The purpose of this chapter is to enhance the visual environment of the county by regulating the location size and appearance of signs and outdoor advertising. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

A.

The light from any illuminated sign shall be so shaded, shielded or directed that the light intensity or brightness will not be a nuisance to surrounding areas. Any externally illuminated sign shall be oriented away from the surrounding residences, and away from streets.

B.

Signs projecting over an internal sidewalk or vehicular traffic area shall be at least eight feet above internal walkways and at least sixteen feet above any area used for vehicular traffic.

C.

Signs are permitted in all zoning districts except for residential districts. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

Signage for temporary events is allowed for a period not to exceed three days unless documentation is provided that the temporary event exceeds three days. In no case shall temporary signage be allowed for a period exceeding thirty days annually. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

(Ord. No. 371, § III(Exh. A, Pt. F), 8-3-2009)

Outdoor advertising displays are permitted in all zones, except residential districts. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

A.

Billboards are allowed in industrial, primary agriculture and agriculture residential zones.

B.

Billboards along state routes are subject to permitting regulation by Washington State Department of Transportation.

C.

Billboards along state scenic/historical routes, outside of the jurisdiction of the Washington State Department of Transportation will be regulated for compatibility with the scenic/historical nature of the route. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

A setback minimum of one foot from the leading edge of the sign to the street right-of-way line, or fifteen feet from the edge of the traveled way, whichever is greater, is required. In no case will signs be allowed to be placed in a location or manner that violates sight distance, clear view triangle or clear zone requirements as defined in Walla Walla County Code Title 12 and/or Chapter 3.4 of the Walla Walla County Road Design Standards, as determined by the county engineer.

(Ord. No. 395, § III, 2-14-2011)

A.

For industrial districts a maximum of eighty feet, measured from average grade to the highest point on the sign, is allowed.

B.

For commercial and public reserve districts a maximum of fifty feet, measured from average grade to the highest point on the sign, is allowed.

C.

For all other districts, a maximum of thirty-five feet, measured from the average grade to the highest point on the sign, is allowed. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

(Ord. No. 487, § III(Exh. A, § 2), 2-1-2021)

Building permits are required for billboards, outdoor advertising displays and signs. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

A.

Signs exempt from the above standards include:

1.

Signs not exceeding two square feet in area and bearing only property numbers, post box numbers, names of occupants of premises, professional or announcement signs or other identification of premises not having commercial connotations.

2.

Real estate signs not exceeding six square feet in area, advertising the sale or rental of premises or land upon which they are erected.

3.

Flags and insignias of any government except when displayed in connection with commercial promotion.

4.

Legal notices identification, information, or directional signs erected or required by governmental bodies.

5.

Integral decorative or architectural features or buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts, or moving lights.

6.

Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking to private property, but bearing no advertising matter.

7.

Banners, streamers or emblems over or across any street, alley or part thereof that causes no nuisances or hazard to the vehicle or pedestrian traffic. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

A.

The following signs are prohibited:

1.

Signs on any vehicle or trailer that is parked on public or private property and visible from a public right-of-way for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of this chapter. This provision shall not prohibit signs that are painted on or magnetically attached to any vehicle operating in the normal course of business;

2.

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

3.

Signs attached to utility, street light, and traffic control standard poles;

4.

Signs attached to trees or rocks;

5.

Swinging projecting signs;

6.

Signs, together with their supports, braces, guys and anchors that are not maintained in a neat, clean and attractive condition, free from rust, corrosion, peeling paint or other surface deterioration;

7.

Abandoned signs;

8.

Flashing, blinking or fluttering parts of signs, except as allowed on electronic message centers;

9.

Signs that are unsafe or hazardous;

10.

Signs on doors, windows, or fire escapes that restrict free ingress or egress;

11.

Signs on public property without prior approval;

12.

Searchlights or beacons;

13.

Any other sign not meeting the provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 269 (part), 2002)

(Ord. No. 487, § III(Exh. A, § 2), 2-1-2021)

A.

Electronic message center signs shall comply with this chapter.

B.

Size. One double-faced electronic message sign is permitted per street frontage and shall be one-half square foot per foot of street frontage, up to a maximum of one hundred fifty square feet per face.

C.

Setbacks. Signs shall meet all setback and sight distance requirements as required in section 17.25.050.

D.

Signs located adjacent to or across the street from residential zones shall not operate between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

E.

Signs shall be located on the same site as the use for which it is associated.

F.

The change from one message to another shall be no more frequent that once every eight seconds when along major arterials and twenty seconds along all other roadways, unless otherwise specified by the director or hearing examiner.

G.

Electronic message signs shall be equipped with a mechanism that automatically adjusts the brightness in response to ambient conditions and equipped with a means to immediately turn off the display if it malfunctions or is not complying with the regulations in this section. Manual override function shall be accessible to emergency responders.

H.

When an electronic message center sign is proposed adjacent to a Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) right-of-way, the county shall request comment from the agency.

(Ord. No. 487, § III(Exh. A, § 2), 2-1-2021)