23.55.012

A. Real estate "for sale," "for rent" and "open house" temporary signs, temporary signs identifying the architect, engineer or contractor for work currently under construction, and temporary noncommercial messages displayed on fabric signs, flags or rigid signs shall be permitted in all zones at all times, provided they are not painted with light-reflecting paint or illuminated. The total area for these types of temporary signs in the aggregate shall not exceed eight (8) square feet per building lot in neighborhood residential zones, and twenty-four (24) square feet per building lot in all other zones, except as follows: the total area allowed for noncommercial messages may increase to a maximum of eight (8) square feet per dwelling unit for use by the occupant of that dwelling unit; and in buildings where there are eight (8) dwelling units or more, a real estate banner not exceeding thirty-six (36) square feet may be permitted for one (1) nine (9) month period starting from the date of the issuance of the certificate of occupancy. B. In addition to the signs described in subsection A of this section above, commercial or noncommercial messages may be displayed for a total of four (4) fourteen (14) consecutive day periods a calendar year; these additional four (4) periods are the maximum, whether the message is the same message or a different message. These messages may be displayed on banners, streamers, strings of pennants, fabric signs, festoons of lights, flags, wind-animated objects, rigid signs, balloons, searchlights, portable signs attached to vehicles, or devices of a carnival nature, and shall be allowed as temporary signs in all zones. The total area for all temporary signs per fourteen (14) day period, when combined with those signs authorized under subsection A of this section, in the aggregate shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet per building lot for signs made of rigid material, with no dimension greater than eight (8) feet, and one hundred (100) square feet per building lot for temporary signs not made of rigid material; provided that the total area allowed for noncommercial messages may increase to a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet per dwelling unit, with no dimension greater than eight (8) feet, for signs made of rigid material, and one hundred (100) square feet per dwelling unit for temporary signs not made of rigid material, all for use by the occupant of that dwelling unit. No individual sign made of nonrigid material may exceed thirty-six (36) square feet. C. All signs authorized by this section are subject to the following regulations: 1. No sign may be placed on public property or on the planting strips that abut public property, including planting strips forming a median in a public street, except as provided in subsection C3 below and except for portable signs attached to vehicles that are using the public streets. 2. All signs must be erected with the consent of the occupant of the property on which the sign is located, except as provided in subsection C3 below. 3. Temporary Signs on Public Property or in Planting Strips. a. Temporary signs with commercial or noncommercial messages may be located on public rights-of-way or in planting strips in business districts, subject to the requirements of City of Seattle Public Works Rules Chapter 4.60 or its successor Rule. b. Temporary signs with noncommercial messages, other than in subsection C3a above, may be located in the planting strip in front of private property with the consent of the occupant of that property and may not exceed eight (8) square feet or be supported by stakes that are more than one (1) foot into the ground. Signs in the planting strip shall be no more than twenty-four (24) inches in height as measured from street or driveway grade when located within thirty (30) feet from the curbline of intersections. Signs shall be no more than thirty-six inches (36") in height as measured from street or driveway grade when located thirty feet (30') or more from the curbline of intersections. c. In addition to commercial signs in business districts allowed in subsection C3a above, only temporary commercial "open house" signs may be placed in planting strips. One (1) "open house" temporary sign per street frontage of a lot may be located with the consent of the occupant and provided the occupant or seller is on the premises. The "open house" signs may not exceed eight (8) square feet per lot or be supported by stakes that are more than one foot (1') into the ground. The "open house" signs shall be no more than twenty-four inches (24") in height as measured from street or driveway grade when located within thirty feet (30') from the curbline of intersections, and shall be no more than thirty-six inches (36") in height as measured from street or driveway grade when located thirty feet (30') or more from the curbline of intersections. d. No sign placed in a planting strip may be displayed on banners, streamers, strings of pennants, festoons of lights, flags, wind-animated objects or balloons. e. The requirements of this subsection C3 shall be enforced by the Director of Seattle Department of Transportation pursuant to the enforcement provisions of that Department. 4. No sign shall obstruct or impair access to a public sidewalk, public or private street or driveway, traffic control sign, bus stop, fire hydrant, or any other type of street furniture, or otherwise create a hazard, including a tripping hazard. 5. Signs shall be designed to be stable under all weather conditions, including high winds. 6. A temporary sign shall conform to the standards for roof signs, flashing, changing image or message board signs, for moving signs, and for lighting and height regulations for the zone or special review district in which the temporary sign is located, provided that balloons may exceed height regulations. 7. The entire visible surface of the sign, exclusive of support devices, shall be included in area calculations. (Ord. 126509 , § 78, 2022 [zone name change]; Ord. 121477 § 35, 2004; Ord. 118409, § 203, 1996; Ord. 117555, § 2, 1995; Ord. 112830, § 10, 1986.)