(A) Maximum sign area.
(1) For first 50 linear feet of primary building frontage, the total allowable sign area for signs on the primary building frontage shall not exceed 2½ square feet per linear foot of primary building frontage area. For every linear foot of primary building frontage in excess of 50 linear feet, the total allowable sign area for signs on the primary building frontage shall not exceed two square feet per linear foot of primary building frontage area.
(2) The total allowable sign area for signs on a parking lot, rear, or secondary building frontage shall not exceed one square foot per linear foot of parking lot, rear, or secondary building frontage area.
(B) Limitations on sign types.
(1) Three types of signs listed below in division (D) may be permitted for a single business if it occupies a parcel with a single street frontage of at least 100 feet and utilizes a freestanding sign. The freestanding sign shall count as one of the three permitted types.
(2) Two types of signs listed below in division (D) may be permitted for a single business if it occupies a parcel with a single street frontage of less than 100 feet or if it occupies a parcel with a single street frontage of at least 100 feet and does not utilize a freestanding sign.
(C) Permitted signs not requiring zoning clearance. The following permitted signs shall not require a zoning clearance, nor shall the area of such signs be included in the maximum sign area permitted for any outdoor auto sales or rental facility:
(1) Balloons, windblown devices and other similar inflatable displays, provided such signs are displayed only on Fridays, weekends or holidays anddo not project over public property. All such signs shall be removed no later than noon on Monday (if displayed on a Friday or weekend) or noon on the day following the holiday, unless the holiday is a Thursday or Friday, in which case the display shall be removed no later than noon on Monday. Failure to timely remove such displays shall be a misdemeanor. Displays remaining after these removal deadlines and displays which float from the property to get stuck or come to rest on other private or public property shall be a public nuisance, and the costs for removal thereof shall be recoverable by the city.
(2) Construction and development project signs. One non-illuminated sign per street frontage. For parcels of land less than one acre, maximum sign area, 40 square feet; maximum height, ten feet. For parcels of land one acre or larger, maximum sign area, 60 square feet; maximum height, 15 feet.
(3) Directional and informational signs. Maximum area, four square feet per sign.
(4) Governmental signs.
(5) Political signs. If election related, must be removed within 14 days after the election to which it pertains.
(6) Real estate signs. Not exceeding 15 square feet in area.
(7) Signs not oriented toward the exterior of the building.
(8) Warning signs.
(9) Window signs advertising community events sponsored by civic, charitable or nonprofit organizations.
(D) Permitted signs requiring zoning clearance. The following signs are permitted at outdoor auto sales or rental facilities subject to approval of a zoning clearance pursuant to § 23.50.020(B) and of this chapter:
(1) Awning or canopy signs. On the ground floor level, 30% maximum coverage allowed of the total exterior surface area of each awning or canopy. No such signs shall be permitted above the ground level.
(2) Backdrop or divider screen signs. Limited to 40% coverage of the total exterior surface area of the backdrop or divider screen.
(3) Eave or overhang signs. Limited to 40% coverage of the total exterior surface area of the building facade eave or overhang.
(4) Fin signs. Fin signs may be permitted only as a part of an application for new construction or as part of a major modification of an existing building's basic architectural elements.
(5) Flags and bunting. Display of flags and bunting shall only be permitted on light standards. Bunting shall not exceed a maximum vertical dimension of ten feet and a maximum horizontal dimension of nine feet.
(6) Freestanding signs. Such signs shall be subject to the following standards:
(a) Auto sales and rental facilities shall be limited to one major site sign which shall meet the following criteria:
1. Maximum height: 20 feet.
2. Maximum sign area: 100 square feet per side.
3. Internally illuminated.
(b) Additional freestanding signs may be permitted, if clearly secondary in importance to the major site sign and limited to secondary messages such as “Used Cars,” “Parts,” “Service,” and the like.
1. Maximum combined height of all such signs shall not exceed 75% of the height of the major site sign.
2. Maximum combined sign area of all such signs shall not exceed 75% of the area of the major site sign.
(c) All freestanding signs shall meet the following standards:
1. Permanently affixed to the ground.
2. No projection over public property.
3. The portion of any free-standing sign designed to be used with removable graphics to allow the changing of copy must be less than 50% of the total sign area.
(7) Real estate signs. Larger than 15 square feet.
(8) Temporary signs.
(a) Only the following types of tem-porary signs shall be permitted subject to approval of a temporary sign permit:
1. Professionally printed signs or posters constructed on or of paper or similar material and displayed in or on a window. On ground level, coverage shall not exceed 25% of the total translucent or transparent window area visible from the exterior of the building; no such signs shall be permitted above the ground level.
2. Any sign applied directly on the interior or exterior of a transparent window by use of tempera or similar paint medium. On ground level, coverage shall not exceed 25% of the total translucent or transparent window area visible from the exterior of the building; no such signs shall be permitted above the ground level.
(b) No business establishment shall have more than one type of permitted temporary sign displayed at any time.
(c) Temporary signs shall not be displayed for a period of more than 30 consecutive days nor for a cumulative period of more than 120 days within a calendar year.
(d) A business establishment may reapply for approval of the same type of temporary sign no sooner than 30 days after the end of the previously approved display period for that sign type.
(e) Upon submittal of a temporary use permit application pursuant to Chapter 23.60 of this code, the Director, subject to the approval of the City manager or his/her designee, may approve temporary large-scale promotional balloon(s) for a period of time not to exceed 45 consecutive days. There shall be no more than one such display in any 90 day period. Such displays are not subject to the provisions in subsections (a) through (c) above or the provisions in division (E) below;
(9) Wall signs.
(a) For the first 25 linear feet of primary building frontage, maximum of two square feet per linear foot of primary building frontage. For every linear foot of primary building frontage in excess of 25 linear feet but less than 100 feet, maximum of one square foot per linear foot of primary building frontage. For every linear foot of primary building frontage in excess of 100 feet, maximum of ½ square foot per linear foot of primary building frontage.
(b) Maximum of ½ square foot per linear foot of secondary, parking lot and/or rear frontage.
(c) Sign area is not transferable from one frontage to another.
(d) Maximum sign height shall not exceed 30 feet above grade or the height of the building or wall to which the sign is mounted, whichever is lower.
(e) On building frontages which would otherwise not qualify for wall signs, a maximum of ½ square foot per linear foot of frontage shall be permitted if one of the following conditions exists:
1. If the building adjacent to the frontage has a greater setback than the subject building. The difference in setbacks must be at least equal to the primary frontage of the business to which the sign relates.
2. If the height of the subject building is at least twice that of the building adjacent to the frontage.
3. If the frontage is separated from the adjacent building by a driveway, parking lot, or other open space, the width of which must be at least equal to the primary frontage of the business to which the sign relates.
(10) Window signs. On the ground level, coverage shall not exceed 10% of the total translucent or transparent window area visible from the exterior of the building. No window signs shall be permitted above the ground level.
(E) Signage for multi-tenant buildings and developments. All signs within a multi-tenant building or development shall conform to a sign program applied for by the owner, developer, or authorized leasing agent. Such sign program shall include exhibits indicating the design and general location of all signs and is subject to approval by the Design Review Board.
(F) Prohibited signs. All signs not specifically permitted, excepted or exempted from the regulations in this section are prohibited at outdoor auto sales and rental facilities. Such signs shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Animated, blinking or flashing signs, except time and temperature signs.
(2) Banners, pennants and streamers.
(3) Moving or revolving signs.
(4) Portable signs.
(5) Roof signs.
(6) Signs in the public right-of-way and on public property, except governmental signs and signage on city-approved transit shelters.
(7) Fence signs.
(8) Any sign constructed on or of paper or similar material which makes use of chalk, felt pen, tempera, grease pencil, or similar medium.
(9) Any sign applied directly on the interior or exterior of a translucent or transparent surface including windows and doors by use of chalk, felt pen, fluorescent paint, grease pencil, or similar medium (seasonal holiday displays of a non-advertising nature excepted).
(10) Wall signs in which the sign face is contained within a box constructed of metal, wood, plastic, or other similar material.
(11) Freestanding tents, canopies, or similar coverings designed and/or intended for the outdoor storage or display of motor vehicles, whether with or without signs.
('86 Code, § 23.50.070) (Ord. 4110, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 4280, passed 12-12-94; Am. Ord. 4285, passed 2-27-95; Am. Ord. 4307, passed 6-26-96; Am. Ord. 4414, passed 7-23-01) Penalty, see § 1.12.010