HomeMy WebLinkAbout2637 Sign LimitationsOrdinance No. 2637
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING SECTIONS
17.76.050 AND 060 OF CHAPTER 17.76, SIGNS, OF THE PORT TOWNSEND
MUNICIPAL CODE, ALLOWING DOUBLE POLE SIGNS WITHIN CERTAIN
ZONING DISTRICTS; DECREASING THE HEIGHT LIMITATION OF MONUMENT
SIGNS AND DOUBLE-POLE SIGNS FROM 17 FEET TO 12 FEET; AN-D
INCREASING THE MAXIMUM SIGN HEIGHT FOR MANUFACTURING ZONING
DISTRICTS FROM 10 FEET TO 17 FEET
SECTION I. FINDINGS AND RECITALS
1. PTMC 17.76.050 currently does not permit double-pole signs, which are a common
sign type fully consistent with the policies in the Port Townsend sign code; and
2. PTMC 17.76.050 allows monument signs to have a raaximum height of 17 feet. Based
upon the findings of the Planning Commission, the City Council finds the 17-foot maximum height
to be out of scale to Port Townsend's commercial districts, to be unduly distracting to motorists and
pedestrians, and to be inconsistent with the policies of the City's sign code; and
3. The maximum sign height in Port Townsend's manufacturing and marine districts is
currently 10 feet. Through implementation and administration of the Port Townsend sign code, the
City has found that the current 10-foot maximum sign height limitation is inadequate in enabling
customers to locate businesses within the city's manufacturing districts. The 17-foot height limitation
contained within this ordinance is consistent with maximum height limitations in the city's C-II
general commercial zone. The City Council finds that a sign limitation higher than 17 feet is
unnecessary within the city's manufacturing districts, in that signs taller than 17 feet are typically
intended to be seen from great distances, drawing automobile traffic into commercial uses. The City
Council finds that a sign height allowance beyond 17 feet in the city's manufacturing districts is
unnecessary; and
e
Act; and
The City has conducted review of this ordinance under the State Environmental Policy
5. The City Council finds that this ordinance is consistent with the goals and policies of
the Port Townsend Comprehensive Plan; and
6. The Port Townsend Planning Commission held a public heating on this ordinance on
February 26, 1998, and upon consideration of testimony and deliberation, recommends that the City
Council approve this ordinance; and
7. The City Council held a public hearing on April 20, 1998, to consider testimony
regarding this ordinance. Based upon the record developed before the Port Townsend Planning
Commission and before the Port Townsend City Coundl, the Council approves this ordinance,
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Port Townsend ordains as follows:
SECTION II. Section 17.76.050, of Chapter 17.76, SIGNS, of the Port Townsend Municipal
Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
17.76.050 Mixed use, commercial, and public, park and open space districts outside the
historic district (C-I/MU, C-H/MU, C-I, C=H, C-H(H), C-HI, C-IV, P/OS(A), P/OS(B), and
In addition to the other applicable provisions of this chapter, the following regulations also apply in
each mixed use (i.e., C-I/MU and C-IFMU), commercial (C-I, C-II, C-II(H), C-III, C-IV), and
public, park and open space (i.e., P/OS(A), P/OS(B) and P-I) zoning districts:
A. Total allowable sign area is determined as follows:
1. One square foot of sign area for each lineal foot of primary street frontage of the principal
building;
2. But not less than 100 square feet for each principal building, nor less than 32 square feet
for each business in a multiple-business complex;
3. Forty square feet for an outdoor business which operates without a building;
4. Government buildings, schools, churches and the Port Townsend Visitors Center are
permitted one identification sign not to exceed 32 square feet;
5. Includes all types of signs on all sides and all stories of the building or premises.
Exceptions: parking lot identification signs, symbol signs, incidental signs, window sign lettering less
than six inches in height, motor fuel price signs erected pursuant to subsection G of this section,
monument signs erected as a directory sign for a multiple-business complex pursuant to subsection
(E)(2) of this section, service club signs authorized pursuant to PTMC 17.76.100, and signs listed
as exempt in PTMC 17.76.070 are not included in the determination of allowable sign area.
B. Maximum sign height is as follows:
1. Seventeen feet, but in no event may signs extend higher than the nearby surface of the roof
of the building;
2. Canopy signs or signs mounted on a marquee may not extend higher than the highest roof
surface of the canopy or marquee, but in no event may extend higher than the nearby roof surface of
the building;
3. Five feet for a monument sign of a single business or multiple-tenant building;
4. Five feet plus one foot per each separate business advertised on a monument directory sign
of a multiple-business complex.
C. Projecting signs are subject to the following additional regulations: 1. No larger than 16 square feet per side;
2. May project no more than four feet from the building;
3. Minimum clearance of eight feet must be maintained above the sidewalk and six inches from
the vertical wall;
4. Only one projecting sign, including symbol signs, is allowed for each main entry.
D. Window signs require a sign permit unless lettering is less than six inches in height.
E. Freestanding Signs.
1. Each single-business or multiple-tenant building shall be allowed one monument or one
double-pole sign not to exceed a sign area of 24 square feet.
2. Each multiple-business complex is allowed one monument sign or one double-pole sign per
street frontage for a directory sign. The sign area of such directory sign is not to exceed 32 square
2 Ord. 2637
feet plus eight square feet per separate business advertised and an additional 12 square feet to allow
display of the name of the complex.
3. Each such allowed monument sign or double-pole sig. n may not exceed a sign area of 102
square feet per sign face, nor a sign face width of 10 feet, nor a height of-l-7 12 feet.
4. Monument signs or double-pole si_mas must be set back from property lines a distance of
one foot for each one foot of sign height in excess of five feet. Exception: The director is authorized
to permit alternate monument sign placement as part of a streetseape improvement project in
conformance with the Gateway Development Plan.
5. Each monument sign or double-pol~ si_~n shall have a landscaped area at the base of the
sign of at least twice the size of the sign area.
6. No other freestanding or portable signs are allowed.
F. Illuminated Signs.
1. Indirect lighting is encouraged.
2. Signs illuminated with internal or neon lighting are limited to a sign face area of 25 square
feet.
G. Readerboard signs may not exceed 12 square feet per sign face. Exceptions:
1. In addition to the sign area allowed pursuant to subsection A of this section, any business
selling motor fuel to the public may have one permanently mounted motor fuel price sign not to
exceed 18 square feet per sign face. If such sign is incorporated as part of the monument sign allowed
pursuant to this section, the allowable height of such monument sign may be increased by four feet.
2. The director is authorized to permit one permanently mounted readerboard sign for
community event announcements on premises owned by the city or a nonprofit organization under
contract with the city. Such sign may not exceed a sign area of $0 square feet per sign face.
3. Portable readerboard signs are not permitted. (Ord. 2637 § 2, 1998; Ord. 2571 § 3, 1997).
SECTION Ill. Section 17.76.060, of Chapter 17.76, SIGNS, of the Port Townsend Municipal
Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
17.76.060 Marine-related and manufacturing districts (M/C, l'vl-L M-H, M-Il(A), M-H(B) and
In addition to the other applicable provisions of this chapter, the following regulations also apply in
each marine-related and manufacturing (i.e., M/C, M-I, M-Il, M-II(A), M-II(B) and M-Ill) zoning
district:
A. Total allowable sign area is determined as follows: 1. Sixty-four square feet for each principal building;
2. But each separate business in a multiple-tenant building or multiple-business complex shall
be allowed at least 32 square feet of sign area;
3. Each multiple-tenant building is allowed an additional six square feet for a dkectory sign;
4. Government buildings and schools are permitted one identification sign not to exceed 32
square feet;
5. Includes all types of signs on all sides and all stories of the building or premises.
Exceptions: Parking lot identification signs, incidental signs, monument signs, window sign letters
less than six inches in height, and signs listed as exempt in PTMC 17.76.070 are not included in
determining allowable sign area.
B. Maximum sign height is as follows:
3 Ord. 2637
1. Five feet for monument signs, plus one foot for each separate business advertised on the
sign, but no higher than 10 feet;
2. ~ Seventeen feet for other signs.
C. Projecting signs are subject to the following additional regulations: 1. No larger than 16 square feet per side;
2. May project no more than four feet from the building;
3. Minimum clearance of eight feet must be maintained above the sidewalk and six inches from
the vertical wall;
4. Only one projecting sign, including symbol signs, is allowed for each main entry.
D. Window signs require a sign permit unless lettering is less than six inches in height.
E. Freestanding Signs.
1. Each multiple-business complex is allowed one monument sign per street frontage for a
directory sign. The sign area of each such directory sign shall not exceed 16 square feet plus six
square feet per separate business advertised, but not larger than 64 square feet.
2. Monument signs must set back from property lines a distance of one foot for each one foot
of sign height in excess of five feet.
3. No other freestanding or portable signs are allowed. (Ord. 2637 § 3, 1998; Ord. 2571 §
2, 1997).
SECTION IV. Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or its application to any person
or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance, or the application of the provision to
other persons or circumstances is not affected.
This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five days after the date of its publication in the
manner provided by law.
Read for the first, second, and third times and adopted by the City Council of the City of Port
Townsend, Washington, at a regular meeting thereof, held this 4th day of May, 1998.
Attest:
Pam Kolacy, City Clerk~'/
04/21/98 [PTMC] {Ord-2637.doc}
Jui~o'McCulloch, Mayor
Approve
yaS to Form:
4 Ord. 2637