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A sign permit is not required for any of the following types of signs, as determined by the Planning Director. Such signs shall otherwise be erected and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Unless otherwise specified, the signs described below are in reference to on-site signage:

A. Changing of the advertising copy or message on an existing approved changeable copy sign.

B. Painting, repainting, cleaning, exact replacement, or normal maintenance and repair of a sign.

C. Changes in the content of temporary window signs that have been approved as part of an overall sign program.

D. Directional signs, such as signs identifying restrooms, public telephones, walkways, parking lot entrances and exits and signs of a similar nature, which are located entirely on the property to which they pertain, do not in any way advertise a business, and do not exceed two square feet in area, and five feet in height.

E. Governmental signs for control of traffic or other regulatory purpose; street signs, danger signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs of public service companies.

F. Holiday decorations commonly associated with any national, local, or religious holiday; provided, that such decorations be displayed for a period of no more than 45 consecutive days or no more than 60 days in any one calendar year.

G. Signs located within the interior of any building and/or not visible from a public right-of-way. Such signs are not, however, exempt from structural, electrical or material specifications as set forth in the International Building Code.

H. Memorial signs, subject to size limitations and a site visibility analysis.

I. Notice bulletins and bulletin boards for medical, public, charitable or religious institutions where the same are located on the premises of said institution(s) or public property, at the discretion of the Planning Director.

J. Off-site real estate signs and open house signs may be erected for up to 48 hours, except for off-site direction real estate signs (red arrows), as described in SMC 17.120.070(E)(3).

Off-site real estate signs which do not meet the criteria of SMC 17.120.070(E)(3), and which are erected for longer than a 48-hour period, may be permitted with a sign permit issued by the Design Review Board.

K. On-site real estate signs which promote the sale, rental, or lease of a building, and which meet the following criteria:

1. Material. Sign and sign post must be constructed of wood with painted or vinyl letters.

2. Size and Height. Sign shall be a hanging sign with a minimum clearance of three feet between the bottom of the sign and the existing grade. The height of the sign, including post, may not exceed six feet. All real estate signs are permitted to be six square feet maximum in size; however, commercial and industrial signs may be a maximum 40 square feet if located on a 20,000-square-foot lot or larger.

L. Plaques or nameplate signs which are less than two square feet in area and are permanently affixed to a building wall.

M. Public signs required or specifically authorized for a public purpose by law, statute, or ordinance. Such signs may be of any type, number, area, height above grade, location, illumination as required by law, statute or ordinance under which the signs are erected.

N. Off-premises directional signs for public or community facilities, as approved by the Planning Director.

O. Special events signs and temporary signs pertaining to promotions or events of civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organizations. Such signs may be posted no more than 30 days before the event, and must be removed no more than seven days after the event.

P. Garage sale signs; provided, that such signs do not exceed four square feet in area, are displayed not more than one day before the sale and removed not later than one day after the sale, and are not on a public property. (See also City Ordinance No. 693.)

Q. Political/political campaign signs.

R. Automotive service station price signs, as required by the Department of Weights and Measures. Any additional signs which are used to identify the service station, or to advertise a service or product offered by that business, are subject to the development standards of SMC 17.120.060(I).

S. Temporary interior window signs; provided, that the signs are not illuminated, are no more than two square feet in size, and remain in place for not more than 30 days.

T. Permanent window signs which are clearly incidental to the conduct of business, such as the days and hours of operation, and payment decals; provided, that the signs are not illuminated and are no more than one square foot in size.

U. Neon “open” signs which are no more than two square feet in size. (Ord. 1111, 2018)