HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 3719 Amended by Ordinance No. 4172
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CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON 4ff2L
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ORDINANCE NO . 3719 y577
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON 4(o2l
AMENDING CHAPTER 19 OF TITLE IV (BUILDING �,tpg1
REGULATIONS ) OF ORDINANCE NO . 1628 ENTITLED 1476'7
"CODE OF GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF qr12o
RENTON" RELATING TO THE SIGN CODE q-/a
476
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, DO qg15
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Ljv�Z
SECTION I : Existing subsection 3 (B) of Section 4-1901 of g3gg
Title IV Building Regulations) of Ordinance No. 1628 entitled 4q(03
"Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton" is hereby 5062
amended to read as follows : 5�5a
Section 4- 1901 (3) (B) , as amended: S
B. Appeals and Variances . Appeals from administrative
decisions in the interpretation of the provisions of this
Code , shall be heard by the Hearing Examiner pursuant to
Chapter 30 , Title IV , of this code . Applications for
variances from the provisions of this Chapter shall be heard
by the Board of Adjustment provided in Section 4-731-A,
Chapter 7, Title IV (Building Regulations) of the Code of
General Ordinances of the City of Renton, consistent with the
provisions of Section 4-731 -B.
SECTION II : . Existing Section 4- 1902 of Title IV
(Building Regulations) of Ordinance No. 1628 entitled "Code of
General Ordinances of the City of Renton" is hereby amended to read
as follows :
Section 4-1902 , as amended:
DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS : For the purpose of this
Code , certain abbreviations , terms , phrases , words and their
derivatives shall be construed as specified in this section. Words
used in the singular include the plural , and the plural the
singular . Words used in the masculine gender include the feminine ,
and the feminine the masculine.
(A) ( 1 ) Animated Sign. A sign with action or motion, flashing or
color changes requiring electrical energy, electronic or
manufactured source of supply , but not including
revolving signs -or wind actuated elements such as flags
or banners .
(2) Approved Plastic Materials . Approved plastic materials +
shall be those having a self-ignition temperature of
650OF or greater when tested in accordance with U.B. C.
Standard No . 52-3 and a smoke-density rating not greater
than 450 when tested in accordance with U.B. C. Standard
No. 42-1 , in the way intended for use ; or a smoke-density
rating no greater than 75 when tested in the thickness
intended for use by U.B. C. Standard No. 52-2. Approved
plastics shall be classified as either CC1 or CC2 in
accordance with U.B. C. Standard No. 52-4 .
(B) ( 1 ) Background Area. The entire face upon which copy could
be placed.
(2 ) Building Facade. That portion of any exterior elevation
of a building extending from the grade to the top of the
parapet wall or eaves, and the entire width of the
building elevation.
(3) Building Code. Building code is the Uniform Building
Code , promulgated by the International Conference of
Building Officials , as adopted by this jurisdiction.
(4) Building Official . The Officer or other person charged
with the administration and enforcement of this Code, or
his duly authorized deputy.
( C) ( 1 ) Combination Sign. Any sign incorporating any combination
of the features of pole , projecting and roof signs .
(2) Curb Line . The line at the face of the curb nearest to
the street or roadway. In the absence of a curb , the
curb line shall be established by the City Engineer.
(See Legal Setback , (L) ( 1 ) following. )
(D) ( 1 ) Display Surface. The area made available by the sign
structure for the purpose of displaying the advertising
message.
(E) ( 1 ) Electric Sign . Any sign containing or utilizing
electrical wiring , but not including signs illuminated by
an exterior light source.
(F) ( 1 ) Free Standing Sign. A sign wholly supported by a sign
structure in the ground.
(H) ( 1 ) Height . The distance measured from grade , unless
otherwise designated , to the top of the sign or sign
structure .
(I) ( 1 ) Incombustible and Noncombustible Material . Incombustible
and noncombustible as applied to building construction
material means a material which, in the form in which it
is used , is either one of the following :
a. Material of which no part will ignite and burn when
subjected to fire. Any material conforming to
U . B. C . Standard No . 4-1 shall be considered
noncombustible within the meaning of this section.
b . Material having a structural base of noncombustible
material as defined in Item a . above , with a
surfacing material not over 1 /8 inch thick which has
a flame-spread rating of 50 or less .
"Noncombustible" does not apply to surface finish
materials . Materials required to be noncombustible for
reduced clearances to flues, heating appliances , or other
sources of high temperature shall refer to material
conforming to Item a. No material shall be classed as
noncombustible which is subject to increase in
combustibility or flame-spread rating beyond the limits
herein established , through the effects of age , moisture
or other atmospheric condition.
Flame-spread rating as used herein refers to rating
obtained according to tests conducted as specified in
U.B. C. Standard No. 42-1 .
(L) ( 1 ) Legal Setback Line . The line established by ordinance
beyond which no building may be built . A legal setback
line may be a property line.
(M) ( 1 ) Marquee . A permanent roofed structure attached to and
supported by the building and projecting over public
property.
(N) ( 1 ) Nonstructural Trim . The molding , battens , caps , nailing
strips , latticing , cutouts or letters and walkways which
are attached to the sign structure.
(0) ( 1 ) On-Premise Sign. A sign which displays only advertising
copy strictly incidental to the lawful use of the premise
on which it is located , including signs or sign devices
indicating the business transacted at, services rendered ,
goods sold or produced on the immediate premises , name of
the business , person, firm or corporation occupying the
premises .
(2) Off-Premise Sign. Any sign which cannot be classified as
an on-premise sign as described above .
(P) ( 1 ) Plastic Materials. Materials made wholly or principally
from standardized plastics listed and described in
Uniform Building Code Standards. (See Approved Plastics ,
Section 1904 (2) (G) .
(2) Political Signs . Signs advertising a candidate or
candidates for public , elective office , or a political
party, or signs urging a particular vote or action on a
public issue decided by ballot , whether partisan or
nonpartisan.
(3) Portable Display Surface. A display surface temporarily
affixed to a standardized advertising structure which is
regularly moved from structure to structure at periodic
intervals .
(4) Portable Sign. A sign which is not permanently affixed
and designed for or capable of movement , except those
signs explicitly designed for people to carry on their
persons or which are permanently affixed to motor
vehicles.
(5) Projecting Sign. A sign other than a wall sign which
projects from and is supported by a wall of a building or
structure.
(6 ) Projection. The distance by which a sign extends over
public property or beyond the building line .
(R) ( 1 ) Roof Sign. A sign erected upon or above a roof or
parapet of a building or structure .
(S) ( 1 ) Sign. Any medium, including merchandise , its structure
and component parts , which is used or intended to be used
to attract attention to the subject matter for
advertising purposes .
(2 ) Sign Structure . Any structure which supports or is
capable of supporting any sign as defined in This Code .
A sign structure may be a single pole and may or may not
be an integral part of the building .
( 3) Street Frontage. Business directly abutting a public
right-of-way affording direct access to the business , or
having a parking lot used by one business which fronts
directly on and gaining vehicular access from the public
right-of-way.
(4) Structure. That which is built or constructed, an
edifice or building of any kind , or any piece of work
artifically built up or composed of parts joined together
in some definite manner.
(T) ( 1 ) Temporary Sign. Any sign, banner, pennant, valance or
advertising display constructed of cloth , canvas , light
fabric , cardboard , wallboard , or other light materials,
with or without frames , intended to be displayed for a
limited period of time only.
(U) ( 1 ) Uniform Building Code. The adopted edition of the
Uniform Building Code, published by the International
Conference of Building Officials .
(2 ) U.B. C. Standards. The adopted edition of the Uniform
Building Code Standards, published by the International
Conference of Building Officials.
(3) Under Marquee Sign. A lighted or unlighted display
attached to the underside of a marquee protruding over
public or private sidewalks .
(W) ( 1 ) Wall Sign. Any sign painted , attached or erected against
the wall of a building or structure , with the exposed
face of the sign in a plane parallel to the plane of said
wall . Shall not extend above any adjacent parapet or
roof of supporting building.
SECTION III : Existing Section 4-1903 of Title IV
(Building Regulations) of Ordinance No. 1628 entitled "Code of
General Ordinances of the City of Renton" is hereby amended to read
as follows :
Section 4- 1903 , as amended:
1 Permits and Bonds : Liability Insurance :
( ) Y
(A) Permits Required. No sign shall hereafter be erected ,
re-erected , constructed or altered , except as provided by this
Code and a permit for the same has been issued by the Building
Official . A separate permit shall be required for a sign or
signs for each business entity and/or a separate permit for
each group of signs on a single supporting structure . In
addition, electrical permits shall be obtained for electric
signs .
(B) Liability Insurance . The owner of any sign projecting
over a public right-of-way shall file with the Building
Official a public liability insurance policy issued by an
insurance company authorized to do business in the State of
Washington, appropriately conditioned in conformity with the
objectives of this section , with limits of one hundred
thousand dollars ( $ 100 , 000 . 00 ) - three hundred thousand
dollars ($300,000.00) public liability coverage and fifty
thousand dollars ($50, 000. 00) property damage coverage.
(2) Application Procedure :
(A) Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing
upon forms furnished by the Building Official . Such
application shall contain the location by street and number of
the proposed sign structures as well as the name and address
of the owner and the sign contractor or erector. The Building
Official may require the filing of additional plans or other
pertinent information when in his opinion such information is
necessary to insure compliance with this Code. Standard plans
may be filed with the Building Official .
(B) When applying for a permanent sign, a drawing, sketch or
photograph with a superimposed drawing , accurate as to scale ,
shall be submitted showing how the proposed sign shall look in
the environment. A vicinity map at a scale of one inch ( 111)
representing two hundred feet (2001 ) shall be required showing
the property on which the proposed sign is to be located , the
street and the nearest intersection, together with a site map
of one inch ( 111) representing twenty feet (201 ) , or a larger
scale showing the location of the sign , structures ,
rights-of-way , easements and property lines . Elevation
projections of the proposed sign shall also be submitted with
the application and shall include, but not be limited to , the
following: The sign' s relationship to the property lines ,
easements , setback lines and structures . The Building
Official may waive any of the aforementioned requirements when
he determines same to be unnecessary in relation to the sign
permit applied for, its size and location.
(3) Exceptions. The following shall not require a permit. These
exceptions shall not be construed as relieving the owner of
any sign from the responsibility of its erection and
maintenance and its compliance with any other law or ordinance
regulating the same .
(A) The changing of the advertising copy or message on a
painted or printed sign , theater marquee and similar signs
specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy.
(B) Painting , repainting or cleaning of an advertising
structure or the changing of the advertising copy or message
thereon shall not be considered an erection or alteration
which requires sign permit unless a structural or electrical
change is made .
( C) Temporary signs and decorations customary for special
holidays such as Independence Day and Christmas erected
entirely on private property.
(D) Real estate signs offering the immediately adjacent
premises for sale, lease or rent and not exceeding six (6)
square feet in area on one face or less in area for lots
thirty-five thousand (35,000) square feet or less in area , and
not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in area on one face
for lots over thirty-five thousand (35,000) square feet in
area.
(E) Signs of not over two (2) square feet advertising that
credit is available to members of monetary institutions .
(F) One ( 1 ) on-premise sign, not electrical or illuminated ,
two (2) square feet or less on one face which is affixed
permanently on a plane parallel to the wall on the wall
located entirely on private property.
(G) Parking and traffic control signs two (2 ) square feet or
less on private property.
(H) Bulletin board not over twelve ( 12) square feet in area
on one face for each public , charitable or religious
institution when the same is located on the premises of said
institution.
(I) Temporary signs denoting the architect , engineer or
contractor when placed upon work under construction and not
exceeding thirty-two ( 32) square feet in area on one face.
(J) Memorial signs or tables , names of buildings and dates of
erection , when cut into any masonry surface or when
constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials .
(K) Signs of public service companies indicating danger
and/or service or safety information.
(L) Political signs less than twelve ( 12) square feet on one
face as herein-above defined .
(M) Open house signs.
(4 ) Permit Fees. At the time of issuing a permit to erect or
install a sign or device controlled by this Code , the Building
Official shall collect a fee computed on the basis of the
following :
(A) For permanent signs , compute the total area of all faces
upon which copy may be placed and use Table 1903-A below:
TABLE 1903-A
Fee for Signs on Private Property
Less than fifty (50) square feet $15. 00
Fifty (50) square feet or more but
less than one hundred fifty ( 150)
square feet $20.00
One hundred fifty ( 150) square feet
or more but lesshr h n r
t a three hundred
(300) square feet $30. 00
Three hundred (300) square feet or
more $50. 00
(B) For the temporary installation of signs , banners ,
streamers, etc . on special permit as provided in Section
1 went five dollars ($25- 00 ) .
4 1916, the permit fee shall be twenty
Except : The fee shall be five dollars ($5. 00) for businesses
with less than five (5 ) employees.
(C) For temporary signs as provided in Section 4-1915, the
permit fee shall be fifteen dollars ($15. 00) plus a deposit of
one-hundred dollars ($100.00) which shall be forfeited if the
applicant fails to remove the sign when the permit expires.
(D) For the purpose of computing the maximum permitted size
and permit fee, free- standing letters or characters, where no
background is specially provided , the area shall be considered
as that encompassed by drawing straight lines at the
extremities of the shapes to be used .
(E) Permits for real estate directional signs of a temporary
nature on the public right-of-way shall be fifteen dollars
($15. 00) per sign for a six (6 ) month period with a renewal
fee of ten dollars ($10.00) for a three (3) month period with
only one renewal allowed. A twenty-five dollar ($25. 00)
deposit per sign shall also be paid to the Building Official ,
which shall be forfeited if the applicant fails to remove the
sign when the permit expires . Upon demonstration that a sign
has been removed , the deposit for the sign shall be returned .
All confiscated signs shall become the property of the City of
Renton.
(F) In addition to the above fees , the Building Official may
collect a plan check fee equal to one-half ( 1 /2) the sign
permit fee if special engineering checks are required . Such
fees shall be paid at the time of application .
(G) Where work for which a permit is required by this Code is
started or proceeded with prior to obtaining said permit, the
fees above specified shall be doubled; but the payment of such
double fee shall not relieve any persons from complying with
the requirements of this Code in the execution of the work nor
from any other penalties prescribed herein .
(H) There shall be no permit fees for any political signs.
(5) Maintenance. All signs , together with all of their supports ,
braces, guys and anchors, shall be kept in repair and in
proper state of preservation. The surfaces of all signs shall
be kept neatly painted or posted at all times. The ground
area shall be neat and orderly.
(6) Inspections.
(A) All signs controlled by this Code shall be subject to
inspection and periodic re-inspection by the Building
Official .
(B) Footing inspections shall be made by the Building
Official for all signs having footings .
(C) All welding on signs or sign structures shall be done by
certified welders holding a valid certification from King
County or other governmental jurisdiction acceptable to the
Building Official .
(D) All signs containing electrical wiring shall be subject
to the governing electrical code and shall bear the label of
an approved testing agency.
(E) The Building Official may order the removal of any sign
that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of
Section 4-1903(5) .
SECTION IV: Existing subsections (2) (B) ( 1 ) , (2 ) (C) and
(2) (F) of Section -1904 of Title IV (Building Regulations) of
Ordinance No. 1628 entitled "Code of General Ordinances of the City
of Renton" are hereby amended as follows :
Section 4-1904 (2) (B) ( 1 ) , as amended:
( 1 ) Structural steel shall be of such quality as to
conform with U.B. C. Standard No . 27-1 . Secondary members in
contact with or directly supporting the display surface may be
formed of light gauge steel , provided such members are
designed in accordance with the specifications of the design
of light gauge steel as specified in U.B. C. Standard No. 27-9
and in addition shall be galvanized. Secondary members , when
formed integrally with the display surface, shall be not less
than No. 24 gauge in thickness . When not formed integrally
with the display surface , the minimum thickness of the
secondary members shall be No . 12 gauge . The minimum
thickness of hot-rolled steel members furnishing structural
support for signs shall be 1 /4 inch , except that , if
galvanized , such members shall be not less than 1 /8 inch
thick. Steel pipes shall be of such quality as to conform
with U.B. C. Standard No. 27-1 . Steel members may be connected
with one galvanized bolt , provided the connection is adequate
to transfer the stresses in the members.
C. Restrictions on Combustible Materials. Free standing and
wall signs may be constructed of any material meeting the
requirements of this Code. Combination signs , roof signs , and
signs on marquees shall be constructed of incombustible
materials , except as provided in subsection (D) below. No
combustible materials other than approved plastics shall be
used in the construction of electric signs .
Section 4-1904 F , as amended:
F. Display Surfaces . Display surfaces in all types of signs
may be made of metal , glass or approved plastics , or other
approved non-combustible material , or wood for wood signs .
Sections of approved plastics on wall signs shall not exceed
two hundred twenty-five (225) square feet in area .
EXCEPTION: Sections of approved plastics on signs other than
wall signs may be of unlimited area if approved by the
Building Official .
Sections of approved plastics on wall signs shall be separated
three (3) feet laterally and six (6) feet vertically by the
required exterior wall construction.
EXCEPTION: Sections of approved plastics on signs other than
wall signs may not be required to be separated if approved by
the Building Official .
Glass thickness and area limitations shall be as set forth in
Table No. 1904-A below:
TABLE NO . 1904-A
Size , Thickness and Type of Glass Panels in Signs
MAXIMUM SIZE OF EXPOSED
GLASS PANEL
MINIMUM
AREA THICKNESS
ANY DIMENSION (In Square OF GLASS
(In Inches) (Inches) (In Inches) TYPE OF GLASS
30 500 1 /8 Plain, Plate or Wired
45 700 3/16 Plain, Plate or Wired
144 3600 1 /4 Plain, Plate or Wired
Over 144 Over 3600 1 /4 Wired Glass
SECTION V: Existing Section 4-1910 of Title IV (Building
Regulations) of Ordinance No. 1628 entitled "Code of General
Ordinances of the City of Renton" is hereby amended to read as
follows :
Section 4-1910 , as amended:
4-1910: PROJECTING SIGNS:
( 1 ) Projecting signs shall be designed in accordance with the
requirements specified in Section 4-1904.
(2) Projection and Clearance.
(A) Signs may project within a legal setback a maximum of six
feet (6 ' ) .
(B) Where a legally constructed marquee exists which in
itself complies with the provisions of the Renton Building
Code, an "under marquee" sign, no larger than twelve inches
( 1211) high by seventy two inches (7211) long by ten inches
( 1011) thick, may be suspended below the marquee, provided the
bottom of the sign is at least eight feet (81 ) above the
surface of the sidewalk and the sign does not extend beyond
the marquee. Under marquee signs shall be limited to one such
sign per entrance for each business establishment .
(C) All projecting signs shall have painted thereon the name
of the sign erector and the date of the erection.
(D) All signs erected above or below a marquee which do not
meet the requirements of Section 4-1912( 1 ) shall comply with
the requirements of this section .
(E) Signs shall not project within the public right-of-way,
other than signs on marquees and wall signs which may project
as follows :
( 1 ) The thickness of that portion of a wall sign which
projects over public right-of-way shall not exceed twelve
inches ( 12") .
SECTION VI : Existing subsection (2) (C) of Section 4-1913
of Title IV Building Regulations) of Ordinance No. 1628 entitled
"Code of General Ordinances of the City of Renton" is hereby
amended to read as follows :
Section 4-1913(2) (C) , as amended:
(C) Label Required. All electric signs shall bear the label
of an approved testing agency.
SECTION VII : Existing Section 4-1914 of Title IV
(Building Regulations) or Ordinance No. 1628 entitled "Code of
General Ordinances of the City of Renton" is hereby amended as
follows :
Section 4-1914 , as amended:
PROHIBITED SIGNS AND DEVICES:
( 1 ) The following signs or devices are specifically prohibited :
(A) All signs not complying with the Washington State Highway
Department regulations adjacent to State roads.
(B) Any sign using the words "stop" , "look" , "danger" , or any
other word , symbol or character which might confuse traffic or
detract from any legal traffic control device .
( C) All of the following signs within seventy-five feet (751 )
of the public right-of-way with any of the following features:
Animated , revolving more than eight ( 8 ) revolutions per
minute , blinking and flashing. Exceptions are public service
signs , such as those which give the time , temperature and/or
humidity.
(D) Strings of pennants , banners or streamers , festoons of
lights , clusters of flags , wind-animated objects , baloons and
similar devices of a carnival nature except as specifically
provided in Sections 4-1915 and 4-1916. Not prohibited are
national , state and institutional flags properly displayed or
temporary signs and decorations customary for special
holidays , such as Independence Day, Christmas and similar
events of a public nature .
(E) Portable signs or any sign which is not permanently
mounted .
(F) There shall be no signs allowed within twenty feet (201 )
of intersections or driveways which shall obscure vision
between the height of three feet (3 ' ) and ten feet ( 101 ) of
the street or driveway grade .
(G) Stationary motor vehicles, trailers and related devices
to circumvent the intent of this Code.
(H) Signs over public right-of-way other than wall signs per
Section 4-1909-2 and signs on marquees .
(I ) Signs on public right-of-way other than signs allowed by
Section 4-1915 and 4-1917 .
(2) Unauthorized signs or other advertising devices either wholly
or partially supported on or projecting over the public right
of way may be removed by the Building Official or his
representative without notice to the owner. Such signs or
devices shall be stored at the City garage for a period not to
exceed thirty (30) days , during which time the owner may
redeem such sign or device by payment to the City Treasurer an
amount equal to the City cost for the removal and storage, but
in no event shall the fee be less than twenty dollars
($20. 00) . After expiration of the thirty (30) day storage
period , the sign not having been redeemed , it shall be
destroyed or otherwise disposed of. (Ord. 2504 , 9-23-69)
(3) Closure of Business . Upon the closure and vacation of a
business or activity, the owner of said business or activity
shall have ninety (90) days from the date of closure to
removall all signs relating to said business or activity. If
the owner of said business or activity fails to remove said
signs within the designated time period , then the owner of the
property upon which said signs are located shall remove said
signs within one hundred twenty ( 120) days of said closure and
vacation of premises .
SECTION VIII : Existing Section 4- 1915 of Title IV
(Building Regulations) of Ordinance No. 1628 entitled "Code of
General Ordinances of the City of Renton" is hereby amended as
follows :
Section 4-1915 , as amended:
4-1915: TEMPORARY SIGNS:
( 1 ) Temporary Signs.
(A) Temporary signs are allowed for a maximum of thirty ( 30 )
days per permit per sign. Only two (2) such permits may be
granted in any one ( 1 ) calendar year to any one ( 1 ) applicant.
EXCEPTION: Real estate directional signs may remain for six
(6 ) months and subject to one ( 1 ) renewal for a three ( 3)
month period. The Board of Adjustment may grant a variance
for a longer time if the applicant can show that circumstances
beyond his control prevented the development to be more than
seventy-five percent (75%) occupied or sold within the time
allowed.
(B) No temporary sign shall exceed one hundred ( 100) square
feet in area. Temporary signs of rigid material shall not
exceed thirty-two (32) square feet on one ( 1 ) face or six (6 )
feet in height .
(2) Specifications.
(A) Support. Every temporary cloth sign shall be supported
and attached with wire rope of three-eights inch (3/811)
minimum diameter, or other material of equivalent breaking
strength. No strings , fiber ropes or wood slats shall be
permitted for support or anchorage purposes. Cloth signs and
panels shall be perforated over at least ten percent ( 10%) of
their area to reduce wind resistance .
( 1 ) Exception . Temporary cloth signs over private
property not exceeding sixty ( 60 ) square feet shall be
supported and attached with wire rope which will meet the
requirements of Section 4-1904.
(B) Projection. Cloth signs may extend over public property.
Such signs, when extended over a public street , shall maintain
a minimum vertical clearance of twenty feet (201 ) . (Ord .
2877, 9-9-74)
(C) Clearance. Cloth signs may extend across a public right
of way only by permission of the Mayor' s office or his/her
designated representative, and shall be subject to all related
laws and ordinances. Temporary signs , other than cloth, when
eight feet (81 ) or more above the ground , may project not more
than six inches (611) over public property or beyond the legal
setback line.
(3 ) Real Estate Directional Signs on the Public Right-of-Way.
(A) Real estate directional signs shall have a maximum size
of twelve ( 12) square feet on one face. Such directional
signs shall not be placed closer than four feet (4 ' ) to the
edge of an improved roadway and shall not be placed in such a
manner as to constitute a public safety hazard .
(B) No more than two (2) such signs shall be allowed at any
one intersection and only one sign per development is allowed
at each intersection.
( C) Between intersections, real estate directional signs for
the same development shall be placed no closer than five
hundred feet (5001 ) to signs for the same development.
(4 ) All temporary signs shall have the sign permit number placed
in the upper left-hand corner by the permittee .
(5 ) Political Signs .
(A) Political Signs may be displayed on private property with
the consent of the property owner or the lawful occupant
thereof.
(B) Political signs shall not be greater than thirty two (32 )
square feet if single faced or sixty four (64) square feet if
multi-faced , except if such signs a an off-premise sign
structure regulated by Section j4-1918 (3) (F) .
(C) Each political sign shall be removed within ten ( 10) days
following an election , except that the successful candidates
of a primary election may keep their signs on display until
ten ( 10) days after the general election, at which time they
shall be promptly removed .
(D) It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, paint,
paste , affix or otherwise mount a political sign on any
utility pole or on the public right-of-way or property.
(6 ) Residential Open House Signs. Signs advertising "open house"
and the direction to a residence for sale shall be limited to
one sign on the premises for sale and three off-premises
signs. However, if a real estate company has more than one
house open for inspection in a single development or
subdivision, they shall be limited to four off-premises "open
house" signs in the entire development or subdivision. Such
signs are permitted only during daylight hours and when the
real estate company representative or seller or an agent is in
attendance at the property for sale. No such sign shall
exceed four square feet in surface area for each surface of
the sign. The sign may be placed only along the periphery of
a public right-of-way in a manner so as not to obstruct the
vision or pathway of vehicular or pedestrian traffic .
SECTION IX : Existing Section 4-1918 of Title IV
(Building Regulations) of Ordinance No. 1628 entitled "Code of
General Ordinances of the City of Renton" is hereby amended to read
as follows :
Section -4-1918 , as amended:
4-1918: LAND USE ZONES:
( 1 ) General . All signs are further limited and restricted as to
height , clearance , size , type , copy, design and location in
the land use zones as such land use zones are defined and
established by Chapter 7 , Zoning , Title IV ( Building
Regulations) , Code of General Ordinances of the City of
Renton, as amended , or any other ordinance pertaining to or
regulating zoning . Only those signs specifically designated
are permitted; all others are prohibited. In those zones
which do not have a height limitation, the height limitation
for free standing, projecting and combination signs shall be
forty feet (401 ) ; wall signs may exceed this limitation and
roof signs may extend twenty feet (201 ) above the parapet
wall .
(2) In all residential , commercial and industrial zones the
following shall apply:
(A) Home Occupation. Only one home occupation sign, not
illuminated , not exceeding two (2) square feet in area,
attached to the wall of the building with the face of the sign
in a plane parallel to the plane of the wall is permitted .
(B) Churches , schools , apartment buildings , subdivision
developments and similar occupancies located in residential
zones may have two (2) on premise identifying signs of not
over thirty-two (32) square feet in area on one face. The
signs may be illuminated but not animated , shall be for
location .identification only and shall display no copy, symbol
or device other than that in keeping with the development.
Free standing signs shall be not higher than six feet (61 )
above any established grade and shall be no closer than ten
feet ( 101 ) to any street right-of-way or five feet (51 ) to any
side property line .
( C) Real estate signs not over six (6) square feet in area
offering the immediate premises for sale or lease .
(D) Real estate directional signs are allowed .
(E) Temporary signs per Section 4-1915 are allowed except for
cloth signs over public right-of-way.
(3) In all commercial and industrial zones the following shall
apply:
(A) Under marquee signs shall be limited to one such sign per
entrance for each business establishment .
(B) Each individual business establishment may have only one
sign for each street frontage of any one of the following
types: Free standina, roof, projecting or combination. Each sign
shall not exceed an area greater than one and one-half ( 1-1 /2)
square feet for each lineal foot of property frontage which
the business occupies up to a maximum of three hundred (300)
square feet ; or if such sign is multi-faced , the maximum
allowance shall not be more than three hundred (300) square
feet. However , a maximum of one-half ( 1 /2 ) of the allowed
square footage is allowed on each face. Businesses with less
than twenty five (25) lineal front feet may have a sign of a
maximum of twenty (20) square feet per face .
(C) In addition to the signs in subsections (A) and (B)
above , wall signs are permitted with a total copy area not
exceeding twenty percent (20%) of the building facade to which
it is applied .
(D) Special permit signs as provided in Section 4-1916 are
permitted .
(E) Signs on marquees conforming to Section 4-1912 are
permitted .
(F) Off-premise signs up to a maximum of three hundred (300)
square feet in area shall be permitted provided that said
signs shall not interfere with or impede means of ingress,
egress and traffic circulation and/or adequate access to light
and air, or constitute an unreasonable interference with the
proper use or enjoyment of surrounding properties. Off-
premise signs greater than three hundred ( 300) square feet in
area on one face shall require a special permit subject to
approval ' of the Board of Adjustment. A . permit for an
off-premise sign may include a .time limit and a thirty (30)
day notice of removal . Four (4 ) off-premise sign faces not to
exceed three hundred (300) square feet , but not more than
three (3) off-premise sign structures shall be permitted
within six hundred sixty (660) lineal feet along a public
right-of-way, provided that no off-premise sign structure is
located closer than one hundred fifty feet ( 1501 ) to any other
off-premise sign structure. Off-premise signs shall not block
the visibility of on-premise signs. Off-premise signs are
prohibited as follows :
( 1 ) Along public rights-of-way less than six hundred
sixty feet (6601 ) in length
(2) Along public rights-of-way less than six hundred
sixty feet (6601 ) in length in a permissible zone
(3) Within seventy five feet (751 ) of residential zones
and residential land uses if designed to be viewed from said
residential areas.
(G) Motor Vehicle Dealership Over 1 Acre of Contiguous
Ownership or Control . Each dealership is allowed its
appropriate Wall or Under Marquee sign as stated in the Sign
Code (sea_,,�,ection 4-1918 [31 ) . Each dealership is allowed one
primary Ytee standing per street frontage not to exceed an area
greater than one and one-half ( 1-112) square feet for each
lineal foot of property frontage which the business occupies
up to a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet , or if such
sign is multi-faced , the maximum allowance shall be not more
than two hundred (200) square feet. In addition to the above ,
each dealership is allowed one accessory free standing sign
for each separate business activity located on the property
which can reasonably be related to the primary business .
These signs shall not exceed a height of ten feet ( 101 ) and a
total sign area of twenty-five (25) square feet, if single
faced or fifty (50) square feet if double faced. They must
also maintain a minimum twenty foot (201 ) setback and be no
closer than one hundred fifty feet ( 150 ' ) to any other
accessory Freestanding Maximum shall be three (3 ) per street
frontage .
(H) Temporary signs per Section 4-1915 are allowed .
(4) B-P (Business Parking) District :
(A) Off-premise signs are prohibited .
(B) Subject to the limitations of this section, any sign
permitted in Section 4-1818(3) is permitted in this District.
(5 ) M-P (Manufacturing Park) District:
(A) Signs shall be located no closer than twenty feet (201 )
to any property line, with the exception of entrance, exit and
directional signs .
(B) Special permit signs as provided in Section 4-1916 and
off-premise signs are prohibited.
(C) Subject to the limitations of this section, any sign
permitted in Section 4-1918 (3) is permitted in this District.
(6 ) P-1 (Public Use) District :
(A) Signs may be illuminated and shall be for location
identification only and shall display no copy, symbol or
device other than that in keeping with the principal occupant .
(B) Only wall and free standing signs are allowed .
(C) No wall sign shall exceed ten percent ( 10%) of the
building facade to which it is affixed .
(D) Free standing signs are limited to six feet (61 ) above
grade and ten feet ( 101 ) to any public right-of-way.
SECTION X: Existing Sections 4-1905, 4-1906, 4-1907,
4-1908, 4-1909 and 4-1911 of Title IV (Building Regulations) of
Ordinance No . 1628 entitled "Code of General Ordinances of the City
of Renton" are hereby repealed in their entirety .
SECTION XI : This Ordinance shall be effective upon its
passage, approval and thirty (30) days after its publication.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL on April 11th , 1983.
Maxine E. Motor, City Clerk
J
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR on April 11th 1983.
Barbara Y. Shinpoc , Mayor
Approved as to form:
Lawrence J.--,Wdtren ,
City Attorney
Date of Publication: April 15, 1983