Chapter 22.110
SIGN REGULATIONS

Sections:

22.110.010    Purpose, intent and scope.

22.110.020    Prohibited signs.

22.110.030    Permit required.

22.110.040    Number, general regulations for permitted permanent signs.

22.110.050    Permitted temporary signs.

22.110.060    General provisions applicable to all signs.

22.110.070    Comprehensive sign plan.

22.110.080    Aesthetic corridors.

22.110.090    Sign location and front setbacks.

22.110.100    Sign area calculation.

22.110.110    Maintenance of signs.

22.110.120    Existing nonconforming signs.

22.110.130    Billboards.

22.110.010 Purpose, intent and scope.

Signage regulations are intended to promote commerce, traffic safety and community identity while improving the visual environment of residential, commercial and industrial areas. This code regulates permanent, temporary, and portable signs. (Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).

22.110.020 Prohibited signs.

The following signs are prohibited:

A. Signs which by coloring, shape, wording or location resemble or conflict with traffic control signs or devices;

B. Signs that create a safety hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic;

C. Flashing signs;

D. Portable signs;

E. Signs located within the public right-of-way, except official signs and except bus benches placed pursuant to an agreement with the City;

F. Signs attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property; provided, that this provision shall not be construed as prohibiting the identification of a business or its product on a vehicle operating during the normal course of business;

G. Signs obstructing visibility within any clearview triangle as established in Chapter 22.70 SVMC;

H. Billboards except when permitted as provided in SVMC 22.110.130;

I. Off-premises signs;

J. Temporary signs unless specifically allowed pursuant to SVMC 22.110.050;

K. Abandoned signs and sign structures. (Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).

22.110.030 Permit required.

A. Other than for those uses listed in subsection B of this section, a sign permit is required for all allowed permanent signs, temporary signs, and billboards.

B. Permits are not required for on-premises official signs; seasonal decorations; merchandise displays; point-of-purchase advertising displays; national and state flags; flags of a political subdivision; notice signs, pennants and streamers without advertising copy; symbolic flags of nonprofit institutions dedicated to public service; legal notices required by law; barber poles; historic site designations; commemorative monuments/plaques; gravestones; advertising copy affixed to phone booths; donation and recycling containers; lettering or symbols applied directly onto or flush-mounted magnetically to a motor vehicle operating in the normal course of business; political signs supporting political issues, candidates or ballot measures; replacement of copy on signs otherwise permitted; name plates with less than four square feet of copy area; directional signs with less than four square feet of copy area; and murals containing no copy.

C. Permit applications shall include a site plan that provides the following information:

1. The location of the affected lot, building(s) and sign(s);

2. The scale of the site plan;

3. A scaled drawing of the proposed sign or sign revision, including size, height, copy, structural footing details, method of attachment and illumination;

4. The location of all existing signs on the site including size and height;

5. For signs subject to spacing regulations, the location of neighboring signs on adjacent properties;

6. Approved sign plan, if applicable; and

7. Tax parcel number where proposed sign will be located. (Ord. 09-010 § 1, 2009; Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).

22.110.040 Number, general regulations for permitted permanent signs.

A. Permitted permanent signs shall comply with the requirements of Table 22.110-1. No more than the maximum numbers of either freestanding pole signs or monument sign structures are allowed per parcel.

 

Table 22.110-1 – Location, Height and Copy Area Requirements

Land Use

Zoning District

Maximum

Side Yard Setback (ft.)

Permit Required

Additional Provisions

Number per Parcel

Height (ft.)

Copy Area (ft2)

Copy Area (ft2)/Lot

Frontage < 100 ft.

Copy Area (ft2) /Lot

Frontage > 100 ft.

Attached Wall Signs

Institutional

Residential Zones

*

*

*

n/a

n/a

n/a

Y

*25% of wall area

Single Business

Residential Zones

1

n/a

60

n/a

n/a

n/a

Y

 

Nonresidential

All Mixed Use and Nonresidential Zones

*

n/a

*

n/a

n/a

n/a

Y

*25% of wall area per building

Freestanding Signs

Subdivision/Area Name/Multifamily Complex/Institutional

All Zones

1*

10

32

n/a

n/a

n/a

Y

*Per arterial street frontage

Single Business

Neighborhood Business (NC) Zones

1

20

100

n/a

n/a

5

Y

Multi-Business Complex

1*

20

n/a

100

n/a

5

Y

Single Business

Mixed Use and Nonresidential Zones (except NC)

1*

30

n/a

100

200

5

Y

Multi-Business Complex

1*

40

250

n/a

n/a

5

Y

Nonresidential Freeway*

All Nonresidential Zones

1

50

250

n/a

n/a

5

Y

*Adjacent to I-90 only

Monument Signs

Subdivision/Area Name/Multifamily Complex/Institutional

All Zones

1

10

32

n/a

n/a

n/a

Y

*Per arterial street frontage

Single Business

Neighborhood Business (NC) Zones

1*

7

75

n/a

n/a

5

Y

Multi-Business Complex

2*

7

90

n/a

n/a

5

Y

Single Business

All Mixed Use and Nonresidential Zones

2*

7

90

n/a

n/a

5

Y

*Per street frontage

Multi-Business Complex

2*

7

150

n/a

n/a

5

Y

Other Signs

Directional

All Zones

n/a

n/a

4

n/a

n/a

n/a

N

 

Name Plates

All Zones

1

n/a

4

n/a

n/a

n/a

N

 

B. In addition to the permanent signs allowed pursuant to Table 22.110-1, a single decorative emblem (or standard) constructed of durable vinyl with a thickness of not less than 13 mls for every 50 feet of frontage shall be allowed. The lowest horizontal member of the bracket shall be located at a height of not less than seven feet above the adjacent grade.

C. Where three or more single businesses agree to share a single sign structure, an additional 20 percent of copy area shall be allowed up to a maximum of 250 square feet. (Ord. 09-010 § 1, 2009; Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).

22.110.050 Permitted temporary signs.

A. Banners are allowed by temporary permit for a period of time not to exceed 30 days with a single 30-day renewal within any calendar year.

B. Pennants, flags, and streamers with copy are allowed by temporary permit for a period of time not to exceed 60 days with a 60-day renewal. Additional temporary permits may be obtained after 60 days have passed from the date of the expiration of the permit or a party may obtain a single annual 75-day permit.

C. Special event signage, including search lights and inflatables are allowed by temporary permit for a period of time not to exceed seven days. All signs for a special event are covered under a single permit. No more than four special event permits are allowed in any calendar year.

D. Temporary on-premises commercial signs are allowed without permit when posted in conjunction with the alteration, construction, sale or lease of real property. Such signs shall not exceed 16 square feet in copy area or seven feet in height. All such signs shall be affixed to either the ground or a permanent structure by rope, wire, or a mechanical device. (Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).

22.110.060 General provisions applicable to all signs.

A. All signs illuminated with exterior lighting shall have lighting confined to the sign, and positioned and shielded to minimize impacts to the surrounding area(s). Gooseneck reflectors and lights are permitted on permanent freestanding and wall signs; provided, that lighting or glare does not extend beyond the property line.

B. Electronic signs shall be permitted on the same basis as other signs, subject to the requirements of Table 22.110-1.

C. A roof-mounted sign may be substituted for an allowed freestanding sign; provided, that the height of the sign structure may not exceed the maximum height requirements of the zoning district in which the sign is located.

D. Signs located within the airport hazard area shall conform to the location and height regulations set forth in SVMC 19.110.030, Airport Hazard Overlay zone.

E. No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained in a manner that prevents the free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape.

F. No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape except official signs.

G. Any sign erected or maintained within five feet of public rights-of-way shall be smooth and free of nails, tacks and wires.

H. All signs shall be maintained in good repair pursuant to SVMC 22.110.110.

I. No sign shall block the view of fire protection equipment from approach. (Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).

22.110.070 Comprehensive sign plan.

Commercial development, shopping centers, industrial parks, mixed use developments, and hotel conference centers exceeding five acres in size may seek approval of a sign plan specific to the proposed development. The director may approve a comprehensive sign plan that allows deviations from the strict interpretation of spacing, height and area requirements when the following is demonstrated:

A. The plan provides adequate signage for all proposed uses; and

B. The plan limits the number of freestanding sign structures; and

C. The total copy area of all signage does not exceed the amount which would otherwise be permitted.

Any conditions imposed to secure approvals shall be binding on the applicant, his successors and assigns.

Modifications/amendments to the approved sign plan shall require reapplication and approval by the director. If the applicant and director cannot come to an agreement as to a comprehensive sign plan or a modification/amendment to the same, the director’s decision may be appealed to the hearing examiner pursuant to Chapter 17.90 SVMC. (Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).

22.110.080 Aesthetic corridors.

A. The standards applicable to monument signs shown on Table 22.110-1 shall apply to parcels adjacent to aesthetic corridors designated in the Spokane Valley Comprehensive Plan:

1. State Route 27 (16th Avenue south to City limits);

2. State Route 27 (Mansfield Avenue to Trent Avenue);

3. Appleway Boulevard (south side only from Park Road to Dishman Mica Road);

4. Appleway Avenue (Barker Road to Hodges Road);

5. Dishman Mica Road (8th Avenue south to City limits);

6. 32nd Avenue within the City limits;

7. Mirabeau Parkway (Pines Road to Indiana Avenue).

B. Only monument signs as shown on Table 22.110-1 shall be allowed with designated aesthetic corridors. (Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).

22.110.090 Sign location and front setbacks.

A. Monument signs exceeding three feet in height shall be setback 10 feet from the front property line and outside any border easement; provided, that the requirements of Chapter 22.70 SVMC, Fencing, Screening and Landscaping, (clearview triangles) have been met.

B. Freestanding signs with structural supports less than two feet in width, with copy area placed at a height of seven feet or more above grade, may be located at the property line; provided, that the requirements of Chapter 22.70 SVMC, Fencing, Screening and Landscaping, (clearview triangles) of the Spokane Valley uniform development code have been met. Freestanding signs with structural supports of more than two feet shall be set back not less than 10 feet from the front property line or border easement.

C. All temporary signs, except inflatable signs, shall be located at least five feet from public rights-of-way.

D. Inflatable signs shall be set back at least 10 feet from public rights-of-way.

E. All signs shall meet the vertical and horizontal clearance requirements of electric utilities.

F. All new freestanding signs shall be located in a landscaped area in accordance with SVMC 22.70.030(J). Landscaping should ensure that signs are not blocked or obscured by trees or bushes. (Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).

22.110.100 Sign area calculation.

A. Sign area for wall signs shall be no more than 25 percent of the two-dimensional area of a building’s elevation, excluding eaves and gables. Refer to Table 22.110-1.

Figure 22.110-1

Figure 22.110-2

Figure 22.110-3

B. The sign area of a freestanding sign for a single business shall be calculated as shown in Figure 22.110-2. The sign area of a freestanding sign identifying multiple businesses shall be computed by adding together the total area(s) of all signs as shown in Figure 22.110-3. Refer to Table 22.110-1 for minimum and maximum height requirements.

C. The sign area for multiple-sided signs shall be calculated as follows:

1. The total sign area for a two-sided sign shall be calculated using a single surface of a sign with messages on both sides;

2. The sign area for a three-sided sign shall be the sum of all surfaces where two or more signs share a single structure;

3. The gross surface area of both faces of a V-shaped sign;

4. The copy area of a monument sign.

D. For irregularly shaped signs, the sign area is calculated by enclosing the extreme limits of the sign by no more than four rectangles. The sum of the area of the rectangles shall be the gross surface area. The maximum allowable area is reduced by 10 percent for the second and each subsequent rectangle used in the calculation, illustrated below.

1. Conventional Measurement. Total area = a times b.

2. Sum of Rectangles. Total area = (Area A + Area B + Area C + Area D). (Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).

22.110.110 Maintenance of signs.

A. All signs shall be maintained in good repair. The director shall have the authority to revoke any permit for signs that are tattered, torn, faded or otherwise in disrepair, and may require the removal of flags, pennants and streamers which are torn, discolored or in disrepair.

B. All signage shall be maintained by the business owner, or person in possession of the property on which the sign is located. Maintenance shall be such that the signage continues to conform to the conditions imposed by the sign permit.

C. Any damaged sign structure shall be repaired within 30 days of notice.

D. Any signage which has been damaged to such extent that it may pose a hazard to passersby shall be repaired or removed within 48 hours of notice.

E. Any abandoned sign shall be removed by and at the expense of the property owner within 60 days of notice.

F. Any abandoned sign support structure shall be removed within 36 months by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located. (Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).

22.110.120 Existing nonconforming signs.

Any permanent sign made nonconforming as a result of the adoption of these regulations may be repaired, but not structurally altered or made more nonconforming in any way. If the sign is removed in order to make repairs, it shall be replaced within 60 days, or any nonconforming rights are terminated. Thereafter, the sign shall conform to the requirements of this chapter.

Notwithstanding other provisions of this section, any sign or signs for which a temporary permit has been issued by the City shall be permitted to remain at the location or locations authorized by the permit for as long as the permit is valid and all the requirements of the permit have been met. (Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).

22.110.130 Billboards.

A. New billboards shall be prohibited; provided, however, that existing billboards may be replaced at another location with a structure and copy area of equal or smaller size in mixed use and nonresidential zoning districts except (NC) Neighborhood Commercial zoning districts as follows:

1. Replacement billboards shall not exceed the height limit in the underlying zoning district, with a maximum height limit of 50 feet in any zone;

2. No replacement billboard shall exceed 672 square feet in copy area;

3. Any replacement billboard may not be placed less than five feet from the property line. No portion of the sign shall extend beyond the property line;

4. No billboard may be located within 1,000 feet of another billboard on the same side of the street. Any replacement billboard shall be offset from any billboard on the opposite side of the street by not less than 250 feet. Offset distance shall be measured from a point perpendicular to and along the alignment of the roadway;

5. The owner of the billboard shall file a complete inventory of all billboards located within the City, including date erected, height, size and location;

6. Issuance of a permit for billboard replacement shall be accompanied by a permit for the destruction or removal of the billboard to be replaced; and

7. Any billboard that is not replaced within 60 months following the issuance of a demolition/removal permit shall not be replaced.

B. Replacement billboards shall not be permitted along designated aesthetic corridors. (Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).