A.    Scope. This chapter establishes regulations for all permanent and temporary signs in the county that are visible from a public right-of-way. This chapter does not apply to signs erected by the county or other government agencies or signs mandated by state or federal law.

B.    Purpose. Signs perform an important function in identifying, promoting, and directing members of the public to businesses, events, messages, services, and other matters of public interest. It is the purpose of this chapter to protect the public health, safety, and welfare and to promote a quality visual environment by establishing reasonable standards for the size, placement, height, and other characteristics of signs placed within the county. The regulations established in this sign code are intended to protect and promote free speech, while encouraging and maintaining a consistent community and business climate. The regulations for signs have the objective to protect public safety and welfare by ensuring that signs are designed, constructed, installed, and maintained according to uniform, nondiscriminatory, and content-neutral standards that promote a high quality, comprehensive system of standards and requirements. (Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

A.    Permanent sign permits are a Type I project pursuant to Chapter 17.94; except that temporary signs in accordance with Section 17.66.090 are permitted without a permit, and exempt signs in accordance with Section 17.66.030 are permitted without a permit.

B.    Signs governed by this chapter shall receive a permit from the administrator before being installed, constructed, erected, structurally altered, replaced, or relocated after the adoption of this chapter.

C.    Permits for Multi-Business Signs. A single permit application shall be required for each group of permanent signs on a single supporting structure installed simultaneously. Thereafter, each additional permanent sign erected on the structure must have a separate permit.

D.    Ownership of Sign Location. The applicant for a sign permit must certify that the applicant has ownership or control of the property on which the sign is to be located, or provide the signed, written consent of the property owner.

E.    Maintenance and Repair. No sign permit shall be required for repainting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign. No sign permit shall be required when the change or replacement is an exact replacement of a legal conforming sign. A sign permit is required for any change to the sign’s size or sign area, modifications to the sign structure, or any change to or addition of visual effects such as illumination, motion, or animation. (Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

Except when otherwise prohibited, the following shall not require a sign permit; however, these exemptions shall not be construed as relieving the owner from the responsibility to comply with the provisions of this chapter or any other law or ordinance:

A.    The changing of the advertising copy or message on a lawfully erected, painted or printed sign, reader board, or similar sign specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy.

B.    Decorations customary for holidays and special occasions erected entirely on private property.

C.    Flag poles except that they shall comply with the applicable height provisions of the zoning and building codes.

D.    Gravestones and similar memorial plaques and monuments outside of public right-of-way.

E.    Signs displaying the addresses of the property on which they are located, and which may include the name of the occupants of a residence, so long as the sign does not exceed two square feet in area per side and does not include any commercial advertising. One lot identification sign with the total area not to exceed:

1.    Two square feet per residential dwelling unit, not to exceed a maximum of eighteen square feet for multifamily projects; and

2.    Eighteen square feet for nonresidential uses.

F.    Signs required by county, state, federal, or local law or regulation, and signs erected on public property or public rights-of-way by government agencies or public utilities.

G.    Decals affixed to glass door or window panels of a building, such as would be typical to indicate membership in a business group, trade association, or credit card network.

H.    Private driveway signs, limited to one per driveway entrance, to distinguish private access driveways from public rights-of-way.

I.    On-premises signs warning the public of prohibited uses, such as “no trespassing,” “no soliciting,” or “no hunting,” so long as such signs do not exceed two square feet in area in residential zones, and six square feet in commercial and industrial zones.

J.    Building Name Signs. Historic signs that (1) advertise the name of the building, year built, and/or historical references, or designated as a historic landmark, and (2) are not associated with the name of any individual business, provided they meet the standards below:

1.    Maximum quantity: one sign per building entrance.

2.    Maximum sign area: six square feet.

3.    Maximum height above existing grade: six feet.

4.    Digital message signs are not allowed as building name signs.

K.    Any sign on a mobile food vendor/food truck.

L.    Murals, except when advertising a business, product, service, or activity, that portion of said mural is regulated as a wall sign and shall require a permit. (Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

The following signs are prohibited:

A.    Signs on any vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property and visible from a public right-of-way, including trailer-mounted or otherwise portable reader boards. This provision shall not prohibit signs that are painted on or magnetically attached to any vehicle operating in the normal course of business;

B.    Signs that are an imitation of, or resemble, an official traffic sign, signal, or device that could cause confusion with any official sign, signal, or device, or that obstruct the visibility of any traffic/street sign, signal, or device;

C.    Signs attached to utility, streetlight, and traffic-control standard poles;

D.    Signs in a dilapidated (having peeling paint, cracks or holes, and/or loose or dangling materials) or hazardous condition;

E.    Abandoned signs;

F.    Signs on doors, windows, or fire escapes that restrict free ingress or egress;

G.    Balloons and other inflated objects, with the following exception: balloons and inflatable decorations are allowed on a temporary basis on private property in residential zones for holidays and special occasions;

H.    Signs erected on trees or drawn on rocks or natural settings, except for approved signs carved in rocks;

I.    Changing message center signs and video signs along roads/streets having a speed limit higher than forty miles per hour;

J.    Signs that have blinking, flashing, fluttering, or moving lights or other illuminating devices that have a changing light intensity or color, except for those provided for airports;

K.    Signs that emit smoke, visible vapors, visible particles, sounds, flames, or odors;

L.    Signs with mirrors or other highly reflective surfaces;

M.    Roof signs;

N.    Signs that the public works director determines to be a safety hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic, including signs that obstruct the sight-distance triangle at any intersection or that extend into the traveled roadway; and

O.    Any other sign not meeting the requirements of this chapter. (Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

A.    Compliance With Other Applicable Codes. All signs erected or altered under this chapter must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations governing signs, including without limitation the provisions of the International Building Code as adopted by the county. If any provision of this code conflicts with any provision of any other zoning, building, fire, safety, or public health ordinance or code of the county, the provision that establishes the more restrictive standard shall govern.

B.    Administrator Enforcement Authority. The administrator 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.

C.    Nonconforming Signs. Any sign lawfully existing under all codes and ordinances in effect when this title is enacted or amended may continue to be maintained and operated as a legal nonconforming sign so long as it remains otherwise lawful; provided, that:

1.    No sign shall be changed in any manner that increases its noncompliance with this title;

2.    If the sign is structurally altered or moved, its legal nonconforming status shall be voided, and the sign and any replacement will be required to conform to Chapter 17.66. Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict normal structural repair and maintenance;

3.    The sign is not a hazardous sign or abandoned sign; and

4.    The sign is not a temporary sign or an illegal sign.

D.    Sign Maintenance. 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 provisions of this code. (Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

A.    Sign area for nonmonument freestanding signs shall be calculated by determining the total surface area of the sign as viewed from any single vantage point, excluding support structures.

B.    Sign area for letters or symbols painted or mounted directly on walls or monument signs shall be calculated by measuring the smallest single rec-tangle which will enclose the combined letters and symbols.

C.    Sign area for signs contained entirely within a cabinet and mounted on a wall or monument shall be calculated by measuring the entire area of the cabinet.

D.    Sign area for temporary signs shall include all portions of the sign attached to the primary supporting structure of the sign, including material additions to the sign. (Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

All signs shall comply with the following provisions:

A.    Except for exempt signs and temporary signs, all signs shall be permanently attached to a building or the ground;

B.    All permanent signs shall be constructed of durable materials;

C.    In addition to the sign illumination requirements of Section 17.66.080, lighting directed on or internal to any sign shall be shaded, screened or directed so the light’s intensity or brightness shall not adversely affect neighboring property or motor vehicle safety;

D.    All signs with their supports, braces, and guy wires shall be maintained in a safe and secure manner;

E.    No signs shall be placed in the vision clearance triangle; and

F.    No sign shall project over any public right-of-way. (Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

A.    General. No temporary sign may be illuminated. Permanent signs allowed by this chapter may be nonilluminated, illuminated by internal light fixtures, halo illuminated, or have external indirect illumination, unless otherwise specified.

B.    General Illumination Standards.

1.    For purposes of illumination, all lights attached to a sign in any manner shall not extend more than five feet from the sign structure.

2.    Externally illuminated signs shall be arranged so that no direct rays of light are projected from such artificial source into residences, businesses, or any street right-of-way.

3.    External sign light fixtures shall complement the design of the sign and building facades or structures associated with the sign.

4.    External sign lighting shall be “full cutoff” and shall not result in direct illumination of the sky and adjacent properties and structures. Lighting shall be designed to minimize reflected glare to adjacent properties and structures.

5.    The light directed on, or internal to, any sign shall be shaded, shielded, and/or directed so that the intensity or brightness shall not adversely affect safe vision of operators of vehicles moving on private or public property or pedestrians on a public right-of-way. Electric signs shall not use incandescent bulbs for internal illumination. Lighted signs visible from nearby residences shall have low or soft illumination or be shielded in a manner to not adversely affect such residents.

6.    Digital message signs are not allowed in any residential zone except for permitted nonresidential uses.

C.    Hours of Illumination.

1.    Nonresidential Zones. There are no restrictions on hours of sign illumination in nonresidential zones.

2.    Residential Zones. Any sign shall only be illuminated between the hours of six a.m. and ten p.m. in residential zones. Neighborhood entrance signs that otherwise meet all other requirements of this section are exempt from the six a.m. and ten p.m. limitation. (Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

A.    Table 17.66.090-1 below illustrates the types of signs that are allowed for different development/use types in all zones. See 17.66.090-2 below for visual examples and descriptions of all building-mounted sign types.

B.    Interpretation.

1.    The letter “P” indicates permitted sign types, subject to the standards in this chapter.

2.    A blank cell indicates the particular sign type is not permitted.

3.    A number in the cell refers to a condition, listed below the table.

NOTES:

1. Where sign standards are established as part of a CUP, those standards apply.

2. Single-family subdivisions and multifamily complex. One monument sign is permitted per entrance (and may be located anywhere along the access street), provided said signs do not exceed twenty-four square feet in sign area and four feet in height.

3. Signs must comply with size and height standards set forth in this chapter, but no more than one sign per lot frontage and signs may not be larger than twenty-four square feet in sign area and no taller than six feet in height.

4. Home businesses may either have one non-illuminated post and arm sign, one non-illuminated wall sign, or one non-illuminated pylon sign. Home occupation wall signs are limited to six square feet in sign area and six feet in height.

Figure 17.66.090-2    

Freestanding Sign Types

B.    On-Premises Freestanding Signs. On-premises freestanding signs must meet the following criteria, in addition to the provisions of this chapter:

1.    Each structure/building may be permitted one on-premises freestanding sign on each road frontage, up to a maximum of two on-premises freestanding signs. In the event that the structure/building has no frontage, one on-premises freestanding sign shall be allowed.

2.    On-premises freestanding signs shall not exceed the maximum building height allowed in the zoning district in which the sign will be located or fifty feet, whichever is less. The height of the sign shall be determined by measuring from the grade to the highest point on the sign.

3.    On-premises freestanding signs shall not exceed two hundred square feet in sign area per face. Certain signs oriented to the highway may be permitted larger subject to subsection C of this section.

4.    On-premises freestanding signs shall not contain more than two faces.

5.    Minimum Setback. Five-foot minimum setback to property lines, rights-of-way, or private drives from the closest element of the sign structure.

6.    Internal Wayfinding Signs. The appropriate number of internal wayfinding signs needed to provide directional assistance, given size of site and circulation pattern, will be determined by the administrator.

7.    Multiple-Use Complexes. In commercial and industrial zones, each multiple-use complex shall be allowed one freestanding sign on each street frontage. When the street frontage is longer than four hundred feet, one additional freestanding sign shall be permitted for each additional four hundred feet of street frontage; provided, that no freestanding sign shall be placed closer than two hundred feet to any other freestanding sign on site.

C.    Highway Signs. This subsection permits retail and services near Interstate Highway 90 (I-90) and U.S. Route 395 (US-395) to have larger on-premises signs to inform highway travelers of their service.

1.    Location. A commercial or industrial use with more than one street frontage may substitute a highway sign for one of its allowable freestanding signs when the use or portion thereof is:

a.    Within one thousand feet of an I-90 or US-395 interchange; or

b.    Within two hundred fifty feet of the I-90 or US-395 right-of-way.

2.    Number of Highway Signs. Only one highway sign is permitted on each lot.

3.    Uses With Only One Frontage. Uses within the area with only one public road frontage may install a highway sign in addition to the permitted freestanding sign.

4.    Sign Height. The maximum height for highway signs is fifty feet.

5.    Sign Size. The maximum sign area for highway signs per face is four hundred square feet. Signs larger than four hundred square feet may be permitted with a conditional use permit.

6.    A permit or other written approval may be required from the Washington State Department of Transportation prior to review of certain types of sign permits by Adams County for those areas subject to conformance with the Highway Advertising Control Act (Chapter 468-66 WAC).

D.    Billboards. Off-premises billboard signs must meet the following criteria, in addition to the provisions of this chapter:

1.    The maximum sign area for a billboard sign shall not exceed three hundred square foot per sign face;

2.    The maximum sign height for a billboard sign shall not exceed thirty-five feet;

3.    Billboard signs must be set back five feet from the property line;

4.    Billboard signs shall not be located within one hundred fifty feet of a residential district;

5.    Signs between a one-hundred-fifty- and three-hundred-foot radius of a residential district shall be restricted to one hundred sixty square feet per sign face and may not be lighted;

6.    Signs shall not be within five hundred lineal feet of another off-premises sign on the same street; and

7.    Digital message signs are not permitted.

E.    Building-Mounted Signs.

1.    Each structure/building may be permitted one building-mounted sign per tenant facade that is visible from an adjacent street, customer parking lot, or driveway access.

2.    Wall signs shall be no wider than two-thirds the width of the individual facade.

3.    Signs attached to a building shall not exceed the height of the building.

4.    Wall signs may be painted upon, attached flat to, or pinned away from the wall, but shall not project more than twelve inches from the wall, or more than necessary to extend beyond the eaves of a roof. No more than ten percent of the sign area of a wall sign may extend above the sloping eave line of a building with a hip, gambrel, gable, or shed roof. (Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))

A.    Prohibited Placement. Except as otherwise provided for in this chapter, temporary signs are prohibited from being in the following places:

1.    No temporary sign may be placed on a roof of a building or structure.

2.    No temporary sign may be placed on fences.

3.    No temporary sign shall be so located as to physically obstruct any door or exit from a building.

4.    No temporary sign shall be located to be hazardous to a motorist’s or pedestrian’s ingress and egress from buildings or parking areas.

5.    No temporary sign shall be in the sight-distance triangle, or in any other area which may obstruct the vision of motorists to create a safety hazard.

B.    Generally.

1.    No temporary sign may have direct or internal illumination, changing image sign features, or electronic elements.

2.    If the temporary sign is advertising for an event, the sign must be removed within ten days after the event for which it is intended.

3.    The sign area of individual temporary signs shall not exceed thirty-two square feet.

4.    The maximum height of a temporary sign is six feet.

5.    Temporary signs must be removed if they become dilapidated (having peeling paint, cracks or holes, and/or loose or dangling materials) or a hazardous condition in accordance with Section 17.66.040.

6.    Temporary signs shall not be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or to any other structure, but must be sufficiently anchored to prevent theft, wind damage or safety problems.

C.    On-Premises Temporary Signs. All on-premises temporary signs shall conform to the following:

1.    The sign area of individual temporary signs shall not exceed thirty-two square feet.

2.    The maximum height of a temporary sign is six feet.

3.    Minimum Setback. Five-foot minimum setback to property lines, road right-of-way, or private drives from the closest element of the sign.

4.    Commercial/Industrial Properties. Only one temporary sign on each street frontage per parcel per tenant is permitted.

5.    Residential and Institutional Properties. There is no restriction on the number of temporary signs allowed on residential and institutional properties. All temporary signs on residential and institutional properties shall only display noncommercial copy, except:

a.    Temporary Signs for Properties Actively for Sale or Lease. One temporary sign displaying a commercial message that does not exceed eight square feet in size can be placed on the property or attached to the dwelling unit when the property is actively for sale or lease.

b.    Temporary Signs for Home Businesses. One temporary sign is permitted for an approved home business.

6.    Building-Mounted Signs. Building-mounted temporary signs attached flush to the face of the building:

a.    Shall not have a maximum height; provided, that no sign shall extend beyond the roofline of the building; and

b.    In aggregate (i.e., the total of all building-mounted temporary signs) shall not cover more than twenty percent of the building’s facade.

D.    Off-Premises Temporary Signs. The only type of off-premises private property signs permitted are directional signs; provided, that:

1.    The sign area of individual off-premises temporary signs shall not exceed thirty-two square feet;

2.    The maximum height of an off-premises temporary sign is six feet;

3.    Each use located in a district where off-premises directional signs are allowed is permitted one off-premises directional sign; and

4.    Only one off-premises sign is permitted on a parcel.

E.    Temporary Signs in the Right-of-Way. Except as prohibited in subsection A of this section, temporary signs may be placed in the public right-of-way if they meet all the following standards:

1.    The sign area of individual temporary signs in the right-of-way shall not exceed sixteen square feet;

2.    The maximum height of a temporary sign in the right-of-way is six feet;

3.    Minimum Setback. All temporary signs must be set back five feet from all property lines and road pavement from the closest element of the sign, and fifty feet from all driveways and intersections;

4.    All temporary signs in the right-of-way must be noncommercial;

5.    All temporary signs in the right-of-way may only be placed with the permission of the adjoining property owner; and

6.    Pursuant to Chapter 47.42 RCW and Chapter 468-66 WAC, placement of signs on the public right-of-way of state routes is prohibited, and signs visible from a state highway must meet all requirements in Chapter 468-66 WAC. (Ord. O-02-25 § 1 (Exh. A))