It is unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, or move any sign in the city, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a sign permit for each such sign from the director as required by this chapter, except as follows:
A. 
Real estate signs meeting the requirements of SMC § 18.44.160(A).
B. 
Nonpolitical and political campaign signs meeting the requirements in SMC § 18.44.160.
C. 
Incidental signs meeting the requirements of SMC § 18.44.195.
D. 
Temporary paper signs in windows meeting the requirements of SMC § 18.44.030(D).
E. 
A change of the face of a sign, including a change of copy, provided the size of the sign face does not change.
F. 
Construction signs meeting the requirements in SMC § 18.44.160(E).
G. 
Farm product identification signs meeting the requirements of SMC § 18.44.160(H).
H. 
Community bulletin board meeting the standards in SMC § 18.44.130.
(Ord. 1896 § 2 (part), 1999)
A city of Sumner sign permit application must be completed and submitted with all plans and layouts for a sign or sign structure and be filed with the director.
(Ord. 1896 § 2 (part), 1999)
Permits issued by the director expire by limitation and become null and void if the structure or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 180 days from the date of the permit, or if the structure or work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 180 days.
(Ord. 1896 § 2 (part), 1999)
The director may extend such permit for a single period of up to 120 days from the date of expiration of the initial permit, if request for extension is made prior to the expiration date of the initial permit.
(Ord. 1896 § 2 (part), 1999)
A. 
The fees prescribed in this section must be paid to the city of Sumner for each sign installation for which a permit is required by this chapter and must be paid before any such permit is issued as provided in this chapter. Fees for sign permits are set in accordance with the following schedule:
Type of Sign
Fee
Wall sign, projecting sign, suspended sign, awning or canopy signs, monument sign greater than 10 square feet
$30.00 + $12.00 for each additional sign on the same permit up to a maximum of $100.00
Wall sign, projecting sign, suspended sign, awning or canopy signs, monument sign less than 10 square feet
No charge
Freestanding sign, other than monument sign
$120.00
Schools, public facilities, and informational signs, city entrance signs, neighborhood identification signs, nonadvertising/nonpromotional, community bulletin board
No charge
Sidewalk/sandwich boards
$30.00 one-time fee, to be renewed yearly at no charge
Temporary signs
$35.00, to be renewed yearly
Special use permit for a period of 60 days
$30.00
B. 
There shall be no charge for sign permits provided all of the following are satisfied:
1. 
The application is filed and installation completed within 120 days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter; and
2. 
The new signs conform to the zoning regulations and development and design guidelines; and
3. 
Results in the removal of existing nonconforming signs.
(Ord. 1896 § 2 (part), 1999)
A. 
The provisions of this chapter do not apply to signs legally in existence on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter; provided, that:
1. 
The alteration, enlargement, installation or erection of signage shall not increase the degree of nonconformity.
2. 
If the value of structural alterations to a nonconforming sign equals or exceeds 25 percent of the value of the sign, as determined by the building official, the sign shall be made to conform with all provisions of this chapter.
3. 
Enlargement, installation or erection of conforming signage shall be accompanied by a reduction in the degree of nonconformity for other signage existing on the premises. This reduction in nonconformity can be accomplished by a reduction in size of existing signs (if nonconforming as to square footage), removal (if nonconforming as to number of signs), relocation (if nonconforming as to location), or a combination of reduction, removal and relocation. The total cost of reduction, removal or relocation of nonconforming signage shall equal, as nearly as is practical, 75 percent of the value of the new or enlarged conforming signage, or the cost necessary to bring all signage on the premises into conformance with this chapter, whichever is the lesser requirement.
4. 
The provisions of subsections (A)(2) and (3) of this section do not apply to temporary signs or to illegal signs.
5. 
Any nonconforming off-premises sign shall comply with subsection (B) of this section.
B. 
Nonconforming Off-Premises Signs.
1. 
Any person, firm, or corporation who maintains nonconforming off-premises signs within the city of Sumner shall be authorized to maintain only that number of nonconforming off-premises signs that they maintained on October 13, 1999. At such time as necessary, said nonconforming signs may be replaced in the same location provided the sign shall not be increased in size, height or number of sign faces. Said nonconforming off-premises sign shall be replaced within 60 days of its removal.
2. 
Any unused nonconforming off-premises sign shall be properly maintained while not in use.
3. 
As unincorporated areas are annexed to the city of Sumner, the total number of nonconforming off-premises signs in that area will constitute an addition to the number authorized by the city of Sumner.
(Ord. 1896 § 2 (part), 1999)