All signs shall comply with this chapter unless listed in EMC § 18.06.030, Exempt signage.

All signs shall require a sign permit prior to being erected, structurally altered, or relocated unless the permitting requirements are specifically waived in this chapter.

A sign permit shall not be required for nonstructural and nonelectrical maintenance.

Any sign not expressly authorized by or listed as exempt within this chapter is prohibited within the town of Eatonville.

All signs shall comply with all applicable provisions of the Eatonville Municipal Code and with state and federal law.

Signs to be located along SR 161 may require a WSDOT permit. Such a permit, if required, shall be obtained prior to erecting a sign within the town of Eatonville.

Official flags of the United States, the state of Washington, and other states of the nations, counties, municipalities, official flags of foreign nations and nationally or internationally recognized organizations; however, flagpoles shall not exceed 50 feet in height.

Traffic or other municipal, county, or state signs, signs required by law or emergency, railroad crossing signs, legal notices, and any temporary or non-advertising signs as authorized under policies approved by the town council.

Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, stained glass windows and dates of erection when cut into the surface or the facade of the building or when projecting not more than two inches.

Signs of public utility companies indicating danger or which serve as an aid to public safety or which show the location of underground facilities or of public telephones.

Flush-mounted wall signs, used to identify the name and address of the occupant for each dwelling, provided the sign does not exceed two square feet of sign area.

Single-family decorative signs indicating family name, welcome, home sweet home, or other similar character signs are exempt; provided, that the sign does not in any way relate to a business or organization.

Signs located in the interior of any building or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building or group of buildings, which signs are designed and located to be viewed exclusively by patrons of such use or uses.

Reasonable seasonal decorations within a publicly recognized holiday season.

Historic or commemorative site markers or plaques.

Vehicle signs meeting the following conditions:

Sculptures, fountains, mosaics, and murals which do not incorporate advertising or identification. Any section of art containing advertising or identification shall count against the total number and area of signage.

Incidental signs.

Banners located at athletic facilities; provided, that such signs are directed inward towards the playing surface(s) and that the banner is in good repair.

Barbershop poles of a reasonable size as determined by the planning director.

Menu boards.

Roof signs except as permitted in EMC § 18.06.100(B)(10).

Animated signs.

Flashing signs (excludes chasing or blinking low wattage lights outlining a marquee).

Signs which purport to be, or are, an imitation of, or resemble an official traffic sign or signal, or which bears the words "stop," "caution," "danger," "warning," or similar words.

Signs which, by reason of size, location, movement, content, 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 or radio equipment vehicle, or which obstruct the visibility of traffic or street sign or signal device.

Signs which are located upon or projecting over public streets, sidewalks, or rights-of-way except when specifically authorized in this title.

Signs attached to utility poles and street signs.

Signs placed on public property except when specifically authorized in this chapter.

Off-premises signs except as provided for in EMC § 18.06.120(I).

Feather signs except as provided in EMC § 18.06.080(M).

Billboard signs.

Structural Requirements. The town's adopted building code shall govern the structure and erection of signs or flagpoles within the town. Compliance with the building code shall be a prerequisite to issuance of a sign permit under this chapter.

Electrical Requirements. The National Electrical Code shall govern electrical requirements for signs within the town. Compliance with the National Electrical Code shall be required by every sign utilizing electrical energy as a prerequisite to issuance of a sign permit under this chapter.

Maintenance. All signs, including signs heretofore installed, shall be constantly in a state of security, safety, appearance 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 for the premises on which the sign is fastened to repair or remove the sign within 10 days of receiving notice from the town planner. The appearance of signs shall be maintained including:

Landscaping for Freestanding Signs. All freestanding signs shall include as part of their design landscaping about their base so as to prevent vehicles from hitting the sign and to improve the overall appearance of the installation. The premises surrounding the base of a sign shall be kept free and clear of rubbish and the landscaping shall be maintained in a tidy manner.

Inspection. All sign users shall permit the periodic inspection of their signs by the town upon town request.

Location. All freestanding signs, permanent or temporary, at a height greater than two and one-half feet and less than eight and one-half feet shall not obstruct the required sight triangle.

Construction Signs.

Grand Opening Displays. No sign permit is required. Such temporary signs, posters, banners, strings of lights, clusters of flags, balloons or other air- or gas-filled figures, and searchlights are permitted for a period of seven days only to announce the opening of a completely new enterprise or the opening of an enterprise under new management. All such materials shall be removed immediately upon the expiration of seven days. Such displays are permitted only in commercial zones where the enterprise so advertised is allowed under zoning regulations. Searchlights may be permitted by any business or enterprise, provided the beam of light does not flash against any building or does not sweep an arc less than 45 percent from the vertical.

Special Event Signs. No sign permit is required. Such temporary signs may be placed upon private property only and shall not be larger than four square feet. Said signs shall not be posted or attached to telephone poles, power poles, town parks or other public utility facilities. Such signs may be displayed 30 days prior to an event and must be removed within seven days after the event conclusion. The event committee for which the sign is displayed shall be responsible for its removal and subject to the penalties as provided in this chapter. Searchlights may be permitted by any business or enterprise provided the beam of light does not flash against any building or does not sweep an arc less than 45 percent from vertical.

Real Estate Signs. No permit is required. All exterior real estate signs must be wood, plastic, or other durable materials. Said signs shall not be posted or attached to telephone poles, power poles, town parks or other public utility facilities. The permitted signs, with applicable limits are as follows:

Political Signs.

Civic Activity Signs. Civic activity signs shall require a permit. Any sign that advertises a civic event open to the public and sponsored by a political subdivision of the state, educational institution, religious institution, civic or fraternal organization, or not-for-profit organization is permitted as follows:

Community Banners or Cloth Signs. Community banners shall require permits. Such signs may be permitted and extended across the public street by permission of the town planner or approved representative. Such signs may only be placed at town-designated locations and erected by town personnel. Signs may be hung three weeks before an event and must be taken down no later than two days after the event is concluded.

Banners. Banners shall require a sign permit. Such signs may be permitted on private property. Banners may be used to advertise a sale, other special events, or for businesses waiting for a permanent sign. Businesses are only allowed one banner per wall with a maximum of two banners per business at any one time. All banners must comply with the following:

A-Board Signs (Sandwich Boards).

Garage Sale Signs (Yard Sale, Moving Sale, Patio Sale). No sign permit is required. Such signs shall be limited to one sign on the premises and three off-premises signs. No such sign shall exceed four square feet in sign area. The off-site signs shall be attached to a two- to four-foot wooden stake and may be stuck into the ground within a public right-of-way or on private property with that property owner's permission, but shall not obstruct pedestrian paths. Off-site signs shall include the address where the sale is to be located. The sign or signs may be displayed only during the sale and must be removed the day the sale ends. Signs may not be attached to light poles, power poles, street signs, and may not be placed in any parks including welcome point. The person or persons for whom the sign or signs are displayed shall be responsible for its removal and subject to the penalties as provided by this title.

Seasonal Signs. No sign permit is required. Vendors who receive a temporary business license for seasonal or temporary sales activities (e.g., Christmas trees or fireworks) are permitted one sign not to exceed 20 square feet in sign area. This sign shall be mounted to the booth or trailer used for temporary sales.

Temporary Window Signs. Temporary window signs shall not cover more than 25 percent of any window and shall be immediately removed or replaced in the event that such a sign deteriorates from its original condition. Temporary window signs may be displayed for no longer than 30 days.

Feather Signs. Feather signs shall require a sign permit within the downtown and general commercial zoning districts (C-1 and C-2). In addition to all other permitted signs, a maximum of two on-site feather signs may be permitted for each business. Such signs may contain language, design(s) and/or pictures for advertisement, greeting or similar commercial messaging purposes. To preserve the aesthetic value of the town, feather signs shall be prepared in appearance or in fact by design professionals (e.g., graphic designers, professional sign shops). Feather signs shall be:

Administration. The following design guidelines shall be administered by the planning director in addition to the sign regulations contained in this chapter. All signs and sign programs approved shall comply generally with the guidelines in subsection B of this section. Once a sign program is approved, individual signs under that program shall not be reviewed under the design guidelines. If a sign permit is denied because the planning director finds that the sign proposal does not comply with the design guidelines and if the applicant disagrees with the director's finding, they may appeal the decision to the design review board. Until such a board is created, the planning commission shall hear appeals to the design review board. The use of the word "shall" in the design guidelines is obligatory. The use of the word "should" in the design guidelines means that the guideline is a requirement if it is applicable to the particular sign proposal. The planning director or the design review board may use their discretion in review of sign proposals under the design guidelines and shall have the authority to determine in their professional opinion which guidelines apply on a case-by-case basis. Design review board decisions shall be final.

Sign Guidelines.

Number.

Sign Types and Requirements.

Approved Sign Program Required. When more than one business occupies a lot, building, or complex, all signs for businesses on the lot or within the building or complex shall be based on a uniform sign concept approved by the planning director and which conforms to the requirements of this section. All subsequent tenant/unit signs must conform to the approved sign program in addition to sign review criteria contained in this chapter unless a modification from the sign program is requested by the property owners. The sign program shall establish standards and criteria for all signs in the complex that require permits, and shall address, at a minimum, the following:

Number.

Sign Type and Requirements.

Service Station Signage.

Subdivision Signage. Up to one permanent single-faced ground sign may be placed per side of a street or driveway per entrance to a subdivision or PUD for the purposes of identifying the name of the development; provided, that the sign(s) be no taller than seven feet in height and 32 square feet per face in text or graphical area. Signs may be located within a public right-of-way if approved by the planning director. The area around such signs shall be landscaped and provision for the maintenance of the landscaped area shall be a condition of approval. Signs shall be constructed of masonry, stone, metal, or wood and, if lit, shall be lit indirectly.

Address Signs. Each residence, building, business, or complex of businesses shall display and maintain on-premises street address number identification. The number or letters shall be visible from the street and be at least six but not greater than 12 inches high and of a color contrasting with the background upon which placed. Street address identification signs shall not require a sign permit.

Bulletin Boards.

Way-Finding Signage. All way-finding signage shall be erected in accordance with a way-finding signage plan to be approved by the planning director. All way-finding signage to be erected within the town shall be of a uniform design concept.

Home Occupations. Home occupations located in SF or MF zones are limited to one two-square-foot sign which may be indirectly illuminated.

Multifamily Buildings. A multifamily building which is not part of a complex may erect one sign not to exceed 18 square feet in area and five feet in height. Rental information such as name and contact information may be included as a subservient portion of the sign. Signs may be wall-, ground‑, or fence-mounted.

Multifamily Complexes. Multifamily complexes are permitted two signs per entrance not to exceed 18 square feet in area and five feet in height. Rental information such as name and contact information may be included as a subservient portion of the sign. Signs may be wall-, ground-, or fence-mounted.

Off-Premises Signs.

Internal Circulation Signage. Such signs may be used to indicate vehicle entrances, exits, drive-thrus, or other instructions, but may not contain commercial advertising. Internal circulation signage shall not require a permit. Maximum two and one-half feet high, maximum two feet width, maximum six-inch-high lettering size and these signs may also be designed to be on poles.

Informational Signs. Such signs shall require a permit and may be used for informational purposes only, and not for advertising copy. Such signs may be a maximum of six square feet in size, must be designed in a uniform manner using a single background color and a single color and typeface for wording and may be designed to be on poles.

The sign proposal would enhance the historic character of the town.

The sign's character is consistent with the architecture and era of the structure to which it is to be associated.

The sign would not have a negative impact on the use of surrounding properties (i.e., the sign would not block views, produce excessive glare, etc.).

The sign proposal is generally consistent with the intent of the permanent signage design guidelines.

Any sign legally existing at the time of passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter that does not conform to this chapter in use, height, size, or location shall be considered a legal nonconforming use or structure and shall be permitted to continue in such status; provided, that the degree of nonconformity is not increased and until one of the following occurs:

Additionally, nonconforming signs shall be maintained and improved to the highest degree possible including:

The burden of demonstrating that a sign is a legal nonconforming sign shall fall on the sign's current owner.

Any sign on public property or within a public right-of-way or easement, including utility poles within a public right-of-way or easement, that violates any section of this chapter or the EMC may be removed by the town without notice.

If the advertiser can be determined, the town shall store the illegal sign for 30 calendar days after the day the sign was removed and notify the advertiser that the town is storing the sign and the time and location where the sign can be retrieved. The advertiser may retrieve the sign during any working days within this 30-day period.

To reimburse the town for the costs of removing and storing the sign, an advertiser retrieving a sign shall pay the town a $50.00 fee for each sign removed to compensate the town for its costs. This fee is a reimbursement of town costs and shall not be considered a penalty. This fee shall be paid in addition to any penalty levied.

If the town's determination that the sign is illegal is appealed and the decision-maker determines the sign is not illegal, the advertiser shall not have to pay the fee. If the fee has been paid, the town shall reimburse the advertiser. Any appeals of the town's determination that the sign is illegal shall not stay the requirement to comply with the Eatonville Municipal Code.

If the advertiser cannot be determined or the sign is not picked up by the advertiser within the time period set by subsection B of this section, removal and disposal of illegal signs, the town shall dispose of the sign. The removal and disposal of signs is an enforcement mechanism and is not a penalty. The placement of illegal signs may be subject to the penalties provided for in Chapter 18.10 EMC in addition to the removal and disposal of illegal signs.

The town and its officers, employees, or contractors shall not be responsible for any lost or damaged signs located on public property, public rights-of-way, or public easements while on the property, right-of-way or easement, or in town custody.