16.75.100 Temporary signs | Lacey Municipal Code

16.75.100 Temporary signs.

The following signs are classified as temporary (nonpermanent). Temporary signs are permitted subject to the applicable limitations:

A. Construction Signs. A sign permit is required. Such signs may be displayed only after a building permit is obtained and during the period of construction on the construction site. Only one such sign is permitted per construction project for each public street upon which the project fronts. The applicable limits are as follows:

1. In all zones other than single-family residential zones, no construction sign shall exceed thirty-two square feet in sign area (printed copy on one side only) or ten feet in height, nor be located closer than ten feet from the property line or closer than thirty feet from the property line of the abutting owner.

2. In single-family residential zones, no construction sign shall exceed thirty-two square feet in sign area (printed copy on one side only) or ten feet in height, nor be located closer than ten feet from the property line of the abutting owner.

B. Grand Opening Displays. No sign permit is required. Such temporary signs, posters, banners, strings of lights, clusters of flags, balloons or other air- or gas-filled figures, and searchlights are permitted for a period of seven days only to announce the opening of a completely new enterprise or the opening of an enterprise under new management. All such materials shall be removed immediately upon the expiration of seven days. Such displays are permitted only in districts where the enterprise so advertised is allowed under district zoning regulations. Searchlights may be permitted by any business or enterprise provided the beam of light does not flash against any building or does not sweep an arc of forty-five degrees from vertical.

a. Special event signage as defined in LMC 16.75.020(MM) is allowed subject to the standards contained in this chapter.

b. No sign permit is required.

c. Period of Display. Such signs may be displayed thirty days prior to an event and must be removed within seven days after the event’s conclusion.

d. Standards. Such temporary signs shall not be larger than four square feet. Said signs shall not be located in the right-of-way, posted or attached to telephone poles, power poles or other public utility facilities. The event committee for which the sign is displayed shall be responsible for its removal and subject to the penalties as provided in this code. Searchlights may be permitted by any business or enterprise provided the beam of light does not flash against any building or does not sweep an arc of forty-five degrees from vertical.

a. A sign permit is required, specifying event periods and other information ensuring conformance with the standards herein.

b. Period of Display. No more than thirty days in a calendar year. This may include up to four events in a calendar year provided the total number of days the sales event signage is displayed for does not exceed thirty.

c. Standards. Sales event signage may include posters, banners, strings of lights, clusters of flags, balloons or other air- or gas-filled figures. Such displays are permitted only in districts where the enterprise so advertised is allowed under district zoning regulations.

D. Real Estate Signs. No sign permit is required. All exterior real estate signs must be of wood or plastic or other durable material. The permitted signs, with applicable limits, are as follows:

1. Residential “For Sale” and “Sold” Signs. Such signs shall be limited to one sign per street frontage not to exceed five square feet in sign area, placed wholly on the property for sale, and not to exceed a height of seven feet.

2. Residential Directional “Open House” Signs. Such signs shall be limited to one sign per street frontage on the premises for sale and three off-premises signs. However, if a real estate broker has more than one house open for inspection in a single development or subdivision, he/she is limited to four off-premises “open house” signs in the entire development or subdivision. Such signs are permitted only during daylight hours and when the real estate broker is in attendance at the property for sale. No such sign shall exceed five square feet in sign area.

3. Undeveloped Commercial and Industrial Property “For Sale or Rent” Signs. One sign per street frontage advertising undeveloped commercial and industrial property for sale or rent. The sign shall not exceed thirty-two square feet in sign area and seven feet in height.

4. Developed Commercial and Industrial Property “For Sale or Rent” Signs. One sign per street frontage advertising a commercial or industrial building for rent or sale is permitted while the building is actually for rent or sale. If one face of the building is less than ten feet from the building line, the sign shall be placed on the building or in a window. The sign shall not exceed seven feet in height and, if freestanding, shall be located more than fifteen feet from any abutting property line or a public right-of-way line. Said sign shall not exceed thirty-two square feet in sign area.

5. Undeveloped Residential Property “For Sale” Signs. One sign per street frontage advertising undeveloped residential property for sale is permitted not exceeding thirty-two square feet in sign area. Said sign must be placed more than thirty feet from the abutting owner’s property line and may not exceed a height of seven feet.

6. Subdivisions approved after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter are permitted one cluster of flagpoles (not to exceed five flagpoles) in front of sales offices to advertise the new development.

E. Political Signs. No sign permit is required. Political signs or posters may be placed upon private property only and shall not be larger than ten square feet of sign area and shall not be posted or attached to telephone poles, power poles or other public utility facilities. Such signs must be removed seven days after the election in which the candidate or issue advertised on a sign has been determined. For a successful candidate in a primary election the sign may remain until the final election, but shall be removed within seven days after the election. The candidate or committee for which the sign is displayed shall be responsible for its removal and/or is subject to the penalties as provided in this code.

F. Community Banners or Cloth Signs. Such signs may be permitted and extend across a public street by permission of the city manager or appointed representative. Such signs may only be placed at city-designated locations and erected by city personnel.

G. Banners. Such signs may be permitted on private property. Banners may be used to advertise a sale, other special events, or for new businesses waiting for a permanent sign. Notification to the city is required prior to hanging the banner. This notification shall include acknowledgement of the banner requirements, the dates the banner will be used and location of the banner. Businesses are only allowed one banner per wall with a maximum of two banners per business at any one time. All banners must comply with the following:

1. Maintenance Standards. All banners must be legible, made of durable materials, and must be well maintained.

2. Time Limitation. Banners are limited to two thirty-day placements per calendar year.

3. Location on Property. Banners must be located completely on a wall, and tacked down on four corners. Banner size shall be regulated to a maximum of ten percent of the architectural elevation per wall.

H. Sandwich Board Signs. Only businesses that cater to pedestrians such as: restaurants, retail businesses that sell clothing, gifts, accessories, small markets, or other similar uses as determined by the director of community and economic development shall be allowed to have sandwich board signs. Such signs shall only be pedestrian-oriented in nature and businesses will only be allowed a maximum of one sandwich board sign. These signs are subject to the following conditions:

1. Notification. Notification to the city is required prior to displaying a sandwich board sign. This notification shall include acknowledgement of the sandwich board sign requirements, list of materials used, and rendering of the sign, including the dimensions. Liability for all sandwich board signs placed in the right-of-way is that of the business placing the sign.

2. Size. The area of the sign shall not exceed nine square feet per side in size and shall not be wider than three feet.

3. Maintenance Standards. Signs shall be constructed out of materials able to withstand typical Northwest weather. Such materials may be metal, finished wood, chalkboard, white board or plastic; signs and copy shall be of professional quality. Owners of sandwich board signs shall be required to keep their signs in a legible, intact, and well maintained manner.

4. Display Time. Signs may only be displayed during business hours. If business hours continue past daylight hours, precautions should be taken to place the sign in a location where it is readily visible after dark. This shall not be construed to allow the wiring of a sign for lighting.

5. Location. Signs may be located no further than twelve feet from the entrance to the business. Such signs shall not be placed in a location which is within the vision triangle or any location which will impede vehicular traffic. Further, such signs shall not be placed in a manner which will block or otherwise obstruct the safe use of sidewalks, building entrances or stairs by pedestrians, including pedestrians who are visually impaired or otherwise handicapped.

Figure 16.75.100(H-1). Sandwich board sign standards

Exception. For multi-tenant centers where most businesses are located more than twelve feet from the public ROW, center owners or their representatives may apply for a permit to depart from this standard, provided the following provisions are met:

a. A maximum of one sign per one hundred feet of ROW frontage;

b. Signs may be placed in the public ROW on one side of sidewalk in a manner that allows a minimum of five feet of horizontal clearance for pedestrians.

Figure 16.75.100(H-2). Illustrating sandwich board sign provisions

The first two signs on the left are more than twelve feet from their respective business entries, but allowed per the exception provision above. The cluster of sandwich board signs in the distance to the right are all within twelve feet of their respective business entries.

I. Feather Signs. Feather signs are prohibited except where used for a grand opening event and/or business sales event (subsections B and (C)(2) of this section) or by permit for multi-tenant centers meeting the criteria below.

a. Applicants: multi-tenant center owners or their representatives. Number of signs permitted: a maximum of one sign per one hundred feet of ROW frontage;

b. Location of Signs. Signs may be placed outside the public ROW on the back side of the sidewalk, as shown in Figure 16.75.100(I).

c. Maximum height of signs: thirteen feet.

d. The use of consistent size and shape of feather signs is encouraged where more than one sign is permitted.

Figure 16.75.100(I).

Where permitted for multi-tenant centers, feather signs shall be placed at intervals of no more than one sign per one hundred lineal feet of frontage and located behind the sidewalk.

J. Garage Sale (Yard Sales, Moving Sales, Patio Sales). No sign permit is required. Such sign shall be limited to one sign on the premises and three off-premises signs. No such sign shall exceed four square feet in sign area. The sign or signs may be displayed only during the sale and must be removed the day the sale ends. The person or persons for which the sign or signs are displayed shall be responsible for its removal and/or are subject to the penalties as provided in this code.

K. Seasonal Sales. No sign permit is required. Vendors who receive a temporary business license as defined in LMC 5.12.015 for seasonal or temporary sales activities (e.g., Christmas trees) are permitted one sign not to exceed twenty square feet in sign area. This sign shall be mounted to the booth or trailer used for temporary sales. (Ord. 1539 §127, 2019; Ord. 1454 §2 (part), 2015).