Chapter 19.60
SIGNS

Sections:

19.60.010    Purpose.

19.60.020    Scope.

19.60.030    Definitions.

19.60.040    Sign development criteria.

19.60.050    Prohibited signs.

19.60.060    Nonconforming signs.

19.60.070    Permits – Required – Application – Review – Fees.

19.60.080    Termination of signs.

19.60.010 Purpose.

This chapter regulates signs which can be viewed from any public right-of-way by prescribing regulations and standards for such signs. It provides for administration, requires permits and prescribes fee therefor, and provides for enforcement and for appeals. This chapter is hereby found necessary to protect the public health and safety; to promote the health, safety, welfare, convenience and the enjoyment of public travel; to protect the public investment in town streets and public places; and to attract visitors to the town by conserving its natural and manmade beauty. It recognizes and is intended to effectuate the need for a well-maintained and attractive appearance for the community and the need for adequate business identification, advertising and communication. (Ord. 612 § 2, 2001).

19.60.020 Scope.

The signs covered under this chapter include, but are not limited to all commercial signs, professional signs, banners, awning, canopy and marquee signs. It is not intended for this chapter to regulate political campaign signs, private noncommercial signs less than six square feet in area, holiday decorations, temporary interior window signs or real estate signs. (Ord. 612 § 2, 2001).

19.60.030 Definitions.

Where not defined herein or within any other provisions of this code, definitions for signs are those that are codified in the Revised Code of Washington or any regulations duly promulgated and adopted by the Washington State Department of Transportation, or any other state agency having legal authority over the construction and placement of commercial signs.

“Advertising” means any form of communication, which shall be directed or displayed for the purpose of communicating a message, thought, proposal or idea of a commercial nature; whether in words, pictures, or a combination of words and pictures.

“Advertising structure” means any board, fence, sign or other structure whatsoever erected or displayed for advertising purposes.

“Banner” means any sign intended to be hung, with or without framing, and possessing characters, letters, illustrations, or ornamentations applied to cloth, fabric, vinyl, or other nonrigid material. A banner sign does not include flags, insignias, awning signs or posters. A banner sign shall be considered a temporary sign.

“Billboard” means a sign four feet by eight feet, or larger, which directs attention to a business, profession, product, activity or service which is not conducted, sold or offered on the premises or at the location where the sign is located.

“Canopy” means any permanent improvements constructed above the sidewalk including the roof and ceiling.

“Commercial sign” means, as an advertising structure, any board, fence, sign or other structure whatsoever erected or displayed for purpose of advertising a commercial activity.

“Freestanding sign” means a sign, not attached to any building or structure, which is securely and permanently attached to the ground.

“Low intensity lighting” is lighting not exceeding the equivalent of 800 milliamperes fluorescent tubing space on nine-inch centers, or of exposed neon not exceeding 30 milliamperes.

“Nonconforming sign” means any sign located within the town limits of Waterville on the date of adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter which does not conform to the provisions of this chapter, but which did conform to all applicable laws in effect on the date the sign was originally erected.

“Portable sign” is a sign, excluding sandwich board signs, that is capable of being moved easily and not affixed in any way to the ground, vegetation, a structure, or a building, whether temporarily or permanently, that is designed and weighted to prevent it from tipping over, blowing around, or otherwise causing a hazard to the general public.

“Sandwich-board sign” is a portable sign no more than 48 inches in height and 30 inches in width and weighted to prevent it from tipping over, blowing around, or otherwise causing a hazard to the general public.

“Temporary sign” means a sign or advertising display 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: community events, grand openings, special sales, and special events.

“Town” means the town of Waterville, Washington. (Ord. 781 § 1, 2017; Ord. 744 § 1, 2014; Ord. 716 §§ 1, 2, 2010; Ord. 612 § 2, 2001).

19.60.040 Sign development criteria.

All signs within the town of Waterville shall comply with the following minimum provisions:

A. Where an historic building provides documentation, confirmed by the town, either through pictures or historical written evidence, of any signs historically associated with that building, signs that replicate those historical signs will be allowed, even if the sign does not comply with the provisions of this chapter.

B. Signs shall be viewed as part of an overall graphics system for the building. Signs should not detract from the structure.

C. Signs shall respect the size, scale and design of the building.

D. Signs shall not shadow or overpower adjacent structures.

E. Signs shall be carefully and securely attached or erected.

F. All signs must comply with structural and material code requirements of the Uniform Sign Code and the Uniform Building Code. Signs must be maintained in good order.

G. Design shall comply with the town of Waterville theme and/or structures.

H. Signs may be attached to a building or structure, either flush with the building or perpendicular; provided, that they are at least eight feet above the grade of the sidewalk. When a sign is attached perpendicular to the structure, the overall size shall not exceed four feet by six feet, provided it shall not exceed the width of the sidewalk at any point.

I. Within the industrial district, the following provisions shall be complied with for all freestanding signs:

1. The top of the sign shall not exceed a height of 20 feet; and

2. The overall size of the sign shall not exceed 50 square feet; and

3. The sign shall not overhang and/or project into any public right-of-way; and

4. The lighting associated with any sign shall not interfere with airport and/or flight operations at the Waterville Airport, and said lighting shall comply with any applicable Federal Aviation Agency standards.

J. Within the central business district, the following provisions shall be complied with for all freestanding signs:

1. The bottom of the sign shall be at least eight feet above grade, except where no portion of the sign is closer than 10 feet to any property line; and

2. The top of the sign shall not exceed a height of 16 feet; and

3. The overall size of the sign shall not exceed 32 square feet; and

4. The sign shall not overhang and/or project into any public right-of-way.

K. Allowed Signage for Single Occupancy Buildings.

1. One freestanding or monument sign; and

2. 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; and

3. One additional sign may be allowed when business has two or more street frontages; and

4. One portable sign or sandwich board per 50 feet of street frontage is allowed in addition to wall, monument, or freestanding signs. Multi-occupancy buildings may have one portable sign or sandwich board per tenant. Portable signs and sandwich boards may only be placed when business is open, and must be removed at close of business each day.

L. Setback. Freestanding signs may be permitted anywhere on the premises, except in a required side yard setback, or within 10 feet of the street right-of-way.

M. Public Right-of-Way. A commercial sign is permitted within public right-of-way in commercial zones; provided, that it does not create a hazard or obstruction to pedestrians or driving distraction, and that it meets all other applicable provisions of this code and state and federal law.

N. Vision Clearance Triangle. A vision clearance triangle shall be maintained at all intersecting public or private streets, driveways and/or curb cuts for vision safety purposes. The vision clearance triangle shall consist of the area bounded by the centerlines of the adjacent intersecting streets or alleys extending along the centerlines 50 feet from the point of intersection, and a straight line connecting said latter points.

O. Scenic Vistas Act. All signs within the town of Waterville visible from U.S. Highway 2 must be in conformance with the standards of the Scenic Vistas Act (Chapter 47.42 RCW and Chapter 468-66 WAC) that is incorporated herein by this reference as well as the related State Department of Transportation (“WSDOT”) rules, regulations, and noncompliance penalties; provided, that all signs within the town shall also be subject to any additional restrictions as provided in this chapter. (Ord. 744 § 2, 2014; Ord. 612 § 2, 2001).

19.60.050 Prohibited signs.

The following types of signs are prohibited, except as otherwise provided by this chapter:

A. Flashing strobe signs;

B. Billboards;

C. Signs that obstruct. Any sign that substantially obstructs free and clear vision of exit, traffic intersection entrance, traffic sign or signal, or constitutes a traffic hazard by reasons thereof;

D. Signs containing unwarranted content. Any sign, which contains statements, words or pictures of an obscene nature;

E. Garage sale signs. Any sign advertising a garage sale, which is posted for more than seven days is prohibited. (Ord. 612 § 2, 2001).

19.60.060 Nonconforming signs.

Signs in existence on the date of adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter, nonconforming signs, as defined herein, may be continued provided they are maintained in good repair, and provided they are not relocated, replaced or altered in any way in structure or copy. Any nonconforming sign that has been destroyed, damaged or has incurred a loss more than 50 percent of its value may not be rebuilt or repaired unless it conforms to all provisions of this title and all other applicable city ordinances and state laws. (Ord. 612 § 2, 2001).

19.60.070 Permits – Required – Application – Review – Fees.

A. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to erect, construct, enlarge, move or convert any sign in the town, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a sign permit for each such sign from the town of Waterville. This shall not be construed to require any permit for a temporary sign, change of copy of any reader board sign, nor for the repainting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance or repair of a sign, so long as the sign is not modified in any way.

B. Where applicable, building permits shall also be issued for signs pursuant to the Uniform Building Code.

C. Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing to the town of Waterville and shall state the following information:

1. Name, address and telephone number of the applicant;

2. Property address where the sign is to be installed;

3. A drawing to scale showing the design of the sign, including dimensions, method of attachment, source of illumination, and relationship to any building to which it relates;

4. A site plan, to scale, indicating the location of the sign relative to property lines, rights-of-way, streets, sidewalks and other structures on the premises;

5. A description of the sign, indicating material, method of installation, support, whether or not it will be electrified, and if so, the description of the electric portion of the sign.

D. Applications for a sign permit shall be processed according to the procedures set forth in WMC Title 14 for “limited administrative review.”

E. A fee shall be paid to the town of Waterville at the time of issuance of the sign permit, in accordance with the provisions of the town fee schedule.

F. No signs will be allowed, and no sign permits will be issued, to a business that violates state or federal law. (Ord. 744 § 3, 2014; Ord. 716 § 3, 2010; Ord. 612 § 2, 2001).

19.60.080 Termination of signs.

Signs that are dangerous, hazardous or cause an obstruction must be removed within 24 hours of notice thereof to the owner/proprietor. (Ord. 744 § 4, 2014).