The purpose of the Gold Bar General Sign Provisions is to ensure the safety of signs; to establish a permit process for certain signs; and to promote the use of signs that are both functional and attractive in appearance and which will, by their size, location and manner of display, promote public safety and traffic safety and will not otherwise endanger the public health, safety or general welfare. Conforming signs will form an essential element of the overall visual attractiveness of the city and thereby contribute both to the aesthetic and economic well-being of its citizens.

(Ord. No. 630, § 1, 9-20-2011)

All signs within the City of Gold Bar visible from Highway 2 must be in conformance with the standards of the Scenic Vistas Act (RCW 47.42 and WAC 468-66) that is incorporated herein by this reference as well as the related Washington State Department of Transportation ("WSDOT") rules, regulations, and noncompliance penalties; provided that all signs within the city shall also be subject to any additional restrictions as provided in this chapter.

In the case of conflict between the requirements of the Scenic Vistas Act and this chapter, the more restrictive requirement shall apply.

(Ord. No. 630, § 1, 9-20-20111)

A.

"Advertising and/or business sign" means a permanent sign with copy that advertises activities or a business conducted on the premises on which the sign is located.

B.

"Animated sign or display" means a sign or display that uses movement or the appearance of movement through the use of patterns of lights, changes in color or light intensity, computerized special effects, video displays, or through any other method.

C.

"Billboard" means an off-premises outdoor sign containing a message, commercial or otherwise, unrelated to any use or activity on the subject property on which the sign is located, but not including civic signs, government signs, or directional signs.

D.

"Civic sign" means a sign permanently erected or permitted by the city or the state to denote the name of any thoroughfare or the route to any city, town, village, educational institution, public building, historic place, shrine or hospital; to direct and regulate traffic; to denote any railroad crossing, bridge, ferry or other transportation or transmission company for the direction or safety of the public. "Civic sign" also means a sign, notice, or symbol about the time and place of regular civic meetings and religious activities and services.

E.

"Community event sign" means any sign relating to any planned gathering on public property which blocks/reserves access to public property and/or right-of-way, or which impacts normal city operations or the general public's normal level of service.

F.

"Directional sign" means a sign that has only information on exit and entrance or parking and contains no form of advertising copy or the name of any advertiser.

G.

"Electronic sign" means an electronically activated sign whose message content or display, either in whole or in part, may be changed by means of electrical, electronic or computerized programming. A sign or portion of a sign on which the message or display is an electronic indication of fuel price shall be considered an electronic sign. A sign on which the sole message or display is an electronic indication of time and/or temperature shall be considered an electronic sign. "Electronic sign" does not include drive-through business/menu signs.

H.

"Freestanding sign" means a sign attached to the ground and supported by uprights or braces placed on or in the ground. "Freestanding signs" also include "ground" or "pole" signs.

I.

"Gateway sign" means a sign erected and maintained by the City of Gold Bar or their designee for the purpose of furthering the interest of the city. A gateway sign may be located in a right-of-way and is not considered an off-premises sign.

J.

"Ground sign" means a type of freestanding sign which is erected on the ground, and which contains no free air space between the ground and the top of the sign.

K.

"Measurement of total sign area." The following method shall be utilized in calculating the square-footage measurement of any freestanding, wall or projecting sign display:

1.

The square footage of any freestanding, wall or projecting sign shall be calculated by measuring inside the cabinet retainer area reserved for advertising copy or graphics only, including reader board spaces, by applying a set of straight lines around the outside edge of said sign cabinet.

2.

Double-faced or multifaced signs shall be calculated as the maximum outside edge of one (1) side only.

3.

For purposes of calculating the allowed sign area, the total allowance of wall, projecting and freestanding can be applied anywhere on the property or building.

4.

Signs painted or applied directly against the surface of a building shall have square footage calculated by the smallest polygon measurement enclosing the letters and/or symbols of the sign area.

5.

The area of all ground signs shall be measured by determining the sum of the area of each square, rectangle, triangle, portion of a circle, or any combination thereof, which creates the smallest single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the sign face, and that portion of the sign structure which exceeds one and one-half (1½) times the area of the sign face.

L.

"Off-premises sign" means any sign, including a billboard, which cannot be classified as a business identification sign as described above.

M.

"Political sign" means any sign advertising a candidate or candidates for public elective office or political party, or a sign urging a particular vote on a public issue decided by ballot.

N.

"Premises" means a site or multiple contiguous sites developed as one (1) cohesive project; owned or managed by the same entity; and with shared facilities including parking, ingress/egress, or signage.

O.

"Projecting sign" means a sign, other than a flat wall sign, which is attached to and projects from a structure or building face.

P.

"Public works director" means the director of public works or his/her designee.

Q.

"Real estate sign" means a temporary sign erected by the owner or his agent advertising the real estate upon which the sign is located for rent, for lease or for sale, or directing to said property.

R.

"Sign" means any commercial communication device, structure or fixture, visible from a public right-of-way and using graphics, pictures, symbols or written copy, that is intended to aid an establishment or business in promoting the sale of a product, goods or services. For the purpose of this title, a sign shall not be considered to be a building or structural design, national flags or flags of political subdivisions, symbolic flags or insignia of an institution, point of purchase product dispensers, holiday decorations, gravestones, historical site plaques or holiday displays.

S.

"Sign height" means the vertical distance measured from the finished grade of the sign location that permits the greatest height to the highest point of said sign.

T.

"Special event sign" means, in specific context to Title 17.06.020(C), any event specific to a business in a commercial zone, that brings a group of people together in one (1) or more location for a limited period of time for a particular activity.

U.

"Super-graphics" means an artistic design that exceeds the size limits of this title by continuing the design beyond the actual boundaries of the sign message. That portion of the sign which contains letters, symbols, and logos must conform to the size limitations herein.

V.

"Wall sign" means a sign attached or erected parallel to and extending not more than eighteen (18) inches from the facade or face of any building to which it is attached and supported throughout its entire length, with the exposed face of the sign parallel to the plane of said wall or facade. For the purpose of this chapter, signs incorporated into or attached to a mansard roof shall be considered wall signs.

(Ord. No. 630, § 1, 9-20-2011; Ord. No. 752, § I, 9-7-2021; Ord. No. 767, § I, 9-5-2023)

The installation of some signage within the city may require a permit from WSDOT. It is an applicant's responsibility to obtain all required permits from the appropriate government agency.

No sign required to have a Gold Bar sign permit by the provisions of this chapter shall be erected, reerected, constructed, relocated, or altered, including changes to the sign panel, face, or copy, by any person or entity from and after the date of adoption of this chapter without obtaining a permit as noted below.

A.

Signs requiring a permit and subject to enforcement by the public works director:

1.

Advertising and/or business signs covered under Section 17.06.030 must receive a permit according to the permit process set forth in Section 17.06.007.

B.

Signs not requiring a permit but subject to regulation of this chapter and enforcement by the public works director:

1.

Temporary and special event signs as described in [Section] 17.06.020.

2.

Civic signs and gateway signs as described in [Section] 17.06.008.

3.

One (1) sign per premises, if located in a noncommercial zone, up to four (4) square feet, nonilluminated, and permanently affixed to a building, wall, fence, or post.

(Ord. No. 630, § 1, 9-20-2011; Ord. No. 752, § II, 9-7-2021)

The following signs are prohibited in all zones within the city:

A.

Animated signs or displays except under 17.06.020(B).

B.

Billboards.

C.

Electronic signs except for temporary signs required by government agencies for road and street repairs and similar activities. This prohibition includes, but is not necessarily limited to, signs which include animation, flashing, traveling, or scrolling messages or displays.

D.

Signs in the right-of-way except for gateway signs and civic signs not otherwise covered by a right-of-way agreement. Prohibited signs in the right-of-way are subject to removal by the city at the owner's or user's expense. Confiscated signs are destroyed after seven (7) days.

E.

Off-premises signs except as allowed under [Section] 17.06.020(F).

(Ord. No. 630, § 1, 9-20-2011)

All signs within the city must be constructed and erected in conformance with the design and construction standards of the sign codes and regulations that are incorporated herein by this reference within the Washington State Building Code, including WAC Title 51 and RCW 19.27.031, with all applicable amendments currently used by the city.

(Ord. No. 630, § 1, 9-20-2011; Ord. No. 684, § 5, 10-6-2015)

A sign permit applicant shall obtain a permit application from city hall. The public works director shall process the completed application as a Type II decision according to the provisions of Section 19.01.030. The public works director shall either approve or deny the application subject to the provisions set forth in this chapter.

(Ord. No. 630, § 1, 9-20-2011)

A.

Gateway, civic, and community event signs will be permitted on a case-by-case basis as recommended by the public works director and approved by the city council.

B.

Gateway, civic, and community event signs shall be subject to the size restrictions of Section 17.06.030, Table I. For all zones not listed on the table, the size restrictions of the CB zone shall apply.

(Ord. No. 630, § 1, 9-20-2011; Ord. No. 767, § II, 9-5-2023)

Editor's note— Sec. III of Ord. No. 752, adopted September 7, 2021, deleted § 17.06.010, which pertained to political signs, and derived from Ord. No. 630, adopted September 20, 2021.

Except as otherwise provided below for certain special categories, temporary and special event signs shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area per face and shall not be displayed longer than thirty (30) days per calendar year. While types of temporary signs are regulated in this chapter, the content of temporary signs is not.

A.

Construction Signs. Construction signs identify the architects, engineers, contractors or other individuals or firms involved with the construction of a plat or commercial site and announce the character of the building or the purpose for which the building is intended. Such signs may be displayed only after a building permit is obtained and during the period of construction. Only one (1) such sign is permitted per construction premises or plat. No construction sign shall exceed thirty-two (32) square feet per face or twelve (12) feet in height, nor shall it be located closer than ten (10) feet from an interior property line. Construction signs shall be removed by the date of the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, or upon expiration of the building permit, whichever comes first.

B.

Grand Opening Displays. Temporary signs, posters, banners, strings of lights, clusters of flags, blinking lights, balloons, searchlights and beacons are permitted in commercial zones for a period not to exceed sixty (60) consecutive days per calendar year to announce the opening of a new enterprise or an existing enterprise under new ownership. All such signs shall be located on the premises being advertised and shall be completely removed immediately upon expiration of said sixty-day period.

C.

Special Sales and Events. Temporary signs, posters, banners, strings of lights, clusters of flags, blinking lights, balloons, searchlights and beacons are permitted for the limited purpose of announcing a retail sale or special event in commercial zones for a period not to exceed sixty (60) consecutive days per calendar year. All such advertising material shall be located on the premises being advertised and shall be completely removed immediately upon expiration of said sixty-day period.

D.

Quitting Business Sales. Temporary signs, posters, and banners are permitted for a period of ninety (90) continuous days for the purpose of advertising quitting business sales, liquidation sales, or other events of a similar nature. All such signs shall be located on the premises being advertised and shall be completely removed immediately upon expiration of the ninety-day period or the conclusion of the sale, whichever comes first.

E.

On-Premises Real Estate Signage. Signs announcing the sale, rental, or lease of properties shall meet the following:

1.

One (1) sign shall be allowed per tax parcel.

2.

Sign face shall not exceed three (3) feet in height or width. Overall, height shall not exceed seven (7) feet.

3.

Sign shall be located within the confines of the subject property.

4.

Illumination shall not be permitted.

5.

Sign shall be removed within five (5) days of the closing date of the sale, rental, or lease of the subject property.

F.

Off-Premises Real Estate and Yard Sale Signage. Directional signs for the announcement and direction to residential real estate open houses and garage/yard sales shall be permitted according to the following requirements:

1.

No more than one (1) on-premises and three (3) off-premises signs per open house or one (1) on-premises and five (5) off-premises signs per garage/yard sale.

2.

Sign face shall not exceed three (3) feet in height or width. Overall, height shall not exceed three (3) feet.

3.

Shall be located no more than twenty-five (25) feet in any direction from a street intersection at the curb line. Shall be located a minimum of five (5) feet from the edge of a street intersection without a curb line. On streets containing curb, gutter and sidewalk, signs shall be located on the landscaped area between the street and sidewalk (if one exists), or alternately on the sidewalk in a manner not to impede pedestrian movement.

4.

Shall not be permanently attached to the ground and not to be located on utility poles or city poles.

5.

Illumination shall not be permitted.

6.

Signs shall be erected only during daylight hours and when a sales person or duly appointed representative is on-premises. Further, signs shall be removed immediately after the close of the open house or sale event.

7.

Off-premises signs shall meet the requirements of the Scenic Vista Act as modified by this chapter.

8.

Construction shall be of a durable, rigid, all-weather material and be of a sufficient weight and stature to ensure that it will remain in place during high winds. Signs shall be legible and well maintained and with lettering large enough to be easily read by the occupants of a passing vehicle.

(Ord. No. 630, § 1, 9-20-2011, Ord. No. 752, § IV, 9-7-2021)

Advertising and/or business signs shall be subject to the following limitations:

A.

Each separate business establishment shall be permitted one (1) permanent wall sign. An additional permanent wall sign is permitted if the tenant is not listed on a freestanding sign on the premises. In no event shall a business be permitted more than two (2) signs per establishment;

B.

Business signs shall be attached to the principal;

C.

Advertising and/or business signs shall be limited to the following sizes and conditions:

1.

Each premises is permitted to have one (1) freestanding, monument-style sign and must meet the size requirements of Table I;

TABLE I: SIGN SIZES (maximum/zone)

2.

Signs which are an integral part of a window shall occupy no more than twenty-five (25) percent of the total window area;

3.

Projecting signs or graphics, and their supportive members, shall project outward no more than four (4) feet from a building and no lower than eight (8) feet above ground level;

4.

All signs shall maintain a minimum setback of two (2) feet from all property lines and shall be located so that they permit an unobstructed sight distance of three hundred (300) feet along all intersecting rights-of-way, to include private and/or public access points;

5.

Signs shall observe the height regulations of the zone they are located in;

6.

Signs shall not be animated, audible, or illuminated by any intermittent, flashing or scintillating source of light;

7.

Signs displaying time/temperature readouts are subject to review by the planning commission and approval by the public works director for compliance with this chapter.

(Ord. No. 630, § 1, 9-20-2011)

A.

Erection or installation of any sign which is not in conformance with the provisions of this chapter shall be considered a violation of the zoning ordinance. The public works director shall require such sign to be corrected or removed within a reasonable period of time. When any sign is determined by the public works director to be in such condition that it may constitute a hazard to public safety, the public works director is authorized to remove the device immediately with subsequent notice.

B.

Super-graphics painted directly onto a building wall may be permitted upon review and approval by the public works director to exceed the sign area allowance when it is established that such graphics would not detract from the purpose and intent of this title (see [Section] 17.06.001).

C.

Any noncompliance ruling made by the public works director may be appealed as outlined in [Section] 17.06.050.

(Ord. No. 630, § 1, 9-20-2011; Ord. No. 767, § III, 9-5-2023)

All appeals of decisions under this chapter must be filed with the City of Gold Bar within fourteen (14) days of the date of decision and must include payment of the appropriate appeal fee pursuant to the current fee schedule. The city shall coordinate scheduling of the appeal hearing with the appropriate appeal hearing body and shall conduct the appeal according to the rules and procedures outlined under Title 19 of the Gold Bar Municipal Code. Untimely appeals shall be dismissed by the appropriate decision maker.

(Ord. No. 630, § 1, 9-20-2011)

A.

Permanent advertising and/or business signs covered under Section 17.06.030 made nonconforming by the adoption of this chapter are hereby permitted as nonconforming signs for their reasonable use so long as said signs are safe and do not endanger public safety. A reasonable use is considered to be three (3) years from the date of adoption of this chapter. Subsequent revisions to this chapter do not change the reasonable use date of three (3) years from date of adoption. Nonconforming signs shall be removed or repaired if unsafe and shall be removed at the end of their reasonable use as noted above unless they then comply with the provisions of the chapter, including any permitting requirements. Copy changes that require a permit will not be issued for nonconforming signs.

B.

Signs not requiring a permit but subject to regulation of this chapter and enforcement by the public works director:

1.

Temporary and special event signs as described in Section 17.06.020.

2.

Gateway and civic signs as described in Section 17.06.008.

The owner of these signs shall be notified within one (1) month of the date of adoption of this chapter. If such sign does not identify an owner, it will be removed immediately upon adoption of this chapter. Confiscated signs are destroyed after seven (7) days.

C.

Signs installed without a permit are nonconforming, are not vested to any iteration of the code, and are not subject to any reasonable use allowance under [Section] 17.06.060(A).

(Ord. No. 630, § 1, 9-20-2011; Ord. No. 752, § V, 9-7-2021; Ord. No. 767, § IV, 9-5-2023)