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Home My WebLink AboutSC Departure Attach 4~~~~c~i~n~n~ ~ Proposed Sign Code Revisions: Public Facility Signage Plan 17.76.030 Historic district. The following sign regulations shall apply within any mixed use, commercial, and public, park, and open space zoning districts (i.e., C-I/MU, C-II/MU, C-I, C-II, C-II(H), C-III, C-IV, P/OS(A), P/OS(B), and P-I) wherever lands within these zoning districts are also within the historic district. 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 primary building; 2. But not less than 40 square feet for each principal building or, in the case of amultiple-business complex, for each separate store front; 3. Forty square feet for an outdoor business which operates without a building; 4. Should more than one business share an entry, an additional six square feet may be added for amultiple-tenant directory; 5. Includes all types of signs on all sides and all stories of the building or premises. Exceptions: parking lot identification signs, symbol signs, commemorative plaques, window sign letters less than six inches in height, window signs above the first floor, mural signs approved pursuant to subsection I below, and signs listed as exempt in PTMC 17,76.070 are not included in determining allowable sign area; 6. Within the total allowable sign area determined above, the total area of signs attached to any given wall shall not exceed 40 square feet or the sign area calculation derived from the street frontage of that wall, whichever is the greater area. B. Maximum Sign Height. No sign may be placed higher than the second story window sill level, or on or above the cornice line of any building. Exceptions: 1. Window signs advertising an establishment located on an upper floor and placed in the window of such an establishment; 2. Freestanding and portable signs are limited to five feet in height, except sandwich board signs which are limited to four feet in height. C. Projecting signs are subject to the following additional regulations: 1. No larger than 12 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; 5. Projecting signs may be illuminated only by indirect lighting. D. Window Signs. 1. Window signs require a sign permit unless lettering is less than six inches in height. 2. Window signs above the first floor are allowed only to businesses located exclusively above the first floor, are restricted to a total sign area of one square foot for each lineal foot of the width of the window glass, and such signs are not included in allowable sign area of the building. E. Freestanding Signs. 1. Monument signs shall be no more than 12 square feet in sign area per side. 2. Pole signs are permitted only if mounted on two poles placed at the outermost sides of the sign face. 3. Sandwich board signs may be placed upon a public or private sidewalk subject to the following restrictions and requirements: a. Written permission must be obtained from the owner of the property in front of which the sign is to be placed. b. Signs may be placed near markings separating parking spaces, but not within a crosswalk and not closer than 15 feet from the intersection of the extension of the curb lines (edge of curbs on the vehicular traffic side) of each intersecting street or from another sandwich board sign. Exception: Up to three sandwich board signs may be placed on the sidewalk of any street which intersects Water Street when placed adjacent to but not obstructing the crosswalk adjacent to Water Street. c. Maximum sign area is eight square feet per sign face; maximum sign width is 30 inches; maximum sign height is four feet; minimum sign height is 30 inches. d. Signs must be placed at least 30 inches but no further than six feet from curb, or if placed adjacent to a building, no further than three feet from the sw~w~cH gy,~a s~G~15 building line. Exception: Signs may be placed within 12 inches of the curb line wherever parking is prohibited in the adjacent street. e. Signs may not be placed closer than 12 inches from any tree grate or other planting. f. No sandwich board sign may be placed within the historic district which advertises a business or premises which is located outside of the historic district. g. The sign area of each sandwich board sign shah be included in the total allowable sign area calculated pursuant to subsection A of this section for the premises in which the business advertised is located. Exception: The sign area of tour assembly signs erected pursuant to subsection J of this section shall not be included in the sign area calculation of any building. h. Continuous proof of liability insurance must be provided naming the city as additional insured in amount and policy provisions as approved by the clerk-treasurer of the city. i. Each sign must be of sound construction and designed to .the satisfaction of the director to withstand high winds. j. No more than one sandwich board sign may be erected for each business advertised. 4. No other pole signs, portable, sandwich board, sidewalk or other freestanding signs are allowed, unless expressly authorized herein. F. Illuminated Signs. 1. Subdued, indirect lighting of signs is encouraged. 2. The total area of signs illuminated by internal lighting shall not exceed six square feet per separate store front. 3. Signs illuminated by neon lighting may have a total sign area of up to 12 square feet per separate store front. G. Signs identifying rear entrances shall be no more than four square feet in area. H. Signs directed toward the water are not allowed unless the building has a public waterside entrance. I. Mural Signs. In addition to the allowable sign area prescribed in subsection A above, additional mural signs are allowed subject to prior approval of the Port Townsend historic preservation committee. Upon application, the historic preservation committee may authorize such mural signs upon a finding that the design and placement of the proposed sign contributes to the historic district. The historic preservation committee may also authorize specific placement of such mural signs off-premises or in a manner which exceeds the applicable size or height limits prescribed herein. The findings of the historic preservation committee shall be based upon specific standards adopted by the committee and shall be submitted in writing to the director who shall attach same to the application for sign permit. J. Tour Assembly Signs. Each business which has been authorized by franchise agreement with the city to conduct public tours within the public rights- of-way may, if such business does not have business premises within the historic district, place one portable sandwich board sign on the sidewalk at a location and in a manner approved by the director. The business owner shall also obtain and submit to the director written permission of the owner of the property immediately abutting the location of the proposed sign, and shall also submit proof of liability insurance naming the city as additional insured. The clerk-treasurer shall approve the amount and policy provisions of such liability insurance. The sign area of such sign shall not exceed six square feet per sign face and such sign area shall not be included in the allowable sign area of the abutting property. K. Kiosks. The director is hereby authorized to permit erection of kiosks by the city or by one or more nonprofit community organizations representing a large number of retail businesses. Such kiosks must be shown to provide community bulletin board services of broad public interest and a current directory of retail businesses. No more than three such kiosks may be placed within the downtown commercial area of the historic district, nor more than one within the uptown commercial area. 6. M. Prohibited Signs. In addition to those signs listed as prohibited in PTMC 17.76.090, readerboard signs and off-premises real estate signs are not permitted in the historic district. pOPT ro City of Port Townsend .~ ~ ~~~c Design Guidelines for Signs ~ a in the Historic Overlay District ~¢~ Pur ose These Design Guidelines aze established for the following purposes: 1. To supplement land use regulations which encourage and promote public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Port Townsend. 2. To provide guidance to urban design decisions that will promote development of high environmental and visual quality throughout the City. 3. To assist applicants in the preparation of development applications. 4. To provide for administrative review by the Development Services Department (DSD) of routine sign permit applications that satisfy guidelines adopted by the Historic Preservation Committee. 5 To establish an~roval criteria for the review of Master Sienaee Plans as oermatted under PTMC I7.76.osa z Introduction Sign guidelines are required to encourage appropriate graphic design [hat attracts business and contributes to the quality of the historic commercial environment. Signs have a legitimate function and place. They provide necessary information and directions. Smaller well-designed signs attract the eye; large, garish, obtrusive signs cause visual pollution. Well-designed signs complement each other and their buildings attract attention; poorly-designed signs compete with each other and cause visual confusion. Review Process 1. All sign permit applications for signs not exceeding 20 square feet per sign face shall be reviewed by DSD for compliance with the provisions of these sign guidelines and the Port Townsend sign code (PTMC 17.76). Signs that are found to be consistent with these sign guidelines may be approved by DSD without review by the HPC. 2. Master Sigma a Plans, $signs that exceed 20 squaze feet per sign face and smaller signs that aze found to be not consistent with the sign guidelines shall be referred to the HPC for review. 3. Applicants should identify where signage will be placed during architectural review so that signs are integrated with the architecture, Formatted: Double underline Design Guidelines far Signs Guidelines 1. Signs in the Historic Overlay District shall be pedestrian-oriented in size and shape. Graphics should be simple and bold. Symbolic, three dimensional signs; such as a barber pole, are encouraged. Paper signs attached to the exterior or interior of store windows are not allowed except for presentation of a temporary public notice. 2. Wood is the preferred signing material, however, other durable materials that simulate wood and may be painted are acceptable. Lettering may be carved; routed, applied or painted. 3. Lettering used during the period in which a building was built is appropriate for its signage. Simple modem lettering is also appropriate. Appropriate lettering in black or gold may also be applied to glass. Encouraged letter fonts are attached as Exhibits "A - L". The use of "encoumged" fonts may be administratively approved by DSD. The use of alternative fonts must be approved by the HPC. The use of borders is also encouraged, sample borders are attached as Exhibit "M". The use of less ornate borders than those shown in Exhibit "M" is also encouraged. 4. Primary sign colors shall be chosen from the adopted HPC color palette (avail able at DSD, City Hall, 3rd floor). The number of colors used on a sign should be minimal to maximize their effect. Period colors included gray, dark brown, dark green, blue-gray, beige, brick red and terra cotta (see color palette for additional approved colors). Gold is an additional acceptable color for lettering. Black and bright colors are to be used sparingly. 5. Signs shall be designed, and positioned, to complement the architecture of the building on which they aze located. Signs shall not interrupt or overlap architectural features such as cornices, columns, and trim; and shall not extend beyond the edges of the wall on which they are mounted. New signs shall not be permitted above the sills of the windows ofthe second floor on two-story buildings. Signs on one-story buildings shall not project above the cornice line. 6. The necessary sighage for those buildings with metal boxed canopies shall be confined to any of the sides of the canopies subject to public view. Lettering on the glass of such buildings will also be permitted. 7. Graphics may be painted directly on the building surface when the wall surface already has been painted and is presently painted in~ a uniform manner (i.e. - no evidence of old murals). The historic mural signs presently painted on the sides of some buildings in the Water Street Historic District make an important visual contribution to the historic commercial atmosphere and shall be preserved. They shall not be defaced or obscured. See "Design Guidelines for Murals." 8. Sandwich board signs shall be designed and placed consistent with PTMC 17.76 and the "Design Guidelines for Sandwich Boards." Design Guidelines for Signs 9. When lighting is necessary i[ shall be subdued and indirect. Back-lighting of signs, internally lit and neon signs shall be discouraged; moving and flashing signs shall be prohibited. Limited spot lighting of signs will be permitted. The use of neon signs shall be consistent with [he "Neon Sign Guidelines. ]0. Signs that display the symbol, slogan or trademazk of national brands of soft drinks or other products that do not form the bulk of the business transacted on the premises shall be prohibited. 11. Businesses located in multiple-business buildings who share an entry or whose frontage is on an alley or a secondary street aze encouraged to use some form of cooperative signage. 12. Signs mounted on canopies must not extend down or up above the canopy or awning front unless they aze integrated into the awning design. 13. Backlit awnings (typically vinyl awnings with signs on them) are not allowed. 14 I-IPC and the DSD Director shall use the followine criteria for review of a Master _ -Sle[laee Plan rCOLOST:_ _ - --__... a. Formatted: Douhle underline Formatted: Douhle underline -. -.. Formatted: Double underline b. Formattetl: Double underline Formatted: Double underline i Clear identification of arrival noints~ ii Placement of landmarks alone corridors and at kev Dedestrian decision oints to aid in wavfindine~ iii t ndardization of n mes for all buildines. services and destinations: iv. Use of easily understood "plain" laneuaee~ v. Appropriate sizine ofsianaee for viewine distances: !Formatted: Double underline Formatted: Double underline !~ Formatted: Double underline !`Formatted: Double underline i~ Fonnattetl: Double underline T-,.- ~ Formatted: Double underline { Formatted: Double underline ! Formatted: Double underline Formatted: Double underline Fomrattetl: Double underline Formatted: Double underline -r._ -_..___. Formatted: Double underline Design Guidedines for Srgns versus what is oronosed in the Master S_ip_ n_aee Plan shall be nreuared by the anolicant ~~ and included with all requests - ! Formatted: ooume underline Adopted by Ordinance 2871 November 29, 2004 HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE ENCOURAGED FONTS As of Julr 6r 2004 All shown as 24 point Abadi Condensed: The quick red fox jumped over Arial: The quick red fox jumped over the Arial Black: The quick red fox Arial Narrow: The quick red fox jumped over the Arial Unicode: The quick red fox jumped Baskerville: The quick red fox jumped over the Batang: The quick red fox jumped over Bell: The quick red fox jumped over the lazy 4 Design Guidelines for Signs Bernard: The quicK red iox jumped over the lazy Book Antigua: The quick red fox jumped over Bookman: The quick red fox jumped Britannic: The quick red fox jumped over the Californian: The quick red fox jumped over Calisto: The quick red fox jumped over the CASTELLAR: THE QUICK RED FOX Centaur: The quick red fox jumped over the lazy Century The quick red fox jumped over Century Gothic: The quick red fox Century Schoolbook: The quick red Colonna: The quick red fox jumped over the Cooper Black: The quick red foac GOPPERPLATE: THE QUICK RED FOX COPPERPLATE LIGHT: THE QUICK RED 5 Design Guidelines far Signs Courier: The quick red fox Elephanh The quick red fox jumped ENGRAVERS: THE QUICK RED Eras Bold: The quick red fox jumped Eras Medium: The quick red fox jumped FELIX TITLING: THE QUICK RED FOX Footlight: The quick red fox jumped over the Franklin: The quick red fox jumped over the Franklin Deml: The quick red fox jumped over the Franklin Heavy: Th® quick red fox Jumped Garamond: The quick red fox jumped over Georgia: The quick red fox jumped Gill Sans: The quick red fox jumped over Gill Bold: The quick red fox Gloucester: The quick red fox jumped over the lazy brown dog 6 Design Guidelines for Signs Goudy: The quick red fox jumped over the lazy IW91BI': 1119 1'9d fm1 ju0lped 01191' fIIB 18Zy High Tower: The quick red fox jumped over Impact The quick red fex,umped over tde laze Imprint: The quick red foz jumped over the Lucida Bright: The quick red fox Maiandra: The quick red fox jumped over Modern: The quick red fog jumped over the lazy News Gothic: The quick red fox jumped Niagara Eograyed: The goick red tot jomped oQer We lag broxn dog Niagara Solid:'(~e quick red tot jumped over the lag browo dog Perpetua: The quick red fox jumped over the PERPETLIA TITLING: THE QUICK RED PmingLiU: The quick red fox jumped over Poor Richard: The quick red fox jumped ovor the l~zl~ ~ Design Guidelines for Signs Rockwell: The quick red fox jumped Rockwell Condensed: The quick red fox jumped Rockwell Bold: The quick red SimSun: The quick red fox jumped over Tahoma: The quick red fox jumped over Times New Roman: The quick red fox jumped Trebuchet: The quick red fox jumped Tw Cen: The quick red fox jumped over the Verdana: The quick red fox amide Latin: The quick 8 Design Guidelines for Signs Adopted by Ordinance 2871 November 29, 2004 P:\DSD\HPC1Pinal HP Design Guidelines Binder 2.1.05\Design Guidelines Signs 8.25 99.doc Design Guidelines far Signs