Sign permit applications shall be approved if the proposed signs conform to the requirements of this chapter.
(Ord. 2645 § 2, 2018)
A.
Permit Required. No sign shall be placed, erected, altered, relocated or displayed without first obtaining a sign permit unless exempt under EMC § 19.10.050. No permit shall be required for repainting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance and repair of a permitted sign, or for sign face and copy changes that do not alter the size or structure of the sign.
B.
Removal of Nonconforming Signs. A property containing a nonconforming sign shall not be allowed a new or additional sign on the property until the nonconforming sign is removed or brought into conformance with the requirements of this chapter and the underlying zone.
C.
Permit Application. An application for a sign permit shall include the following:
1.
Signature of the property owner or their designated agent;
2.
Site plan drawn to scale showing existing buildings, streets, freestanding and building signs, utility poles, and other structures within 50 feet of the proposed sign;
3.
Elevation drawings of the structural details of the proposed sign including dimensions, height, illumination methods and structure supports; and
4.
Landscaping plan showing planting materials and patterns.
D.
Permit Not Required for Certain Temporary Signs. A permit is not required for temporary signs meeting the requirements of this chapter, except for those required to be permitted pursuant to EMC § 19.10.210.
E.
Review Type. The review and approval of sign permits shall conform to the following:
1.
The review and approval of signs, with the exception of those requiring master sign plans, public information/identification signs and/or variances, shall be a Type I land use decision that shall be processed pursuant to Chapter 15.18 EMC and approved by the community development director or his/her designee.
(Ord. 2645 § 2, 2018)
A.
Purpose. The master sign plan process allows for deviations from the standards of this title. The master sign plan process is voluntary. The purpose of the master sign plan process is to allow for more flexibility while creating visual consistency between the signs, buildings, and other components of the subject property through the use of color, materials, location and/or the type of sign(s) proposed.
B.
General. There will be situations where some flexibility from the sign code is desirable, but where the variance proceedings (EMC § 19.10.100) are not the appropriate forum for an application. This section sets out the criteria for a master sign plan. This section provides a mechanism under which special consideration can be given to signs which use a master sign plan to encourage the integration of signs into the framework of the building or buildings on the subject property. The city may allow deviations from the requirements of this chapter consistent with the criteria listed in subsection E of this section.
C.
Required Review Process. An application for a master sign plan under this section will be reviewed as a Type II review process pursuant to EMC § 19.10.080(E). However, prior to issuing a decision, the administrator must make a finding of conformance, with or without conditions of approval. Master sign plan review shall be limited to compliance with design standards and shall not in any way be based upon the content of the signs.
D.
Required Information. As part of any application for a master sign plan under this section, the applicant shall submit the following information:
E.
Deviation Criteria. With the exception of the approved deviation(s), all signs shall meet all other requirements of this chapter. Deviations proposed in a master sign permit application shall be subject to the following criteria:
1.
Deviations permitted. Deviations from the requirements of this chapter are only authorized to the minimum necessary to create readable signs from the rights-of-way providing direct vehicular access based on traffic speeds and patterns in the area of the subject property.
The applicant can request one or more of the following actions under a master sign design plan:
a.
Allow signs in the residential zones with state route frontage to meet the requirements of the HCB zone;
b.
Allow one wall sign to be up to 20 percent larger than allowed under the sign code;
c.
Allow one freestanding sign to be up to 10 percent larger than allowed under the sign code;
d.
Allow one freestanding sign to be 10 percent taller than allowed under the sign code;
e.
Allow one additional sign on a parcel; and
f.
Allow incidental signs to be larger than permitted when necessary to permit visibility to motorists.
2.
Standards. The administrator may permit any or all of the above deviations pursuant to all of the following conditions:
a.
Sign base. The sign base is constructed of stone, brick, and/or wood; and
b.
Lighting. The lighting shall be externally illuminated (if applicable); and
c.
Sign form. Freestanding signs shall be designed so they appear firmly anchored to the ground. This includes:
i.
Monument signs.
ii.
Signs where the base (where the sign structure meets the ground plane) is at least 40 percent of the width of the total sign width. Departures per EMC § 19.10.170(C) and § 19.10.180(C) will be considered provided the sign includes design features that visually anchor it to the ground and the design of the sign meets other applicable standards.
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d.
Materials and design. Freestanding signs shall be designed as an integrated architectural feature of the site. Specifically:
i.
Framing. Freestanding signs must include design elements that effectively frame the sign on both sides as shown in the figure below. Alternatively, signs that have a substantial framing element on one side, as illustrated in the second example below, will meet this provision.
ii.
Materials and design. Freestanding signs shall include durable high-quality materials and a design that relates to and/or complements the design of on-site buildings and/or is coordinated with other site design elements (such as distinctive lighting, monuments, wayfinding signs). The examples in the figures below all meet this requirement.
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e.
Landscaping. The base shall include a landscaped area at the base of the sign that includes:
i.
The planting area or bed shall be at least one-half the square footage of the sign;
ii.
Signs with two feet or less of clearance from grade shall be planted with groundcover and low growing shrubs;
iii.
Signs that have two to six feet of clearance from grade shall be planted with shrubs and/or small ornamental trees. Shrubs shall be a minimum size of three gallons at the time of planting and shall be of a type to grow to a height of at least four feet when mature. The area between the shrubs and/or trees shall be filled in with groundcover;
iv.
Signs with six feet or greater clearance from grade shall be planted with evergreen and/or deciduous trees. Large shrubs and groundcover shall be planted between trees. Shrubs shall be a minimum of five gallons in size at the time of planting and be of a type to grow to a height of at least five feet upon maturation; and
v.
The applicant shall complete the required landscaping within 30 days from the installation of the freestanding sign. If additional time is needed to complete the landscaping, the applicant shall provide a landscape bond or cash deposit for 150 percent of the cost of the landscaping to the city as determined by the community development director. The cost of landscaping shall include plant material, labor, and any structural devices needed to build a planting area. The landscape bond shall be valid for six months. If the work is not completed within six months, the city shall revoke the landscape bond and perform the work.
An existing landscaped area can count towards the required landscaping if the location and type of landscaping is appropriate.
F.
Minor Modifications. The community development director may grant a minor modification to the approved master sign plan in writing if:
1.
The change does not increase the sign area of the subject property approved in the original master sign plan.
2.
The change maintains visual consistency with those elements specifically identified in the original master sign plan as integral to the design theme of the subject property including the use of similar materials and landscaping, the overall sign shape, orientation, placement and height. The director may approve a change in the sign type (from wall to freestanding, for example), but may not allow a new electronic changeable copy sign as a minor modification.
H.
Expiration of Master Sign Plan. Once a master sign plan is approved, the signs depicted in the approved plan must be installed within 180 days or the master sign plan will expire. Building permits and street right-of-way permits for any signs shown in the master sign plan shall expire in accordance with other applicable code provisions. No sign may be erected under an expired master sign plan, even if the associated sign permit or building permit has not expired.
I.
Amendment to Master Sign Plan. An application for an amendment to an approved master sign plan may be made at any time, subject to the same limitations, requirements and procedures as those that apply to an original application in this section. Tenants whose signs are included in the amendment application need the property owner's consent to file such application. In order to approve any such amendment, the director shall consider the existing signs on the building(s) subject to the approved plan when determining whether the application meets the criteria for approval in subsection E of this section.
(Ord. 2645 § 2, 2018; Ord. 2815 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025)
D.
Need for Sign Permit – Consolidation of Processing. A sign variance application may be submitted before or concurrent with the associated sign permit application.
E.
Application Requirements. A complete sign variance application shall consist of the following:
1.
Application form. A completed sign variance application on a form provided by the city. If the applicant is not the property owner, then the property owner must be identified and the application must include an affidavit from the property owner verifying that the property owner has given permission to the applicant for the submission of the sign variance application and for the installation/posting of the sign on the property owner's property.
3.
A narrative report which describes the requested variance in detail. The report shall identify all sections of this chapter from which the applicant is requesting a variance, as well as the nature and extent of the variance.
4.
The narrative report shall also include the applicant's description of the manner in which the sign variance satisfies all of the variance criteria in subsection F of this section.
5.
Fees. The applicable permit application fee, pursuant to the city's current fee schedule in effect at the time of application, shall be paid upon submission of the variance application.
F.
Criteria for Approval. The hearing examiner shall approve the application for a sign variance if it satisfies the criteria of EMC § 15.34.020(A).
G.
Expiration of Variance. If the sign variance is approved, the sign identified in the variance must be installed within 180 days or the variance will expire. No sign may be erected if there is no sign permit for the sign, or if the variance or the sign permit has expired.
(Ord. 2645 § 2, 2018)
All nonconforming signs shall comply with the regulation of the city's nonconforming uses, structures and signs code, specifically EMC § 15.10.050, Signs.
(Ord. 2645 § 2, 2018)
It is unlawful for any owner of record, lessor, lessee, manager or other person having lawful possession or control over a building, structure or parcel of land to fail to maintain any signs on the building, structure or parcel in compliance with this chapter and the zoning code. Failure to maintain a sign constitutes a violation of this chapter and shall be subject to enforcement provisions referenced above in EMC § 19.10.140.
(Ord. 2645 § 2, 2018)
A.
Every person maintaining a sign must, upon vacating the premises where a sign is maintained, remove or cause to be removed said sign within 180 days from the date of vacating the premises. When the director determines that said sign has not been removed within said period, the director shall remedy and enforce said violation in accordance with the enforcement provisions of this chapter.
B.
Any vacant and/or unused sign support structures, angle irons, sign poles, or other remnants of old signs which are currently not in use or are not proposed for immediate reuse by a sign permit application for a permitted sign, shall be removed.
C.
In addition to the remedies in Chapter 15.12 EMC, the director shall have the authority to require the repair, maintenance, or removal of any sign or sign structure which has become dilapidated or represents a hazard to the safety, health, or welfare of the public, at the cost of the sign and/or property owner.
D.
Any sign posted in violation of this chapter on public property or on public rights-of-way shall be subject to summary removal by the city.
E.
Any person responsible for any sign posting made in violation of this chapter shall be liable to the city for the costs incurred by the city in removal thereof and, in event of failure to pay, for billing and collection charges, including interest and reasonable attorneys' fees.
(Ord. 2645 § 2, 2018)
A.
Compliance with Other Applicable Codes. All signs erected or altered under this chapter must comply with all applicable federal, state and local regulations relating to signs, including without limiting the provisions of the International Building Code as adopted in Chapters 16.06 and 16.10 EMC by the city. If any provision of this code is found to be in conflict with any provision of any zoning, building, fire, safety or health ordinance or code of the city, the provision which establishes the higher standard shall prevail.
B.
Inspection. The director or his/her representative is empowered to enter or inspect any building, structure, or premises in the city upon which any sign is located for the purpose of inspection of the sign, its structural and electrical connections, and to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter as consistent with applicable law. Such inspections shall be carried out during business hours, unless an emergency exists.
C.
Bond. The city may require a bond to ensure compliance with any aspect of this chapter.
D.
Violation. Violations are processed according to the procedures, restrictions and requirements of Chapter 15.12 EMC.
E.
Public Nuisance. Any sign or sign structure that is erected, constructed, enlarged, altered, repaired, moved, improved, removed, converted, demolished, equipped, used, or maintained in violation of this chapter is declared to be a public nuisance.
F.
Abatement. In addition to the abatement authority provided by proceedings under EMC § 15.12.210, the city or its agents may summarily remove any sign placed on a right-of-way or public property in violation of the terms of this chapter under the following circumstances:
1.
When a sign is determined by the city engineer or director of community development to present an immediate threat to the safety, health, and welfare of the public;
2.
When a sign is illegally placed pursuant to EMC § 19.10.210, within the public right-of-way, within a landscape median, landscape island, traffic circle, attached to a utility pole or city traffic sign, upon public sidewalks or roadway, or on any public building or structure when such facilities are located on public property or within public right-of-way;
3.
When a sign is determined by the city to be abandoned; provided, that the city must first provide 14 days' notice to the underlying property owner or business owner that the sign is deemed abandoned.
4.
All signs abated by the city may be available for recovery by the owner of said sign for a period of 14 calendar days and upon payment of the costs of removal and storage, if any, after which time the sign will be destroyed. The city shall not be responsible for damages or loss incurred during removal and/or storage of any sign.
G.
Additional Remedies. In addition to the other remedies provided by this chapter, the city may abate said public nuisance or seek any other equitable relief authorized by Chapter 15.12 EMC and the laws and regulations of the state of Washington.
H.
Joint and Several Liability. The property owner(s) and each tenant or occupant shall be jointly and severally liable for violations of and penalties imposed pursuant to this chapter.
(Ord. 2645 § 2, 2018)