2617ORDINANCE NO.2617
M ANORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 18.58 OF THE MOSES LAKE MUNICIPAL
CODE ENTITLED "SIGNS"
THE CITY COUNCILOFTHE CITY OF MOSES LAKE,WASHINGTON ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.Chapter 18.58 ofthe Moses Lake Municipal Code entitled "Signs"is amended as follows:
18.58.030 Sign Regulations:
A.Only a sign as defined in Section 18.58.020.MM is subject tothe provisions ofthischapter.
B.A sign typethatis listed "A"in the following table is allowed to be displayed,subject tothe
applicable sign regulationslistedinthis section and inthe table.
C. Asigntypethatislisted "P"in the following table is prohibited from display,unlessitisanon
conforming sign as provided in Section 18.58.090.
D.A sign typethatis listed "E"in the following table isexempt from the provisions ofthis chapter.
E.A sign typethatis not listed in the following tableis not allowed to be displayed.
F.A sign shall comply with applicable provisions oftheState Building Code and Chapter 16.02
of this code entitled Building Permits.
U
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G. A sign is subject to Chapter 8.14 of this code entitled Nuisances.
H.State law(RCW 70.54.090)prohibits the attachment of a signto a utility pole.
I.No signisallowed onoroverright-of-way except as approved byCity Council for citystreets.
Nosign is allowed within right-of-way of the interstate or primary system wherethere areno
curbs.Asignmaybe allowed within right-of-way ofthe primary system wheretherearecurbs
and other streets,subject to the following conditions and circumstances:
1.A projecting signis allowed overa sidewalk in right-of-way in the C-1 Zoneandin theC-2
Zone wherethe building is notset back from right-of-way,provided thatthe signdoes not
project morethaneighty percent (80%)ofthe distance betweenthe right-of-way line and
back ofcurb line,andthere isa minimum ofeight feet (8')vertical clearance underthe sign
2. A political sign is allowed in right-of-way subjectto the remainder of the applicable sign
regulations inthis section and inthe following table.
J. No permanent sign is allowed on or over a public utility easement.
K.A permanent sign may be allowed over but noton a municipal easement,upon approval by
the Municipal Services Director.
L.Every sign shall be maintained in a safe and secure manner. A torn, broken, hazardous,
dilapidated,or outdated sign, as determined by the Building Official,shall be repaired,
replaced,or removed.
M.The CityEngineershallrevieweach application for a sign permit for sightdistance. The City
Engineer shall consider whether a sign would be located or constructed so as to obscure or
obstruct an officialtraffic sign, signal, or device,or obstruct a motorist's view of approaching,
merging, or intersecting traffic before approving or disapproving the application.
N.Internal orexternal sign lighting shallbe shaded,hooded, site screened,ordirected so thatthe
light's intensity or brightness shall neither adversely affect adjacent or nearby property, nor
create a public nuisance,nor create a traffic hazard.
ORDINANCE NO.2617
PAGE 2 June 14,2011
O.A sign may be located within the front or exterior yard (as defined in sections 18.06.630 and
18.06.650 of this title) but shall not be located in the interior side or rear yard (as defined in /""N
sections 18.06.650 and 18.06.640 ofthis title).'
P.Where electronic signs are allowed,the following conditions apply:
1.The message shall have a static display time of at least two (2)seconds after moving on
to the signboard,with all segments of the total message to be displayed within ten (10)
seconds.
2.Displays may travel horizontally or scroll vertically onto electronic signboards,but must
hold in a static position for two (2)seconds after completing the travel or scroll.
4.Electronic signs requiring more than four (4)seconds to change from one (1)single
message display to another shall be turned off during the change interval.
5. No electronic sign lamp may be illuminated to a degree of brightness that is greater than
necessary for adequate visibility.In no case may the brightness exceed eight thousand
(8,000)nits or equivalent candelas during daylight hours,or one thousand (1,000)nits
(illuminative brightness measurement),or equivalent candelas between dusk and dawn.
Signs found to be too bright shall be adjusted as directed by the City of Moses Lake.
6. Minimum height for the sign shall be thirteen feet (13')from gradeof theadjacent roadway
to the bottom of sign.
7.The sign background shall not be white incolor.White lights shall not be used as the sign
background.
8.Businesses,churches,orschools areallowed changeable signs providing that changeable f~*\
displays in residential zones shall be turned off between the hours of 10 p.m.and 7 a.m.
Q. No sign shall be erected or maintained if it is visible from the main traveled way of the
interstateor primary systemexceptas permitted by Washington Administrative Code Chapter
468-66 entitled HIGHWAYADVERTISING CONTROL ACT or Revised Code of Washington
Chapter47.42 entitled HIGHWAYADVERTISING CONTROL ACT -SCENIC VISTAS ACT.
R.Signs constructed of temporary sign materials,as defined in Section 18.58.020.TT,shall not
be used as a permanent sign.Any sign that does not currently meet this standard must be
removed within ninety (90)days.
SIGN REGULATIONS
Sign Type Prohibited,
Allowed,or
Exempt
Maximum Sign
Height
Maximum
Sign Area
Sign
Permit
Other Sign Regulations
Abandoned P NA NA NA NA
Architectu ral
Appendage
A Sign may be
flush-mounted
or suspended
under the
architectural
appendage
see Building sign R Sign allowed only in commercial
and industrial zones.Ifthe sign
is suspended,there shall be at
least8'clearance above grade.
Billboard P NA NA NA NA
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ORDINANCE NO.2617
PAGE 3 June 14,2011
Sign Type Prohibited,
Allowed,or
Exempt
Maximum Sign
Height
Maximum
Sign Area
Sign
Permit
OtherSign Regulations
Building See specific
types of
building
signs
See specific
typesof building
signs
The total area of
building signs
shall not exceed
25%ofthe overall
area of each
facade .None of
this allowance is
transferable from
one facade to
another facade.
No individual
building sign shall
exceed 15%of
the overall area of
a facade.
See
specific
types of
building
signs
Sign allowed in commercial,
industrial,agricultural,and
municipal airport zones.
Allowed in R-3 Zone on a site
with a conditional use,with
review and approval of the
Planning Commission according
to Section 18.58.110 of this
chapter.
Changeable Copy A 25'for Free-
standing,
Freeway or
Freeway
Interchange
sign,or wall
height for Wall
sign
See Building,
Freeway or
Freeway
Interchange,Free-
standing,or
Temporary Free-
standing or
Portable sign
R Sign allowed onlyincommercial
and industrial zones.
Community A See Building or
Free-standing
signs.
See Building,
Free-standing,
and Temporary
Free-standing or
Portable signs for
other sign area
regulations.
R if free-
standing
sign; NR if
building
sign
Signallowedonlyincommercial,
industrial,and public zones.
Sign shall be temporary.
Construction A 8'32 sq.ft.per
streetfrontage per
construction site
NR Sign may be erected a
maximum of 30 days prior to
start of construction,and shall
be removed within 30 days after
the end of construction.Sign
shall be non-illuminated.
Limited to one sign per street
frontage per site.
Dilapidated or
hazardouscondition
as determined by
Building Official
P NA NA NA NA
Directional A 6'for Free
standing sign;
same as for
Wall sign.
8 sq. ft.per sign R Sign allowedonlyincommercial
and industrial zones
Directory A Same as for
Free-standing,
and Freeway or
Freeway
Interchange
sign
See Building,
Freeway or
Freeway
Interchange,or
Free-standing
sign
R Sign allowedonlyincommercial
and industrial zones,or on a site
with a conditional use in the R-3
Zone.Prior to issuance of a
sign permit, a sign for a
conditional use in the R-3 Zone
shall require Planning
Commission review and
approval according to Section
18.58.110 of this chapter.
Electronic A 25'50 sq. ft.per site R Sign allowed only in
Commercial,Industrial,and
Public Zones.Additional
requirementsforelectronicsigns
are found in Section 18.58.030,
Sign Regulations
ORDINANCE NO.2617
PAGE 4
Sign Type
Flashing
Freewayor Freeway
Interchange
Free-standing
Garage Sale
Government Flags
Home Occupation
Incidental
Monument
Prohibited,
Allowed,or
Exempt
Maximum Sign
Height
NA
45*
25'
NA
NA
Same as for
Wall sign
Same as for
Wall,Freeway,
Freeway
Interchange,
and Freeway
signs
8'
Maximum
Sign Area
NA
350 sq.ft.per site
150 square feet
per site in a
commercial or
industrial zone,
except that a site
which has street
frontage
exceeding 300
lineal feet is
allowed 150
square feet per
increment of 300
linealfeet ofstreet
frontage.A site
where there is a
conditional use in
the R-3 Zone is
allowed any
combination of
free-standing and
building signs not
to exceed a total
of 12 square feet,
except as
provided in Other
Sign Regulations
in this row.
NA
NA
2 sq.ft.per
residential
dwelling unit with
home occupation
license
2 sq. ft.per sign
Same as for Free
standing Sign
Sign
Permit
NA
NR
NA
NR
Non-conforming See Section 18.58.090 for limitations on non-conforming signs
Official Sign or
Legal Notice
NA NA NA
June 14,2011
OtherSign Regulations
NA
Allowed only in commercial and
industrial zones
Sign allowed only in commercial
and industrial zones oron a site
where there is a conditional use
in the R-3 Zone.A site without
streetfrontageshall be limitedto
onefree-standingsign structure.
The number of free-standing
sign structures that are allowed
on a site with street frontage
shall be limited to two per
increment of 300 lineal feet of
street frontage.If a site
exceeds one free-standing sign
structure,then the structures
shallbe separated a minimum of
100linealfeet.Landscaping (as
defined in section 18.57.030.A
of this title) is required around
the base of a new free-standing
sign. The landscaping perimeter
for a pole sign shall be not less
than the largestsign dimensions
as vertically projected to the
ground.The landscaping
perimeter for all other free
standing signs shall be not less
than 1' larger than the base of
the sign structure.Prior to
issuance of a sign permit,a
free-standing sign on a vacant
site,or where there is a
conditional use in the R-3 Zone,
shall require Planning
Commission review and
approval according to Section
18.58.110of this chapter.
Sign allowed in all zones.The
sign shall not be displayed for
more than four consecutive
days.
NA
Sign shall be a non-illuminated
wall sign. Limited to one sign
per residential dwelling unit with
home occupation license.
Shall be non-illuminated and on-
site.
Sign allowed only incommercial
and industrial zones
NA
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ORDINANCE NO.2617
PAGE 5 June 14,2011
Sign Type Prohibited,
Allowed,or
Exempt
Maximum Sign
Height
Maximum
Sign Area
Sign
Permit
Other Sign Regulations
Open,Closed,
Business Hours,
Address,or
Greeting
E NA NA NA NA
Political
(candidate or issue)
A 8'32 square feet per
sign
NR Shall be removed within 10 days
after an election.May be
located on private property with
permissionfrom property owner.
May be placed in right-of-way
adjacent to the private property
of the abutting land owner and
only with the permission of the
private property owner/abutting
land owner,provided that it is
notin a location orcondition that
is prohibited.
Private Warning/
Directional
E NA NA NA NA
Projecting Sign A Same as for
Wall or
Architectural
Appendage sign
See Building sign R See Section 18.58.030 I ofthis
chapter
Public or
Recreational
Identification
A Same as for
Free-standing or
Building sign
SeeFree-standing
or Building sign
R Allowed in commercial,
industrial, and public zones
Public Zone (other
than Public or
Recreational Facility
Identification signs)
A Same as for
Free-standing or
Building sign
seeFree-standing
or Building sign
R Requires Planning Commission
approval according to Section
18.58.110.
Real Estate -Other A 8'for Free
standing Sign;
wall height for
Building Sign
32 sq. ft. per sign NR Shall be non-illuminated.Shall
be removed from display within
five days after sale,lease,or
rent.
Real Estate -
Residential Lot
A 8'6 sq. ft. per sign NR Shall be non-illuminated.Shall
be removed from display within
one day after sale,lease,or
rent.
Residential
Identification
A 8'32 sq. ft. per site R Allowed in residential zones.
Requires Planning Commission
review and approval according
to Section 18.58.110 of this
chapter.
Residential
Subdivision
A 8'32 sq. ft. per
residential
subdivision,
manufactured
home binding site
plan or residential
planned
development
R N/A
ORDINANCE NO.2617
PAGE 6 June 14,2011
Sign Type Prohibited,
Allowed,or
Exempt
Maximum Sign
Height
Maximum
Sign Area
Sign
Permit
Other Sign Regulations
Roof A 10'above roof
height as
measured from
intersection of
the roof and
lowest point of
the sign,sign
structure,or
point of
attachment
See Building sign R Allowed in commercial and
industrial zones.
Sandwich Board A 4'8 sq.ft.each face R Sign allowed only in commercial
and industrial zones.May be
located in right-of-way adjacent
to the site that is the object of
the sign with Community
Development Department,
approval.Otherwise,sign shall
be on-site.Shall be removed
from display at the end of each
business day.
Sign which could be
confused with or
obstructs the view
of a traffic sign or
signal,as
determined by City
Engineer
P NA NA NA NA
Sign which restricts
ingressto or egress
from a building
P NA NA NA NA
Sign on vehicle
other than Vehicle
sign
P NA NA NA NA
Temporary Sign on
Fence
A Height of fence 32 sq.ft.per
street frontage
NR Allowed only for community
signs,as defined in this chapter
Temporary Sign on
free-standing
structureorPortable
A See Free
standing if on
free-standing
structure;8'
height if
portable
32 sq.ft.per
streetfrontage per
site.If no street
frontage,then 32
sq.ft.per site.
The total sign
area shall be
restricted to one,
contiguous,
designated area
per street
frontage.The
designated area
shall not exceed
12 lineal feet
parallel to street
frontage.
R -one
time per
location.
Ownership
change of
business
license
requires
new sign
permit.
Allowed only in commercial and
industrial zones.Sign shall be
repaired,replaced,or removed
when torn,worn,broken,or
dilapidated.Sign shall be
specific to a product or event,
and shall not include the
business name or hours.Off-
site signs shall not be allowed,
except that the Planning
Commission may allow a
temporary sign on a vacant site
pursuant to 18.58.100.
Temporary Gas
Pump
A NA 2 sq. ft.per sign,
one sign per
dispenser
NR NA
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ORDINANCE NO.2617
PAGE 7 June 14,2011
Sign Type Prohibited,Maximum Sign Maximum Sign Other Sign Regulations
Allowed,or Height Sign Area Permit
Exempt
Temporary Sign On A Same as Wall See Building sign NR Allowed only in commercial and
Wall sign Signs shall be
framed.One sign
per building
allowed if
unframed.
industrial zones.Sign shall be
repaired,replaced,or removed
when torn,worn,broken,or
dilapidated.Sign shall be
specific to a product or event,
and shall not include the
business name or hours.Off-
site signs shall not be allowed.
Signs shall not be located on out
buildings.
Traffic Control E NA NA NA NA
Vehicle A Flush-mounted
to vehicle
NA NR Non-illuminated
Wall A The sign shall
be contained
within the
outline of the
facade.
See Building sign R NA
Window or Door A The sign shall
be contained
within the
perimeter of the
window or door
See Building sign N R for
temporary
sign; R for
permanent
sign
NA
A =Allowed E =Exempt NA = Not Applicable NR =Not Required P =Prohibited R =Required
Section 2.This ordinance shall take effect and be inforce five (5) days after its passage and publication of
its summary as provided by law.
Adopted by the City Council and signed by its Mayor on June 14,2011
Joii-ka'rie,Mayor
ATTEST:
RonaTd R.Cone,Finance Director
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Katherine L.Kenison,City Attorney