Ordinance 38000006.900150
KNE /WSS
12/17/09
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ORDINANCE NO. 3800
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS,
WASHINGTON, AMENDING THE PROVISIONS OF
CHAPTER 20.60 RELATING TO SIGNS TO ESTABLISH
CRITERIA FOR THE ISSUANCE OF SIGN PERMITS FOR
WALL GRAPHIC MURALS AND ARTWORK, AND FIXING A
TIME WHEN THE SAME SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE.
WHEREAS, the City of Edmonds currently regulates "wall graphics," as defined
in ECC 20.60.005 and including murals and artwork, in the sign code established in Chapter
20.60 ECC; and
WHEREAS, the City of Edmonds desires to establish criteria designed
specifically for sign permit applications for wall graphic murals and artwork; and
WHEREAS, the planning manager or his designee will conduct design review for
sign permit applications according to the newly - established criteria; NOW, THEREFORE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, DO
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Amended. Chapter 20.60 ECC is hereby amended as follows:
20.60.005 Definitions.
For the purposes of the enforcement of this chapter, the following
definitions shall apply:
"Attached sign" is any sign attached or affixed to a building.
Attached signs include wall signs, projecting signs, and window
signs.
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"Boxed cabinet sign" is a permanent sign that is mounted on the
face of a building that is roughly rectangular in shape and provides
for internal illumination and changing the message of the sign by
replacing a single transparent or translucent material such as a
Plexiglas /lexan face. This definition is meant to distinguish
between a cabinet sign that is essentially a rectangular box and one
that follows the outlines of the letters of the sign, or an "outline
cabinet sign."
"Building ID/historic sign" is a permanent sign that identifies or
names a building and assists in creating landmarks in the city.
Examples include dates, "1890 "; names, "Beeson Building "; or
addresses.
"Campaign sign" is a temporary sign displaying a message relating
to a candidate, political party, or issue that is registered or certified
for an upcoming election.
"Commercial sign" is a sign displayed for the purpose of
identifying a commercial use, or advertising a service, product,
business or venture that is offered for trade or sale.
"Community event banner" is a noncommercial sign composed of
cloth, fabric, canvas or similarly flexible material that promotes a
temporary community event endorsed, operated or sponsored
wholly or in part by a local public entity the jurisdiction of which
includes the city of Edmonds. "Community events" are nonprofit,
governmental or charitable festivals, contests, programs, fairs,
carnivals or recreational contests conducted within the city.
"Construction sign" is a permanent or temporary sign displayed on
premises where any physical excavation, construction, demolition,
rehabilitation, structural alteration or related work is currently
occurring, pursuant to a valid building permit.
"Fixed sign" is any sign attached or affixed to the ground or any
structure in such a manner so as to provide for continuous display
for an extended or indeterminable period of time. Fixed signs
include, but are not limited to freestanding signs and wall signs.
"Freestanding sign" is any sign that is not attached or affixed to a
building. Freestanding signs can be further described as
"monument signs" or "pole signs."
"Governmental sign" is a sign owned, operated or sponsored by a
governmental entity, and which promotes the public health, safety
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or welfare. Governmental signs include, but are not limited to,
traffic signs, directional and informational signs for public
facilities, publicly sponsored warning or hazard signs, and
community event banners displayed by a governmental entity on
public property.
"Group sign" is a sign or signs on one sign structure serving two or
more businesses sharing a parking facility.
"Identification structure" is a structure intended to attract the
attention of the public to a site, without the use of words or
symbols identifying the businesses. Examples include fountains,
sculptures, awnings, and totem poles.
"Internally illuminated signs" include any sign where light shines
through a transparent or semi = transparent sign face to illuminate
the sign's message. Exposed neon is considered to be a form of
internal illumination.
"Marquee sign" is any sign attached or made part of a building
marquee. A marquee sign is a form of projecting sign.
"Monument signs" are freestanding signs that have integrated the
structural component of the sign into the design of the sign and
sign base.
"Noncommercial sign" is a sign that is intended to display a
religious, charitable, cultural, governmental, informational,
political, educational, or artistic message, that is not primarily
associated with a good, product, or service offered for sale or trade.
Noncommercial signs include signs advertising incidental and
temporary commercial activities conducted by churches and
nonprofit businesses, clubs, groups, associations or organizations.
"Off- premises sign" is any sign that advertises or relates to a good,
product, service, event, or meeting, that is offered, sold, traded,
provided, or conducted at some location or premises other than that
upon which the sign is posted or displayed. Off - premises signs
include all signs posted or displayed in the public right -of -way.
"On- premises sign" is any sign that advertises or relates to a good,
product, service, event, or meeting that is lawfully permitted to be
offered, sold, traded, provided, or conducted at the location or
premises upon which the sign is posted or displayed. On- premises
signs also include signs not related to any particular location or
premises, such as signs displaying religious, charitable, cultural,
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governmental, informational, political, educational, or artistic
messages that are intentionally displayed by the owner of the
property or premises upon which the sign is displayed.
"Outline cabinet sign" is a permanent sign that is mounted on the
face of a building that roughly follows the shape of the text of the
sign and provides for internal illumination. This definition is meant
to distinguish between a cabinet sign that follows the outlines of
the letters of the sign and one that is essentially a rectangular box
or a "boxed cabinet sign." An "outlined cabinet sign" will be
treated more like an "individual letter sign" where the area of the
sign is calculated based on the actual outlined shape of the sign.
"Permanent sign" is a fixed or portable sign intended for
continuous or intermittent display for periods exceeding 60 days in
any calendar year.
"Pole signs" are freestanding signs where the structural support for
the sign is a pole(s). Pole signs may include community event
banners where the banner is supported by at least two poles that are
permanently attached to the ground ( "pole- mounted community
event banners ").
"Portable sign" is any sign that is readily capable of being moved
or removed, whether attached or affixed to the ground or any
structure that is typically intended for temporary display. Portable
signs include, but are not limited to:
1. Signs designed and constructed with a chassis or support
with or without wheels;
2. Menu and "sandwich" board signs;
3. "A" and "T" frame signs;
4. Wooden, metal, or plastic "stake" or "yard" signs;
5. Posters or banners affixed to windows, railings, overhangs,
trees, hedges, or other structures or vegetation, except for pole -
mounted community event banners;
6. Signs mounted upon vehicles parked and visible from the
public right -of -way, except signs identifying the related business
when the vehicle is being used in the normal day -to -day operation
of the business, and except for signs advertising for sale the vehicle
upon which the sign is mounted;
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7. Searchlights;
8. Inflatables.
"Premises" is the actual physical area of the lot upon which a sign
is posted or displayed, except within the boundaries of the BC or
BD zone in the downtown activity center as defined in the
comprehensive plan, where "premises" shall include any portion of
the public sidewalk which fronts upon the lot.
"Projecting sign" is any sign attached or affixed to a building or
wall in such a manner that its leading edge extends more than 12
inches beyond the surface of such building or wall.
"Reader board sign" is a sign that is designed to allow for a change
in the message, either by adding or removing plastic letters, or by
means of electronics and lights.
"Real estate sign" is a sign displaying a message relating to the
sale or rent of real property.
"Sign" is any structure, device or fixture that is visible from a
public place, that incorporates graphics, symbols, or written copy
for the purposes of conveying a particular message to public
observers, including wall graphics or identification structures.
"Sign area" is the maximum actual area of a sign that is visible
from any single point of observation from any public vantage
point. Supporting structures which are part of a sign display shall
be included in the calculation of the sign area.
"Temporary sign" is an allowed portable sign intended for short-
term display, not to exceed 60 calendar days in any calendar year.
"Wall graphic" is a wall sign, including murals, in which color and
form, and primarily without the use of words, is a part of the
overall design on the building(s) where the wall graphic is
proposed. A wall graphic may be painted or applied (not to exceed
one -half inch in thickness) to a building as a part of its overall
color and design, but may not be internally lighted. Internally
lighted assemblies, including those which project from the wall of
the structure, or which are located on any accessory structure on
the site, shall be considered wall signs and comply with the
requirements of this chapter.
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"Wall sign" is a sign that is attached or affixed to a wall and that is
parallel to and not projecting more than 12 inches at any angle
from such wall. Wall signs include signs that are painted directly
upon a wall.
"Window sign" is a sign that is attached or affixed to a window, or
a sign displayed within 24 inches of the inside of a window in such
a manner as to be visible from any public place.
20.60.015 Design review procedures.
A. Staff Approval. Except as referred to the architectural
design board pursuant to subsection (A)(1) of this section, and
except as provided in subsection B of this section, the planning
manager, or designee, shall review all applications for design
review under this chapter, and shall approve, conditionally approve
or deny the application in accordance with the policies of ECDC
20.10.000, the criteria set forth in ECDC 20.10.070, and the
standards and requirements of this chapter, provided, that for
murals and artwork the planning manager or designee shall review
the application in accordance with the criteria set forth in
subsection C of this section. The decision of the planning manager
on any sign permit application shall be final except that signs
reviewed by the Architectural Design Board are reviewable as a
Type II appeal (See ECDC 20.001.005) established in Chapter
20.105 ECDC for appeal of staff decisions and signs reviewed
under subsection (A)(1) are appealable as provided therein.
1. The planning manager or designee may refer design review
applications to the architectural design board for the types of signs
listed below, where the planning manager determines that the
proposed sign has the potential for significant adverse impacts on
community aesthetics or traffic safety:
a. Any sign application for an identification structure as
defined by this chapter;
b. Any sign application for a wall graphic as defined by this
chapter;
C. Any proposed sign that the planning manager determines to
be obtrusive, garish or otherwise not consistent with the
architectural features of the surrounding neighborhood.
B. Review by Architectural Design Board. The architectural
design board shall review those signs listed below and any sign
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permit referred by the planning manager pursuant to subsection
(A)(1) of this section. The architectural design board shall approve,
conditionally approve or deny such sign permit applications in
accordance with the policies of ECDC 20.10.000, the criteria set
forth in ECDC 20.10.070, and the standards and requirements of
this chapter. The decision of the architectural design board on any
sign permit application may be appealed to the city council
pursuant to the procedure established in ECDC 20.10.080 for
appeal of architectural design board decisions.
1. Any sign permit application that requests a modification to
any of the standards prescribed by this chapter. The ADB shall
only approve modification requests that meet all of the following
criteria:
a. The request is for signage on a site that has a unique
configuration, such as frontage on more than two streets or has an
unusual geometric shape;
b. The subject property, building, or business has site
conditions that do not afford it the opportunity to provide signage
consistent with or similar to other properties in the vicinity;
C. The design of the proposed signage must be compatible in
its use of materials, colors, design and proportions with
development throughout the site;
d. In no event shall the modification result in signage which
exceeds the maximum normally allowed by more than 50 percent.
C. Staff Review of Murals and Artwork. When a proposed
wall graphic is proposed as a mural or artwork, the planning
manager or designee shall review and approve, conditionally
approve, or deny the application in accordance with the following
criteria. While a separate sign permit is required for each wall
graphic, the staff may make a single design review decision on
wall graphics that consist of related murals or artwork. Related
murals or artwork may include multiple proposals for sites within
reasonable proximity to each other that are related by theme, style,
materials used, and /or context. The decision of the staff on any
design review application containing a mural or art as a wall
graphic may be appealed to the city council pursuant to the
procedure established in ECDC 20.06.
1. Art, like other exercises of First Amendment rights, may be
limited by reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions. In this
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case, these criteria will be utilized to enhance the aesthetics of the
City and to ensure quality and maintenance standards are observed.
No recommendation shall be based upon the content or message
expressed by an artist or in a work of art. Applicants are
encouraged to coordinate their artwork with the design or
architectural elements of the building and the historic and
pedestrian- oriented character of the downtown area.
2. Specific submission requirements for design review
include, but are not limited to:
a. Site sketch showing locations of artwork;
b. Minimum 1/4 inch scale color drawings of the art concept
or art component;
C. Material /color samples;
d. Written proposal: a written proposal in 8 1/2 x 11 inch
format to include a description and summary of a final design
proposal for the artwork; detailed maintenance requirements; a
schedule for development, fabrication, and completion; artists'
resume; and evidence of assumption of liability by applicant or
designee; and
e. When required pursuant to ECDC 20.45.050, a certificate
of appropriateness shall be obtained from the Historic Preservation
Commission for murals on designated historic structures or within
a designated Historic District.
3. Review Criteria. Review criteria for the design review
include:
a. Quality of the materials used to create the artwork.
Materials should be resistant to fading; no florescent paints;
b. Durability and permanence, including ability to withstand
age, vandalism, and weathering. Consideration should be given to
anti - graffiti coating; and
C. Compatibility of the artwork with architectural elements,
other elements of the street, and adjacent structures. Compatibility
shall be determined by relationships of the elements of form,
proportion, scale, color, materials, surface treatment, and size and
style of lettering. Lettering shall be minimized, but may be
considered for inclusion when necessary to the artistic content.
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D. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections A, B, and C
of this section, sign permit applications shall not be referred to or
reviewed by the architectural design board if the proposed sign
constitutes a modification to an existing sign and involves no
significant alteration or modification to the size, height, design,
lighting or color of the existing sign. Sign permit applications for
such sign modifications shall be processed and subject to review in
the same manner as provided in for staff review in subsection A of
this section.
Section 2. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this
ordinance should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction,
such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other
section, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance.
Section 3. Effective Date. This ordinance, being an exercise of a power
specifically delegated to the City legislative body, is not subject to referendum and shall take
effect five (5) days after passage and publication of an approved summary thereof consisting of
the title.
APP ED:
MAYOR PRO TEM STEVE BERNHEIM
ATTEST /AUTHENTICATED:
CITY CLERK, SANDRA S. CHASE
APPROVED AS TO RM:
OFFICE OF T Y A EY-
BY
W. SCOTT SNYDER
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: 07 -02 -2010
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 07 -06 -2010
PUBLISHED: 07 -16 -2010
EFFECTIVE DATE: ORDINANCE NO. 07 -21 -2010
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SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 3800
of the City of Edmonds, Washington
On the 6th day of July, 2010, the City Council of the City of Edmonds, passed
Ordinance No. 3800. A summary of the content of said ordinance, consisting of the title,
provides as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, AMENDING THE
PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 20.60 RELATING TO SIGNS TO ESTABLISH CRITERIA FOR
THE ISSUANCE OF SIGN PERMITS FOR WALL GRAPHIC MURALS AND ARTWORK,
AND FIXING A TIME WHEN THE SAME SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE.
The full text of this Ordinance will be mailed upon request.
DATED this 7th day of July, 2010.
,k "-f Z4.' _
CITY CLERK, SANDRA S. CHASE
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STATE OF WASHINGTON,
COUNTY OF SNOHOMISH
ED
to c. 181
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 3800
o.the Cityrof Edmonds, as inqton
On the 6th day of July, 2010, the C'dy Council of the City of Ed-
monds, passed Ordinance No. 3800. A summary of the content of
said ordinance, consisting of the title, pprovides as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY,OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON,
AMENDING THE' PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 20:60 RELATING
TO SIGNS TO ESTABLISH CRITERW FOR THE ISSUANCE OF
SIGN PERMITS FOR WALL GRAPHIC; AND ART -
WORK,'AND'FIXING'ATIME WHEN "THE'SAME SHALL BE
, COME EFFECTIVE.
Tits full textof this Ordinari6e will be'mat led upon request.
DATED thls7tt`day of July; 201D
CITY CLERK; SANDRA S. CHASE
Published: July 16, 2010. a printed copy of which is hereunto attached, was published in said newspaper proper and not in
supplement form, in the regular and entire edition of said paper on the following days and
times, namely:
July 16, 2010
Affidavit of Publication
I S.S.
The undersigned, being first duly sworn on oath deposes and says that she is Principal Clerk of
THE HERALD, a daily newspaper printed and published in the City of Everett, County of
Snohomish, and State of Washington; that said newspaper is a newspaper of general
circulation in said County and State; that said newspaper has been approved as a legal
newspaper by order of the Superior Courtof Snohomish County and that the notice
Summary of Ordinance NO. 3800
Amending Provisions of Chapter20 60
IF"EIVED
AUG Q 4 2010
EDMONDS CIT Y CLERK
Account Name: City of Edmonds
and that said newspaper was
Subscribed and sworn to before me this
day of July, 2010 A
to j�s subscribers during all of said period.
16th
Notary Public in and for ilm -9tate o ' fli p' iti 'f v Snohomish
County.
Account Number: 1014165voE� ,.bv, ° `e)' g mber. 0001703567
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