Chapter 17.80
SIGNS
Sections:
17.80.010 Compliance required.
17.80.020 Definitions.
17.80.030 Subdivision and neighborhood signs.
17.80.040 Political signs.
17.80.050 Residents’ signs.
17.80.060 Commercial signs.
17.80.070 Signs for schools, churches and clubs.
17.80.080 Municipal signs.
17.80.090 Miscellaneous provisions.
17.80.100 Conditional use permit – Fees.
17.80.110 Existing signs.
17.80.120 Repealed.
17.80.130 Repealed.
17.80.140 Removal of signs – Impound fees.
17.80.010 Compliance required.
No sign or signs of any kind shall be erected and/or displayed or maintained within the city except as provided in this chapter. (Ord. 429 § 1, 1989)
17.80.020 Definitions.
For the purpose of interpreting and applying this chapter the following definitions shall apply:
A. “Permanent sign” means any sign which is affixed, directly or indirectly to the ground or to any permanent structure or building, including fences, in such a manner that it cannot be moved or transported with ease, and which is intended to remain in one location and position for an extended period of time.
B. “Sign” means any medium visible to the public including its structure and component parts which is used or intended to be used out of doors to convey a message to the public or otherwise attract attention to its subject matter, for advertising or any other purposes.
C. “Temporary sign” means any sign which is not permanently affixed, directly or indirectly, to the ground or any permanent structure or building and which is capable of being moved or transported with ease.
D. “Sign area” means all faces of a sign which include a message, logo or other identification. (Ord. 569 § 17, 1993; Ord. 429 § 2, 1989)
17.80.030 Subdivision and neighborhood signs.
In a subdivided area or neighborhood involving eight or more homes, one freestanding permanent sign may be erected for the purpose of identifying the subdivision or neighborhood. Temporary subdivision or neighborhood signs are prohibited.
A. Subdivision and/or neighborhood signs shall contain the name of the plat, subdivision or neighborhood only.
B. Subdivision and/or neighborhood signs shall be placed only on private property at or near the main point of entry for vehicles to the subdivision or neighborhood, except that such a sign may be placed in the unpaved portion of city right-of-way pursuant to a revocable license obtained from the city, on such terms and conditions as the city council deems appropriate.
C. Subdivision and/or neighborhood signs shall be constructed of wood or natural stone, or a combination thereof (exclusive of fastening, pipes, etc., used to attach the sign to the ground or its base) and shall have an area not exceeding 12 square feet. Height of the sign shall not exceed four feet, measured at the highest point of the sign from the lowest point of the natural existing grade directly below the sign or any part thereof.
D. Subdivision or neighborhood signs shall be maintained in good condition and repair at all times. If such signs are not properly maintained the city may, upon 30 days’ written notification by the city or its authorized representative or employee to the owner of the property underlying the sign, or to the owner of the adjacent property if the sign is located in a city right-of-way, repair or remove the signs at the expense of the owner. If the costs incurred by the city to repair or remove the sign are not paid within 30 days of presentation of an invoice to the property owner or resident of the subject property, the city may file a lien on the property which may be foreclosed as a mortgage to recover such costs, plus costs and attorneys’ fees.
E. Subdivision and neighborhood signs shall not contain any advertising, phone number, name of developer, architect or other person or entity.
F. Subdivision or neighborhood signs may not be affixed to any building, garage, fence or other structure incidental to a residential dwelling.
G. Subdivision or neighborhood signs shall not be placed closer than five feet to any paved portion of a public right-of-way as measured at the closest point.
H. Illuminated subdivision or neighborhood signs are prohibited whether illuminated internally or otherwise.
I. No sign permitted under this section shall be erected without first obtaining a permit, as provided in MMC 17.80.100. (Ord. 429 § 3, 1989)
17.80.040 Political signs.
A. Political signs may be placed on private property or in the street right-of-way with permission of the abutting property owner. The owner thereof shall be responsible for removal of the signs within 48 hours following the election to which they pertain.
B. Political signs must comply with the provisions of RCW 42.17.510 and any other state statutes or regulations regulating campaign advertising as they may be enacted or amended from time to time.
C. Political signs must be temporary signs and the area of any sign may not exceed four square feet.
D. No permit is required for a political sign otherwise complying with this section. (Ord. 572 § 1, 1993; Ord. 429 § 4, 1989; Ord. 261 § 3, 1970)
17.80.050 Residents’ signs.
A. Any permanent sign which contains no more than the name and/or address of the owner or tenant of a residential dwelling shall be allowed. No such sign or signs shall be larger than two square feet in area for each residential dwelling unit.
1. Residents’ permanent signs for homes served by private lanes may be combined into a single sign of not more than eight square feet adjacent to the main vehicular entrance to the residences from a city street or right-of-way; provided, the total square footage of such sign shall not exceed one square foot for each residence served by the private lane. Two or more separate signs erected on one or more common poles or mountings shall be considered one sign.
2. Signs of a safety or traffic-control nature may be erected immediately adjacent to private lanes. No such sign shall exceed three square feet in area; and no such sign may be erected on another person’s property without permission. Two or more common poles or mountings shall be considered one sign.
3. Residents’ address signs shall also comply with the location and visibility requirements imposed by Chapter 15.16 MMC.
4. A “No Trespassing,” “No Peddlers” or “No Soliciting” sign may be placed on private property or in the street right-of-way by the owner of the abutting property. No such sign shall exceed one square foot in area.
B. Residents’ Temporary Signs. A resident of a dwelling unit may erect a single temporary sign, not exceeding six square feet in area, immediately adjacent to the vehicular entrance to the resident’s dwelling in connection with a garage sale or similar event; provided, that such signs shall be permitted only when the garage sale or similar event is actually in progress and attended, and such signs shall be removed between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Three off-site temporary signs each not exceeding two square feet in area advertising such garage sale or other similar event may be utilized during the same time period; provided, that any such signs placed on private property are done so with the consent of the owner; and provided, that any such signs placed in the city right-of-way do not create a vehicle safety or other hazard.
C. No permit is required for residents’ signs otherwise complying with this section. (Ord. 652 § 3, 1999; Ord. 429 § 5, 1989)
17.80.060 Commercial signs.
A. General. Commercial signs shall not be permitted in the city except as hereinafter provided. Moving signs and sign structures, animated signs, whirligigs, pennants, flashing lights and flags (other than two government flags) are prohibited.
B. Commercial Signs for Business Establishments. Each business establishment permitted by applicable zoning regulations and licenses to conduct business in the city may erect signs only as follows:
1. Only one permanent sign identifying such business shall be permitted for each public street frontage.
2. Size, location and illumination of such permanent signs are limited as follows:
a. No more than one-half square foot of sign area for each lineal foot measured along the property line adjoining the public street, not to exceed 24 square feet;
b. Not be placed in any public right-of-way;
c. Not exceeding 25 feet in height; and
d. Illuminated only by a steady light source and during hours when service is offered; any illumination, including that of buildings, to be such as present no glaring light source to passing vehicular traffic or neighboring property zoned for residential use.
3. No signs are permitted for home occupations. See MMC 17.64.010(C).
4. One temporary sign not exceeding four feet in height from the ground and three feet in width shall be permitted for each street fronted.
5. No permanent commercial sign permitted under this section shall be erected without first obtaining a permit, as provided in MMC 17.80.100.
6. No permit is required for temporary commercial signs otherwise complying with this section.
7. No temporary commercial sign shall be placed in any public right-of-way where it will interfere with the free passage of vehicles or pedestrians.
8. The following signs or displays are exempted from coverage under this chapter:
a. Signs or notices required by federal or state statutes or regulations;
b. Informational or warning signs in the nature of “telephone,” “restrooms,” “danger,” “no parking,” “private,” “cashier,” “refreshments,” and other informational or warning signs, which may not exceed two square feet;
c. Signs attached to product dispensers or product display apparatus which do not exceed two square feet;
d. Window posters that do not exceed six square feet, not to exceed two such posters per business establishment;
e. Signs designating owner’s name, address, emergency telephone, business hours, or “open” or “closed”; provided, however, that such signs shall not exceed two square feet.
C. Commercial Real Estate Signs.
1. No permanent commercial real estate signs are permitted within the city.
2. One temporary sign shall be allowed on each parcel, tract, lot, site or home, the boundaries of which have previously been established as a matter of record in the office of the King County auditor either by the filing of an approved plat or by any method of real property conveyance from one party to another as authorized by the laws of the state, for the purpose of advertising it for sale or rent. Such sign may be located in the street right-of-way abutting the property being advertised, so long as it is at least 10 feet from the edge of the pavement, does not interfere with vehicular traffic or driver vision, impede pedestrian traffic or otherwise present a safety hazard. The city manager or other person to whom his authority may be delegated, may authorize a temporary sign which is otherwise in full compliance with the provisions of this subsection, to be located within 10 feet of the edge of the pavement, if he is satisfied that the topography or landscaping of the public right-of-way or abutting property would otherwise cause the sign to be significantly obscured from the street. Any such authorization shall be in writing and shall specify the revised minimum distance from the edge of the pavement.
3. The signs shall have dimensions no larger than four square feet and shall be for the sole purpose of advertising the parcel, tract, lot, site or home for rent or sale, which must be written for the sign. The signs may contain the words “for rent” or “for sale,” and/or “exclusively,” the name of the owner or of the listing real estate office and agent and telephone numbers. No additional information shall be allowed on the sign.
4. Signs must be removed within three days of the rental or the closing of the sale of the property.
5. The top of the signs, including any structure and component parts shall be no more than six feet above ground.
6. In the case of waterfront property, a second conforming sign will be allowed either at the end of the dock or at the lakefront.
7. No more than two portable temporary signs bearing the words “open house” only may be used while an open house is being conducted by the owner or his agent. Each sign shall show the address of the property for sale. Said signs are only allowed while the owner or his agent is present within the residence, during daylight hours and on Saturdays and Sundays. Said signs may be single-sided or double-sided, however, no side shall be larger than 30 inches by 30 inches.
8. Nonconforming signs may be removed by the city or its authorized representative or employee at the expense of the owner of the underlying property or his agent. This shall be in addition to any penalty for erecting a nonconforming sign as provided by this chapter.
9. No permit is required for temporary commercial real estate signs otherwise complying with this section.
10. In addition to signs otherwise allowed, each parcel, tract, lot, site or home which does not adjoin any public street and which can only be accessed via a private lane shall be allowed one additional temporary sign for the purpose of advertising it for sale or rent of dimensions no larger than eight inches by 24 inches to be placed on a single stake or post at or near the point at which said private lane meets the public street. (Ord. 569 § 17, 1993; Ord. 543 § 1, 1991; Ord. 533 § 1, 1991; Ord. 528 § 1, 1991; Ord. 495 § 1, 1990; Ord. 429 § 6, 1989)
17.80.070 Signs for schools, churches and clubs.
A. Schools, churches and clubs may erect one freestanding permanent sign located on their property, which shall conform to the construction size, height and maintenance requirements, including the prohibition of sign illumination for subdivisions and neighborhood signs set forth in MMC 17.80.030.
B. In addition, clubs shall be allowed one permanent off-site sign for directional purposes and containing only the name of the club. Such sign shall not exceed eight square feet in area, shall not be lighted, and may be erected only on private property, with the consent of the owner, or the public right-of-way, pursuant to the revocable license obtained from the city, on such terms and conditions as the city council deems appropriate.
C. No sign permitted under this section shall be erected without first obtaining a permit, as provided in MMC 17.80.100. (Ord. 796 § 1, 2006; Ord. 429 § 7, 1989)
17.80.080 Municipal signs.
Nothing in this chapter shall restrict the posting of signs by the city or its authorized representatives for the safety, convenience or information of its citizens. (Ord. 429 § 8, 1989)
17.80.090 Miscellaneous provisions.
A. No signs shall be erected or maintained on parks, other public property or rights-of-way, except as specifically permitted in this chapter. No sign shall be erected or maintained on private property without the consent of the owner thereof.
B. No signs of any kind shall be posted on traffic or safety sign posts.
C. No signs may be placed in or on vehicles visible from any public property or right-of-way, except one sign per vehicle, not exceeding one square foot, advertising such vehicle for sale.
D. Temporary signs for community, religious or educational purposes may be erected with the permission of the city manager for a period not to exceed 15 days. Such signs may not exceed 12 square feet in area and five in number. The permission of the city manager under this section must be in writing. No permit fee is required for such signs. (Ord. 429 § 9, 1989)
17.80.100 Conditional use permit – Fees.
A. Conditional Use Permit Required. A conditional use permit is required for permanent commercial signs, subdivisions signs and for schools, churches and clubs. Any permanent sign requiring a permit shall be erected and maintained only after issuance of a valid permit therefor, approved by the Medina hearing examiner after a finding by the examiner that it complies with all applicable regulations and is of such a nature that it will not present a significant safety hazard. For such purposes, the examiner may attach reasonable and appropriate conditions, which shall be endorsed upon the permit for the proposed sign. A commercial enterprise may combine requests for more than one sign in a single conditional use permit application.
B. Conditional Use Permit Fees. A permit fee of $100.00 shall be paid to the city by the applicant for each permanent sign to be erected or altered requiring a permit. The permit fee is nonrefundable.
C. Photograph Required. A photograph of each permanent sign erected pursuant to such permit shall be filed with the city within 10 days following its erection. (Ord. 710 § 1, 2001; Ord. 569 § 17, 1993; Ord. 429 § 10, 1989)
17.80.110 Existing signs.
This chapter shall not apply to permanent signs in place on or before June 1, 1989, and erected in conformity with then-applicable ordinances and regulations, unless the user of the sign wishes to change the location, shape, dimensions or content of this sign, or fails to keep it in good repair; in such cases, the sign as changed must comply with the applicable provisions of this chapter, including requirement that a permit be obtained; provided, all requirements for maintenance imposed by this chapter shall apply to existing signs. (Ord. 429 § 11, 1989)
17.80.120 Appeals.
Repealed by Ord. 855. (Ord. 710 § 1, 2001; Ord. 429 § 13, 1989)
17.80.130 Violation – Penalty.
Repealed by Ord. 848. (Ord. 429 § 14, 1989)
17.80.140 Removal of signs – Impound fees.
Any employee or authorized agent of the city may remove any sign which does not comply with the provisions of this chapter. Any sign so removed shall be stored at the Medina City Hall for a period of not less than 72 hours. Any such sign may be reclaimed by its rightful owner, following payment of a $25.00 impound fee. Any sign not so reclaimed may be destroyed after 72 hours. The city shall have no liability for any damage to or loss of any sign. (Ord. 512 § 1, 1990)