Chapter 18.50
SIGNS
Sections:
18.50.020 Statement of purpose.
18.50.050 Sign classification.
18.50.060 Permit requirements.
18.50.070 Performance standards.
18.50.090 District regulations.
18.50.095 Nonconforming signs.
18.50.096 Termination of signs.
18.50.010 Short title.
This chapter shall be known as the “sign code” of the city of Entiat. (Ord. 744 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 735 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 701 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009)
18.50.020 Statement of purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the use of signs which are both functional and attractive in appearance, through a sign regulation and permit system governing all exterior signs. This system is also intended to permit such signs that will, by their size, location, design, construction, or manner of display, not endanger the public safety of individuals, obstruct vision necessary for traffic safety, or otherwise endanger the public health, safety, or general welfare. (Ord. 744 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 735 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 701 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 673 § 1 (Exh. B), 2007; Ord. 607 § 1, 2003. Formerly 18.50.010)
18.50.030 Interpretation.
If any sections of the sign code conflict, the most restrictive shall govern. If there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall govern. (Ord. 744 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 735 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 701 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009)
18.50.040 Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivatives shall be construed as specified in this section:
“Sign,” in the singular or plural, means a structure or fixture using letters, symbols, trademarks, logos or written copy that is intended to aid the establishment; promote the sale of products, goods, services, or events; or provide direction or information.
The term “sign” includes, without limitation, the following types of signs:
(1) “Accessory commercial sign” includes, but is not limited to, open/closed signs, bank card signs, credit card signs, travel club signs, welcome signs and vacancy/no vacancy signs; provided, that such signs are erected in accordance with the location requirements of this chapter.
(2) “Animated sign” means any sign which includes the optical illusion of action or motion or color changes of all or any part of the sign facing to show or give the appearance of video or television-type pictures that require electrical energy.
(3) “Awning sign” is a sign applied to or incorporated into the covering of an awning. An awning sign shall be considered a wall sign for the purposes of this chapter.
(4) “Banner sign” is a sign constructed of cloth, fabric or other nonrigid material hanging from a staff, pole or frame or wall mounted. A banner sign shall be considered a temporary sign.
(5) “Bench sign” is a sign located on any part of the surface of a bench or seat placed on or adjacent to a public right-of-way.
(6) “Canopy sign” is a sign installed on the wall or side of a canopy that conceals the structural portion of the canopy roof.
(7) “Commemorative plaque” is a memorial plaque or plate, with engraved or cast lettering, which is permanently affixed to or near the structure or object it is intended to commemorate.
(8) “Construction sign” is a sign on the site of a construction project that identifies the project, its character or purpose and/or the architects, engineers, planners, contractors, or other individuals or firms involved.
(9) “Directory sign” is a sign on which the names and locations of occupants or the use or uses of a building are given.
(10) “Electronically changeable message sign” is a sign upon which graphics, symbols or words can be varied upon the face or faces of the sign.
(11) “Flashing sign” is a sign or other advertising structure having lights or illuminations that flash, move, rotate, scintillate, blink, flicker, vary in intensity or color, or use intermittent electrical pulsations, except for time and temperature or open/closed signs.
(12) “Freestanding sign” is a sign permanently supported from the ground in a fixed location by a structure of poles, uprights, braces or monumental base and not supported by nor attached to a building. The base of such sign shall be located on the business property.
(13) “Historically significant sign” is a sign which was installed or constructed prior to January 1, 1959, and which has been approved by the city council. Approved historical signs shall be restored and maintained in good condition.
(14) “Illuminated sign” is a sign internally illuminated in any manner by an artificial light source within which the light source is not exposed.
(15) “Indirectly illuminated sign” is a sign which by design is illuminated by reflection of a light source from the sign face. Such signs shall not project light from the light source across property lines, or directly towards traffic.
(16) “Integral sign” is a memorial sign or tablet or name of or date of erection of a building when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible material mounted on the face of a building.
(17) “Logo sign” is a sign bearing characters, letters, symbols, or characteristic design which, through trademark status or consistent usage, has become the customary identification for a business.
(18) “Marquee sign” is a sign attached to fascia or on the roof of a marquee. For the purposes of this code, a sign located on the roof of a marquee shall be considered a projecting or freestanding sign and a sign located on the fascia or a marquee shall be considered a wall sign.
(19) “Monument sign” means a ground-mounted sign with a message on a maximum of two sides and which is attached to the ground by means of a wide base of solid appearance.
(20) “Moving sign” is a sign or other advertising structure having visible moving, revolving or rotating parts or visible mechanical movement of any kind or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronics or mechanical means, except for street clocks and time and temperature signs.
(21) “Mural” is a painting applied directly to a wall or building.
(22) “Nonconforming sign” is a sign located within the city limits of Entiat that was in existence prior to the effective date of the ordinance codifying this chapter which does not conform with the provisions of this chapter. Abandoned signs shall not be considered a nonconforming sign.
(23) “Off-premises sign” is a sign which directs attention to a business, profession, product, activity or service which is not conducted, sold or offered on the premises where the sign is located as listed on the business license.
(24) “On-premises directional sign” is a sign directing pedestrian or vehicular traffic to parking, entrances, exits, service areas, or other on-site locations.
(25) “On-premises sign” is a sign which directs attention to the primary business, commodity, service, industry or other activity which is sold, offered, or conducted on the premises upon which such sign is located.
(26) “Pennants” or “streamers” are long tapering flags or strips of material used to attract attention to a business, place, or area.
(27) “Political sign” is a sign identifying or expressing a political candidate or viewpoint on public issues decided by ballot.
(28) “Portable sign” is a sign, excluding sandwich-board signs, that is capable of being moved easily and not permanently affixed to the ground, a structure, or a building.
(29) “Projecting sign” is a sign other than a wall sign that extends horizontally from and is supported by a wall of a building or structure.
(30) “Readerboard” is a sign face consisting of tracks to hold readily changeable letters allowing frequent changes of copy. A readerboard shall be considered a wall sign.
(31) “Real estate sign” is a sign that advertises the real estate on which it is located for rent, lease, or sale. For sale or lease shall be larger (more conspicuous) than agent or owner name. (Ref: WAC 468-66-050(2).)
(32) “Roof sign” is a sign painted, erected or constructed wholly upon or over the roof of any building and supported on the roof structure; however a sign located on a roof or a marquee shall be regarded as a projecting or freestanding sign.
(33) “Sandwich-board sign” is a sign no more than 42 inches in height and 30 inches in width and weighted to prevent it from tipping over.
(34) “Suspended sign” is a sign which hangs below the permanent overhang, marquee or canopy extending over public or private sidewalks or rights-of-way.
(35) “Temporary sign” is a sign, banner, pennant, valance, or advertising display constructed of cloth, paper, canvas, cardboard, or other light nondurable materials intended to be displayed for no more than 30 days per calendar year. Types of signs included in this category include but are not limited to: grand opening, special sales, special events, and garage sale signs.
(36) “Time and temperature” is that portion of a sign intended to display only the time of day and current temperature.
(37) “Wall graphic” is a wall design in which color and form are part of an overall design on the building.
(38) “Wall sign” is a sign painted, attached to or erected against and parallel to the wall plane of a building or structure. A wall sign shall be confined within the limits of said wall and shall not extend more than 12 inches from the face of the wall. Awning signs shall be considered wall signs for the purposes of this code.
(39) “Window sign” is a sign located on the interior of a window within one foot of the glass or located on the exterior of a window.
“Abandoned sign” is a sign which represents or displays any reference to a business or use which has been discontinued for more than six months or for which no valid business license is in effect in the city.
“Alteration of sign” is any construction material, size, name or location change except for normal maintenance to an existing sign.
“Area” or “sign area” is the total area of a sign excluding the sign support structure. The area is calculated by measuring from the outside edge of the frame. (For calculating the area of a double-faced sign, only one side of the sign is to be used.) Architectural embellishments and decorative features which contain no written or advertising copy, which are not illuminated and which contain no logos or trademarks shall not be included in the sign area. Signs painted on or attached to a wall or awning are calculated by imaginary straight lines around the entire copy or grouping of letters, words, or symbols, using a maximum of eight lines.
“Awning” is an overhead shelter, supported entirely from the exterior walls of a building composed of a rigid supporting framework and a flexible or nonrigid covering.
“Building face” is the exposed building front or exposed exterior wall of a building from the grade of the building to the eave line or parapet and the entire width of the building elevation.
“Building side” is a surface of a building that extends more or less perpendicularly from an observer standing in front or side of a building.
“Canopy” is a freestanding permanent rooflike structure with support columns composed of rigid materials providing protection from the elements, such as a service station gas pump island. A portion of a canopy may be supported by an adjacent structure.
“Commercial” is any activity carried on for financial gain.
“Drive-in restaurant” or “refreshment stand” is any place or premises used for sale, dispensing, or serving of food, refreshments, or beverages to customers in automobiles, including those establishments where customers may serve themselves and may eat or drink the food, refreshments, or beverages on the premises.
“Eave line” is the juncture of the roof and the perimeter wall of the structure.
“Erect” is to build, construct, alter, display, relocate, attach, hang, place, suspend, affix any sign, and shall also include the painting of murals and wall signs.
“Highway frontage” is property which abuts Highway 97A as designated by Washington State Department of Transportation.
“Historical site or structure” is any structure, collection of structures and their associated sites, deemed of importance to the history, architecture or culture of an area by an appropriate local, state or federal governmental jurisdiction. Included shall be structures on official national, state or local historic registers or official listings such as the National Register of Historic Places, the State Register of Historic Places, state points of historical interest, and registers or listings of historical or architecturally significant sites, places, historic districts, or landmarks as adopted by a certified local government.
“Marquee” is a permanent rooflike structure composed of rigid materials providing protection from the elements, attached to and supported by the building and projecting over public or private property. This does not include a projecting roof.
“Material” is any wood, metal, plastic, glass, cloth, fabric, or any other substance used to construct a sign.
“Multiple building complex” is a group of structures housing two or more retail offices, or commercial uses sharing the same lot, access and/or parking facilities or coordinated site plan.
“Multiple tenant building” is a single structure housing two or more retail, office or commercial uses.
“Mural” is a permanent graphic applied directly to a wall or building surface. A mural may or may not have a commercial message, but must comply with the performance standards identified in EMC 18.50.070(9).
“Normal maintenance” is an act of repair or other acts to prevent decline, lapse or cessation from original state or condition.
“Public entity” is a state, county, district, public authority, or public agency.
“Repair” is to renew, refresh or to restore to sound condition.
“Sign height” is the vertical distance measured from the grade below the sign to the highest point of the sign.
“Wall plane” is that portion of a building face which is contained on one general plane. If there is a shift in the facade forward or back, a new plane is created. A single wall plane may contain windows and doors. (Ord. 828 § 1, 2021; Ord. 744 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 735 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 701 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 673 § 1 (Exh. B), 2007; Ord. 607 § 1, 2003. Formerly 18.50.100)
18.50.050 Sign classification.
(1) Exempt Signs. The following types of signs and devices shall be exempt from the permit requirements of this chapter; provided, that all applicable standards or conditions specified are met:
(a) Accessory commercial signs;
(b) Banner signs, decorative flags, pennants, or streamers; banner signs may only be displayed for one 30-day period within a calendar year and must have the date of initial posting clearly written on the face of the banner, streamer or pennant;
(c) Barber poles;
(d) Billboard signs facing inward toward home plate, located on the outfield fences of Entiat parks and sports fields;
(e) Community activity signs or banner signs; provided they are installed no sooner than 30 days prior to the event or activity and removed within seven days of the completion of the activity or event; if visible to US 97A, remove within three days (Ref: WAC 468-95-148);
(f) Construction signs; provided, that there shall be only one such sign per street frontage of a building; and provided, that the area of each sign shall not exceed 16 square feet in a residential district and 32 square feet in other zoning districts and that all such signs shall be removed within 30 days of completion of the building. If construction is not completed within one year, the sign must be removed. Sign may display only the name of activity or business and completion date (Ref: WAC 468-66-050(3)(c));
(g) Flags and/or insignia of any U.S. government agency;
(h) Historically significant signs;
(i) Historical site or structure signs; provided they are approved by the city council. Such signs shall be a maximum of 12 square feet and nonilluminated unless allowed elsewhere in this code. Only the name of the site or structure, hours of visitation and admission charges if any shall be indicated on the sign;
(j) Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings including but not limited to building names, except when such features include commercial wording, moving parts, or moving lights;
(k) Menu signs for drive-in restaurants;
(l) Menu signs for other than drive-in restaurants; provided, that the menu displayed is the same as that given to customers and such sign shall have a maximum size of four square feet;
(m) Movie theater display cases; provided there are not more than two cases not to exceed 24 square feet each;
(n) Noncommercial signs bearing only property numbers, postal box numbers or names of occupants of premises;
(o) Political signs; provided all such signs shall be removed no later than one week after the election to which the signs pertain;
(p) Real estate signs for individual properties; provided there shall be only one such sign per lot. On residential lots situated on corners, two signs shall be allowed, with one on each street frontage. Such signs shall not be placed where a vehicle driver’s visibility including but not limited to intersections, alleys, or driveways might be obstructed. The maximum area of the sign in residential zones shall not exceed four square feet and the height shall not exceed 42 inches. In nonresidential zoning districts, the area of the sign shall not exceed 32 square feet and the height shall not exceed eight feet. The sign must be removed within 14 days from the date of closing; real estate signs for condominium projects and subdivisions are not exempt;
(q) Temporary open house signs for real estate during manned office hours only, provided they are removed each day;
(r) Signs of a public entity, including, without limitation, community service informational signs, kiosk signs, public utility information signs, traffic control signs and all signs erected by a public officer in the performance of a public duty; provided, however, that such signs shall meet the location, size and structural requirements of this chapter;
(s) Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property, but bearing no advertising matter; provided, that such signs shall not exceed six square feet in area per sign;
(t) Temporary signs; provided, that such signs must be securely affixed to the surface of a building wall or window, or between existing structures, poles and/or other supports, must have the date of initial posting clearly written on the face of the sign and must be removed not later than 30 days after initial posting;
(u) Time and temperature signs; provided, that the sign conforms to the height restrictions for a freestanding sign for the zoning district in which it is located;
(v) Wall graphic, except that portion which contains letters, symbols, trademarks, logos, written copy, moving parts or moving lights;
(w) Window signs.
(2) Prohibited Signs. It is unlawful to erect or maintain:
(a) Portable signs;
(b) Signs in a dilapidated or hazardous condition;
(c) Signs on doors, windows or fire escapes that restrict free ingress or egress;
(d) Flashing signs;
(e) Moving signs;
(f) Signs which purport to be, or are an imitation of, or resemble an official traffic sign or signal or which could cause confusion with any official sign, or which obstruct the visibility of any traffic/street sign, signal, or obstruct a vehicle driver’s visibility at, including, but not limited to, intersections, alleys, and driveways;
(g) Signs attached to utility, street light and traffic control standard poles;
(h) Signs on any vehicle or trailer parked as a stationary display for advertising purposes on public or private property which are visible from public rights-of-way. This provision shall not prohibit signs which are painted on or magnetically attached to any vehicle operating in the normal course of business.
(3) Permitted Signs. Except as otherwise provided in this title, all signs shall be permitted; provided they meet all conditions and requirements established in this chapter. (Ord. 744 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 735 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 701 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 673 § 1 (Exh. B), 2007; Ord. 617 § 1, 2004; Ord. 607 § 1, 2003. Formerly 18.50.030, 18.50.040)
18.50.060 Permit requirements.
(1) Except for exempt signs as identified above, no sign shall be erected, structurally altered or relocated by any person, firm, or corporation without a permit from the city of Entiat.
(2) A sign permit shall be considered as a Type I permit as set forth in EMC Title 14.
(3) Any signage proposed along the state highway and visible from the state highway must be coordinated with the WSDOT North Central Region Traffic Office as well as the city of Entiat. (Ord. 744 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 735 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 701 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 673 § 1 (Exh. B), 2007; Ord. 607 § 1, 2003. Formerly 18.50.020)
18.50.070 Performance standards.
The following standards are general provisions and are applicable to all districts established under this title:
(1) Single or multiple occupancy buildings which have street frontage on two streets with customer entrances on each street are permitted one freestanding or monument sign per street frontage; provided, that each freestanding or monument sign is located on different street frontages and are separated by more than 100 feet. Signs on streets abutting residential districts shall be approved by administrator.
(2) Signs attached to a building shall not exceed three feet above the roof line of any building or structure to which they are attached.
(3) A clear view triangle shall be maintained at all intersecting public or private streets, driveways, and/or curb cuts for vision safety purposes. Refer to EMC 18.44.060.
(4) All freestanding and monument signs shall include as part of their design landscaped areas at least four feet in diameter or other approved devices around their base so as to prevent vehicles from hitting the sign, and to improve the overall appearance of the installation.
(5) Projecting and awning signs shall maintain a minimum clearance of eight feet above the finished grade.
(6) Bench signs shall be limited to dimensions not greater than the dimensions of the bench back. They shall be permanently painted on the bench or securely affixed and encased in weather-resistant material.
(7) Real estate sale signs for condominium projects and subdivisions; provided the maximum area of the sign shall not exceed 32 square feet, the height shall not exceed eight feet, and has the initial date of posting on the sign. Such signs shall be removed within five years of initial posting or sale of 75 percent of the total number of lots or condominium units, whichever occurs first. If there is no initial date of posting on such sign, said sign shall be a prohibited sign.
(8) Any sign visible to US 97A shall comply with the Highway Advertising Control Manual. Permits from city of Entiat and WSDOT will be required for all off-premises signing that is visible to US 97A.
(9) Murals are an allowed use with the following requirements:
(a) The sign portion of any mural cannot exceed 300 square feet and in no case more than 30 percent of the entire mural area.
(b) All murals must be reviewed and approved by the planning commission. Murals containing designs the planning commission determines to be offensive to a reasonable person will be denied.
(c) Wall preparation, anti-graffiti coating, ultraviolet coating and plastic coating for murals with southern exposure shall be required.
(d) Maintenance shall be required for any portion of the mural that is unreadable or unsightly due to weather, sunlight, or graffiti.
(10) Portable signs are allowed in addition to wall, monument, or freestanding signs, when approved by city sign permit. Portable signs may only be placed when business is open, and must be removed at close of business each day. (Ord. 828 § 2, 2021; Ord. 744 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 735 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 701 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 673 § 1 (Exh. B), 2007; Ord. 607 § 1, 2003. Formerly 18.50.050)
18.50.080 General standards.
(1) No signs other than state highway or city signs shall be allowed on city right-of-way or on highway right-of-way within the city limits.
(2) Setback. Freestanding and monument signs may be permitted anywhere on the premises, except in a required side yard, or within 10 feet of a street right-of-way. Commercial signs are permitted adjacent to the right-of-way in the C-H Highway Commercial, W-T Waterfront Transition, and W-B Waterfront Business zones.
(3) Illumination. All lighted signs shall be internally lit or provided with direct illumination in such a manner that glare from the light source is not visible to pedestrian or vehicle traffic and shall not cause glare into any residential zoning district.
(4) Computations. The following principles shall control the computation of sign area and sign height:
(a) Area of Individual Signs. The area of a sign face (which is also the sign area of a wall sign or other sign with only one face) shall be computed by means of the smallest square, circle, rectangle, triangle, or combination thereof that will encompass the extreme limits of the writing, representation, emblem, or other display, together with any material or color forming an integral part of the background of the display or used to differentiate the sign from the backdrop or structure against which it is placed; but not including any supporting framework, bracing, or decorative fence or wall that is clearly incidental to the display itself.
(b) Area of Multi-Faced Signs. The sign area shall be computed by adding together the area of all sign faces. When two identical sign faces are placed back to back, the sign area shall be computed by the measurement of one of the faces. No greater than two faces are permitted per freestanding sign. Signs with opposing faces 135 degrees or less with identical sign faces shall be considered a two-sided sign and only one side of the sign shall be used in calculating sign size. If the opposing faces of a sign are more than 135 degrees, both opposing faces shall be used in calculating sign size.
(c) Height. The height of a sign shall be computed as the distance from the base of the sign at the existing, natural grade to the top of the highest attached component of the sign. In cases in which the normal grade cannot reasonably be determined, or the property is improved with curbs and gutters, sign height shall be computed on the assumption that the elevation of the normal grade at the sign is equal to the elevation of the sidewalk. (Ord. 879 § 1, 2023; Ord. 828 § 3, 2021; Ord. 744 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 735 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 701 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 673 § 1 (Exh. B), 2007; Ord. 607 § 1, 2003. Formerly 18.50.060)
18.50.090 District regulations.
This section shall apply to all districts and conditional uses designated in this title:
(1) R-L Low Density Residential, R-M Medium Density Residential, R-H High Density Residential Zoning Districts, and Residential Developments Within the MTR Mixed Tourist Recreational and W-T Waterfront Transition Zoning Districts.
(a) Nonconforming Uses and Those Permitted by Conditional Use Permit.
(i) Each use is permitted one freestanding or monument sign having a maximum sign area of 32 square feet. The sign structure together with the sign shall not exceed a height of five feet. One additional freestanding or monument sign is permitted if there is more than one front property line.
(ii) One flush-mounted wall sign having a maximum sign area of 12 square feet. In lieu of a freestanding or monument sign, the attached sign may be increased in area to the total square footage of the freestanding or monument sign plus the square footage of the attached sign for a total of 44 square feet.
(b) Home Occupations. Signs relating to home occupations as defined in Chapter 18.10 EMC shall be unlighted, flush-mounted wall signs or monument signs and shall not exceed six square feet in area.
(c) Residential Subdivisions, Multifamily Developments and Planned Developments. Decorative subdivision or area name signs of a permanent character at the street entrance or entrances to the housing development which identify said development only shall be permitted, subject to the following conditions:
(i) One monument sign may be permitted per entrance from an access street to the property, provided said sign does not exceed 50 square feet and is six feet or less in height, or as approved by the reviewing authority at the time of preliminary subdivision approval. If lighting is installed, said lighting shall be shielded and directional.
(ii) The sign shall consist of decorative masonry walls or wood with name plates or letters, and shall be located in a maintained landscaped area.
(d) Off-Premises Signs. Off-premises signs are not permitted within the residential zoning districts.
(2) C-H Highway Commercial, WP Waterfront Park and Parcels With Commercial or Mixed Uses Within the MTR Mixed Tourist Recreational and W-T Waterfront Transition Zoning Districts. On-premises signs within the W-B waterfront business zoning district are regulated through Chapter 18.30 EMC.
(a) Single-Occupancy Buildings.
(i) One freestanding or monument sign not exceeding a maximum area of 70 square feet or a height of 35 feet.
(ii) One flush-mounted wall sign, unlighted or with low intensity lighting, placed flat against the wall of the main building, having a surface area not greater than 32 square feet, is permitted.
(iii) In lieu of a freestanding or monument sign, the flush-mounted wall sign may be increased in area to the total square footage of the freestanding or monument sign plus the square footage of the attached sign for a total of 102 square feet.
(iv) One additional freestanding or monument sign may be allowed when the business has two or more street frontages with customer entrances.
(b) Multiple (Two or More) Offices or Businesses Within a Structure or a Business or Industrial Park.
(i) One freestanding or monument sign not exceeding 120 square feet, nor exceeding a height of 35 feet.
(ii) Identification signs may list the names of the occupants of the multiple business structure/park. (Individual occupancy or buildings are not allowed a separate freestanding sign.)
(iii) One additional freestanding or monument sign is permitted if the premises have two or more street frontages with customer entrances.
(iv) One flush-mounted wall sign shall be permitted for each principal building or occupant which does not exceed an area of 32 square feet. Identification signs shall be attached flat against the building and shall not project above the eaves of the roof or the top of the parapet or beyond the eave lines or beyond the outer limits of the wall.
(v) Individual occupant signs within a multiple occupancy building or building complex shall be consistent with the building architecture and all signs shall be similar in color, design, size, and graphics.
(vi) Business or office parks with 10 or more tenants may have a single monument sign up to 350 square feet, with formal approval of the planning commission.
(c) Community Bulletin Board Signs. One community bulletin board sign is permitted when associated with a public school, park, recreation facility, grange, fire station, church or other similar type uses provided they meet the following:
(i) Only one sign is permitted and shall not exceed 50 square feet in area. Freestanding signs shall not exceed a height of 15 feet and shall meet the minimum setback requirements of the district regulations within which the sign is located. The bulletin board sign shall not display commercial advertising. (Ord. 879 § 2, 2023; Ord. 828 § 4, 2021; Ord. 744 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 735 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 701 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 673 § 1 (Exh. B), 2007; Ord. 607 § 1, 2003. Formerly 18.50.070)
18.50.095 Nonconforming signs.
Any sign lawfully existing under all codes and regulations prior to the adoption of the ordinance codified in this title may be continued and maintained as a legal nonconforming sign, provided:
(1) No sign shall be changed in any manner that increases its noncompliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(2) If the sign is structurally altered or moved, its legal nonconforming status shall be void and the sign will be required to conform to the provisions of this chapter.
(3) The sign is not hazardous or abandoned.
(4) The burden of establishing the legal nonconformity of a sign under this section is the responsibility of the person or persons, firm, or corporation claiming legal status of a sign. The approval of an asserted nonconformity is a limited administrative function of the mayor.
(5) The provisions of Chapter 18.60 EMC may govern certain nonconforming signs. (Ord. 744 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 735 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 701 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 673 § 1 (Exh. B), 2007; Ord. 607 § 1, 2003. Formerly 18.50.080)
18.50.096 Termination of signs.
(1) Within 30 days of the closure of business, the business owner shall be responsible for removal of signs (or painting out of wall signs). If business owner is leasing the property and abandons the sign, the property owner shall be responsible for removal. If wall signs are painted out, the color must match the underlying color of the building wall.
(2) By destruction, damage, obsolescence or danger, the right to maintain any sign shall terminate and shall cease to exist whenever the sign is:
(a) Damaged or destroyed beyond 50 percent of the cost of replacement, as determined by the mayor as a limited administrative review responsibility; and/or
(b) Structurally substandard to the extent that the sign becomes a hazard or a danger to the public health, safety, and welfare as determined by the mayor as a limited administrative review responsibility. (Ord. 744 § 1 (Exh. A), 2013; Ord. 735 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 701 § 1 (Exh. A), 2009; Ord. 673 § 1 (Exh. B), 2007; Ord. 607 § 1, 2003. Formerly 18.50.090)