Sign permits shall not be required for the signs listed in this section. Exempt signs shall not be included in the determination of the total allowable number of signs or total allowable sign area for a site. Such signs, however, may require compliance with building permit regulations.
A. Permanent Signs With No Size Limitation.
1. Signs located within shopping malls or similar areas, where the signs are not visible from any point on the boundary of the premises, shall not be regulated as to size or location or similar provisions contained in this chapter; however, such signs require compliance with building permit requirements;
2. Any sign erected and maintained as required by law;
3. Signs on licensed commercial vehicles, including trailers; provided, however, such vehicles and/or trailers shall not be used as parked or stationary outdoor display signs;
4. Signs attached to bicycles or pedicabs;
5. Bench, bus shelter, and other signs located at designated public transit locations which comply with the criteria established by the relevant transit authority and are internally illuminated only in locations where such illumination is not prohibited by the sign regulations for the underlying zoning district;
6. Change of copy within an approved Comprehensive Sign Program that conform to the provisions of the Comprehensive Sign Program (Section 19.74.070); and
7. Governmental signs in the public right-of-way or on City property that are approved by the City Council.
B. Permanent Signs Limited by Maximum Areas. The following signs are exempt from the requirements of sign permits, subject to the following limitations:
1. Occupant name, street number, and street name signs not exceeding two square feet in area per single-family or multi-family unit;
2. On-site commercial signs on nonresidential property not exceeding two square feet in area located on or immediately adjacent to a primary entrance, typically used to post the name of the business, hours of operation, and other pertinent information;
3. Vehicle and pedestrian-oriented safety and directional signs solely for the purpose of guiding traffic, parking, and loading on private property, and not bearing advertising materials. Maximum sign area shall be four square feet in residential and office residential zoning districts and six square feet in other zoning districts. Maximum height for freestanding signs shall be four feet. Taller signs may be approved by the Director, if visibility and safety will not be impaired;
4. Noncommercial signs located on residential property not exceeding four square feet in area. Such signs shall be limited to a maximum of three feet in height when located in any required setback or sight distance area, or six feet in height if located outside any required setback or sight distance area;
5. On-site commercial signs up to four square feet in area located on gasoline pumps, typically used to identify the brand, type of fuel, and octane rating;
6. Any flag with a noncommercial message, provided that the pole height shall not exceed 25 feet and the length of the flag shall be not more than one-quarter of the height of the pole; and
7. The display of air-filled, rubber latex balloons with an inflated diameter of 12 inches or less by a balloon, florist, or other retail establishment regularly offering balloons for sale to the general public. Such balloons shall contain no commercial message and be securely attached to the structure, including an awning if any, from which sales are offered; and
8. Non-illuminated informational wall signs up to five square feet in area, containing historical information, such as photos and narrative, pertaining to the premises upon which they are located.
C. Temporary Signs Limited by Size and Period of Display.
1. Small Temporary Commercial Signs on Nonresidential Property. Small temporary commercial signs painted on a window or constructed of paper, cloth, or similar disposable materials and affixed on a window, wall, building surface, or structure on nonresidential property subject to the following limitations:
a. Signs may be displayed for a maximum of 30 days within a 90-day period;
b. The total area of all temporary commercial signs shall not exceed 25 square feet per tenant;
c. The area of temporary commercial signs attached to or painted on windows shall not exceed 33 percent of the window area, except in the DN and DS zoning districts where signs shall not exceed 10 percent of the window area;
d. Signs shall not be attached to the exterior of windows or doors except painted-on signs; and
e. Signs shall not be located above the edge of the roof or above the sill of the second-story windows on a multi-story structure.
Temporary commercial signs not meeting these limitations are considered Large Temporary Commercial Signs/Banners and may be approved for a limited period of time, subject to permit approval and the limitations set forth in Section 19.74.120(A).
2. Temporary Business Identification Signs. A maximum of two temporary business identification signs may be displayed until permanent signs can be erected, or when existing permanent signs are obscured due to road construction or other similar conditions, for a period not to exceed 90 days. Maximum sign area is limited to 50 square feet.
3. Real Estate Signs. Real estate signs are allowed on private property in any zoning district subject to the following limitations:
a. For single-family dwellings and duplexes, one double-faced sign per street frontage not to exceed 4 square feet in area per sign face and seven feet in height;
b. For multi-family dwellings with three or more units, one double-faced sign per street frontage not to exceed 24 square feet in area per sign face and eight feet in height;
c. For single-tenant sites on nonresidential property, one double-faced sign per street frontage not to exceed 16 square feet in area per sign face and eight feet in height;
d. For multi-tenant sites on nonresidential property, one double-faced sign per street frontage not to exceed 32 square feet in area per sign face and eight feet in height. In addition, one sign for each tenant space available not to exceed six square feet in area to be located at the individual tenant space for rent or lease; and
e. For five or more single-family dwellings or vacant lots on residential property, two single-faced or double faced signs not to exceed 32 square feet in area per sign face and eight feet in height.
4. Future Tenant Identification Signs. Future tenant identification signs may be displayed on a nonresidential construction site, subject to compliance with the following limitations:
a. One sign per street frontage except where a project has in excess of 600 lineal feet of street frontage, one additional sign may be allowed;
b. Signs shall be limited to a maximum of 32 square feet in area and 10 feet in height, or a maximum of 50 square feet in area if combined with a construction sign; and
c. Signs shall be removed upon completion of construction.
5. Construction Signs. Construction signs may be displayed on construction sites, subject to compliance with the following limitations:
a. One sign per street frontage not to exceed 32 square feet in area with a maximum height of 10 feet. Maximum size of 50 square feet in area if combined with a future tenant identification sign; and
b. Signs shall be removed upon completion of construction.
6. Temporary Noncommercial Signs. Temporary signs with noncommercial messages may be displayed on private property, with the property owner’s permission, subject to compliance with the following limitations:
a. On residential property, up to four single-faced or double-faced signs not exceeding four square feet of surface area per sign face may be displayed for up to 120 days in any calendar year. Such signs shall be limited to a maximum of three feet in height if located in any required setback or sight distance area, or six feet in height if located outside any required setback or sight distance area.
b. On nonresidential property, an unlimited number of single-faced or double-faced signs not exceeding 32 square feet per sign face may be displayed for up to 120 days in any calendar year. Such signs shall be limited to a maximum of three feet in height if located in any required setback or sight distance area, or six feet in height if located outside any required setback or sight distance area. These signs are allowed in addition to the substitution of noncommercial messages for commercial messages as established in Section 19.74.030(C).
7. Small Temporary Commercial Signs on Residential Property. Small temporary commercial signs may be displayed during an allowed temporary commercial use of residential property, including uses authorized in Section 19.22.020(F) (Garage and Yard Sales in Residential Zones), subject to compliance with the following limitations:
a. One single-faced or double-faced sign up to four square feet in surface area per sign face shall be allowed;
b. The sign shall be limited to a maximum of three feet in height if located in any required setback or sight distance area, or six feet in height if located outside any required setback or sight distance area;
c. The sign shall be located onsite; and
d. The sign shall only be displayed for the duration of the allowed temporary commercial use of the property.
8. Other Similar Temporary Signs. Other similar temporary signs may be displayed on private property, if the Director makes the following findings:
a. The signs are substantially similar to other signs allowed in the zoning district in terms of area, height, location, illumination, and other objective characteristics;
b. The signs do not obstruct any required sight distance area, block any required path of travel, or otherwise create a safety hazard;
c. The signs are not otherwise prohibited, such as off-site signs, signs in the public right-of-way, or commercial signs on residential property;
d. The signs are displayed for a limited period of time consistent with other similar allowed temporary signs in the zoning district; and
e. The signs are consistent with the purpose and general provisions of this chapter.
If there is any dispute as to whether a particular sign falls within this category, the Director shall document these findings in writing.
(Ord. 2443; Ord. 2564 §2; Ord. 2600)