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A. General. The following provisions govern signs in the OLB, OLB-2, OLB-OS, EG-TOD, CB, NMU, DT-O-1, DT-O-2, DT-MU, DT-R, DT-OB, DT-OLB, EM-TOD-H, EM-TOD-L, GC, LI, MI, and all BelRed land use districts, except BR-ORT, and may be modified through design review as described in BCC 22B.10.025, as now or hereafter amended.

1. Sign Scale. Signs shall be scaled to the building to which the sign is related.

2. Sign Allocation – Single Occupancy Buildings. Any single occupancy building in the above land use districts shall be permitted the number of primary signs described in subsection C of this section. No more than one of the allowed primary signs may be a freestanding sign unless the single occupancy building faces on more than one street. If the single occupancy building faces on more than one street, see subsection D of this section to determine the number of allowed freestanding signs.

3. Sign Allocation – Multiple Occupancy Buildings. Each enterprise with its own separate exterior entrance in a multiple occupancy building in the above land use districts shall be permitted its own primary sign allocation as described in subsection C of this section. Enterprises which share an exterior entrance in a multiple occupancy building shall be considered a single combined enterprise and shall share primary sign allocation as described in subsection C of this section. No more than one freestanding sign is permitted per multiple occupancy building facing on only one street. If the multiple occupancy building faces on more than one street, see subsection D of this section to determine the number of allowed freestanding signs.

4. Address Number. Each enterprise shall display and maintain on-premises street address number identification. Such identification shall not be included in the number of primary signs.

5. Multiple Buildings on 15 Acres or More. A multiple building complex encompassing at least 15 acres may display one complex identification sign along each right-of-way which provides direct access to the complex. Each sign shall not exceed 75 square feet in area and 15 feet in height.

B. Dimensional Limitations. Except as otherwise specifically allowed herein, all signs shall conform with the setback, area, and height limitations set forth in this section.

1. Setback Limitations – Freestanding Signs. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the size of any freestanding sign shall not exceed the following limits based on the setback of the sign from the property line:

Setback

Maximum Area

Between property line and building line

25 sq. ft.

On building line or behind it

75 sq. ft.

2. Sign Height – Freestanding Signs. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the height of any freestanding sign shall not exceed the following limits based on the setback of the sign:

Setback

Maximum Height

Between property line and building line

5 ft.

On building line or behind it

15 ft.

3. Sign Area Limitations – Building-Mounted, Upper-Level High-Rise, Roof or Canopy-Mounted Signs. Unless otherwise provided in this section, the surface area of any building-mounted, upper-level high-rise, roof or canopy-mounted signage shall not exceed the figures derived from the following schedule.

Relevant Surface Area or Facade Area as Determined Pursuant to BCC 22B.10.020

Maximum Sign Surface Area for That Facade

Below 100 sq. ft.

26 sq. ft.

100 – 199 sq. ft.

26 sq. ft. + 11% of facade area over 100 sq. ft.

200 – 499 sq. ft.

38 sq. ft. + 12% of facade area over 200 sq. ft.

500 – 999 sq. ft.

75 sq. ft. + 11% of facade area over 500 sq. ft.

1,000 – 1,499 sq. ft.

131 sq. ft. + 7.5% of facade area over 1,000 sq. ft.

1,500 – 2,999 sq. ft.

169 sq. ft. + 2.5% of facade area over 1,500 sq. ft.

Over 3,000 sq. ft.

206 sq. ft. + 1.5% of facade area over 3,000 sq. ft. to a maximum of 300 sq. ft.

a. For other than upper-level high-rise signs and signs for an entertainment/public assembly use, in multiple occupancy buildings the facade area for each enterprise is derived by measuring only the surface area of the exterior facade of the premises actually used by the enterprise, and the sign displayed by the enterprise shall be located on the facade used to determine the size of the sign, except as provided in this section.

b. For upper-level high-rise signs, sign size may be up to 300 square feet, regardless of facade size. For entertainment/public assembly use signs, the director may approve through design review sign area not to exceed a maximum of 400 square feet per sign; provided, that the total sign area of building-mounted signs on entertainment/public assembly uses shall not exceed 35 percent of the surface area of the enterprise’s facade on which the signs are located.

c. Unused sign surface area for a facade may be used by any enterprise within the same multiple occupancy building or by any enterprise within the same multiple building complex located within all downtown and East Main land use districts and BelRed BR-OR-1, BR-OR-2, BR-RC-1, BR-RC-2, and BR-MO-1 land use districts, if:

i. The applicant files with the city a written statement signed by the enterprise that earned the sign area under this code permitting the applicant to utilize the unused sign surface area.

ii. The display of a sign on that facade by the applicant will not create a significant adverse impact on other users of that facade.

iii. The display of the applicant’s sign is necessary to reasonably identify the enterprise, and the provisions of this code do not provide the enterprise with adequate sign display options.

iv. In no event may sign surface area transferred under this provision be used for an upper-level high-rise sign. Unused upper-level high-rise sign or entertainment/public assembly use sign surface area may not be transferred for use for any other sign, regardless of enterprise or location.

4. Sign Height – Building-Mounted Signs. No building-mounted sign shall be placed on the upper levels of a high-rise building, installed on the rooftop or extend above the height of the building to which it is attached; provided, that hotels and motels may have signs at upper levels of a high-rise building, rooftop mounted signs, and signs extending above the height of the building; and further provided, that signs complying with subsection E of this section may be placed at the upper levels of high-rise buildings.

C. Number of Primary Signs.

1. General. The permissible number of primary signs for each single occupancy building is dependent upon the surface area of the largest single facade of the building. The permissible number of primary signs for each enterprise with its own primary sign allocation pursuant to subsection A of this section in a multiple occupancy building is dependent upon the surface area of the largest single facade of the portion of the building occupied by the enterprise applying for the sign permit. An enterprise in a multiple occupancy building shall have its own separate exterior entrance to be allowed primary signage pursuant to this subsection C, except as provided in subsections (C)(2) and (C)(3) of this section. The permissible number of primary signs for a combined enterprise with a shared primary sign allocation pursuant to subsection A of this section in a multiple occupancy building is dependent upon the surface area of the largest single facade of the portion of the building occupied by the combined enterprise applying for the sign permit. The permitted number of signs is as follows:

Surface Area of Largest Facade

Maximum Number of Signs

Less than 999 sq. ft.

2

1,000 – 2,999 sq. ft.

3

3,000 sq. ft. and over

4

Buildings or enterprises with more than 3,000 square feet on any face, with several clearly differentiated departments, each with separate exterior entrances, are permitted one sign for each different department with a separate exterior entrance, in addition to the four allotted.

2. Upper-Level High-Rise Signs. One enterprise occupying at least 75,000 net square feet in a single high-rise building within the downtown may earn two upper-level high-rise signs for placement on the building in which such enterprise is located, regardless of whether such enterprise has an exterior entrance. Such signs must comply with subsection (E)(2) of this section. Such signs are in addition to other signs allowed under this section. Both signs must be used by the same enterprise.

3. In multiple occupancy buildings, or multiple building complexes located within any downtown or East Main land use district or within BelRed BR-OR-1, BR-OR-2, BR-RC-1, BR-RC-2 and BR-MO-1 land use districts, unused primary sign allotment for one enterprise may be used by any enterprise within the same multiple occupancy building, or by any enterprise within the same multiple building complex located within a downtown land use district or the BelRed land use districts listed above, if:

a. The applicant files with the city a written statement signed by the enterprise that earned the primary sign under this code permitting the applicant to utilize the unused primary sign allotment.

b. The display of a sign by the applicant will not create a significant adverse impact on the primary signs of other enterprises in the building.

c. The display of the applicant’s sign is necessary to reasonably identify the enterprise, and the provisions of this code do not provide the enterprise with adequate sign display options.

d. In no event may unused primary sign allotment transferred under this provision be used for an upper-level high-rise sign. Unused upper-level high-rise or entertainment/public assembly use sign allotment may not be transferred for use for any other sign, regardless of enterprise or location.

e. Unused allotments may not be transferred between downtown land use districts, East Main land use districts, and BelRed land use districts.

D. Buildings on More Than One Street. Buildings facing on more than one street are entitled to a bonus in the number of primary signs, as follows:

1. Buildings on Intersecting Streets. When a building is located on intersecting streets, two freestanding signs are permitted if they are located on two different streets and are separated more than 100 feet measured in a straight line between signs. Otherwise, only one freestanding sign is permitted. The second freestanding sign is in addition to the primary signs allowed under subsection C of this section.

2. Buildings Facing on Two Parallel Streets. Single occupancy buildings facing on two parallel streets, or enterprises within multiple occupancy buildings whose premises extend through a block to face on two parallel streets with customer entrances on each street, are permitted the number of primary signs under subsection C of this section for each end of the building or premises facing on a street.

E. Types of Placement of Primary Signs. The permissible types of primary signs, their placement and other limitations are as follows:

1. Freestanding Signs.

a. Freestanding signs shall be wholly located within the center two-thirds of the frontage of the property on the street or 15 feet from the adjacent property line, whichever provides the longer distance from the closest part of the sign to the adjacent property line; provided, however, that a freestanding sign may be located within five feet of the property line with the written consent of the title holder of the adjacent property. If such consent is obtained, the consenting party or his or her successors or assigns may not place a freestanding sign on his or her property within 20 feet of the first freestanding sign.

b. A freestanding sign located at the property line shall be wholly behind the property line, and a freestanding sign located at the building line shall be wholly behind the building line.

c. Any freestanding sign shall be integrated. That is, all supports or sign elements shall be an integral part of the design. Auxiliary projections or attachments not a part of a single design are prohibited, unless approved through design review.

d. Landscaping shall be provided at the base of all freestanding signs, as required by BCC 22B.10.140(F).

2. Building-Mounted Signs.

a. Signs shall not project more than five feet from the face of the building to which the sign is attached. However, an exception may be made for the main building sign or tenant sign if it meets the following criteria:

i. The sign shall be of a scale and orientation designed to address pedestrian or vehicular traffic; and

ii. The sign shall not pose a traffic safety hazard; and

iii. The bottom of the sign shall measure at least eight and one-half feet from finish grade; and

iv. For all signs, structural supports shall be compatible with the design or concealed from view.

b. Building-mounted signs shall only identify the building and the name of the firm, or the major enterprise, and principal product and/or service information.

c. For other than upper-level high-rise signs, an enterprise in a multiple occupancy building with its own primary sign allocation pursuant to subsection A of this section shall locate its building-mounted signs on a facade of the portion of the building occupied by that enterprise, except as provided in subsections B and C of this section.

d. No portion of a sign for an entertainment/public assembly use shall be located more than 85 feet above average finished grade. Signs for an entertainment/public assembly use located more than 75 feet above average finished grade shall not be considered upper-level high-rise signs.

e. Upper-Level High-Rise Signs. Building-mounted signs may be located at the upper levels of high-rise buildings if they meet the following criteria, in addition to other applicable provisions of this code:

i. Two upper-level high-rise signs may be placed on any high-rise building within the downtown; provided, that:

(a) Only a single enterprise that occupies at least 75,000 net square feet of the high-rise building on which the sign is located may place an upper-level high-rise sign;

(b) Signs shall be limited to the name and/or logo of the enterprise placing the sign;

(c) In no event may the sign area of each sign exceed 300 square feet;

(d) The signs shall be located on the two facades of the building most oriented to I-405, with no more than one upper-level sign on any facade; and

(e) The sign shall comply with the requirements of BCC 22B.10.025.

Upper-level high-rise signs shall be removed within 90 days after the enterprise ceases to occupy at least 75,000 net square feet in the high-rise building on which the sign is located.

3. Roof and Canopy Signs.

a. All such signs shall be manufactured in such a way that they appear as an architectural blade or penthouse and are finished in such a manner that the visual appearance from all sides is such that they appear to be a part of the building itself.

b. All roof and canopy signs shall be installed or erected in such a manner that there shall be no visible angle iron support structure.

F. Incidental Signs. Incidental signs, as defined in BCC 22B.10.020, are permitted and are not included in the number of primary signs.

G. Directional Signs. Directional signs shall not exceed six square feet in sign surface area and may be located only on the premises to which the sign is intended to guide or direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic, except that off-premises directional signs may be approved by the director subject to the same standards required for granting of a variance as set forth in BCC 22B.10.180, where the applicant has demonstrated that his or her premises are so located that on-premises directional signs are inadequate to reasonably apprise the public of the location of the premises. Directional signs shall not be included in determining the number of primary signs.

H. Window Signs. The total surface area of all window signs shall not exceed 15 square feet, or 10 percent of the window area. Such signs shall not be included in determining the number of primary signs, nor in determining the permissible sign area for each facade; provided, that such signs shall not exceed an area total to 15 square feet, or 10 percent of the window area.

I. Signs for Legally Nonconforming Buildings. All provisions of this section apply to signs on nonconforming buildings in the districts governed by this section, except that building-mounted signs may project over the building or property line, but shall not extend closer than five feet to the back of the curb. Such signs shall extend no more than five feet from the face of the building to which they are attached and shall have a maximum clearance over the sidewalk below of eight feet, six inches. The total sign surface area for signing of individual legal nonconforming buildings shall not exceed 40 square feet. (Ord. 6630 §§ 4 – 7, 2021; Ord. 6427 §§ 9 – 15, 2018; Ord. 6288 §§ 3, 4, 2016; Ord. 6116 §§ 3, 4, 2013; Ord. 5877 § 3, 2009; Ord. 5743 § 3, 2007; Ord. 5679 § 3, 2006; Ord. 5542 §§ 6 – 9, 2004; Ord. 5490 §§ 6 – 14, 2003; Ord. 5403 § 16, 2002; Ord. 5357 §§ 3 – 6, 2002; Ord. 4817 § 3, 1995; Ord. 4683 § 2, 1994; Ord. 4626 § 4, 1994; Ord. 3683 § 1, 1986; Ord. 2970 § 1, 1981; Ord. 2953 § 3, 1981; Ord. 2045 § 2, 1974; 1961 code § 17.01.030.)