23.55.015

A. Sign Kiosks. Sign kiosks are permitted in all zones, except neighborhood residential zones and multifamily residential zones, provided that a sign kiosk may abut a park or playground at least one acre in size, or publicly owned community center in all zones. Sign kiosks are not permitted within fifty (50) feet of a neighborhood residential zone or multifamily residential zone. B. Sign Kiosks in the Public Right-of-way. Sign kiosks that are located in the public right-of-way must obtain a street use permit from Seattle Department of Transportation and are subject to the requirements, conditions and procedures set out in SMC Title 15 . Seattle Department of Transportation shall review an application for a sign kiosk in the public right-of-way for compliance with the provisions of this chapter. The street use permit issued by Seattle Department of Transportation shall serve as the required sign permit. C. Development standards for sign kiosks 1. Design and construction a. The design of any sign kiosk shall comply with the design principles for sign kiosks approved by the Seattle Design Commission, or shall be reviewed and recommended by the Commission. b. The design of any sign kiosk adjacent to a park, playground, or publicly owned community center shall also be reviewed and must be approved by the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation for aesthetic compatibility with existing signs and the design of the park, playground, or community center. c. The design of any sign kiosk in a special review district established in Chapters 23.66 , 25.16 , 25.20 , 25.22 , and 25.24 shall also be reviewed and must be approved by the board for that district for compliance with the standards of that district. d. The sign kiosk shall be in sections with maximum dimensions of 7 feet high, 3 feet wide measuring from the centers of the supporting posts on either side of the sections, and 6 inches deep, with a maximum of four sections. No more than 2 feet of additional height will be allowed for artistic decoration on top of the kiosk, with additional width not to exceed the width of the kiosk structure. The Seattle Design Commission may approve a different style or different dimensions, which shall not exceed the maximum height dimension and the maximum overall size set out above. e. Lights, changing image signs, and message board signs shall not be placed on any part of a sign kiosk that is visible from the street. Flashing signs and chasing signs are prohibited on any part of a kiosk. Any lighting fixtures used within kiosks or used externally to illuminate kiosks shall be fully shielded. The maximum illumination level at the kiosk shall be 5 foot-candles (fc) maintained at ground level. f. Materials used in constructing sign kiosks shall minimize reflective glare from natural or artificial illumination. g. The design of any kiosk structure shall not be likely to be mistaken for any traffic control device and shall comply with Sections 11.50.500 through 11.50.560 . h. All sign kiosks shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with Section 3107 of the Seattle Building Code. 2. Location a. The location of any sign kiosk shall comply with the location standards set out in the rules of Seattle Department of Transportation, including without limitation rules for line of sight at intersections, compatibility with traffic control signs and other right-of-way uses, parking and pedestrian safety, and access to adjacent and abutting property. b. The location of any sign kiosk adjacent to a park, playground or publicly owned community center shall also be reviewed and must be approved by the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation as not conflicting with or distracting from existing signs of the park, playground or community center. c. The location of any sign kiosk in a special review district established in SMC Chapters 23.66 , 25.16 , 25.20 , 25.22 , and 25.24 shall also be reviewed by and must be approved by the board for that district for compliance with the standards of that district. d. Sign kiosks shall be located in compliance with Section 23.55.042 and Chapter 23.60A . e. Sign kiosks that are not located in the public right-of-way shall be located so that they are accessible for posting and reading by the public at all times. 3. Dispersion. a. Not more than a total of five (5) sign kiosks are permitted when counting both sides of street within a linear distance of two thousand six hundred forty (2640) feet (one-half (½) mile). b. There shall be a minimum distance of three hundred (300) linear feet between sign kiosks on the same side of the street; a maximum of two (2) sign kiosks within three hundred (300) linear feet when counting both sides of the street; and a minimum distance of one hundred (100) radial feet between sign kiosks. D. Standards for Posting Signs on Sign Kiosks. 1. All members of the public may post signs on sign kiosks. Each person may post, or have posted on his/her behalf, two signs with noncommercial messages and one sign with a commercial message on each sign kiosk. 2. Graffiti is prohibited on sign kiosks. 3. All signs posted on sign kiosks shall comply with the following standards: a. The maximum size of any sign shall be eight and one-half (8½) inches by fourteen (14) inches. b. Signs shall not be posted in a manner that creates the appearance of a sign larger than eight and one-half (8½) inches by fourteen (14) inches. c. The design of any posting shall not be likely to be mistaken for any traffic control device and shall comply with SMC Sections 11.50.500 through 11.50.560 . 4. Signs shall show the date they are posted and shall be removed within thirty (30) days of posting or the day after the event announced, whichever is first. Signs with commercial messages must also include the name of the person posting the sign or causing the sign to be posted. 5. The sign posting standards set out in subsections D1, 2, 3 and 4 shall be affixed to the kiosk. These standards are in addition to any standards set out in City ordinances or rules, in policies adopted by City departments and posted on the sign kiosk, and in contracts with The City of Seattle for sign kiosks. 6. The sign kiosk permit holder shall clearly designate and maintain one quarter of the total posting area and may designate and maintain up to three-quarters of the total posting area of a sign kiosk for posting only noncommercial signs. 7. The City of Seattle may post a map of the area and historical information on any kiosk in addition to the area reserved for noncommercial speech. 8. No one may (1) sell, (2) rent, or (3) reserve or transfer for consideration posting space on a sign kiosk. Posting a sign on sign kiosk does not create a transferable right. E. Sign Kiosks Previously Erected. The Council finds that the sign kiosks erected or planned for before the effective date of Ordinance 120388 [11] that are listed on Attachment 1 of the ordinance amending this section, which is filed with the City Clerk in C.F. 305387, are consistent with the policies for allowing sign kiosks and reasonably further the objectives of promoting traffic safety, aesthetics, and community communication. As a result, they are lawful signs. All postings on these sign kiosks shall comply with the requirements of this section. Any alteration of these sign kiosks or their location shall comply with the requirements of this section. (Ord. 126685 , § 45, 2022; Ord. 126509 , § 79, 2022 [zone name change]; Ord. 125272 , § 52, 2017; Ord. 124105 , § 27, 2013; Ord. 121477 § 37, 2004; Ord. 120924, § 1, 2002; Ord. 120388 , § 5, 2001.)