(1) Intent. Signs have a strong visual impact on the character and quality of our 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 our community. The City relies upon its physical setting and beauty to attract commerce and aesthetic considerations assume economic value. The intent of this chapter is to protect and enhance both the City’s residential character and its economic base using appropriate and aesthetic signage.

(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 that:

(1) Applicability. This chapter applies to all signs within the jurisdictional limits of the City, regardless of the type or nature.

(2) Exclusions. The following are exempted from the regulations and requirements of this chapter, but may be subject to regulation under other portions of the CMC:

(1) This chapter is not intended to, and shall not be interpreted to, restrict speech based on its content, viewpoint, or message.

(2) No part of this chapter shall be construed to favor commercial speech over noncommercial speech. (Ord. 08-18 § 2 (Exh. A))

“Abandoned sign” means any sign remaining in place after such sign has not been maintained or, if the activity conducted on the subject property ceases, for 180 or more consecutive days.

“Animated sign” means any sign, or any portion of the sign, affected by the movement of air or other atmospheric or mechanical means, or that uses natural or artificial changes of lighting, to depict action or create a special effect or scene. Animated signs include, but are not limited to, flashing signs, inflatable signs, rotating signs, pennants, streamers, balloons, searchlights, spinners, and propellers. Changeable copy signs and electronic changeable copy signs are not considered animated signs for the purposes of this chapter.

“Athletic field” means facilities used for sporting activities such as softball, baseball, football, soccer, running track, tennis, and other nonmotorized sports. Athletic fields may include bleachers, concession stands, lights, restrooms, and other supporting facilities.

“Awning or canopy sign” means a nonelectric sign that is printed on, painted on, or attached to the vertical surface or flap of an awning or canopy.

“Banner” means a sign composed of flexible material, such as fabric, pliable plastic, or other similar nonrigid material, with no enclosing framework or electrical components and that is supported or anchored on two or more edges or at all four corners, or along either one edge or two corners with weights installed that reduce the reaction of the sign to wind.

“Building-mounted signs” means any sign attached to the face of a building, including, without limitation, wall signs, marquee signs, under canopy signs, and projecting signs.

Canopy Sign. See “Awning or canopy sign.”

“Changeable copy sign” means a sign with copy that can be changed or altered by manual, electric, electromechanical, or electronic means and without changing or altering the sign frame, sign supports, or electrical parts. A sign on which the copy changes more than eight times in a 24-hour period shall be considered an electronic changeable copy sign, and not a changeable copy sign, for the purposes of this chapter.

“Commercial sign” means any sign, display, or device designed, intended or used to encourage or promote purchase or use of goods or services.

“Comprehensive sign plan (CSP)” means a coordinated program of all signs, including exempt and temporary signs for a business, or businesses if applicable, located on a development site. The sign program shall include, but not be limited to, indications of the locations, dimensions, colors, letter styles, and sign types of all signs to be installed on a site.

“Copy” means the graphic content of a sign surface, including, but not limited to, graphics, letters, numbers, figures, symbols, and trademarks.

“Electric sign” means a sign or sign structure in which electrical wiring, connections, or fixtures are used.

“Electronic changeable copy sign” means an electronically activated sign with a copy that is changed, either in whole or in part, more than eight times in a 24-hour period by means of electronic programming.

“Exposed building face” means the building exterior wall of a single occupant building or the building exterior wall of an individual tenant’s leased space in a multi-tenant complex, viewed as a vertical plane between the finished grade and the roofline. This vertical plane will be used to calculate the sign area for building-mounted signs. In the case of an interior business without a separate exterior entrance, the exposed building face will be the vertical plane of the entrance wall measured between the floor and ceiling. As an option, for those businesses having oblique walls, the exposed building face is that area between the finish grade and the roofline that is shown on the elevation drawing submitted with the required drawings for a building permit.

“Flag” means any piece of cloth of individual size, color, and design, hoisted on a pole permanently affixed to the ground or displayed via a pole bracket permanently affixed to a building. If any single dimension of a flag is more than three times greater than any other single dimension, for the purposes of this chapter such a flag is classified and regulated as a banner, regardless of how it is anchored or supported.

“Flashing sign” means an electric sign or any portion of an electric sign that changes light intensity in sudden transitory bursts, or switches on and off in a constant pattern (e.g., strobe lights). Changeable copy signs and electronic changeable copy signs are not considered flashing signs for the purposes of this chapter.

“Freestanding sign” means a sign on a frame, pole, or other support structure that is not attached to any building.

“Frontage, building” means the length of an outside building wall.

“Frontage, property” means the length of the property line along the public right-of-way or private street on which it borders.

“Graffiti” means writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in public right-of-way or public space, or on a private property viewable from a public right-of-way, public space, or another private property.

“Height” means the vertical distance measured from the highest point of the sign to either the grade of the adjacent street or the surface grade beneath the sign, whichever is less.

“Illuminated sign” means a sign with an artificial light source incorporated internally or externally for illuminating the sign.

“Inflatable sign” means any object enlarged or inflated that floats, is tethered in the air, is activated by air or moving gas, or is located on the ground or on a building with or without copy or other graphics. These signs include large single displays or a display of smaller inflatable items, such as balloons, connected in some fashion to create a larger display.

“Institutional property” means property developed as governmental, educational, health, cultural and recreational centers, places of worship, and cemeteries. They may include government owned and operated facilities or be privately owned and operated.

“Kiosk” means a small structure in a public area used for providing information, often incorporating an interactive display.

“Lawn sign” means a freestanding sign made of lightweight materials such as cardboard or vinyl that is supported by a frame, pole, or other support structure placed directly in the ground without foundation or other anchors.

“Maintenance” means the cleaning, painting, and minor repair of a sign in a manner that does not alter the basic copy, design, or structure of the sign.

“Marquee sign” means any sign attached to or supported by a marquee, which is a permanent roof-like projecting structure attached to a building.

“Monument sign (ground sign)” means a freestanding sign having the appearance of a solid base that is 100 percent or greater of the sign face width, made of landscape construction materials such as brick, stucco, stonework, textured wood, tile, or textured concrete, which are harmonious with the materials of the primary structure on the subject property.

“Multi-tenant complex” means a complex containing two or more uses or businesses.

“Neon (outline tubing) sign” means a sign consisting of glass tubing, filled with neon gas or other similar gas, which glows when an electric current is sent through it.

“Noncommercial sign” means a sign which contains no message, statement, or expression related to commercial interests. Noncommercial signs include, but are not limited to, signs expressing political views, religious views, or information about and/or announcements of nonprofit organizations.

“Nonconforming sign” means any sign that was constructed, erected, and maintained in conformance with all King County or City of Covington rules and regulations in effect at the time the sign was established and that no longer conforms to the rules and regulations of this chapter.

“Pedestal sign” means freestanding signs supported permanently upon the ground by one or more solid bases, which base or bases shall be of a width equal to or greater than 50 percent of the sign width.

“Pole or pylon signs” means freestanding signs supported permanently upon the ground by one or more solid bases, which base or bases are less than 50 percent of the sign width.

“Portable sign” means a sign that is not permanently affixed and that is designed for or capable of being moved, except those signs explicitly designed for people to carry on their persons or that are permanently affixed to motor vehicles. Portable signs include, but are not limited to, A-frame signs, portable reader boards, lawn signs, and similar signs.

“Projecting sign” means a sign, other than a wall sign, which is attached to and projects from a building wall or other structure not specifically designed to support the sign.

“Public art” means original artwork that is accessible to the public and/or public employees and has been approved as public art by the City.

“Right-of-way” means land owned, dedicated, or conveyed to the public and used primarily for the movement of vehicles, wheelchair, and pedestrian traffic, and land privately owned and used primarily for the movement of vehicles, wheelchair, and pedestrian traffic, so long as such privately owned land has been constructed in compliance with all applicable laws and standards for a public right-of-way.

“Roadway” means the portion of a street that is improved for motor vehicle or bicycle travel. Roadway includes vehicle travel lanes and on-street parking areas. Roadway does not include area devoted to curbs, parking strips, or sidewalks.

“Roofline” means that lowest portion of a pitched or flat roof visible from a public right-of-way or adjacent property.

“Rotating sign” means a sign that revolves on a fixed axis.

“Sign area” means the entire area of a sign on which copy is placed, excluding the sign’s structure, architectural embellishments, and framework. Sign area is calculated by measuring the perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the module or sign face containing the copy; provided, however, that separated copy using a canopy, awning, or wall as the background and that is without added decoration or change in the canopy, awning, or wall shall have a sign area calculated by measuring the perimeter enclosing the separate copy and totaling the square footage of all such perimeters included as part of the sign.

“Sign face” means the area of a sign on which the copy is placed.

“String light” means small electric lights spaced evenly along a cable and used for decoration.

“Temporary sign” means any sign not permanently affixed or attached to the ground or a structure.

“Tenant space” means a portion of a structure occupied by a single commercial leaseholder with its own public entrance from the exterior of the building or through a shared lobby, atrium, mall, or hallway and separated from other tenant spaces by walls.

“Vacant lot” means any parcel of land that is without a primary use or structure.

“Wall sign” means either a sign applied with paint or similar substance on the surface of a wall or a sign with no copy on the sides or edges and attached essentially parallel to and extending not more than 12 inches from the wall of a building.

“Window signs” mean all signs located inside and affixed to a window and intended to be viewed from the exterior of the structure. (Ord. 08-18 § 2 (Exh. A))

(1) Animated Signs. Any animated sign as defined in CMC 18.55.040, except as permitted under CMC 18.55.140 through 18.55.200.

(2) Nuisance Signs. Any signs that emit smoke, visible particles, odors, and/or sound, except that speakers in signs on the premises of a drive-through facility shall be allowed.

(3) Hazardous Signs. Any sign that is dangerous or confusing to motorists and pedestrians, including any sign that by its color, wording, design, location, or illumination resembles or conflicts with any official traffic control device or that otherwise impedes the safe and efficient flow of traffic.

(4) Impediment to Access. No sign may impede free ingress and egress from any sidewalk, pedestrian walkway, door, window, or exit way required by building and fire regulations.

(5) Portable signs on wheels (trailer signs) and outdoor electric portable signs.

(6) Abandoned signs as defined by CMC 18.55.040.

(7) Signs within the public right-of-way, public property, public easements or structures, including, but not limited to, medians, roundabouts, sidewalks, utility poles and cabinets, street light poles, traffic poles and signals, and street trees, except as allowed pursuant to CMC 18.55.190.

(8) Signs placed on or painted on a motor vehicle or trailer parked with the primary purpose of serving as a sign not otherwise allowed by this chapter.

(9) Graffiti.

(10) Signs without a Proper Permit. Signs erected, constructed, or structurally altered that are required to have a permit for such action and that were erected, constructed, or altered without obtaining a permit for such action.

(11) Sound. No sign shall emit any sound that is intended to attract attention beyond the boundaries of the lot on which it is located or that creates a public nuisance. (Ord. 08-18 § 2 (Exh. A))

(1) Changes to the face or copy of changeable copy signs, digital signs, and electronic copy 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 meeting the requirements in this chapter, except for those required to be permitted pursuant to Article III of this chapter.

(4) Any signs required to be posted pursuant to the Covington Municipal Code or any other local, State, or Federal regulation.

(5) Any sign on a vehicle, unless such vehicle sign is prohibited pursuant to CMC 18.55.050. (Ord. 08-18 § 2 (Exh. A))

(1) Permit Required. No person shall erect, alter, or relocate any temporary sign without first receiving an approved temporary sign permit from the City pursuant to the requirements herein, unless the temporary sign is exempt from permitting requirements in accordance with Article II of this chapter.

(2) Review Type. The review and approval of temporary sign permits is a Type I land use decision that shall be processed pursuant to Chapter 14.30 CMC, as amended.

(3) Application. Applications for temporary sign permits shall be submitted to the City on forms provided by the City.

(4) Fee. 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 each temporary sign permit application. (Ord. 08-18 § 2 (Exh. A))

(1) Comprehensive Sign Program. A comprehensive sign program (CSP) may be approved as an alternative to the requirements set forth in Articles III and IV of this chapter. The purpose of a CSP is to provide flexibility and promote superior sign design and wayfinding. The CSP is intended to provide a process where special consideration can be given to multiple signs that are looked at comprehensively in relation to each other and their context in the overall development with an expectation of high quality design and a holistic approach demonstrating the integration of signage into the development and buildings on the subject property. This flexibility is offered in exchange for a coordinated program of signage to ensure a higher standard of design quality for such signs. The flexibility in size, type and location of signs is not a matter of right, and a proposed CSP must be reviewed pursuant to the provisions of this section. The City may allow deviations from the requirements of this chapter consistent with the criteria listed in subsection (6) of this section.

(2) Applicability. A CSP may be submitted for the following uses and developments:

(3) Review Process. An application for a CSP under this section will be reviewed and decided upon by the Community Development Director. Prior to issuing a decision, the Community Development Director may consult, at the applicant’s expense, with the City’s architectural review consultant.

(4) Design Standards.

(5) Application Requirements. A complete CSP application shall consist of the following:

(6) Criteria for Approval. The City may approve a CSP if:

(7) Notice of Final Decision. The Director shall issue a notice of decision incorporating the findings based on the criteria for approval of a CSP.

(8) Need for Sign Permit. Individual sign permits regulated by a CSP Program are required prior to installation of each sign demonstrating consistency with the approved CSP except as provided for under CMC 18.55.060.

(9) Minor Modifications. The Community Development Director may grant a minor modification to the approved CSP if:

(10) Major Modifications. Modifications requested that do not meet the requirements of this section shall submit a new CSP application or meet the criteria for the requested sign type as outlined in this chapter.

(11) Appeals. The decision of the Community Development Director in approving or denying a CSP application under subsection (3) of this section or modifications granted under subsections (9) and (10) of this section may be appealed using the Type II land use decision procedures set forth in Chapter 14.45 CMC, as amended. (Ord. 08-18 § 2 (Exh. A))

(1) Permit Required. Except as provided for under CMC 18.55.060, no person shall erect, alter, or relocate any permanent sign without first receiving an approved sign permit from the City pursuant to the requirements herein.

(2) Review Type. The review and approval of permanent sign permits is a Type I land use decision pursuant to Chapter 14.30 CMC, as amended.

(3) Application Requirements. A complete permit application for permanent signs shall consist of the following:

(4) Criteria for Approval. Sign permit applications shall be reviewed by the Community Development Director for consistency with the standards in this chapter, according to the sign type and all other applicable regulations. A sign permit shall not be issued unless the Director makes findings that the criteria applicable to each sign type, as well as the general standards in this chapter, are satisfied. Sign permit applications shall be reviewed by the Building Official for consistency with the Building Code.

(5) Notice of Final Decision. The Director shall issue a notice of decision incorporating the decision on the sign permit application not more than 120 days after issuance of the determination of completeness for the same application.

(6) Expiration of Permit. A permanent sign approved under a permanent sign permit must be installed within 180 days of issuance of the permit or the permanent sign permit will expire. No sign may be erected if a sign permit has expired. (Ord. 08-18 § 2 (Exh. A))

(1) Approval Required. A variance may be granted from the strict application of the regulations in this chapter that apply to:

A variance may not be granted to allow any prohibited signs or prohibited sign features, as included in CMC 18.55.050, or for any other purpose not listed in this subsection (1).

(2) Review Type. Sign variances under this section shall be processed as a Type II land use decision pursuant to the procedures as set forth in Chapter 14.30 CMC, as amended.

(3) Need for Sign Permit – Consolidation of Processing. A sign variance application may be submitted before or concurrent with the associated sign permit application. No sign permit application requiring a variance for issuance will be processed without a sign variance application.

(4) Application Requirements. A complete sign variance application shall consist of the following:

(5) Criteria for Approval. To approve any sign variance, the Director must make written findings to show that all the following criteria have been met. The Director may impose conditions or restrictions to ensure that a requested variance will conform to the required findings.

(6) Notice of Final Decision. The Director shall issue a notice of decision incorporating the decision on the variance application not more than 120 days after issuance of the determination of complete application.

(7) 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. 08-18 § 2 (Exh. A))

(1) Maintenance Required.

(2) Removal.

(1) Legally Nonconforming. Except as otherwise provided in this section, signs in existence on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter that do not conform to the provisions of this chapter, but that were constructed, erected, or maintained in full compliance with previous regulations, will be regarded as legal nonconforming.

(2) Compliance Required. Signs in existence on the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter that are not legal nonconforming or that are prohibited pursuant to CMC 18.55.050 shall be immediately made to comply with the provisions of this chapter or be abated in accordance with the procedure established in Chapter 1.30 CMC.

(3) Sign Face Change. A sign face or copy change on a nonconforming sign is not allowed when the affected property and sign structure have been abandoned pursuant to CMC 18.55.040.

(4) Repair – Restoration. Any part of a sign or sign structure may be repaired as normal maintenance, or restored to a safe condition, without loss of legal nonconforming status. Damage from acts of nature or vandalism to a nonconforming sign will keep its nonconforming status if the cost of the repair is less than 50 percent of the cost of replacing the nonconforming sign with a conforming sign; provided, that the replacement sign must be restored to the original design or a more conforming design.

(5) Alterations – Relocation – Replacement. Except for as provided herein, any legally nonconforming sign that is structurally altered, relocated, or replaced must immediately be brought into compliance with all applicable provisions of this chapter.

(6) Expansion or Change of Use. Any legally nonconforming sign on a nonresidential property must be brought into conformance with all applicable provisions of this chapter prior to any expansion or change in use which requires a development proposal or conditional use permit. No building permits for new construction may be issued until compliance with this provision is assured.

(7) Hazardous Signs. Any legally nonconforming sign or sign structure on private property, which, consequently, is a hazard to life and property, or which by its condition or location presents an immediate and serious danger to the public, must be removed or otherwise brought into compliance with this chapter pursuant to the enforcement provisions of this chapter.

(8) Variances. Variances may be granted using the variance procedure of this chapter to alleviate unusual hardships or extraordinary circumstances which exist in bringing nonconforming signs into conformity. (Ord. 08-18 § 2 (Exh. A))

(1) Compliance with Other Codes. All signs erected or altered under this chapter must comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local regulations relating to signs, including, without limitation, the provisions of this chapter and the International Building Code. If any provision of this chapter is found to conflict with any code provision of the City, or any other Federal, State, or local regulation, the provision that establishes the more restrictive standard shall prevail.

(2) Inspection. The Director is empowered to enter or inspect any building, structure, or premises in the City upon which any sign is located for inspection of the sign, its structural and electrical connections, and to ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Such inspections shall be carried out during business hours, unless an emergency exists.

(3) Financial Guarantee. The City may require a financial guarantee to ensure compliance with any aspect of this chapter.

(4) Violation – Penalty.

(5) 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 1.30 CMC and the laws and regulations of the State of Washington.

(6) Joint and Several Liability. The property owner(s) and each tenant or occupant may be jointly and severally liable for violations of any penalties imposed pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. 08-18 § 2 (Exh. A))

(1) Sign Placement. All temporary signs must be placed totally within the site/property pursuant to the requirements of this chapter, except when allowed to be placed within the right-of-way under CMC 18.55.190.

(2) Materials – Construction. Temporary signs may be made of any durable material; provided, that the temporary sign otherwise conforms to the requirements of this chapter. A temporary sign may be of rigid or nonrigid construction.

(3) Lighted Signs. Temporary signs that have either internal or external illumination shall not be displayed from the hours of 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

(4) Prohibited Placement. In addition to the limitations on the placement of temporary signs within the public right-of-way pursuant to CMC 18.55.190, except as otherwise provided for in this chapter, temporary signs are prohibited from being in the following places:

(1) Noncommercial. All temporary signs on residential properties shall only display noncommercial copy, except as provided in subsection (6) of this section.

(2) Sign Types – Construction – Materials. There is no restriction on the type of temporary sign (i.e., the sign construction or materials used) allowed on residential properties, if all other regulations and provisions of this chapter are met.

(3) Quantity. There is no restriction on the number of temporary signs allowed on residential properties.

(4) Duration. Temporary signs shall not be limited in duration, except as required in CMC 18.55.140.

(5) Size.

(6) 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. (Ord. 08-18 § 2 (Exh. A))

(1) Residential Uses. Residential uses on mixed-use development properties shall be subject to the temporary sign regulations pursuant to CMC 18.55.150.

(2) Commercial Uses. Commercial uses on mixed-use development properties shall be subject to the temporary sign regulations pursuant to CMC 18.55.180.

(3) Institutional Uses. Institutional uses on mixed-use development properties shall be subject to the temporary sign regulations pursuant to CMC 18.55.170. (Ord. 08-18 § 2 (Exh. A))

(1) Noncommercial. All temporary signs on institutional properties shall display only noncommercial copy.

(2) Sign Types – Construction – Materials. There is no restriction on the type of temporary sign (i.e., the sign construction or materials used) allowed on institutional properties, if all other regulations and provisions of this chapter are met.

(3) Quantity.

(4) Size.

(1) Permit Required. Only temporary banner signs placed on commercial properties require a permit issued by the City pursuant to CMC 18.55.070.

(2) Commercial and Noncommercial Signs. Temporary signs on commercial properties may be commercial or noncommercial in their messaging.

(3) Features. No temporary sign on a commercial property may have direct or internal illumination, changing image sign features, or electronic elements.

(4) Banners. Temporary banner signs on commercial properties shall be limited to the following:

(5) Portable Signs.

(6) Window Signs. Temporary signs placed on the inside of windows shall, in aggregate, not exceed 50 percent of the area of the window on which they are displayed.

(7) Temporary Freestanding Sign. Where a commercial property, either in whole or in part, is actively listed for sale or lease, one additional temporary freestanding sign for each street frontage on the site is allowed pursuant to the following:

(1) Right-of-Way. Except as prohibited pursuant to CMC 18.55.050, temporary signs may be placed in the right-of-way if they meet all the following standards:

(2) Street Pole Banners and String Lights. Temporary banner signs and string lights may be placed on public right-of-way if they meet all the following standards:

(3) Public Spaces. Temporary signs shall not be placed in any public park, trail, open space, or other public space, except for those signs placed by the City, which signs shall only display noncommercial copy. (Ord. 08-18 § 2 (Exh. A))

(1) Obstructing and Hazardous Placement Prohibited. No sign shall be so located to physically obstruct any door or exit from a building. No sign shall be located to be hazardous to a motorist’s or pedestrian’s ingress and egress from buildings or parking areas.

(2) Sight Distance. All signs are subject to the current City of Covington Design and Construction Standards regarding sight distances, pursuant to Chapter 12.60 CMC, as amended, and CMC 18.30.240 – Sight distance requirements. No sign shall obstruct the vision of motorists to create a safety hazard.

(3) Sign Setback Requirements. The required setback from the property lines for all signs shall be not less than five feet from the property line in residential zones and not less than three feet from the property line in all other zones. Kiosk freestanding signs with commercial copy shall be set back 50 feet from all property lines. The distance between a sign and a property line shall be measured along a straight line representing the shortest distance between the sign and the property line. (Ord. 08-18 § 2 (Exh. A))

(1) Sign Base. The base of the sign must be constructed with brick, stucco, stonework, textured wood, tile, or textured concrete, or materials that are similar with the character of the primary structures on the property and subject to the Director’s approval. No visible gap shall be allowed between the sign base and the finished grade.

(2) Sign Face. The color, shape, material, and other architectural details of the sign face and all visible sides of the sign shall be consistent with the character of the primary structure or development.

(3) Landscaping around Freestanding Signs. To improve overall appearance of the sign and to reduce the risk of motor vehicles hitting the sign or supports of the sign, an area adjacent to the base of each freestanding sign must be landscaped equal to the sign area; provided, however, that the City will not require more than 200 square feet of landscaped area. This landscaping must include vegetation and may include other materials and components such as brick or concrete bases as evidenced in plazas, patios and other pedestrian areas, planter boxes, pole covers, or decorative framing.

(4) Illumination. No sign may contain or utilize any of the following (does not apply to neon signage):

(5) Design Compatibility. Where more than one sign is allowed for a property, all signs for that property shall be compatible in design, style, color, and method of illumination. (Ord. 08-18 § 2 (Exh. A))

(1) Generally. No sign permit shall be issued for any permanent sign on a residential property unless such sign complies with the sign type, maximum number, maximum sign area, maximum height, location, duration, and all other allowances and limitations for those uses as required by this chapter.

(2) Residential Developments. Residential subdivision, short plat, and manufactured home park developments are allowed signs pursuant to the following:

(3) Properties Issued a Business License. On residential properties for which the City has issued a valid City business license for a home occupation or home industry, one permanent sign is allowed pursuant to the following:

(1) Freestanding Signs – High-Profile.

(2) Freestanding Signs – Medium-Profile.

(3) Freestanding Signs – Low-Profile.

(4) Freestanding Signs – Drive-Up Window Use.

(5) Freestanding Signs – Athletic Field Uses.

(6) Combined Sign Package for Adjacent Property Owners. The owners of two or more properties that abut or are separated only by a vehicular access easement or tract may propose a combined sign package through a comprehensive sign program submittal to the City. The City will review and decide upon a combined sign package by reviewing the proposal as if the combined parcels were one development. The City may approve the combined sign package if it will provide more coordinated, effective, and efficient signs. The allowable sign area, sign type, sign height, and the number of signs will be determined as if the applicants were one multi-tenant complex. (Ord. 08-18 § 2 (Exh. A))

(1) Sign Types. The following may be building-mounted signs and are allowed in all nonresidential zoning districts:

(2) Sign Features. Any building-mounted sign may be an electric sign, an illuminated sign, and/or a neon sign.

(3) Sign Height. No sign shall project above the roofline of the exposed building face to which it is attached.

(4) Sign Area. Except as otherwise provided for in this section, the total sign area of building-mounted signs for each business or tenant, excluding under canopy signs, shall not exceed 15 percent of the exposed building face to which it is attached; provided, however, that no individual sign shall exceed a sign area of 240 square feet and every applicant is entitled to a minimum sign area of 30 square feet.

(5) Number of Signs.

(6) Window Signs.