Signs shall be constructed and maintained in compliance with this chapter, the city building code, and all other applicable ordinances. The allowable type of signs, their placement, and other limitations shall be according to the standards established in this section. Provisions for the various use districts under the city comprehensive zoning ordinance may establish standards in addition to, or more restrictive than, the standards in this section.
A.
General Provisions.
1.
Structural. The structure and erection of signs within the city of Richland shall be governed by the current edition of the Uniform Sign Code as adopted by the city of Richland and by the currently applicable International Building Code as adopted by the city of Richland. Compliance with these adopted codes shall be prerequisite to issuance of a sign permit.
2.
Electrical. Electrical requirements for signs within the city of Richland shall be governed by the requirements, standards, rules, and regulations established by the state of Washington and adopted by the city of Richland (Chapter 296-46 WAC). Compliance therewith shall be required by every sign utilizing electrical energy as a prerequisite to issuance of a sign permit.
3.
Light and Glare from Signs. Illumination from or upon any sign shall be shaded, shielded, directed, or reduced so as to avoid brightness, glare, or reflection of light in excess of that recommended by the Illumination Society of America to avoid unreasonable distraction by pedestrians or motorists. Illumination shall not exceed that necessary to make the sign visible to the average person on the street adjacent to the sign.
4.
Maintenance. All signs shall be constantly maintained in a state of security, safety, and repair. If any sign is found not to be so maintained or is insecurely fastened or otherwise dangerous, it shall be the duty of the owner and/or occupant of the premises on which the sign is fastened to repair or remove the sign within five days after receiving written notice from the sign code administrator.
5.
Obstruction. No sign shall be located so as to physically obstruct any door, window, or exit from a building. No sign shall be located so as to be hazardous to a motorist's ingress and egress from parking areas or any way open to the public. No sign shall be located so as to be hazardous to a pedestrian's access to any way open to the public.
6.
Inspection. All sign users shall permit periodic inspection of their sign(s) by the city upon request.
7.
Conflicting Provisions. Whenever any provisions of this title overlap or conflict with regard to size or placement of a sign, the more restrictive provision shall apply.
B.
Specific Provisions.
1.
Freestanding Signs. A freestanding sign may be located at the property or building line, provided it complies with Chapter 12.11 RMC (Intersection Sight Distance) and the sign is located entirely behind the property or building line.
2.
Building-Mounted Signs. Wall signs shall not extend above the point of intersection of the building wall to which the sign is attached and the building roof except that wall signs may extend to the top of a parapet wall. Wall signs and projecting signs may project over public property within the limits established in Chapter 27.10 RMC (Measurements). The structural support for projecting signs shall be an integral part of the sign design or shall be concealed from view. All structural support for projecting signs shall be entirely from the building wall or parapet from which the sign projects.
3.
Marquee Awnings or Canopy Signs. Marquee awnings or canopy signs shall be mounted flat against the face of the marquee or canopy and shall not extend below the bottom face to which attached. One sign per user is permitted on the underside of a marquee or canopy. Such signs shall be mounted perpendicular to the building face and located at the main entrance of use. No other projecting signs relating to the user shall be visible from beneath the marquee or canopy.
4.
Window Signs. Window signs shall not be included in determining the number of primary signs nor in determining the permissible sign area for each facade.
5.
Roof Signs. All roof signs shall be constructed in such a way that they appear as an architectural blade or penthouse and are finished in such a manner that the visual appearance from all sides is such that they appear to be a part of the building itself. Roof signs shall be erected in such a manner that there is no visible support structure.
C.
Signs Prohibited in All Zones. Except where otherwise provided in this chapter, the following signs or displays are prohibited:
1.
Signs which are an imitation of or resemble an official traffic sign or signal.
2.
A sign that moves or gives the appearance of moving and any sign which flutters, undulates, swings, rotates, oscillates or otherwise moves by natural or artificial means, including any pennant but excluding banners displayed in compliance with the provisions of this title.
3.
Signs which, by reason of their size, location, movement, coloring, or manner of illumination, may be confused with or construed as a traffic control sign, signal, or device, or the light of an emergency vehicle, or which obstruct the visibility of any traffic or street sign or signal device.
4.
Signs or displays consisting of strings of lights, spinners, twirlers or propellers, flashing, rotating, or blinking lights, flares, balloons, bubble machines, and similar devices of a carnival nature, or containing elements creating sound or smell.
5.
Abandoned signs, except as authorized by RMC § 27.08.030(I).
6.
Signs on utility poles.
7.
Search lights, banners, clusters of flags, posters, pennants, and streamers.
8.
Billboards.
9.
Signs for which a permit is required and which are erected, altered, or relocated without, or in violation of the terms and conditions of, a current and valid permit issued by the city of Richland.
10.
Except as otherwise permitted herein, off-premises commercial signs.
11.
Except as otherwise permitted herein, portable signs.
Prohibited signs and displays are subject to removal and abatement by the city at the expense of the persons owning or maintaining such sign or display as provided in Chapter 27.12 RMC.
D.
Signs Projecting over Public Right-of-Way.
1.
Projecting signs extending over public right-of-way shall be erected with clearance and projection limitations as set forth in Chapter 27.10 RMC (Measurements); provided, that in no case shall any sign be permitted to extend beyond the curb line.
2.
If a public need arises, any sign permitted to extend over public right-of-way shall be removed or altered within 10 days of receiving written notice from the sign code administrator.
E.
Signs near Intersections. All signs located at street or driveway/street intersections shall be placed so as not to constitute a safety hazard and shall be constructed to comply with the requirements of Chapter 12.11 RMC (Intersection Sight Distance). Freestanding signs located at street intersections may be placed at the property line or building line subject to the limitations above.
(Ord. 3-89; Ord. 08-19 § 4; Ord. 25-20 § 2)