Ordinance 12-013 amends sign regulations CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY
SPOKANE COUNTY,WASHINGTON
ORDINANCE NO. 12-013
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY, SPOKANE COUNTY,
WASHINGTON AMENDING SECTIONS OF SPOKANE VALLEY MUNICIPAL
CODE 22.110 SIGN REGULATIONS,AND OTHER MATTERS RELATED THERETO.
WHEREAS, the City of Spokane Valley (City) adopted Spokane Valley Municipal Code Title 22
(SVMC)pursuant to Ordinance 07-015,on September 25,2007; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 22.110 Sign Regulations of the Municipal Code (SVMC) became effective
October 28, 2007; and
WHEREAS, such regulations and amendments thereto are authorized by RCW 35A.63 and RCW
36.70A; and
WHEREAS, the Council finds that the amendments to Chapter 22.110 Sign Regulations of the SVMC
set forth below are consistent with the goals and policies of the City's Comprehensive Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Council finds the amendments to Chapter 22.110 set forth below maintain the health,
safety, and welfare of the general public; and
WHEREAS, after reviewing the Environmental Checklists, the City issued a Determination of Non-
significance (DNS) for the proposals, published the DNS in the Valley News Herald, posted the DNS at
City Hall, and mailed the DNS to all affected public agencies; and
WHEREAS, the City provided a copy of the proposed amendment to Washington State Department of
Commerce(DOC)initiating a 60-day comment period pursuant to RCW 36.70A.106; and
WHEREAS, SVMC 22.110 as amended, bears a substantial relation to the public health, safety and
welfare and protection of the environment; and
WHEREAS,on January 12, 2012, the Planning Commission reviewed the proposed amendments;and
WHEREAS, On January 26, 2012, the Commission held a public hearing and received evidence,
information,public testimony and a staff report with a recommendation; and
WHEREAS, On February 9, 2012, the Commission continued the public hearing and received evidence,
information, public testimony, a staff report with a recommendation and deliberated;and
WHEREAS,On February 9, 2012,the Commission deliberated and provided a recommendation; and
WHEREAS,On February 23, 2012,the Commission approved the findings and recommendation; and
WHEREAS,on March 27, 2012, Council reviewed the proposed amendments; and
WHEREAS, on April 10, 2012, Council considered a first ordinance reading to adopt the proposed
amendment and found good cause to modify the proposed amendments.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL SPECIFICALLY ORDAINS AS SET FORTH
BELOW:
Ordinance 12-013 Page 1 of 8
Section One: SVMC 22.110 is amended as follows:
22.110.020 Prohibited signs.
The following signs are prohibited:
A. Signs which by coloring, shape,wording or location resemble or conflict with traffic control signs or
devices;
B. Signs that create a safety hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic;
C.Flashing signs;
D.Portable signs; except A-frame signs specifically allowed pursuant to 22,110.050.1.
E. Signs located within the public right-of-way, except official signs and except bus benches placed
pursuant to an agreement with the City;
F. Signs attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property; provided,that
this provision shall not be construed as prohibiting the identification of a business or its product on a
vehicle operating during the normal course of business;
G. Signs obstructing visibility within any clearview triangle as established in Chapter 22.70 SVMC;
H. Billboards except when permitted as provided in SVMC 22.110.130;
1. Off-premises signs,except off-premise directional signs allowed pursuant to section 22.110.040.D;
J. Temporaty signs unless specifically allowed pursuant to SVMC 22.110.050;
K.Abandoned signs and sign structures.(Ord. 07-015 § 4,2007).
22.110.030 Permit required.
A. Other than for those uses listed in subsection B of this section, a sign permit is required for all allowed
permanent signs,temporary signs,unless otherwise specified, and billboards.
B.Permits are not required for on-premises official signs; seasonal decorations;merchandise displays;
point-of-purchase advertising displays;national and state flags; flags of a political subdivision;notice
signs,pennants and streamers without advertising copy; symbolic flags of nonprofit institutions dedicated
to public service; legal notices required by law; barber poles;historic site designations;commemorative
monuments/plaques; gravestones; advertising copy affixed to phone booths; donation and recycling
containers; Iettering or symbols applied directly onto or flush-mounted magnetically to a motor vehicle
operating in the normal course of business; political signs supporting political issues,candidates or ballot
measures; replacement of copy on signs otherwise permitted;name plates with less than four square feet
of copy area; directional signs with less than four square feet of copy area; and murals containing no
copy.
C. Permit applications shall include a site plan that provides the following information:
1. The location of the affected lot,building(s)and sign(s);
2. The scale of the site plan;
Ordinance 12-013 Page 2 of 8
3.A scaled drawing of the proposed sign or sign revision, including size,height, copy, structural
footing details,method of attachment and illumination;
4. The location of all existing signs on the site including size and height;
5.For signs subject to spacing regulations,the location of neighboring signs on adjacent
properties;
6.Approved sign plan,if applicable; and
7.Tax parcel number where proposed sign will be located. (Ord. 09-010 § 1,2009; Ord. 07-015
§ 4,2007).
22.110.040 Number,general regulations for permitted permanent signs.
A.Permitted permanent signs shall comply with the requirements of Table 22.110-1.No more than the
maximum numbers of either freestanding pole signs or monument sign structures are allowed per parcel.
Table 22.110-1—Location,Height and Copy Area Requirements
Maximum
Laud Use Zoning District A: 'oo Z'S .ea Additional Provisions
f%) .�
4 bA et
pin
a. a o
z U U . Uri v a
Att shed Wall S grl_s M ..
� r4�
Multifamily Complex All Zones * * * * * * Y 1 sign up to 20 sq.ft.
Institutional' Residential * * * n/a n/a n/a Y *25%of wall area
Zones
Residential
Single Business 1 n/a 60 n/a n/a n/a Y
All Mixed Use
Nonresidential and * n/a * n/a n/a n/a Y
*25%of wall area per
Nonresidential building
Zones
Freestanding Signs:
Subdivision/Area
Name/Multifamily All Zones 1* 10 32 n/a n/a n/a Y 1 per 200 ft.of street
Complex/Institutional I frontage and 1 for each
additional 200 ft.or fraction
Single Business Neighborhood 1 20 100 n/a n/a 5 Y thereof in non-residential
Multi-Business Business(NC) zones. Additional signs
Complex Zones 1* 20 n/a 100 n/a 5 Y allowed on a multi-business
Ordinance 12-013 Page 3 of 8
Table 22.110-1—Location,Height and Copy Area Requirements
Maximum
a
,
Land Use Zoning District c c d Additional Provisions
W rf
4ao ,
E A as r m E
ac
Z pq U U F; U in p�
Single Business Mixed Use and 1* 30 n/a 100 200 5 y complex site may all be
'Nonresidential free-standing; additional
Multi-Business Zones(except
signs allowed on a single
Complex NC) ( p 1* 40 250 n/a n/a 5 Y business parcel shall be
monument signs
Nonresidential All
Freeway* Nonresidential 1 50 250 n/a n/a 5 Y *Adjacent to I-90 only
Zones
onument igns= r
r- .
Subdivision/Area
Name/Multifamily All Zones 1 10 32 n/a n/a Y
Complex/Institutional
*Per street frontage
Single Business Neighborhood 1* 7 75 n/a n/a 5 Y
Multi-Business Business(NC)
Complex Zones 2* 7 90 n/a ii/a 5 Y
Single Business All Mixed Use 2* 7 90 n/a n/a 5 Y
and *Per street frontage
Multi-Business Nonresidential 2* 7 150 Ilia n/a 5 Y
Complex Zones
ther igns _.fe. . ,
Directional All Zones n/a n/a 4 n/a n/a n/a N
Name Plates All Zones 1 n/a 4 n/a n/a n/a N
1 Institutional includes nonprofit,religious or public uses,such as a church,library,public or pr private
school,hospital,or government owned or operated building,structure,or land used for public purposes
Page 4 of 8
Ordinance 12-013
B, In addition to the permanent signs allowed pursuant to Table 22.110-1, a single decorative
emblem (or standard) constructed of durable vinyl with a thickness of not less than 13 mis for
every 50 feet of frontage shall be allowed. The lowest horizontal member of the bracket shall be
located at a height of not less than seven feet above the adjacent grade.
C. Where three or more single businesses agree to share a single sign structure, an additional 20
percent of copy area shall be allowed up to a maximum of 250 square feet. (Ord. 09-010 § 1,
2009; Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).
D. Off-Premises Directional Signs. It is the intent of this section to allow the limited placement
of off-premises directional signs by co-locating on an existing conforming monument sign,
freestanding sign, or building wall. The business locating on an existing sign must conform to
the following criteria:
1. The business must be located on a private easement or local access street;
2. The business and proposed sign must be located in a commercial, office or mixed zone area;
3. Text shall be limited to the business name, logo, and a directional arrow and may include
certain advancing language as "next right";
4. The sign must be located on the nearest collector or arterial. If a business has double
frontage, staff will review this unique situation to determine if two directional signs are
warranted;
5. Sign area is limited to fifteen square feet; this shall not be construed to allow the on-
premises sign to increase its sign area; and
6, If the business using an off-premises directional sign leaves its location, the business must
remove the sign within sixty days.
7. If the site has no existing signage or buildings, then a freestanding sign meeting the
requirements above may be allowed.
22.110.050 Permitted temporary signs.
Except as otherwise described under this section, no permit is necessary for temporary signs.
Temporary signs are not allowed to continually advertise goods, services or events on a site;
permanent signs shall be used for that purpose.
A. A temporary sign advertising a special event, sale, promotion, opening of a new business or
opening of a business under new management may be displayed and must be removed at end of
use, event or condition.
B. Number of Temporary Signs—No more than one(1) such sign shall be allowed at any one
time for a use, except as permitted below.
C. Signage shall be limited to 32 square feet in size.
D. All temporary signs must be made of durable materials and shall be well maintained. Signs
are not well maintained if they are frayed, torn, or broken, or the legibility thereof has materially
deteriorated. Unmaintained signs will be required to be removed.
E. Banner signs must be attached to the façade, wall or window of the building which includes
the business which they advertise;
Ordinance 12-013 Page 5 of 8
li
F. Additional banners or temporary signs advertising a special event, sale,promotion, opening
of a new business or a business under new management are allowed by temporary permit for a
period of time not to exceed sixty days a maximum of two times in any calendar year.
G. Pennants, balloons, and streamers may be displayed in conjunction with the special event
signage allowed in section F above, but must be removed at the conclusion of the event or
within sixty consecutive days.
H. Temporary signs shall not endanger the public safety and shall be removed or relocated if
the building official determines that a sign is unsafe.
I. A-frame Signs: Business will be allowed a maximum of one sandwich board or A-frame
sign. These signs are in addition to other temporary signs allowed through sections A—H,and
are subject to the following conditions:
1. 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.
2. Maintenance Standards: Signs shall be constructed out of materials able to withstand
extreme weather conditions. Such materials may be metal, finished wood, chalkboard,
whiteboard or plastic. Signs and copy should be of professional quality. Permanent lettering
for the business name and logo are required on the Sandwich boards. Owners of sandwich
board signs shall be required to keep their signs in an intact, reasonably legible, and well
maintained manner. Sandwich boards are not well maintained if any part thereof is broken;
letters or graphics are completely or partially missing or obstructed; or the legibility thereof
has materially deteriorated.
3. 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 lighted area.
This shall not be construed to allow the wiring of a sign for lighting.
4. Location: Signs shall not be placed in a location which is within the clearview triangle, as
defined in section 22.070.020.C, or any other 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.
J. Temporary on-premises commercial signs are allowed without permit when posted in
conjunction with the alteration, construction, sale or lease of real property. Such signs shall not
exceed 16 square feet in copy area or seven feet in height. All such signs shall be affixed to
either the ground or a permanent structure by rope, wire, or a mechanical device
K. Open House/Directional Signage - A-frame signs may be used as open house/directional
signs and shall be allowed on each access street to the property. Signs shall be placed so as not
to interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic, shall be used only when the property is open for
inspection, shall be unlit, and shall be limited in size to 5 square feet and limited in height to 3
feet above grade. (Ord. 07-015 § 4, 2007).
Ordinance 12-013 Page 6 of 8
22.110.060 General provisions applicable to all signs.
A. All signs illuminated with exterior lighting shall have lighting confined to the sign, and
positioned and shielded to minimize impacts to the surrounding area(s). Gooseneck reflectors
and lights are permitted on permanent freestanding and wall signs; provided,that lighting or
glare does not extend beyond the property line.
B. Electronic signs shall be permitted on the same basis as other signs, subject to the
requirements of Table 22.110-1. All electronic message center's (EMC's) are required to have
automatic dimming capability that adjusts the brightness to the ambient light at all times of the
day and night. Written documentation that the EMC is equipped with the automatic dimming
device shall be submitted with the sign permit application.
C. A roof-mounted sign may be substituted for an allowed freestanding sign;provided, that the
height of the sign structure may not exceed the maximum height requirements of the zoning
district in which the sign is located.
D. Signs located within the airport hazard area shall conform to the location and height
regulations set forth in SVMC 19.110.030, Airport Hazard Overlay zone,
E.No sign shall be erected, relocated or maintained in a manner that prevents the free ingress or
egress from any door, window or fire escape.
F. No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape except official signs.
G. Any sign erected or maintained within five feet of public rights-of-way shall be smooth and
free of nails, tacks and wires.
H, All signs shall be maintained in good repair pursuant to SVMC 22.110.110.
I. No sign shall block the view of fire protection equipment from approach. (Ord. 07-015 § 4,
2007).
Section Two: All other provisions of SVMC 22.110 not specifically referenced hereto shall
remain in full force and effect.
Section Three: Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance
should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other
section, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance.
Section Four: Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect five (5) days
after the publication of the Ordinance, or a summary thereof, occurs in the official newspaper of
the City as provided by law.
Ordinance 12-013 Page 7 of 8
Passed by the City Council this 24th day of April, 2012.
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Ma`yor, Thomas E. Towey ---k-._
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City Clerk, Christine Bainbridg:' —..
Approved as to Form:
C7-.Y..1,--A P /6,A),/,
Office of t i.e City Attorney
Date of Publication: 5- `/ - () ,
Effective Date: ' - ,261/1,
Ordhiance 12-013 Page 8 of 8