The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards to preserve, protect, promote and safeguard life, health, property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, quality of materials, construction, location, electrification and maintenance of all signs and sign structures not located within a building and to encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the city.

(Ord. 1631 § 1 (part), 1995)

(1)

"Awning sign" means any sign affixed directly on or attached to an awning.

(2)

"Canopy sign" means any sign mounted on or supported by a canopy.

(3)

"Pole sign" means any sign wholly supported by a sign structure in the ground.

(4)

"Ground sign" means any sign supported by one or more uprights or braces placed upon or set into the ground.

(5)

"Marquee sign" means any sign mounted on or supported by a marquee.

(6)

"Off-premises" means signs not located at the site of that which is advertised or identified.

(7)

"On-premises" means signs located at the site of that which is advertised or located.

(8)

"Projecting sign" means any sign other than a wall sign which is attached to a building and extends beyond the line of said building.

(9)

"Sign" means any advertising device or surface out-of-doors, on or off premises, which conveys information or identification.

(10)

"Temporary and/or portable signs" means any sign, banner, pennant or valance to be displayed for a limited time only, not to exceed thirty days, or any sign set upon the ground unsecured. A portable sign shall be defined as any sign set upon or inflated or affixed to any device or ground with wheels, skids or framing so as to afford portability by persons or auxiliary devices and includes "sandwich" signs.

(11)

"Wall sign" means a sign, impressed or painted on, or attached to a wall with the exposed face of the sign in a plane approximately parallel to the plane of the wall.

(12)

"Billboard" means any structure, or portion thereof, upon which are signs of advertisement used as an outdoor display. A billboard shall be located off-premises and not to exceed three hundred square feet in advertising area. This definition does not include:

(A)

Bulletin boards used to announce church services or to display court or other public office notices; or

(B)

Signs for the sale or lease of the premises on which the sign is located.

(Ord. 1631 § 1 (part), 1995)

(a)

Permitted signs:

(1)

Real estate signs not exceeding ten square feet in area, which advertise the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which signs are located only, and not located within the public right-of-way, unless the site location prohibits this normal placement;

(2)

Permanent signs, including bulletin boards, which are not over thirty-two square feet in area for public, educational, non-profit, charitable, fraternal or religious service clubs and organizations when the same are located on the premises of such institution;

(3)

Signs denoting public institutional buildings, or dwelling house partially used as a "home occupation" as defined in Section 20.12.250 and not exceeding two square feet in area and attached flat against the building and indirectly lighted;

(4)

A single sign denoting the architect, engineer or contractor when placed upon work under construction and not exceeding thirty-two square feet in area;

(5)

Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible materials;

(6)

Publicly or privately owned street name signs, traffic control signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger and temporary warning or emergency signs; and emblem names, logo and symbols on motor vehicles and equipment being used for purposes other than the display of signs or advertising devices;

(7)

Public service signs which give only directions "in and out" or signs which provide only information about directing people to ancillary facilities such as parking, entrance, etc., not to exceed nine square feet;

(8)

A temporary sign supporting a candidacy for office or urging action on any other matter on the ballot of a primary, general or special election, or city election placed upon private property and not upon the public right-of-way and to be removed within three days following the election;

(9)

"Garage sales," "auction" and similar signs, not to be displayed on utility poles, traffic control devices or street signs and to be removed by noon the day following the event;

(10)

Signs denoting safety warning near equipment or hazardous areas as may be required by city, state or federal occupational, safety or health or related rules and regulations;

(11)

Name plates, not exceeding one square foot in area;

(12)

Historic landmark signs;

(13)

Signs bearing the name and address of a residential development having a character of design and construction in harmony with that of the development itself, and not exceeding thirty-two square feet in area. Such signs may be incorporated in or affixed to fences or walls; provided, that all applicable standards and requirements contained in this chapter or other provisions of this code are complied with;

(14)

Rental signs or devices indicating celebratory occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, births, etc., which do not exceed thirty-two square feet in area, using indirect lighting, and placed upon private property for not longer than two days. It shall be the responsibility of the rental company to ensure compliance with this subsection. An annual license for this type of operation shall be required and annual fees shall be established by separate resolution of the city council.

(b)

Prohibited signs:

(1)

Any commercial sign, except as allowed in subsections (a)(3), (9) and (14) of this section;

(2)

Any sign installed so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window or fire escape. No person shall attach any sign of any kind to a stand pipe or fire escape.

(Ord. 1770 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1643 § 1 (part), 1996)

(a)

Permitted signs: any which are allowed in R-1 and R-2 zones.

(b)

Prohibited signs: any which are prohibited in R-1 and R-2 zones.

(Ord. 1631 § 1 (part), 1995)

(a)

Permitted signs: any which are allowed in residential zones and, if commercial condominium, only ground or wall signs.

(b)

Prohibited signs: any which are prohibited in residential zones, or if commercial condominium, any prohibitions in C-l, local commercial district zone.

(Ord. 1631 § 1 (part), 1995)

(a)

Permitted signs:

(1)

Any sign allowed in a residential zone;

(2)

Ground sign;

(3)

Projecting sign;

(4)

Wall sign;

(5)

Billboards;

(6)

Signs on marquees, canopies or awnings;

(7)

Banners, no larger than one hundred square feet;

(8)

Temporary sign;

(9)

"Sandwich" sign, no larger than twelve square feet in area, per surface side, and to be removed from the right-of-way at the close of daily business, and meet the same standards as are required for sidewalk displays, when located upon public rights-of-way.

(b)

Prohibited signs:

(1)

Any sign installed at the intersection of any street in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision of such intersection, or at any location where by reason of the position, shape or color it may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.

(2)

Any sign which is wholly or partially illuminated by floodlights or spotlights that interferes with the vision of pedestrian or vehicular traffic;

(3)

Any temporary or permanent sign which consists of or incorporates twirler lights, pinwheels, whirligigs or other displays or devices which are designed to be activated by atmospheric conditions so as to attract or distract the attention of the public by virtue of their movements, including high intensity "strobe" lights located inside or outside a building, but which are intended to attract the public from the exterior;

(4)

A ground sign which extends to any degree over public property;

(5)

Any signs which employ flashing, blinking or rotating lights, except time and temperature/message signs;

(6)

Signs which are affixed to a motor vehicle, trailer, movable structure or other permanent or temporary surface parked, located upon, built, left or suffered to be upon any premises, excluding public streets or rights-of-way, for more than five consecutive days (without regard to whether it is moved about on said premises) which would be prohibited as defined by this chapter;

(7)

Roof signs.

(Ord. 1631 § 1 (part), 1995)

(a)

Permitted uses: any sign allowed in C-1 or R districts.

(b)

Prohibited uses: uses prohibited in C-1 district.

(Ord. 1631 § 1 (part), 1995)

(a)

Permitted uses: any sign allowed in C-1, C-2 or R districts.

(b)

Prohibited uses: uses prohibited in C-1, C-2 districts.

(Ord. 1631 § 1 (part), 1995)

Permitted and prohibited uses: as allowed in Section 20.48.050 of the Municipal Code.

(Ord. 1631 § 1 (part), 1995)

(a)

Permitted uses: as allowed in commercial districts.

(b)

Prohibited uses: as prohibited in commercial districts.

(Ord. 1631 § 1 (part), 1995)

(a)

The gross area in square feet of all signs on a lot shall not exceed three times the lineal feet of frontage of such lot.

(b)

Projecting Signs. Project not more than seventy-two inches beyond the building line, but not closer than two feet to the curb line, eight foot clearance from the finished grade of the sidewalk.

(c)

Pole Sign. Height: fifty feet. No part of said sign shall be permitted to overhang the public domain.

(d)

Wall Signs. No wall sign shall be erected in a plane which is more than twelve inches over the surface of any public right-of-way, including alleys.

(e)

Marquee Signs. Signs hung from a marquee shall be completely within the border line of the marquee's outer edge and in no instance shall the bottom of said sign be lower than eight feet above the sidewalk or public thoroughfare and meet the load requirements of the State Building Code. No hanging or suspended sign shall exceed eighteen inches in height overall.

(f)

Awning and Canopy Signs. No advertising sign shall be placed on an awning or canopy, except the name and address of the owner and the business, industry or pursuit conducted within the premises. It may be painted or otherwise permanently placed in a space not exceeding twelve inches in height on the front and side portions thereof, or on signs suspended beneath a canopy, but no portion thereof may be lower than eight feet above a sidewalk and where allowed by the State Building Code.

(g)

Temporary signs subject to the sign regulations shall meet the following requirements:

(1)

A banner shall not exceed one hundred square feet in area. All other temporary signs shall not exceed thirty-two square feet in area and cannot be converted to a permanent sign.

(2)

Permit Required. Temporary signs shall be allowed by special permit, fees for which will be set as recommended by the city clerk and enacted by resolution of the city council, except for celebratory rental signs as described in Section 20.62.030(a) (14).

(3)

These types of signs are prohibited in residential and floating zones, except for special promotions or activities of public, educational, nonprofit, charitable, fraternal, religious or service clubs and organizations, fees for which may be waived.

(4)

These types of signs shall not be permitted at one business or industrial location for a period longer than thirty days. A permit once expired for that location to that applicant or any other applicant, shall not be issued sooner than a lapse of time equal to that for which the previous permit was granted.

(Ord. 1643 § 2, 1996)

All signs shall be constructed in such a manner and installed with such materials so as to be safe and in conformity with the requirements of this chapter. The building official may require a copy of stress sheets and calculations showing the structures as designed for dead load and wind velocity in the amount required by the building code adopted by the city for signs in excess of nine square feet.

(Ord. 1631 § 1 (part), 1995)

The building official or designees may inspect signs subject to the provisions of the sign regulations for the purpose of determining whether the same is in compliance with the sign regulations.

(Ord. 1631 § 1 (part), 1995)

Signs shall be maintained so as to be structurally sound and in a safe condition, and shall be kept in a state of undeteriorated appearance by means of painting, sealing or coating and repair or replacement of damaged parts, panels or lights. Failure to provide proper maintenance of signs shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be guilty of a municipal infraction and may be cited as such.

(Ord. 1631 § 1 (part), 1995)

Any sign now or hereafter existing, which for a period of three months no longer advertises an existing, legal business conducted, or a product sold, or a service offered, shall be taken down and removed by the owner or owners of the building or premises upon which it is located within thirty days of written notice from the building official. Failure to remove such signs shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be guilty of a municipal infraction and may be cited as such.

(Ord. 1631 § 1 (part), 1995)

Signs, other than temporary or portable, in existence on the date of enactment of the ordinance codified in this chapter when these sign regulations become effective, may continue in existence subject to the following:

(1)

A sign shall not be altered structurally or moved unless it be made to comply with the provisions of this chapter, except that the changing of the movable parts of an existing sign that is designed for such changes, or the repainting or reposting of display matter shall not be deemed a structural alteration.

(2)

The lawful use of a sign existing on the effective date of these regulations, although such sign does not conform to the provisions hereof, may continue; but if such nonconforming use is discontinued for a period of three months, any future use of such sign shall be in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.

(3)

No sign which has been damaged by fire, wind, explosion or other casualty beyond the control of the owner to the extent that fifty percent or more of the size of the sign is destroyed, shall be restored except in conformity with the regulations of this chapter. Any sign which has been damaged to an extent less that fifty percent of its size, may be restored to its condition which existed as a nonconforming use prior to its damage.

(Ord. 1631 § 1 (part), 1995)

(a)

It is unlawful for any person to erect, alter structurally or relocate within the city any sign as defined in this chapter without first obtaining a permit from the building official. The city council shall establish and charge reasonable fees to cover the cost related to the issuance of permits. All electrically illuminated signs shall be subject to the provisions of all electrical codes adopted by the city.

(b)

The city clerk shall, from time to time, recommend for enactment by resolution of the city council, a reasonable schedule of fees to defray the cost of administration, inspection and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter.

(c)

Application for permits shall be made upon blanks provided by the building official and shall contain or have attached thereto such information the building official shall require to show compliance with these laws.

(d)

Exceptions:

(1)

Real estate signs;

(2)

Public, educational, nonprofit, charitable, fraternal or religious on-premises signs;

(3)

Home occupation signs;

(4)

Sign denoting the architect, engineer or contractor when placed upon work under construction;

(5)

Names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other noncombustible materials;

(6)

Public safety signs;

(7)

Ancillary signs, i.e., "in" or "out" signs;

(8)

Political or election signs;

(9)

"Garage," "auction" or similar signs.

(Ord. 1631 § 1 (part), 1995)

If the building official shall find that any sign subject to the sign regulations is unsafe or insecure or is a menace to the public or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of the sign regulations, the building official shall give written notice thereof to the person in possession and control of the premises on which the sign is located. If such person fails to remove or alter the sign so as to comply with the provisions of the sign regulations within thirty days of such notice, such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. If a sign is an immediate hazard the building official may cause it to be removed immediately. A permit for a sign is revocable at any time by the city council for the city subsequent to notice to the permittee and an opportunity for the permittee to be heard by said city council.

(Ord. 1631 § 1 (part), 1995)

Failure to comply with any provision contained in this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be guilty of a municipal infraction and may be cited as such.

(Ord. 1670 § 1, 1997)