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A. Only a sign as defined in Section 19.58.020.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 19.58.090.

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 19.58 of this code.

G. A sign is subject to the section of the George Municipal Code 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 City Engineer.

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 A torn, broken, hazardous, dilapidated, or outdated sign, as determined by the Building Official, shall be repaired, replaced, or removed.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 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.

O. A sign may be located within the front or exterior yard but shall not be located in the interior side or rear yard.

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.

Billboard

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.

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 Agency according to Section 19.58.110 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 only in commercial 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

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 Freeway Interchange sign

See Building, Freeway or Freeway 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 Agency review and approval according to Section 19.58.110 of this chapter.

Flashing

P

NA

NA

NA

NA

Freeway or Freeway Interchange

A

90

350 sq. ft. per site

R

Allowed only in commercial and industrial zones. Signs over 45 feet require City Council Approval

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.The City Council , in its discretion, may allow for a reduction of this spacing requirement when it finds that deviating from the 100 foot separation requirement is in the best interests of the public’s health, safety and welfare, or is necessary due to site limitations. Landscaping (as defined in section 17.57.030.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 Agency review and approval according to Section 19.58.110 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 19.58.090 for limitations 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

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 or Architectural Appendage sign

See Building sign

R

See Section 19.58.030 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 Agency approval according to Section 19.58.110.

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 Agency review and approval according to Section 19.58.110 of this chapter.

Residential Subdivision

A

8'

32 sq. ft. per residential subdivision, manufactured home binding site plan or residential planned development

R

A

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 Agency 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 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 free-standing structure or Portable

A

See Free-standing if on free-standing structure; 8' height if portable

32 sq. ft. per street frontage 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.

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 Building sign

NR

NA

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