Wapato City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 17
08 SIGNS
§ 17.08.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to accommodate and promote sign placement consistent with the character and intent of the zoning district; proper sign maintenance; elimination of visual clutter; and creative and innovative sign design. To accomplish this purpose, the posting, displaying, erecting, use and maintenance of signs within the urban area shall occur in accordance with this chapter.
(Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.020 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, certain abbreviations, terms, phrases, words, and derivatives shall be construed as specified herein.
means any sign located on property that is vacant and unoccupied for a period of six months or more, or any sign which pertains to any occupant, business or event unrelated to the present occupant or use.
means an electronically controlled sign where different automatic changing messages are shown on the lampbank. This definition includes time and temperature displays.
means any sign used to identify the architects, engineers, contractors or other individuals or firms involved with the construction of a building and to show the design of the building or the purpose for which the building is intended.
See "Off-premises directional sign" and "On-premises directional sign."
means a sign or sign structure in which electrical wiring, connections, and/or fixtures are used as part of the sign proper.
means an electric sign or a portion thereof (except changing message centers) which changes light intensity in a sudden transitory burst, or which switches on and off in a nonconstant pattern in which more than one-third of the constant light source is off at any time.
means any sign supported by one or more uprights, poles or braces secured in or upon the ground or structure. "Freestanding sign" does not mean "portable sign" as defined in this section.
means a freestanding sign designed and placed to attract the attention of freeway traffic.
means temporary signs, posters, banners, strings of lights, clusters of flags, balloons and searchlights used to announce the opening of a completely new enterprise or the opening of an enterprise under new management.
is a group of structures housing two or more retail, office, or commercial uses sharing the same lot, access and/or parking facilities, or a coordinated site plan. For purposes of this chapter, each multiple-building complex shall be considered a single use.
is a single structure housing two or more retail, office or commercial uses. For purposes of this chapter, each multiple-tenant building shall be considered a single use.
means a sign which advertises or promotes merchandise, service, goods, or entertainment which is sold, produced, manufactured or furnished at a place other than on the property on which said sign is located.
means an off-premises sign with directions to a particular business.
means a sign incidental to a lawful use of the premises on which it is located, advertising the business transacted, services rendered, goods sold or products produced on the premises or the name of the business, person, firm or corporation occupying the premises.
means a sign directing pedestrian or vehicular traffic to parking, entrances, exits, service areas, or other on-site locations.
means a sign advertising a candidate or candidates for public elective offices, or a political party, or a sign urging a particular vote on a public issue decided by ballot.
means a temporary sign made of wood, metal, plastic, or other durable material, which is not attached to the ground or a structure. This definition includes sidewalk, sandwich boards and portable readerboards (also see "Temporary sign").
means a sign, other than a wall sign, that is attached to and projects from a structure or building face.
means any sign pertaining to the sale, lease or rental of land or buildings.
means any communication device, structure, or fixture (including the supporting structure) that identifies, advertises and/or promotes an activity, product, service, place, business, or any other thing.
Figure 8-1 |
|---|
 |
means that area contained within a single continuous perimeter which encloses the entire sign cabinet, but excluding any support or framing structure that does not convey a message.
means the module or background containing the advertising message but excluding sign supports, architectural framing, or other decorative features which contain no written or advertising copy.
means the vertical distance measured from the grade below the sign or upper surface of the nearest street curb, whichever permits the greatest height, to the highest point of the sign.
means the horizontal distance from the property line to the nearest edge of the sign cabinet.
means the length in feet of a property line(s) or lot line(s) bordering a public street. For corner lots, each streetside property line shall be a separate street frontage. The frontage for a single use or development on two or more lots shall be the sum of the individual lot frontages.
Figure 8-2 |
|---|
 |
means any sign, banner, pennant, valance, or advertising display constructed of cloth, paper, canvas, cardboard, or other light nondurable materials and "portable signs" as defined in this section. Types of displays included in this category are: grand opening, special sales, special event, and garage sale signs.
means any sign attached to or painted directly on the wall, or erected against and parallel to the wall of a building, not extending more than twelve inches from the wall.
(Ord. 1161 § 1, 2007; Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.030 Development permit required.
No sign governed by the provisions of this chapter shall be erected, structurally altered or relocated after the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter without first receiving a development permit from the building official.
A.
For New Uses. All on-premises signs are accessory uses and shall be subject to the same procedural and review requirements as the principal use. Off-premises signs and billboards are permitted as shown in Section 17.08.130.
B.
For Changes or Replacement of an Existing Sign. Structural changes to, or replacement of, an existing sign requires Class (1) review and approval by the building official.
(Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.040 Exempt signs.
The following signs are exempt from the application, permit and fee requirements of this title when the standards of this chapter are met:
A.
Window signs;
B.
Point of purchase displays, such as product dispensers;
C.
Gravestones;
D.
Barber poles;
E.
Historical site plaques;
F.
Structures intended for a separate use such as phone booths, Goodwill containers, etc.;
G.
Official and legal notice issues by any court, public body, person or officer in performance of a public duty or in giving any legal notice;
H.
Directional, warning or information signs or structures required or authorized by law, or by federal, state, county or city authority;
I.
Official flags of the United States of America, states of the United States, counties, municipalities, official flags of foreign nations, and flags of internationally and nationally recognized organizations;
J.
Political signs which, during a campaign, advertise a candidate or candidates for public elective office, a political party, or promote a position on a public issue, provided such signs shall not be posted more than ninety days before the election to which they relate and are removed within fifteen days following the election;
K.
Construction and real estate signs not exceeding thirty-two square feet in sign area;
L.
All temporary signs except portable signs;
M.
Church name and church readerboards not exceeding thirty-two square feet in sign area;
N.
Canopies and awnings;
O.
On-premises signs not readable from the public right-of-way, i.e., menu boards, etc.;
P.
On-premises directional signs;
Q.
Wall signs.
(Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.050 Prohibited signs.
The following signs are prohibited:
A.
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 which are painted on or magnetically attached to any vehicle operating in the normal course of business;
B.
Signs which purport to be, are in imitation of, or resemble an official traffic sign or signal;
C.
Signs attached to utility, street light, and traffic control standard poles;
D.
Swinging projecting signs;
E.
Signs in a dilapidated or hazardous condition;
F.
Abandoned signs;
G.
Signs on doors, windows, or fire escapes that restrict free ingress or egress;
H.
Portable signs; or
I.
Any other sign not meeting the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 1161 § 2, 2007; Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.060 Sign standards.
The provisions of this chapter and the requirements in Table 8-1[1], Type and Number of Signs Permitted, Table 8-2, Maximum Sign Area[2], and Table 8-3, Sign Height and Setbacks[3], are hereby established for all signs in the zoning districts indicated. All permitted signs are subject to the review procedures of this title and the standards of this section. Signs for Class (1), (2) and (3) uses shall be subject to the same procedural and review requirements as the principal use.
(Ord. 1224 § 2(Exh. 1 § 12), 2010; Ord. 1183 § 2(part), 2008; Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.070 General provisions.
All signs shall comply with the following provisions:
A.
Construction shall satisfy the requirements of the International Building Code.
B.
Except for exempt signs, all signs shall be permanently attached to a building or the ground.
C.
Signs attached to a building shall not exceed the height of the building, except under the provisions of Sections 17.08.080(A) and 17.08.090.
E.
Lighting directed on or internal to any sign shall be shaded, screened or directed so that the light's intensity or brightness shall not adversely affect neighboring properties or motor vehicle safety.
F.
All signs together with their supports, braces, and guys shall be maintained in a safe and secure manner.
G.
The ratio of the area of the sign support, framing structure, and/or other decorative features which contain no written or advertising copy to the sign cabinet shall not be greater than 1:1.
H.
A clear view triangle shall be maintained at all driveways and curb cuts for vision safety purposes.
I.
No freestanding signs shall be placed in the clear view triangle established in this title.
(Ord. 1183 § 2(part), 2008; Ord. 1161 § 3, 2007; Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.080 Projection over right-of-way.
Projecting and freestanding signs shall comply with the following provisions:
A.
No more than one-third of the height of any projecting sign shall exceed the height of the building to which it is attached.
B.
All signs projecting over the public right-of-way shall conform to the following standards:
Clearance Above Grade | Maximum Projection |
|---|---|
Less than 8 feet | Not Permitted |
8 feet to 9 feet | 1 foot |
9 feet to 10 feet | 2 feet |
Over 10 feet | 2/3 the distance from building to curb line or a maximum of 10 feet |
No sign shall project within two feet of the curb line.
C.
In addition, no sign or sign structure shall project into any public alley below a height of fourteen feet to sixteen feet above grade. The sign or sign structure may project not more than thirty-six inches into the public alley where the sign or sign structure is located more than sixteen feet above grade.
(Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.090 Roof signs.
All roof signs shall comply with the following provisions:
A.
Roof signs shall be erected so as to appear from all sides as a wall sign applied to an existing penthouse which appears to be a part of the building itself;
B.
Roof signs must not exceed the maximum allowable height of the building within the district in which it is located;
C.
All roof signs shall be installed or erected in such a manner that there is no visual support structure.
(Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.100 Wall signs.
All wall signs shall conform to the following provisions:
A.
Wall signs may be painted upon, attached flat to, or pinned away from the wall, but shall not project more than twelve inches from the wall;
B.
The number of wall signs is not regulated; provided the total area of the wall sign(s) may not exceed the area of the wall to which attached;
C.
Wall signs shall not extend above the height of the wall to which attached.
(Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.110 Temporary signs.
All temporary signs shall conform to the following:
A.
No temporary sign shall be displayed for more than thirty days at any one time nor more than ninety days during a calendar year.
B.
There is no limit on the number of temporary signs per parcel.
C.
No temporary sign shall be placed in a required parking space or driveway, in the public right-of-way or an easement, or in a required clear view triangle.
D.
Temporary signs placed on the ground shall be separated from parking and driveway areas by a curb or other barrier.
(Ord. 1161 § 4, 2007; Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.120 Directional signs.
A.
On-premises directional signs readable from the public right-of-way may be permitted in accordance with Table 8-1[1]. On-premises directional signs may contain both directions and the business name or logo, provided the business name or logo shall not exceed fifty percent of the sign area. All on-premises directional signs shall meet the general provisions of this chapter, and shall not exceed ten square feet per sign face.
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 8-1 is included as an attachment to the title.
B.
Off-premises directional signs are permitted where indicated in Section 17.08.130(B); provided, that:
1.
Each use located in a district where off-premises directional signs are allowed is permitted one off-premises directional sign;
2.
The off-premises sign contains only directional information and does not exceed thirty-two square feet in area nor twenty-five feet in height;
3.
The off-premises signs are permanently installed on private property;
4.
Only one off-premises sign is permitted on a parcel.
(Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.130 Off-premises signs and billboards.
A.
Billboards are: Class (1) uses in the M-1 and M-2 districts; Class (2) uses in the CBD and CBDS districts; Class (3) uses in the B-2 district.
Billboards may be permitted in these districts after the required level of review, provided they meet the provisions of this chapter and all of the following criteria:
1.
The maximum sign area does not exceed six hundred seventy-two square feet per sign face;
2.
There is not more than one product display per sign face;
3.
There are no side-by-side panels;
4.
Required front yard setbacks are met;
5.
The billboard is not within three hundred feet of a residential district.
B.
Off-premises signs are: Class (1) uses in the M-1 and M-2 districts; Class (2) uses in the B-2, CBD and CBDS districts.
Off-premises signs may be permitted in these districts after the required level of review, provided they meet the provisions of this chapter and the specific standards for the district in which they are located.
(Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.140 Multiple-building complexes and multiple-tenant buildings.
A.
Purpose. The following provisions shall apply to multiple-building complexes and multiple-tenant buildings in the SCC, LCC and CBDS districts.
B.
Number of Freestanding Signs. Each multiple-building complex shall be allowed one freestanding sign on each street frontage in accordance with Table 8-2[1]. When the street frontage is longer than four hundred feet:
1.
One additional freestanding sign shall be permitted for each additional four hundred feet of street frontage or part thereof; or
2.
A single larger freestanding sign can be erected in accordance with Table 8-2[2].
If option (1) is selected, no freestanding sign shall be placed closer than two hundred feet to any other freestanding sign or exceed the standards in Table 8-2[3]. These provisions shall also apply to each multiple-tenant building, unless it is a part of a multiple-building complex. |
The allowable freestanding sign(s) may be used to advertise one or more of the uses in the multiple-building complex or multiple-tenant building. |
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 8-2 is included as an attachment to the title.
(Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.150 Freeway signs.
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to permit hotels/motels, restaurants, service stations, and fruit stands near the freeway a larger on-premises sign to inform freeway travelers of their service.
B.
Location. A use with more than one street frontage may substitute a freeway sign for one of its allowable freestanding signs. When the use: (1) W. 1st Street, N. and S. Frontage Roads, S. Camas Avenue and all or a portion of the lot is within one thousand feet of a freeway interchange, or (2) is within two hundred fifty feet of the freeway right-of-way.
C.
Number of Freeway Signs. Only one freeway sign is permitted on each parcel.
(Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.160 Legal nonconforming signs.
Any sign lawfully existing under all codes and ordinances in effect at the time the ordinance codified in this title is enacted or amended may continue to be maintained and operated as a legal nonconforming sign so long as it remains otherwise lawful; provided, that:
A.
No sign shall be changed in any manner that increases its noncompliance with the provisions of this title; and
B.
If the sign is structurally altered or moved, its legal nonconforming status shall be voided, and the sign will be required to conform to the provisions of this title. Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict normal structural repair and maintenance; and
C.
The sign is not a hazardous or abandoned sign.
(Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.170 Administrative adjustment of sign standards allowed.
Administrative adjustment of the sign height, area, and setback standards in this chapter is authorized under the provisions of Chapter 17.10 when a comprehensive design plan is prepared that integrates the sign into the site plan of the project.
A.
Comprehensive Design Plan. A comprehensive design plan is required whenever adjustment of one or more sign design standards is proposed or when required as part of a detailed sign plan. The comprehensive design plan shall include a narrative and site plan, including, but not limited to, the following:
1.
The physical components of the sign including sign size, height, shape, color, location and associated landscaping; and
2.
A description of how the sign relates to the immediate surroundings, including existing and proposed structures, other signs, neighboring land uses and the character of the zoning district; and
3.
For multiple-tenant buildings and multiple-building complexes a description of how the available sign area will be allocated between tenants or leasable spaces.
B.
Review Procedures. The reviewing official shall review the comprehensive design plan in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 17.10 and may either approve or disapprove the plan. The reviewing official shall approve the comprehensive design plan and/or adjustments in the standards of this chapter when he finds that such approval would be consistent with the character of the zoning district, compatible with neighboring land uses, and create visual harmony between the sign, structure, and the site where it is located. The reviewing official may also attach conditions to this approval in order to accomplish the objectives of this section and Section 17.10.030.
(Ord. 956(part), 1993)
§ 17.08.180 Variances.
§ 17.08.190 Violations.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter is a violation of this title and punishable under the provisions of Chapter 17.25.
(Ord. 956(part), 1993)