2401ORDINANCE NO. 2401
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 18.58 OF THE MOSES LAKE MUNICIPAL
CODE ENTITLED "SIGNS"
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOSES LAKE, WASHINGTON ORDAINS AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 18.58 of the 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 to the provisions of this 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. A sign type that is listed "P" in the following table is prohibited from display, unless it is a non-
conforming sign as provided in Section 18.58.090.
D. A sign type that is listed "E" in the following table is exempt from the provisions of this
chapter.
E. A sign type that is not listed in the following table is not allowed to be displayed.
F. A sign shall comply with applicable provisions of the State Building Code and Chapter 16.12
of this code entitled Building Permits.
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 sign to a utility pole.
I. No sign is allowed on or over right-of-way except as approved by City Council for city streets.
No sign is allowed within right-of-way of the interstate or primary system where there are no
curbs. A sign may be allowed within right-of-way of the primary system where there are
curbs and other streets, subject to the following conditions and circumstances:
1.A projecting sign is allowed over a sidewalk in right-of-way in the C-1 Zone and in the C-2
Zone where the building is not set back from right-of-way, provided that the sign does not
project more than eighty percent (80%) of the distance between the right-of-way line and
back of curb line, and there is a minimum of eight feet (8') vertical clearance under the
sign
2.A political sign is allowed in right-of-way subject to the remainder of the applicable sign
regulations in this section and in the following table.
J. No permanent sign is allowed on or over a public utility easement.
K. A permanent sign may be allowed over but not on 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dilapidated, or outdated sign, as determined by the Building Official, shall be repaired,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.
ORDINANCE NO. 2401
PAGE 2 June 10, 2008
M.The City Engineer shall review each application for a sign permit for sight distance. The City
Engineer shall consider whether a sign would be located or constructed so as to obscure or
obstruct an official traffic sign, signal, or device, or obstruct a motorist's view of approaching,
merging, or intersecting traffic before approving or disapproving the application.
N.Internal or external sign lighting shall be shaded, hooded, site screened, or directed so that
the light's intensity or brightness shall neither adversely affect adjacent or nearby property,
nor create a public nuisance, nor create a traffic hazard.
0. 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
sections 18.06.650 and 18.06.640 of this title).
P. No sign shall be erected or maintained if it is visible from the main traveled way of the
interstate or primary system except as permitted by Washington Administrative Code Chapter
468-66 entitled HIGHWAY ADVERTISING CONTROL ACT or Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 47.42 entitled HIGHWAY ADVERTISING CONTROL ACT - SCENIC VISTAS ACT.
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
Architectural
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. If the sign
is suspended, there shall be at
least 8' clearance above grade.
3illboard P NA NA NA NA
Building See specific
types of
building
signs
See specific
types of building
signs
The total area of
building signs
shall not exceed
25% of the 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.
S e e
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
F re ewa y
Interchange
sign, or wall
height for Wall
sign
See Building,
Freeway or
F r eeway
Interchange, Free-
standing, or
Temporary Free-
standing o r
Portable sign
R Sign allowed only in commercial
and industrial zones.
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ORDINANCE NO. 2401
PAGE 3 June 10, 2008
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Sign Type Prohibited,
Allowed, or
Exempt
Maximum Sign
Height
Maximum
Sign Area
Sign
Permit
Other Sign Regulations
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
Sign allowed only in commercial,
industrial, and public zones.
Sign shall be temporary.
Construction A 8'32 sq. ft. per
street frontage 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
hazardous condition
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 allowed only in commercial
and industrial zones
Directory A Same as for
Free-standing,
and Freeway or
F re e w a y
Interchange
sign
See Building,
Freeway or
F r e e w a y
Interchange, or
Free-standing
sign
R Sign allowed only in commercial
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.
Flashing P NA NA NA NA
Freeway or Freeway
Interchange
A 45'350 sq. ft. per site R Allowed only in commercial and
industrial zones
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ORDINANCE NO. 2401
PAGE 4 June 10, 2008
Sign Type Prohibited,
Allowed, or
Exempt
Maximum Sign
Height
Maximum
Sign Area
Sign
Permit
Other Sign Regulations
Free-standing A 25'150 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 of street
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.
R Sign allowed only in commercial
and industrial zones or on a site
where there is a conditional use
in the R-3 Zone. A site without
street frontage shall be limited to
one free-standing sign 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
shall be separated a minimum of
100 lineal feet. 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 sign 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
18.58.110 of this chapter.
Garage Sale A NA NA NR Sign allowed in all zones. The
sign shall not be displayed for
more than four consecutive
days.
Government Flags E NA NA NA NA
Home Occupation A Same as for
Wall sign
2 sq. ft. per
residential
dwelling unit with
home occupation
license
R Sign shall be a non-illuminated
wall sign. Limited to one sign
per residential dwelling unit with
home occupation license.
Incidental A Same as for
Wall, Freeway,
Freeway
Interchange,
and Freeway
signs
2 sq. ft. per sign NR Shall be non-illuminated and on-
site.
Monument A 8'Same as for Free-
standing Sign
R Sign allowed only in commercial
and industrial zones
Non-conforming See Section 18.58.090 for limitations on non-conforming signs
Official Sign or
Legal Notice
E NA NA NA NA
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ORDINANCE NO. 2401
PAGE 5 June 10, 2008
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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 A NA NA NR Shall be removed within 10 days
after an election. May be
located on private property with
permission from 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
not in a location or condition that
is prohibited.
Private Warning/
Directional
E NA NA NA NA
Projecting Sign A Same as for
Wall 0 r
Architectural
Appendage sign
See Building sign R See Section 18.58.030 I of this
chapter
Public or
Recreational
Identification
A Same as for
Free-standing or
Building sign
See Free-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
see Free-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 No limit 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 A
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ORDINANCE NO. 2401
PAGE 6 June 10, 2008
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 Planning
Commission recommendation
and City Council 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
irgress 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
street frontage
NR Allowed only for community
signs, as defined in this chapter
Temporary Sign on
free-standing
structure or Portable
A S e e Free -
standing if on
free-standing
structure; 8'
height i f
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,
c o n t i g uous,
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 18.58.110.
Temporary Gas
Pump
A NA 2 sq. ft. per sign,
one sign per
dispenser
NR NA
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Adopted by the City Council and signed by its Mayor on Ju 008.
Ronald C. Covey, Ma o
ATTEST:
Ronald R. Cone, Finance Director
VED AS TO FORM:
ORDINANCE NO. 2401
PAGE 7 June 10, 2008
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Sign Type Prohibited,
Allowed, or
Exempt
Maximum Sign
Height
Maximum
Sign Area
Sign
Permit
Other Sign Regulations
Temporary Sign On
Wall
A Same as Wall
sign
See Building sign
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.
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 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.
James A. hitaker, City Attorney
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