Marysville City Zoning Code

Name, address, telephone number and email address of the applicant.

Name, address, telephone number and email address of the sign owner.

Tax parcel number or correct address where the proposed sign or signs will be located.

A scaled drawing of the proposed sign or sign revision, including size, height, copy, structural footing details, method of attachment and illumination.

A scaled site plan, indicating the location of the sign relative to property lines, rights-of-way, streets, sidewalks, and other buildings or structures on the premises.

The number, size, type and location of all existing signs on the same building, lot or premises.

Prior to pouring footings for freestanding signs. The applicant will be required to provide enough field information for the inspector to determine that the proposed sign complies with applicable setback provisions.

Foundation, anchorage, attachments and other structural support of the sign, sign structure and awning.

Electrical connections of the sign, sign lighting or awning lighting. No person may make connections of a sign, sign lighting or awning lighting to a power source until all electrical components and connections have been approved.

Final sign installation to determine compliance with the approved plans.

Signs which were lawful under prior sign codes, but which are not lawful under this chapter.

Signs that do not comply with the conditions of their permits.

Signs erected, altered or relocated without a permit and not in compliance with this chapter.

Signs which were lawful under prior sign codes, but which have been altered or relocated so that the sign is not in compliance with this chapter.

Signs that identify and advertise activities, products, businesses, or services which have been discontinued, terminated or closed for more than 60 days on the premises upon which the signs are located.

For a wall sign which is framed, outlined, painted or otherwise prepared and intended solely to provide a background for a sign display, the area and dimensions shall include the entire portion within such background or frame.

For a wall sign comprised of individual letters, figures or elements on a wall or similar surface of the building or structure, the area and dimensions of the sign shall encompass a regular geometric shape (rectangle, circle, trapezoid, triangle, etc.), or a combination of regular geometric shapes, which form, or approximate, the perimeter of all elements in the display, the frame, and any applied background that is not a part of the architecture of the building. When separate elements are organized to form a single sign, but are separated by open space, the sign area and dimensions shall be calculated by determining the geometric form, or combination of forms, which comprises all of the display areas, including the space between different elements. Minor appendages to a particular regular shape, as determined by the community development director, shall not be included in the total area of a sign.

For a freestanding sign, the sign area shall include the frame, if any, but shall not include:

When two identical sign faces are placed back-to-back so that both faces cannot be viewed from any point at the same time and are part of the same sign structure, the sign area shall be computed as the measurement of one of the two faces.

The height of a freestanding sign shall be measured from the base of the sign or supportive structure at its point of attachment to the ground to the highest point of the sign. A freestanding sign on a manmade base, including a graded earth mound, shall be measured from the grade of the nearest pavement or top of any pavement curb.

Clearance for freestanding and projecting signs shall be measured as the smallest vertical distance between finished grade and the lowest point of the sign, including any framework or other embellishments.

Building Unit. The building unit is equivalent to the tenant space. The primary frontage of the tenant space on the first floor shall be the basis for determining the permissible sign area for wall signs.

Primary and Secondary Frontage.

The primary or secondary frontage shall be all walls parallel, or nearly parallel, to such frontage, excluding any such wall determined by the community development director to be clearly unrelated to the frontage criteria.

The frontage for a building unit shall be measured from the centerline of the party walls defining the building unit.

Street frontage shall be determined by measuring the lineal feet of property abutting the public street from which a property obtains primary access.

For developments located along more than one public street, the street frontage shall be determined by measuring the lineal feet of property abutting all public streets.

Alley frontage shall not be included in determining street frontage.

Properties abutting Interstate 5, and not abutting a public street, shall have the street frontage determined by measuring the lineal feet of property abutting Interstate 5.

It must be demonstrated that the wall signage would be visible from a public right-of-way;

The wall signage must be comprised of individual letters;

The letter and logo height shall not exceed 24 inches;

Signs shall be nonilluminated;

The wall signage shall comply with the design standards outlined in subsections (5) through (8) of this section;

In multiuse complexes, said signs shall be mounted so that each tenant's wall sign will be located at the same level (height above grade) as other tenants' signs;

The total wall signage for all frontage(s) shall not exceed the allowances outlined in subsection (1) of this section.

The base of a freestanding sign and all pole or pylon sign supports shall be constructed of durable high-quality materials such as stone, brick, textured concrete, decorative steel, or other quality materials and a design that relates to and/or complements the design of on-site buildings and/or is coordinated with other site design elements. This limitation does not apply to structural elements that are an integral part of the overall design such as decorative metal or wood.

Freestanding signs must integrate a top, middle, and bottom element. The top could include a distinctive sign cap and/or include the name of a multitenant center. The middle can include a consistent framing technique for an individual sign or multiple signs in a multitenant center. The bottom could include a distinctive base design with special materials and/or design.

The architecture and composition of a freestanding sign structure must provide visual interest and detail for both pedestrians and motorists at both automotive and pedestrian-scale speed and perception.

The color, shape, material, lettering and other architectural details of freestanding signs shall be harmonious with the character of the primary structure.

No angle irons, guy wires or braces shall be visible except those that are an integral part of the overall design.

One square foot of landscaping is required per one square foot of sign face. Landscaping shall include a decorative combination of ground cover and shrubs to provide seasonal interest in the area surrounding the sign. Landscaping shall be well maintained at all times of the year. The director may reduce the landscaping requirement where the signage incorporates stone, brick, or other decorative materials.

Departures from this subsection (11) will be considered by the director, provided the design complies with other standards herein and integrates a distinctive, high-quality design that contributes to the visual character of the area.

Horizontally oriented signs: not more than eight feet.

Vertically oriented or square signs: not more than three feet.

Signs may project over the sidewalk abutting the buildings, but must not extend over the curb into a parking or travel lane, or conflict with required turning radii.

Horizontally oriented signs: not more than three feet.

Vertically oriented signs: must not extend above the building parapet, soffit, the eave line or the roof of the building

Signs consisting of individual letters placed on the outside edge of the marquee or above the marquee are limited to 200 percent of the height of the vertical dimension of the marquee. For example, if the vertical dimension of the marquee is 12 inches, the letters may be up to 24 inches high. Such signs are limited to two-thirds of the individual marquee width dimension, or no more than 20 feet, whichever is less.

Sign boards may be placed on the vertical edge of a canopy provided the height of the sign board is no more than 200 percent of the height of the vertical dimension of the marquee. For example, if the vertical dimension of the marquee is 12 inches, the sign board may be up to 24 inches high. Such signs are limited to two-thirds of individual marquee width dimension or no more than 20 feet, whichever is less.

Signs placed on the vertical edge of awnings are limited to 80 percent of the height of the vertical edge of the awning. Where signs are placed on the sloping portion of the awning, they must be sized proportionally to the architectural features of the building and are limited to two feet in height. The width of awning signs is limited to two-thirds of the individual awning width dimension, or no more than 20 feet, whichever is less.

No temporary sign may be placed in a required parking space, driveway, or sight-distance triangle, pursuant to MMC § 22C.010.240 and § 22C.020.210.

No temporary sign may be placed on city-owned property unless in conjunction with an approved special event permit, temporary sign permit, or other permission from the city.

No temporary sign may be located upon or projecting over public streets, sidewalks, pedestrian paths, or bike paths except those of an official nature that are placed by a government agency for public safety purposes.

No temporary sign may be placed in a traffic circle, roundabout, or median or in any storm water facility.

Temporary general advertising signs are permitted only on the premises where the business, commodity, or activity being advertised is sold, offered, or conducted.

Temporary signs in the city right-of-way placed outside the roadway shall comply with the following requirements:

Residential Zones. Temporary signs may be placed on residentially zoned properties in accordance with the requirements of this section and the following:

Nonresidential Zones. Temporary signs are allowed in nonresidential zones in accordance with the requirements of this section and the following:

Temporary signs on large properties, either residential or nonresidential zones, of more than two acres may be of any type, and shall not exceed 32 square feet and up to eight feet above ground level. Such a sign allowed herein is in lieu of and shall not be displayed with or be in addition to any other temporary signs allowed by this section.

The size of a temporary sign located in residential and nonresidential zones may be increased, subject to the director approving a temporary sign permit. In no case shall a temporary sign exceed 32 square feet.

A temporary sign shall be promptly removed after the event for which it is intended by the person or organization that placed it. Ten days after the conclusion of the event the temporary sign relates to, the city may remove the sign from the right-of-way.

Displays of banners, festoons, flags, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of lights, balloons, and similar devices on a temporary sign are permitted for up to 30 consecutive days during a calendar year.

Placing a temporary sign on private or public property without the permission of the landowner or placing a sign in the right-of-way without the permission of the abutting landowner is a violation under Chapter 4.02 MMC. When a sign identifies a person, organization, or business, there is a rebuttable prima facie presumption that the person, organization, or business placed the sign and committed the civil infraction.

If the square footage of temporary signs placed on a parcel exceeds the limits permitted by this section, the owner of record will reduce the square footage to within the limits allowed by this section within three business days of being notified by the city. Notice mailed by the city is deemed effective three business days after being placed in the mail with sufficient postage. Failure to conform to the square footage limits within these timeframes is a violation under Chapter 4.02 MMC. Alternatively, a property owner may apply for a permit as a permanent sign.

Any temporary sign that obstructs or impairs sight distance or access to a public sidewalk, public or private street or driveway, traffic control sign, bus stop, fire hydrant, structure, parked cars, bench or any type of street furniture, or otherwise creates a hazard is prohibited and may be removed by the city. Any temporary sign that mimics or is attached to a traffic control sign may be removed by the city. Any person who replaces a sign after notice that it was removed for any of these reasons or who refuses to remove a sign after notice that it violates this section commits a violation under Chapter 4.02 MMC.

When any new sign for which a sign permit is required by this chapter is proposed to be installed on a business site where a nonconforming sign or signs are located, one nonconforming sign of similar type as the proposed sign shall be removed or brought into conformance with this chapter for each new sign installed on a business site. For example, one existing nonconforming freestanding sign would need to be removed or brought into conformance for each new freestanding sign installed on a business site. A business site shall be considered both single-tenant and multi-tenant complexes. In no case shall an applicant be permitted signage that exceeds the maximum signage allowed in this chapter.

A sign is relocated, altered, replaced, or changed in any way, including the sign structure or conversion of fixed copy to an electronic message center. This provision does not include a change in the face of the sign or advertising copy, or the conversion of the manual display of gas prices to an electronic, static display of gas prices.

A sign requires repairs beyond normal maintenance.

Whenever the occupancy classification of a building is changed that results in an intensification of land use, as determined by the community development director.

Any person aggrieved by the imposition of the amortization clause may request review of the clause. The request for review shall be filed with the city not later than six months prior to the expiration of the amortization period. The review shall be heard by the hearing examiner. A fee will be charged based on the processing costs as provided in Chapter 22G.030 MMC.

The aggrieved applicant has the burden of establishing the unreasonableness of the amortization period and must provide substantial evidence showing that the amortization period is unreasonable.

The hearing examiner shall consider such things as lease obligations, remaining period of life expectancy of the nonconformance, depreciation, and the actual amount invested in the nonconforming sign.

The hearing examiner shall consider the preservation and improvement of the city's physical environment, natural amenities, and desirable characteristics of the city as asserted in the purpose of the city's land use regulations as well as the goals and policies adopted in the city's comprehensive plan. The hearing examiner may consider any combination of these legitimate public concerns.

The hearing examiner shall conduct a balancing of interest, considering the interest and hardship as to the applicant, and whether the hardship to the applicant reasonably overbalances the benefit that the public would derive from the termination of the nonconformance. If, after careful consideration, the hearing examiner determines that the amortization period, as applied to the applicant's nonconformance, would result in a greater hardship to the applicant than benefit to the public, the hearing examiner may extend the amortization period to a point in time when the balancing of interest would support the termination of the nonconformance. In no event should this amortization period be greater than three additional years.

There are exceptional circumstances or conditions, such as location of existing structures, lot configuration, topographic or unique physical features, that apply to the subject property which prohibit sign visibility.

New developments greater than 10 acres in size that wish to consolidate the allowable signage. A minimum of two signs will be required to be consolidated for a bonus consideration.

Contiguous or multi-tenant properties sharing the same street frontage that wish to consolidate allowable signage. A minimum of two signs will be required to be consolidated for a bonus consideration.

The adjustment will not significantly increase or lead to street-level sign clutter, to signs adversely dominating the visual image of the area, or to a sign that will be inconsistent with the objectives of a subarea master plan or special overlay district.

The adjustment will not create a traffic or safety hazard.

The adjustment will allow a unique sign of exceptional design or style that will:

A letter in memorandum form outlining how the request is consistent with the criteria of this subsection.

A site plan that is accurately drawn to an engineered scale that includes the following information: