City of Spokane - Municipal Code

Title 17C Land Use Standards

Chapter 17C.240 Signs

Section 17C.240.240 Additional Standards in All Zones

Where These Regulations Apply.
These regulations apply to all signs regulated by this chapter.
Sign Placement.
All signs and sign structures must be erected and attached totally within the site except when allowed to extend into the right-of-way by this chapter.
Signs Extending Into the Right-of-way.
The standards of this subsection apply to permanent signs that are erected on private property and that extend into the right-of-way and temporary signs that are in the right-of-way.
1. Projecting Signs.
  Projecting signs that extend into the right-of-way must meet the following standards:
  1. Distance Into the Right-of-way.
    1. Where allowed, signs may extend into the right-of-way not more than ten feet or within two feet of the curbline, whichever is the smaller projection.
    2. Diagonal corner signs may extend into the right-of-way to a point that is determined by extending a line from the maximum points allowed for projecting signs on each street frontage (See Figure 9).
  2. Maximum Sign Face Area In the Right-of-way.
    The area of a sign is limited by the amount the sign extends into the right-of-way, as follows:
    1. A sign extending more than six feet cannot have a total area of projection in excess of sixty square feet; and
    2. A sign extending less than six feet may not exceed one hundred square feet in area.
  3. Blanketing.
    A projecting sign that extends into the right-of-way more than three feet may not be within twenty feet of another projecting or freestanding sign that extends more than three feet into the right-of-way if the new sign is within horizontal lines drawn from the top and bottom of the prior sign.
2. Awnings and Marquees.
  Awnings and marquees that contain signs may extend into the right-of-way the same distance as awnings and marquees that do not contain signs (See SMC 17F.040.140, Awnings).
3. Temporary Signs.
  Temporary signs allowed to be placed in the right-of-way in SMC 17C.240.240(G) shall meet the following standards:
  1. The sign is entirely outside the roadway.
  2. The sign is no larger than nine square feet in size. The sign face is no wider than three feet and no taller than thirty-six inches.
  3. The sign is entirely outside of the area of a right-of-way corner that is between the curb and the lines created by extending the property line to the curb face (See Figure 10a).
  4. The sign is entirely outside the area of a sidewalk that is between the lines created by extending the edges of any curb ramp across the sidewalk to the property line.
  5. The sign is within six inches of the curb (See Figure 10b).
  6. The sign does not obstruct a continuous through pedestrian zone of at least six feet in width except in center and corridor zones, sandwich board signs which are located on the sidewalk shall be located in such a manner as to leave a pathway at least four feet wide that is free of obstructions.
  7. The sign does not obstruct pedestrian and wheelchair access from the sidewalk to any of the following:
    1. Transit stop areas.
    2. Designated disabled parking spaces.
    3. Disabled access ramps; or
    4. Building exits including fire escapes.
  8. Physical Attachment to Public Property.
    Except as allowed for community banners, temporary signs placed in the right-of-way must remain portable and may not be attached or anchored in any way to trees or to public property including utility or light poles, parking meters, the ground, or pavement.
  9. Additional Placement Standards for Temporary Signs.
    Temporary signs placed in the right-of-way must meet the following additional standards:
    1. Where no curb exists, the sign must be placed outside the roadway at least five feet from the edge of the roadway. Temporary signs may not be placed in medians, traffic islands, or other areas within the roadway.
    2. Temporary signs must not be placed in parking spaces, pedestrian pathways, or bicycle paths.
4. Removal of Signs.
  The city engineer may require signs extending into the right-of-way to be modified or moved if streets are widened, or other improvements made in the right-of-way, which result in the creation of unsafe conditions. The modification or moving will be at the owner’s expense. If a nonconforming sign is moved under this requirement, it may be re-erected on the site without being brought into conformance.
Signs Attached to Buildings or Structures.
1. Placement.
  Signs attached to buildings or structures that are based on the sign rights of a primary building wall may be placed on that primary building wall, on a secondary building wall, or on another structure. They may not be placed on another primary building wall.
2. Awnings and Marquees.
  Signs attached to an awning or marquee that extends into the right-of-way must comply with the pedestrian clearance and right-of-way extension standards of SMC 17F.040.140, Awnings.
3. Fascia Signs.
  1. Vertical Extensions.
    Fascia signs may not extend more than six inches above the top of the building wall. Fascia signs attached to other structures may not extend above the top of the structure.
  2. Horizontal Extensions.
    A fascia sign may not extend more than eighteen inches out from the wall or structure to which it is attached. Fascia signs may not extend beyond the corner of buildings or other structures.
4. Pitched Roof Signs.
  1. Vertical Extensions.
    The face of pitched roof signs may not extend more than six inches above the roofline.
  2. Placement and Angle.
    Pitched roof signs must be parallel to the building face. They may not extend beyond the building wall (See Figure 11).
5. Projecting Signs.
  1. Vertical extensions.
    The face of a projecting sign may not extend more than six inches above the roof line.
  2. Placement.
    Projecting signs that extend over the right-of-way must meet the placement standards of SMC 17C.240.240(C), Signs, extending into the right-of-way.
Freestanding signs and monument signs.
1. Setbacks.
  Freestanding signs are regulated as follows:
  1. Residential Zones.
    1. In residential zones, freestanding signs are allowed in required setbacks; however, in required front setbacks, monument signs exceeding three and one-half feet tall shall be setback ten feet from the front property line, provided that the requirements of SMC 17C.240.240(F) are met.
    2. Freestanding signs with structural supports less than two feet in width, with copy area placed at a height of seven feet or more above grade, may be located at the front property line, provided that the requirements of SMC 17C.240.240(F) are met.
    3. Freestanding signs with structural supports of more than two feet shall be set back not less than ten feet from the front property line, provided that the requirements of SMC 17C.240.240(F) are met.
  2. Commercial and Industrial Zones.
    In O, OR, NR, NMU, CB, CC-2, GC, LI, and HI zones, freestanding signs are allowed in required setbacks for buildings and parking areas. However, freestanding signs are prohibited in the setback between a property line abutting a residentially zoned site and the building line or parking area setback line.
2. Frontages.
  Freestanding signs must be placed on arterial street frontages unless there are none. Freestanding signs that are allowed based on the length of one arterial street frontage may not be placed on another arterial street frontage. Frontage on a freeway is not considered arterial street frontage.
3. Extensions Into the Right-of-way.
  Freestanding signs may project into the public right-of-way as follows:
  1. No more than ten feet beyond the property line; or
  2. Within two feet of the curbline, whichever is the smaller projection.
  3. The area of a sign is limited by the amount of projection beyond the property line, as follows:
    1. A sign projecting more than six feet cannot have a total area of projection in excess of sixty square feet; and
    2. A sign projecting less than six feet may not exceed one hundred square feet in area.
  4. All supports of a freestanding sign must be on private property.
Clearances.
1. Vision Clearance Areas.
  1. Vision Clearance Areas.
    Vision clearance areas are triangular-shaped areas located at the intersection of any combination of rights-of-way, alleys, or driveways. The sides of the triangle extend fifteen feet from the intersection of the vehicle travel areas (See Figures 12a and b). The height of the vision clearance area is from thirty-six inches above the ground to ten feet above the ground immediately below the sign or awning (See Figure 12c).
  2. Signs in Vision Clearance Areas.
    Signs may not be located within a vision clearance area as defined in this paragraph. Support structures for a sign may only be located in a vision clearance area if the combined total width is twelve inches or less and the combined total depth is twelve inches or less.
2. Vehicle Area Clearances.
  In areas outside of rights-of-way, when a sign or awning extends over where vehicles travel or are parked, the bottom of the structure must be at least fourteen feet above the ground. Vehicle areas include driveways, alleys, parking areas, and loading and maneuvering areas.
3. Pedestrian Area Clearances.
  When a sign or awning extends over a sidewalk, walkway, or other space used by pedestrians, the bottom of the structure must be at least eight feet above the ground. Free-hanging valances made of fabric or other non-rigid material hung on signs, awnings, and marquees must be at least seven feet above of a sidewalk, walkway, or other space used by pedestrians.
4. Clearances from Fire Escapes, Means of Egress, or Standpipes.
  Signs, sign structures, and awnings are prohibited from being erected in any manner that interferes in any way with the free use of any fire escape, means of egress, or standpipe. Attaching signs, sign structures, or awnings to a fire escape is prohibited.
5. Obstruction of Windows and Ventilation.
  Signs, sign structures and awnings are prohibited from being installed in any way that obstructs any building openings to such an extent that light, ventilation, or exhaust are reduced to a level below that required by the building code.
6. Access to Signs.
  Access clear of all obstructions must be provided to all signs.
Temporary Signs.
The following signs are classified as temporary (non-permanent). Temporary signs are permitted subject to the applicable limitations.
1. Construction Signs.
  No sign permit is required. Such signs may be placed on the property on which construction is occurring upon private property only and may be displayed only after a building permit is obtained and during the period of construction on the construction site. The applicable limits are as follows:
  1. In all zones other than single family residential zones, no construction sign shall exceed thirty two square feet in sign area or ten feet in height.
  2. In single family residential zones, no construction sign shall exceed fifteen square feet in sign area.
2. Grand Opening Displays.
  No sign permit is required. Such signs may be placed upon the premises of the business only. Such temporary signs, posters, banners, strings of lights, clusters of flags, balloons, or other air or gas filled figures, and searchlights are permitted for a period of thirty days only to announce the opening of a completely new business. All such materials shall be removed immediately upon the expiration of seven days after the event’s conclusion. Such displays are permitted only in districts where the business so advertised is allowed under district zoning regulations. Searchlights may be permitted by any business provided the beam of light does not flash against any building or does not sweep an arc of forty-five percent from vertical. All banners must be legible, made of durable materials, and must be well maintained.
3. Special Event Signs.
  No sign permit is required. Such temporary signs may be placed upon the premises of the business only and shall not be larger than twenty square feet. Said signs shall not be posted or attached to telephone poles, power poles, or other public utility facilities. Such signs may be displayed thirty days prior to an event and must be removed within seven days after the event's conclusion. The event committee for which the sign is displayed shall be responsible for its removal and subject to the penalties as provided in this code. Searchlights may be permitted by any business provided the beam of light does not flash against any building or does not sweep an arc of forty-five percent from vertical. All banners must be legible, made of durable materials, and must be well maintained.
4. Balloon Signs.
  No sign permit is required. Such signs may be placed upon the premises of the business only. One balloon sign is allowed per site for a maximum of one month at a showing twice per calendar year in the commercial and industrial zones. Temporary balloon signs may be located on a building rooftop. The vertical dimension of the balloon may not exceed twenty-five feet.
5. Real Estate Signs.
  No sign permit is required. Such signs may be placed upon private property only. All exterior real estate signs must be of wood or plastic or other durable material. The permitted signs, with applicable limits, are as follows:
  1. Residential "For Sale," “For Rent,” and "Sold" Signs.
    Such signs shall be limited to one sign per street frontage not to exceed five square feet in sign area, placed wholly on the property for sale or rent, and not to exceed a height of seven feet.
  2. Residential "Open House" Signs.
    Such signs shall be limited to one sign per street frontage on the premises for sale and up to ten off premises signs spaced not closer than two hundred feet. Such signs are permitted only during daylight hours and when the real estate professional or seller or an agent is in attendance at the property for sale. No such sign shall exceed five square feet in sign area.
  3. Undeveloped Commercial and Industrial Property "For Sale or Rent" Signs.
    One sign per street frontage advertising undeveloped commercial and industrial property for sale or rent. The sign shall not exceed thirty-two square feet in sign area and ten feet in height.
  4. Developed Commercial and Industrial Property "For Sale or Rent" Signs.
    One sign per street frontage advertising a commercial or industrial building for rent or sale is permitted while the building is actually for rent or sale. If one face of the building is less than ten feet from the building line, the sign shall be placed on the building or in a window. The sign shall not exceed ten feet in height and, if free standing, shall be located more than fifteen feet from any abutting property line or a public right of way line. Said sign shall not exceed thirty two square feet in sign area.
  5. Undeveloped Residential Property "For Sale" Signs.
    One sign per street frontage advertising undeveloped residential property for sale is permitted not exceeding thirty two square feet in sign area. The sign must be placed more than thirty feet from the abutting owner's property line and may not exceed a height of ten feet.
  6. Subdivisions approved after the effective date of this chapter are permitted one cluster of flagpoles (not to exceed five flagpoles) in front of sales offices to advertise the new development.
6. Political Campaign Signs.
  All signs which are relating to promoting or publicizing the nomination or election of any individual for a public political office to be voted on in any general or special election or advocating any measure to be voted on in any general or special election, hereinafter referred to as political campaign signs, shall be subject to the following regulations:
  1. Size of Signs.
    Political campaign signs located in a residential zone shall be limited to a maximum surface area of sixteen square feet. Political campaign signs located in zones other than residential zones shall be limited to a maximum surface area of thirty-two square feet. The maximum square footage shall be based upon one side of the sign. Signs may be two-sided.
  2. Signs on Private Property.
    No political campaign signs shall be erected upon any private property without the permission of the property owner, resident, or respective agent. In cases of vacant property, or where there is no occupied structure on the property, no political sign shall be placed thereon without the written consent of the property owner or his agent.
  3. Political Campaign Signs on the Public Right-of-way.
    Political campaign signs may be posted within traditional public forums located on improved public right-of-way only if the signs do not create a traffic obstruction or hazard or impair or impede pedestrian thoroughfares and comply with all requirements of this section. Political campaign signs located in the public right-of-way shall only be attached to a self-supporting wood stick(s), metal post, or other such devices, shall not be attached to any other structures and shall not be erected in any manner which would damage the surface infrastructure in which the sign is located. Placement of political campaign signs on the improved public right-of-way adjacent to private property shall be subject to all existing private property ownership rights.
  4. Unauthorized Signs.
    Unauthorized signs of any nature located either on City-owned property, whether occupied or vacant, that is beyond the public right-of-way or on any portion of park property under the jurisdiction of the park board is prohibited and shall be immediately removed.
  5. Removal of Signs.
    1. Political campaign signs on either public or private property shall not be displayed after the date the election results have been certified for the election for which it was intended. In cases where a general election follows a primary election, those signs for candidates whose names will appear on the ballot in the general election may be displayed during the interim period and up to the date the general election results are certified. In all instances herein in which political campaign signs are required to be removed, or if the signs have become detached from their support device or damaged, it shall be the responsibility of the property owner or occupant, if the sign is located on private property, or the respective candidate, if the sign is located on the public right-of-way, to have the signs removed.
    2. Failure to remove political campaign signs located on the public right-of-way shall result in a one-time sign removal fee of twenty-five dollars per sign under fifteen square feet and fifty dollars for signs over fifteen square feet being assessed against the respective responsible campaign official. For the purpose of recovering the costs of removal there is a rebuttable presumption that the candidate seeking office or the sponsor of a measure is the responsible campaign official who is responsible for the placement of a political campaign sign in the public right-of-way. Removal of signs located in the public right-of-way shall be under the direction of the director of public works and utilities or his or her designee.
    3. Failure to remove political campaign signs located on private property shall result in a civil infraction assessed pursuant to SMC 1.05.160 against the property owner or occupant for each sign. Each day shall be a separate violation. A notice to remove the sign shall be issued by the code enforcement department to the property owner and/or occupant prior to the issuance of a civil infraction pursuant to SMC 1.05.040.
    4. The sign removal fee may be appealed to the hearing examiner within ten days of a letter assessing the fee. A civil infraction may be contested in the municipal court.
  6. Signs Related to Constitutionally Protected Free Speech.
    Signs expressing constitutionally protected free speech unrelated to promoting or publicizing the nomination or election of any individual for a public political office or advocating any measure to be voted on in any general or special election shall not be subject to the time period for the removal of political campaign signs, but shall otherwise be subject to all other provisions of this section.
  7. Public Notice.
    Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or modify the requirements for placement of public notices required by law.
  8. Exemption.
    Nothing in this chapter shall limit the promotion or publication of a political message by other means lawfully permitted under the City’s sign code, chapter 17C.240 SMC.
  9. Permit or Permit Fees.
    There shall be no permit or fee requirement for political campaign signs erected under this section unless the sign is attached to a sign structure permitted under other provisions of the sign code that requires a permit and fee.
7. Community Banners.
  Such signs may be permitted and extend into the public right-of-way by permission of the city administrator or appointed representative. Such signs may only be placed at City-designated locations provided that the banner:
  1. is not commercial advertising but, rather, has as its principal purpose the promotion of a civic event, public service announcement, holiday decoration, or similar community interests;
  2. has been approved by the arts commission;
  3. complies with all applicable codes; and
  4. does not, in the judgment of the street director, present a traffic hazard.
8. Banners.
  See SMC 17C.240.240(G)(2) for grand opening displays and SMC 17C.240.240(G)(3) for special event signs.
9. Sandwich Board Signs.
  Businesses will only be allowed a maximum of one sandwich board sign. These signs are subject to the following conditions:
  1. Notification.
    Notification to the City is required prior to displaying a sandwich board sign. This notification shall include acknowledgement of the sandwich board sign requirements, list of materials used, and rendering of the sign, including the dimensions.
  2. Size.
    The area of the sign shall not exceed nine square feet per side in size and shall not exceed three feet in any dimension.
  3. Maintenance Standards.
    Signs shall be constructed out of materials able to withstand typical northwest weather. Such materials may be metal, finished wood, chalkboard, whiteboard, or plastic; signs and copy shall be of professional quality. Owners of sandwich board signs shall be required to keep their signs in a legible, intact, and well-maintained manner.
  4. Display Time.
    Signs may only be displayed during business hours. If business hours continue past daylight hours, precautions should be taken to place the sign in a location where it is readily visible after dark. This shall not be construed to allow the wiring of a sign for lighting.
  5. Location.
    Signs may be located no further than twelve feet from the entrance to the business. Such signs shall not be placed in a location which is within the vision triangle or any location which will impede vehicular traffic. Further, such signs shall not be placed in a manner which will block or otherwise obstruct the safe use of sidewalks, building entrances or stairs by pedestrians, including pedestrians who are visually impaired or otherwise handicapped.
10. Garage Sale (Yard Sales, Moving Sales, Patio Sales).
  No sign permit is required. Such sign shall be limited to one sign on the premises and ten off premises signs. No such sign shall exceed four square feet in sign area. Signs shall not be posted or attached to telephone poles, power poles or other public utility facilities. The sign or signs may be displayed only during the sale and must be removed the day the sale ends. The person or persons for which the sign or signs are displayed shall be responsible for its removal and subject to the penalties as provided in this code.
11. Seasonal Sales.
  No sign permit is required. Such temporary signs may be placed upon private property only. Vendors who receive a license as defined in chapter 8.01 SMC for seasonal or temporary sales activities (e.g. Christmas trees) are permitted one sign not to exceed twenty square feet in sign area. This sign shall be mounted to the booth or trailer used for temporary sales.
Directional Signs.
1. General Standards.
  Directional signs that meet the standards of this subsection are allowed in all zones and are not counted in the total square footage of permanent signage allowed on the site. Adjustments or modifications to the standards of this subsection are prohibited.
2. Size.
  Freestanding directional signs may be up to six square feet in area and forty two inches in height. Fascia directional signs may be up to six square feet in area and eight feet in height.
3. Sign Features.
  Direct, internal or indirect lighting is allowed. Extensions into the right-of-way are prohibited.
4. Directional Signs that Do Not Meet the Standards of this Subsection.
  Directional signs that do not meet the standards of this subsection must meet either the standards for signs attached to buildings or the standards for freestanding signs.
Permanent Banners.
1. General.
  Banners used as permanent signs are allowed in all zones and will be included in the total square footage of permanent signage allowed on the site. Temporary banners are regulated under subsection (G) above.
2. Standards.
  Permanent banners are subject to the standards for either fascia signs or projecting signs depending on how the banner is supported or anchored.
Electronic Message Center Signs.
Electronic message center signs are permitted subject to the limitations in Table 17C.240-4.

Table 17C.240-4 (See Linked Document)

Date Passed: Monday, June 22, 2009

Effective Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2009

ORD C34390 Section 1