22B.10.090 Single-family residential land use district signs – R-7.5, R-5, R-4, R-3.5, R-2.5, R-1.8, and R-1.
A. General. The following provisions govern signs in the R-7.5, R-5, R-4, R-3.5, R-2.5, R-1.8 and R-1 districts. Two categories of sign uses are covered by this section:
1. Existing, Legal Nonconforming Commercial Uses. The provisions herein for signs for commercial uses apply only to legal nonconforming uses which have been approved under applicable zoning ordinances prior to the enactment of this code.
2. Noncommercial uses such as schools, churches, fire stations and house number identification.
B. Signs for Existing Legal Nonconforming Uses. No more than one primary sign is permitted for each use in this category so long as the building remains legally nonconforming under provisions of the Bellevue Land Use Code, as follows:
1. Such sign may be either freestanding or building-mounted.
2. If freestanding, the sign shall conform to the requirements of BCC 22B.10.030(E)(1) in regard to placement and BCC 22B.10.040(B) in regard to size and height.
3. A building-mounted sign shall conform to the requirements of BCC 22B.10.030(E)(2); provided, however, that no sign shall exceed 20 square feet in surface area.
C. Signs for Noncommercial Uses.
1. Signs for Churches, Schools, Golf Courses, Fire Stations, Police Stations, Noncommercial Use or Public Service, or Other Similar Noncommercial Uses. Unless otherwise covered by the provisions set forth in BCC 22B.10.130(N), signs for the above noncommercial uses shall comply with the following:
a. On-premises signs shall conform with the following requirements:
i. Each use identified above shall have no more than one freestanding sign and one building-mounted sign along each street frontage.
ii. Building-mounted signs shall not exceed 20 feet in height or 50 square feet in surface area.
iii. Freestanding signs located between the building line and the property line shall not exceed five feet in height or 25 square feet in surface area.
iv. Freestanding signs located at the building line or behind it shall not exceed 15 feet in height or 35 feet in area.
b. Off-premises signs for these noncommercial uses may be approved by the director subject to the following conditions:
i. The sign is to identify current events or activities.
ii. The sign or message is for a temporary period of time sufficient to inform the public of the event or activity with a maximum of two weeks.
iii. The sign is not located on street or freeway right-of-way except when a part of a permanent subdivision or neighborhood designation sign (see paragraph (C)(4) of this subsection).
iv. The sign does not exceed 15 square feet in area nor five feet in height.
v. Not more than two such signs shall be permitted.
2. Illumination. Signs in single-family residential districts may be internally or externally illuminated. If externally illuminated, the illumination source shall be located, shaded, shielded, or directed so that it is not visible from a public street or adjoining residential property.
3. House Numbers. All houses in single-family residential districts shall display house numbers visible from the street.
4. Permanent Subdivision or Neighborhood Designation Signs. Permanent subdivision or neighborhood designation signs shall conform with the following requirements:
a. Signs shall not exceed five feet in height and 25 square feet in surface area.
b. Signs shall be located between the building line and the property line unless a location on excess city right-of-way is approved by the director of transportation. (Ord. 6427 § 22, 2018; Ord. 5357 § 9, 2002; Ord. 5151 § 1, 1999; Ord. 4818 § 8, 1995; Ord. 2953 § 9, 1981; Ord. 2828 § 1, 1980; Ord. 2133 §§ 4, 5, 1974; Ord. 2014 § 3, 1974; 1961 code § 17.01.080.)