The Architectural Review Commission has the authority to:
A. 
Approve, conditionally approve, or deny a Master Sign Program and amendments to a Master Sign Program.
B. 
Prepare sign design criteria under Chapter 18.95 (Signs).
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
A. 
Application. The applicant shall submit a complete application for a Master Sign Program to the Zoning Administrator.
1. 
The application for a Master Sign Program shall include all the following:
2. 
Plans drawn to scale, delineating the site proposed to be included within the Master Sign Program and the general location of all signs;
3. 
Drawings and/or sketches indicating the exterior surface details of all buildings on the site on which wall signs, directory signs, ground signs, or projecting signs are proposed;
a. 
A statement of the reasons for any requested modification to the regulations or standards of Chapter 18.95 (Signs); and
b. 
A written program specifying sign standards, including color, size, construction details, placement, and necessity for City review, for distribution to future tenants.
4. 
Noticing and Public Hearing.
a. 
The Architectural Review Commission shall hold a public hearing on an application for a Master Sign Program and notice such meeting in compliance with Chapter 18.205 (Noticing Requirements). A public hearing may be continued to a definite date and time without additional public notice.
b. 
The public hearing shall be scheduled within 20 calendar days of the application being deemed complete and held within 60 calendar days of the application being deemed complete.
B. 
Decision. Within 20 working days following the public hearing, the Architectural Review Commission shall approve, conditionally approve, or deny a Master Sign Program application. The Zoning Administrator shall mail notice of the decision to the applicant within 10 calendar days of the decision. In the case of an appeal, the date of decision is the date of the adoption of a resolution of decision.
C. 
Effective Date. A Master Sign Program approval is effective on the date of approval. If the decision is appealed, the decision is not final until the appeal process under Chapter 18.185 (Appeals and Calls for Review) is exhausted.
D. 
Appeal. Any interested person may appeal a decision of the Architectural Review Commission to the City Council, in accordance with Chapter 18.185 (Appeals and Calls for Review).
E. 
Projects with Multiple Discretionary Applications. Notwithstanding Subsections B and C of this Section, for projects requiring a discretionary permit approval from the Planning Commission and/or City Council in conjunction with approval of a Sign Permit and/or Master Sign Program, the Planning Commission and/or City Council shall be the final decision-maker for the Sign Permit and/or Master Sign Program and any action of the Zoning Administrator and/or Architectural Review Commission shall be considered advisory to the Planning Commission and/or City Council.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
The review authority may approve an application for a Master Sign Program if it finds all of the following to be true:
A. 
The Master Sign Program's contribution to the design quality of the site and surrounding area will be superior to the quality that would result under the regulations and standards of Section 18.95.070 (Specific Sign Standards);
B. 
The proposed signs are compatible with the style or character of existing improvements on the site and are well-related to each other; and
C. 
Future tenants will not be denied adequate opportunities for identification if transfers of sign area from one building frontage to another are proposed by the Master Sign Program.
D. 
The Master Sign Program conforms to the citywide sign design guidelines and other applicable adopted design guidelines.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
In approving a Master Sign Program, the review authority may impose reasonable conditions necessary to:
A. 
Achieve consistency with the purposes of this Chapter, or the zoning district in which the site is located, and the General Plan;
B. 
Protect the public health, safety, and general welfare; or
C. 
Ensure the implementation of a master sign program is compatible with existing and potential uses on adjoining properties or in the surrounding area.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
A. 
Lapse of Approval. The approval of a Master Sign Program does not lapse and remains in effect to regulate future signs on the lots included in the Master Sign Program.
B. 
Changes to Master Sign Program. Changes to Plans or Conditions of Approval. A request for a change in a condition of approval, or a change in the Temporary Sign Permit which affects a condition of approval, requires an application for modification of the condition.
1. 
If the Zoning Administrator determines that the modification is minor, the Zoning Administrator may approve the modification administratively. The Zoning Administrator's decision may be appealed to the Architectural Review Commission.
2. 
If the Zoning Administrator determines that the modification is major, then the modification shall be referred to the final decision-making body that approved the original Temporary Sign Permit.
C. 
Deviation for Single Tenant. A request for a deviation for a single tenant from the site Master Sign Program shall be processed in the same manner as a Sign Permit, with review by the Architectural Review Commission in compliance with Chapter 18.140 (Sign Permit).
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
A Master Sign Program may be revoked in accordance with Section 18.190.140 (Revocation or Modification of Discretionary Permits) if found in violation of this Chapter or a condition of approval.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)
Following denial of a Master Sign Program, no new application for the same, or substantially the same, permit or program shall be accepted within 12 months of the date of denial, unless the denial was made without prejudice.
(Ord. 978, 11/17/2025)