(1) 
Intent. Signs have a strong visual impact on the character and quality of the community. As a prominent part of the scenery, they attract or repel the viewing public, affect the safety of vehicular traffic, and their suitability or appropriateness helps to set the tone for the neighborhood. Because the city relies upon its scenery and physical beauty to attract commerce, aesthetic considerations assume economic value. It is the intent of the city, through this chapter, to protect and enhance the city's historic and residential character and its economic base through the provision of appropriate and aesthetic signage. In addition, it is the intent of the city to limit the size, type and location of signs in order to minimize their distracting effect on drivers and thereby improve traffic safety.
(2) 
Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety and welfare through a comprehensive system of reasonable, effective, consistent, content-neutral and nondiscriminatory sign standards and requirements. This chapter has also been adopted to:
(a) 
Promote and accomplish the goals, policies and objectives of the city's comprehensive plan and zoning code;
(b) 
To provide minimum standards in order to safeguard life, health, property and public welfare, and promote traffic safety by controlling the design, quality of materials, construction, illumination, size, location and maintenance of signs and sign structures;
(c) 
Recognize free speech rights by regulating signs in a content-neutral manner;
(d) 
Promote the free flow of traffic and protect pedestrians and motorists from injury and property damage caused by, or which may be fully or partially attributable to, cluttered, distracting and/or illegible signage;
(e) 
Protect the beauty of the city's built environment by encouraging signs that are compatible with the architectural style, characteristics and scale of the building to which it may be attached, and to encourage signs that are compatible with adjacent buildings and businesses;
(f) 
Protect property values, the local economy, and the quality of life by preserving and enhancing the appearance of the streetscape;
(g) 
Provide consistent sign design standards;
(h) 
Protect and encourage creative and innovative approaches to signage, and signs that are of a quality design, pleasing in appearance and are appropriate in size, materials and illumination to the surrounding neighborhood;
(i) 
Provide an improved visual environment for the citizens of and visitors to the city;
(j) 
Adopt clear, understandable regulations which enable the fair and consistent enforcement of this chapter; and
(k) 
Address emerging trends in digital and electronic sign technologies and provide regulations that facilitate use of such technologies while ensuring protection of motorists and pedestrians from the hazards of glare, startling bursts of light, and use of virtual movement and animation intended to attract driver attention, to hold driver gaze, and/or to otherwise distract drivers from the safe operation of their vehicles. Protect neighborhoods, surrounding development and the night sky from the nuisance factors associated with such glare, movement and animation of digital and electronic signs.
(Ord. 024-17 § 2 (Exh. 1))
(1) 
This chapter applies to all signs as defined in POMC § 20.132.290, Definitions, within the city which are visible or audible from any street, sidewalk or public place, regardless of the type or nature. A sign permit shall be required prior to the installation or modification of any sign defined in POMC § 20.132.290 unless the installation or modification of the sign is explicitly listed as exempt from sign permit requirements under POMC § 20.132.030 or if a requirement to obtain a sign permit is explicitly waived in another section of this chapter. Regardless of whether or not a sign is exempt from sign permit requirements, all signs shall comply with the standards of this chapter.
(2) 
This chapter is not intended to, and shall not be interpreted to, restrict speech on the basis of its content, viewpoint, or message. Any classification of signs in this chapter which purports to permit speech by reason of the type of sign, identity of the sign user or otherwise, shall be interpreted to allow commercial or noncommercial speech on the sign. No part of this chapter shall be construed to favor commercial speech over noncommercial speech. To the extent that any provision of this chapter is ambiguous, the term shall be interpreted not to regulate speech on the basis of the content of the message.
(Ord. 024-17 § 2 (Exh. 1))
The following signs or activities relating to signs are exempt from the sign permit requirements of this chapter:
(1) 
Changes to the face or copy of changeable copy signs, digital signs, electronic messaging signs, provided such changes do not change the material or appearance of the sign as originally permitted by the city.
(2) 
The normal repair and maintenance of conforming or legal nonconforming signs.
(3) 
Temporary signs on private property or public property, meeting the requirements in POMC § 20.132.270, Temporary signs.
(4) 
Building identification numbers as required pursuant to this code (Chapter 20.208 POMC) or any other city or state regulation.
(5) 
Governmental Signs. Signs installed by the city, county, or a federal or state governmental agency for the protection of the public health, safety and general welfare, including, but not limited to, the following:
(a) 
Emergency and warning signs necessary for public safety or civil defense;
(b) 
Traffic and/or wayfinding signs erected and maintained by an authorized public agency;
(c) 
Signs required to be displayed by law;
(d) 
Signs showing the location of public facilities; and
(e) 
Any sign, posting, notice, or similar sign placed by or required by a governmental agency in carrying out its responsibility to protect the public health, safety and general welfare.
(6) 
Flags. Any flags; provided, that they conform to all provisions of this chapter for signs.
(7) 
Certain stone or cement plaques and cornerstones with engraved or cast symbols and permanently embedded in the building's foundation or masonry siding materials, provided that none of these exceed four square feet in area.
(8) 
Interior Signs. Signs or displays located entirely inside of a building and located at least three feet away from transparent doors and windows.
(9) 
Nonvisible Signs. Signs and associated sign support structures not visible or audible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel upon which they are located, or from any public right-of-way.
(10) 
Vehicle with Signs. Any sign on a vehicle, unless such vehicle is parked or stationed near an activity for the primary purpose of attracting public attention to such activity, or unless such vehicle or mobile unit is regularly parked in any prominently visible location for the primary purpose of attracting public attention to the sign.
(11) 
Temporary Signs in Windows. Any temporary sign taped or otherwise affixed to the inside of a window, in such a manner as to be easily removed, provided that the total area of such sign in any one window does not exceed the size limitations in POMC § 20.132.280, Window signs, and POMC § 20.132.270, Temporary signs.
(12) 
Bench Signs. Any outdoor bench or furniture with any signs other than plaques one square foot or less in area.
(13) 
Privately maintained traffic control signs in a subdivision with private roads or signs in a parking lot.
(Ord. 024-17 § 2 (Exh. 1))
No person shall erect, alter, maintain or relocate any of the following signs in the city:
(1) 
Animated Signs. A rotating or revolving sign or signs where all or a portion of the sign moves in some manner. This includes any sign animated by any means, including: fixed aerial displays; balloons; pennants; spinners, propellers, whirling, or similar devices designed to flutter, rotate or display other movement under the influence of the wind, including flag canopies and feather signs not otherwise allowed in this chapter; streamers, tubes, or other devices affected by the movement of air or other atmospheric or mechanical means. This does not include historic signs and historic replica signs where the applicant is able to prove, through documentation or other evidence, that the original historic sign produced the same motion/movement and is proposed in the same location. A flag, as defined in this chapter, shall not be considered an animated sign.
(2) 
Nuisance Signs. Any signs which emit smoke, visible particles, odors and sound, except that speakers in drive-through facilities shall be permitted.
(3) 
Bench or furniture signs greater than one square foot in area.
(4) 
Flashing Signs or Lights. A sign that contains an intermittent or flashing light source, or a sign that includes the illusion of intermittent or flashing light by means of animation, or an externally mounted intermittent light source. Flashing light sources are prohibited. Signs with an exposed light source, exceeding the equivalent of 25 watts per incandescent lamp, including clear light bulbs which do not flash on a theater marquee except for neon incorporated into the design of the sign are also prohibited. Electronic message center signs and digital signs are allowed under the provisions of POMC § 20.132.200, Electronic message center (EMC) signs.
(5) 
Hazardous Signs. Any sign that constitutes a traffic hazard or detriment to traffic safety by reason of its size, location, movement or method of illumination, or by obstructing the vision of drivers, or by distracting from the visibility of an official traffic control device by diverting or tending to divert the attention of drivers or moving vehicles from traffic movements on streets, roads, intersections or access facilities. No sign shall be erected so that it obstructs the vision of pedestrians or by glare or method of illumination constitutes a hazard to pedestrians or traffic. No sign may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
(6) 
No sign may impede free ingress and egress from any door, window or exit way required by building and fire regulations.
(7) 
Permanent Signs on Vacant Lots, Parcels or Easements. No permanent sign, except a subdivision entrance sign, shall be located on a vacant lot, parcel or easement. No permanent sign shall be located on a lot, parcel or easement as the principal use of that lot, parcel or easement. Signs may only be established as an accessory use to a principally permitted use. Provided, however, that subdivision entrance signs may be located on tracts under common ownership of a homeowner's association.
(8) 
Portable signs on wheels (trailer signs), changeable copy portable signs and illuminated portable signs.
(9) 
Abandoned signs.
(10) 
Signs on utility poles or trees.
(11) 
Off-Site Controlled Signs. Any sign that is programmed and/or controlled off site.
(Ord. 024-17 § 2 (Exh. 1); Ord. 052-22 § 2)