Chapter 17.68
SIGN REGULATIONS
Sections:
17.68.010 Description and purpose.
17.68.030 Regulations and permits required.
17.68.050 Commercial and industrial standards.
17.68.060 Residential and special standards.
17.68.120 Nonconforming signs.
17.68.010 Description and purpose.
The city’s sign regulations are designed to allow a maximum of flexibility and minimum of delay and paperwork. They attempt to improve the appearance of the city and minimize visual clutter, while giving businesses full opportunity to attract and inform customers. [Ord. 9-66 § 1 (Exh. A), 1984; Ord. 9-62A § 1, 1982; Ord. 9-52 § 1 (4A.010), 1980].
17.68.020 Definitions.
The following words and phrases whenever used in this chapter shall be construed as defined in the latest edition of Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary:
A. “A-board sign (sandwich sign)” means a double sided sign of no more than three feet in height and two feet six inches wide, designed to stand freely upon the surface on which it is placed.
B. “Construction sign” means a sign located on a site where construction is under way, giving information concerning what is being constructed.
C. “Directional sign” means a sign which gives direction to or the location of a point of general interest. “Directional sign” shall also mean a sign the purpose of which is to facilitate or control the safe or efficient movement of pedestrians or vehicles.
D. “Electronic message sign” means any sign, or portion of a sign, that displays an electronic image or video, which may or may not include text.
E. “Finished grade” means the level of the ground, earth or paving at the exact point of sign location.
F. “Freestanding sign” means a sign which is self-supporting, standing on the ground and not attached to or projecting over any building or building projections. Such signs may be supported from the ground by uprights, poles, or posts.
G. “Front wall” means that wall serving as primary entrance/exit, and generally fronting the major street adjacent to the building.
H. “Mural or super graphic” means a sign which is painted onto a building as a decoration, and is part of the overall design. They are larger than allowable under the general standard for sign size. Super graphics may include architectural or sculptural treatments of the building wall(s).
I. “Pedestrian sign” means a sign perpendicular to the front wall of the building, either projecting from the wall or suspended from the eaves of an overhanging roof, which is intended to be visible to passing pedestrians.
J. “Planning director” means the planning director of the city of Eagle Point or an authorized person.
K. “Poster board” means a board for the advertising of a special event not including the name of the business, such as a movie or rock band poster; a bulletin board.
L. “Premises” means the building or lot on which an activity or a business is located.
M. “Sign” means any writing, pictorial representation, symbol, insignia, banner, placement of lighting, or any other feature of similar character of whatever material which is used to identify, announce, direct attention to or advertise, or which is used to decorate or illuminate for commercial purposes, which is erected on the ground or on any bush, tree, rock, wall, post, fence, building, structure, vehicle, or in or on any place whatsoever and which is visible from outside a building.
N. “Sign, area of” means the area in square feet of the smallest geometrical form enclosing the total exterior surface of a sign having but one exposed exterior surface; should the sign have two opposite and parallel surfaces, the sign area shall be the area of one surface measured as above. Any structural element shall be included in the smallest geometrical form used to compute the area of the sign. Signs consisting solely of self-supporting block letters shall be the aggregate of the geometrical form enclosing all letters and symbols. [Ord. 2017-02 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 9-66 § 1 (Exh. A), 1984; Ord. 9-62A § 1, 1982; Ord. 9-52 § 1 (4A.020), 1980].
17.68.030 Regulations and permits required.
Signs shall only be erected, placed, constructed, altered, maintained or otherwise located in conformance with the regulations of this chapter. A building permit shall be required for every sign over six feet in height which weighs 10 pounds or greater. [Ord. 9-66 § 1 (Exh. A), 1984; Ord. 9-62A § 1, 1982; Ord. 9-52 § 1 (4A.030), 1980].
17.68.040 Location.
Each sign shall be on the same premises as the primary activity or person identified, except as specifically provided in this chapter. Signs shall not project over public property, except for signs projecting outward from a wall in accordance with EPMC 17.68.080. [Ord. ZN/CH-86-1 § 2, 1986; Ord. 9-66 § 1 (Exh. A), 1984; Ord. 9-62A § 1, 1982; Ord. 9-52 § 1 (4A.040), 1980].
17.68.050 Commercial and industrial standards.
Except as otherwise provided herein, the general standard for maximum sign area and number for each premises in a commercial or industrial zone shall be two signs, the total area not to exceed one square foot of sign for each linear foot of the front wall.
A. The city planner may, without a variance procedure, consider additional or alternate wall(s) as eligible separately for the same standard as the front wall, if circumstances related to the property are such (Examples: corner location, exceptional setback, long narrow building in open location) that restriction of signs to one wall is obviously impractical and unnecessary.
B. Freestanding signs are subject to the general standard, and one freestanding sign is allowed, with a maximum size of one-half square foot for each linear foot of the front wall, not to exceed 50 square feet.
C. The following are exceptions to the general standard:
1. Sandwich. One A-board or sandwich sign may be located on the premises; provided, that it does not encroach upon any public right-of-way, vehicular access way, or pedestrian walkway.
2. All Commercial and Industrial.
a. One sign on the wall not exceeding 12 square feet for a second floor use different from a ground floor use.
b. Use not conducted inside a building: one sign not exceeding one-half square foot for each front foot of the land on which the use is located, maximum of 25 square feet.
3. Service Station. Three signs with an aggregate area not exceeding 100 square feet including one which may be freestanding provided its area does not exceed 50 square feet and displays only the name and/or emblem; one price sign not exceeding 12 square feet in size, which may be freestanding and not more than eight feet in height.
4. Centers. Single directory sign for a shopping center or other premises having six or more independently operated uses is allowed not to exceed one-half square foot for each front foot of the parcel with maximum total size of 200 square feet. Shopping center pedestrian signs shall be allowed up to size six square feet each side of the sign.
5. Paper price or sales signs inside the windows of a retail store.
6. Bed and Breakfast. B&B facilities shall be allowed a total of two signs, one of which may be freestanding. The maximum square footage of any single sign shall be 12 square feet, and the aggregate total of all signage shall not exceed a maximum of 16 square feet. (Exception: the second side of a double-sided, freestanding sign shall not be counted as part of the total sign area.) The maximum allowable height of any B&B freestanding sign shall be 42 inches. No internal illumination or neon is permitted, and no signage lighting shall negatively impact adjoining properties. [Ord. 2009-01 § 2 (Exh. E); Ord. 9-66 § 1 (Exh. A), 1984; Ord. 9-62A § 1, 1982; Ord. 9-52 § 1 (4A.050), 1980].
17.68.060 Residential and special standards.
The following signs are permitted in any zone in accordance with these specific requirements:
A. Use Identification.
1. Dwelling: one sign not exceeding two square feet or less.
2. Apartment building: one sign not exceeding eight square feet; may be freestanding.
3. Institutions of an educational, religious, charitable, or civic nature; hospital, rest home, or sanitarium: one sign not exceeding 24 square feet; may be freestanding.
4. Home occupation: one sign not exceeding two square feet.
5. Farm, plant nursery, ranch, cemetery, country club, dog kennel, golf course, tennis courts, stable: one sign not exceeding 12 feet; may be freestanding.
6. Subdivision or mobile home park or subdivision: one identification sign at each major entrance not to exceed 24 square feet for each sign.
B. Temporary.
1. Real Estate Sale and Lease.
a. Dwelling or dwelling site: one sign not exceeding four square feet.
b. Property other than dwelling: one sign not exceeding 12 square feet.
c. Removal. All real estate signs shall be removed within 30 days after the close of escrow.
2. Construction and subdivision signs: signs identifying the proposed use and/or building and persons or firms involved during the period of construction not exceeding 36 square feet in total and for a period not exceeding six months.
3. Political: a sign or signs may be located, with the permission of the property owner, on an individual residence or place of business or on some part of the property, provided such signs are displayed not more than 30 days after the conclusion of the political campaign to which it relates.
4. Christmas tree lots: one sign not exceeding 32 square feet to be removed no later than 10 days after Christmas.
5. Holiday bunting, decorations and displays.
6. Special on- or off-premises community event signs advertising a community-wide event of general interest: to be removed no later than 10 days after the event; not to exceed 25 square feet each; property owner permission is required.
7. Off-premises signs used to direct traffic to a noncommercial event, such as church services, special classes or lectures, etc.: two signs not exceeding six square feet each; may be freestanding; property owner permission is required; to be used no more than 24 hours in any one calendar week.
8. Yard or rummage sale signs: three signs, two of which may be off-premises, none of which may exceed two square feet. Must be located on private property with owner permission, and cannot be up more than 48 hours in any calendar month.
C. Governmental signs of these types:
1. Emergency and warning signs necessary for public safety or civil defense.
2. Traffic signs erected and maintained by an authorized public agency.
3. Legal notices, licenses, permits and other signs required to be displayed by law.
4. Flags and emblems of governmental jurisdictions not used for commercial advertising.
D. Miscellaneous signs as follows:
1. Address numbers not exceeding 12 inches in height.
2. Symbols, pictures, patterns and illumination approved as architectural ornamentation or decoration by the planning commission.
3. Historical plaques erected and maintained by nonprofit organizations, memorials, building cornerstones and erection data stones.
4. Association membership, credit card systems, trading stamps given, patronage games, etc.; one sign not exceeding one square foot for each, mounted flush on the building.
5. Posted restaurant menu identical to those made available to diners.
6. Posted board or bulletin board not exceeding eight square feet.
7. Parking area traffic directional signs not exceeding four square feet each nor containing any advertising message.
8. Signs located for view exclusively from within the premises of the use, which cannot be read two feet away from the building’s exterior.
9. Signs containing no product advertising with letters not exceeding six inches in height, for identification of telephones, service entrances, restrooms, litter receptacles and other similar signs as may be determined by the city planner.
10. Signs indicating emplacement of public utility facilities.
11. Paper price or sales signs inside the windows of a retail store. [Ord. 2006-07; Ord. 9-66 § 1 (Exh. A), 1984; Ord. 9-62A § 1, 1982; Ord. 9-52 § 1 (4A.060), 1980].
17.68.070 Prohibited signs.
The following signs are prohibited, except as exempted by this chapter:
A. Signs cut, burnt or otherwise marked on a cliff, hillside or tree.
B. Sign in storage or in the process of assemblage or repair, which sign is located outside on premises other than that advertised in the sign and which sign is visible from a public right-of-way.
C. Billboards.
D. Electronic message signs, and other electrical signs that flash, blink or emit a varying amount and intensity of light or color.
E. Signs that are so bright as to pose potential hazard to passing motorists.
F. Banners, pennants, streamers except in conjunction with a fair, carnival, circus, athletic event, or during the first 30 days of a new business.
G. Portable sign on a vehicle, float, boat, balloon or other movable object designed primarily for the purpose of advertising, not including painted or metallic vehicle business signs.
H. Sign in the form or shape of a directional arrow, or otherwise displaying a directional arrow, except such a sign as may be approved by the city planner for safety and convenience and for control of vehicular and pedestrian traffic within the premises of the subject use.
I. Signs in residential zones, except as specifically allowed in this chapter.
J. Signs illuminated between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. except for entertainment or other similar business depending on night trade, in which case the hours shall be 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. This subsection does not apply to motels or highway signs illuminated during the hours the business is not in operation.
K. Any signs on public property or utility poles. [Ord. 2017-02 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 9-66 § 1 (Exh. A), 1984; Ord. 9-62A § 1, 1982; Ord. 9-52 § 1 (4A.070), 1980].
17.68.075 Exempt signs.
The following signs may not require a sign permit but shall conform to all other applicable regulations of this chapter:
A. Signs not oriented to and legible from a right-of-way and neighboring private property. [Ord. 2017-02 § 1 (Exh. A)].
17.68.080 Projection.
A sign mounted parallel to a front wall of a building shall not project beyond the ends of the wall to which it is attached, except by consent of the planning commission. A sign mounted to project outward from a wall shall not project more than three feet from the wall, nor shall the bottom of the sign be less than seven and one-half feet above the grade. [Ord. 9-66 § 1 (Exh. A), 1984; Ord. 9-62A § 1, 1982; Ord. 9-52 § 1 (4A.080), 1980].
17.68.090 Height.
Freestanding signs shall not exceed a height of eight feet above grade. Signs on buildings shall not extend to an elevation higher than the following:
A. The windowsills of a floor above, except upon a finding by the planning commission that the sign would not impair the function of the windows.
B. The lesser of either:
1. The top of the wall to which it is attached; or
2. Twenty feet above the finished grade, except by planning commission approval in the case of a sign limited to the symbol or name of the use or building and intended for viewing primarily from the immediately surrounding public streets.
C. No sign located on a sloping roof shall be of greater height than, nor extend above, the ridgeline, except as provided in EPMC 17.68.100(C). A “sloping roof” is any roof other than a flat roof.
D. No sign may be located on a flat roof except as provided in EPMC 17.68.100(C). [Ord. ZN/CH-86-6 § 1 (Exh. A), 1986; Ord. 9-66 § 1 (Exh. A), 1984; Ord. 9-62A § 1, 1982; Ord. 9-52 § 1 (4A.090), 1980].
17.68.100 Additional height.
The planning commission may allow additional height of freestanding or rooftop signs for any of the reasons given in EPMC 17.68.110(A), (B), or (C), up to the following maximums:
A. For freestanding signs adjacent to Highway 62, 20 feet from the finished grade of the highway.
B. For all other freestanding signs, 15 feet above the finished grade of the nearest street.
C. For signs on roofs, four feet above the ridge line on sloping roofs, and four feet above the roof top on flat roofs. [Ord. ZN/CH-86-6 § 1 (Exh. A § 4A.100), 1986; Ord. 9-66 § 1 (Exh. A), 1984].
17.68.110 Oversize signs.
The planning commission may allow additional area for any of the following reasons:
A. To allow a sign to be in proper scale with its building or use.
B. To allow a sign compatible with others in the vicinity that conforms with the intent of this title.
C. To overcome a disadvantage because of an exceptional setback or difference in grade between the street and the sign.
D. To allow a mural or super-graphic.
E. To allow the following:
1. A restaurant or lodging establishment located, designed and operated for highway through traffic: 100 square feet.
2. Service stations operated to serve highway traffic: 100 square feet.
F. Oversize signs shall not be greater than 25 percent over allowable size for subsections (A) through (C) of this section. [Ord. ZN/CH-86-6 § 1 (Exh. A), 1986; Ord. 9-66 § 1 (Exh. A), 1984; Ord. 9-62A § 1, 1982; Ord. 9-52 § 1 (4A.110), 1980].
17.68.120 Nonconforming signs.
Any sign which was legal prior to adoption of this chapter but which does not conform to the provisions set forth herein shall be nonconforming, and may remain in use; provided, that it is not altered beyond ordinary maintenance and repainting or replacing of the present sign face. [Ord. 9-66 § 1 (Exh. A), 1984; Ord. 9-62A § 1, 1982; Ord. 9-52 § 1 (4A.120), 1980].
17.68.130 Removal of signs.
The following signs may be removed through enforcement or abatement procedures of this chapter:
A. Sign which is unsecured or a menace to the public.
B. A sign displayed, erected, or maintained in violation of this chapter.
C. A sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business on the premises on which the sign is located.
D. A sign which is in a state of disrepair or dilapidated appearance due to lack of maintenance.
Signs placed on public property in violation of this chapter shall be removed and disposed of by city staff, unless the value of the sign exceeds $20.00, in which case it shall be stored, and the owner given 30 days to recover it. City staff shall attempt to locate and notify the owner of the location of the sign. [Ord. 9-66 § 1 (Exh. A), 1984; Ord. 9-62A § 1, 1982; Ord. 9-52 § 1 (4A.130), 1980].