2677ORDINANCE NO.2677
ANORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 18.58OFTHEMOSES LAKE MUNICIPAL
CODE ENTITLED "SIGNS"
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE 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 asdefined in Section 18.58.020.OO is subject to the provisions ofthis chapter.
B.A sign type that is listed "A"in the following table is allowed to be displayed,subject to the
applicable sign regulations listed in this section and in the table.
C.Asign type that is listed "P"in the following table isprohibited from display,unless it isanon
conforming sign as provided in Section 18.58.090.
D.Asign type that is listed "E"in the following table is exempt from the provisions ofthis chapter.
E.A sign type that isnot listed in the following table is not allowed to be displayed.
F.Asign shall comply with applicable provisions ofthe State Building Code and Chapter 16.02
of this code entitled Building Permits.
G. A sign is subject to Chapter8.14 of this code entitledNuisances.
H.State law (RCW 70.54.090)prohibits theattachment ofa sign toa utility pole.
I.No sign isallowed onorover right-of-way except as approved by City Council for city streets.
No sign isallowed within right-of-way ofthe interstate or primary system where there are no
curbs.A sign maybeallowed within right-of-way ofthe primary systemwherethere are curbs
andotherstreets, subjecttothe following conditions and circumstances:
1.A projecting signis allowed overa sidewalk in right-of-way in the C-1 Zoneandin the C-2
Zone where the building is not set back from right-of-way,provided that thesign does not
project more than eighty percent (80%)ofthe distance between the right-of-way line and
back ofcurb line,and there isaminimum ofeight feet (8')vertical clearance under thesign
2. A political sign is allowed in right-of-way subject tothe remainder ofthe applicable sign
regulations inthis section and inthe following table.
J. No permanent signis allowed onorovera public utility easement.
K.A permanent sign may be allowed over but not ona 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dilapidated,or outdated sign,as determined by the Building Official,shall be repaired,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.TheCity Engineer shall review each application for a sign permit for sight distance.The City
/*~>\Engineershallconsider whether a sign would be located orconstructed so as to obscure orJ--J obstruct an official traffic sign,signal,or device,or obstruct amotorist's view of approaching,
merging,or intersecting traffic before approving ordisapproving the application.
N.Internal orexternal signlighting shall beshaded, hooded,sitescreened,ordirected sothatthe
light's intensity or brightness shall neither adversely affectadjacent or nearby property,nor
create a public nuisance,nor create a traffic hazard.
ORDINANCE NO.2677
PAGE 2 March 26,2013
O.Asign may belocated within the front or exterior yard (asdefined in sections 18.06.630 and
18.06.650 ofthis title)but shall not be located in the interior side orrear yard (as defined in
sections 18.06.650 and 18.06.640 of this title).
P. Where electronic signsare allowed,the following conditions apply:
1.The message shall have a static display time ofat least two (2)seconds after moving on
to the signboard,with all segments of the total message to bedisplayed within ten (10)
seconds.
2.Displays may travel horizontally orscroll vertically onto electronic signboards,but must
hold in a static position for two (2)seconds after completing the travel orscroll.
4.Electronic signs requiring more than four (4)seconds to change from one (1)single
message display to another shall beturned off during thechange interval.
5.No electronic sign lamp may be illuminated toa degree of brightness that isgreater than
necessary for adequate visibility.In no case may the brightness exceed eight thousand
(8,000)nits orequivalent candelas during daylight hours,orone thousand (1,000)nits
(illuminative brightness measurement),or equivalent candelas between dusk and dawn.
Signs found to betoo bright shall be adjusted as directed by the City of Moses Lake.
6.Minimum height for the sign shall bethirteen feet (13')from grade of the adjacent roadway
to the bottom of sign.
7.The sign background shall not bewhite in color.White lights shall not beused as the sign
background.
8.Businesses,churches,orschools areallowed changeable signs providing thatchangeable
displays in residential zones shall be turned off between the hours of10 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
interstate orprimary system except as permitted by Washington Administrative Code Chapter
468-66 entitled HIGHWAY ADVERTISING CONTROL ACTor RevisedCode ofWashington
Chapter 47.42 entitled HIGHWAY ADVERTISING CONTROL ACT -SCENIC VISTAS ACT.
R.Signs constructed of temporary sign materials,as defined in Section 18.58.010.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
OtherSign Regulations
Abandoned P NA NA NA NA
Architectural
Appendage
A Sign may be
flush-mounted
or suspended
under the
architectural
appendage
see Building sign R Sign allowedonly incommercial
and industrial zones.Ifthe sign
is suspended,there shall be at
least 8'clearance above grade.
Billboard P NA NA NA NA
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ORDINANCE NO.2677
PAGE 3
Sign Type
Building
Changeable Copy
Community
Construction
Dilapidated or
hazardouscondition
as determined by
Building Official
Directional
Commercial
Directional
Industrial
Directory
Prohibited,
Allowed,or
Exempt
See specific
types of
building
signs
Maximum Sign
Height
See specific
types of building
signs
25'for Free-
standing,
Freeway or
Freeway
Interchange
sign,or wall
height for Wall
sign
See Building or
Free-standing
signs.
8*
NA
6'for Free
standing sign;
sameas for wall
sign
15'for Free
standing sign;
same as forwall
sign
Same as for
Free-standing,
and Freeway or
Freeway
Interchange
sign
Maximum
Sign Area
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 Building,
Freeway or
Freeway
Interchange, Free-
standing,or
Temporary Free
standing or
Portable sign
See Building,
Free-standing,
and Temporary
Free-standing or
Portable signs for
other sign area
regulations.
32 sq. ft. per
streetfrontage per
construction site
NA
8 sq.ft.persign
55 sq. ft. per sign
See Building,
Freeway or
Freeway
Interchange,or
Free-standing
sign
Sign
Permit
See
specific
types of
building
signs
R if free-
standing
sign;NR if
building
sign
NR
NA
March 26,2013
Other Sign Regulations
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 Commissionaccording
to Section 18.58.110 of this
chapter.
Signallowedonlyincommercial
and industrial zones.
Signallowedonlyincommercial,
industrial, and public zones.
Sign shall be temporary.
Sign may be erected a
maximum of 30 days prior to
start of construction,and shall
be removed within30 days after
the end of construction.Sign
shall be non-illuminated.
Limited to one sign per street
frontage per site.
NA
Sign allowed onlyincommercial
Sign allowed only in industrial
zones
Sign allowed onlyin commercial
and industrial zones,or ona 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 ofthis chapter.
ORDINANCE NO.2677
PAGE 4 .
Sign Type
Electronic
Flashing
Freewayor Freeway
Interchangeor
Wheeler Corridor
Heavy Industrial
Free-standing
Garage Sale
Government Flags
Home Occupation
Prohibited,
Allowed,or
Exempt
Maximum Sign
Height
25"
NA
45'
25'
NA
NA
Maximum
Sign Area
50 sq. ft. per site.
Area of electronic
signs is included
within the
maximum area
allowed for free-
standing or
building signage
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
lineal feet 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
Same as for
Wall sign
2 sq.ft.per
residential
dwelling unit with
home occupation
license
Sign
Permit
NA
NA
March 26,2013
Other Sign Regulations
Sign allowed only in
Commercial,Industrial, and
Public Zones.Additional
requirementsforelectronicsigns
are found in Section 18.58.030,
Sign Regulations.Electronic
signs must also meet the
requirementsforthetypeofsign
(free-standing or building).
NA
Allowedonlyincommercial and
industrial zones.Wheeler
Corridor signs allowed only in
the Wheeler Corridor Heavy
Industrial Area.Off-site signs
shall not be allowed.
Sign allowed onlyincommercial
and industrialzones or on a site
where there is a conditional use
in the R-3 Zone.A site without
streetfrontage shall be limitedto
onefree-standingsignstructure.
The number of free-standing
signstructures 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
100 linealfeet.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 largest signdimensions
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-3Zone,
shall require Planning
Commission review and
approval according to Section
18.58.110 of this chapter.
NR 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.
n
r\
r\
ORDINANCE NO.2677
PAGE 5 March 26,2013
Sign Type Prohibited,
Allowed,or
Exempt
Maximum Sign
Height
Maximum
Sign Area
Sign
Permit
OtherSign Regulations
Incidental A Same as for
Wall, Freeway,
Freeway
Interchange,
and Freeway
signs
2sq.ft.persign NR Shall be non-illuminated and on-
site.
Monument A 8'Same asfor Free
standing Sign
R Sign allowed onlyincommercial
and industrialzones
Non-conforming See Section 18.58.090forlimitations on non-conforming signs
Official Sign or
Legal Notice
E NA NA NA NA
Open,Closed,
Business Hours,
Address,or
Greeting
E NA NA NA NA
Political
(candidate or issue)
A 8'32 square feetper
sign
NR Shall be removedwithin10days
after an election.May be
located on private property with
permissionfrom propertyowner.
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 or conditionthat
is prohibited.
Private Warning/
Directional
E NA NA NA NA
Projecting Sign A Same as for
Wall or
Architectural
Appendagesign
See Buildingsign R See Section 18.58.030 Iofthis
chapter
Public Facility
Directional Sign
A 8'35'sq.ft.R Sign allowed only in the public
zone
Public or
Recreat iona I
Identification
A Same as for
Free-standing or
Building sign
SeeFree-standing
or Buildingsign
R Allowed in commercial,
industrial,and public zones
Public Zone (other
than Public or
RecreationalFacility
Identification signs)
A Same as for
Free-standingor
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.persign 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.
ORDINANCE NO.2677
PAGE 6 March 26,2013
Sign Type Prohibited,
Allowed,or
Exempt
Maximum Sign
Height
Maximum
Sign Area
Sign
Permit
Other Sign Regulations
Residential
Subdivision
A 8'32 sq. ft.per
residential
subdivision,
manufactured
home binding site
plan or residential
planned
development
R N/A
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
ingress to 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
streetfrontage
NR Allowed only for community
signs,as defined in this chapter
Temporary Sign on
free-standing
structure orPortable
A See Free
standing if on
free-standing
structure;8'
height if
portable
32 sq.ft.per
streetfrontageper
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.
u
ORDINANCE NO.2677
PAGE 7 March 26,2013
Sign Type Prohibited,
Allowed,or
Exempt
Maximum Sign
Height
Maximum
Sign Area
Sign
Permit
Other Sign Regulations
Temporary Gas
Pump
A NA 2 sq. ft. per sign,
one sign per
dispenser
NR NA
Temporary Sign On
Wall
A Same as Wall
sign
See Buildingsign
Signs shall be
framed. One sign
per building
allowed if
unframed.
NR 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.
Signsshall 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 Buildingsign R NA
Wayfinding A N/A N/A R Signs shall not create traffic,
pedestrian, or other safety
hazards,and shall comply with
state traffic guidelines. Signs
installed mustbeconsistentwith
the provisionsof the Destination
Development,Inc. for the
branding,marketing,and
signageidentification. The size,
type, and locations of a sign
should be compatible with the
area in which it is being
proposed.
Window or Door A The sign shall
be contained
within the
perimeter of the
windowor door
See Building sign NR 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 in force five (5)days after its passage and publication of
its summary as provided by law.
Adopted bythe City Council and signed by its Mayor on March 26,2013.
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
/^/>,
rine L.Kenison,CihLAtt