Signs permitted in all areas
Signs listed in this section are permitted in all areas, shall not require permits and shall not be counted when calculating the quantity of signs and the total allowable sign area. However, such signs shall conform with all other applicable provisions of this chapter. Signs permitted in all areas include:
A. The name and address of the resident, but not including any commercial advertising, of not more than two square feet in sign area, one square foot in the historic district. Such signs shall be nonilluminated.
B. No trespassing signs or other such signs regulating the use of the property on which they are located, provided that such signs do not exceed an area of two square feet in any district, except the commercial-industrial district, in which district such signs may not exceed five square feet in area. Such signs shall be nonilluminated.
C. Temporary signs which advertise the sale, rental, lease or improvement of the property on which they are located, provided that such signs do not exceed an area of six square feet in any residential district and twenty (20) square feet in a nonresidential district, thirty (30) square feet in the commercial-industrial district. In the case of a sign advertising pending improvement, no such sign shall be in place longer than sixty (60) days prior to commencement of such improvement. Temporary signs shall be removed within ten (10) days after completion of the activity advertised. Such signs shall be nonilluminated.
D. Temporary signs not larger than twelve (12) square feet advertising auctions and special events of charitable or public service groups, provided that such signs are not in place for more than ten days and are nonilluminated and nonelectric.
E. Bulletin boards for public, charitable or religious institutions when located on the property thereof, provided that the area of such signs does not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet and bears no commercial advertising. Such signs may be illuminated.
F. Signs identifying on-premises traffic, parking or another functional activity, such as lavatory facilities and telephones, signs denoting other sections of a building, and signs denoting entrances, offices, etc., bearing no commercial advertising. There shall be not more than one sign for each activity, and no sign shall exceed two square feet if wall mounted or four square feet if freestanding. All such signs may be illuminated.
G. Signs erected by the city and traffic control devices erected by the state, all bearing no commercial advertising.
H. Memorial signs or tablets and signs denoting the date of erection of buildings. Such signs shall be nonilluminated.
I. The flag, emblem or insignia of any government, or of any religious, professional, educational, charitable or fraternal organization.
J. Permanent residential development signs at major entrances designed to identify a residential development and containing no commercial advertising, provided that the area of such signs does not exceed fifteen (15) square feet. Such signs may be illuminated.
K. Signs identifying churches and places of worship when located on the property thereof. Such signs may be illuminated.
L. Signs on awnings, provided that such signs so located are affixed flat to the surface thereof. No such sign shall extend vertically or horizontally beyond the limits of such awning or have a total area in excess of one-half of a square foot for each lineal foot of the front of the awning. Such signs shall be nonilluminated and nonelectric.
M. Incidental business signs indicating hours of operation, credit cards, business affiliations, no parking, entrance, loading only, and the like, provided that the aggregate area of all such signs for a single business does not exceed two square feet per entrance.
N. Signs on theaters advertising current and coming attractions, provided that the aggregate area of such signs does not exceed two hundred fifty (250) square feet. Such signs may be illuminated or electric. A license shall be required for the erection of the frame. However, the copy within the frame may be changed from time to time without a license.
O. Election campaign signs are permitted on private property in any zoning district.
P. Business internet address signs in windows when in compliance with total aggregate area for window signs prescribed in Section 17.76.150, Business Signs, paragraph C., Size.
Q. Temporary signs not larger than fifteen (15) square feet advertising major recreational events or temporary accessory uses for major recreational events, provided that such signs are erected only on or adjacent to the properties on which the event will take place, and are non-illuminated and non-electric. Such signs shall be erected no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the event and removed within seven days after the conclusion of the event.
(Ord. 2000-4 (part), 2000; Ord. 65-94 (part), 1994: prior code § 1262.01.11)
(Ord. No. 2009-19, § 1, 6-24-2009; Ord. No. 2020-02, § 6, 2-26-2020; Ord. No. 2024-02, § 5, 1-10-2024)
Editor's note— See editor's note, § 17.08.010.