2000_00001ORDINANCE NO.2000
ANORDINANCE DELETINGCHAPTER 18.56 OF THEMOSESLAKEMUNICIPAL
CODE ENTITLED"SIGNSANDBILLBOARDS"AND CREATING CHAPTER 18.58OFTHEMOSESLAKEMUNICIPALCODEENTITLED"SIGNS"
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THECITYOF MOSESLAKE,WASHINGTON DOORDAINAS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.Chapter 18.56 of theMoses Lake Municipal Code entitled"Signs and Billboards"is deleted in
its entirety.
Section 2.Chapter 18.58 of theMoses Lake Municipal Code entitled"Signs"is created as follows:
16.58.010 Purpose:The purposes of thischapter are to:1)ensure that signs and sign structures aredesigned,installed,and maintained toprevent personal injury,and to avoid trafficand propertyhazardsandpublicnuisances;2)recognizethatsignsare necessary for public,private,business,community,and other purposes;and 3)impose limited controls on signs so that they arecompatiblewithsurroundingpropertyusesandenhancetheappearanceoftheMosesLakecommunity.
18.58.020 Definitions:
A.Abandoned Sign:means a signwhich no longer serves its intended purpose.
B.Architectural Appendage Sign:means a building signthatissuspended from,attached to,applied to,or part ofan awning,marquee,false mansard,canopy,orsimilarprojection fromtheexteriorwallsofabuilding.
C.Billboard:means an off-sitesign thatis substantial in size and construction,usuallyisownedbyanoutdooradvertisingcompany,and contains advertising space thatis for rentorlease.
D.Buildinq:means an enclosed structure fora use or occupancy.
E.BuildingSign:means any signthatisattachedor applied to,mounted on,suspended from,painted on,or part of theexteriorofa buildingor architecturalappendage,including theroofandfacade.
F.Cabinet Sign:means a sign enclosure which has access for thereplacement ofone (1)ormoresignfacesandlamps,ifintemally-illuminated.
G.Changeable Copy Sign:means a sign that is designed to easily rotate or alternate
messages bywhatever means.Examples ofchangeable copy signs are reader boards andelectronicmessagecenters.
H.Community Sign:means a temporarysignthatpromotes,celebrates,or commemoratesacommunityevent,publicawareness,community service,holiday season,orsimilar publicfunction.
I.Construction Sign:means a temporarystanding or portable sign thatis non-illuminated.A constructionsignprovides information about a constructionproject.
J.Directional Sign:meansa signwhichonlyidentifies a business oractivityand directs traffictothatbusinessoractivity.
K.Directorv Sign:means a sign that has space whichis limited tothename,address,andlogoofthedevelopedsiteandthenames,addresses,and logos of several on-sitebusinesses,organizations,orfacilities.
L.Double-Face Sign:means two(2)signfaces whichare identical in size and message andeitheraredisplayedback-to-back orwithin30°interior angle.
M.Facade:means one (1)or more exterior wallsof a building that face one (1)direction,including parapets and openings such as doors and windows.
N.Flashina Sign:means a sign that has extemalor intemal lightingwhich changes intensity,O rotates,animates,travels,or switches onand offin a blinking manner.Examples of suchlightingarelampbankswithblinkingortravelingmessages,travelingarrowsandrevolvingbeacons.
O.Free-Standinq Sign:means a signthathas verticalsupport whichis permanentlyanchoredintheground.Examplesarepole (orpylon),post,and monument signs.
P.Freeway Interchange Sign:means a free-standing sign that is intended to attract theattentionoftrafficenteringorexitinganInterstate90interchange.A freeway interchangesignislocatedwithinonethousandfivehundredfeet(1,500')of the interchange asmeasuredfromthecenterlineofInterstate90right-of-way andthe intersecting right-of-waycenterline.
OrdinanceNo.2000-Page 2
Q.Freeway Sign:means a free-standing sign that is intended to attract theattention oftraffic
on Interstate 90.A freewaysignis located withintwohundred fiftyfeet (250')ofInterstate90right-of-way.
R.Garage Sale Sign:means a temporarysignfor thesale of householditems.
S.Home Occupation Sign:means an on-site sign thatadvertises a home occupationasdefinedinSection18.55.020of thistitle.
T.Incidental Sign:means a non-illuminated,on-site,convenience sign.Examples of
incidental signsare credit card,telephone,and restroom signs.
U.Monument Sign:means a free-standing sign in the shape ofa monolith.Usually thesign
is vertically supported on a base which is on a pedestal,but the sign may be a pole-covered sign.A monument sign is intended tobe viewed at eye level.
V.Non-Conforming Sign:means a permanent sign thatwas lawfully erected,installed,orotherwisedisplayedaccordingtotheapplicableGrantCountyorcityzoningregulations,
but does not conformtothesign regulations ofthischapter.
W.Off-Site Sign:means a signthatis notrelatedtoan activitythatis onthesame siteas thesign,or the sign is on a vacant site.
X.Official Sign or Legal Notice:means an officialsign or legal notice issued by a court,public agency,or as authorizedby law orfederal,county,orcityauthority.
Y.On-Site Sign:means a sign that is related toan activitythatis onthesame siteas thesign.
Z.Permanent Sign:means any sign which is not a temporarysign as defined in Section18.58.020.00.
AA.Pole (orPylon)Sign:means a free-standing sign on one (1)or moreupright supports inafoundation.The uprightsupports maybe covered foraesthetic purposes.A pole sign is
thesame as a pylonsign.
BB.PortableSion:means a sign thateitheris a signstructureoris part oforaffixedtoa sign
structure thatis designed to be movable.
CC.Private WarninqlDirectional Sign:means a permanent,portable,or temporarysign thatis
erected for a private purpose such as KEEP OUT,NOTRESPASSING,RIGHT TURN
ONLY,STOP,SECURITY ALARM,or NO DUMPING.
DD.Projecting Sign:means a typeof building sign that either is:1)mounted at right angle to
a facade;2)suspended under an architecturalappendage and at right angle toa facade;
or 3)a wallsign that extends eighteen (18)or morehorizontal inches from the facade.
EE.Public or Recreational Identification Sign:means a sign for a public or semi-public facility
or area.Examples of such signs are park,school,or hospital signs.
FF.Real Estate Sian -Other:means a sign that either advertises a parcel or lot of non-residential land,or the buildings thereon,or both which is for sale,lease,or rent
GG.Real Estate Sign -Residential Lot:meansa signthateither advertises a parcelor lot of
residentialland orthe buildings thereon,orbothwhich is for sale,lease,orrent.Residen-
tial land includes land that is vacant and within a residential zone or land that is in
residential use,regardless ofzone.
HH.Residentialidentification Sign:means a sign that identifies a residential subdivision,
planned residential development,neighborhood,condominium development,manufactured
home park,multi-familyresidential development,or similar residential developments.
IL Residential Subdivision Sign:means asign which advertises thesale of lots ina residential
subdivision,parcels in a manufactured home binding site plan,or lots in a residential
planned development.
JJ.Riqht-Of-Wav:means a corridor which either is reserved foror contains a public street,road,alley,pathway,highway,or freeway.
KK.RoofSign:meansa building sign that is mountedon the roof of a building as defined inthis
section.A roofsign does notprojectbeyond the vertical planes of the building facades.
LL.SandwichBoard Sign:means a portablesignthatis A-frame,does not exceed four feet (4')in height or twofeet(2')inwidth,and is non-illuminated.
Ordinance No.2000 -Page 3
MM.ggn:means a visual message thatis displayed to attract the outdoorattentionof thegeneralpublic.A sign maybe:1)advertising ofa generic or specific product,item,orservice;2)a promotionof an activityor event;3)any other implicitor explicitmessagewhichinforms,alerts,directs attentionto,or warns;4)thename ofa business,building,place,ororganization;or 5)any combinationofadvertising,promotion,other message,or name.A sign mayconsist of,but is not limitedto words,pictures,drawings,logos,symbols,other graphics,border,trim,frame,cabinet,background,space,material,ordeviceswhichareintegraltothevisualmessage.A sign may contain multiple visualmessageswhicharerelatedincontentandproximity.
NN.Sign Face:means one dimension of a sign that containsthe visualmessage.
OO.Sign Height:means theverticaldistance as measured from finished grade at thebase ofasignorsignstructuretothetopofthesign.
PP.SignStructure:means thehorizontal and vertical supportfor a sign.
QQ._Site:means either:1)a parcel of unplattedland,a parcel ina bindingsite plan,a tract,oralotinasubdivision;or2)two(2)ormore contiguousparcels,tracts,orlots under one (1)ownershipwithoutintervening right-of-wayand identified ordelineatedas one (1)develop-mentsite;or 3)two(2)or more contiguousparcels,tracts,or lots under different owner-ships,without intervening right-of-way,and identifiedordelineated as one (1)developmentsite.
RR.Street Frontage:means thatportion ofa site boundary thatborders one ormorestreets asdefinedinSection18.06.590.
SS.Temporary Sign:means a signaffixedto,appliedon,or made from lightweight material,with or withouta frame or backingwhich is designed to be displayed for a limitedtime.Examplesoflightweight materialsare vinyl,cardboard,cardstock,corrugatedplastic,andfabric.
TT.Traffic Control Sign:means anypermanent or temporarytrafficcontrol,trafficsignal,orconstructionsignthatissubjectto:1)thelatest editionoftheStandard SpecificationsforRoad,Bridge,and Municipal Construction as published by the Washington State Depart-ment of Transportation inconjunction with theWashingtonState Chapter of theAmericanPublicWorksAssociation,as amended by theCityof Moses Lake Community Street andUtilityStandards;and 2)theManual on UniformTraffic Control Devices.
O UU.Vehicle Sign:means a signthatis affixed or paintedona vehiclewhichis primarily usedfortransportationratherthanparkedforthepurposeofdisplayingthesign.
VV.Wall Sign:means a buildingsignthatis paintedor flush-mounted on a facade,fascia,orarchitecturalappendage,less thaneighteen inches (18")horizontalprojection.
WW.Window or Door Sign:means a buildingsign thatis suspended or mountedflush with anexteriorwindow,or painted on a window or door,and directed outside.
18.58.025 Calculation of Sign Area:The area of a sign is the smallest circle,square,or rectangle thatenclosesasignfaceorthelargestplaneofathree-dimensionalsign.The area of a double-facesignistheareaofasingleface.The area ofa multiple-facesign (otherthana double-face sign)is thesum of theareas ofallsign faces.Onlythesign portion of a structure,material,space,ordeviceiscalculatedforthepurposeofsignarea,except thatthearea ofa cabinetsign orsign inaframeorbordershallbebasedontheoutsidedimensionsofthecabinet,frame,orborder.The
area ofmultiple signs ona structure,material,space,ordeviceis thesum oftheareas ofallsigns.The area ofa sign with multiplemessages isthesmallestcircle,square,or rectangle thatenclosesallofthemessages.
18.58.030 Sion Requiations:
A.Only a sign as definedinSection 18.58.020.MMis subject totheprovisions ofthischapter.
B.A signtypethatis listed "A"inthefollowingtableis allowed tobe displayed,subject totheapplicablesignregulationslistedinthissectionandinthetable.
C.A sign typethatis listed "P"in thefollowingtableis prohibitedfrom display,unless itis anon-conforming signas provided in Section18.58.090.
D.A sign typethatis listed "E"in the following table is exempt from theprovisions of thischapter.
E.A sign typethatis not listed in the followingtable is notallowed tobe displayed.
F.A sign shall complywith applicable provisions of the State Building Code and Chapter16.12 ofthiscode entitledBuilding Permits.
G.Asign is subject toChapter 8.14 ofthiscode entitled Nuisances.
Ordinance No.2000 -Page 4
H.State law (RCW70.54.090)prohibits the attachment of a sign toa utilitypole.
I.No sign is allowed on or over right-of-way except as approved by CityCouncilfor city
streets.Nosign is allowedwithinright-of-wayoftheinterstate or primarysystem where
thereare nocurbs.Asignmaybe allowedwithinright-of-wayoftheprimarysystem where
thereare curbs and other streets,subject tothefollowing conditionsand circumstances:
1.A projecting sign is allowedover a sidewalkin right-of-way in the C-1 Zone and intheC-2 Zone where the building is not set back from right-of-way,provided thatthesigndoesnotprojectmorethaneightypercent(80%)ofthe distance between theright-of-
way line and back of curb line,and there is a minimumof eight feet (8')veitical
clearance under the sign O2.Apoliticalsign is allowed inright-of-way subject totheremainder oftheapplicablesign
regulationsin thissectionand in thefollowingtable.
J.No permanent sign is allowed on orover a publicutilityeasement.
K.Apermanent signmaybe allowedover butnot on a municipal easement,upon approvalbytheMunicipalServicesDirector.
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 CityEngineer shall review each application fora signpermitfor sight distance.The
CityEngineer shall consider whether a sign would be located or constructed so as toobscureorobstructanofficialtrafficsign,signal,ordevice,or obstruct a motorist'sview
of approaching,merging,or intersecting trafficbefore approvingor disapprovingtheapplication.
N.Internal or extemal signlightingshallbeshaded,hooded,site screened,ordirectedsothat
the light's intensity or brightness shall neither adverselyaffectadjacentor nearby property,
nor create a public nuisance,nor create a traffichazard.
O.A sign may be located within the front or exterior yard (as defined in sections 18.06.630
and 18.06.650 of thistitle)but shall not be located in the interior side or rear yard (asdefinedinsections18.06.650 and 18.06.640 of thistitle).
P.No sign shall be erected or maintained if it is visible from the maintraveledway of theinterstateorprimarysystemexceptaspermittedbyWashingtonAdministrativeCodeChapter468-66 entitledHIGHWAYADVERTISINGCONTROL ACT or Revised Code of
Washington Chapter47.42 entitled HIGHWAYADVERTISINGCONTROL ACT-SCENIC
VISTAS ACT.
SIGN ItEGULATIONS
Sign Type Prohibited,Maximum Sign Maximum Sign Other Sign RegulationsAllowed,or HeiUht Sign Area PermitExempt
Abandoned P NA NA NA NA
Aroh itectur a I A Sign may be see Building sign R SignallowedonlyincommercialAppendageflush-mounted andindustrialzones.Ifthesign
or suspended is suspended,thereshall be atunderthearchi-least 8'clearance abovegrade.
tecturalappendage
Billboard P NA NA NA NA
Building See specific See specific The totalarea of See spe-Sign allowed incommercial,in.
types of typesofbuilding building signs cifictypes dustrîal,agricultural,andmunici-
bu iId ing signs shall not exceed of building palairportzones.AllowedinR-
signs 25%oftheoverall signs 3 Zone on a site with a condi-
area of each tionaluse,withreview and ap-facade .None of provalofthePlanningCommis-this allowance is sion according to Section
transferablefrom 18.58.110 ofthischapter.
one facade toan-other facade.Noindividualbuildingsignshallexceed15%oftheoverall
area ofa facade.
ChangeableCopy A 25'for Free-See Building,R Signallowedonlyincommercial
st a nd îng ,Freeway or Free-and industrial zones.Freeway or way interchange,Freew a y Free-standing,orInterchangeTemporaryFree-sign,or wall standing orPorta-
height for Wall ble signsign
Ordinance No.2000 -Page 5
Sign Type Prohibited,Maximum Sign Maximum SIgn Other Sign RegulationsAllowed,or Height Sign Area PermitExempt
Community A See Buildingor See Building,R if free-Signallowedonlyincommercial,Free-standing Free-standing,standing industrial,and publio zones,signs.and Temporary sign;NR if Sign shall be temporary.Free-standing or buildingPortablesignsforsignothersignarearegulations.
Construction A S'32 sq.ft.Per NR Sign may be erected a maxi-streetfrontage per mumof30 days prior tostart ofOconstructionsiteconstruction,and shall be re-moved within30 days after theendofconstruction.Sign shallbenon-illuminated.Limitedtoonesignperstreetfrontagepersite.
Dilapidated or P NA NA NA NAhazardousconditionasdeterminedbyBuildingOfficial
Dîrectional A 6'for Free-8 sq.ft.per sign Rstandingsign;SignallowedonlyincommercialsameasforandindustrialzonesWallsign.
Directory A Same as for See Building,R SignallowedonlyincommercialFree-standing,Freeway or Free-and industrialzones,oron a siteandFreewayorwayinterchange,witha conditionaluse in the R-3FreewayInter-or Free-standing Zone.Prior to issuance of achangesignsignsignpermit,a sign for a condi-tionaluse intheR-3Zone shallrequirePlanningCommissionreviewandapprovalaccordingtoSection18.58.110 of thischapter.
Flashing P NA NA NA NA
Freeway or Free-A 45'350sq.ft.per site R Allowed onlyincommercialandwayInerchangeindustrialzones
Free-standing A 25'150 square feet R Signallowedonlyin commercialOpersiteinacom-and industrial zones oron a sitemercialorindus-where thereis a conditionalusetrialzone,except intheR-3Zone.Asite withoutthatasitewhichstreetfrontageshallbelimitedtohasstreetfront-onefree-standing signstructure.age exceeding The number of free-standing300linealfeetissignstructuresthatareallowedallowed150onasitewithstreetfrontagesquarefeetpershallbelimitedtotwoperincre-increment of 300 ment of300 lineal feet ofstreetlinealfeetofstreetfrontage.Ifa site exceeds onefrontage.A site free-standing sign structure,where there is a thenthestructures shallbe sep-Conditional use in arated a minimumof 100 linealtheR-3 Zone is feet,Landscaping(asdefinedinallowedanycom-section 18.57.030.A of thistitle)bination of free-is requiredaround thebase ofastandingandnewfree-standing sign.Thebuildingsignsnotlandscapingperimeterforapoletoexceedatotalsignshallbenotlessthantheof12squarefeet,largest signdimensionsas verti-except as pro-cally projected to the ground.vided in Other The landscaping perimeter forSignRegulationsallotherfree-standing signsinthisrow.Shall be not less thane 1'largerthanthebaseofthesignstruc-ture.Prior toissuance ofa signpermit,a free-standing sign onavacantsite,orwherethere is aconditionaluseintheR-32one,shall require Planning Commis-sion review and approval ac-cordingto Section 18.58,110 ofthischapter.
Garage Sale A NA NA NR Sign allowedin all zones.Thesignshallnotbedisplayedfor
more than four consecutivedays.
Govemment Flags E NA NA NA NA
Home Occupation A Same as for 2 sq.It.per resi-R Sign shall be a non-illuminatedWallsigndentialdwellingwallsign.Limitedto one signunitwithhomeperresidentiefdwellingunitwithoccupationlicensehomeoccupationlicense.
Ordinance No.2000 -Page 6
Sign Type Prohibited,Maximum SIgn Maximum Sign Other Sign Regulations
Allowed,or Height Sign Area PermitExempt
lucidental A Same as for 2sq ft.per sign NR Shall be non-liluminated and on-Wall,Freeway,site.Freeway Inter-
change,andFreewaysigns
Monument A S'Sarne as for Free-R Sign allowedonlyincommercialstandingSignandindustrialzones
Non-conforming See Section 8.58.090 for limita3ons on non-conforming signs
OfficialSign or Le-E NA NA NA NAgalNotice
Open,Closed,Busi-E NA NA NA NA
ness Hours,Ad-dress,orGreeting
Political A NA NA NR Shallberemovedwithin10 daysafteranelection.IViaybe lo-cated on private propetty withpermissionfrompropertyowner.May be placed in right-of-wayadjacenttotheprivatepropertyoftheabuttinglandownerandonlywiththepermissionoftheprivatepropertyownerlabuttinglandowner,provided that it isnotinalocationorconditionthatisprohibited.
Private E NA NA NA NAWaming/Directional
ProjectíngSign A Same as for See Buildingsign R See Section 18.58.030 IofthisWallorArchitec-chapterturalAppendagesign
Public or Recre-A Same as for SeeFree-standing R Allowedin commercial,indus-
stionalldentification Free-standingor or Building sign trial,and public zonesBuildingsign
Public Zone (other A Same as for seeFree-standing R Requires PlanningCommission
than Public or Free-standing or or Buildingsign approval accordingto SectionRecreationalFacilityBuildingsign18.58.110,Identification signs)
Real Estate -Other A 8 'forFree -32 sq.ft.persign NR Shall be non-illuminated.ShallstandingSign;be removed fromdisplay withinwallheightforfivedaysaftersale,lease,orBuildingSignrent.
Real Estate -Resi-A No limit 6sq.ft per sign NR Shall be non-illuminated.ShalldentialLotberemovedfromdisplaywithin
one day after sale,lease,orrent.
Residential identifi-A S'32 sq.ft.per site R Allowed in residential zones,cation Requires PlanningCommissionreviewandapprovalaccordîngtoSection18.58.110 of thischapter.
Residential Subdivi-A S'32 sq.ft.per resi-R A
sion dential subdivi-sion,manufac-turedhome bind.ing site plan orresidentialplanneddevelep-ment
Roof A 10'above roof See Buildingsign R Allowed in commercial and in-
height as mea-dustrialzones.sured fromintersectionoftheroofandlowestpointofthesign,signstructure,orpointofattachment
SandwichBoard A 4'8sq.ft.each face R Signallowedonlyincommercialandindustrialzones.May belocatedinright-of-way adjacenttothesitethatistheobjectof
the signwithPlanning Commis-
sion recommendation and CityCouncilapproval.Otherwise,sign shall be on-site.Shall beremovedfromdisplayattheendofeachbusinessday.
OrdinanceNo.2000 -Page 7
Sign Type Prohlbited,Maximum Sign Maximum Sign Other Sign RegulationsAllowed,or Height Sign Area PermitExempt
Sign whichcould P NA NA NA NAbeconfusedwithorobstructstheviewofatrafficsignorsignal,as deter-minedby CityEngi-
neer
Signwhich restricts P NA NA NA NA6ingresstooregressfromabuilding
Signon vehicle P NA NA NA NAotherthanVehiclesign
Temporary Sign on A See Free-32sq.ft.per R -one Allowedonlyincommercialfree-standingstruc-standing Ifon street frontage tîmeper and industrialzones.SigntureorPortablefree-standing per site.Ifno location.Shall be repalred,replaced,orstructure;8'street frontage,Owner-removed when tom,worn,bro-helght ifporta-then 32sq.ft,per ship ken,ordilapidated,ble site.The total change ofsignareashallbebusinessrestrictedtoone,licensecontiguous,des-requiresignatedareapernewsignstreetfrontage.permit.The designatedareashallnotexceed12linealfeetparalleltostreetfrontage.
Temporary Gas A NA 2 sq.ft,per sign,NR NAPumponesignperdis-penser
Temporary Signon A Same as Wall See Building sign NR NAWallsign
TrafficControl E NA NA NA NA
Vehicle A Flush-mounted NA NR Non-illuminated0tovehicle
Wall A The signshall See Buildingsign R NAbecontainedwithintheout-lineofthe fa-cade.
Windowor Door A The sign shall See Buildingsign NRfor NAbecontainedtemporarywithintheper-sign;R forimeteroftheperma-windowordoor nent sign
A =Allowed E =Ex ampt NA=Nc Applicable NR =NotRequired P =Prohibited R=Required
18.58.040 Sion Work Exempt From Sign Permit:The replacement of the face or faces of a cabinet sign,maintenance of a signor sign structure (byrepair,replacement of parts,cleaning,or touch-up),and sign removal withoutany sign installation is exempt fromtherequirementfor a sign permit.
18.58.050 Sign Permit Requirements:A newsign orsign structure,or thereplacementofan existingsignorsignstructure,shall require an application for cityreviewand issuance ofa signpermit prior towork,except for typesof signs thatdo notrequirea permitas listed in Table A,or sign work thatisexemptfromasignpermitTheapplicationshallinclude:
1.Two (2)copies of a scaled drawing of the site plan which shows the site boundary,sidewalk and curb,driveways,buildings,other relevant sitedevelopment orsite limitations,and the location of theproposed building or free-standing sign orsigns.The location offree-standing signs should be shown as dimension lines from nearest lot or parcel
2.
bouo 2adceo
les of scaled plans and elevationsofthesign work,including signand signstructuredimensions,sign height,structuraldetail,description,drawing,or picture ofthesigncopy,footing details,method of sign attachment to sign structure,building,orarchitecturalappendage,illumination,specifications,and calculationsfor wind loads.
3.An inventory ofeach and everyexistingsign onthesite,including a description of the signcopy,typeofsign,and signdimensions.
4.The Building Officialmay waive the submissionof plans,specifications,and calculationswhenthestructuralaspectisofminorimportance.
5,A completed application with an inventory of each and every sign thatwillbe installed orremoved,and thetypeofsign.
Ordinance No.2000 -Page 8
18.58.060 Interpretations and Rulings:Recognizing thattheremay be ambiguitiesin any chapter and thatitmaybenecessarytoobtainaninterpretationorrulingregardingintent,interpretation,ordefinition,theCommunityDevelopment Director mayforwarda request tothe Planning Commis-
sion foran interpretation or rulingregardingtheapplicationoftheprovisionsof thischapter toanyexistingorproposedsign.
18.58.070 Anneals:Any decision made by any administrator,officer,board,or commissionin carrying out
theprovisionsofthischapter may be appealed as provided forin Chapter18.75 ofthe Moses Lake
Municipal Code.
18.58.080 Variances:The HearingExaminershallhear and decide any request fora variancefrom thesign
regulations contained inthischapter in accordance with Chapter 18.80 of thistitle.
18.58.090 Non-conforming Sign:Any non-conforming sign may continue to be maintained and used in
compliance with Chapter 18.69 of the Moses Lake Municipal Code entitled,"Non-Conforming
Uses".Any non-conformingsign which has been abandoned at least six (6)months shall be
removed or conform totheapplicablesignregulationsofthischapter.
18.58.100 Sion for Non-Conforming Use:Any proposed signfor a non-conforming use may be allowedafterreviewandapprovalbythePlanningCommissionuponafindingthatthesignwillbecompatible
withsurroundingland uses.Conditionsmay be attached toan approval.
18.58.110 Planning Commission Review and Approval:Any sign in this chapter that requires Planning
Commission review may be approved by theCommission uponfindings that the sign meets the
purpose of thischapter and thesignwillcomplywithapplicablesign regulations.Conditions maybeattachedtoanapproval.
18.58.120 Violation:
A.Upon occurrence of a violationofthe provisionsofthischapter,theBuildingOfficial shall
notify the responsible person representing the sign in violation that a violation of this
chapter exists.Such a notice shall be in writing,identify the violation,and specifying the
timewithin which theprescribed action tocorrecttheviolationmust be taken.The personinviolationshallhavenotlessthanseven(7)calendardays to correctthe violation,unless
in theopinionofthe BuildingOfficial,thereis imminent periltothepropertyand/or tothepublichealth,safety,or general welfare in which case the violation shall be corrected
immediately.
B.Upon failure,neglect,or refusal of any person so notified to correct a violation of this
chapter,the BuildingOfficialshall issue a civilinfraction notice.
C.Any violationoftheprovisions ofthischapter shall be a punishable perChapter1.08 oftheMosesLakeMunicipalCode,exceptthata violationwith regard toa garage sale sign shall
be a C-19 civilpenalty.
18.58.130 Enforcement:The BuildingOfficial maycause theremoval or demolition of an illegal sign or for
failure to comply witha Noticeof Violation upon seven (7)days written notice.After removalordemolitionofthesign,a notice shall be mailed tothesign owner stating thenature ofthe workand
the date on which it was performedand demanding payment of the costs as certifiedby the
Building Official.If theamount specified in the noticeis not paid withinthirty(30)days of thenotice,thecitymay institute a civilactiontorecover its costs.The ownerof the property uponwhichthesignislocatedshallbepresumedtobetheownerofallsignsthereonunlessfactstothe
contraryare brought totheattentionofthe BuildingOfficial.
18.58.140 Conflict:Ifany provision ofthis chapter is foundto be inconflict with any other provision of anylocal,state,or federal regulations,the provision which establishes the higher standard shall
prevail.
Section 3.This ordinance shall takeeffectand be in force five (5)days after its passage and publication
ofits summaryas provided by law.
Adopted by theCityCouncil and signed by its Mayor o ce ber 12,2000.
Mayor
Finance Director
APPR ED AS TO FORM:
ity Attorn