20.12.040 Signs | Bellingham Municipal Code

20.12.040 Signs.

A. Development Handbooks. The following represents a compilation of the sign regulations found in the development handbooks.

1. General Provisions. No sign shall be permitted unless it complies with the provisions of this chapter.

2. Exemptions. The following signs shall be exempt from the provisions of this title:

a. Traffic signs installed by a government agency.

b. Directional, wayfinding program signs installed by a government agency if the signs are consistent with the provisions of the applicable neighborhood plan.

a. Signage shall be limited to a size and message to adequately identify the use.

b. If city owned, the sign shall be subject to review by the Bellingham arts commission.

c. Sign size shall not exceed 50 square feet when located within 100 feet of a residential zone.

d. Electronic Message Signs. The following performance standards shall apply to electronic message signs:

(A) Freestanding electronic message signs shall be monument signs only.

(B) Sign height shall not exceed eight feet.

(C) The electronic message sign shall be constructed as an integral part of a permanent sign constructed on the site and shall not exceed 50 percent of the sign area for that sign, or 16 square feet when it is located within 100 feet of a residential zone. “Integral” shall be considered to be incorporated into the framework and architectural design of the freestanding sign.

(A) All wall-mounted signs shall be flush against the side of the building.

(B) The electronic message sign shall not exceed 16 square feet when it is located within 100 feet of a residential zone regardless of whether it’s a stand-alone wall-mounted sign or integrated within a larger wall-mounted sign.

(A) Static Image Display Minimum. Electronic message signs which provide changing messages shall not blink or flash or change their message more frequently than once every five seconds.

(B) Maximum Transition Time Between Static Images. Electronic message signs shall transition between static images immediately as to prevent drawn out frame animations which may result in the illusion of motion.

(C) Brightness. All electronic message signs shall come equipped with an automatic dimming photocell device which will automatically adjust the display’s brightness based on preset levels relative to ambient light conditions. All electronic message signs shall operate at brightness levels of no more than 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light levels. All electronic message signs shall also be preset to prevent luminance beyond 5,000 nits during daylight hours and 500 nits at night. Certification of these limits shall be provided by the developer prior to building permit issuance.

(D) Electronic message signs may be used only to advertise activities or services available on the property on which the sign is located, or to present public service information.

(E) Off-Times. When the sign location is within 300 feet of any primary residential building in a residential general use type, the sign shall be equipped with an automatic timer that will shut the sign off between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

(F) Dispersal Requirements. One electronic message sign shall be permitted on each site or development complex. One additional bonus electronic message sign shall be permitted if the following conditions exist:

(1) The second sign is located along or facing a separate street abutting the site or development complex; and

(2) The second sign is located a minimum of 500 feet from the first permitted electronic message sign on the same site.

(G) No Animation or Video. Electronic message signs shall be used to display one static image for no less than the minimum time period specified herein before moving on to another static image display. Displays shall not appear to flash, undulate, or pulse, or portray explosions, imitate any form of traffic control device, display fireworks, flashes of light, or blinking or chasing lights. Displays shall not appear to move toward or away from the viewer, expand or contract, bounce, rotate, spin, twist, or otherwise portray graphics, video or animation as it moves onto, is displayed on, or leaves the signboard.

(H) Malfunctioning Sign. In the event that a sign is malfunctioning, the owner of said sign shall turn the sign off until such time that the sign is repaired and functioning correctly in compliance with this section.

i. No signs are permitted unless specifically authorized herein.

i. Use – Subdivision. One sign per main entrance, which may be indirectly lighted, not to exceed 50 square feet in area may be erected on private property within the subdivision or upon public right-of-way adjacent to the subdivision with approval by the public works department. Message shall be limited to the name of the subdivision only.

ii. Use – Residential and Home Occupation. One sign, which may be indirectly lighted, not more than two square feet in area per sign face shall be permitted. Message shall be limited to name/address/phone number of the occupant/business.

iii. Use – Nonresidential (Conditional Use and Mixed Uses). One sign, which may be indirectly lighted, not to exceed 16 square feet in area per sign face. Message shall be limited to name/address of use only.

iv. Temporary Building Sign. One sign, unlighted, not to exceed eight square feet shall be permitted.

v. Real estate sign.

(A) One sign, unlighted, not to exceed six square feet shall be permitted per residential street frontage.

(B) Two open house directional signs for each such open house, not to exceed eight square feet per sign face may be placed in the unpaved portion of the street right-of-way only during daylight hours and only when seller or agent is in attendance of property for sale. Signs shall not obstruct vision at intersections, interfere with traffic of any kind, or create a traffic hazard.

(C) Signs advertising a subdivision shall be limited to one single-faced sign per main entrance not to exceed 16 square feet. Said sign shall be placed wholly on private property within the subdivision and shall be taken down after the close of sale of 60 percent of the lots. Thereafter signs shall be limited to individual properties as regulated in subsection (A)(4)(a) of this section.

i. No signs are permitted unless specifically authorized herein.

i. Use – Duplex/Multifamily Dwelling Unit. One sign for every abutting street, which may be indirectly or internally lighted, not to exceed 16 square feet is permitted. Message shall be limited to name of complex and address only.

ii. Use – Home Occupation. One sign not more than two square feet in area, flush to the building shall be permitted. Message shall be limited to name/address/phone number of occupant/business only.

iii. Use – Nonresidential (Conditional or Mixed Use). One sign, which may be indirectly or internally lighted, not to exceed 32 square feet per sign face shall be permitted. Message shall be limited to name and address of the use.

iv. Use – Temporary Building Sign. One sign, unlighted, not to exceed 16 square feet shall be permitted.

(A) One sign, unlighted, not to exceed 16 square feet shall be permitted per street frontage.

(B) Two open house directional signs, not to exceed eight square feet per sign face may be placed in the unpaved portion of the street right-of-way only during daylight hours and only when seller or agent is in attendance of property for sale. Signs shall not be located in the vision triangle, obstruct vision at intersections, interfere with traffic of any kind, or create a traffic hazard.

i. No off-premises signs shall be permitted.

ii. No sign shall exceed 35 feet in height.

iii. Roof signs are prohibited.

iv. No sign or any portion of a sign hereafter erected shall be located on or over public property; however, signs on existing buildings abutting upon a right-of-way may protrude over the right-of-way for a distance not greater than six feet nor closer than two feet from the edge of the curb. There shall be a minimum eight-foot vertical clearance.

v. Signs may be lighted in accordance with the regulations found within the city sign code; however, no flashing or revolving signs shall be permitted.

vi. The total gross area of all permanent exterior signs for any one use shall not exceed one square foot of area to one lineal foot of street frontage, or 100 square feet, whichever is more restrictive.

vii. When neighborhood commercial areas are designed in a coordinated shopping center fashion, only one freestanding sign shall be permitted. Said sign shall not exceed 150 square feet and shall be limited to the name of the shopping center and occupants therein, with the exception that if a gasoline station is represented on the sign, the sign may contain gasoline price information.

viii. Unlighted temporary building signs shall not exceed 32 square feet.

ix. Real estate signs shall be limited to one sign per street frontage, shall be unlighted, and shall not exceed 32 square feet.

x. Specific service signage as defined herein shall be permitted on the public right-of-way consistent with the policies and approval of the public works department.

b. Repealed by Ord. 2023-11-032.

i. No off-premises signs are permitted.

ii. Signs shall not exceed 35 feet in height.

iii. Signs may be lighted in accordance to standards within the city’s sign code.

iv. Signs shall not exceed 200 square feet in area on any one sign face.

v. Temporary building signs shall not exceed 32 square feet.

vi. Real estate signs shall be limited to one sign per street frontage, shall be unlighted, and shall not exceed 32 square feet.

vii. Specific service signage as defined herein shall be permitted on the public right-of-way consistent with the policies and approval of the public works department.

i. No off-premises sign shall be permitted. Billboards are permitted in the billboard overlay zones when in accord with the provisions of this code.

ii. No sign or any portion of a sign hereafter erected shall be located on or over public property; however, signs on existing buildings abutting a right-of-way may protrude for a distance not greater than six feet nor closer than two feet from the curb. There shall be a minimum eight-foot vertical clearance.

iii. Freestanding signs shall not exceed 35 feet in height unless oriented to I-5, in which case the sign shall be no higher than 20 feet above the elevation of the nearest driving lane.

iv. Signs shall not exceed 300 square feet in area.

v. Unlighted temporary building signs shall not exceed 64 square feet.

vi. Real estate signs shall be limited to one sign per street frontage, shall be unlighted, and shall not exceed 64 square feet.

vii. Specific service signage as defined herein shall be permitted on the public right-of-way consistent with the policies and approval of the public works department.

i. No off-premises signs are permitted.

ii. Signs shall not exceed 150 square feet in area.

iii. Signs shall not exceed 25 feet in height.

iv. Unlighted temporary building signs shall not exceed 64 square feet.

vi. Specific service signage as defined herein shall be permitted on the public right-of-way consistent with the policies and approval of the public works department.

i. One sign, which may be indirectly lighted, may be located near the main entrance roads on private property. Said sign shall not exceed 50 square feet in area. Message shall be limited to the name of the planned project only.

i. All signage must be an integral, coordinated part of a sign design plan for the entire complex under one ownership.

ii. Roof signs are prohibited.

iii. All signs shall be flush against the side of the building except as provided below.

iv. One freestanding sign not higher than 25 feet shall be permitted at the main entrance. The determination of whether an entrance functions as a main entrance shall be made by the director of the department of planning and economic development. Said sign may be lighted but the message shall be limited to the name of the complex and its occupants, with the exception that if a gasoline station is represented on the sign, the sign may contain gasoline price information. Sign area on any one face shall not exceed 275 square feet.

v. Planned commercial areas larger than four acres shall be permitted one project identification sign not higher than 25 feet at each secondary entrance. Said sign may be lighted and the message shall be limited to the name of the complex and address. Total square footage of all secondary signs shall not exceed 250 square feet. The maximum size of an individual secondary sign shall not exceed 150 square feet.

vi. One freeway-oriented sign shall be permitted upon property abutting the right-of-way of I-5 provided:

(A) The sign shall be located on site, advertising the use located thereon.

(B) The sign shall be limited to a maximum height of 25 feet, or 20 feet above the surface of the nearest primary driving lane of the freeway at a point nearest to the proposed location of the sign.

(D) The sign shall be located so as to minimize impact on residential areas.

(E) The total number of freeway-oriented signs shall be limited to one such sign per parcel of record as of June 18, 1984. The council may further limit the extent and number of such signs if felt to cause adverse impact to the general public.

(F) The applicant shall be responsible for coordinating any such sign with the state of Washington and the State Scenic Vistas Act.

vii. Specific service signage as defined herein shall be permitted on the public right-of-way consistent with the policies and approval of the public works department.

viii. If a gasoline station is located within a shopping center or multiple use site and is not represented on the center’s signs, it shall be allowed one freestanding sign, not to exceed 75 square feet in area nor 25 feet in height. The message on the sign shall be limited to the name of the use and gasoline prices.

ix. Off-premises signs are not permitted. Billboards are permitted in the billboard overlay zones when in accord with the provisions of this code.

i. All signage must be an integral coordinated part of a sign design plan for the entire complex.

ii. Roof signs are prohibited.

iii. All signs shall be flush against the side of the building except as provided below.

iv. One freestanding sign not higher than 25 feet shall be permitted at each main entrance. Said sign may be lighted but the message shall be limited to the name of the complex and its occupants, with the exception that if a gasoline station is represented on the sign, the sign may contain gasoline price information. Sign area on any one face shall not exceed 275 square feet.

v. One freeway-oriented sign shall be permitted upon property abutting the right-of-way of I-5 provided:

(A) The sign shall be located on site, advertising the use located thereon.

(B) The sign shall be limited to a maximum height of 25 feet, or 20 feet above the surface of the nearest primary driving lane of the freeway at a point nearest to the proposed location of the sign.

(D) The sign shall be located so as to minimize impact on residential areas.

(F) The applicant shall be responsible for coordinating any such sign with the state of Washington and the State Scenic Vistas Act.

vi. Specific service signage as defined herein shall be permitted on the public right-of-way consistent with the policies and approval of the public works department.

viii. If a gasoline station is located within a shopping center or multiple use site and it is not represented on the center’s signs, it shall be allowed one freestanding sign, not to exceed 75 square feet in area nor 25 feet in height. The message on the sign shall be limited to the name of the use and gasoline prices.

ix. Off-premises signs are not permitted. Billboards are permitted in the billboard overlay zones when in accord with the provisions of this code.

B. Off-Premises Signs. Off-premises signs are not permitted. Billboards are permitted in the billboard overlay zones when located according to the provisions of this code.

1. A nonconforming sign shall be permitted to remain until such time that said sign becomes abandoned or unsafe; or is proposed to be replaced, relocated and/or structurally or electronically altered (except for off-premises signs).

2. A nonconforming sign advertising a conforming use, when replaced or changed as in subsection (C)(1) of this section, shall comply with the provisions of this chapter (except for off-premises signs).

3. A nonconforming sign, when replaced or changed, shall comply with the provisions of this chapter, or one sign may replace all existing exterior signs if the total square footage of said sign does not exceed 75 percent of the aggregate total square footage of the existing signs nor constitutes more than 150 percent of the sign area permitted by regulations of the applicable land use designation (except for off-premises signs or billboards).

4. Off-premises and outdoor advertising signs shall be allowed until March 13, 1996, to amortize their value. All off-premises signs existing after the last date of amortization shall be considered in violation of this chapter and shall be removed from the city; provided, that nothing contained herein shall require the removal of any sign where such requirement is prohibited by state or federal law or would require the payment of compensation for removal.

D. Noncommercial Messages. Any sign, display, device or other message permitted, but not required, under this code or ordinances of the city may contain, in lieu of any other copy, any otherwise lawful noncommercial message that does not direct attention to a business operated for profit or to a commodity, service or property for sale or rent, and that complies with all other requirements of this code and other ordinances of the city.

1. A billboard may be relocated or replaced under the following provisions:

a. Owners of relocated or replaced billboards shall obtain a transferable billboard relocation permit at the time of the release of a demolition permit for a billboard structure. This permit shall include the site, number, and size of the billboard. The permit is valid for five years from the date of issuance.

b. Relocated or replaced billboards require a building permit. Building permit applications shall be accompanied by a billboard relocation permit. One-time-only registration fees and yearly tracking fee is required.

c. A holder of a billboard relocation permit may combine multiple small billboard faces to make larger boards of up to the maximum size (300 square feet).

2. A billboard may be relocated provided:

a. If a billboard structure is eliminated in the relocation process, such as by combining multiple structures, the eliminated structure may not be recreated.

b. A relocated billboard face will not exceed the size of the original face or 300 square feet, whichever is smaller. A holder of multiple billboard relocation permits may trade billboard face areas between permits. For instance, two 140-square-foot billboard faces may be relocated as one 280-square-foot billboard face. If a billboard face is eliminated in the relocation process, such as by combining multiple faces, the eliminated face may not be recreated.

c. A back-to-back, a side-by-side, or a “V” billboard may not be relocated to two separate billboards. A back-to-back, a side-by-side, or a “V” billboard may relocate as a back-to-back, a side-by-side, or a “V” billboard, if it meets the standards of this code.

a. Billboards which do not meet the standards of this chapter are nonconforming.

b. Landscaping shall be provided as follows:

i. Provide a new street tree if none exists within 50 feet.

ii. No removal of street trees and code-required landscaping. Maintenance and trimming in and around the base of the billboard structure is allowed.

iii. Landscaping (defined in Chapter 20.08 BMC) of evergreen plants at the billboard base in industrial designations.

iv. In planned and commercial designations, provide substantial screening of the billboard base by placing six-foot-tall evergreen plants in the area below the billboard face. These plants shall, at maturity, grow as tall as the bottom of the billboard face, but may be less than six feet tall if the billboard face is less than six feet off the ground.

v. Landscaping shall be of native vegetation and low-water using.

c. Signage shall not be a hologram or appear to move. Three-dimensional extensions from billboard faces are allowed if they do not appear to be three-dimensional from the front. Lighting shall be indirect and glare shielded from traffic and nearby residences. Lighting shall not be within the billboard graphic, move, flash, or blink.

d. A billboard shall not be located within 300 feet of a residential zone unless it can be demonstrated the structure will not have a significant negative visual impact on adjacent residences. This determination shall be made by the director at least 10 days after written notice is mailed to residential property owners within 300 feet of the proposed structure.

e. Billboards in planned designations under development may remain only if included in the new planned contract. The billboard must be compatible in terms of scale, use and location. A planned contract is required if a billboard is proposed on a vacant planned site. Conditions of the planned contract shall only address the impacts created by the billboard.

f. The minimum spacing between billboards on the same side of the street facing traffic in commercial and planned designations is 300 feet and in heavy and light industrial designations is 150 feet.

g. All billboards are subject to the technical approval of the public works department.

h. Billboards are not allowed in required setbacks from residential and public designations or in the right-of-way, as measured from the vertical extension of any portion of the billboard.

i. “V” boards are allowed if the angle between the billboard faces is no more than 30 degrees.

j. No more than two billboard structures may be located within 100 feet of all the property corners of an intersection. See Figure 20.12.040.

k. The maximum number of billboards on both sides of a street shall be four within any 1,320 feet.

l. Maintenance. All damaged or disfigured billboards, including posters, shall be repaired within 20 days of the occurrence of damage or disfigurement.

m. Billboard height shall not exceed the allowed height for signs in the underlying land use designation, and in no case shall exceed 35 feet in height.

1. Signs are prohibited citywide within any median strip or roundabout located within the city right-of-way, regardless of use type, zoning, or neighborhood.

2. Traffic signs installed by a government agency, and directional, wayfinding program signs installed by a government agency, are exempt from this provision if the signs are consistent with the provisions of any applicable neighborhood plan.

G. Any property owner with an unpermitted sign on its property or off premises shall be in violation of this section and subject to the penalties in Chapter 20.52 BMC.

H. Any property owner with a sign on its property or in the adjacent public right-of-way that is in violation of any standard in subsections (A) through (F) of this section shall be in violation of this section and subject to the penalties in Chapter 20.52 BMC. [Ord. 2023-11-032 § 10; Ord. 2021-12-053 § 5; Ord. 2020-09-022 § 2; Ord. 2014-09-049 § 32; Ord. 2011-08-042; Ord. 2001-04-019; Ord. 10674 §§ 7 – 16, 1995; Ord. 10592 §§ 1, 2, 1994; Ord. 10039 § 2, 1990; Ord. 9908 § 2, 1989; Ord. 9652 §§ 2, 3, 1987; Ord. 9582 § 6, 1986; Ord. 9545 § 2, 1986; Ord. 9333 § 1, 1984; Ord. 9024, 1982].