Wilkeson City Zoning Code

The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations for signs in order to promote the public health, safety and general welfare. It is further the intention of this chapter to harmonize the legitimate private purposes of signs, that is, the identification and promotion of the seller to the buyer, with public purposes. Public purposes include considerations of traffic safety and economic and aesthetic welfare. Unregulated signs may divert the driver's attention from the road, causing a traffic hazard. In addition, conflicts between private signs and traffic control signs result in unsafe traffic conditions. The economic base of the Town is, to some extent, dependent upon maintaining an attractive area, both as to natural and manmade features, in which to visit, live and work.

Regulation of signs also serves to promote the private purposes of signs. Signs have become larger, more numerous and more expensive as a result of competition for attention. This competition of signs has, in some cases, defeated the very purpose for which they were created. The elimination of destructive competition between signs thus enhances the private purposes of signs as well as promotes the public health, safety and general welfare. [UDC Ord. dated 7/21/1998].

The sign message board structure or its support structure is altered.

The business at the site is changed.

The property upon which the sign is located or the property to which an off-premises sign is credited is sold to another owner.

A building upon which a sign has been constructed is destroyed or severely damaged by fire or by natural disaster that results in the removal of the damaged building.

A sign message board structure or its support structure has been destroyed or severely damaged by fire or by natural disaster that results in the removal of the damaged sign.

The property upon which the sign is located or the property to which an off-premises sign is credited is abandoned or unoccupied for a continuous period of one hundred seventy (170) days.

Any sign using the words "stop," "look" or "danger," or any other word, symbol or character which might confuse traffic or detract from any legal traffic control devices.

Stationary motor vehicles, trailers and related devices used to circumvent the intent of this chapter.

Signs within seventy-five (75) feet of the public right-of-way which are animated, revolving more than eight (8) revolutions per minute, blinking or flashing, except public service signs such as those which give the time, temperature and humidity.

All lighted signs which are adjacent to and directed toward a residential district and which detract from the welfare of the residential district.

Portable signs, except temporary signs as permitted under WMC § 17.05.060(Q). [UDC Ord. dated 7/21/1998].

Roof signs.

Signs that are judged to be antique in nature by the Planning Commission. [UDC Ord. dated 7/21/1998].

Signs in Street Right-of-Way or Future Street Right-of-Way. No sign shall be located in or project into the present or future right-of-way of any public street unless such location or projection is specifically authorized by other provisions of this section.

Signs Interfering with Sight Distance. No sign shall be so designed or constructed as to interfere with the sight distance of motorists proceeding on or approaching adjacent streets, alleys, driveways or parking areas, or of pedestrians proceeding on or approaching adjacent sidewalks or pedestrian ways.

Signs over Driveways. No sign suspended over or projecting into the area above a driveway located on private property shall be situated at a height of less than fifteen (15) feet above the surface of the driveway.

Signs over Public Sidewalks and Pedestrian Ways. No sign suspended over or projecting into the area above a public sidewalk or pedestrian way shall be situated at a height of less than eight and one-half (8 1/2) feet above the surface of the sidewalk or pedestrian way, and no sign may project more than seventy-five (75) percent of the distance between the property line and the curb line except for signs attached to the underside of a canopy or other architectural projection.

Directional Signs. Directional signs and signs indicating entrances, exits, service areas and parking areas shall be excluded from the sign provisions of this title, and may be erected on private property upon approval of the Planning Director. These signs shall not contain advertising or promotional information other than a company logo, and may be restricted in size.

Removal of Signs on Closure of Business. Upon the closure and vacation of business or activity, the owner of the business or activity shall have one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of closure to remove all signs related to the business or activity.

Window Signs. Window signs shall be considered as a sign and computed as part of the aggregate sign area and number of signs. Any painted-over window shall be considered as a wall. The following signs, if not used in the specified manner, are not computed as part of the aggregate sign area and do not require a permit:

Painted Signs. Signs painted on an exterior wall, window or structure of any kind shall be computed as part of the aggregate sign area and number of signs.

Barber Poles. In addition to any other signs authorized by the provision of this chapter, any barbershop shall be entitled to display a barber pole. The design of the pole and its location and manner of erection shall be subject to the approval of the Planning Director.

Credit Card Signs. Signs indicating credit cards honored may be displayed in window or entrance areas of business establishments. Such signs are not computed as part of the aggregate sign area and do not require a permit.

Institutional Signs. For churches, schools, hospitals, public facilities and institutional uses, one (1) double-faced freestanding or wall identification sign is permitted for each street frontage. The sign may have an aggregate area of one (1) square foot for each ten (10) lineal feet of street frontage. However, each use is guaranteed a minimum sign area of twelve (12) square feet per display face regardless of street frontage. The sign may be illuminated. Freestanding symbols of sculpture used as identification may be permitted with the approval of the Planning Director. Wall signs, lettering or symbols may also be approved by the Planning Director.

Gate or Entrance Sign. Gate or entrance signs may be permitted, and may be located in public rights-of-way, if approved by the Planning Director.

Community Bulletin Board. Subdivisions and residential communities may be allowed to erect a permanent structure as a community bulletin board if approved by the Planning Director.

Business Hours Signs. Signs stating business hours shall be excluded from the provisions of this title, and may be erected upon private property. These signs shall not contain advertising or promotional information other than a company logo. Maximum number permitted shall be one (1) per entrance, with a maximum size of four (4) square feet.

Public Service Signs. Nonadvertising or nonpromotional signs may be erected as a public service to the community by public service clubs or other nonprofit organizations. Such signs may be located in any zone upon approval by the Planning Director.

Real Estate Signs. Real estate signs are permitted as follows. No sign permit is required.

Temporary Signs. Temporary signs may be authorized by the Planning Director for a time period specified for each type of temporary sign.

Off-Premises Signs.

Portable A-Frame Sandwich Board Signs.

Murals. Murals that are judged to be artistic or historic in nature may be exempt form the sign code provisions by the Town Council.

Signs Permitted in Residential Districts.

Signs Permitted in Business Districts. The aggregate sign area for any lot shall not exceed one and one-half (1 1/2) square feet for each foot of street frontage. Aggregate sign area for corner lots shall not exceed one (1) square foot for each foot of street frontage. The permitted signs enumerated in this subsection shall be subject to the total aggregate sign area.

Signs Permitted in Planned Unit Developments, Mobile/Manufactured Home Parks and for Conditional Uses. All signs in planned unit developments, mobile/manufactured home parks and for conditional uses shall be incorporated as part of the developmental plan and approved with the developmental plan. Subsequent changes which conform to the adopted signing program may be granted by the Planning Director.

Signs Permitted in Shopping Centers. The aggregate sign area for each occupant of a shopping center shall not exceed twenty (20) percent of the front facade of the unit. Wall signs are permitted on each exterior wall of the individual business unit. A minimum of thirty (30) square feet shall be permitted for any occupancy. No combination of signs shall exceed ten (10) percent of the facade to which they are attached. If there is an attached canopy or overhang, a ten (10) square foot sign may be attached to the other permitted signs. Such sign shall be at least eight (8) feet above any pedestrian walkway. [UDC Ord. dated 7/21/1998].

Permits.

Fees and Deposits. Fees shall be governed by the fee schedule contained in the building code adopted by the Town.

Availability for Inspection. The applicant shall make the premises upon which the sign is to be erected available for inspection to members of the Town Building Department.

Public Hearing Notification. The Clerk/Treasurer shall advise the applicant as to the date of the Council's consideration of the application. The applicant shall be present at the Council meeting, or the Council may, at its discretion, deny the application for the applicant's failure to appear.

Considerations. The Council shall consider, and require compliance with, the following factors in reaching its decision:

Appeals. In order to provide for a system of appeals from administrative decisions in the interpretation of this section, the Planning Commission acting as a Town Council shall, upon proper application, render a decision as to whether the administrative decision was a reasonable interpretation and application of the provisions of this chapter.

Abatement of Illegal Signs. Any sign that violates the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed a public nuisance and shall be in lien against the property on which the sign was maintained and a personal obligation against the property owner. The property owner shall first be served with a notice to abate the nuisance within seven (7) days. After those seven (7) days, illegal signs may be removed by the Public Works Director at the owner's expense and the owner shall be given notice that the sign will be destroyed if not claimed within ten (10) days.

If a person upon which a notice has been served believes the sign conforms with the Town code, or needs additional time to correct the deficiency, then he may appeal the building inspector's finding to the Town Council. The appeal shall be taken by giving written notice to the Town Clerk/Treasurer within five (5) days after the building inspector gives said notice. If the notice is not timely given to the Town Clerk/Treasurer, then the building inspector's decision shall be deemed final and binding.

Appeal of the abatement notice may be made to the Town Council. If, after such a hearing, the Town Council orders agents of the Town to remove the nuisance, they shall have authority to enter upon private property to remove the nuisance.

Variances.