§ 18.42.070 — Exempt Signs

A. Exempt Signs. The following signs are allowed without a Sign Permit in any zone and shall not be included in the determination of type, number, or area or signs allowed on each parcel. Exempted signs shall be required to adhere to the regulations established for each sign type as provided in this Section. 1. Signs required by Federal/State law; 2. Official signs posted by a governmental body, including, flags, banners, emblems, traffic or highway signs, railroad crossing signs, or similar regulatory or warning devices and legal notices; 3. Holiday displays and decorations, only when not creating a traffic hazard or located within any visual setback area in the visibility clearance area; 4. Commemorative plaques, tables, date of construction, and similar signs constructed of permanent material. Only one sign for each structure, not to exceed two square feet in area for each sign is allowed; 5. Signs located inside a structure, mall, or other similar structure, provided these signs are not conspicuously visible and readable from a public street or adjacent properties not under the same ownership; 6. Murals or other artistic paintings on walls, provided no names, information, logos, emblems or other similar information or illustrations of activities associated with uses on the premises or in the vicinity are included in the mural or painting; 7. "No Trespassing" signs. Each sign limited to one square foot in area. Signs may be placed at each corner and each entrance to a parcel and at intervals of not less than 50 feet or in compliance with legal requirements; 8. Real estate signs. a. “For Rent”, “For Sale”, and “For Lease” signs shall be posted on the subject parcel, including common driveways, that is being advertised by an authorized agent; b. Real estate signs shall not exceed six square feet for single-family residential and 32 square feet for multi-family or non-residential for each side of a double-sided sign; c. There shall be no more than one sign per street frontage; and d. Illuminated real estate signs are prohibited. 9. Signs placed by utilities or other publicly regulated service providers indicating location of underground facilities, danger, and aids to service or safety, including official advisory and signal flags; 10. Copy changes in approved changeable copy signs; 11. Signs or notices incidental to a commercial, mixed-use, or industrial establishment (e.g., hours of operation, credit card information, emergency contact information, help wanted, open-close) provided the signs do not contain any commercial messages, the establishment logo, and in total do not exceed four square feet in area for all incidental signs; 12. Memorial tablets or signs and iconic markers; and 13. Window signs not exceeding 25 percent of a tenant’s total window space. Notwithstanding the foregoing, window signs shall not include the outline of windows with neon/LED light borders. B. Signs related to the operation of a Mobile Food Vending Facility, provided that the aggregate sign area of all signs on the site, including the signs related to the operation of a Mobile Food Vending Facility, does not exceed the sign area standards in the district in which the Mobile Food Vending Facility is operating. Routine Maintenance. Painting, repainting, or cleaning of a sign shall not be considered erecting or altering a sign. No Sign Permit shall be required unless structural changes are proposed to be made. C. Building Permit may be required. Under certain circumstances, temporary signs and other exempt signs may require a Building or Electrical Permit, as required by the uniform codes adopted by the City.