HomeMy WebLinkAbout36-18 - Ord. Adding and Revising Title 17 Chapter 17.34 Signs in the Belfair Urban Growth Area ORDINANCE NUMBER ) / - 18
ADDITIONS AND REVISIONS TO MASON COUNTY CODE
TITLE 17, CHAPTER 17.34 - SIGNS IN THE BELFAIR UGA
ORDINANCE AMENDING Title 17, Section 17.34.040 and Section 17.34.050, Section 17.34.070
through 17.34.120; ADDING Section 17.34.160 - Severability and Section 17.34.170 -
Enforcement.
WHEAREAS, under the authority of the Planning Enabling Act (RCW 36.70) and the Washington
State Growth Management Act (RCW 37.70A) Mason County is taking legislative action to
revise its development regulations; and
WHEAREAS, in June 2015 the US Supreme Court issued a decision in the Reed v. Town of
Gilbert that has provided guidance for cities and counties in revising and updating their sign
codes; and
WHEAREAS, the Mason County Code Title 17, Chapter 17.34 - Signs in the Belfair UGA
referred to the content of temporary signs when regulating and thus did not adequately
comply with the ruling in Reed v. Town of Gilbert; and
WHEAREAS, on February 12, 2018 the Mason County Planning Advisory Commission held a
briefing on the proposed text amendments to the Mason County Code Title 17, Chapter 17.34
- Signs in the Belfair UGA; and
WHEAREAS, on March 19, 2017 the Mason County Planning Advisory Commission held a
worksession on the proposed text amendments to the Mason County Code Title 17, Chapter
17.34 - Signs in the Belfair UGA; and
WHEARAS, on April 16, 2018 the Mason County Planning Advisory Commission held a Public
Hearing and passed a motion to recommend approval of said amendments the Mason County
Code Title 17, Chapter 17.34 - Signs in the Belfair UGA to the Board of County Commissioners;
and
WHEARAS, the Mason County Board of Commissioners held a Public Hearing about the
proposed text amendments on June 5, 2018 to consider recommendations of the Planning
Advisory Commission, the testimony of Mason County Community Services and Mason County
citizens; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY ORDAINED, the Mason County Board of County
Commissioners hereby approves and ADOPTS amending Title 17, Section 17.34.040 and
Section 17.34.050, Section 17.34.070 through 17.34.120; ADDING Section 17.34.160 -
Severability and Section 17.34.170 - Enforcement.
5+h
DATED this day of June 2018
Board of Commissioners
Mason County, Washington
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: MASON COUNTY, WASHINGTON
-w,daQ, Z��
Met ss every, C rk of the Board Randy Neatherlin, Chair
Absent
APPROVED_ AS TO FORM: Kevin Shutty, Commissioner
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Terri Drexler, Commissioner
Chapter 17.34 - SIGNS IN THE BELFAIR UGA
Sections:
17.34.010—Signs in the Belfair UGA.
17.34.020—Intent of sign regulations.
17.34.030—Application.
17.34.040—Exemptions to the sign regulations.
17.34.050—Definitions.
17.34.060—Sight distance for signs.
17.34.070—Prohibited signs.
17.34.080—Temporary signs.
17.34.090—Non-Commercial signs.
17.34.100—Design guidelines.
17.34.110—Permitted commercial monument sign standards.
17.34.120—Permitted commercial building sign standards.
17.34.130—Permitted commercial tenant sign standards.
17.34.140—Permitted commercial neon sign standards.
17.34.150—Non-Conforming commercial signs.
17.34.160—Severability.
17.34.170—Enforcement.
17.34.0109-_Signs in the Belfair UGA.
This chapter shall also be known as the"Belfair Sign Code."
(Ord. 133-04 Att. B §2 (part), 2004).
17.34.0200-_ Intent of sign regulations.
The intent of the sign regulations is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life, health, property and
public welfare by regulating and controlling the number, size, design, quality of materials, construction,
location, electrification and maintenance of all signs and sign structures; to preserve and improve the
appearance of Belfair as a place in which to live and as an attraction to nonresidents who come to visit or
trade; to encourage sound signing practices as an aid to business and for public information but to
prevent excessive and confusing sign displays or signs that pose a hazard to the public.
(Ord. 133-04 Att. B § 2 (part), 2004).
17.34.939-030-Application.
This chapter applies only to signs within the Belfair urban growth area.
(Ord. 133-04 Att. B § 2 (part), 2004).
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17.34.949-040- Exemptions to the sign regulations.
The following may be construed as signs, but are not intended to be regulated as signs in the
development regulations:
A. The flag, emblem or insignia of a nation or other governmental unit or nonprofit
organization subject to the guidelines concerning their use set forth by the government or
organization which they represent;
B. Traffic or other municipal signs, signs required by law or emergency, railroad crossing
signs, legal notices and signs erected by government agencies to implement public policy;
C. Signs of public utility companies indicating danger or which serve as an aid to public safety
or which show the location of underground facilities or of public telephones;
D. Signs located in the interior of any building or within an enclosed lobby or court of any
building or group of buildings, which signs are designed and located to be viewed
exclusively by patrons of such use or uses;
E. Ddecorations, clearly incidental and customary and commonly
associated with any national, local or religious holiday, or traditional community event such
as annual festivals or parades;
F. Sculptures, fountains, murals, mosaics and design features which do not incorporate
advertising or identification.
(Ord. 133-04 Att. B § 2 (part), 2004).
17.34.959050- Definitions.
The following definitions apply within this chapter:
Accessory building or use means any building or use which:
A. Is subordinated to, and serves a principal building or principal use;
B. Is subordinate in area, extent or purpose to the principal building or principal use served;
C. Contributes to the comfort, convenience or necessity of occupants of the principal building
or principal use served; and
D. Is located on the same lot as the principal building or principal use served, with the single
exception of such accessory off-street parking facilities as are permitted to locate
elsewhere than on the same lot with the building or use served.
E. Accessory uses include signs which are related to and support an on-site business or
activity.
Agricultural sales sign means a usuallyeasGnaltemporary sign used to announce and/or direct
the public to a sale of locally grown agricultural products.
Animated sign means any sign which includes action or motion or the optical illusion of action or
motion, or color changes of all or any part of the sign facing, requiring electrical energy, or set in
motion by movement of the atmosphere.
RillboaF l means the same as an off e
Changing message center sign means an electrically or electronically controlled sign where
different automatic changing messages are shown on the same lamp blank.
Commercial sign means, for the purposes of sign regulations, a sign intended to attract attention,
identify, advertise, and/or promote: a business; goods sold, offered, traded, or manufactured; a
service sold or offered; or professional, commercial or industrial gainful activity.
County means Mason County, Washington.
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Construction sign means any sign used to identify the architects, engineers, contractors or other
individuals or firms involved with the construction of a building and announce the character of the
building or the purpose for which the building is intended.
Flashing sign means any sign which contains an intermittent or flashing light source or which
includes the illusion of intermittent or flashing light by means of animation or an externally mounted
intermittent light source.
Garage sale signs (yard sales, moving sales, patio sales) mean temporary signs used to
announce and/or direct the public to a sale of used items.
Off-premises sign means a sign that directs attention to a business, commodity, service or
entertainment conducted, sold or offered at a location other than the premises on which the sign is
located.
On-premises sign means any communication device structure or fixture that is intended to aid in
identification and to advertise and/or promote a business, service, activity, interest or view at the
location on which the sign is located.
Non-commercial sign means, for the purposes of sign regulations, a sign intended for a purpose
other than to attract attention, identify, advertise, and/or promote: a business; goods sold, offered,
traded, or manufactured; a service sold or offered; or professional, commercial, or industrial gainful
activity.
Political sign means a temporary sign advertising a candidate or candidates for public elective
office, or a political party, or sign urging a particular vote on a public issue decided by ballot.
Real estate signs mean any temporary sign pertaining to the sale, lease or rental of land or
buildings.
Roof sign means any sign erected upon, against or directly above a roof or on top of or above the
parapet of a building.
Sign means any communication device, structure or fixture that is intended to aid an establishment
in identification and to advertise and/or promote a business, service, activity or interest. For the
purpose of this chapter, a sign shall not be considered to be building or structural design, but shall be
restricted solely to graphics, symbols or written copy that is meant to be used in the aforementioned
way. Signs as regulated in this chapter have been organized into a variety of types, such as
commercial and non-commercial, which are regulated differently.
Temporary sign means those signs intended and designed to be displayed for a limited period of
time and associated with a particular event or short term activity.
9F sheFt teFFn aGtiV*ty 6UGh as GGnstFuGtien of a build' _ hinh �re intended to be removed when
the eve„t of aGtiVit„ eRd6. Temporary signs may be of either a commercial or non-commercial
nature.
(Ord. 133-04 Att. B§ 2 (part), 2004).
17.34.060968-Sight distance for signs.
In addition to the setback requirements otherwise established, signs shall be located such that there is at
every street intersection a clear view between heights of three feet and ten feet in a triangle formed by the
corner and points on the curb thirty feet from the intersection or entryway.
(Ord. 133-04 Att. B §2 (part), 2004).
17.34.07-8-070-Prohibited signs.
The following semmersia�signs or displays are prohibited in all aFeas of the ^^n*jhe Belfair Urban
Growth Area:
A. Roof signs;
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B. Animated or flashing signs, provided that changing message center signs may be allowed
when the image and/or message remains fixed for at least five seconds and that the only
animation or appearance of movement allowed is the transition from one message and/or
image to another by the scrolling on and/or off of the message and/or image;
C. Signs which, by reason of their size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of
illumination may be confused with or construed as a traffic control sign, signal or device, or
the light of an emergency or radio equipment vehicle, or which obstruct the visibility of
traffic or street sign or signal device from the traffic intended to be served by the sign,
signal or device;
D. Signs attached to utility poles;
E. Off-premises signs and billbeaF , except for the temporary signs allowed in Sections
17.34.080,17.34.090 ' ,
F. Pole-mounted signs;
G. Ground-mounted signs taller than ten feet in height;
H. Signs employing exposed electrical conduits;
I. Signs with visible ballast boxes or other equipment;
J. Signs with luminous plastic letters;
K. Audible or odor-producing signs;
L. Back-lit translucent awnings;
M. Cardboard signs, except for the temporary signs allowed in Section 17.34.080;;
N. Back-lit signs with letters or graphics on a plastic sheet(also known as can signs);
O. Vinyl banners, except those related to a specific event and displayed prior to the event for
no more than ten days.
(Ord. 133-04 Att. B § 2 (part), 2004).
Typical"can signs" Internally lit letters
are not acceptable or gf.tphics arw accoptable
BANK
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Figure 22. Can signs compared with permitted signs.
17.34.080—Temporary Signs.
Temporary signs are those intended and designed to be displayed for a limited period of time and shall
not be permanently attached or anchored to the ground, to a building or any other structure. Temporary
Signs specified in 17.34.080.0 which are allowed in the right-of-way, are regulated pursuant to
17.03.202.C, 17.03.202.D., and state law. 12y state
A. Signs displayed on a property actively marketed for sale, lease, or rent.
(1) Permitted Location: On property for sale, lease, or rent.
(2) Duration: no longer than ten (10) days after the sale, lease or rent of property has
been finalized.
(3) Off-Premise Signs: May be placed on private property with owner's consent.
B. Signs displayed on a property holding a Temporary event.
(1) Permitted Location: On the property with which the temporary event is associated.
(2) Duration: no longer than ten (10) days after the event.
(3) Off-Premise Signs: May be placed on private property with owner's consent.
C. Signs displayed during elections and campaigns.
(1) Permitted Location: May be placed on private property with owner's consent and in
the public right of way as regulated pursuant to 17.03.202.C, 17.03.202.D., and
state law.
by state law and IGGal ordina---
(2) Duration: no longer than ten (10) days after the final campaign or election.
17.34.090—Non-Commercial Signs.
Non-commercial signs may be placed upon private property with owner's consent.
47.34.080 Prehibitednen eengnger-eiGi signs.
A. ARimated OF flaShiRg signs, provided that Ghanging message Genter signs may be allow
wheR the image andlor message FernaiRS fixed for at least five seGends and that the ORIY
animatien oF appearance of movemeRt allowed is the transition from one message and/O
the light of aR omorg
signal or d—i-
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1�7.34.090 Peak estate signs.
Real estate signs may be PlaGed GRIY upon private pFepeFty with ewneF'S GORS
( ,, 2004)-
17.34.100 Plow, r• al
permitted en publiG right of ways as regulated by state law and IE)Gal erd!Rance,
(orr! 133 04 e++ R § 2 (part), 2004)
17.34.110 G&fvge sale signs (all e yard salesm r,
ales +ie sale �
Garage sale signs (also Mard sales mnviRg
, sales,
n
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1:7.34.120��-i e�t�-rsTs„-s.
AgriGultural sales signs may be plaGed only upon private property and with the owneF'S GGRS
(8Fd.133 4++ B § 2 (paFt) 2094)
17.34.1-30-100- Design guidelines.
The following guidelines apply to all signage for non-single family residential development..
A. Signage must be of high-quality design and materials;
B. Signage shall always complement a building's character and design (e.g., walls signs
should avoid covering building columns);
C. Signs may be fabricated of mixed media, including metal reverse-illuminated letters,
suspended neon letters, illuminate individual letters, or signs etched or cut out of solid
material, such as wood or brass, and illuminated from behind,
D. Keep signs as simple as possible, relying on symbols to avoid needless clutter and
complexity;
E. Use landscaping in conjunction with monument signs to enhance the appearance;
F. Light colored lettering and logos on a dark background is highly recommended for
readability, sense of quality and design continuity;
G. Non-illuminated mixed-media, and other special mixed-media signs will be subject to
approval by the county.
(Ord. 133-04 Att. B § 2 (part), 2004).
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Figure 23.Appropriate sign location and size.
17.34.110360- Permitted commercial monument sign standards.
A. Monument site entry signs may be located at major vehicular or pedestrian entries along
the street front.
B. Only one monument sign is allowed per site. For large sites, more than one monument sign
shall be permitted as long as such signs are placed no closer than one hundred fifty feet
apart along the street front.
C. Monument signs size limits..
(1) Single tenant signs shall be no more than eight feet in height and thirty-two square
feet in area per face (Two sign faces are allowed);
(2) Single tenant signs for retail uses larger than fifty thousand square feet in gross
floor area shall be no more than ten feet in height and fifty square feet in area per
face;
(3) Multi-tenant (more than three tenants) signs shall be no more than ten feet in
height and forty square feet in area per face;
(4) Multi-tenant signs for commercial uses with more than fifty thousand square feet in
gross floor area shall be no more than ten feet in height and fifty square feet in
area per face;
(5) Monument signs for multi family developments shall be no more than five feet in
height and twenty-eight square feet in total sign face area.
D. Signs shall be designed to integrate with adjacent site landscaping.
E. Monument signs shall be setback at least five feet from any public right-of-way.
F. Monument signs may be internally lit or illuminated from the front.
G. A thirty-foot lineal break in required tree coverage in landscaped front yard areas parallel to
the street, where applicable, is permitted adjacent to monument signs to enhance visibility.
Other landscape elements such as shrubs and ground cover will still apply.
(Ord. 133-04 Att. B § 2 (part), 2004).
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Figure 24. An example of a monument sign.
17.34.120369-Permitted commercial building sign standards.
A. Building signs are those signs mounted directly on the face of a building and include signs
to identify the building or facility or individual tenants or businesses. Building signs should
be designed and located to fit with the buildings architecture. For example, building signs
might fit within a recessed panel or on a building element such as a fascia or canopy.
Building signs should not cover over an architectural element such as a window or portion
of a buildings ornamentation or trim.
B. Buildings signs should fit parallel or perpendicular with the building fagade. The supporting
mechanisms or arms of new building signs should not be visible. Perpendicular signs
should not extend more than four feet from the building fagade.
C. The maximum surface area of building mounted signs for a given fagade is twenty-five
square feet plus ten percent of the area of the building's main fagade. The sign(s) may be
located on any fagade, but the signs on all fagades count toward maximum surface area.
D. The lettering and logos of building signs may be internally-lit but the background of the sign
face shall not be internally illuminated. Building signs may be illuminated from the front.
(Ord. 133-04 Att. B § 2 (part), 2004).
. 1
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hMAXIMIN AREA 1.S st i'1m,, 10%of main
Cu�kt�ry�'acatic(d s:anagQ modl�cru icia arnry
Figure 25. Maximum size of building signs.
17.34.369••130-Permitted commercial tenant sign standards.
Miscellaneous tenant signs including those hung from building canopies (blade signs), temporary ground
placed A-Board signs, and window signs are allowed provided they do not exceed twelve square feet and
provided they are within ten feet of the individual or multiple tenant building entrance.
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(Ord. 133-04 Att. B §2 (part), 2004).
17.34. 9-140-Permitted commercial neon sign standards.
Neon signs in windows are permitted.
(Ord. 133-04 Att. B § 2 (part), 2004).
17.34.499150-Non-conforming commercial signs.
A. Signs which are legally established prior to the effective date of this chapter, December 28,
2004, may continue for a period of ten years, provided that, if a non-conforming sign is
changed or moved, it must be brought into conformance with this chapter at that time.
Notwithstanding the previous sentence, sandwich boards or A-frame boards, which are
legally established prior to the effective date of this chapter, may continue for a period of
ninety days, provided that after that time:
(1) The sign shall be removed or brought in to conformance, and
(2) Prior to any enforcement action, the county shall attempt to notify the property
and/or business owner of the non-conformity.
B. If this chapter is amended so as to create new non-conforming signs from signs which were
in conformance with this chapter, those signs may continue for a period of ten years from
the date of the amendment that made them non-conforming, provided that, if a non-
conforming sign is changed or moved, it must be brought into conformance with this
chapter at that time.
C. Parcels affected by roadway construction identified in the Belfair subarea plan may be
granted an extension of six months past project completion to bring non-conforming signs
into conformance.
(Ord. 133-04 Att. B §2 (part), 2004).
s'
Figure 26. Example of a sandwich board or A-frame board.
17.34.160—Severability.
This title shall be governed by the laws of the State of Washington. In the event that any portion or
section of this title be declared invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the
remainder of the title shall not be affected and shall remain in full force and effect.
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17.34.170—Enforcement.
Count officials shall have the authority to remove signs when not placed in accordance with this section.
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