§ 22.36.120. Standards for specific types of signs.

(a)

Awning signs.

(1)

Signs on awnings shall only be located on building frontages, including those fronting a parking lot or pedestrian way.

(2)

Signs on awnings are limited to ground level and second story occupancies only.

(3)

Awnings shall not be internally illuminated. Lighting directed downwards that does not illuminate the awning is allowed.

(b)

Freestanding monument signs.

(1)

Signs are allowed only for frontages adjoining a public street.

(2)

Signs shall not be located closer than 25 feet from a property line, except that a sign may be located up to ten feet from an ultimate street right-of-way line.

(3)

There shall be a minimum of 75 feet between two freestanding signs on adjoining sites to ensure adequate visibility for all signs. The director may waive this requirement in situations where its enactment would be impractical due to the locations of existing signs on adjacent properties.

(4)

Signs shall not project over public property, vehicular easements, or rights-of-way. Signs shall not obstruct traffic safety sight areas.

(5)

Landscaping shall be provided at the base of the supporting structure equal to twice the area of one face of the sign. For example, 30 square feet of sign area = 60 square feet of landscaped area.

(6)

Signs shall contain an Arabic number address plate identifying the project or use by specific street address. The address plate shall not exceed four square feet of sign face area. Numbers shall be a minimum of three inches in height and shall be clearly visible from the adjacent street. Address plates shall not be calculated against the permitted sign face area.

(c)

Freeway-oriented signs. On-site and off-site freestanding signs may be permitted by conditional use permit in lieu of freeway-oriented wall signs for certain properties when they are visible from and adjacent to a freeway right-of-way in compliance with the following:

(1)

Signs are only for the purpose of advertising fuel, food, and/or lodging accommodations;

(2)

Freeway-oriented signs are permitted only on freeway-adjacent sites for uses that are located within 200 feet of the freeway right-of-way;

(3)

It can be demonstrated that wall signage cannot be located on the building itself in a manner that will be visible to motorists traveling in either direction along the freeway;

(4)

The height of a freestanding sign shall not exceed 25 feet above adjacent street grade or the freeway travel lanes (excluding on/off ramps);

(5)

The maximum sign face areas shall not exceed ten feet in height and 20 feet in width. If the site upon which lodging accommodations are located contains businesses engaged in the sale of food and fuel in addition to the place of lodging, these uses may also be identified on the freeway sign provided that:

a.

No more than one freestanding sign shall be permitted per site;

b.

Changeable copy signage is not allowed;

c.

The maximum size permitted for the freestanding sign is not exceeded;

d.

No wall signs are visible from the freeway for uses identified on the freestanding sign; and

e.

Signs shall be separated by a minimum distance of 1,320 feet.

(6)

More than one use of each type may be identified on the freeway-oriented signs.

(7)

Freeway-oriented signs with an electronic reader board may be permitted by conditional use permit for commercial development complexes located within the C-3 zone containing one parcel equaling 4.5 acres or more or a group of parcels equaling 4.5 acres or more located immediately adjacent to the freeway. In addition, electronic reader boards shall meet the following requirements:

a.

Only one freeway-oriented sign with an electronic reader board shall be permitted for businesses which are located on the same parcel, or which are otherwise located in a single commercial development complex;

b.

Freeway-oriented signs with an electronic reader board shall be required to identify more than one business within a commercial development complex;

c.

Freeway-oriented signs with an electronic reader board shall not exceed a height of 65 feet and a total sign face area of 1,000 square feet, which shall include the electronic reader board area. The sign face area of the electronic reader board shall not exceed 33 percent of the total sign face area;

d.

Businesses utilizing a freeway-oriented sign with an electronic reader board may be located on a parcel different from that which the sign is located. However, such businesses shall be located within the commercial development complex that the sign is identifying;

e.

The property upon which an electronic reader board sign is located shall be a minimum 1,300 feet from any residential property; and

f.

Freeway-oriented signs with an electronic reader board shall be integrated with the design of structures on site in order to achieve a unified architectural statement.

(8)

Monument signs may be permitted by conditional use permit for commercial development complexes within the C-3 zone containing one parcel or a group of parcels equaling 4.5 acres or more located immediately adjacent to the freeway. In addition, the monument signs shall meet the following requirements:

a.

A monument sign may be more than six feet in height but shall not exceed 12 feet in height and 72 square feet and sign face area;

b.

Except as provided within this section, a monument sign shall be required to meet specific sign standards within chapter 22.36.

(9)

Wall signs may be permitted by conditional use permit for commercial development complexes within the C-3 zone containing one parcel or a group of parcels equaling 4.5 acres or more located immediately adjacent to the freeway. In addition, a wall sign shall meet the following requirements:

a.

A wall sign shall not exceed 300 square feet in total sign face area for commercial development complexes with 300 linear feet or more of property frontage adjacent to the freeway, and

b.

Except as provided within this section, a wall sign shall be required to meet specified sign standards within chapter 22.36.

(d)

Marquee signs.

(1)

Signs shall be mounted only on the front or sides of a marquee, or suspended below.

(2)

Signs shall not project more than six inches from the face of a marquee.

(3)

Signs shall not extend above the top of a marquee.

(4)

A clear distance of eight feet shall be maintained from the lowest part of a suspended sign to the ground below.

(e)

Neon signs and architectural lighting. The use of neon tubes for signs or architectural elements shall be permitted in commercial zoning districts only subject to the following requirements:

(1)

Neon signs and linear tubing shall be UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed with a maximum 20 amps per circuit and be designed to accommodate a dimmer in order to reduce the brightness of the neon;

(2)

The neon manufacturer shall be registered with Underwriters Laboratories;

(3)

Neon tubing shall not exceed one-half inch in diameter;

(4)

Neon lighting adjacent to residential uses shall not exceed one-half footcandle measured at the property line;

(5)

Neon tubing shall not be combined with any reflective materials (e.g., mirrors, polished metal, highly glazed tiles, or other similar materials);

(6)

When used as an architectural element, neon tubing shall be used only to reinforce specific architectural elements of the structure and shall be concealed from view whenever possible through the use of parapets, cornices, or ledges; and

(7)

Neon signs hung inside a storefront window shall not occupy more than 25 percent of the window area.

(f)

Temporary signs.

(1)

Temporary special event signs. A special event sign or banner is intended to inform the public of a unique happening, action, purpose, or occasion (e.g., grand opening or community event), and shall comply with the following standards:

a.

A business or commercial center may be allowed to display special event signs or banners for a grand opening or similar event for six periods per calendar year for a maximum of 14 days per event, with a minimum of 30 days between events. Sign area is limited to 50 square feet;

b.

An organization may be allowed to display special event signs or banners in any zoning district for a period of up to two weeks. Periods up to 60 days may be approved by the director if the applicant provides written justification. Sign area is limited to 50 square feet. Inflatable devices shall not exceed three feet in diameter; and

c.

Special event signs shall not include promotional advertising.

(2)

Temporary advertising/promotional signs and devices. Temporary advertising/promotional signs painted on a window or constructed of paper, cloth, or similar disposable materials, windblown devices (e.g., pennants, streamers, and banners), and inflatable devices subject to the following limitations:

a.

Signs and other devices may be displayed for a maximum of 30 days within a 90-day period and a maximum of 90 days per calendar year to promote a particular event, sale, or product;

b.

The total area of all temporary signs and banners shall not exceed 25 square feet per business;

c.

Inflatable devices are allowed on freeway-oriented parcels in a commercial zoning district. Tethered balloons and inflatable devices shall not exceed a height of 60 feet above finished grade;

d.

The area of temporary signs attached to or painted on windows shall not exceed 25 percent of the window area;

e.

Signs shall not be attached to the exterior of windows or doors except painted-on signs; and

f.

Signs shall not be located above the edge of the roof or above the sill of the second story windows on a multistory structure.

(3)

Temporary business identification signs. A maximum of two temporary signs for the identification of a new business until permanent signs can be erected are allowed for a period not to exceed 90 days. One time extension may be granted by the director. Maximum sign area is limited to 50 square feet.

(4)

Temporary subdivision signs. The placement of on-site subdivision identification/directional signs shall comply with the following standards:

a.

Signs may contain only the name of the subdivision, name of the developer and/or agent, an identification emblem, sales price, and directional message;

b.

A maximum of two on-site signs may be located within the project;

c.

The total area of each sign shall not exceed 32 square feet;

d.

The height of each sign shall not exceed six feet;

e.

Signs shall not be illuminated;

f.

Signs may be displayed during the two years following date of recordation of the final map, or until 100 percent of the units have been sold, whichever occurs first. Small apartment complexes (29 units or less) may display sales signs during construction and for a period of one year following the issuance of the certificate of occupancy; and

g.

Apartment and group housing complexes of 30 units or more shall be considered within the definition of a subdivision for the purpose of this subsection.

(g)

Wall signs.

(1)

Signs shall be located only on building frontages unless specifically approved by the director.

(2)

Signs shall not project from the surface upon which they are attached more than required for construction purposes and in no case more than 12 inches.

(3)

Signs shall not project above the edge of the roof of a structure.

(4)

Signs shall not be placed to obstruct any portion of a window.

(h)

Window signs.

(1)

Signs shall be allowed only on windows located on the ground level and second story of a building frontage.

(2)

Signs shall be permanently painted or mounted on the inside of windows and doors.

(3)

Signs shall not occupy more than 25 percent of the window area of any one window including permanent and temporary signs.

(Ord. No. 02(1998), § 2, 11-3-98; Ord. No. 01(2002), § 2, 1-29-02)