This sign ordinance is adopted under the zoning authority of the city in furtherance of the more general purposes set forth in Section 17.01.020. The purposes of this chapter are to:

1.

Encourage the effective use of signs as a means of communication in the city;

2.

Improve the city of Medical Lake's appearance, economic development and growth;

3.

Improve pedestrian and traffic safety;

4.

Minimize the adverse effect of signs on nearby public and private property; and

5.

Allow for fair and consistent enforcement of these sign regulations.

The chapter applies to erecting, placing, establishing, painting, creating, or maintaining a sign in the city. The effect of this chapter is to establish a permit system to allow a variety of sign types in commercial and industrial zones, and a limited variety of sign types in other zones, subject to the standards and permit procedures herein.

This chapter shall not regulate traffic and directional signs installed by a governmental entity or in a private parking lot; signs not readable from nor intended to be viewed from a public right-of-way; merchandise displays; point-of-purchase advertising displays, such as product dispensers; national flags; flags of a political subdivision; symbolic flags of an institution; legal notices required by law; barber poles; historic site monuments/plaques; gravestones; structures intended for a separate use, such as donation and recycling containers; lettering or symbols painted directly onto or flush-mounted magnetically onto a motor vehicle operating in the normal course of business.

(Ord. 852 § 2, 1998).

(Ord. No. 1065, § 1, 2-19-2019)

(a)

"Art" means the expression of application of human creative skill and imagination, in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power without the overt conveyance of any particular message.

(b)

"Banner" means any sign of lightweight fabric, or similar material, that is permanently mounted to a pole or building by a permanent frame at one or more edges, not to include flags.

(c)

"Beacon" means any light with one or more beams that rotate or move, directed into the atmosphere, or directed at one or more points on a lot, different from the light source.

(d)

"Beginning of event" means the first day of activities of an event, which in the case of a political campaign shall be the day on which the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission lists the campaign as active.

(e)

"Flag" means any fabric or bunting containing distinctive colors, patterns, or symbols, used as a symbol of a government, political subdivision, or other similar entity.

(1)

"Logo" means a symbol or other design adopted by an organization to identify its products, uniform, vehicles, etc.

(f)

"Message" means any wording, logo, or other representation that bears a name, direction, warning, information or advertisement.

(g)

"Mural" means a work of art painted or applied to a wall of a building or other structure.

(h)

"Non-commercial community event" means an event provided to the general public for education, entertainment, activity or other participation, not for the purpose of advertising or benefitting a business or other commercial enterprise.

(i)

"Pennant" means any material suspended from a rope, wire, or string and designed to move in the wind. A pennant does not contain a message of any kind.

(j)

"Scoreboard" means a sign that is adjacent to and on the same site as an athletic field or other competition location that displays information or statistics about the game or activity.

(k)

"Sign" means a surface or object bearing a message that is displayed for public view.

(l)

"Sign animated" means a sign or display manifesting either kinetic or illusionary motion occasioned by natural, manual, mechanical, electrical, or other means and when the message changes more than eight times per day. Animated signs include the following types:

•

Naturally Energized. Signs whose motion is activated by wind or another atmospheric impingement. Wind-driven signs include: flags, banners, pennants, streamers, spinners, metallic disks, or other similar devices designed to move in the wind.

•

Mechanically Energized. Signs manifesting a repetitious preprogrammed physical movement or rotation in either one or a series of planes activated by means of mechanically based drives.

•

Electrically Energized. Illuminated signs whose motions or visual impression of motion is activated primarily by electrical means. Electrically energized animated signs are of two types:

—

Flashing signs. Illuminated signs exhibiting a pre-programmed repetitious cyclical interruption of illumination from one or more sources in which the duration of the period of illumination (on phase) is either the same as or less than the duration of the period of darkness (off phase), and in which the intensity of illumination varies from zero (off) to one hundred percent (on) during the programmed cycle.

—

Illusionary Movement Signs. Illuminated signs exhibiting the illusion of movement by means of a pre-programmed repetitious sequential switching action in which illuminated elements of the sign are turned on or off to visually simulate the impression of motion, characteristic of chasing, running, blinking, oscillating, twinkling, scintillating, or expanding and contracting light patterns.

(m)

"Sign, building" means any sign attached to any part of a building.

(n)

"Sign, canopy" means any sign that is a part of or attached to an awning, canopy or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, window or outdoor service area.

(o)

"Sign, changeable copy" means a sign with informational content of characters, letters, graphics or illustrations that can be changed or altered by manual or electric, electro-mechanical, or electronic means that can be changed or rearranged without altering the surface of the sign. Changeable signs include:

•

Manually Activated. Sign with alphabetic, pictographic or symbolic informational content that can be changed or altered by manual means.

•

Electrically Activated. Sign with alphabetic, pictographic, or symbolic informational content that can be changed or altered on a fixed display surface composed of electrically illuminated or mechanically driven changeable segments. This includes the following two types:

i.

Fixed Message Electronic Sign. Not an animated sign.

ii.

Computer Controlled Variable Message Electronic Sign. Sign with informational content that can be changed or altered by means of computer driven electronic impulses. Minimum delay shall be set at two seconds.

(p)

"Sign electrical" means a sign or sign structure in which electrical wiring, connections or fixtures are used.

(q)

"Sign, flashing" means an electrically animated or energized sign as defined in (j) above.

(r)

"Sign, freestanding" means any sign supported by structures or supports that are placed on, or anchored in, the ground and independent from any building or other structure.

(s)

"Sign incidental" means a sign that assists visitors to a land use in matters such a parking and navigation of the site, once they are on the site of the land use. Examples include "no parking," "entrance," "loading only."

(t)

"Sign, illuminated" means a sign or portion thereof that incorporates an artificial light source as part of the sign including, but not limited to, a sign with LED lights, neon lights or an interior light or a sign that has an artificial light source directed upon it.

(u)

"Sign, nonconforming" means any sign that does not meet the requirements of this chapter.

(v)

"Sign, off-premises" means a sign located on property other than the property associated with the business location of the sign.

(w)

"Sign, portable" means any sign:

•

Not permanently attached to the ground or other permanent structure; or

•

Designed to be transported, such as signs designed to be transported by wheels (reader boards), A-frames or T-frames, menu and sandwich boards, balloons and umbrellas used as signs.

(x)

"Sign, snipe" means a temporary sign or poster affixed to a tree, fence, telephone pole, public bench, streetlight, public property or public right-of-way, except government signs.

(y)

"Sign, temporary" means any sign that is not permanently mounted and that relates to a particular event or happening that will render the sign obsolete upon the event or happening.

(Ord. No. 1065, § 2, 2-19-2018; Ord. No. 1115, § 3, 6-13-2024)

(a)

No sign governed by the provisions of this chapter that is more than four square feet in area shall hereafter be erected, re-erected, constructed, painted, posted, applied or structurally altered except as provided in this chapter and pursuant to a sign permit signed off by the planning department. A separate sign permit shall be required for each group of signs on a single, supporting structure installed simultaneously. Thereafter, each additional sign erected on the structure must have a separate sign permit.

(b)

Exceptions. The following signs do not require a sign permit and are exempt from the application, permit and fee requirements of this code. These exemptions shall not be construed as relieving the owner of the sign from the responsibility to comply with the provisions of this chapter or any other law or ordinance, including the Uniform Building Code:

(1)

The changing of the advertising copy or message on a lawfully erected sign, reader board, or similar sign specifically designed for replaceable copy;

(2)

Painting, repainting or normal maintenance unless a structural or electrical change is made;

(3)

Removal of a previously installed, nonconforming sign for painting, repainting, repairing or otherwise maintaining said sign shall not constitute an alteration or removal of the sign for the purposes of Section 17.39.110, provided that such maintenance does not enlarge or substantially alter or otherwise increase the nonconformity of the sign, and that the sign shall not be removed for longer than seventy-two hours, unless authorized by the planning director for a longer period of time;

(4)

Nonelectric incidental signs four square feet or less in area which pertains to goods, products, services, or facilities which are available on the premises where the sign occurs and intended primarily for the convenience of the public while on the premises, unless otherwise prohibited herein;

(5)

A nonelectric bulletin board as permitted herein for each public, charitable or religious organization, not exceeding twenty-five square feet;

(6)

Contractor, architect, surveyor, or engineer sign as permitted herein;

(7)

Murals and/or decorative, antique signs that are art as permitted herein;

(8)

Temporary banners and temporary signs as permitted herein;

(9)

Real estate signs as permitted herein;

(10)

Directional, warning, regulatory, or information signs or structures required or authorized by law, or by federal, state, county or city authority;

(11)

Signs located within a structure, not visible from nor intended to be viewed from the exterior of the building or structure;

(12)

American flag, state flag, and/or other official flags of local, state or nations significance;

(13)

Nontemporary official company/corporate or other identification type flag displaying a business name and/or logo;

(14)

Nontemporary signs attached to and no higher than the outfield fence on ball fields or attached to and no higher than the fence surrounding football fields separating the viewing area from the field.

(Ord. 923 §1, 2002: Ord. 852 §3, 1998).

(Ord. No. 1027, § 34, 4-16-2013; Ord. No. 1065, § 3, 2-19-2019)

The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts unless otherwise specifically permitted:

(1)

Signs which purport to be, are an imitation of, or resemble an official traffic sign or signal, or which obstruct the visibility of any such sign or signal; or which could cause confusion with any official sign or signal;

(2)

Signs that create a safety hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic;

(3)

Flashing signs;

(4)

Flashing strobe light, or other similar type flashing display visible from a public road or street;

(5)

Portable signs exceeding nine square feet;

(6)

All portable reader boards;

(7)

All portable electric signs;

(8)

Off-premises signs;

(9)

Inflatable signs or tethered balloons;

(10)

Signs attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property, provided, however, that this provision shall not be construed as prohibiting the identification of a firm or its product(s) on a vehicle operating during the normal course of business. Franchised buses and taxis are exempt from these provisions;

(11)

Snipe signs;

(12)

Beacons or searchlights;

(13)

Awning signs;

(14)

Canopy signs;

(15)

Billboards.

(Ord. 852 §4, 1998).

(Ord. No. 1065, § 4, 2-19-2019)

A violation of any provision of this chapter shall be a civil infraction, punishable by a fine in an amount as set forth in Section 1.01.130 of the Medical Lake Municipal Code. In addition to the imposition of a civil penalty, the Medical Lake municipal court may order compliance with the provisions of this chapter or removal of any sign, which violates the provisions of this chapter. Failure to respond to a civil notice of infraction or to comply with the court's order or to pay a civil penalty shall be a misdemeanor, punishable in accordance with Section 9.01.020 of the Medical Lake Municipal Code.

(Ord. 913 §3, 2001: Ord. 852 §5, 1998).

The following signs will be permitted in any zone subject to the limitations as provided herein:

(1)

Bulletin Boards. Bulletin boards are permitted on the premises of public, charitable or religious institutions subject to the following:

(A)

Such sign shall not exceed twenty-five square feet in area on a face and may be double faced;

(B)

No part of the sign shall exceed a maximum height of six feet above the ground; and

(C)

The signs, if lighted, may be indirectly lighted only.

(2)

Temporary Subdivision Signs. A temporary real estate sign advertising the prospective sale or lease of a group of lots or dwellings within a tract or apartment complex shall be permitted, subject to the following conditions:

(A)

The detached sign shall be located on the premises being sold or leased;

(B)

The signs area shall not exceed a maximum of thirty-two square feet in area on a face and may be double faced;

(C)

The sign shall remain only as long a property remains unsold or unleased for the first time within the tract, but not to exceed one year. The planning director may extend the one-year time period upon written request by the owners or developers of the project for a maximum of five years;

(D)

The signs shall be nonilluminated; and

(E)

The top of the sign shall be no higher than ten fees above grade of the lot or parcel on which the sign is located.

(3)

Permanent Subdivision or Area Name Signs. Decorative subdivision or area name signs of a permanent character at the street entrance or entrances to the subdivision or area which identifies the name of the subdivision or area only, shall be permitted subject to the following conditions:

(A)

The signs shall consist of decorative permanent type material, with illuminated, indirectly lighted or nonilluminated name plates or letters, and shall be located in a maintained landscaped area;

(B)

Each wall and/or sign shall not exceed six feet in height; and

(C)

Each wall and/or sign shall be located on the property, out of the right-of-way, and conform to the sight distance triangle requirements in Chapter 17.41 of the M.L.M.C.

(D)

Exception to Height Requirement. Subject to planning commission approval, height limitation (subsection (3) (b) of this section) may be increased to fifteen feet, only in conjunction with a planned unit development or major subdivision, provided that the signage has been included as part of the design and is compatible with the planned development of subdivision (i.e. gated community sign incorporated into top of gate or gabled entrance or archway).

(4)

Temporary Banners, Flags, Pennants and Signs.

(A)

A temporary commercial banner, flag, for on-premises use only, may be displayed up to a maximum of ninety days, provided that such display is in good condition. The planning director may extend the ninety-day time period upon written request by the owners for an additional forty-five days. When a temporary banner, flag, or pennant has been displayed for ninety days or more, as authorized by this subsection, said temporary banner, flag, or pennant shall not be displayed again for a period of not less than forty-five days.

(B)

Banners, flags, or pennants advertising a noncommercial community event may be permitted by the planning director for temporary on or off-premises use to a maximum of forty-five days.

(C)

Seasonal, promotional, decorative, or informational flags when located on city streetlight poles within the central business district, with an approved permit.

(D)

Murals and/or decorative, antique signs that are with an approved permit.

(E)

Temporary on or off-premises subject to all of the following conditions:

(i)

A single faced or double faced (back to back or A-frame type) sign shall be less than nine square feet in size per face and the top of the sign shall not exceed forty-two inches in height above grade;

(ii)

Said signs shall be no later than fourteen days after the event;

(iii)

If located on public right-of-way, shall be placed in such a manner as to not interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic;

(iv)

Shall be nonilluminated.

(F)

If any of the above conditions are violated said sign or signs shall be subject to removal by City of Medical Lake staff. If removed by city staff, a good faith effort shall be made to contact the sign owner or party responsible for the sign and provide a minimum of twenty-four hours to retrieve the sign prior to disposal.

(5)

Contractor, Architect, Surveyor or Engineer Sign. One on-premises sign identifying the project, developers, building contractor and/or subcontractors. Signs belonging to the contractor, architect, the surveyor and the engineer engaged in the construction may be permitted on a property during the period of construction, provided that:

(A)

Location of the sign shall be approved by the planning director prior to installation. Locations shall not be such as to obstruct vehicular sight distance or be detrimental to surrounding properties;

(B)

The sign shall not exceed forty square feet in area; and

(C)

The top of the sign shall not exceed ten feet above the grade of the lot or parcel on which the sign is located. The sign shall be removed prior to the final building inspections. However, no such sign shall be maintained for a period in excess of twelve months without approval by the planning director. The planning director may extend the one-year time period upon written request of the owners/developers of the project for a maximum of five years.

(6)

Real Estate Sign.

(A)

Residential Use or Property. Temporary on-premises signs(s) advertising the sale, lease or rental of the building, property, or premises, one per frontage road. Said sign shall be unlighted, and limited in size to six, or on residential property of one acre or more with or without a dwelling on-site a sixteen square foot sign. The top of the sign shall not exceed four feet in height above grade.

(B)

Commercial, Industrial, and/or Institutional Use or Property. One temporary on-premises sign advertising the sale, lease or rental of the building, property or premises. Said sign shall be unlighted, limited in size to sixteen square feet for a parcel less than two acres in size and thirty-two square feet for a parcel greater than two acres in size. The top of the sign shall not exceed ten feet in height above grade.

(C)

Open House and Directional Signs. For subsection (6)(A) and (B) of this section, an open house and/or directional sign(s) shall be allowed on each access street to the property, and shall not be placed in the right-of-way in such a manner as to interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Open house sign(s) shall be used only when the property is actually open for immediate inspection. Open house signs(s) shall be unlighted, limited in size to five square feet and limited in height to three feet above grade. Directional sign(s) shall be unlighted, limited in size to five square feet and the top of the sign shall not exceed five feet in height above grade.

(7)

Electronic or Bulletin Board Changeable Message Sign.

(A)

Electronic or bulletin board changeable message signs shall be permitted in accordance with the standards and specific uses outline in Sections 17.39.070 through 17.39.080 and shall only advertise the following:

(i)

Business or businesses located on the premises;

(ii)

Activities, goods or services sold by the business or businesses;

(iii)

Special community-wide and/or public non-profit events;

(iv)

General public information such as time, date and temperature;

(v)

Shall operate without "flashing."

(Ord. 852 §6, 1998).

(Ord. No. 1065, § 5, 2-19-2019)

Sign structures are permitted in all residential zones and the schools and public lands zone and the parks, open space zone in accordance with the following uses and standards:

(1)

A nonilluminated nameplate which indicates no more than the name and address of the occupant of the premises is permitted provided that such sign shall not exceed an area on one side of four square feet and up to six feet in height above grade.

(2)

A detached or attached on-premises sign identifying a community residential facility is permitted, provided that such sign is limited in size to a maximum of four square feet in size and is unlighted.

(3)

On-premises signs identifying a church, public park, public or parochial elementary or junior high/middle school, multiple family dwelling, dormitory, fraternity, sorority, nursing home, retirement apartment, public building, nonprofit community hall or lodge, professional office or cemetery are permitted as follows:

(A)

One sign, unlighted or with low-intensity illumination, placed flat against the outside wall of the main building, having an area of not greater than twenty square feet; and

(B)

One detached sign having an area of not more than twenty square feet on each face placed back to back. Such sign shall not exceed ten feet in height above grade nor six feet in width. The sign shall be unlighted, provided that when situated on a principal (major) arterial such sign may incorporate low intensity illumination.

(4)

On-premises signs identifying a high school, junior college, college, university, or public golf course are permitted as follows:

(A)

One sign, unlighted or with low-intensity illumination, placed flat against the wall of the main building, having an area of not greater than thirty-two square feet; and

(B)

One detached sign having an area of not more than thirty-two square feet on each face placed back to back. Such sign shall not exceed twenty feet in height above grade nor ten feet in width. The sign shall be unlighted provided that, when situated on a principal (major), such sign may incorporate low intensity illumination.

(5)

On-premises signs identifying professional or business offices are permitted as follows:

(A)

One office or building:

(i)

One Attached Sign. Sign to be unlighted or with low intensity lighting, placed flat against the wall of the main building, having a surface area of not greater than thirty-two square feet;

(ii)

One detached sign within the front yard area. Sign to be unlighted or with low intensity illumination, not more than twenty—five square feet on each face placed back to back. The top of the sign shall not exceed four feet above grade.

(iii)

When a detached sign is placed upon the property, as allowed in this subsection, one additional sign for the professional office or business building shall be allowed, provided it is unlighted or with low intensity illumination and is placed flat against the building. Said sign shall not exceed eight square feet in surface area.

(B)

For multiple (two or more) offices or businesses within a structure:

(i)

One attached sign. Sign to be unlighted or with low intensity lighting, placed flat against the wall of the main building, having a surface area of not greater than eight square feet per office use, not to exceed a total of eighty square feet; or

(ii)

One detached sign within the front yard area. Sign to be unlighted or with low intensity illumination, having a surface area of not more than twelve square feet per office use, not to exceed a total of eighty square feet in on each face placed back to back. The top of the sign shall not exceed fifteen feet in height above grade.

(iii)

When a detached sign is placed upon the property, as allowed above, one sign per professional office or business shall be allowed, provided it is unlighted or with low intensity illumination and is placed flat against the building. Said sign shall not exceed eight square feet in surface area.

(C)

For multiple (two or more) professional or business office complexes:

(i)

One attached sign. Sign to be unlighted or with low intensity lighting, placed flat against the wall of the main building(s), having a surface area of not greater than thirty-two square feet per building, with an accumulated total (from all buildings) not to exceed eighty square feet. The top of the sign shall not exceed twenty feet in height above grade; or

(ii)

One detached sign within the front yard area. Sign to be unlighted or with low intensity illumination, having a surface area not greater than thirty—two square feet per building, with an accumulated total (from all buildings) not to exceed eighty square feet on each face placed back to back. The top of said sign shall not exceed fifteen feet in height above grade.

(iii)

When a detached sign is placed upon the property, as allowed above, one sign per professional office or business complex structure shall be allowed, provided it is unlighted or with low intensity illumination and is placed flat against the building. Said sign shall not exceed eight square feet in surface area.

(Ord. 852 §7, 1998).

Any sign which pertains only to the identification and/or advertising of a permitted use/activity in the commercial (C-1) zone and is located on the property with the use/activity or business, is permitted, provided that it complies with the following conditions:

(1)

On-premises signs shall be as follows for individual business sites:

(A)

Wall signs shall not exceed the outer limits of a wall/structure and may be placed on no more than three walls or canopies/awnings affixed thereto;

(B)

The total area of all wall signs shall not exceed two square feet per lineal foot of street frontage, up to a maximum of two hundred fifty square feet unless the lineal street frontage exceeds two hundred feet. In this case, an additional one half square foot of wall signage is permitted for every additional two feet of frontage; and

(C)

One detached (freestanding) sign, not to exceed one and one half square feet per lineal foot of street frontage up to a maximum of one hundred square feet. In this case, one of the following may be permitted:

(i)

An additional one-quarter square foot of signage for every additional foot of lineal street frontage above the initial sixty-six feet, not to exceed an additional fifty square feet above the maximum; or

(ii)

One additional detached (freestanding) sign not to exceed one-quarter square foot of signage for every additional lineal foot of frontage above the initial sixty-six feet, not to exceed an additional fifty square feet of signage. In no event shall the combined total of both signs exceed one hundred fifty square feet in sign area. The total allotted sign square footage may be distributed between the two signs provided neither of the two signs exceeds one hundred square feet in sign area.

(D)

When locating two detached signs as permitted in subsection (1)(C) of this section, the sign shall be at least one hundred feet apart.

(E)

Under no circumstances shall the top of the detached sign exceed twenty feet in height above grade.

(F)

Incidental detached and/or attached menu board or other similar type signs not readable from nor intended to be viewed from a public right-of-way, shall not exceed twenty-five square feet in size nor shall the top of the sign exceed six feet in height above grade.

(G)

Signs may be illuminated, provided that they shall not be flashing, and shall be of low intensity not exceeding the equivalent of eight hundred milliamperes fluorescent tubing behind plex spaced on nine inch or more centers, or of exposed neon not exceeding thirty milliamperes.

(2)

On-premises signs for multiple (two or more) offices, stores or businesses within a structure and for multiple business complexes or any combination thereof:

(A)

Wall signs shall not exceed the outer limits of the exterior wall of each business within the structure or complex and may be placed on the wall or canopies/awnings affixed thereto; and

(B)

The total area of all wall signs shall not exceed one and one-half square feet per lineal foot of frontage, up to a maximum of two hundred fifty square feet unless the lineal frontage exceeds two hundred feet. In this case, an additional one-half square foot of wall signage is permitted for every additional two feet of frontage above the initial one hundred sixty-six feet; and

(C)

Total wall signage shall not exceed three walls per business; and

(D)

One detached (freestanding) sign, not to exceed one and one-half square feet per lineal foot of frontage up to a maximum of one hundred square feet in sign area unless the frontage exceeds two hundred feet. In this case, one of the following may be permitted:

(i)

An additional one-half square foot of signage is permitted for every additional lineal foot of frontage above the initial sixty-six feet, not to exceed an additional one hundred square feet above the maximum, or

(ii)

One additional detached (freestanding) sign not to exceed one-half square foot of signage for every additional lineal foot of frontage above the initial sixty-six feet, not to exceed one hundred square feet in sign area. The total allotted sign square footage may be distributed between the two signs provided neither of the two signs exceeds one hundred square feet in sign area (i.e. two eighty-three and one-half square foot signs as opposed to one, one hundred square foot sign and one sixty-seven square foot sign);

(E)

When locating two detached signs as permitted above, the sign shall be at least one hundred feet apart;

(F)

Under no circumstances shall the top of a detached sign exceed twenty feet in height above grade;

(G)

Incidental detached and/or attached menu board or other similar type signs not readable from nor intended to be view from a public right-of-way, not to exceed twenty-five square feet in size nor shall the top of which exceed six feet in height above grade;

(H)

Signs may be illuminated, provided that they shall not be flashing, and shall be of low intensity not exceeding the equivalent of eight hundred milliamperes fluorescent tubing behind plex face spaced on nine-inch or more centers, or of exposed neon not exceeding thirty milliamperes.

(3)

Exception to On-Premises Signage. When two or more business sites share a common boundary line, they may choose to share a detached (freestanding) sign as permitted in above subsection 17.39.070(2) to be located on the property of one, subject to the following conditions:

(A)

The shared sign shall be located within fifty feet of a common boundary line or a distance otherwise approved by the city planning director, and shall be subject to all other requirements of an on-premises sign.

(B)

One of the two businesses and/or multiple business sites shall agree to forfeit the right to one on-premises sign as provided in above subsection 17.39.070(1) and (2).

(C)

The shared sign total size shall be calculated in accordance to above subsection 17.39.070(2), by combing the applicable lineal and/or street frontage.

(4)

Projecting signs, not greater than one-half square feet per lineal foot of street frontage not to exceed an accumulated total of one hundred square feet per structure having less than two hundred feet of lineal street frontage, are permitted only within the central business district and shall comply with the following tables established in the International Building Code:

TABLE NO. 4-B—PROJECTION OF SIGNS

TABLE NO. 4-C—THICKNESS OF PROJECTING SIGN

(A)

A projecting sign shall not exceed more than three feet above the roofline of any building or structure to which it is attached and may project up to five feet into/over a public right-of-way in accordance with the International Building Code.

(Ord. 852 §8, 1998).

(Ord. No. 1027, § 35, 4-16-2013)

(a)

The total area of wall signage permitted on the front of the building shall not exceed two square feet per lineal foot of building frontage, up to a maximum of one hundred square feet. In lieu of wall signage, a freestanding sign of the same architectural style as the building and of the same sign footage may be placed within a lawn or totally landscaped area.

(b)

One square foot of sign, up to a maximum of fifty square feet, shall be permitted on the side or rear of a building for every lineal foot of building frontage when said side or rear is oriented to or faces a public parking area or street. In lieu of wall signage, a free standing sign of the same architectural style of the building and of the same sign footage may be placed within a lawn or totally landscaped area in a side yard of a corner lot.

(c)

All wall signs shall be flat against the building or structure and shall not extend above the top of the wall. The top of any freestanding signs shall not exceed six feet in height above grade.

(d)

One name plate for each tenant accessed by that entrance, not exceeding six square feet in area, containing the name and address of an occupant will be allowed at every exterior entrance to a building.

(e)

Unimproved property shall be permitted one freestanding for sale, lease, or rent sign the top of which shall not exceed six feet in height above grade and thirty-two square feet of surface area.

(f)

No sign may encroach upon, or overhang, adjacent property or public right-of-way.

(g)

All sign illumination shall be from the interior of the sign, provided that indirect lighting shall be permitted if the light source is not visible from public parking, public road or street. Exposed neon tubing shall not be permitted. Normal sign maintenance shall be permitted, including name change of the firm or company.

(h)

Logos or identification symbols shall be considered signs and shall conform to all provisions of this section.

(i)

No sign visible from a public road or street shall be constructed or maintained to flash, rotate or in any way simulate motion. Lights, which resemble traffic signals, are not allowed.

(j)

A single-faced, or double-faced (back to back) parking directional sign shall be permitted at each major entrance to a parking lot, provided that the top of such signs shall not exceed six feet in height above grade and fifteen square feet per face, and are located within a landscaped area.

(Ord. 852 §9, 1998).

(a)

All signs identified in Sections 17.39.050 through 17.39.080 shall be so located that they:

(1)

Do not interfere with vehicular or pedestrian accessibility or sight distance;

(2)

Conform to the provisions of Chapter 17.41 (the sight distance triangle);

(3)

Do not overhand or are located in any public right-of-way unless specifically permitted by this chapter.

(b)

Unless otherwise permitted by this chapter, all signs identified in Sections 17.39.050 through 17.39.080 shall be located and set back as follows:

(1)

Any portion of a sign (including structural supports) that is higher than three feet and less than seven feet above grade shall be located a minimum of ten feet back from any public right-of-way.

(2)

Structural supports less than two feet in width measured at any point on the support three to seven feet above grade shall be exempted from subsection (b)(1) of this section.

(Ord. 852 §10, 1998).

Sign area is the total area of a sign visible from any one viewpoint or direction, excluding the sign support structure, and its size shall be calculated by measuring from the outside edge of the frame itself. (This includes only one side of a double-faced sign.)

(1)

Individual letters, words or symbol signs on a wall shall be calculated by measuring the area created by drawing imaginary straight lines around the entire copy or grouping of such letters, words, or symbols.

(2)

Module signs consisting of more than one sign cabinet shall be computed by adding together the total area of each module.

(3)

Any portion of the sign not necessary for structural support of sign, or any structural support greater than two feet in width, shall be considered in the determination of the square footage of the sign.

(Ord. 852 §11, 1998).

Nonconforming signs, those that were lawfully existing prior to the adoption of this code, shall be allowed to continue in use so long as they are continuously maintained, are not relocated, and are not structurally altered or made more nonconforming in any way.

(Ord. 852 §12, 1998).

By destruction, damage, obsolescence or danger, the right to maintain any sign shall terminate and cease to exist whenever the sign is:

(1)

Damaged or destroyed beyond fifty percent. This determination shall rest with the building department and shall be based upon actual cost of replacing said sign.

(2)

Structurally substandard to the extent that the sign becomes a hazard or a danger to the public health, safety, and welfare.

(Ord. 852 §13, 1998).

All signs and sign support structures, together with their supports, braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in good repair at all times. Any portion of a sign in need of repair shall be repaired or contracted to be repaired immediately.

(Ord. 852 §14, 1998).