23.55.030

A. No sign shall have rotating or moving parts that revolve at a speed in excess of seven revolutions per minute. B. Signs may be electric, externally illuminated, non-illuminated or may use video display methods when the sign meets the development standards in Section 23.55.005 , Video display methods. C. Flashing signs are prohibited. D. In the Pike/Pine Conservation Overlay District, internally-illuminated cabinet signs larger than 3 square feet in size and backlit awning signs are prohibited. E. On-premises signs 1. The following signs are permitted in addition to the signs permitted by subsections 23.55.030.E.2 and 23.55.030.E.3: a. Electric, externally illuminated or non-illuminated signs bearing the name of the occupant of a dwelling unit, not exceeding 64 square inches in area; b. Memorial signs or tablets, and the names of buildings and dates of building erection if cut into a masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible materials; c. Signs for public facilities indicating danger and/or providing service or safety information; d. National, state and institutional flags; e. One under-marquee sign that does not exceed 10 square feet in area; f. One electric, externally illuminated or non-illuminated sign bearing the name of a home occupation, not to exceed 5 square feet in area. 2. Number and type of signs allowed for business establishments. a. Each business establishment may have one ground, roof, projecting or combination sign (Type A sign) for each 300 lineal feet, or portion thereof, of frontage on public rights-of-way, except alleys. b. In addition to the signs permitted by subsection 23.55.030.E.2.a, each business establishment may have one wall, awning, canopy, marquee or under- marquee sign (Type B sign) for each 30 lineal feet, or portion thereof, of frontage on public rights-of-way, except alleys. c. In addition to the signs permitted by subsections 23.55.030.E.2.a and 23.55.030.E.2.b, each multiple business center and drive-in business may have one pole sign for each 300 lineal feet, or portion thereof, of frontage on public rights-of-way, except alleys. Such pole signs may be for a drive-in business or for an individual business establishment located in a multiple business center, or may identify a multiple business center. d. Individual businesses that are not drive-in businesses and that are not located in multiple business centers may have one pole sign in lieu of a Type A sign permitted by subsection 23.55.030.E.2.a for each 300 lineal feet, or portion thereof, of frontage on public rights-of-way, except alleys. e. If the principal use or activity on the lot is outdoor retail sales, banners and strings of pennants maintained in good condition are permitted in addition to the signs permitted by subsections 23.55.030.E.2.a, 23.55.030.E.2.b and 23.55.030.E.2.c. 3. Maximum area a. NC3 and SM zones 1) The maximum area of each face of a pole, ground, roof, projecting or combination sign is 72 square feet plus 2 square feet for each foot of frontage over 36 feet on public rights-of-way, except alleys, to a maximum area of 300 square feet, provided that: i. The maximum area for signs for multiple business centers, and signs for business establishments located within 100 feet of a state route right-of-way that is not designated in Section 23.55.042 as a landscaped or scenic view section, is 600 square feet; and ii. The maximum area for pole signs for gas stations that identify the price of motor fuel being offered by numerals of equal size is 96 square feet. 2) There is no maximum area limit for awning, canopy, marquee or under-marquee signs. 3) The maximum area for each wall sign is 672 square feet. b. C1 and C2 Zones. There is no maximum area limit for on-premises signs for business establishments in C1 and C2 zones except the maximum area for each wall sign is 672 square feet. 4. Identification signs for multifamily structures a. One identification sign is permitted on each street or alley frontage of a multifamily structure. b. Identification signs may be wall, ground, awning, canopy, marquee, under-marquee, or projecting signs. c. The maximum area of each sign is 72 square feet. 5. Sign height a. The maximum height for any portion of a projecting or combination sign is 65 feet above existing grade, or the maximum height limit of the zone, whichever is less. b. The maximum height limit for any portion of a pole sign is 30 feet; except for pole signs for multiple business centers and for business establishments located within 100 feet of a state route right-of-way that is not designated in Section 23.55.042 as a landscaped or scenic view section, for which a maximum height of 40 feet is permitted. c. The maximum height for any portion of a wall, marquee, under-marquee or canopy sign is 20 feet or the height of the cornice of the structure to which the sign is attached, whichever is greater. d. No portion of a roof sign shall: 1) Extend beyond the height limit of the zone; 2) Exceed a height above the roof in excess of the height of the structure on which the sign is located; or 3) Exceed a height of 30 feet above the roof, measured from a point on the roof line directly below the sign or from the nearest adjacent parapet. F. Off-Premises Signs. 1. Identifying Signs for Business Districts. Each business district may have up to two identifying ground, pole, wall or projecting signs which may list businesses located in the district. The identifying signs shall not be located in a residential zone, and shall meet the standard of Section 23.55.014 , Off-premises signs. 2. One residential district identification wall or ground sign per entrance, meeting the standards of Section 23.55.014 , is permitted. 3. When accessory parking is provided on a lot other than the lot where the principal use is located, off-premises directional signs 5 square feet or less in area identifying the accessory parking are permitted. 4. Off-premises directional signs and advertising signs, in addition to those permitted by subsections 23.55.030.F.1, 23.55.030.F.2 and 23.55.030.F.3, are permitted according to Section 23.55.014 , Off-premises signs. 5. Advertising signs are prohibited in Neighborhood Commercial 3 zones and in the Seattle Mixed (SM) zone. 6. Sign kiosks as provided in Section 23.55.015 are permitted. G. Signs Near Residential Zones. When located within 50 feet of an abutting lot in a residential zone, electrical and externally illuminated signs shall be oriented so that no portion of the sign face is visible from an existing or permitted principal structure on the abutting lot. (Ord. 126845 , § 5, 2023; Ord. 124457, § 2, 2014; Ord. 123649, § 42, 2011; Ord. 123392, § 4, 2010; Ord. 123046, § 50, 2009; Ord. 123020, § 13, 2009; Ord. 121782 § 34, 2005; Ord. 120466 , § 3, 2001; Ord. 120388 , § 10, 2001; Ord. 118302 § 16, 1996; Ord. 116780 , § 2, 1993; Ord. 113387 § 6, 1987; Ord. 112830 § 10(part), 1986.)