To ensure that signs are designed, constructed, installed and maintained so that public safety and traffic safety are not compromised. The intent is to regulate the number, location, size, type, illumination, and other physical characteristics of signs within the City;

To advance the goals and the policies for signs identified in the Comprehensive Plan;

To maintain, enhance and improve the aesthetic environment of the City, including its scenic and rural character consistent with the purpose of each zoning district, by preventing visual clutter that is harmful to the appearance of the community, protecting vistas and other scenic views from spoliation, and prevent and reducing commercialism in noncommercial areas;

To reflect and support the desired character and development patterns of the various zones;

To allow for a variety in number and type of signs in commercial zones while preventing signs from dominating the visual appearance of the area; and

To ensure that the constitutionally guaranteed right of free speech is protected.

Incidental signs;

Grave markers;

Original art displays that do not constitute commercial speech; and

Seasonal decorations, rope lights, string lights, holiday lights, or mini-lights.

Signs that blink, rotate, swing, revolve, or otherwise attract attention through movement or flashing of parts, including devices such as strings of lights, or strings of pennants. Event banners, pennants and flags may be permitted, provided they meet all other requirements of this title;

Roof signs painted directly on the roof surface;

Signs painted with phosphorescent or luminescent or sparkling paint;

Signs that violate any law of the State of Oregon;

Signs that imitate or obstruct the view of any official traffic control device or sign;

Signs, other than event signs, displayed on vehicles not incidental to the primary use of the vehicle;

Abandoned signs;

Beacon signs;

Flying signs designed to be kept aloft by mechanical, wind, chemical or hot air means that are attached to the property, ground or other permanent structure, such as blimps, kites, or inflatable devices;

Signs emitting odor, noise or visible matter other than light;

Commercial speech affixed to any transmission facility;

Billboards;

Signs with a dynamic element, including, but not limited to, video and digital signs;

Any sign constructed, maintained or altered in a manner not in compliance with this sign code;

Any nonpublic sign constructed or maintained that, by reason of its size, location, movement, coloring or manner of illumination may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device or that hides from view any traffic control device;

Any sign (other than a government sign) constructed in such a manner or at such a location that it will obstruct access to any fire escape or other means of ingress or egress from a building or an exit corridor, exit hallway or exit doorway. No sign or supporting structure shall cover wholly or partially, any window or doorway in any manner that it will substantially limit access to the building in case of fire or other emergencies;

Any sign located in a manner that could impede traffic on any street, alley, sidewalk, bikeway, or other pedestrian or vehicle travel way;

Any sign (other than a government sign) within the clear vision provisions contained in these development codes;

Any sign attached to a tree or plant, a fence, or a utility pole, except as otherwise allowed or required by the Yachats City Code;

Any sign within or over any public right-of-way, or located on private property less than two feet from any area subject to vehicular travel, except for:

Unlawful signs;

Any sign judicially determined to be a public nuisance;

Signs with an external light source that changes intermittently.

Except as noted in this section, temporary signs are allowed to be erected and maintained for three days.

Temporary signs are not permitted in the public right-of-way.

Temporary signs shall be a maximum of eight square feet.

Temporary signs shall be attached to the site or constructed in a manner that both: (1) prevents the sign from being easily removed by unauthorized persons or blown from its location; and (2) allows for the easy removal of the sign by authorized persons.

No objects shall be attached to temporary signs, including balloons, banners, and flying objects.

Except as provided in this code, temporary signs shall not be attached to trees, shrubbery, utility poles, or traffic control signs or devices.

No temporary sign shall be erected or maintained that, by reason of its size, location or construction, constitutes a hazard to the public.

During the period from 90 days before a public election or the time the election is called until 10 days after the election, temporary signs not exceeding six square feet in area and four feet in height are allowed.

During the period when a property is for sale, lease, or rent in residential zones R-1, R-2, and R-3 until 15 days after the completed transaction, temporary signs not exceeding six square feet in area and four feet in height are allowed.

During the period when a property is for sale, lease, or rent in residential zones R-4, C-1, and P-F until 15 days after the completed transaction, temporary signs not exceeding six square feet in area and four feet in height are allowed.

A-Frame signs;

Integral signs;

Government signs;

One indirectly illuminated or non-illuminated sign not exceeding one and one-half square feet in an area placed on any non-multifamily residential lot. This type of sign is typically used as a name plate;

Vehicle signs that are not prohibited signs under Section 9.44.030 of this chapter;

Signs displayed upon a bus or light rail vehicle owned by a public transit district;

Historical signs or historical or landmark markers;

Handheld signs;

A sign up to six square feet constructed or placed within a parking lot. These signs are typically used to direct traffic and parking;

A sign within the public right-of-way that is erected by a governmental agency, utility or contractor doing authorized work within the right-of-way;

A sign that does not exceed eight square feet in area and six feet in height, and is erected on property where there is a danger to the public or to which public access is prohibited;

Non-illuminated interior signs designed primarily to be viewed from a sidewalk or street, provided the sign does not obscure more than 25% of any individual window;

Illuminated interior signs designed primarily to be viewed from a sidewalk or street, provided the sign face is less than four square feet in area;

One suspended sign for each principal use erected on property which is not considered public right-of-way, under an attached first floor awning or canopy upon a building with direct exterior pedestrian access, provided the sign does not exceed six square feet in area and has a minimum of eight feet of clearance;

An exterior sign erected next to an entrance, exit, rest room, office door, or telephone, provided the sign is no more than four square feet in area. This type of sign is typically used to identify and locate a property feature;

Signs located within a sports stadium or athletic field or other outdoor assembly area that are intended for viewing by persons within the facility. The signs shall be placed so as to be oriented towards the interior of the field and the viewing stands;

Signs incorporated into vending machines or gasoline pumps;

Temporary signs as allowed under Section 9.44.050 of this chapter;

Utility signs;

Signs for hospital or emergency services and railroad signs.

Except as herein provided, no sign shall be erected, replaced, altered or relocated without the sign owner first obtaining a sign permit and the property owner (if different) granting permission for a sign permit, demonstrating that the sign is or will be in compliance with all provisions of this chapter.

Permits are issued for a specific property only. Permits may transfer with ownership provided the signage is not altered or moved except to bring it into compliance with this chapter.

Fees for sign permits shall be established by resolution of the City Council, and shall be paid prior to the sign being placed or altered. See Section 9.44.130(C) Filing fees.

Conforming signs that are damaged by acts of nature, vandalism or accident shall not be assessed a new sign permit fee when repaired to the pre-damaged condition.

A building permit shall be required for all free-standing signs as specified in the Oregon Structural Specialty Code, which shall be issued prior to sign placement, construction, or alteration.

In the R-1, R-2, and R-3 zones: One sign shall be allowed and shall be limited to the following types, sizes and restrictions:

In the R-4, C-1, P-F, and S-P zones:

Variance. To provide for reasonable interpretation of this chapter, and in certain instances where this chapter will produce a hardship, a business owner (with permission from the property owner, if different) may apply for a variance pursuant to Chapter 9.44.100 of this code and must meet the adjustment criteria listed in subsection B below.

Adjustments.

Abandoned Signs.

Awning, Canopy and Marquee Signs. The sign area shall not exceed the lesser of: (1) 32 square feet; or (2) 50% of the area of the awning, canopy or marquee to which the sign is attached.

Freestanding Ground Signs. These signs shall conform to general requirements as described in Section 9.44.080 with no further specific requirements.

Home Business and Bed and Breakfast Inn Signs. A home business or bed and breakfast in may have one freestanding sign with a maximum of three square feet. This sign shall conform to the standards and procedures governing conditional uses within this chapter. Properties abutting two or more noncontiguous streets shall be permitted signage at each street with each sign not exceeding three square feet.

Projecting Signs.

Illuminated Signs.

Application Form. Applications for sign permits shall be submitted at the City office on pre-scribed application forms. Applications shall include the following information:

Planning Commission Action. Upon the filing of a sign permit application, the Planning Commission or its designee shall examine the plans, specifications, and other submitted data together with the sign sub-committee or designated authority site inspection report. The sign permit application should be filed no later than the eighth day prior to the regular meeting date of the Planning Commission. If it appears the proposed sign is in compliance with this title and other applicable ordinances and if the appropriate permit fee has been paid, the commission or its designee shall issue a permit for the proposed sign.

Application Fee. A filing fee as set by Resolution shall be paid at the time of filing each sign permit application. More than one sign may be applied for by each permit application.

Permits are Licenses. All rights and privileges acquired under the provisions of this chapter are mere licenses and, as such, are at any time revocable for just cause by the City. All permits issued pursuant to this chapter are subject to this provision.