The signs specified in this section are exempt from the other provisions of this chapter, and the display area of such signs is not to be included in the cumulative display area of signs allowed for any parcel, use, or occupancy:
A. Flags. Flags that display messages other than general advertising and are displayed on private property in a manner that complies with Section 15.148.620. The cumulative display area of all flags on a parcel, calculated by measuring one side of each flag, may not exceed one square foot for every three linear feet of street frontage.
B. A-Frame Signs. Portable signs that are capable of standing without support or attachment and are hinged or designed to fold up for easy moving by hand, but only if used to display messages other than general advertising and only if displayed in a manner that complies with Section 15.148.620 and does not constitute a nuisance or hazard to vehicular traffic, pedestrians, or adjacent properties. Such signs are generally known as A-frame signs, sandwich signs, or sandwich-board signs and typically resemble the letter "A" but may also resemble the letters "T" (upright or inverted) or "U" or "H." Each person or entity that displays a portable sign on a city sidewalk is solely responsible for all injuries and damage caused by the sign and shall indemnify the city against all liabilities, claims, demands, damages, and costs arising in any way from the sign.
C. Small Signs. Unilluminated signs that have a display area not exceeding four square feet; display messages other than general advertising; comply with Section 15.148.620; and do not constitute a nuisance or hazard to vehicular traffic, pedestrians, or adjacent properties. The cumulative display area of all such signs on a parcel may not exceed one square foot for each five linear feet of street frontage.
D. Interior Signs. Signs located within the interior of any building or stadium, or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building, and signs for and located within the inner or outer lobby, court, or entrance of any theater; provided however, that no sign will be exempt hereunder unless it is designed, located, and intended to be viewed primarily from inside the premises and not from the public right-of-way. All illuminated signs, including interior illuminated signs, require electrical permit.
E. Temporary Signs. Signs that meet the following criteria are exempt "temporary signs":
1. Temporary Signs in an R, A, or OB Zone.
a. Temporary signs are allowed on any developed or undeveloped parcel in any R, A, or OB zone so long as the cumulative display area of all temporary signs on the parcel does not exceed ten (10) square feet.
b. If a parcel in an R, A, or OB zone is undeveloped, then, in addition to the signs allowed by subsection (E)(1)(a), one temporary sign that does not exceed eight feet by four feet in dimension and thirty-two (32) square feet in area is allowed if it is authorized by a sign permit issued under Article II of this chapter. Notwithstanding subsection (E)(5) of this section, the sign may display general advertising, may be up to eight feet in height, and may be displayed for up to one year from the issuance date of the sign permit. When the permit expires, at least ninety (90) days must pass before another permit for such a sign may be issued.
2. Temporary Signs in an SC, HC, C, or M Zone.
a. Temporary signs are allowed on any developed or undeveloped parcel in an SC, HC, C, or M zone so long as the cumulative display area of all temporary signs on the parcel does not exceed fifty (50) square feet.
b. If a parcel in an SC, HC, C, or M zone is undeveloped, then, in addition to the signs allowed by subsection (E)(1)(b), one temporary sign that does not exceed eighteen (18) feet by eight feet in dimension and one hundred forty-four (144) square feet in area is allowed if it is authorized by a sign permit issued under Article II of this chapter. Notwithstanding subsection (E)(5) of this section, the sign may display general advertising, may be up to fifteen (15) feet in height, and may be displayed for up to one year from the issuance date of the sign permit. When the permit expires, at least ninety (90) days must pass before another permit for such a sign may be issued.
3. A temporary sign may not be located within or over the public right-of-way, except as follows: a temporary sign may be placed in that area of public right-of-way between the face of the street curb and the street side edge of the sidewalk (commonly referred to as the planting strip
or the mowing strip) so long as the placement of the sign does not violate any provision of this code, including, but not limited to, Chapter 12.28 (relating to obstructions to visibility at intersections), Section 12.56.060 (relating to protection of trees), and Section 15.148.620 (relating to traffic hazards); does not violate any other law or regulation; and does not otherwise constitute a nuisance or hazard to vehicular traffic, pedestrians, or adjacent properties.
4. A temporary sign may be staked in the ground; may be tacked, pasted, or otherwise temporarily affixed to legally existing fences, structures, and buildings; and may be taped, painted, or otherwise temporarily affixed to the interior or exterior surfaces of building windows.
5. Except as provided in subsections (E)(1)(b) and (E)(2)(b) of this section, a temporary sign may not display general advertising, may not be illuminated, may not be a roof sign, may not exceed six feet in height, and may not be displayed on a parcel more than a total of one hundred eighty (180) days in a calendar year.
F. Bicycle-share sponsorship signs. As used in this subsection F, "bicycle-share program" means a cooperative arrangement between the City and one or more public or private entities for the short-term rental of bicycles to the public at subsidized rates; "bicycle-share station" means a structure comprising one or more bicycle racks (as defined in section 5.18.020) used by a bicycle-share program to retain bicycles in an upright, parked position until released by the customers; "bicycle-share sponsorship sign" means a sign affixed to a bicycle-share station and used solely to identify the operator or sponsor, or both, of the bicycle-share program; and "bicycle-share information sign" means a sign affixed to a bicycle-share station and used solely to display instructions for use of the bicycles and a vicinity map.
1. A bicycle-share station may have one large bicycle-share sponsorship sign and one large bicycle-share information sign, each complying with subsection F.3 and the following:
a. the display area may not exceed 4 square feet;
b. any illumination must be from a light source within the sign; and
c. the sign may not use digital-display technology.
2. In addition to the large signs allowed under subsection F.1, each bicycle rack in a bicycle-share station may have two bicycle-share sponsorship signs, each complying with subsection F.3 and the following:
a. the display area may not exceed 1 square foot; and
b. the sign may not be illuminated.
3. All signs authorized by this subsection F must comply with the following:
a. the sign must comply with sections 15.148.570 (if applicable), 15.148.620, 15.148.640, 15.148.650, and 15.148.710;
b. general advertising may not be displayed;
c. the sign must not constitute a nuisance or hazard to vehicular traffic, pedestrians, or adjacent property; and
d. if affixed to a bicycle-share station located on city property (as defined in section 15.148.015), or to a bicycle rack within such a station, the sign must satisfy all requirements, conditions, and restrictions in any agreement that authorizes the placing of the station on the city property.
G. Sponsorship signs for EV-charging stations. Signs affixed to a structure or apparatus that provides the public with access to subsidized, non-proprietary charging of electric vehicles and is located on city property, as defined in section 15.148.015, under an agreement between the city and the owner of the structure or apparatus.
1. Each such structure or apparatus (an "EV charging station") may have up to two sponsorship signs that display instructions for use and identify the sponsor or sponsors of the EV charging station.
2. Each sponsorship sign for an EV charging station must comply with all of the following:
a. the display area of each sign may not exceed eight square feet;
b. any illumination must be from a light source within the sign;
c. the sign may not use digital-display technology unless expressly allowed by the agreement between the city and the owner of the structure or apparatus;
d. the sign must comply with sections 15.148.570 (if applicable), 15.148.620, 15.148.640, 15.148.650, and 15.148.710;
e. general advertising may not be displayed;
f. the sign must not constitute a nuisance or hazard to vehicular traffic, pedestrians, or adjacent property; and
g. the sign must satisfy all requirements, conditions, and restrictions in the agreement between the City and the owner of the structure or apparatus.
H. Digital kiosks. Digital kiosks located on public property pursuant to an agreement between the city and one or more public or private entities.
1. Digital kiosks shall be primarily used to convey information about the community to its residents and visitors. The city manager or designee may authorize advertising that is secondary and subordinate to the primary purpose. The city manager or designee may set advertising standards to be applied uniformly to the advertising authorized on digital kiosks.
2. The city manager or designee may limit displayed content for aesthetics and traffic safety. These limitations may include, but are not limited to, display size, type, brightness, and frequency of change of display. (Ord. 2023-0026 § 2; Ord. 2018-0026 § 2; Ord. 2018-0019 § 2; Ord. 2016-0010 § 28; Ord. 2013-0025 § 6; prior code § 3.07.140)