(A) Except as provided in this subchapter, a person shall not erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish, equip, use or maintain any sign, or cause or permit the same to be done, contrary to or in violation of any of the provisions of the sign standards.
(B) Except as provided in this subchapter, a person shall not erect, construct or alter a sign, or permit the same to be done, unless a sign permit has been issued by the city. A sign permit for the construction and continued use of a sign is subject to the terms and conditions stated in the permit and to this subchapter.
(C) An application for sign permit approval is subject to the procedures set forth in this subchapter.
(D) A sign shall not be constructed on a site that contains an unlawful sign.
(E) The sign standards are not intended to, and do not, restrict speech on the basis of its content, viewpoint or message. Any classification of signs in this subchapter that permits speech by reason of the type of sign, identity of the sign user or otherwise, shall permit any type of speech on the sign. No part of this subchapter shall be construed to favor commercial speech over non-commercial speech. To the extent any provision of this subchapter is ambiguous, the term shall be interpreted to not regulate on the basis of speech content, and the interpretation resulting in the least restriction of the content of the sign message shall prevail.
(F) Sign permits are not required for wayfinding signs erected by the jurisdiction with authority over the right-of-way in which the sign is placed.
(G) Compliance with this subchapter shall be reviewed by city staff prior to issuance or renewal of any business license on a property in the city.
(H) Murals are subject to review and approval by the city’s Mural Committee. If the Mural Committee is not active, city staff will review and approve the mural based on the Mural Committee’s standards.
(Prior Code, § 16.080.005) (Ord. 445, passed 5-15-2017; Ord. 450, passed 12-18-2017; Ord. 465, passed 10-21-2019)