No sign shall be located in or project into the right-of-way of any public street unless such locations or projection is specifically authorized by other provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 1896 § 2 (part), 1999)
A.
No sign shall be so designed or constructed as to interfere with the sight distance of motorists proceeding on or approaching on adjacent streets, alleys, driveways, or parking areas, or of pedestrians proceeding on or approaching on adjacent sidewalks or pedestrian ways.
(Ord. 1896 § 2 (part), 1999)
Landscaping shall be used in conjunction with all freestanding signs, except temporary, portable and real estate signs, and may utilize shrubs and plantings or decorative features such as concrete bases, planter boxes or ornaments expressing the sign theme but not containing advertising copy. The purpose of this landscaping requirement is to bring the natural surroundings of the Northwest inside the city and to reduce impervious surface to the extent it is economically feasible and desirable. All plantings and landscaping shall be completed prior to final approval of the installation of the sign unless the type of proposed vegetation must be planted at a certain time of the year to be viable. In any case, the time period for completion of the landscaping shall not exceed six months following sign installation.
(Ord. 1896 § 2 (part), 1999)
When a projecting or roof sign is used, the number and amount of visible angle irons, guy wires or braces shall be minimized, except those that are an integral part of the overall design, such as decorative metal or woods.
(Ord. 1896 § 2 (part), 1999)
The allowable sign area is calculated from the building frontage or lot frontage, whichever is greater. The sign, whether on the building or freestanding, must be located on and facing upon the street frontage from which it is allowed, providing it complies with the setback and spacing requirements of this chapter and the zoning code.
(Ord. 1896 § 2 (part), 1999)
A.
No person shall construct, establish, create or maintain any stationary exterior lighting or illumination system or any interior system which is intended to be viewed from a public right-of-way used for vehicular traffic which system contains or utilizes:
B.
These provisions do not apply to:
1.
Lighting systems owned or controlled by any public agency for the purpose of directing or controlling navigation, traffic, highway or street illumination;
2.
Aircraft warning lights;
3.
Electronic information systems which display the time of day and/or the atmospheric temperature or programmable electronic messages of a public service or commercial nature;
4.
Temporary lighting used for repair or construction as required by governmental agencies.
C.
All lighted signs shall have low or soft illumination or be shielded.
(Ord. 1896 § 2 (part), 1999)
From and after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to erect or place within the city, except as specifically allowed, the following signs:
A.
Off-premises signs, except for signs permitted pursuant to SMC § 18.44.120(B) and SMC § 18.44.240(B)(1)(a)(v) and SMC § 18.44.240(C)(1)(e).
B.
Banners, streamers, pendants, balloons (greater than 100 in a display), including festoons of lights and/or decorations except those temporarily attached to merchandise or temporarily displayed as part of a special sale, promotion or community event or as allowed in SMC § 18.44.160(F).
C.
Any sign which revolves in excess of eight revolutions per minute or gives the impression of movement through the manipulation of lights, except a time and temperature unit or changeable message center which is part of a sign permitted in a business and commercial district.
D.
Signs attached to, or placed on, a vehicle, trailer, or container parked on private or public property; this provision is not to be construed as prohibiting the identification of a firm or its principal products on a vehicle operating during the normal course of business.
E.
The placing of benches on sidewalks bearing advertising matter; however, signs advertising the public transit authority may be placed on benches at bus stops.
F.
Waste receptacles carrying advertising matter and placed upon the public right-of-way or private property.
G.
Any sign which constitutes a traffic hazard or detriment to traffic safety by reason of its size, location, movement, content, coloring or method of illumination, or by obstructing the vision of drivers, or by obstructing or detracting from the visibility of any official traffic control device by diverting or tending to divert the attention of drivers of moving vehicles from traffic movement on streets, roads, intersections, or access facilities; no sign shall be erected so that it obstructs the vision of pedestrians, flashing or revolving red, green, blue or amber lights shall be prohibited on any sign; any sign, which by glare or method of illumination, constitutes a hazard to traffic is prohibited; no sign may use the words "Stop," "Look," "Danger," or any other word, phrase, symbol or character in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
H.
Signs not properly maintained, showing neglect, or in a dilapidated or hazardous condition so as to violate the purpose, intent and objective of this chapter are required to be repaired or removed.
I.
Signs which are pasted or attached to utility poles, trees, fences or other signs, rocks or natural features, except signs identifying a single-family dwelling meeting the requirements set forth in SMC § 18.44.210(A)(1) may be attached to fences, standards, or mailboxes.
J.
All lighted signs which are adjacent to and directed toward a residential district and which detract from the welfare of the residential district.
L.
Roof signs.
M.
Signs identifying or advertising home occupations.
(Ord. 1896 § 2 (part), 1999; Ord. 2015 § 8, 2002; Ord. 2170 § 3, 2006; Ord. 2253 § 8, 2008; Ord. 2374 § 1, 2011; Ord. 2616 § 1, 2017; Ord. 2648 § 1, 2018; Ord. 2823 § 5, 2022)