Chapter 17.230 SIGNS

Chapter 17.230
SIGNS

Sections:

17.230.010 Purpose.

17.230.020 General provisions.

17.230.030 Signs allowed without permit.

17.230.040 Prohibited signs.

17.230.050 Special signs.

17.230.060 Standards – Residential zoning districts.

17.230.070 Standards – Commercial and industrial zoning districts.

17.230.080 Standards – Professional districts.

17.230.090 Standards – Quasi-public districts.

17.230.010 Purpose.

The provisions of this chapter are intended to:

(1) Improve the effectiveness of signs in identifying and advertising businesses.

(2) Prevent signs from detracting from the enjoyment and pleasure of the city’s natural beauty.

(3) Provide uniform sign standards and fair and equal treatment of sign users.

(4) Protect public safety by ensuring that official traffic regulating devices are easily visible.

(5) Ensure the safe construction, erection, and maintenance of outdoor signs. [Ord. 93 § 3.21.1, 1987].

17.230.020 General provisions.

(1) General Location of Signs. No sign allowed by this title shall be placed so that it is supported within a public right-of-way, unless this title specifies otherwise. Some signs may project over rights-of-way, subject to the standards for that type of sign or for the underlying zoning district.

(2) Permits.

(a) Sign permits are required before the installation of all signs except those exempted in CBMC 17.230.030. Permits may be issued to the sign contractor or to the owner of the business or property.

(b) Applications for sign permits shall contain at least the following information:

(i) Name and address of the applicant.

(ii) Location of the property on which the sign is to be erected, and the amount of lot and building frontages.

(iii) Dimensions of the sign and its height above grade.

(iv) A sketch showing the location of all existing and proposed signs on the premises.

(v) A sketch or description of the advertising copy on the proposed sign.

(vi) If required, a drawing showing clearly the structural elements.

(3) Installation and Maintenance. The installation of all signs shall be in compliance with the appropriate chapter of the State Structural Specialty Code in effect. No signs shall be erected, relocated, or maintained to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, or fire escape required by code. All signs shall be maintained in a safe, complete, and neat condition.

(4) For the purpose of this chapter, the zoning districts are as follows:

(a) Residential: single-family residential (R-1), single-family/duplex residential (R-2), multiple residential (R-3), residential certified factory-built home park (R-5), restricted waterfront residential (R-W).

(b) Professional: residential/professional (R-4P), medical park (MP).

(d) Industrial: industrial/commercial (I-C), general industrial (G-I), waterfront industrial (W-I).

(e) Quasi-public: park/cemetery (QP-1), watershed (QP-2), public educational facilities (QP-3), transportation facilities (QP-4), buffer (QP-5).

(5) Applicability of Chapter. Murals shall not be considered signs. [Ord. 93 § 3.21.2, 1987].

17.230.030 Signs allowed without permit.

(1) Public Signs. Signs of a public, noncommercial nature which shall include traffic control signs, safety signs, danger signs, no trespassing signs, signs indicating scenic or historic points of interest, and all signs erected by a public employee in the performance of public duty.

(2) Memorial Signs or Tablets. Nonilluminated memorial signs or tablets indicating the name of a building and/or the date of erection. Exempted signs shall not exceed five feet.

(3) Private Traffic Direction Signs. Signs guiding vehicular and pedestrian traffic on private property. Exempt signs shall be less than three square feet, shall not be placed within a public right-of-way, except by right-of-way use permit, and shall contain no other advertising copy.

(4) Name Plates. Nonilluminated, single-faced, wall-mounted name plates indicating only the name, address, and occupation of the occupant. Exempt signs shall not exceed one name plate per dwelling unit or business, no larger than two square feet, nor a combined area of six square feet for multiple businesses or units.

(5) Construction Signs. Signs identifying the architect, engineer, contractor, or other firm involved with building construction, and naming the building or its purpose, and the expected completion date. Only one sign per street frontage shall be allowed not to exceed 12 square feet in residential zones, 24 square feet in professional zones, or 32 square feet in all other zones. If there is only one street frontage, more than one sign may be allowed provided the total sign area does not exceed the maximum specified above. These signs shall be removed 14 days after the building is ready for occupancy.

(6) Real Estate Signs. Signs advertising the sale, rental, or lease of the premises or part of the premises on which the signs are displayed. Signs are limited to one double-faced sign per property not to exceed six square feet in residential zones, 24 square feet in professional zones, or 32 square feet in all other zones. A real estate sign advertising a development of multiple properties, such as a subdivision or industrial park, shall not exceed one square foot per lot, with a maximum size of 32 square feet in total area. For multiple properties, one sign of the maximum size may be allowed on each street frontage; provided, that the signs are 400 feet apart measured along the frontage.

(7) Vehicle Signs. Signs painted on or permanently affixed to lawfully parked and operable motor vehicles or trailers.

(8) Window Signs. Signs affixed to or painted on the inside or outside of windows and visible from the exterior of a structure.

(9) Political campaign signs.

(10) Special Event Signs. Signs or outdoor displays of a temporary nature advertising or promoting a specific event, seasonal or holiday decoration or display. These signs may contain or consist of banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, flags or other similar moving devices.

(11) Attraction Devices. Devices, designs, or symbols which may consist of banners, windsocks, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, or other similar nonautomated, nonelectronic, or nonilluminated moving devices. These devices may not encroach upon a public right-of-way if they are a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic. See also CBMC 17.230.040(4) for prohibitions regarding attraction devices.

(12) National, State, or City Flags. These signs shall be maintained in a manner which befits the respect due to the entities they represent.

(13) Wall-Mounted Signs. These signs shall be exempted in commercial and industrial zones.

(14) Sign Maintenance or Changing Copy. Painting, repainting, cleaning and other normal maintenance and repair of a sign or a sign structure unless a structural change is made; changing advertising copy on a billboard, on a reader board, or on a permitted sign if that sign belongs to the same owner or advertises the same business. [Ord. 208, 1994; Ord. 93 § 3.21.3, 1987].

17.230.040 Prohibited signs.

(1) Obscene or Indecent Signs. Any visual representation or verbal description of sexual conduct, sexual excitement, sado-masochistic abuse, or excretory functions or products, as further defined in ORS 167.060 et seq.

(2) Signs Interfering with Traffic. Signs or other devices in any location which, because of position, shape, color, or animation, may interfere with, obstruct or be confused with any authorized traffic sign or highway identification sign; or which use words, “stop,” “look,” “danger,” or other words, phrases, symbols, characters, or animation which would interfere with, mislead, distract, or confuse vehicle operators; and signs located at the intersection of streets or driveways which substantially obstruct clear vision of vehicle operators.

(3) Defunct Businesses. Signs which advertise an activity, business, product or services no longer on the premises, including all related off-premises signs.

(4) Attraction Devices. Strings, groupings, or clusters of pennants and pinwheels shall not be permitted in the central commercial, professional, quasi-public or residential zones. [Ord. 93 § 3.21.4, 1987].

17.230.050 Special signs.

These signs require a permit and shall conform to the maintenance and safety requirements of CBMC 17.230.020 and to requirements of the underlying zone.

(1) Street Banners. Banners erected over authorized public rights-of-way which advertise events or entertainment of community interest under the sponsorship of a nonprofit organization. These banners may only be erected in places and in a fashion authorized by the community development department for a maximum of 14 days. A longer period of time may be allowed if no other organization reserves the installation.

(2) Portable Signs. Signs containing advertising copy which are not permanently affixed to a building, structure, or the ground and are designed to be moved, such as sandwich boards and signs on wheels, except political campaign and real estate signs. One portable sign per business with a maximum of two faces and 10 square feet or less per face is allowed and shall not be charged to the property’s allowable sign area. Any excess size over 10 square feet shall be charged as shall additional portable signs. Portable signs may be placed in the public right-of-way fronting the business; provided, that a safety or vision clearance problem does not result.

(3) Off-Premises Signs. Signs other than a billboard which advertise a business, commodity, and/or activity which are not sold, manufactured, or conducted on the premises where the sign is located. These signs shall be charged to the property on which they are located. Therefore, the permit must be accompanied by a written documentation from the owner of the property on which the sign is to be located acknowledging this charge. To allow an unobstructed view of the bay, off-premises signs in the following locations must be wall-mounted:

(a) On the bayside of Bayshore Drive north of Elrod Avenue.

(b) On the bayside of South Empire Boulevard south of Newmark Avenue.

(4) Billboards. Off-premises signs which are generally for hire. Billboards shall only be allowed in the commercial and industrial zones, except that no billboard shall be allowed on the bayside of Bayshore Drive north of Elrod Avenue, nor on the bayside of South Empire Boulevard south of Newmark Avenue, nor on the bayside of 6th Avenue south of “F” Street.

The size of billboards shall not exceed a total of 300 square feet; back-to-back installation on one supporting structure is permitted. There shall be not more than 13 billboards permitted within the city which shall be distributed as follows:

(a) Four on Bayshore and/or Broadway between the northern city limits and Market Avenue.

(b) Two on the west side of Broadway between Elrod Avenue and the southern city limits.

(d) Two on Ocean Boulevard between Pony Creek and Newmark Avenue.

(e) Two on the east side of Empire Boulevard between Newmark Avenue and the southern city limits.

(f) One on the east side of 6th Avenue between “H” Street and “F” Street.

An additional three billboards may be distributed among the streets listed in this subsection with the approval of the planning commission or the city council. [Ord. 93 § 3.21.5, 1987].

17.230.060 Standards – Residential zoning districts.

(1) General. This section shall apply to all residential zones listed in CBMC 17.230.020(4).

(2) Size.

(a) Each dwelling unit, including home occupations, shall be allowed one sign with a maximum of two faces not to exceed two square feet in area per face.

(b) Subdivisions, factory-built home parks, planned unit developments, other housing complexes, and all other uses without structures thereon shall be allowed one additional sign with a maximum of two faces not exceeding 24 square feet in area per face to identify the premises.

(i) One wall-mounted or double-faced freestanding sign not to exceed 15 square feet, or

(ii) One wall-mounted sign not to exceed 10 percent of the property’s lot frontage.

(d) Commercial and civic uses shall be allowed both signs under subsection (2)(c) of this section, except that the smaller sign shall be oriented to a parking area or to the other street frontage on a corner lot.

(3) Location.

(a) In addition to the requirements of CBMC 17.230.020(1), freestanding signs shall be set back at least 10 feet from the property line and shall not be placed within the vision clearance area or in a manner which obstructs vision or vehicular traffic.

(b) Building-mounted signs shall be placed flat against the wall and shall not project from the building nor above the roofline. No sign shall be roof-mounted.

(4) Height. Free-standing signs shall not exceed five feet in height from grade to the top of the sign. There are no height limitations for wall-mounted signs, except that no part of the sign shall extend above the roofline.

(5) Content. Signs for residential uses shall only bear the name of the occupant and address, and the occupation if the sign advertises a home occupation. The additional sign allowed under subsections (2)(b) and (c) of this section shall only identify the complex. The content of signs for commercial and civic uses is not restricted.

(6) Lighting. No interior illumination or flashing, moving, or animated lights shall be allowed. [Ord. 93 § 3.21.6, 1987].

17.230.070 Standards – Commercial and industrial zoning districts.

(1) General. This section shall apply to all commercial and industrial zones established by the land development ordinance, except the zoning districts regulated by CBMC 17.230.080.

(2) Size.

(a) The total allowable sign area, exclusive of wall-mounted signs, for each frontage shall be based upon either the lot or building frontage of the business along a publicly dedicated right-of-way or upon a building frontage along a parking lot. The total allowable sign area shall be computed at one square foot for each linear foot of lot frontage, or at one and one-half square feet for each linear foot of building frontage, whichever is greater. Each sign shall be limited to two faces and no individual sign shall exceed 300 square feet per face. However, all businesses shall be allowed a minimum of 37.5 square feet of sign area per face, regardless of the amount of frontage.

(b) Multi-Story Buildings. Ground floor businesses of multi-story buildings shall be entitled to 100 percent of the maximum allowable sign area computed for the building based upon the lot or building frontage. Different businesses above the ground floor shall share 50 percent of that sign area amount.

(c) Shopping Centers. Each business in a shopping center shall be allowed sign area based upon the business’s building frontage on a public right-of-way or parking lot. In addition, the shopping center shall be allowed one double-faced sign on each right-of-way, each not exceeding 100 square feet per face, which shall identify the center itself and may also identify businesses in the center.

(3) Location and Placement. A sign shall be placed to have exposure from the frontage on which it is computed, in compliance with CBMC 17.230.020(1) and as follows:

(a) Projecting Signs. These signs shall not project more than eight feet beyond the property line and shall not be closer than two feet to any curbline. These projecting signs shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet above a pedestrian walkway and 15 feet above a public street or alley, driveway, or parking lot.

(b) Marquee Signs. Marquee signs, including signs on awnings or canopies, shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet from the grade of the pedestrian way to the bottom of the sign, and shall not project closer than two feet to any curbline.

(c) Signs Computed by Parking Lot Frontage. Signs computed on building frontage along a parking lot shall be painted on the building or flush-mounted on the wall surface of the building, and shall not extend above the top of the wall.

(4) Height. Signs shall not exceed 30 feet in height measured from grade to the highest element of the sign. This requirement shall not apply to signs affixed to the walls or to the roof. [Ord. 93 § 3.21.7, 1987].

17.230.080 Standards – Professional districts.

(1) General. This section shall apply to the medical park and residential/professional zones established by the land development ordinance.

(2) Size.

(a) Each building of a commercial or civic use shall be allowed either one double-faced sign no greater than 24 square feet or two single-faced signs no greater than 24 square feet each.

(b) Residential uses shall conform to the requirements of CBMC 17.230.060(2)(a), (b), and (c).

(3) Location and Placement. Signs may be located anywhere on the property, except in compliance with CBMC 17.230.020(1) and as follows:

(a) Residential Signs. Free-standing signs shall be set back at least 10 feet from the property line and shall not be placed within the vision clearance area or in a manner which obstructs vision or vehicular traffic. There shall be no roof-mounted signs.

(b) Commercial and Civic Uses. Signs shall not project over public property.

(4) Height. Free-standing signs shall not exceed five feet in height from grade to the top of the sign. There are no height limitations for wall-mounted signs, except that they shall not extend above the roofline.

(5) Lighting. No flashing, moving, or animated lights shall be allowed. [Ord. 93 § 3.21.8, 1987].

17.230.090 Standards – Quasi-public districts.

(1) General. There shall be no special requirements applied in the quasi-public zones established by the land development ordinance, except that:

(a) All Zones. No flashing, moving, or animated signs shall be allowed, score boards excluded. Electronic reader boards no larger than 50 square feet are allowed in QP-3 zones provided staff finds the reader board is compatible with uses in the surrounding zones and written notice of the decision is sent to the planning commission and all property owners within 250 feet of the subject property.

(b) Buffer District (QP-5). Signs shall be limited to directional and informational signs associated with permitted uses and shall not be over one and one-half square feet. [Ord. 176, 1991; Ord. 93 § 3.21.9, 1987].