Myrtle Creek, OR Zoning Ordinance

§ 18.85.010 Signs.

The purpose of the following sections is to add sign requirements to the several zoning districts for the preservation of the character of the area; for the preservation of residential, commercial and industrial potential; for the preservation of the need for healthful, safe and convenient use of all lands; and for the conservation and promulgation of values and resources.

(Ord. 508 § 4.05.0, 1982; Ord. 795, 2014)

§ 18.85.020 Sign content.

Signs advertising a business which is not conducted on the premises, or a commodity or service which is not the primary product, sale, or service on the premises, shall not be allowed except as follows:

For the purpose of erecting temporary off-premises business signs as described in MCMC § 18.85.040 including, but not limited to, endorsing candidates or ballot measures, or advertising events of public interest (such as fairs, rodeos, or similar temporary activities), signs may be erected on a property, provided such signs will be removed by the property owner within 15 days following cessation of the activity for which the sign was erected.

(Ord. 804 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016)

§ 18.85.030 District requirements (signs).

All signs, together with all of their supports, braces, guys, and anchors, shall be built, constructed or placed so as to not impede pedestrian, bicycle, or automobile traffic, shall be kept in good repair and maintained in a safe, neat, clean and attractive condition. The sign area permitted by the following subsections shall be measured as defined in Chapter 18.10 MCMC:

(1)

Residential Districts.

(a)

Signs advertising for home occupations are not permitted.

(b)

RH and R-1 Districts. One nonilluminated stationary sign of not more than two square feet pertaining to an activity on a property may be erected at a distance of 10 feet or more inside a lot line except as allowed by subsection (1)(d) of this section.

(c)

R-2 and R-3 Districts. One nonilluminated stationary sign of not more than eight square feet pertaining to each activity on a property may be erected at a distance of 10 feet or more inside a lot line except as allowed by subsection (1)(d) of this section.

(d)

Exception. Each use or structure permitted in a residential district through the conditional use provisions of this title or through the application of the special district/community services overlay zone may erect one nonilluminated stationary sign of not more than 16 square feet to identify the facility on the premises, provided the sign is a maximum height of three and one-half feet above grade, is erected at a distance of 10 feet or more inside a lot line, and is constructed of natural materials (i.e., wood, rock, etc.).

(2)

Commercial and Industrial Districts. Signs shall not create a traffic impediment nor be located in such manner as to conflict with traffic control devices, and illumination shall be restricted to the property on which the sign is located.

(3)

Electronically Lighted Signs.

(a)

"Paging," meaning character elements or other information presented for a period of time and then disappearing all at once before the same or new elements are presented, is permitted if the display time of each message is at least three seconds.

(b)

"Streaming," meaning character elements or other information moving smoothly and continuously across the display, is not permitted.

(Ord. 508 § 4.05.2, 1982; Ord. 795, 2014)

§ 18.85.040 Temporary off-premises promotional business signs.

Temporary off-premises business signs may be used under the following conditions:

(1)

Temporary off-premises sign permits are available for businesses with a physical location within the Myrtle Creek city limits and outside the central business district.

(2)

A business is allowed to place no more than three temporary off-premises signs.

(3)

A business may apply for a one-time temporary permit, and the maximum total number of days per sign shall not exceed six months in one calendar year.

(4)

No property shall be permitted to post more than three temporary signs at any one time.

(5)

Off-premises temporary signs shall be allowed only in commercial and industrial districts with owner consent.

(6)

The face size of an off-site sign shall not exceed three feet tall or six feet in horizontal length.

(7)

Any temporary A-frame, sandwich board or similar sign may be no larger than six square feet for one face or 12 square feet for two or more faces and if placed within a city sidewalk shall be placed in a manner so as not to obstruct pedestrian traffic or impair access to business entrances.

(8)

If the sign is not attached to a building, the maximum height of the sign may not exceed four feet.

(9)

All temporary signs must be anchored or attached to a permanent structure, in compliance with district setback requirements; may not be placed within any vision clearance area; and shall be maintained in a safe, neat, clean and attractive condition.

(10)

Any permit issued under this section is nontransferable, and the sign may only be used for the purpose for which the permit is granted.

(Ord. 508 § 4.05.3, 1982; Ord. 804 § 1 (Exh. A), 2016)

§ 18.85.050 Sign variances.

Under MCMC § 18.165.050, Criteria for granting a sign variance, signs not otherwise permitted shall be processed under MCMC § 18.170.010 as a conditional use.