Ketchikan Gateway Borough
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
18.80 Signs
and Advertising Devices
18.80.010 Signs and advertising devices.
Sign and advertising devices are placed in accordance with this section and the sign development table. [Ord. No. 2022, §15 (Exh. A), 7-17-23.]
18.80.020 General requirements.
(a) A permit shall be obtained from the zoning official for this title prior to the installation of any exterior sign or nameplate, excepting: those less than three square feet in area; governmental notices, information or education; and governmental public safety signage. Sign permit applications shall include plans for all signs to be placed. The plans shall illustrate sign elevations, cross sections, dimensions, placement on the site, materials, and lighting. Construction and erection of signs shall be in accordance with this title. Building permits may be required.
(b) Signs permitted under this chapter shall advertise only the business or activity engaged in on the immediate premises. In the case of building complexes with multiple tenants, immediate premises shall be considered the actual store frontage or that portion of the leased space abutting the right-of-way. Subject to the other requirements of the ordinance codified in this chapter, one directory sign is allowed per building facade, either mounted flush or as a freestanding or monument sign.
(c) No sign shall be erected 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. Signs that impede public safety may be removed without notice at the owner’s expense.
(d) Flashing signs and intermittent illumination are permitted only in commercial and industrial zones, with the exception of the Central Commercial zone and Newtown Overlay, where flashing, blinking, or intermittently illuminated signs visible from the exterior of a building are prohibited.
(e) Abandoned signs shall be removed by the property owner within six months of the cessation of the principal activity.
(f) Roof-mounted signs, including any signs painted on the roof surface, but excepting those mounted on a marquee or canopy, are prohibited. [Ord. No. 2022, §15 (Exh. A), 7-17-23.]
18.80.030 Table of sign development standards for the Residential zones.
SC = Special Circumstance, X = Prohibited Setbacks are in feet; sign size and area are in square feet | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Number | Size | Height | Setback | Illumination | Duration |
Freestanding | SC 1 , 2 | SC 1, 2 | 15 | 10 | X | No limit |
Wall | SC 1 , 2 | SC 1, 2 | No limit | None | X | No limit |
Zone – Special Circumstances
All Residential Zones
1One freestanding or wall sign is allowed for home occupation and cottage industry uses. One sign is allowed for each use and can be no larger than 10 square feet.
2Signs for nonconforming uses are limited in size to 32 square feet. One nonconforming use sign is allowed for each property.
[Ord. No. 2022, §15 (Exh. A), 7-17-23.]
18.80.040 Table of sign development standards for the Commercial zones.
SC = Special Circumstance, X = Prohibited Setbacks are in feet; sign size and area are in square feet | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Number | Size | Height | Setback | Illumination | Duration |
Directory | SC1 | SC2 | 30 | 17 | No limit | No limit |
Freestanding | 23 | 50 | 304 | 17 | No limit | No limit |
Hanging | 15 | 10 | SC6 | 17 | No limit | No limit |
Projecting | 23, 11 | 50 | SC8 | 17 | No limit | No limit |
Temporary | 19 | 50 | No limit | None | No limit | SC10 |
Wall | No limit | No limit12 | No limit | None | No limit | No limit |
Window | No limit | No limit13 | No limit | None | No limit | No limit |
Zone – Special Circumstances
All Zones
1One directory sign per street frontage is allowed for multiple business buildings or complexes.
2Directory signs are limited to 16 square feet plus an additional six square feet per business in the building or complex.
3Two freestanding and projecting signs are allowed per business.
4Freestanding signs that project beyond property lines must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above any areas used by pedestrians. This limitation does not apply to monument signs.
5One hanging sign is allowed per business for each street frontage entry to the business.
6Hanging signs must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above the finished sidewalk grade, with the exception that signs hanging under an existing canopy that is less than eight feet six inches above the finished sidewalk grade must have at least seven feet of clearance above the finished sidewalk grade.
7Directory, freestanding, hanging and projecting signs must be mounted such that they are no closer than 12 inches from the curb line.
8Projecting signs that project beyond property lines must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above any areas used by pedestrians. This limitation does not apply to monument signs.
9Each business may display one temporary sign in any calendar year.
10Temporary signs may be displayed for no more than 30 days in any calendar year.
CC
11In the CC zone one projecting sign is allowed.
12Walls signs in the CC zone are limited in size to two square feet per linear foot of street frontage of the business.
13Window signs in the CC zone can cover no more than 40 percent of the area of the window in which they are located.
[Ord. No. 2022, §15 (Exh. A), 7-17-23.]
18.80.050 Table of sign development standards for the Industrial zones.
SC = Special Circumstance, X = Prohibited Setbacks are in feet; sign size and area are in square feet | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Number | Size | Height | Setback | Illumination | Duration |
Directory | SC1 | SC2 | 30 | 17 | No limit | No limit |
Freestanding | 23 | 50 | 304 | 17 | No limit | No limit |
Hanging | SC5 | 10 | SC6 | 17 | No limit | No limit |
Projecting | 23, 11 | 50 | SC8 | 17 | No limit | No limit |
Temporary | SC9 | 50 | No limit | None | No limit | SC10 |
Wall | No limit | No limit | No limit | None | No limit | No limit |
Window | No limit | SC11 | No limit | None | No limit | No limit |
Zone – Special Circumstances
All Zones
1One directory sign per street frontage is allowed for multiple business buildings or complexes.
2Directory signs are limited to 32 square feet plus 12 square feet per business in the building or complex.
3Two freestanding and projecting signs are allowed per business.
4Freestanding signs that project beyond property lines must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above any areas used by pedestrians. This limitation does not apply to monument signs.
5One hanging sign is allowed per business for each street frontage entry to the business.
6Hanging signs must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above the finished sidewalk grade, with the exception that signs hanging under an existing canopy that is less than eight feet six inches above the finished sidewalk grade must have at least seven feet of clearance above the finished sidewalk grade.
7Directory, freestanding, hanging and projecting signs must be mounted such that they are no closer than 12 inches from the curb line.
8Projecting signs that project beyond property lines must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above any areas used by pedestrians.
9Each business may display one temporary sign in any calendar year.
10Temporary signs may be displayed for no more than 30 days in any calendar year.
11Window signs can cover no more than 40 percent of the area of the window in which they are located.
[Ord. No. 2022, §15 (Exh. A), 7-17-23.]
18.80.060 Table of sign development standards for the Miscellaneous zones.
SC = Special Circumstance, X = Prohibited Setbacks are in feet, sign size and area are in square feet | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type9 | Number | Size | Height | Setback | Illumination | Duration |
Freestanding12 | 21 | 50 | 302 | No limit | No limit | No limit |
Hanging | SC3 | 107 | SC4 | SC5 | No limit8 | No limit |
Projecting | 21 | 5010 | SC6 | No limit | No limit8 | No limit |
Wall | No limit | No limit11 | No limit | No limit | No limit8 | No limit |
Zone – Special Circumstances
All Zones
1Two freestanding or projecting signs are allowed per business.
2Freestanding signs that project beyond property lines must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above any areas used by pedestrians. This limitation does not apply to monument signs.
3One hanging sign is allowed per business for each street frontage entry to the business.
4Hanging signs must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above the finished sidewalk grade, with the exception that signs hanging under an existing canopy that is less than eight feet six inches above the finished sidewalk grade must have at least seven feet of clearance above the finished sidewalk grade.
5Hanging signs must be mounted such that they are no closer than 12 inches from the curb line.
6Projecting signs that project beyond property lines must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above any areas used by pedestrians.
HD
7Hanging signs in the HD zone are limited in size to six square feet.
8In the HD zone no person shall illuminate any sign with other than incandescent or neon lighting. In other zones there is no limitation on lighting.
9In the HD zone, no person shall build, install, use, operate, maintain, or keep a sign that is made from materials other than wood, steel, porcelain-enameled steel, glass, stone, or a combination thereof.
10In the HD zone projecting signs are limited to six square feet. In other zones the limit is 50 square feet.
11In the HD zone wall signs are limited to 25 square feet. In other zones there is no size limit.
PLI
12Freestanding signs are allowed only in the PLI zone.
[Ord. No. 2022, §15 (Exh. A), 7-17-23.]
18.80.070 Table of sign development standards for the Overlay zones.
SC = Special Circumstance, X = Prohibited Setbacks are in feet; sign size and area are in square feet | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Number | Size | Height | Setback | Illumination | Duration |
As contained in the underlying zone except as provided for in Special Circumstances below. | ||||||
Zone | Special Circumstances | |||||
CI | 1. One sign as permitted for home occupations is allowed. | |||||
NT | 2. The maximum size of hanging signs is six square feet. | |||||
3. | ||||||
4. | ||||||
5. | ||||||
6. | ||||||
7. | ||||||
8. | ||||||
[Ord. No. 2022, §15 (Exh. A), 7-17-23.]
18.80.080 Elimination of nonconforming signs.
(a) Existing permitted signs which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be brought into compliance or eliminated within three years from the passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter, with the exception of nonconforming temporary signs, banner signs, or flashing or blinking signs, which must be removed within 90 days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
(b) A nonconforming sign shall lose its legal, nonconforming status if the sign is altered in any way in structure, color, or copy, or is substantially damaged, relocated, or replaced.
(c) The code administrator shall order the removal of any sign erected, installed, or allowed to remain in violation of this chapter. He or she shall give at least 30 days’ notice in writing, to the owner of such sign, or of the building, structure, or premises on which such sign is located, to remove the sign or bring it into compliance with this chapter. The director may order removal of the sign at the expense of the owner of the premises if compliance with the written order is not obtained. In the case of temporary signs, banner signs, portable signs or pennants, only seven days’ notice need be given. [Ord. No. 2022, §15 (Exh. A), 7-17-23.]
18.80.010 Signs and advertising devices.
Sign and advertising devices are placed in accordance with this section and the sign development table. [Ord. No. 2022, §15 (Exh. A), 7-17-23.]
18.80.020 General requirements.
(a) A permit shall be obtained from the zoning official for this title prior to the installation of any exterior sign or nameplate, excepting: those less than three square feet in area; governmental notices, information or education; and governmental public safety signage. Sign permit applications shall include plans for all signs to be placed. The plans shall illustrate sign elevations, cross sections, dimensions, placement on the site, materials, and lighting. Construction and erection of signs shall be in accordance with this title. Building permits may be required.
(b) Signs permitted under this chapter shall advertise only the business or activity engaged in on the immediate premises. In the case of building complexes with multiple tenants, immediate premises shall be considered the actual store frontage or that portion of the leased space abutting the right-of-way. Subject to the other requirements of the ordinance codified in this chapter, one directory sign is allowed per building facade, either mounted flush or as a freestanding or monument sign.
(c) No sign shall be erected 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. Signs that impede public safety may be removed without notice at the owner’s expense.
(d) Flashing signs and intermittent illumination are permitted only in commercial and industrial zones, with the exception of the Central Commercial zone and Newtown Overlay, where flashing, blinking, or intermittently illuminated signs visible from the exterior of a building are prohibited.
(e) Abandoned signs shall be removed by the property owner within six months of the cessation of the principal activity.
(f) Roof-mounted signs, including any signs painted on the roof surface, but excepting those mounted on a marquee or canopy, are prohibited. [Ord. No. 2022, §15 (Exh. A), 7-17-23.]
18.80.030 Table of sign development standards for the Residential zones.
SC = Special Circumstance, X = Prohibited Setbacks are in feet; sign size and area are in square feet | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Number | Size | Height | Setback | Illumination | Duration |
Freestanding | SC 1 , 2 | SC 1, 2 | 15 | 10 | X | No limit |
Wall | SC 1 , 2 | SC 1, 2 | No limit | None | X | No limit |
Zone – Special Circumstances
All Residential Zones
1One freestanding or wall sign is allowed for home occupation and cottage industry uses. One sign is allowed for each use and can be no larger than 10 square feet.
2Signs for nonconforming uses are limited in size to 32 square feet. One nonconforming use sign is allowed for each property.
[Ord. No. 2022, §15 (Exh. A), 7-17-23.]
18.80.040 Table of sign development standards for the Commercial zones.
SC = Special Circumstance, X = Prohibited Setbacks are in feet; sign size and area are in square feet | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Number | Size | Height | Setback | Illumination | Duration |
Directory | SC1 | SC2 | 30 | 17 | No limit | No limit |
Freestanding | 23 | 50 | 304 | 17 | No limit | No limit |
Hanging | 15 | 10 | SC6 | 17 | No limit | No limit |
Projecting | 23, 11 | 50 | SC8 | 17 | No limit | No limit |
Temporary | 19 | 50 | No limit | None | No limit | SC10 |
Wall | No limit | No limit12 | No limit | None | No limit | No limit |
Window | No limit | No limit13 | No limit | None | No limit | No limit |
Zone – Special Circumstances
All Zones
1One directory sign per street frontage is allowed for multiple business buildings or complexes.
2Directory signs are limited to 16 square feet plus an additional six square feet per business in the building or complex.
3Two freestanding and projecting signs are allowed per business.
4Freestanding signs that project beyond property lines must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above any areas used by pedestrians. This limitation does not apply to monument signs.
5One hanging sign is allowed per business for each street frontage entry to the business.
6Hanging signs must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above the finished sidewalk grade, with the exception that signs hanging under an existing canopy that is less than eight feet six inches above the finished sidewalk grade must have at least seven feet of clearance above the finished sidewalk grade.
7Directory, freestanding, hanging and projecting signs must be mounted such that they are no closer than 12 inches from the curb line.
8Projecting signs that project beyond property lines must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above any areas used by pedestrians. This limitation does not apply to monument signs.
9Each business may display one temporary sign in any calendar year.
10Temporary signs may be displayed for no more than 30 days in any calendar year.
CC
11In the CC zone one projecting sign is allowed.
12Walls signs in the CC zone are limited in size to two square feet per linear foot of street frontage of the business.
13Window signs in the CC zone can cover no more than 40 percent of the area of the window in which they are located.
[Ord. No. 2022, §15 (Exh. A), 7-17-23.]
18.80.050 Table of sign development standards for the Industrial zones.
SC = Special Circumstance, X = Prohibited Setbacks are in feet; sign size and area are in square feet | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Number | Size | Height | Setback | Illumination | Duration |
Directory | SC1 | SC2 | 30 | 17 | No limit | No limit |
Freestanding | 23 | 50 | 304 | 17 | No limit | No limit |
Hanging | SC5 | 10 | SC6 | 17 | No limit | No limit |
Projecting | 23, 11 | 50 | SC8 | 17 | No limit | No limit |
Temporary | SC9 | 50 | No limit | None | No limit | SC10 |
Wall | No limit | No limit | No limit | None | No limit | No limit |
Window | No limit | SC11 | No limit | None | No limit | No limit |
Zone – Special Circumstances
All Zones
1One directory sign per street frontage is allowed for multiple business buildings or complexes.
2Directory signs are limited to 32 square feet plus 12 square feet per business in the building or complex.
3Two freestanding and projecting signs are allowed per business.
4Freestanding signs that project beyond property lines must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above any areas used by pedestrians. This limitation does not apply to monument signs.
5One hanging sign is allowed per business for each street frontage entry to the business.
6Hanging signs must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above the finished sidewalk grade, with the exception that signs hanging under an existing canopy that is less than eight feet six inches above the finished sidewalk grade must have at least seven feet of clearance above the finished sidewalk grade.
7Directory, freestanding, hanging and projecting signs must be mounted such that they are no closer than 12 inches from the curb line.
8Projecting signs that project beyond property lines must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above any areas used by pedestrians.
9Each business may display one temporary sign in any calendar year.
10Temporary signs may be displayed for no more than 30 days in any calendar year.
11Window signs can cover no more than 40 percent of the area of the window in which they are located.
[Ord. No. 2022, §15 (Exh. A), 7-17-23.]
18.80.060 Table of sign development standards for the Miscellaneous zones.
SC = Special Circumstance, X = Prohibited Setbacks are in feet, sign size and area are in square feet | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type9 | Number | Size | Height | Setback | Illumination | Duration |
Freestanding12 | 21 | 50 | 302 | No limit | No limit | No limit |
Hanging | SC3 | 107 | SC4 | SC5 | No limit8 | No limit |
Projecting | 21 | 5010 | SC6 | No limit | No limit8 | No limit |
Wall | No limit | No limit11 | No limit | No limit | No limit8 | No limit |
Zone – Special Circumstances
All Zones
1Two freestanding or projecting signs are allowed per business.
2Freestanding signs that project beyond property lines must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above any areas used by pedestrians. This limitation does not apply to monument signs.
3One hanging sign is allowed per business for each street frontage entry to the business.
4Hanging signs must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above the finished sidewalk grade, with the exception that signs hanging under an existing canopy that is less than eight feet six inches above the finished sidewalk grade must have at least seven feet of clearance above the finished sidewalk grade.
5Hanging signs must be mounted such that they are no closer than 12 inches from the curb line.
6Projecting signs that project beyond property lines must maintain at least eight feet of vertical clearance above any areas used by pedestrians.
HD
7Hanging signs in the HD zone are limited in size to six square feet.
8In the HD zone no person shall illuminate any sign with other than incandescent or neon lighting. In other zones there is no limitation on lighting.
9In the HD zone, no person shall build, install, use, operate, maintain, or keep a sign that is made from materials other than wood, steel, porcelain-enameled steel, glass, stone, or a combination thereof.
10In the HD zone projecting signs are limited to six square feet. In other zones the limit is 50 square feet.
11In the HD zone wall signs are limited to 25 square feet. In other zones there is no size limit.
PLI
12Freestanding signs are allowed only in the PLI zone.
[Ord. No. 2022, §15 (Exh. A), 7-17-23.]
18.80.070 Table of sign development standards for the Overlay zones.
SC = Special Circumstance, X = Prohibited Setbacks are in feet; sign size and area are in square feet | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Number | Size | Height | Setback | Illumination | Duration |
As contained in the underlying zone except as provided for in Special Circumstances below. | ||||||
Zone | Special Circumstances | |||||
CI | 1. One sign as permitted for home occupations is allowed. | |||||
NT | 2. The maximum size of hanging signs is six square feet. | |||||
3. | ||||||
4. | ||||||
5. | ||||||
6. | ||||||
7. | ||||||
8. | ||||||
[Ord. No. 2022, §15 (Exh. A), 7-17-23.]
18.80.080 Elimination of nonconforming signs.
(a) Existing permitted signs which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter shall be brought into compliance or eliminated within three years from the passage of the ordinance codified in this chapter, with the exception of nonconforming temporary signs, banner signs, or flashing or blinking signs, which must be removed within 90 days of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
(b) A nonconforming sign shall lose its legal, nonconforming status if the sign is altered in any way in structure, color, or copy, or is substantially damaged, relocated, or replaced.
(c) The code administrator shall order the removal of any sign erected, installed, or allowed to remain in violation of this chapter. He or she shall give at least 30 days’ notice in writing, to the owner of such sign, or of the building, structure, or premises on which such sign is located, to remove the sign or bring it into compliance with this chapter. The director may order removal of the sign at the expense of the owner of the premises if compliance with the written order is not obtained. In the case of temporary signs, banner signs, portable signs or pennants, only seven days’ notice need be given. [Ord. No. 2022, §15 (Exh. A), 7-17-23.]