Title 17C Land Use Standards

Chapter 17C.240 Signs

The following signs do not require a sign permit (unless noted), nor shall the area and number of such signs be included in the area and number of signs permitted for any site or use. This shall not be construed as relieving the owner of the sign from the responsibility of its erection and maintenance and its compliance with the provisions of this chapter or any other law or ordinance.

1. The flag, emblem, or insignia of a nation or other governmental unit or nonprofit organization subject to the guidelines concerning their use set forth by the government or organization which they represent. Flagpoles require a sign permit for structural review.
    
2. Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, stained glass windows, and dates of erection when cut into the surface or the facade of the building or when projecting not more than two inches.
    
3. Traffic or other municipal signs, signs required by law or emergency, railroad crossing signs, legal notices, and any temporary signs as are authorized under policy approved by the city council.|
    
4. Signs of public utility companies indicating danger or which serve as an aid to public safety or which show the location of underground facilities or of public telephones.
    
5. Flush-mounted wall signs, used to identify the name and address of the occupant for each dwelling provided the sign does not exceed two square feet in sign area.
    
6. Signs located in the interior of any building or within an enclosed lobby or court of any building or group of buildings, which signs are designed and located to be viewed exclusively by patrons of such use or uses.
    
7. Decorations, such signs in the nature of a decoration, clearly incidental and customary and commonly associated with any national, local or religious holiday.
    
8. Painting, repainting, or cleaning of an advertising structure or the changing of the advertising copy of message thereon shall not be considered an erection or alteration which requires a sign permit unless a structural change is made.
    
9. Sculptures, fountains, mosaics, murals, and design features which do not incorporate advertising or identification.
    
10. "No trespassing," "no dumping," "no parking," "private" signs identifying essential public needs (i.e., restrooms, entrance, exit, telephone, etc.) and other informational warning signs, which shall not exceed three square feet in surface area.
     
11. Directional signs erected by the City on arterial streets directing the public to public, civic, or nonprofit facilities. Such signs shall be erected at the discretion of the director of public works and shall be subject to City design guidelines. In addition, with the approval of the design review board, the director of public works may allow the erection of directional signs as are necessary to designate commercial areas or significant tourist sites within the City.
     
12. Publicly approved non-illuminated interpretive signs, or historical signs, or tablets displayed by a public, educational non-profit agency, or private development pursuant to SMC 17E.060.830 and SMC 17E.060.840, strictly for the purpose of informing or educating the public.
     
13. Illuminated wall highlights.

Date Passed: Monday, December 14, 2009

Effective Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Ordinance C34530 Section 18