The purpose of this Chapter is to improve business in Kennewick; increase the City's attractiveness; promote a business person's right to identify their business through reasonable and effective methods; encourage the design and placement of signs in a manner which promotes the noticeability of Kennewick's scenic views and emphasizes Kennewick's street-side landscaping; minimize the dangerous conflicts between unregulated signage and traffic-control devices; minimize the distraction to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians from signs because of their shape, motion and competition for attention; and promote and protect the health, safety, property values, and general welfare of the citizens of Kennewick.

(Ord. 5180 Sec. 1, 2007)

(1)

Awning. Awning is a covering structure that projects horizontally from, and is attached to a building. An awning provides protection from the weather for persons or properties underneath it.

(2)

Awning Sign. Awning sign is a nonilluminated or illuminated sign which is usually painted or screen printed onto the surface of an awning and which does not extend vertically or horizontally beyond the limits of the awning.

(3)

Banner Sign. Banner sign is a sign made of lightweight material such as cloth, paper or flexible plastic with or without a rigid frame.

(4)

Business. Business means any person, partnership, association, corporation, joint venture, or similar group whether operating for profit or not, and any governmental agency.

(5)

Canopy. Canopy is an ornamental or protective roof-like structure that may be attached or detached from the main building and usually providing protection from the elements to objects or people underneath. Structures over gas pump islands and over entrances of theaters or hotels are both examples of canopies.

(6)

Common Ownership. Common ownership means groups of two or more businesses when such businesses are located on one or more parcels of land or share public parking or maintenance facilities or when they conduct advertising on a regular basis; or when they function as a single entity in practical or business matters.

(7)

Construction Sign. Construction sign is a sign installed in conjunction with construction or remodeling of a building.

(8)

Copy. Copy is the medium by which the message or idea of a sign is communicated.

(9)

Development Sign. Development sign is a sign, which through symbols or names identifies a development. Signs advertising residential or commercial properties "For Sale" or that identify an apartment complex, are examples of development signs.

(10)

Directional Sign. Directional sign is an off-premise sign that directs attention by name and/or logo to a business, group of businesses, or a business area.

(11)

Electronic Message Sign or Center. Electronic message sign or center is a sign on which differing copy is shown through an electronic or electrically controlled device, which may also display time and temperature or other messages.

(12)

Freestanding Sign. Freestanding sign is a single or multiple face sign attached to or supported by columns, uprights, braces, standards, or other type of base in or on the ground and not attached to the building. Freestanding signs are anchored to the ground in accord with the International Building Code. The method of anchoring may need to be confirmed by a professional engineer, as determined by the Building Official.

(13)

Graphic Sign. Graphic sign is a window sign or a sign, which is an integral part of a building's facade. The sign may be painted, carved, or permanently imbedded.

(14)

Integrated. Integrated means a sign in which all elements of the sign are incorporated into a single design, but including attachments or projections not part of a single motif.

(15)

Mobile Sign. Mobile sign is any sign mounted on a vehicle, trailer, or boat; or fixed or attached to a device for the purpose of transporting from site-to-site. Signs or lettering installed on vehicles, trailers or boats operating during the normal course of business are not considered mobile signs.

(16)

Monument Sign. Monument sign is a freestanding sign, not over six feet high and attached to the ground for a minimum of 66 percent of the length of the sign.

(17)

Off-Premises Signs. Off-premises signs are signs that advertise a service, product, object, person, organization, institution, business, event, location or message that is not available on the property upon which the sign is located. This includes mobile signs if their placement constitutes an off-premises sign.

(18)

Pictorial Sign. Pictorial sign is a sign that conveys the service, product, or activity of a site without words, company or product emblem, or numbers or letters. Pictorial signs display a message through color, shape, and spatial relations, and are appropriate in context and taste with recognized standards of the community. Colored neon tubing and murals are examples of appropriate medium for display of a pictorial sign.

(19)

Portable Sign. Portable sign is a sign which can be moved and is not designed to be permanently attached to a building or permanently anchored to the ground. Examples of such signs are sandwich board/A-frame signs and other similar portable signs. Banner signs are specifically excluded from this definition.

(20)

Product-Sponsored Sign. Product-sponsored sign is a sign, which identifies, displays or attracts attention to a product sold or available, but may or may not identify the on-site organization, institution, person, object, business service or event.

(21)

Projecting Sign. Projecting sign is a sign, other than a wall sign, which is attached to and projects more than 18 inches from a structure, usually in a perpendicular manner. Projection defined as the distance by which a sign extends over public property or beyond the building line.

(22)

Readerboard Sign. Readerboard sign is a sign on which copy is designated so that it can be changed manually. It usually consists of a panel on which individual letters or pictorials are mounted, or displayed.

(23)

Rooftop Sign. Rooftop sign is a sign erected over or on the roof of a building, and is wholly or partially supported by the building.

(24)

Sign. Sign is any object, device, display, structure or part thereof, situated indoors or out which is used to identify, display, advertise, direct or attract attention to an object, person, organization, institution, business, product, service, event, location or message by any means including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or projected images.

(25)

Sign Area. Sign area is the smallest circle(s), triangle(s) or rectangle(s), which will enclose the individual actual sign face. The supporting structure, which does not contain any part of the sign face, is not included in this definition. If a sign has back-to-back display faces, the area of only one face will be considered the sign area. If a sign has more than one face, all areas, which can be viewed simultaneously will be considered the sign area.

(26)

Sign Height. Sign height is the distance from the grade, or the top of the curb of the nearest street to the top of the sign or any projection thereon, whichever is higher.

(27)

Street Frontage. Streets, alleys, or public rights-of-way parallel to the property line used to compute the area of the sign(s) intended to be located in such a manner to have primary exposure on that street or right-of-way.

(28)

Subdivision Directional Sign. Subdivision directional sign is a sign advertising the direction to a subdivision by naming the subdivision and furnishing a directional arrow.

(29)

Wall Sign. Wall sign is a sign mounted parallel to a building facade or vertical building surface, which does not extend beyond the edge of any wall or surface to which it is mounted. Wall signs project no more than 18 inches from the surface.

(30)

Window Sign. Window sign is a sign located on or within three feet of a window of a building, and visible from the exterior of a building. Window signs are graphic signs unless they qualify as auxiliary signs.

(Ord. 5752 Sec. 1, 2018; Ord. 5180 Sec. 1, 2007)

(1)

Signs located in Commercial, Industrial and Public Facility districts, other than the CBD zoning district shall comply with the applicable standards of Table A.

(2)

Signs located in the CBD and UMU zoning districts shall comply with the applicable standards of Table B.

(Ord. 5752 Sec. 2, 2018; Ord. 5714 Sec. 1, 2017; Ord. 5434 Sec. 9, 2012; Ord. 5180 Sec. 1, 2007)

(1)

Number: Each permitted use within a commercial or industrial district may have a total of two freestanding signs per street frontage and any combination but not to exceed four of the following signs: projecting, wall, graphic, or pictorial.

(2)

Area, Height, and Lighting: Sign area, height, and lighting are regulated by the standards contained in Table A.

(3)

Structure: The structural components of signs are regulated by the currently adopted edition of Uniform Sign Code.

(4)

Electrical: The electrical components of signs are regulated by the currently adopted edition of the National Electric Code. All electrical signs must bear the U.L. label.

(5)

Illumination: The illumination of signs must be shielded, shaded, reduced or directed so that the light remains on the property and does not constitute a nuisance by distracting pedestrians and motorists. Strobe or strobe-like devices are prohibited from use where they are visible from the exterior of a building or location. Illumination of outdoor signs must comply with Chapter 15.24 KMC.

(6)

Maintenance: All signs shall be maintained in a state of security and repair. If a sign is not so maintained, it must be removed or repaired within 30 days of notification by the Department. The owner, his agents, or assigns, are responsible for such maintenance and compliance with this Section.

(7)

Sight Obstructions: All signs must be in conformance with Chapter 13.12 and Section 18.27.060 of the Kennewick Municipal Code (view obstruction and clearance triangle).

(8)

Removal: When a business or business site is vacated, the applicable freestanding, wall, projecting, auxiliary, and street signs face must be removed within 30 days of notification by the Department.

(9)

Freestanding: All freestanding signs must be integrated.

(Ord. 5767 Sec. 1, 2018; Ord. 5752 Sec. 3, 2018; Ord. 5180 Sec. 1, 2007)

(1)

Awning Signs: Awning copy is exempt from this Section if no more than 100 percent of the maximum, available freestanding sign area is used for such copy. If more than 100 percent is used for the awning copy, then the other sign or signs for which the business is entitled must be reduced by an area equal to that exceeding 100 percent of the available freestanding sign area.

(2)

Commercial Industrial and Urban Mixed Use districts - Development/Sale Signs: Signs advertising commercial or industrial sites or properties "For Sale" or "For Rent" must be placed wholly on the applicable property and may not exceed 32 square feet in sign area. The height of such signs are limited to ten feet overall. Any such sign greater than 16 square feet in area must obtain a building permit and be installed to the approval of the Building Inspector.

(3)

Construction Signs: Construction signs are allowed until occupancy of the applicable building or completion of the structure or remodeling, whichever occurs first.

(4)

Directional Signs: Direction signs may be permitted in "C", "I" or UMU zones after approval of a Land Use Permit for a Conditional Use in accord with Section 18.42.100. The criteria for approval for such land use permits for conditional uses (variances) will be as follows: The business, group of businesses or business area must not have arterial street frontage available for free standing signage; special circumstances are necessary because of the location, size, shape or topography of the property of the business, group of businesses or business area to provide it with signage privileges typical of other properties in the vicinity or zoning district; the design of the directional sign can be conditioned to account for aesthetics, lighting, safety, compatibility with surrounding properties, and other factors necessary to meet the purpose (18.24.010) of this Chapter. Directional signs shall be further conditioned by the following:

(a)

The directional sign must be located as close to the business, group of businesses, or business area as is practical.

(b)

A single business is limited to one directional sign. Groups of businesses and business areas are limited to two directional signs.

(c)

The preferred means to implement directional signage shall be ground mounted or monument style signs. In cases where this is impractical, the maximum height is limited to 20 feet.

(d)

Directional signs shall be limited to a maximum area of 32 square feet.

(e)

If applicable the directional signs shall further the goals and guidelines of any adopted neighborhood or sub area plan and/or overlay zone.

(5)

Electronic Message Signs or Centers: Electronic message signs or centers are regulated per its applicable sign type, i.e., freestanding or wall-mounted.

(6)

Existing Off-Premises Commercial Signs in all Districts: All existing off-premises signs installed in conjunction with a building permit as of the effective date of the ordinance codified herein are considered conforming, except billboards which are considered nonconforming. Such signs must be brought into full compliance with provisions of Section 18.24.040 herein for height, area, lighting, structural, and electrical regulations and Sign Table "A" of this Chapter. All existing off-premises portable signs not installed with a building permit must be brought into full compliance with this Chapter within 180 days of notification by the Department.

(7)

Off-Premises Signs for Non-Commercial Community Sponsored Events. Off-Premises signs associated with community sponsored events on property other than the event site shall be exempt from this Chapter but must be approved by the Department of Planning for sight visibility and structural safety. Such signs are allowed for no more than 14 days prior to the event and must be removed within three days of the conclusion of the event season.

(8)

Product-Sponsored Signs: All outdoor product-sponsored signs must devote at least 75 percent of the sign area to the on-site business.

(9)

Prohibited Signs: Except as provided elsewhere, the following signs are prohibited in all districts: off-premises commercial signs, off-premises mobile signs; abandoned signs; signs imitating or resembling official traffic or government signs or signals; signs attached to trees, utility poles, public benches, light poles or any other public property or right-of-way; and other signs not permitted by this Chapter. Signs on public transit benches and shelters and on and within public transit vehicles, when installed in conformance with a City franchise, are exempt from this Chapter.

(10)

Readerboard Signs: Readerboard signs are regulated per applicable sign type, i.e., freestanding or wall-mounted. Portable reader board signs are regulated as portable signs and a building permit is required for each location.

(11)

Residential Properties - Development/Sale Signs: Signs advertising residential properties "For Sale," "Rent," or "Sold" must be placed wholly on the applicable property, and shall not exceed eight square feet in sign area. The height of such signs is limited to eight feet. If the property is not on an arterial street, a single directional sign may be placed at the nearest arterial with the permission of the owner upon whose property the directional sign is placed, and the directional sign can be no larger than six square feet. Any manufactured home park or multi-family residence containing at least five living units may have one freestanding sign per abutting street frontage, which shall not exceed ten feet in height, or 32 square feet in area and must not move or give the illusion of movement. All development signs in residential areas shall be lit only by existing surrounding lights or by lights shining directly onto the sign. Signage in the single-family subdivisions and multi-family developments must be in conformance with Chapter 18.24.

(12)

Public and Quasi-Public Uses in Residential Zoning Districts: Public and Quasi-Public Uses located in any Residential zoning district shall be allowed the following signs:

(a)

One freestanding sign per public street frontage that does not exceed 16 feet in height and a maximum of 40 square feet in area; and

(b)

One wall sign per street facing building façade that does not exceed 50 square feet in size. Each facility is permitted one electronic message center that can either be incorporated into an allowed freestanding or wall-mounted sign.

(13)

Rooftop Signs: Rooftop signs are only allowed in CG, CC, UMU, IL, or IH zoning districts after approval of a land use permit for conditional uses in accord with 18.42.110 KMC. The criteria for approval of such land use permits for conditional uses will be based on the following:

(a)

The property requesting the rooftop sign must not have street frontage available for freestanding signage;

(b)

Wall signs would be inadequate because of restricted visibility from arterial street frontage;

(c)

Any approved rooftop sign must be consistent with the sign table.

(14)

Signs Advertising a Group of Businesses: A group of two or more businesses when located on one land parcel of common ownership or abutting land parcels so as to function as if of common ownership, which are located along a major or minor arterial as designated on the comprehensive plan, shall comply with Sign Table A of this Chapter to determine allowed freestanding signage along said arterial frontage.

(15)

Subdivision Directional Signs: Signs may display the direction to a subdivision by naming the subdivision and furnishing a directional arrow. The sign may not display the name of a realtor or developer, and must be removed within 24 months of its installation. The sign area is limited to 16 square feet, and sign height is limited to six feet overall height. The location of such signs must be approved by the City, and any subdivision utilizing such signs is limited to a maximum of three of these directional signs.

(16)

Non-Commercial Portable Signs: Non-Commercial Portable signs are subject to the following requirements:

(a)

Non-Commercial Portable signs may be displayed for no longer than 180 consecutive days per calendar year; Non-Commercial Portable signs related to an event may be displayed for no longer than 180 consecutive days per calendar year and must be removed no later than 14 days after the event.

(b)

Non-Commercial Portable signs are not permitted to be placed on or affixed to any City property but may be allowed in the parking strip portion of the right-of-way in the area between the curb and the sidewalk, provided there is no traffic visibility obstruction and the abutting property owner's permission has been granted;

(c)

Non-Commercial Portable signs whether in the parking strip described above or on private property located in residential zones are subject to the following limitations:

(i)

Maximum area of the sign face: Thirty-two square feet (i.e. four feet × eight feet);

(ii)

Maximum sign height as measured per KMC 18.24.020(26): Six feet;

(iii)

Maximum number of signs per parcel: Unlimited, provided the total area of all portable signs do not exceed 32 square feet;

(iv)

Must be installed securely in the ground;

(d)

Non-Commercial Portable signs whether in the parking strip described above or on private property located in commercial, industrial and all other zones are subject to the following limitations:

(i)

Maximum area of the sign face: Thirty-two square feet (i.e. four feet × 8 feet);

(ii)

Maximum sign height as measured per KMC 18.24.020(26): Six feet;

(iii)

Maximum number of signs per parcel: Unlimited, provided the total area of all portable signs do not exceed 64 square feet;

(iv)

Must be professionally crafted.

(Ord. 5874, Sec. 1, 2020; Ord. 5853 Sec. 1, 2020; Ord. 5752 Sec. 4, 2018; Ord. 5714 Sec. 2, 2017; Ord. 5559 Sec. 1, 2014; Ord. 5180 Sec. 1, 2007)

(1)

Administration of this Chapter is the responsibility of the Department of Planning. The owners, their assign, or agents are responsible for compliance with the requirements contained in this Chapter.

(2)

All signs must comply with the requirements of this Chapter. All sign owners must obtain a building permit prior to installation, with the exception of the following:

(a)

Exempt signs as listed in:

(i)

Home occupations and signs for family day care homes.

(b)

Signs four square feet or less in area.

(c)

Development and "For Sale" or "For Rent" signs.

(d)

Changing sign copy, when such change consists of re-lettering, replacing or changing the sign face, repainting, cleaning, or other similar and nonstructural changes.

(e)

Official public notices or signs relating to an emergency.

(f)

Construction signs.

(g)

Banners.

(h)

Window signs.

(i)

Signs that are required by law.

(j)

Signs installed in conjunction with new structure; provided that the construction of the structure is regulated by a current building permit, and the sign complies with this Chapter.

(k)

Governmental Signs: Any sign, posting, or notice placed, installed, or required by law by a city, county, state or federal governmental agency carrying out its responsibility to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, including, but not limited to, the following:

(i)

Emergency and warning signs necessary for public safety or civil defense;

(ii)

Traffic signs erected and maintained by an authorized public agency;

(iii)

Signs required to be displayed by law;

(iv)

Signs directing the public to points of interest; and

(v)

Signs showing the location of public facilities.

(Ord. 5752 Sec. 5, 2018; Ord. 5180 Sec. 1, 2007)

Applications for building permits for signs shall contain the name of the sign owner and user of the sign; address of the property in which the sign is located; location of the sign structure on such property; drawings of the sign showing design, dimensions, structural calculations and method of lighting, if applicable, and other pertinent information necessary to ensure compliance with this Chapter.

(Ord. 5714 Sec. 3, 2017; Ord. 5180 Sec. 1, 2007)

Any change in building use or classification requiring submittal of a land use permit for site plan approval, KMC 18.42.110; or any new sign structure installation will be cause of applicable signage to conform with provisions of this Section. Copy modifications are exempt.

(Ord. 5180 Sec. 1, 2007)

Signs containing non-commercial speech are permitted anywhere that advertising or business signs are permitted, subject to the same regulations applicable to such signs.

(Ord. 5752 Sec. 6, 2018)

If any part, section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, phrase, clause, term, or word in this code is declared invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining portions of the sign code.

(Ord. 5752 Sec. 7, 2018)