22B.10.120 Temporary signs | Bellevue City Code

22B.10.120 Temporary signs.

Except for the signage described in subsection B of this section, the aggregate area of all temporary signs regulated by this section placed or maintained on any parcel of private real property in one ownership shall not exceed 64 square feet maximum, and the area of any single sign shall not exceed 32 square feet maximum. Instead of the sign allowances and requirements applicable to the land use district within which the temporary sign is located, the temporary signs below must comply with the following limitations:

1. Downtown. These signs shall be of durable material, and may only identify the architects, engineers, contractors or other individuals or firms involved with the construction of a building. Signs may also announce the character of the building, or the purpose for which the building is intended and may include words and/or graphic images to illustrate the project or other subject matter. These signs are subject to design review approval pursuant to Chapter 20.30F LUC and the design review criteria of BCC 22B.10.025, may be displayed only after issuance of a construction permit, and displayed only until issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy or certificate of occupancy. Barricade signs submitted at any time after design review approval may be permitted through a land use exemption (LUX) permit. The aggregate and individual sign size limits set forth above may be modified through the design review process set forth in BCC 22B.10.025 to allow additional construction period sign area, with an aggregate limit not to exceed 128 square feet, which may be allocated to one sign or several signs.

2. All Zones Outside Downtown (Single-Family Excepted). No construction sign shall exceed 32 square feet in surface area or 10 feet in height, nor be located closer than 10 feet from the property line or closer than 30 feet from the property line of the abutting owner so as not to constitute a hazard. Such signs must be removed by the date of first occupancy of the premises.

3. Single-Family Zones. No construction sign shall exceed eight square feet in surface area, or be located closer than 10 feet from the property line of the abutting owner. Such signs shall be removed by the date of first occupancy of the premises. Only one such sign (which may be double-faced) is permitted per construction project adjacent to each public street upon which the project fronts.

B. Lease-Up/Sales Period Signage. Any portion of a building’s permanent signage allocation as set forth in the applicable sections of this code may be utilized to display marketing signage during the initial lease-up/sales period of a new or substantially remodeled building. These signs shall be of durable material, graphically compatible with the permanent signage, and may include words and/or graphic images to communicate availability within the building. These signs are subject to a previously approved sign package or design review approval pursuant to Chapter 20.30F LUC, may be displayed only after issuance of certificate of occupancy, and must be removed or converted back to permanent signage when initial lease-up ends as defined under BCC 22B.10.020.

C. Real Estate Signs. Except as governed by BCC 22B.10.120(B), all exterior real estate signs must be of wood, plastic or other rigid and durable material, and unless a permit is not required pursuant to BCC 22B.10.160(D), are permitted individually or through a sign package. In addition, all such signs are subject to the following limitations:

1. On-Premises Residential “For Sale,” “For Lease/Rent” and “Sold” Signs. Signs shall be limited to one single- or double-faced sign oriented to each street upon which the advertised property fronts. The sign must be placed wholly on the property for sale/lease/rent and may remain up until the property is sold/rented/leased.

a. Multifamily. Signs may not exceed 16 square feet in surface area. If freestanding, the sign may not exceed five feet in height and shall be located wholly on the property for sale or rent and more than 15 feet from any abutting interior property line.

b. Single-Family. The sign may not exceed six square feet in surface area.

2. Off-Premises Residential Directional “For Sale/Rent/Lease/Open House” Signs. Signs advertising “open house” and the direction to a residence for sale, lease or rent shall be limited to three single- or double-faced off-premises signs. However, if a realtor has more than one house open for inspection in a single development or subdivision, off-premises signs are limited to four for the entire development or subdivision. Such signs are permitted only during daylight hours and when the realtor or seller or an agent is in attendance at the property for sale. No off-premises “For Sale/Rent/Lease/ Open House” sign shall exceed six square feet in surface area. The sign may be placed along the periphery of a public right-of-way.

3. Undeveloped Commercial or Industrial Property “For Sale or Rent” Signs. Signs advertising undeveloped commercial or industrial property “For Sale or Rent” shall be limited to one single- or double-faced sign per street frontage. Signs may be displayed while the property is actually for sale or rent. The sign may not exceed 16 square feet in surface area. If freestanding, the sign may not exceed five feet in height and shall be located more than 15 feet from any abutting interior property line and wholly on the property for sale or rent.

4. Developed Commercial or Industrial Property “For Sale or Rent” Signs. Signs advertising developed commercial or industrial property “For Sale or Rent” shall be limited to one single- or double-faced sign per street frontage. Signs may be displayed while the building is actually for rent or sale. The sign may not exceed 16 square feet in surface area. If freestanding, the sign may not exceed five feet in height, and shall be located more than 15 feet from any abutting side or rear property line, and wholly on the property for sale or rent.

5. Residential Land Subdivision Signs. Signs advertising residential subdivisions are permitted, subject to the following:

a. Each sign shall be limited to 32 square feet in surface area;

b. Only one sign is permitted per subdivision, except in either of the following instances:

i. If a subdivision abuts only one street, two signs are permitted; provided, that the two signs must be placed at least 200 feet apart;

ii. If a subdivision abuts more than one street, one sign may be erected along each street frontage.

In no case shall more than a total of two such signs be allowed;

c. No sign shall project beyond the building line;

d. Each sign must be placed at least 30 feet from the abutting owner’s property line;

e. Such signs shall not exceed a height of 12 feet;

f. Such signs shall be removed by the end of one year or when 75 percent of the houses in the subdivision are sold or occupied, whichever first occurs; and

g. Permanent subdivision or neighborhood designation signs shall be as approved by the director, as set forth in BCC 22B.10.090(C).

6. Subdivision Directional Signs Designating New Developments. Signs advertising the direction to a subdivision shall be furnished and placed only by the developer or residents of the subdivision, but at locations designated by the city. Signs shall be of the dimensions 12 inches by 36 inches, shall bear only the name of the subdivision and a directional arrow (no name of realtor permitted), and be limited in number to four. The city will designate placement of the signs at street intersections a maximum of one mile from the nearest subdivision entrance. The signs shall be maintained by the developer and removed when 75 percent of the subdivision is occupied.

7. Undeveloped Multifamily Property “For Sale” Signs. “For sale” signs for undeveloped multifamily property shall be regulated pursuant to the provisions of BCC 22B.10.120(C)(3).

8. Undeveloped Single-Family Acreage “For Sale” Signs. Signs for undeveloped, unsubdivided single-family property which may be legally divided into four or more single lots shall be regulated pursuant to the provisions of BCC 22B.10.120(C)(3).

D. Temporary Event Signage. Signs, posters, banners, strings of lights, clusters of flags, blinking lights, balloons and searchlights are permitted for a period of one month to announce the opening of a completely new enterprise, and anytime thereafter for two weeks each occurrence (searchlights excepted) to announce the opening of an enterprise under new ownership, a substantial remodel, or a going-out-of-business sale. All such materials shall be removed immediately upon expiration of the respective time limit. Use of the above-described devices within the limits specified shall be an exception to the general prohibition on these devices in BCC 22B.10.150(E). Such displays are not exempt from permit requirements and are permitted only in districts where the enterprise so advertised is allowed under district zoning regulations, and where the enterprise advertised is allowed to have permanent signage under district zoning and sign regulations.

1. Party Headquarters. On-premises political signs are permitted on the premises of political headquarters located in the Business, Commercial, Manufacturing, and Institutional districts (BCC 22B.10.030), and on office buildings in the office and apartment districts (BCC 22B.10.040), so long as the signs meet the requirements of those districts.

2. Headquarters for Candidate or Ballot Issue. On-premises political signs are permitted on the premises of the headquarters of a candidate for public elective office (whether partisan or nonpartisan) or on the headquarters of persons supporting or opposing a public issue decided by ballot, when such headquarters are located in the Business, Commercial, Manufacturing, and Institutional districts (BCC 22B.10.030), and in office buildings in the office and apartment districts (BCC 22B.10.040), so long as the signs meet the requirements of those districts.

1. Political signs promoting or publicizing candidates for public office or issues that are to be voted upon in a general or special election may be displayed on private property.

Such signs shall be removed within seven days following the election; provided, that signs promoting successful candidates in a primary election may remain displayed on private property until seven days following the immediately subsequent general election.

2. Political Signs Not Allowed on Public Utility Poles or Public Buildings or Structures. It is unlawful for any person to paste, paint, affix or fasten a political sign on any utility pole or on any public building or structure.

3. Political Signs Within Public Right-of-Way. Political signs may be posted within public right-of-way only if the sign does not create a traffic obstruction or hazard. Political signs in the right-of-way are limited to a maximum surface area of four square feet and a maximum height of five feet. A political sign promoting or publicizing candidates for public office or issues that are to be voted upon in a general or special election must be removed within seven days following an election; provided, that political signs promoting successful candidates in a primary election may remain displayed until seven days following the immediately subsequent general election.

4. Responsibility for Removal of Signs Following Election. It shall be the responsibility of the above campaign officer or responsible official to have the signs removed.

5. Public Notices Unaffected. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the placement of public notices required by law.

6. The display of any political sign in violation of subsection E of this section, or any portion or part thereof, shall be presumed to have been done at the direction and request of the campaign officer or responsible official.

G. Commercial Estate Sale Signage. All exterior commercial estate signs must be of wood, plastic or other rigid and durable material and must comply with the criteria of this subsection.

1. On-Premises “Estate Sale” Signs. Signs shall be limited to one single- or double-faced sign oriented to each street frontage adjacent to the property on which the estate sale is being held. The sign must be placed wholly on the property on which the estate sale is being held.

a. Multifamily, Commercial or Industrial. Signs may not exceed 16 square feet in surface area. If freestanding, the sign may not exceed five feet in height and shall be located wholly on the property on which the estate sale is being held and more than 15 feet from any abutting interior property line.

b. Single-Family. The sign may not exceed six square feet in surface area.

2. Off-Premises Directional “Estate Sale” Signs. Signs advertising “estate sale” and the direction to the property on which the estate sale is being held shall be limited to three single- or double-faced off-premises signs. However, if an estate sale operator has more than one estate sale within a single development or subdivision, off-premises signs are limited to four for the entire development or subdivision. Such signs are permitted only during daylight hours and when the estate sale operator is in attendance at the location of the advertised estate sale. Off-premises “estate sale” signs shall not exceed six square feet in surface area. The sign may be placed along the periphery of a public right-of-way.

H. Temporary Joint Sales Signage. Signs, posters, banners, strings of lights, clusters of flags, blinking lights, balloons and searchlights are permitted for a period of two weeks to announce a special sales event sponsored by more than one commercial enterprise. Such special sales event must be held on the premises of one or more of the sponsoring enterprises, and all participating enterprises must be located on the same site or abutting sites. The signage allowed under this section may be permitted no more than four times per year for any participating enterprise. All such materials shall be removed immediately upon expiration of the respective time limit. Use of the above-described devices within the limits specified shall be an exception to the general prohibition on these devices in BCC 22B.10.150(E). Such displays are not exempt from permit requirements and are permitted only in downtown, Factoria, CB, NMU, EG-TOD, GC, LI, OLB, and OLB-2 land use districts where the advertised enterprise is allowed under land use district regulations or operating pursuant to a valid permit or approval. (Ord. 6427 § 23, 2018; Ord. 5490 § 20, 2003; Ord. 5357 § 10, 2002; Ord. 5151 § 2, 1999; Ord. 4818 § 11, 1995; Ord. 3206 § 1, 1982; Ord. 3157 § 1, 1982; Ord. 2342 § 1, 1976; Ord. 2301 § 1, 1976; Ord. 2133 §§ 7, 8, 1974; 1961 code § 17.01.090.)