential (R1), medium density residential (R2), high density residential (R3), and residential alternative/manufactured dwelling (RAM) zones, the following number, sizes, and types of signs are allowed. All allowed signs must also be in conformance with the regulations of Chapter 17.66.
1.
Total Square Footage Permitted. The total square footage of signage associated with a use or lot shall not exceed 10 square feet.
2.
Types of Signs Permitted.
a.
A use or lot shall have no more than one incidental sign, with an area of no more than two square feet of sign face area.
b.
A use or lot shall have no more than two temporary and/or lawn signs and no temporary or lawn sign shall have an area of more than four square feet.
c.
The following types of signs are permitted: incidental, wall, projecting, window, temporary, and lawn signs.
D.
E and OS Zones Sign Requirements. No sign shall be permitted in the estuary (E) and open space (OS) zones.
(Ord. 24-05, 6/5/2024)
A.
Sign Permits Required. A sign permit is required for the erection of any new permanent sign with a sign face area of four square feet or more or the alteration of the structure of an existing permanent sign in the C-1, C-2, RM, MP, PK, IN, or OSR zones.
B.
Required Information for a Sign Permit. For purposes of review by the city, a scale drawing of the proposed sign shall be submitted. The drawing shall indicate the dimensions of the sign, location of the sign, any structural elements of the proposed sign, the size and dimensions of any other sign(s) located on the applicant's building or property, the color of the sign, the size and type of the sign's letters and the material of which the sign is to be constructed.
(Ord. 24-05, 6/5/2024)
A.
Variances to the sign requirements of this chapter may be approved by the planning commission following the procedures of Chapter 17.16 where the planning commission finds that the variance meets the following criteria:
B.
Applications which request a variance based on factors listed in subsection (A)(1) above shall be referred to the design review board for a recommendation on whether the applicable criterion is met.
(Ord. 24-05, 6/5/2024)
For the purposes of this chapter, a nonconforming sign is defined as a sign existing at the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter which could not be erected under the terms of this chapter. The following requirements shall apply to nonconforming signs (the requirements of Section 17.88.040 are not applicable):
A.
Any permanent nonconforming sign used by a business, or a business complex must be brought into conformance with the requirements of this chapter prior to any expansion or change in use which requires design review or a conditional use permit. No building permit for new construction shall be issued until this provision is complied with.
B.
No permanent nonconforming sign may be enlarged in any way.
C.
Should any permanent nonconforming sign be damaged by any means to an extent of more than 50 percent of its replacement costs at the time of damage, it shall be reconstructed in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
D.
Signs other than permanent signs, shall come into conformance with the requirements of the ordinance codified in this chapter, 90 days from the effective date of such ordinance.
(Ord. 24-05, 6/5/2024)
The city shall notify the owner of the real property where a sign has been abandoned or allowed to fall into disrepair, and shall require reasonable repair, replacement, or removal within 30 days. If compliance does not occur, the city is authorized to cause removal or repair of such signs, pursuant to Chapter 8.04. Expenses incurred in the enforcement of this provision shall be paid by the owner of the real property from which it was removed.
(Ord. 24-05, 6/5/2024)
