17.80.100 Sign standards for Area 2.
The following sign standards shall apply:
A. Illumination. When illumination is desired in Area 2, the city encourages use of external light sources subject to the provisions of GHMC 17.80.060(F)(1). Internal illumination is permitted on all signs subject to the provisions of GHMC 17.80.060(F)(2). Internally illuminated sign graphics are limited to white or ivory colors if the proposed sign is visible from residential property within 200 feet of the parcel the sign is located on.
B. Freestanding Signs.
1. Height Measurement. Freestanding signs shall be measured from the highest point of the sign to the finished grade at the base of the sign support.
Finished grade shall be the final grade approved through the site plan review process and shall not be increased for purposes of increasing overall sign height.
2. Height Standards. Freestanding ground signs shall not exceed six feet in height.
3. Clearance Standards. Freestanding signs which abut the edge of a sidewalk shall have a maximum clearance of 27 inches.
4. Maximum Sign Area. Twenty-four square feet for a single side or 48 square feet total on all sides. If a carved or sandblasted wooden sign is used, freestanding signs may be 30 square feet for a single side or 60 square feet total on all sides.
5. Location. Freestanding signs may not be located on public property. The placement of freestanding signs shall be in such a fashion and location as to not obstruct the view of signs of adjacent property owners.
6. Density. Freestanding signs shall be limited to the following number and locations:
a. Nonresidential Use. One freestanding sign shall be permitted on each street frontage of property. Sites on a corner of two public streets may have one sign on the corner instead of a sign for each frontage, subject to approval by the public works director. Properties with more than 1,000 feet of continuous street frontage and with more than one entrance may install a freestanding sign at each entrance; provided, that no single sign exceeds the maximum sign area described under subsection (B)(4) of this section. Where there is frontage on more than one street, each frontage is treated independently.
b. Residential Use. One freestanding sign is permitted at each entrance to a residential neighborhood.
7. Landscaping. Freestanding signs must be landscaped around the base of the sign.
a. Each sign shall have a landscaped area twice the size of the sign area. If a carved or sandblasted wooden sign is used, landscaping may be reduced by 50 percent for all grade level landscaping, or by 75 percent if landscaping is contained in a raised planter around the base of the sign. Raised planters must be at least 18 inches high. Planter and organic materials shall be installed within 30 days of sign installation. The landscaping, sign base or planter shall be protected from vehicles by a six-inch-high curb stop or sidewalk edge at least three feet from the planter base.
b. Landscaping shall be installed in the planting season closest to the date of the sign permit issuance. Signs installed after the planting season shall be landscaped by no later than the following planting season.
c. These requirements may be waived if the sign is located in an area that is part of an approved overall site landscape plan.
8. One sign placed per vehicular entrance is allowed without a permit, shall be no larger than four square feet per side, and no taller than three feet in height as measured from the ground.
C. Wall Mounted Signs.
1. Total Sign Area.
a. Allowed Signage per Wall Plane. Total allowed signage in Area 2 shall not exceed three percent of the wall plane the sign is mounted to, except that signage covering up to eight percent of a wall plane is allowed if the wall plane conforms to all solid/void ratio requirements specified in the city’s design manual, and if all on-premises yards on the side of the building the sign faces conform to all landscaping provisions of the city’s design manual and of Chapter 17.78 GHMC.
b. Individual Sign Size. No single wall sign shall exceed 50 square feet.
c. Increased Size Option. If a carved or sandblasted wooden sign is used, the sign size may be increased by 20 percent of its underlying allowable sign area.
d. Size Restriction. Wall signs must meet the 70 percent space coverage allowances described under the surface coverage requirements in subsection (C)(2) of this section.
2. Architectural Details. Signs may not cover or obscure important architectural details of a building; they should appear to be a secondary and complementary feature of the building facade. Wall signs must be located within architectural sign bands or other blank spaces which visually frame the sign. Blank wall sections above or between windows and doors, for example, may provide an effective location for signage. However, to avoid a “maxed out” appearance, signs shall be no larger than 70 percent of the width or height of the blank wall space or fascia the sign is mounted to so as to leave reveal on all sides of the sign and to maintain an appropriate balance between the sign and wall. For example, a pillar between a door and window which is 30 inches wide may have a sign which is 21 inches wide.
3. Height Restriction. Wall signs shall not project above roof lines or fascia boards.
D. Window Signs.
1. Illuminated Window Signs. Illuminated window signs shall conform to the total wall sign area standards in subsection (C)(1) of this section and shall conform with all master sign plan requirements in GHMC 17.80.070.
2. Nonilluminated Window Signs. Nonilluminated window signs are allowed in addition to the standards in subsection (C)(1) of this section; provided, that they do not exceed 50 percent of the nominal window size (i.e., the window size as specified by the manufacturer). Additionally, nonilluminated window signs are not required to conform to the design standards of master sign plans.
E. Projecting Signs.
1. Surface Area. Projecting signs in Area 2 are limited to 32 square feet total for both sides. Projecting sign area shall be deducted from the allowable wall signage determined under subsection (C)(1) of this section.
2. Clearance Requirements. All projecting signs must be at least eight feet above sidewalks and walkways and 15 feet above vehicular ways.
3. Maximum Projection. Projecting signs shall have a maximum width of three feet with a maximum clearance of six inches from the building wall.
4. Design Restriction. Projecting signs may not be cabinet-type signs and may not be internally illuminated.
F. Portal Sign. One portal sign shall be allowed for each city-owned dock or pier. Portal signs shall be limited in height to 12 feet and a sign face area of 32 square feet per side. Portal signs shall be allowed in addition to any other signs permitted on the property. (Ord. 1427 § 3, 2019).