9.34.040 - General Provisions for On-Site Signs

1. Encroachment into public right-of-way. No sign shall encroach into a public right-of-way, except that a blade/bracket sign attached to a building facade may project a maximum of three feet over a public sidewalk, if the lowest part of the sign is at least eight feet above the sidewalk surface.

2. Illumination of signs. The artificial illumination of signs, either from an internal or external source, shall be designed to eliminate negative impacts on surrounding rights-of-way and properties. The following standards shall apply to all illuminated signs:

   1. External light sources shall be directed and shielded to limit direct illumination of any object other than the sign;

   2. The light from an illuminated sign shall not be of an intensity or brightness that will create a negative impact on residential properties in direct line of sight to the sign;

   3. Signs shall not have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights, or other illuminating devices that have a changing light intensity, brightness or color;

   4. Colored lights shall not be used at a location or in a manner so as to be confused or construed as traffic control devices;

   5. Reflective type bulbs and incandescent lamps that exceed 15 watts shall not be used on the exterior surface of signs so that the face of the bulb or lamp is exposed to a public right-of-way or adjacent property; and

   6. Light sources shall utilize energy efficient fixtures to the greatest extent possible.

3. Measurement of sign area.

   1. The surface area of a sign shall be calculated by enclosing the extreme limits of all lettering, background, emblem, logo, representation, or other display within a single continuous perimeter composed of squares or rectangles with no more than eight lines drawn at right angles. See Figure 3-1.

      Figure 3-1

      Sign Area Measurement

   2. Supporting framework or bracing that is clearly incidental to the display itself shall not be computed as sign area.

   3. Double-faced (back-to-back) signs shall be regarded as a single sign only if mounted on a single structure, and the distance between each sign face does not exceed two feet at any point. Only one face of a double-faced sign shall be measured when determining maximum allowable area except for off-site billboards.

   4. Where a sign consists of one or more three-dimensional objects (i.e., balls, cubes, clusters of objects, sculpture, or statue-like trademarks), the sign area shall be measured as their maximum projection upon a vertical plane. Signs with three-dimensional objects that exceed a projection of six inches from the sign face may be approved in compliance with Section 9.34.060 (Creative Signs).

   5. Time and temperature devices shall not be included within the measurement of maximum sign area.

4. Measurement of sign height. The height of a sign shall be measured as the vertical distance from the uppermost point used in measuring the area of the sign to the average grade immediately below and adjoining the sign.

5. Sign copy. The sign copy (text) of permanent signs shall relate only to the name and/or nature of the business. Permanent signs that advertise continuous sales, special prices, etc. shall not be allowed

6. Sign maintenance. Signs and supporting hardware, including temporary signs and time/temperature signs shall be structurally safe, clean, free of visible defects, and functioning properly at all times. Repairs to signs shall be equal to or better in quality of materials and design than the original sign.

7. Sign removal or replacement. When a sign is removed or replaced, all brackets, poles, and other structural elements that supported the sign shall also be removed. Affected building surfaces shall be restored to match the adjacent portion of the structure.