The city recognizes that signs and other graphics are essential elements of a community’s visual appearance. They also provide means to identify and promote businesses and are an important element in creating safer public streets and highways. Consequently, the purpose of this chapter is to provide sign regulations that are consistent with goals and objectives of the General Plan and the community’s visual and aesthetic goals. In addition, these regulations are intended to:
(A) To provide a reasonable system of control of signs, integrated within and as a part of the comprehensive zoning plan set forth by this code;
(B) To encourage signs which are well designed and pleasing in appearance and to provide incentive and spacing of signs and latitude for variety of good sign relationship;
(C) To encourage a desirable urban character which has a minimum of overhead clutter;
(D) To enhance the economic value of the city's community and each area thereof through the regulations of such things as size, height, location and illumination of signs;
(E) To protect the public and private investment in buildings and open space;
(F) To encourage signs which are compatible with adjacent land uses;
(G) To prevent a profusion of sign displays which are confusing to the general public;
(H) To reduce possible traffic and safety hazards to motorists and pedestrians through sound signing practices;
(I) To preserve and improve the appearance of the city as a place in which to live and to work and as an attraction to nonresidents who come to visit or trade;
(J) To promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the city.
(`78 Code, § 17.74.010.) (Ord. 2729 § 4, 2004.)