Chapter 9.14
AGRICULTURAL TOURISM DIRECTIONAL SIGNS
Sections:
9.14.030 Permit required, costs, and procedure.
9.14.040 Business eligibility.
9.14.050 Number and location of signs.
9.14.060 Sign construction, installation, maintenance, replacement.
9.14.070 Loss of sign location.
9.14.080 Interlocal agreements.
9.14.010 Purpose.
This chapter authorizes agricultural tourism directional signs along county roads to promote trade and tourism related to agricultural products produced or manufactured in Chelan County by eligible businesses, while enhancing safety and esthetics on county roads by regulating and controlling the number, size, design, and location of permitted signs. (Res. 2013-79 (Exh. A) (part), 10/1/13).
9.14.020 Definitions.
The definitions for terms used in this chapter are as follows:
“Agricultural tourism directional sign” or “directional sign” means a motorist information sign, in a form and at a location approved by the county engineer, providing directional information to travelers to agricultural tourism destinations accessible by county roads within Chelan County, Washington.
“County engineer” means the Chelan County engineer or an authorized designee.
“Destination directional sign” is a type of directional sign consisting of a single panel displaying approved logo and name of individual business at or near the access point to said business. Only one destination sign is allowed per business.
“Eligible business” means a lawful business meeting the requirements of Section 9.14.040.
“Finger directional sign” is a type of directional sign consisting of an individual panel displaying an approved logo, individual business name, and directional information. Up to four supplemental directional signs for different eligible businesses may be placed on the same sign post. A maximum of three finger signs are allowed per eligible business. (Res. 2013-79 (Exh. A) (part), 10/1/13).
9.14.030 Permit required, costs, and procedure.
(1) No directional sign will be installed nor business information displayed prior to issuance of a permit by the county engineer in accordance with this chapter.
(2) No directional sign will be installed nor business information displayed until the applicant shall pay Chelan County in advance for all costs for manufacturing and installation of the permit holder’s directional signs, except if grant funds are authorized and available for such purpose, grant monies may pay for the costs of manufacturing and installation of directional signs.
(3) Permit applications will be accepted at the county public works department. Applications transmitted by mail shall be effective from date of receipt rather than of mailing.
(4) One permit application will be for all the signing for a single business location.
(5) Application forms, which may be obtained from the Chelan County public works department, shall contain the following information:
(A) Name and address of the owner of the business to be advertised.
(B) The county roads for which the applicant seeks signing.
(C) A description of the intersections at which the finger sign(s) is proposed to be installed.
(D) A description of the location where the destination sign is proposed to be installed.
(E) A statement of the business location, including exact travel distance from the described intersection to the directional business and details of the route used for access (including road names, mileposts, and direction of travel).
(F) An agreement to comply with Chapter 11.92, as amended.
(G) Such other information as may be required by the department.
(6) Each permit application must include a sketch, drawing or picture of the logo and business name to be placed on the signs. Signs may not display messages advertising products or services incidental to the eligible business. The county engineer shall have final approval of the design of the directional signs and may modify submissions to achieve uniformity, visibility, and legibility.
(7) A permit shall be revoked by the county engineer with thirty days’ written notice by first class U.S. mail to the permit holder, if:
(A) The permit holder makes a false or misleading statement on the application which is relied upon by the county and is material to issuance of such permit and the statement or information is not corrected before expiration of the thirty days following notification by the county engineer; or
(B) The permit holder fails to maintain any of its signs as required under this chapter; or
(C) The permit holder no longer complies with all requirements of Section 9.14.040.
(8) Signs associated with the revoked permit shall be removed by the county at the permit holder’s sole expense.
(9) Any party aggrieved by a determination of the county engineer for a permit application or revocation shall be accorded hearing rights before the board of Chelan County commissioners.
(A) A written notice of appeal shall be filed with the public works department not later than ten days following the date of the county engineer’s determination. The filing date shall be the date that the notice of appeal is received by the department. The notice of appeal shall include a statement explaining the basis for the appeal and the relief sought.
(B) The county engineer may file a written response to the notice of appeal within ten days of the filing date of the applicant’s notice of appeal and shall provide a copy by first class U.S. mail to the party aggrieved.
(C) The board shall conduct hearing on the appeal by considering only the notice of appeal, the application, the county engineer’s determination or notice being appealed, the county engineer’s response to the notice of appeal, and applicable law and industry standards. The board’s decision shall be final. (Res. 2013-79 (Exh. A) (part), 10/1/13).
9.14.040 Business eligibility.
To be eligible for placement of an agricultural tourism directional sign in Chelan County in accordance with this chapter, a business must meet the following standards:
(1) Be located within Chelan County, Washington; and
(2) For the period during which directional signs are permitted to be displayed pursuant to this chapter, have available during business hours agricultural products for sale that are produced or manufactured in Chelan County; and
(3) Be open to the motoring public without appointment for a minimum of one thousand hours per year, including a minimum of thirty-four weekends per year; and
(4) Provide restroom facilities, drinking water, and telephone access; and
(5) Have a valid business license; and
(6) Be licensed or approved by all state and local agencies regulating the type of business and all regulated activity of the business. (Res. 2013-79 (Exh. A) (part), 10/1/13).
9.14.050 Number and location of signs.
(1) A maximum of three directional signs may be permitted and installed in Chelan County for each eligible business.
(2) Directional signs shall be located to provide a reasonable and convenient route, in the determination of the county engineer, to permit motorists to proceed to an agricultural tourism destination without the use of indirect connecting roads.
(3) Directional signs shall only be installed outside the corporate limits of cities and towns.
(4) Finger directional signs must be located within the county road right-of-way of an urban or rural county road at a location determined by the county engineer. Up to four finger signs, each for a separate eligible business, may be affixed and displayed on one signpost. A maximum of three finger signs are allowed per eligible business.
(5) Destination directional signs shall be located, as determined by the county engineer, at or near the road access point to the eligible business. Destination signs must be located within county road right-of-way unless otherwise authorized in writing by the county engineer. Destination signs may be located on property other than county road right-of-way where public safety considerations, terrain, roadway configuration, or other unique circumstances require. Destination signs located outside county road right-of-way must be in compliance with Chapter 11.92 and must have authorization of the landowner. (Res. 2013-79 (Exh. A) (part), 10/1/13).
9.14.060 Sign construction, installation, maintenance, replacement.
(1) Directional signs shall be constructed and installed in accordance with Washington State standard specifications and standard plans, and amendments thereto.
(2) All directional signs shall be installed by the county unless otherwise authorized in writing by the county engineer.
(3) Each permit holder shall be responsible for the maintenance of all directional signs bearing the permit holder’s name, including the mounting bracket and hardware necessary to attach the sign to the sign post.
(4) Chelan County shall be responsible for the maintenance of the sign post assembly.
(5) Signs may be replaced at the request of a permit holder; or the county engineer may request that the permit holder authorize and pay for replacement of damaged or weather-worn signs. Replacement shall be at the sole expense of the permit holder.
(6) In the event of change of a permit holder’s business ownership or operation, assignment of permits in good standing shall be effective only upon receipt of assignment by the county engineer.
(7) Signs shall be replaced to reflect any changed business name. Replacement shall be authorized by the county engineer and shall be at the sole expense of the permit holder. (Res. 2013-79 (Exh. A) (part), 10/1/13).
9.14.070 Loss of sign location.
(1) If highway construction or maintenance activities temporarily close sections of county road where directional signs are installed, the permit holder shall have no claim against the county, its public works department, or its contractor for disruption of signing and/or access resulting from the closures.
(2) The county engineer may remove or relocate directional signs temporarily to accommodate highway construction or maintenance activities.
(3) Where highway construction, maintenance activities, or natural causes permanently preclude reinstalling a directional sign at a permitted location, the county shall provide the permit holder with a replacement sign at an alternate location, if requested.
(4) Chelan County shall not be liable for loss or damage due to delays or interruptions of service because of inclement weather, fire, or other casualty loss, strikes, governmental laws, rules, or regulations, acts of God, or any other reason outside the county’s control. (Res. 2013-79 (Exh. A) (part), 10/1/13).
9.14.080 Interlocal agreements.
Chelan County may enter into one or more agreements with one or more other public agencies, in accordance with Chapter 39.34 RCW, to further the purposes of this chapter. (Res. 2013-79 (Exh. A) (part), 10/1/13).