Chapter 21A.45 DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Chapter 21A.45
DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS – SIGNS

Sections:

21A.45.010 Purpose.

21A.45.020 Permit requirements.

21A.45.030 Exempt signs.

21A.45.040 Prohibited signs.

21A.45.050 Sign area calculation.

21A.45.060 General sign requirements.

21A.45.070 Community bulletin board signs.

21A.45.080 Residential zone signs.

21A.45.090 Office zone signs.

21A.45.100 Neighborhood business zone signs.

21A.45.110 Community business zone signs.

21A.45.120 Signs or displays of limited duration.

21A.45.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to enhance the visual environment of the City by:

(1) Establishing standards that regulate the type, number, location, size, and lighting of signs;

(2) Recognizing the private purposes of signs for the identification of businesses and promotion of products and services; and

(3) Recognizing the public purposes of signs that includes considerations of traffic safety, economic, and aesthetic welfare. (Ord. O99-29 § 1)

21A.45.020 Permit requirements.

(1) Except as otherwise permitted by this chapter, no sign shall be erected, altered, or relocated without approval by the City.

(2) No building permit shall be required for repainting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign, or for sign face and copy changes that do not alter the size or structure of the sign. (Ord. O99-29 § 1)

21A.45.030 Exempt signs.

The following signs or displays are exempted from the regulations under this chapter:

(1) Historic site markers or plaques, gravestones, and address numbers;

(2) Signs required by law, including but not limited to:

(a) Official or legal notices issued and posted by any public agency or court; or

(b) Traffic directional or warning signs;

(3) Plaques, tablets, or inscriptions indicating the name of a building, date of erection, or other commemorative information, which are an integral part of the building structure or are attached flat to the face of the building, which are non-illuminated, and which do not exceed four square feet in surface area;

(4) Incidental signs, which shall not exceed two square feet in surface area; provided, that said size limitation shall not apply to signs providing directions, warnings, or information when established and maintained by a public agency;

(5) State or federal flags;

(6) Religious symbols; and

(7) The flag of a commercial institution, provided no more than one flag is permitted per business premises; and further provided the flag does not exceed 20 square feet in surface area. (Ord. O99-29 § 1)

21A.45.040 Prohibited signs.

Except as indicated by this chapter, the following signs or displays are prohibited:

(1) Portable signs including, but not limited to, sandwich/A-frame signs and mobile readerboard signs, and excluding signs permitted under SMC 21A.45.120;

(2) Private signs on utility poles;

(3) Signs which, by reason of their size, location, movement, content, coloring, or manner of illumination may be confused with traffic control signs or signals;

(4) Signs located in the public right-of-way, except where permitted in this chapter; provided, that in no case shall temporary signs permitted under SMC 21A.45.120 be located within travel lanes or sidewalks, or be attached to traffic control signs, utility or signal poles;

(5) Posters, pennants, strings of lights, blinking lights, balloons, searchlights, and other displays of a carnival nature; except as architectural features, or on a limited basis as seasonal decorations or as provided for in SMC 21A.45.120 as grand opening displays;

(6) Changing message center signs, where the message changes more frequently than every three minutes; and

(7) Billboards. (Ord. O2005-180 § 1; Ord. O99-29 § 1)

21A.45.050 Sign area calculation.

(1) Sign area for nonmonument freestanding signs shall be calculated by determining the total surface area of the sign as viewed from any single vantage point, excluding support structures.

(2) Sign area for letters or symbols painted or mounted directly on walls or monument signs or on the sloping portion of a roof shall be calculated by measuring the smallest single rectangle that will enclose the combined letters and symbols.

(3) Sign area for signs contained entirely within a cabinet and mounted on a wall, roof, or monument shall be calculated by measuring the entire area of the cabinet. (Ord. O99-29 § 1)

21A.45.060 General sign requirements.

(1) All signs, except billboards, community bulletin boards, community identification signs, political signs, real estate signs, and special event signs shall be on-premises signs; provided, that uses located on lots without public street frontage in business and office zones may have one off-premises directional sign of no more than 16 square feet.

(2) Fuel price signs shall not be included in sign area or number limitations of SMC 21A.45.090 through 21A.45.110, provided such signs do not exceed 20 square feet per street frontage.

(3) Projecting and awning signs and signs mounted on the sloping portion of roofs shall not be permitted for uses in the residential zones. In other zones, projecting and awning signs and signs mounted on the sloping portion of roofs may be used in lieu of wall signs, provided:

(a) They maintain a minimum clearance of eight feet above finished grade;

(b) They do not project more than six feet perpendicular from the supporting building facade;

(d) They shall not exceed the number or size permitted for wall signs in a zone.

(4) Changing message center signs and time and temperature signs, which can be wall or freestanding signs, shall not exceed the size permitted for wall or freestanding signs, and shall be permitted only in the NB, CB, and O zones, except that changing message center signs may be permitted in the R zone, subject to the provisions of SMC 21A.45.070. Changing message center signs and time and temperature signs shall not exceed the maximum sign height permitted in the zone.

(5) Directional signs shall not be included in the sign area or number limitation of SMC 21A.45.080 through 21A.45.110, provided they shall not exceed six square feet in surface area and are limited to one for each entrance or exit to surface parking areas or parking structure.

(6) Sign Illumination and Glare.

(a) All signs in the NB, CB, or O zones, and community bulletin boards in the R zone, may be internally illuminated;

(b) Unless otherwise provided for in subsection (6)(a) of this section, signs in the R zones may only be indirectly illuminated, provided the light source for indirectly illuminated signs shall be no farther away from the sign than the height of the sign;

(c) Indirectly illuminated signs shall be arranged so that no direct rays of light are projected from such artificial source into residences or any street right-of-way;

(d) Electrical requirements for signs shall be governed by Chapter 19.28 RCW and Chapter 296-46-910 WAC; and

(e) Signs with an on/off operation shall be permitted only in the CB zone.

(7) Maximum height for wall signs shall not extend above the highest exterior wall or structure upon which the sign is located.

(8) Maximum height for projecting signs shall not extend above the highest exterior wall upon which the projecting sign is located.

(9) Maximum height for awning signs shall not extend above the height of the awning upon which the awning sign is located.

(10) Any sign attached to the sloping surface of a roof shall be installed or erected in such a manner that there are no visible support structures, shall appear to be part of the building itself, and shall not extend above the roof ridge line of the portion of the roof upon which the sign is attached.

(11) Except as otherwise permitted by this chapter, off-premises directional signs shall not exceed four square feet in sign area.

(12) Mixed use developments in the NB, CB, or O zones are permitted one permanent residential identification sign not exceeding 32 square feet in addition to the maximum sign area requirements in the zone where the mixed use development is located. (Ord. O2004-153 § 2; Ord. O99-29 § 1)

21A.45.070 Community bulletin board signs.

One community bulletin board sign is permitted within the Sammamish Commons Comprehensive Plan designated center with the following limitations:

(1) Community bulletin board signs may not exceed 32 square feet and are only permitted at City Hall. (Ord. O2004-153 § 3; Ord. O99-29 § 1)

21A.45.080 Residential zone signs.

Signs in the R zone are limited as follows:

(1) Nonresidential Use.

(a) One sign identifying nonresidential uses on the same residential parcel, not otherwise regulated by this section, not exceeding 25 square feet and not exceeding six feet in height is permitted;

(b) Schools are permitted one sign per school or school facility entrance, not exceeding 25 square feet and not exceeding six feet in height, which may be located in the setback. Two additional wall signs not exceeding 25 square feet attached directly to the school or school facility are permitted;

(c) Public agency facilities, including but not limited to civic centers, community centers, public agency offices, and public utility yards, are permitted two signs for each facility. Each sign shall be limited to a sign area of not more than 30 square feet and not exceeding a height of more than six feet for freestanding signs;

(d) Home occupation and home industry signs are limited to wall signs not exceeding six square feet.

(2) Residential Use.

(a) One residential identification sign not exceeding two square feet is permitted; and

(b) One permanent residential development identification sign not exceeding 32 square feet is permitted per development. The maximum height for the sign shall be six feet. The sign may be freestanding or mounted on a wall, fence, or other structure. (Ord. O2009-249 § 1; Ord. O2005-180 § 1; Ord. O99-29 § 1)

21A.45.090 Office zone signs.

Signs in the O zones shall be limited as follows:

(1) Wall signs are permitted, provided they do not total an area more than 10 percent of the building facade on which they are located and provided they are limited to building facades with street frontage.

(2) Freestanding Signs.

(a) One freestanding sign not exceeding 50 square feet is permitted for each street frontage of the lot, provided corner lots with a street frontage of less than 100 feet on each street shall be permitted only one freestanding sign;

(b) On lots where more than one freestanding sign is permitted, the sign area permitted for individual freestanding signs may be combined; provided the combined sign does not exceed 80 square feet; and

21A.45.100 Neighborhood business zone signs.

Signs in the NB zones shall be limited as follows:

(1) Wall signs are permitted, provided they do not total an area more than 10 percent of the building facade on which they are located;

(2) Freestanding Signs.

(b) Multiple tenant developments that have more than 300 feet of street frontage on one street may have one additional freestanding sign for each 300 feet of street frontage, or portion thereof. Such signs shall be separated from one another by a minimum of 150 feet, if located on the same street frontage;

(c) On lots where more than one freestanding sign is permitted, the sign area permitted for individual freestanding signs may be combined; provided the combined sign does not exceed 150 square feet; and

(d) The maximum height for freestanding signs shall be 15 feet. (Ord. O99-29 § 1)

21A.45.110 Community business zone signs.

Signs in the CB zone shall be limited as follows:

(1) Wall signs are permitted, provided they do not total an area more than 15 percent of the building facade on which they are located;

(2) Freestanding Signs.

(a) One freestanding sign not exceeding 85 square feet, plus an additional 20 square feet for each additional business in a multiple tenant structure but not to exceed 145 square feet total, is permitted for each street frontage of the lot, provided corner lots with a street frontage of less than 100 feet on each street shall be permitted only one freestanding sign;

(c) On lots where more than one freestanding sign is permitted, the sign area permitted for individual freestanding signs may be combined provided the combined sign area does not exceed 250 square feet; and

(d) The maximum height for freestanding signs shall be 20 feet. (Ord. O99-29 § 1)

21A.45.120 Signs or displays of limited duration.

The following temporary signs or displays are permitted and except as required by the International Building Code, Chapter 16.20 SMC, Construction Administrative Code, or as otherwise required in this chapter, do not require building permits:

(1) Grand Opening Displays.

(a) Signs, posters, pennants, strings of lights, blinking lights, balloons, and searchlights are permitted for a period of up to one month to announce the opening of a new enterprise or the opening of an enterprise under new management; and

(b) All grand opening displays shall be removed upon the expiration of 30 consecutive days;

(2) Construction Signs.

(a) Construction signs identifying architects, engineers, planners, contractors, or other individuals or firms involved with the construction of a building and announcing the character of the building or the purpose for which the building is intended may be displayed;

(b) One non-illuminated, double-faced sign is permitted for each public street upon which the project fronts;

(c) No sign shall exceed 32 square feet in surface area or 10 feet in height, or be located closer than 30 feet from the property line of the adjoining property; and

(d) Construction signs must be removed by the date of first occupancy of the premises or one year after placement of the sign, whichever occurs first;

(3) Political Signs. Political signs are allowed, subject to the following requirements:

(a) Location.

(i) Political signs may be displayed on private property with the consent of the property owner;

(ii) Political signs may be displayed within public easements or streets; provided, that signs shall not be located within the center median of principal, minor, and collector arterials (as defined) or within roundabouts, traffic circles, or islands;

(iii) Political signs located pursuant to subsection (3)(a)(i) or (ii) of this section shall not obstruct sight distances as prescribed by Chapter 14.01 SMC, Public Works Standards Adopted, or by SMC 21A.25.220, Sight distance requirements.

(b) Specifications.

(i) Political signs located on private property may have a maximum sign area of up to 32 square feet;

(ii) Freestanding political signs on private property may be up to eight feet tall;

(iii) Political signs located on or within public easements or streets may have a maximum sign area of up to four square feet and may be up to three feet tall above grade;

(iv) Political signs located within 15 feet of a street corner or driveway, as further identified in Chapter 14.01 SMC, Public Works Standards Adopted, or by SMC 21A.25.220, Sight distance requirements, shall be further limited in sign area and height as necessary to satisfy sight distance limitations;

(i) Political signs shall be removed within seven days following the election;

(ii) Property owners shall be responsible for the removal of political signs located on private property;

(iii) The campaign officer or responsible official shall be responsible for the removal of political signs located on or within public easements or streets;

(4) Real Estate Signs. All temporary real estate signs may be single- or double-faced signs:

(a) Signs advertising an individual residential unit for sale or rent are allowed without city permits, subject to the following:

(i) Location.

(A) One on-site sign per street frontage;

(B) One off-site sign is allowed on private property or city street right-of-way between the effective date the ordinance codified in this section and December 31, 2010, subject to the following:

(1) The individual residential unit or property for sale or rent is not located adjacent to a public street;

(2) The off-site sign is located on private property or city street right-of-way, adjacent to the intersection of the primary vehicle entrance to the property and closest public street;

(3) When more than three off-site real estate signs are proposed for a location, the fourth proposed sign owner shall install and make available to other licensed real estate agents a frame to accommodate multiple signs;

(4) Off-site real estate signage displayed on private property shall be with the consent of the property owner; and

(5) Signs located in the city street right-of-way shall be located outside of the improved portion of the right-of-way (behind the sidewalk, roadway shoulder, drainage ditch, etc., whichever is furthest from the traveled roadway), and may be removed by the city if determined to be a hazard or if the placement is otherwise in conflict with the public use of the right-of-way;

(C) All signs located on a street corner or driveway shall conform with Chapter 14.01 SMC, Public Works Standards Adopted, and SMC 21A.25.220, Sight distance requirements.

(ii) Specifications.

(A) On-site signs shall not exceed eight square feet in area;

(B) On-site signs shall not exceed six feet in height;

(D) Frames installed to hold multiple real estate signs shall not exceed a height of six feet;

(E) Off-site signs located on a frame shall be designed to allow for a minimum of six signs to be hung, in a stacked fashion;

(F) Real estate offices or individual realtors that are advertising the sale or lease of more than one property at a corner shall be limited to one sign; and

(G) Off-site signs located on a frame shall individually not exceed a height of one and a half feet, a width of two feet, and an area of three square feet.

(iii) Removal.

(A) Signs shall be removed within five days after closing of the sale, lease or rental of the property.

(b) Portable off-premises residential directional signs announcing directions to an open house at a specified residence that is offered for sale or rent shall not exceed six square feet in area for each sign, and shall not exceed 42 inches in height. Such signs shall be permitted only when the agent or seller is in attendance at the property for sale or rent and may be located on the right-of-way outside of vehicular and bicycle lanes.

(c) On-site commercial (nonresidential) or industrial property for sale or rent signs shall be limited to one sign per street frontage, and shall not exceed 32 square feet in area. The sign shall not exceed 12 feet in height. The sign shall be removed within five days after closing of the sale, lease or rental of the property. A building permit is required and shall be issued for a one-year period. The permit is renewable for one-year increments up to a maximum of three years.

(d) On-site residential development for sale or rent signs shall be limited to one sign per development. The sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area, and shall not exceed 12 feet in height. A building permit is required and shall be issued for a one-year period. The permit is renewable annually for up to a maximum of three years.

(e) Off-site directional signs for residential developments shall be limited to six signs. Each sign shall not exceed 16 square feet in area, and shall include only the name of and directions to the residential development. The sign(s) shall be placed a maximum of two road miles from the nearest residential development entrance. No two signs for one residential development shall be located closer than 500 feet from one another on the same street. A single building permit is required for all signs and shall be issued for a one-year period. The permit number and the permit expiration date must be clearly displayed on the face of each sign. The permit is renewable for one-year increments up to a maximum of three years; provided, that extensions will only be granted if the sign permit applicant has complied with the applicable regulations.

(f) Residential on-premises informational signs shall be limited to one sign per feature, including but not limited to signs for information centers, model homes, parking areas or announcing features such as parks, playgrounds, or trails. Each sign shall not exceed 16 square feet in area, and shall not exceed six feet in height;

(5) Community Event Signs. Community event signs are allowed, subject to the following requirements:

(a) Location.

(i) Community event signs may be displayed on private property with the consent of the property owner.

(ii) Community event signs may be displayed within public easements or streets; provided, that:

(A) Signs shall be A-frame signs as specified in subsection (5)(b) of this section; and

(B) Signs shall not be located within the center median of principal, minor, and collector arterials (as defined) or within roundabouts, traffic circles or islands.

(iii) Community event signs located pursuant to subsection (5)(a)(i) or (ii) of this section shall not obstruct sight distances as prescribed by Chapter 14.01 SMC, Public Works Standards Adopted, or by SMC 21A.25.220, Sight distance requirements.

(iv) The director, in consultation with the City engineer, and following review of applicable state and City codes, may approve temporary sign placement in the public right-of-way on hardscape areas (i.e., concrete pads or other sidewalk areas not used for pedestrian travel); provided, that sign location does not conflict with subsection (5)(a)(i) or (ii) of this section.

(b) Specifications.

(i) Community event signs on private property may have a maximum sign area of 32 square feet;

(ii) Community event signs on public easements or streets shall be “A-frame” signs that shall not exceed six square feet in area for each sign, and shall not exceed 42 inches in height;

(iii) Community event signs located within 15 feet of a street corner or driveway, as further identified in Chapter 14.01 SMC, Public Works Standards Adopted, or by SMC 21A.25.220, Sight distance requirements, shall be further limited in sign area and height as necessary to satisfy sight distance limitations; and

(iv) Community event signs shall be stationary and shall not be illuminated.

(i) Community event signs shall be removed within seven days following the end of the community fair, festival, or event; provided, that the signs shall not be displayed for more than a total of 21 calendar days; and

(ii) Sign removal shall be the responsibility of the event sponsor;

(6) Community Banners Sign. Community banners are allowed subject to the following provisions:

(a) Community banners shall only be located on public banner poles erected by the City for that use;

(b) Letters on the sign shall not be less than 12 inches in height except for lettering associated with sponsor logos;

(d) Sponsor logos shall be limited to the name and corporate symbol of the sponsor. (Ord. O2009-258 § 1 (Att. A); Ord. O2009-249 § 1; O2005-180 § 1; Ord. O99-29 § 1)