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Ordinance 05-016 Establishes SVMC 10.07 Sign Regulations CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY SPOKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTON ORDINANCE NO.05-016 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SPOKANE VALLEY, SPOKANE COUNTY, WASHINGTON, ESTABLISHING SECTION 10.07.09 SiGN REGULATIONS OF THE SPOKANE VALLEY UNIFORM DEVELOPMENT CODE, REPEALING ARTICLE V SIGNAGE STANDARDS SECTION 14.804 ET SEQ. OF THE SPOKANE VALLEY MUNICIPAL CODE, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILiTY AND EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City of Spokane Valley Ordinance No. 03-053 adopted the Spokane County Zoning Code as Interim Development Regulations pursuant to the requirements of RCW Chap. 36.70A; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan Goal Goal U1_,.5 "provide for an aesthetically pleasing urban environment and encourage the maintenance and enhancement of natural and cultural views"; and WHEREAS, Policy UL.5.5 is to "[elstablish standards for the scale and intensity of commercial signs that protect views and minimize signage clutter while still allowing adequate business identification"; and WHEREAS,a public hearing was held before the Spokane Valley Planning Commission to provide the opportunity for public comment on the proposed regulations; and W}WREAS, the proposed development regulations must be submitted to the Washington Department of Community Trade and Economic Development pursuant to WAC 365-195-620; NOW, THEREFORE; the City Council of the City of Spokane Valley, Washington, ordains as follows: Section 1. Section 10.07.06 of the Spokane Valley Uniform Development Code is hereby established to read as follows: • "Section 10.07.09 Sign Regulations Section 1.0.07.09.01 Purpose,Intent and Scope Signage regulations are intended to promote commerce, traffic safety and community identity while improving the visual environment of residential, commercial and industrial areas. Signs are classified as off- premises signs or on-premises signs. On-premises signs may be attached (wall)signs or free-standing signs. Signs may be classified as permanent or temporary. Section 10.07.09.02 Definitions • Abandoned - a sign that advertises a product or service no longer available or a business no longer in operation; a sign which is illegible, non functional, in disrepair, or hazardous as a result of lack of maintenance; a nonconforming sign structure that has lost legal status as a result of abandonment or lack of use. • Billboard: A structure for the purpose of leasing advertising space to promote an interest other than that of an individual, business, product or service available on the premises on which the billboard is located. • Building Sign: An extension of a building (e.g. awning, canopy, marquee), whether permanent or temporary, which contains copy. Ordinance 05-016 Sign regulations amendment Page I of I I • • Bulletin Board: See Reader Board. • Code Enforcement Officer: The authorized respresentative of the City of Spokane Valley with responsibility for code compliance. • Copy: letters, characters, illustrations, logos, graphics, symbols, writing or any combination thereof, designed to communicate information of any kind, or to advertise, announce or identify a person, entity, business, business product, or to advertise the sale, rental or lease of premises. • Copy Area: the area of the sign containing any copy, symbol,sign, logo or graphic. • Directional Sign: Any sign relating solely to internal pedestrian and vehicular traffic circulation within a complex or project. • Electronic Sign: A sign that can be changed by electrical, electronic or computerized process; inclusive of video boards. • Flashing Sign: An electrical sign or portion thereof which changes light intensity in a brief, brilliant, or sudden and transient outburst of light causing a steady on and off; glittering, sparkling, or oscillating pattern. • Freestanding Sign: A permanent sign not attached to or forming part of a building. • Freeway Sign — A permanent free-standing on-premises sign or billboard located on a parcel adjacent and contiguous to Interstate Highway 90. • Inflatable Sign: Any temporary hollow item or character expanded or enlarged by the use of air or gas. • Menu Board: An on-site display of menu items at a restaurant; not meant to be viewed from the street. • Monument Sign: A sign and supporting structure constructed as a solid structure or one that gives the appearance of a continuous, non-hollow, unbroken mass. • Multi-Business Complex Sign: a sign with a primary facility name and a list of the individual stores or businesses mounted on one structural element. Such a sign type includes signage describing a mall arrangement, a strip-center development, an industrial park complex, or a multi-business structure or complex of buildings with a unifying name and a listing of businesses contained within the grouping. • Mural: A work of art applied directly to a wall, ceiling, or floor surface where forms and/or figures are the dominant elements and not intended for commercial advertising. Any form of wording or logo shall be of secondary nature to a mural. • Name Plate—a sign showing only the name and address of the owner or occupant of the premises. • Non-conforming Sign: Any sign which was lawfully erected and maintained on private property which now, as a result of code amendments, does not conform to all applicable regulations and restrictions of this chapter. • Notice Sign: A sign intended to safeguard the premises (e.g. "No Parking", "No "trespassing", "Watch Dog on Duty"); or which identifies emergency telephone number, hours, and security information. • Obsolete Sign Structure: A sign support structure not removed within thirty-six months by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located when the advertised business is no longer conducted on the premises. Ordinance 05-016 Sign regulations amendment Page 2 of 1 • Official Sign - a sign erected by a governmental agency within its territorial jurisdiction for the purpose of carrying out any official duty or responsibility authorized by the City Counciland including, but not limited to, traffic signs and signals, zoning signs, and street signs. Directional signs, special lighting or banners celebrating seasonal or civic events sponsored and/or endorsed by the City Council are Official signs. • Off-Premise Sign: a sign displaying copy that pertains to a business, person, organization, activity, event, place, service, or product not principally located or primarily manufactured or sold on the premises on which the sign is located. • On-Premise Sign: a sign which advertises or directs attention to a business, person, organization, activity, event, place, service, or product which is manufactured and/or available on the premises where the sign is located. • Portable Sign: A sign not permanently attached or affixed to the ground or other permanent structure, or a sign designed to be transported or moved from place to place, including, but not limited to signs designed to be transported by means of wheels. • Reader Board: A sign face consisting of tracks to hold readily changeable letters allowing frequent changes of copy. • Roof Sign: A sign supported by and erected on or above a roof. • Sign Area -the gross surface area of the sign, including a single surface of a sign with messages on both sides, the sum of all surfaces where two or more signs share a single structure, the gross surface area of both faces of a V-shaped sign; and the copy area of a monument sign. En the case of an irregularly shaped sign, the sign area is calculated by enclosing the extreme limits of the sign by no more than four (4) rectangles. The sum of the area of the rectangles shall be the gross surface area. The maximum allowable area is reduced by 10% for the second and each subsequent rectangle used in the calculation. • Support Structure(s): Posts or columns and the anchors and bolts that structurally support the sign attached to it. • Temporary Sign: A sign which is to be removed within a specific period of time or upon the occurrence of a specified event meeting the height and area requirements of Table 7.02; inclusive of intlatablcs. • Three-Sided Sign: A sign with three faces. • Two-Sided Sign: A sign with two faces. • Use(s)—General use categories or specific uses within categories as follows. o Institutional Semi-Public include a churches, public park, multiple-family dwelling, dormitory, fraternity, sorority, nursing home, retirement apartment, public building, child day-care center, family day-care provider, nonprofit community hall or lodge, animal clinic, cemetery or sanitarium. o institutional -Public include a school (kindergarten through university), hospital, police station, fire station, post office or public golf course. o Office-include a business or professional office. o Commercial - include permitted commercial uses other than home industry, home profession, and those listed above. Ordinance 05-016 Sign regulations"amendment Page 3 of 11 • • o Industrial—include permitted industrial uses. • Video Board: See Electronic Sign. • Wall Area—the two dimensional respresentation of a building elevation, including windows and doors, excluding eaves. • Wall Sign - A permanent sign attached or erected parallel to and extending not more than fifteen (15) inches from the facade or face of any building to which it is attached and supported throughout its entire length, with the exposed face of the sign parallel to the plane of said wall or facade. Signs incorporated into mansard roofs, marquees or canopies are wall signs. Section 10.07.09.02 Prohibited Signs The following signs are prohibited: 1. Signs which by coloring, shape, wording or location resemble or conflict with traffic control signs or devices. 2. Signs that create a safety hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic. 3. Flashing signs. 4. Portable signs 5. Signs located within the public right-of-way, except official signs. 6. 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 firm or its product on a vehicle operating during the normal course of business. 7. Signs obstructing visibility within any Clearview Triangle as established in Section 10.07.06 of this Code. S. Billboards. • 9. Off-premises signs. Section 10.07.09.03 Permit Required. 1. A permit is required for any sign excluding official signs (including traffic and directional signs); seasonal decorations; merchandise displays; point-of-purchase advertising displays; national and state flags; flags of a political subdivision; symbolic flags of an institution; legal notices required by law; barber poles; historic site; monuments/ plaques; gravestones; advertising copy affixed to structures intended for a separate use, such as phone booths; donation and recycling containers;lettering 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; and or other signs noted on Tables 7.01 and 7.02. 2. Permit Applications shall include a site plan that provides the following information: a. The location of the affected lot, building(s)and sign(s); b. The scale of the site plan; c. A scaled drawing of the proposed sign or sign revision, including size, height,copy, structural footing details, method of attachment and illumination; d. The location of all existing signs on the site including size and height; c. The location of signs on other property for sign types subject to spacing requirements; f. Approved sign plan, if applicable; and Ordinance 05-016 Sign regulations amendment Page 4 of 1 1 g. Tax parcel number of proposed sign. • Section 10.07.09.04 Numher, General Regulations 1. On-premises attached (wall) and freestanding signs shall comply with the requirements of Table 7.01 for maximum height, maximum allowable area, maximum number of signs, minimum spacing and setback requirements, provided however, that on-premises freestanding signage is limited to the . maximum number of either pole signs or monument sign structures allowed per 300 feet of street frontage. i.e. if a single pole sign is authorized, no additional monument signage is permitted; similarly, placement of monument style signs will preclude placement of a pole sign. Table 7.01 Height, Copy Area and Spacing Re•uirements Maximum Minimum v g N O N-.2 e Sign T a f° M VI M n e Cr Zoning District o Q C rn < rn 0 Additional Provisions E to'iv o. 00 00 `. Via, m Z I 0 U w 0 .t rn rn rn a On-Premises-Attached Wall Nameplate 1 4 n/a Institutional-Semi-Public 1 nla ®i nla Institutional—Public n/a ilia Y 25%of wall area in UR-22 only Single Office(UR 12,UR 22) n!a Ilia y Multi-tenant Office(UR 12,UR 22) 60 - n!a 'One per building Commercial(All Residential Zones) r n/a Commercial/Industrial Zones(81,82, Ma nla Y *25%of wall area 83 II 12 13 • On-Premises-Freestanding Subdivision or Area name 1' 10 60 n/a n/a n/a n/a Y •Per arterial street frontage Industrial Park/Area Identification 1 7 150 n/a 0 Institutional-Semi Public(Residential Maximum copy area may be Zone increased up to 60 sq.ft-for Institutional-Public(Residential Zone) 1 15 32 n/a n/a n/a n/a Y monument signs less than 7 feet in Office/Commercial(UR12,UR 22) 1 15 32 n/a n/a n/a n/a Y height Directional Signs n/a n/a 4 n/a nla n/a n/a N Individual/Multi•le Business Pole Si•ns) Commercial,Individual Business(81) 20 n/a 5 Y •Per arterial street frontage per business per building Commercial,Multi-business(B1) 20 100 n/a nla 5 Y •Per arterial street frontage CommerciaUlndustrial,Individual 'Per street frontage per business business(B2,B3,11, 12,13,MZ) 30 r r 200 5 Y per building Commercial/Industrial Multi-business 40 250 n/a 300 5 Y "Per street frontage and per 300 (82,83,11,12,13,MZ) ft.frontage. Freeway Commercial/Industrial. Individual/Multi-Business(B2, 83, 11,12, 50 250 nJa n/a 300 5 Y •Per 300 ft 13,MZ) Individual/Multiple Business(Monument Signs) Commercial,Individual Business(B1) 1' 7 75 I n/a n/a n/a 5 Y 'Per arterial street frontage Commercial,Multi-business(91) 2' 7 75 n/a n/a n/a 5 Y Commercial/Industrial Zones, Individual 2' 7 90 n/a n/a n/a 5 Y •Per street frontage business(82, B3, 11, 12, 13) CommerciaUlndustrial Multi-business 2.. 7 90 nJa Na 300 5 Y "Per street frontage and per 300 (B2,B3,11,12,13) ft frontage Ordinance 05-016 Sign regulations amendment Page 5 of II Table 7.01 Hei•ht Co. Area and S.acin. Re.uirements Maximum Minimum v N O ei O x x0 ,t• _ 73 Sign T yp e A v A � a, 2 m Additional Provisions Zoning District < < a) o E a. �.:a a« 5 m 3 a) O O O O O 0. .a c, Z = U U U w U) v) v) n On Premises Free-Standini-Aesthetic Corridors Office(UR12,UR 22) 1 8 111 n/a n/a n/a 5 MI Individual&Multi•le Businesses—Aesthetic Corridors Commercial(81) 1 8 ® n/a m��Q Commercial/Industrial(B2, B3, I1,12,13) 2" 8 90 n/a ® 500 •-Per street frontage and per 500 R frontage 2. Temporary signs shall comply with the requirments of Table 7.02 for maximum height, maximum allowable area, maximum number of signs, minimum spacing and setback requirements and limitations relating to time and events. Table 7.02 Temporary Signs Maximum cr Sign Type } u Additional Zoning District E rn_ Q _ Time Limit $ E 'a- Provisions z x O< emu) ace Residential Subdivision 1 10 40 1 Year Y Non-illuminated Banners,flags,pennants, 30 infatables n/a n!a days/quarter 10 Y One renewal Searchlights n/a n/a 10 days 5 Y Contractor,Architect, Surveyor, Engineer 1 40 12 months 5 Y One extension Real Estate Residential 1' 5 5 N 'Per road frontage Commercial/Industrial 1 32 5 N Open House Directional 1• ' 3 5 5 N •Per access street 3. All illuminated signs 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 Freestanding and Wall Signs provided that lighting or glare does not extend beyond the property line. 4. Electronic signs shall be permitted on the same basis as other signs, subject to height and area requirements of Table 7.01. S. 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 of the zoning district in which the sign is located. 6. Signs located within the airport hazard area shall conform to the location and height regulations of that area. 7. 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. 8. No sign shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape except Official Signs. Ordinance 05-016 Sign regulations amendment Paec 6 of II • 9. Any sign erected or maintained within five (5) feet of the public rights-of-way shall be smooth and free of nails, tacks and wires. Section 10.07.09.04 Comprehensive Sittn Plan Commercial development, shopping centers, industrial parks, mixed use developments, and hotel conference centers exceeding five (5) acres in size may seek approval of a sign plan specific to the development proposal. The Director of Community Development may approve a comprehensive sign plan that allows deviations from the strict interpretation of spacing, height and area requirements upon a showing of good cause, and provided that there are no adverse effects on adjacent properties. Any conditions imposed to secure approvals shall be binding on the Applicant. Modifications to the approved sign plan shall require reapplication and approval by the Director. If the Applicant and Director cannot come to an agreement, the Director's decision may be appealed through the Hearing Examiner. Section 10.07.09.05 Aesthetic Corridors 1. The standards shown on Table 7.01 shall apply to parcels adjacent to the following designated aesthetic corridors: a. Appleway Avenue(between 1-90 and University Avenue) b. Evergreen Road (between Sprague Avenue and Indiana Avenue) c. Mirabeau Parkway d. Indiana Avenue(between Pines Road and Flora Road) Section 10.07.09.06 Sign Location and Front Setbacks 1. Monument signs exceeding three (3) feet in height may he located at the property line outside any border easement, provided that the requirements of Section 7.06 Clearview Triangles of the Spokane Valley Uniform Development Code gave been met. 2. Pole signs with structural supports less than two (2) feet in width with copy area placed at a height of seven feet or more above grade may be located at the property line, provided that the requirements of Section 10.07.06 Clearview Triangles of the Spokane Valley Uniform Development Code gave been met. 3. All temporary signs, except inflatable signs, shall be located not less than five feet from the right-of- way. 4. Inflatable signs shall be set back not less that ten feet from the right-of-way. 5. All signs shall meet the vertical and horizontal clearance requirements of the electric utilities. 6. All freestanding and monument signs shall be located in a landscaped area. Landscaping should be appropriately sited to ensure that signs are not blocked or obscured by trees or bushes. Section 10.07.09.07 Sign Area Calculation Illustrations 1. Sign area for wall signs is equal to 25% of the two-dimensional area of a building's elevation,excluding eaves and gables.. 2. The sign area of a freestanding sign consisting of one sign shall be calculated as shown in Figure 7.2 below. The sign area of a freestanding sign consisting of more than one (1) sign shall be computed by adding together the total area(s)of all signs as shown in Figure 7.3 below. Ordinance 05-016 Sign regulations amendment Page 7 of 1 •3. Any portion of the sign not necessary for structural pETE'S PRO GOLF support of the sign or any structural support greater than two(2) feet in width shall be considered in the determination of the square footage of the sign. Figure 7.1 Border A • ► 1 SIGN1 Bt SIG Maximum Height 1 Maximum Height Al -► SIGN 2 A B2 Minimum Height Setback 1 - A2 SIGN 3 t 83 Property Figure 7.2 Line Property Line Figure 7.3 4. A 10% increase in sign area is allowed for decorative framing or borders. Area calculation does not include decorative rocks or landscaping adjacent to a monument sign. S. The sign area for multiple-sided signs shall be calculated as follows: a. The total sign area for a two-sided sign shall be calculated using one (1) face, therefore allowing both faces to be of equal size (for example a two-sided sign has two(2) faces with 18 square feet per side,therefore the sign area is 18 square feet). b. The sign area for a three-sided sign shall be equal to the total amount of sign area a one-sided or two-sided sign is allowed (for example, in item 3a above, a two-sided sign is allowed 18 square feet of sign area per side which equals 36 total square feet. If a three sided sign is used instead of a one- sided or two-sided sign, the three-sided sign may allocate the 36 total square feet among three sides, therefore allowing three sides with 12 square feet per face for a total of 36 square feet of sign area). 6. Irregularly shaped signs may be measured in the fallowing ways: a 1.0.14R1A • �� ,t� C d � 21 so ..z B a. Conventional Measurement: Total area=a*b - b. Sum of Squares: Total area=Area A+Area B+Area C+Area D • b Ordinance 05-016 Sign regulations amendment Page 8 of I I Section 10.07.09.08 Maintenance of Signs 1. Any signage that has been approved or that has been issued a permit shall be maintained by the owner or person in possession of the property on which the sign is located. Maintenance shall be such that the signage continues to conform to the conditions imposed by the sign permit. 2. Any damaged sign structure shall be repaired within thirty(30)days of notice. 3. Any signage which has been damaged to such extent that it may pose a hazard to passersby shall be repaired or removed within forty-eight(48) hours of notice. 4. The advertising copy on any existing sign that no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted or product sold on the premises, shall be removed by and at the expense of the property owner within sixty(60)days of notice. Section 10.07.09.09 Existing Nonconforming Signs. Any permanent sign made non-conforming as a result of the adoption of these regulations may be repaired, but not structurally altered or made more non-conforming in any way. if the sign is removed in order to make repairs, it shall be replaced within sixty (60) days, or the permit is void. Thereafter, the sign shall conform to the requirements of this Section. Notwithstanding other provisions of this Section, any sign or signs for which a temporary permit has been issued by the City shall be permitted to remain at the location or locations authorized by the permit for as long as the permit is valid and all the requirements of the permit have been met. Section 10.07.09.10 Billboards (Reserved) Section 2. Repealer. a) Article V Section 10.30.660 Signage Standards Chapter 14.804 et seq. of the Spokane Valley Municipal Code is hereby repealed; and b) Article H Section 10.30.060 adopting the Spokane County Zoning Code by reference is hereby amended to repeal the definitions included in Chapter 14.300 of the Spokane County Zoning Code as follows: Bulletin Board: A sign which identifies an institution or organization on the premises on which it is located and which contains the name of the institution or organization, the names of individuals connected with it,and general announcements of events or activities occurring at the institution, or similar messages. Electric Sign: A sign or sign structure in which electrical wiring, connections and/or fixtures are used as part of the sign proper. Electronically Changeable Message Sign: A sign upon which graphics, symbols or words can be varied upon the face or faces of a sign by a computer controller to display time, temperature, public service, community service and commercial information. Flashing Sign: An electrical sign or portion thereof which changes light intensity in a brief, brilliant, or sudden and transient outburst of light causing a steady on and off, glittering, sparkling, or scintillating pattern. This definition shall not include electronically changeable message signs or signs which simulate motion for mood lighting purposes in which no more than one-third [1/3] of the changing light source is off at any time.) Ordinance 05-016 Sign regulations amendment Page 9 of Incidental Sign: A small nonelectric information sign four(4) square feet or less in area which pertains to goods, products, services, or facilities which are available on the premises where the sign occurs and intended primarily for the convenience of the public while on the premises. Low Intensity Lighting: Lighting not exceeding the equivalent of eight hundred (800) milliamperes flourescent tubing space on nine-inch(9)centers, or of exposed neon not exceeding thirty(30) milliamperes. On-Premise Sign: A sign which carries advertisements incidental to a lawful use of the premises on which it is located, including signs indicating the business transacted at, services rendered, goods sold or produced on the premises, name of the business and/or name of the person, firm or corporation occupying the premises. Portable Sign: Any sign which is not permanently affixed and is designed for or capable of being moved, except those signs explicitly designed for people to carry on their person. Readerboard: A sign face consisting of tracts to hold readily changeable letters allowing frequent changes of copy. Sign: Any visual communication device, structure, or fixture which is visible from any right-of-way and is intended to aid the establishment in question in promoting the sale of products, goods, services, events or to identify a building using graphics, letters, figures, symbols, trademarks or written copies. Painted wall designs or patterns which do not represent a product, service, or registered trademark, or which do not identify the user, shall not be considered signs. If a design or pattern is combined with a sign, only that part of the design or pattern which cannot be distinguished from the sign will be considered as part of the sign. This definition excludes outdoor advertising displays. This definition does not include billboards or video boards. (Res.No. 99-1030, dated November 16, 1999) Video Board: Video board or moving picture board/screen is a large format display showing active or moving or animated images over most or all of the display surface and which has advertsing images that are discernible from a moving vehicle on a public right of way. (Res. No. 99-1030, dated November 16, 1999) Wall Sign: A non-paper sign attached or erected parallel to and extending not more than one foot from the facade or face of any building to which it is attached and supported throughout its entire length, with the exposed face of the sign parallel to the plane of said wall or facade. Signs incorporated into mansard roofs, marquees, or canopies shall be treated as a wall sign. Section 3. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance shall 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, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance. Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect five days after publication of this Ordinance or a summary thereof occurs in the official newspaper of the City as provided by law. Ordinance 05-016 Sign regulations amendment Page 1 0 of I I • • • PASSED by the City Council this 14`x'day of June, 2005. ()..) A .Tl,;'9 Mayor, Diana Wilhite • ht City Clerk, Christine Ida'bridge Approved as to_•on • • — DDeepputyy�Ci ,'Attorney, .ry Driskell Date of Publication: U/ c79 7—45-- Effective Date: - - d • Ordinance 05-016 Sign regulations amendment Page 1 I of 1 I