Chapter 19.92 — SIGN STANDARDS

These sign regulations are intended to appropriately limit the placement, type, size, and number of signs allowed within the TND zone, and to require the proper maintenance of signs. The purposes of these limitations and requirements are to:

• A. Avoid traffic safety hazards to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, caused by visual distractions and obstructions;

• B. Promote the aesthetic and environmental values of the community by providing for signs that do not impair the attractiveness of the City as a place to live, work and shop;

• C. Provide for signs as an effective channel of communication, while ensuring that signs are aesthetically proportioned in relation to adjacent structures and the structures to which they are attached; and

• D. Safeguard and protect the public health, safety, and general welfare.

• (Ord. 2358 §22)

A. Signs regulated. These sign regulations apply to all signs within the TND zoning district, except that directional/instructional signs, temporary signs and real estate signs shall instead comply with the requirements of Chapter 19.74 (Signs).

• B. Applicability to sign content. The provisions of this Chapter do not regulate the message or content of a sign (sign copy).

C. Sign permit requirements. Sign installation within the TND zone shall require sign permit approval in compliance with 19.74 (Signs), unless exempted from sign permit requirements pursuant to Section 19.74.050 (Exemptions from Sign Approval).

D. Definitions. The definitions of specialized terms and phrases set forth in Chapter 19.74 (Signs) shall apply herein.

(Ord. 2358 §22)

Signs prohibited within the City by Section 19.74.070 (Prohibited Signs), and all other sign types and sizes not expressly allowed by this Chapter shall be prohibited within the TND zoning district, including the following:

• A. Exposed cabinet/raceways behind channel letters;

• B. Internally illuminated cabinet (can) signs unless they are a custom shape and have opaque backgrounds to resemble channel letters at night;

• C. Pole signs and other freestanding signs over 6 feet in height;

• D. Roof Signs; and

E. Because of the City's compelling interest in ensuring traffic safety, signs that simulate in color, size, or design any traffic control sign or signal, or that make use of words, symbols, or characters in a manner that interferes with, misleads, or confuses pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

(Ord. 2358 §22)

• A. Sign area and height measurement. The measurement of sign area and height to determine compliance with the requirements of this Chapter shall be as set forth in Chapter 19.74 (Signs).

• B. Sign location requirements. Each sign shall be located in compliance with the following requirements, and all other applicable provisions of this Chapter.

1. On-premise signs. Each sign shall be located on the same site as the subject of the sign, except as otherwise allowed by this Chapter.

2. Setback requirements. Each sign shall comply with the applicable building setback requirements, except for an approved blade sign.

3. Placement on a building. No sign shall be placed so that it interferes with the operation of a door or window, or covers a prominent architectural feature of the building. To integrate signs into project design, the architectural review board, or other applicable review authority, may limit signs to certain areas of a building as a condition of architectural review approval.

4. Signs within a public right-of-way. No sign shall be allowed in the public right-of-way except for the following:

• a. An approved blade sign;

• b. Public signs erected by or on behalf of a governmental agency to supply public information, identify public property, post legal notices, or direct or regulate pedestrian or vehicular traffic;

• c. Bus stop signs;

• d. Informational signs of a public utility regarding its lines, pipes, poles, or other facilities; or

• e. Emergency warning signs erected by a governmental agency, a public utility company, or a contractor doing authorized work within the public right-of-way.

C. Sign Design. The following design criteria shall be used in reviewing the design of individual signs. Substantial conformance with each of the following design criteria shall be required before a sign permit or building permit can be approved.

1. Color. Colors on signs and structural members should be harmonious with one another and related to the dominant colors of the buildings on the site. Contrasting colors may be utilized if the overall effect of the sign is still compatible with building colors.

2. Design and construction.

• a. Except for banners, flags, temporary signs, and temporary window signs conforming with the requirements of this Chapter, each sign shall be constructed of permanent materials and shall be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or another structure by direct attachment to a rigid wall, frame or structure.

• b. Each permanent sign shall be designed by a professional or someone who is capable of producing professional results.

c. Each permanent sign shall be constructed by persons whose principal business is building construction or a related trade including sign manufacturing and installation, or someone who is capable of producing professional results.

3. Materials and structure.

a. Sign materials (including framing and supports) shall be representative of the type and scale of materials used on the site where the sign is located. Sign materials shall be compatible with those used on the buildings on the site and any other signs on the site.

• b. No sign shall include reflective material.

• c. Materials for permanent signs shall be durable and capable of withstanding weatherizing over the life of the sign with reasonable maintenance.

d. The size of the structural members (e.g. columns, crossbeams, and braces) shall be proportional to the sign panel they are supporting.

• e. The use of individual letters incorporated into the building design is encouraged, rather than a sign with background and framing other than the structure wall.

4. Sign Lighting. Sign lighting shall be designed to minimize light and glare on surrounding rights-of-way and properties.

• a. External light sources shall be directed and shielded so that they do not produce glare off the site, on any object other than the sign.

• b. Sign lighting shall not blink, flash, flutter, or change light intensity, brightness, or color.

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

• d. Neither the direct nor reflected light from primary light sources shall create hazards for pedestrians of operators of motor vehicles.

e. For energy conservation, light sources shall be hard-wired fluorescent or compact fluorescent lamps, or other lighting technology that is of equal or greater energy efficiency. Individual incandescent bulbs using seven watts or less are exempt from this requirement.

f. Sign lighting intensity shall be compatible with other signs in the vicinity, the site’s architecture and the general light level of the immediate area.

• D. Sign maintenance.

1. Each sign and supporting hardware, including temporary signs and awning signs, shall be maintained in good repair and functioning properly at all times. Any damage to a sign or its illumination, including the failure of illumination shall be repaired within a maximum of 14 days from the date of damage or failure.

2. A repair to a sign shall be of materials and design of equal or better quality as the original sign.

3. A sign that is not properly maintained and is dilapidated shall be deemed a public nuisance, and may be abated in compliance with the provisions of this Code.

4. When an existing sign is removed or replaced, all brackets, poles, and other supports that are no longer required shall be removed, and, as applicable, all holes patched, textured and painted to match the underlying structures.

• (Ord. 2358 §22)

Each sign shall comply with the sign type, area, height and other restrictions provided by this Section. A. NE and NG. Each sign on properties with the NE or NG designations shall comply with the requirements in Table 6-39.

Table 6-39

Sign Standards for NE and NG

B. NC and CORE. Each sign on property with the designation NC or CORE shall comply with the requirements in the Table 6-40.

(Ord. 2358 §22)

Table 6-40

Sign Standards for NC and CORE

Allowed for display a maximum of 15 days at one time, up to 3 times in a 12-month period. No illumination allowed.

Nonconforming signs shall comply with the requirements of Section 19.74.080 (Nonconforming Signs). (Ord. 2358 §22)