18B.10.040 Temporary Signs.
Temporary signs consist of all types of signs that are not permanently affixed to a building or structure including, but not limited to: banners, garage sale signs, pennants, feather/sail signs, window signs, A-boards, and yard signs. Temporary signs are typically constructed of cloth, light fabric, paper, plastic, cardboard, or other similar material. Temporary signs are not intended for ongoing advertising of products or services, or for the naming of a business in lieu of a permitted permanent sign.
A. Regulations – General.
1. No more than one temporary sign which is not affixed to a building may be displayed along each road frontage, per establishment, at any one time except any number of yard signs may be displayed.
2. Temporary signs shall not be placed in or over a public right-of-way (except for an approved community event banner pursuant to Chapter 12.48 PCC), may not flash, blink, spin, rotate, block traffic visibility, constitute a vehicular or pedestrian traffic hazard, or cause a public nuisance of any kind.
3. Temporary signs shall not be placed in any of the prohibited sign locations as set forth in PCC 18B.10.060.
4. Temporary signs may be attached to existing permanent signs to cover an existing permanent sign if the business or organization has changed.
5. When attached to, or placed upon, a building, a temporary sign shall not be placed higher than the fascia of the building.
6. Temporary signs shall not be placed in any required landscape areas.
7. Temporary signs shall be securely installed to avoid becoming a hazard.
8. Temporary electronic signs may be used for traffic control purposes within the County or State right-of-way, as approved by the County Engineer or Washington State Department of Transportation.
9. Temporary signs shall be removed if the sign is in need of repair, is worn, dilapidated, or creates a public nuisance.
10. Temporary signs installed for periods exceeding the time limits as set forth in Table 18B.10.040-1 shall be modified to meet the applicable standards for permanent (nontemporary) signs or be removed.
11. The duration of display for temporary signs shall be limited as follows:
Type of Sign | Duration |
|---|---|
Banners | Noncommercial Banners: Consecutive days: From 30 days prior to the event to 10 days after the event Retail Banners: Cumulative days: 60 days per calendar year |
Construction sign | Consecutive days: Construction period plus 14 days after beginning of intended use of project |
Decorations for religious or other noncommercial holiday | Consecutive days: From 30 days prior to the holiday to 10 days after the holiday |
Other temporary sign | Consecutive days: 10 AND Cumulative days: 42 per calendar year |
Rental and real estate sign | Consecutive days: Sale/lease/listing period plus 14 days after removal of listing AND Cumulative days: 365 |
Temporary A-board or banner sign in ARL and RF zones that advertises seasonal agricultural products | Cumulative days: 90 per calendar year |
Temporary business sign covering an existing permanent sign | Consecutive days: 30 days after installation |
Yard sign | Not Applicable |
Footnote: If a yard sign promotes an event or is event related, it must be removed within 10 days following completion of the event. | |
B. Regulations – A-Board/Sandwich Board Signs.
1. A-board signs are prohibited on single-tenant sites unless those sites front streets with speed limits not exceeding 25 miles per hour.
2. Each establishment is allowed one A-board sign.
3. A-board signs shall be located within 8 feet of the establishment to which it is serving except that when on-site freestanding signs are smaller than 64 square feet, an A-board sign may be placed further than 8 feet from the establishment it is advertising.
4. A-board signs shall be placed a minimum of 15 feet from any property line and shall not exceed 48 inches tall and 36 inches wide.
C. Regulations – Banners Located Outside of the County Road Right-of-Way.
1. Only one retail banner may be displayed per establishment at any one time.
2. Noncommercial temporary banners are allowed when posted in conjunction with community and civic events.
3. Banners shall only be allowed as a temporary sign.
4. The maximum sign area of a banner shall be 60 square feet.
5. The minimum vertical clearance under a banner shall be 10 feet, except that Street Banners shall be 20 feet above any road pursuant to Chapter 12.48 PCC.
6. A retail banner, typically advertising information about special sales, promotions or other business services, shall be located on the site that the business activity occurs.
D. Regulations – Inflatable Signs.
1. Inflatable signs shall only be allowed as a temporary sign.
2. Only one inflatable sign shall be allowed per property.
3. The height of inflatable signs shall be limited to 25 feet from the ground with a circumference not to exceed 60 feet.
E. Regulations – Yard Signs.
1. Yard signs shall not be erected upon any private property without permission of the resident or owner thereof; and
2. Yard signs shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and shall not obstruct safe visibility of any mobile or pedestrian traffic.
F. Regulations – Construction Signs.
1. Individual construction signs shall not exceed a maximum area of 16 square feet nor be more than 15 feet in height and are limited to one for each architect, engineer, contractor, or other individual or firms involved in the construction; and
2. Construction signs shall be confined to the site of the construction.
G. Regulations – Rental and Real Estate Signs.
Signs advertising the sale or lease of the property or part of the property on which the signs are displayed are allowed up to a total area of 12 square feet for commercial and 4 square feet for residential.