ORD 93-01 SIGN PROVISIONSORDINANCE NUMBER 93-01
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND,
WASHINGTON, PERTAINING TO THE CITY'S SIGN PROVISIONS AND
AMENDING CHAPTER 15.08 OF THE BAINBRIDGE ISLAND MUNICIPAL
CODE.
WHEREAS, the City Council wanted to revise the Sign Code to be more in keeping
with the character and policies of the City; and
WHEREAS, the Land Use Committee of the City Council worked with the affected
members of the community in preparing the new Sign code; now, therefore
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASHINGTON,
DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 15.08 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sign Code
for the City of Bainbridge Island
15.08.010 Purpose
15.08.010
Purpose
15.08.020
Definitions
The purpose of this chapter is as follows:
15.08.030
Signs not Requiring a
Permit
A. To promote and protect the public
15.08.040
Prohibited Signs
welfare, health and safety.
15.08.050
Non -Conforming Signs
15.08.060
Measurement of Sign Area
B. To encourage the installation of signs
15.08.070
Height of Sign
which harmonize with building
15.08.080
General Regulations
design, natural settings and other
15.08.090
Commercial Use Signs
geographical characteristics of the
15.08.100
Institutional or Public Use
locations in which they are erected.
Signs
15.08.110
Residential Use Signs
C. To create a more attractive economic
15.08.120
Permits Required
and business climate.
15.08.130
Permit Fees
15.08.140
Sign Variance
D. To reduce distractions and
15.08.150
Enforcement and Penalties
obstructions from signs which would
adversely affect traffic safety and
reduce hazards that may be caused by
signs overhanging or projecting over
public rights-of-way.
15.08.020 Definitions
A. "Agricultural products sign" means a
sign advertising seasonal produce.
B. "Alteration" means any change of a
sign, other than changeable copy as
defined in this section.
contractor and/or other persons
responsible for the development of the
site.
H. "Cultural, historical or architecturally
significant sign" means a sign with
unique local characteristics which
may not fit other defined categories.
I. "Director" means the city's director
of planning and community
development.
C. "Awning and marquee sign" means a 7.
sign attached to a shelter, which
shelter is supported by posts or the
exterior wall of a building or any
combination thereof.
D. "Banner" means a sign of flexible
material designed to be displayed
between two supports or against
another surface.
E. "Bulletin Board" means a surface
designed for the affixing of temporary
handbills, notices, posters or other
similar items.
F. "Changeable copy" means but is not
limited to that portion of sign copy
consisting of individual
interchangeable letters and numbers
which may be rearranged to spell new
words and to form new numbers on
the sign face, without reworking,
repainting, or otherwise altering the
physical composition of the sign, for
the primary objective of displaying
frequently changing copy.
G. "Construction sign" means a
temporary sign erected for the
purpose of announcing future building
plans and identifying the owner,
architect, engineer, building
"Election sign" means a sign erected
for the purpose of announcing
election issues and/or the name,
political party, and position of any
candidate or candidates running for
public office.
K. "Erect" means to build, construct;
raise, assemble, create, alter, display,
relocate, attach, hang, place, suspend,
affix, paint, draw, engrave, carve,
cast, or in any other way bring into
being or establish, other than to
replace changeable copy and other
than in the course of normal sign
maintenance as described in this
chapter.
L. "Facade sign" means any sign which
is erected (including painted) on the
wall of a building or other structure,
whose face is generally parallel to
that wall or other structure and whose
face does not extend outward more
than 12 inches in a direction
perpendicular to that wall or other
structure.
M. "Facade" means the face of a
building.
N. "Freestanding sign" means a sign
supported by one or more uprights,
poles or braces in or on the ground,
and not supported by a building.
O. "Grade" - see BIMC 18.06.430
P. "Neon sign" means a sign illuminated
in whole or part by gaseous tubes
electrified by a current.
Q. "Projecting sign" means a sign which
is attached to or supported by a wall
or overhang of a building or other
structure, other than an awning or
marquee, and which extends beyond
the wall surface more than 12 inches
in any direction.
R. "Repair" means the reconstruction or
renewal of any part of an existing
sign for the purpose of its
maintenance.
S. "Sandwich board sign" means a sign
which consists of two panels hinged
or attached at the top or side,
designed to be moveable and stand on
the ground.
T. "Sign" means any letter, figure,
design, symbol, trademark or other
device which is intended to attract
attention to any activity, service,
place, political office, subject, firm,
corporation or merchandise, except
traffic signs or signals, public or
court notices, signs not visible from
the public right-of-way or adjacent
properties, signs on moving vehicles,
newspapers, leaflets or other printed
materials intended for individual use
or individual distribution to members
of the public, government flags, flags
and buntings exhibited to
commemorate national patriotic
holidays, and temporary banners
announcing charitable or civic events.
U. "Sign area" means the entire
background of all faces of a sign upon
which information of any kind can be
displayed.
V. "Street frontage" means that portion
of any lot or building facing a street
or sidewalk and with direct access to
that street or sidewalk.
W "Two-sided" means a sign where only
one face is visible from any viewing
position.
X. "Window sign" means a sign placed
inside a building within 15 feet of the
window or on a window. This term
does not include merchandise.
15.08.030 Signs not requiring a
permit
The following signs shall not require a
permit:
A. Signs erected or posted and
maintained for public safety and
welfare or pursuant to any law or
regulation;
B. Bulletin boards, either one or two
sided, with no face exceeding twenty
square feet in display area, associated
with any church, museum, library,
school, or similar use; provided, that
the top of such signs shall be less
than eight feet high and such signs
shall meet all other provisions of this
chapter;
C. Directional signs solely indicating
ingress or egress, the display area not
exceeding three square feet;
D. Signs relating to trespassing and
hunting, not exceeding two square
feet of area;
E. Signs displaying address numbers
only, not exceeding two square feet of
area.
F. Culturally, historically or
architecturally significant signs,
existing at the time of passage of this
ordinance and officially recognized by
the City. Criteria and procedures for
designating culturally, historically or
architecturally significant signs will
be adopted by separate resolution.
G. Any window sign 4 square feet or
less in size, provided that no single
sign or combination of signs shall
exceed 25% of an individual window
area.
H. Agricultural products signs
advertising products grown on or
produced at the subject property. The
signs shall be allowed at each street
frontage, and shall be temporary,
erected for a period not exceeding ten
days prior to the availability of the
products for sale, and removed when
the products are no longer available
for purchase. The maximum sign
area shall not exceed ten square feet
for each face of a single or two faced
sign.
I. Single signs, not exceeding 24 square
feet in area, mounted at a height not
exceeding 20 feet above grade,
displaying the name of a farm. The
farm shall meet the standards as
defined in section 16.02.020.
J. Banners, not exceeding 30 square feet
in area, displayed by a non-profit
organization and conforming to the
size and location limitations of this
chapter. The banners are not required
to be displayed on the premises of the
organization, and may be displayed
for a maximum of two periods not
exceeding 14 days total within any
calendar year.
K. Signs, not exceeding two square feet,
displaying a name and/or street
number associated with a dwelling.
L. Construction signs, not exceeding one
per construction site, and not
exceeding 12 square feet in area,
when erected in connection with a
building permit. The sign shall be
removed within 30 days of the
occupancy of the structure.
M For sale/rent/or lease signs on the
property being sold, rented or leased.
One sign, not exceeding six square
feet in area, shall be allowed on each
street frontage.
N. Election signs, provided, that there
shall be no election signs in public
rights-of-way.
O. Signs, intended to be temporary,
either the same sign or different sign,
may be displayed for a maximum of
two periods not exceeding 14 days
total within any calendar year. Signs
must conform to size and location
limitations of this chapter.
15.08.040 Prohibited Signs
The following signs are prohibited:
A. Billboards, streamers, pennants,
ribbons, spinners or other similar
devices.
B. Flashing signs, roof signs, signs
containing moving parts or appearing
to move, and signs which sparkle or
twinkle in the sunlight.
C. Signs advertising or identifying a
business or organization which is
defunct.
D. Signs, except for traffic, regulatory,
or informational signs, using the
words "stop", "caution," or "danger,"
or incorporating red, amber, or green
lights resembling traffic signals, or
resembling "stop" or "yield" signs in
shape or color.
E. Signs advertising a business or
organization not located on the parcel
containing the business or
organization except signs erected by
the State of Washington.
A. A nonconforming sign, lawfully
existing at the passage of this
ordinance, may continue unchanged;
provided, that it must be removed or
converted to conform to all provisions
of this chapter by January 1, 2000.
B. A nonconforming sign cannot be
enlarged, reworded, redesigned or
altered in any way except to conform
to this chapter. If the cost to repair a
nonconforming sign exceeds 50
percent of its replacement cost, the
sign shall not be repaired except to
conform to this chapter.
C. A sign replacing a nonconforming
sign shall conform to this chapter.
15.08.060 Measurement of Sign Area
A. Sign measurement shall be based
F. Signs, except those erected by the upon the entire area of the sign, with
City, located in the public a single continuous perimeter
rights-of-way. enclosing the extreme limits of the
sign surface.
G. Signs with content or subject matter
that constitutes obscenity as defined
by law.
H. Portable reader boards and signs
mounted on stationary, unlicensed
vehicles.
I. Illuminated features, on the exterior
of a building that call attention to the
building or product sold within the
building.
J. Any window sign or signs exceeding
four square feet in area or exceeding
25 % of an individual window area.
B. For a sign attached to or painted on a
building, the area shall be 120 % of
the smallest rectangle which
encompasses all of the letters,
symbols and any background color
that is different than the natural color
or finish material of the building.
15.08.070 Height of Sign
The height of any sign shall be measured
from the grade adjacent to the sign.
15.08.080 General Regulations
15.08.050 Nonconforming Signs A. Signs which refer to a permitted use
or an approved conditional use as set
forth in the Zoning Ordinance and
which are permitted under this
chapter conform to this Chapter.
B. Illumination Standards
1. Signs, except for facade & awning
signs, shall only be illuminated
externally by light sources shielded
so that the lamp is not visible from
adjacent properties or the public
right-of-way.
2. Lights illuminating a sign shall
project illumination toward the face
of the sign.
3. Signs shall not flash, rotate, or have
motorized parts or exposed
electrical wires. .
4. Signs shall not be illuminated
between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6
a.m. unless the premises on which
they are located is open for
business.
5. A single neon sign is allowed for
each business; provided, that it does
not flash and does not exceed 4
square feet in sign area. If the
business does not have a facade or
awning sign, it may have a neon
sign with a maximum area of twelve
square feet. Neon signs are allowed
only on properties zoned for
commercial uses, and shall not be
visible from the shoreline.
6. Facade signs for theaters, including
film or performing arts buildings,
may be internally illuminated and
may include external unshielded
lights and/or neon. The maximum
total sign area for all faces
combined shall be 64 square feet.
7. Facade signs may be internally
illuminated if:
a. The background does not
emit light;
b. The background constitutes a
minimum of 80% of the sign area;
and
c. The illumination source is
shielded.
C. Placement Standards
1. No person shall affix a sign to a
utility pole or a living tree or shrub.
2. Signs, including temporary banners,
shall not be mounted on roofs,
extend above the roof line, or be
located more than 20 feet above the
grade.
3. Signs projecting from a building
shall not extend into a public
right-of-way or be less than eight
feet above grade, unless permitted
by the City through an
administrative variance procedure.
4. Freestanding signs shall not exceed
five feet in height except in the LM
zone. In the LM zone, freestanding
signs shall not exceed eight feet in
height.
D. Safety Standards
No person may erect a sign that:
1. Is structurally or electrically unsafe;
2. Constitutes a hazard, by design or 4.
placement, to public safety and
health; or
5.
3. Obstructs free entrance or exit from
a door or window that is required to
be in place by this code or the City.
E. Freestanding signs shall be located
within a landscaped area that is twice
the area of the sign area, and the
plantings or the landscaped area shall
be located so as to shield illumination 6.
sources.
15.08.090 Commercial Use Signs
In addition to the general regulations of
this chapter, the following regulations
shall apply to all commercial use signs.
A. Facade Signs.
1. Buildings may have one facade sign
for each tenant. The signs shall
have with a maximum sign area of
36 square feet. If the building has
street frontage on two or more
streets, there may be a second
facade sign for each tenant is
allowed; provided that the second
sign shall not exceed 20 square feet
in area and shall not face the same
street as the first facade sign.
2. The total aggregate area of all
facade signs on each wall shall not
exceed 128 square feet.
3. There shall be a minimum distance
of 10 feet, as measured along the
perimeter of the building, between
two facade signs.
Facade signs shall be located less
than 20 feet above grade.
A single directory, combining the
name of the commercial complex
and the individual names of
businesses located within, is
allowed provided no other facade
sign on the building shall exceed 20
square in area. The maximum sign
area for this directory is 48 square
feet.
There shall be only one facade sign
per tenant in the High School Road
Commercial Zone. The signs shall
be 64 square feet or less in area and
shall be located more than 200 feet
from the edge of any public
right-of-way.
B. Freestanding signs.
1. No more than one freestanding sign
shall be allowed per tenant. The
sign shall not exceed 20 square feet
on any single face or 40 square feet
on two faces. No more than two
freestanding signs, regardless of the
number of tenants, shall be allowed
on any property.
2. A freestanding identification sign,
combining the name of the
commercial complex and the
individual names of businesses
located therein, with a maximum
sign area of 40 square feet on any
single face and a total surface area
of 60 square feet if two sided, may
be erected facing each street
frontage. No individual tenant
freestanding signs may be erected
on such a property that contains this
freestanding identification sign.
3. In the LM Zone, freestanding
identification signs may be located
on adjacent LM zoned properties if
the signs contain directional
information to assist in locating the
businesses listed and permission is
obtained from the owner of the
property where the sign is located.
The maximum sign area shall be 36
square feet. The sign shall not to
be counted toward the maximum
number of freestanding signs
allowed.
C. An awning or marquee sign, not
exceeding 20 square feet in area per
commercial tenant, is allowed instead
of a facade sign. The lowest point of
the awning or marquee is at least 10
feet above the sidewalk, and the
awning shall have a dark background
if illuminated from behind.
D. Projecting Signs
1. A business may have one projecting
sign, located at least eight feet
above grade, with a maximum area
of two square feet for each side.
2. Signs for theaters, including film or
performing arts buildings, shall not
exceed 80 square feet on a single
face and 140 forty square feet on
multiple faces and shall be located
at least 100 feet from any property
zoned single-family.
E. Sandwich Board Signs
One nonilluminated sandwich board
sign, with each face not exceeding six
square feet in area, shall be allowed per
business. The sign shall be a minimum
of 30 inches high and a maximum of 48
inches high.
15.08.100 Institutional or Public Use
Signs
In addition to the general regulations of
this chapter, public institutions or public
entities:
A. May have a single sign, either
facade -mounted or a freestanding
identification sign, visible from each
street frontage; and
B. May have one additional freestanding
identification sign at the principal
entrance.
The maximum sign area of any face shall
be no greater than 40 square feet.
15.08.110 Residential Use Signs
In addition to the general regulations of
this chapter, the . following regulations
shall apply to all residential use signs.
A. Residential developments may have a
single freestanding identification sign
with a maximum sign area of 10
square feet.
B. Home occupations, legally
established, may have an
identification sign as allowed in
section 18.96.030.
C. Multi -family residential developments
may have a directory sign, with a
maximum sign area of 20 square feet,
at one vehicular entrance on each
street frontage.
15.08.120 Permits Required
A. No signs, except those described in
section 15.08.030, shall be erected
without a valid sign permit.
B. Permit application requirements shall
be determined by the Director and
shall include a site plan showing the
location of the signs, the position of
buildings and landscaped areas, the
elevations of the signs and the
configuration and size of the signs.
C. A valid sign permit is required before
altering an existing sign or repairing
a sign where the repair exceeds 50
percent of the replacement cost.
D. Legally established signs that include
changeable copy are exempt from
permit requirements for altering the
changeable copy.
15.08.130 Permit Fees
A. Plan check fees, permit fees and
inspection fees shall be as established
by the City Council by resolution.
B. Until January 1, 2000, permit fees
shall be waived for signs replacing
nonconforming signs.
15.08.140 Sign Variance
A. A variance is the mechanism by
which the City may grant relief from
the provisions of this chapter where
practical difficulty renders compliance
with the provisions of this chapter an
unnecessary hardship and where the
hardship is a result of the physical
characteristics of the subject property.
B. The variance procedure shall be
administrative and determined by the
Director.
15.08.150 Enforcement and Penalties
A. Anyone violating or failing to comply
with the provisions of this chapter
shall, upon conviction thereof, shall
be punishable by fine of not more
than $500.00, or by imprisonment for
not more than six months, or by both
fine and imprisonment, and each
day's violation or failure to comply
shall constitute a separate offense.
B. In addition to any other sanction or
remedial procedure which may be
available, any person failing to
comply with a notice of violation or
order issued by the building official,
or failing to comply with any other
provision of this chapter, shall be
subject to cumulative civil penalty in
the amount of $500.00 per day from
the date set for compliance until
compliance with such violation or
order.
C. In addition to instituting criminal
prosecution for violation of any of the
provisions of this chapter, the city,
through the city attorney, may
institute civil proceeding in the
Bainbridge Island Municipal Court or
the superior court of the county to
obtain a temporary restraining order
or injunction prohibiting violation of
this chapter and to collect any fines,
fees or penalties due under the
provisions of this chapter.
D. The City may remove and dispose of
signs that it determines are a threat to
public safety and recover costs from
the owner of the property on which
the sign is located. Within 10 days of
removal of a sign, and upon payment
of the costs of removal, the owner
may recover a sign.
Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five days from
its passage, approval, publication and posting as required by law.
PASSED by the City Council this 15th. day of July, 1993.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 16th. day of July, 1993.
Granato, Mayor
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED:
Ralph Eells, Clerk/Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Rod P. Kaseguma, City Attorney
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK:
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 07-15-93
PUBLISHED: 07-21-93
POSTED: 07-16-93
EFFECTIVE DATE: 07-26-93
ORDINANCE NUMBER: 93-01