20D.160.10 Signs and Street Graphics

The purpose of regulating signs is to increase the overall effectiveness of visual communications, provide a harmonious relationship of urban graphics and their settings, and to avoid the visual clutter that is potentially harmful to traffic and pedestrian safety, property values, business opportunities and the community’s appearance. (Formerly 20C.20.230(05))

20D.160.10-020 Scope, Permits and Compliance.

All signs shall comply with this section. All signs require building permits before being erected, altered or relocated. Signs altered as the result of a change of business or use at a site shall comply with this section or be removed. Building permit fees, procedures and enforcement or requirements are contained in RCDG Title 20E, Building and Construction Codes. (Formerly 20C.20.230(10))

20D.160.10-030 Review.

All building permits for signs shall be reviewed under the RCDG 20F.20.20, Site Plan Review, Chapter 20F.30 RCDG, Administrative Review Procedures, and RCDG 20F.20.040, Environmental Review. The Code Administrator shall review all building permit applications for signs under the review criteria of Chapter 20D.40 RCDG, Design Standards, RCDG 20D.160.10-070, Signs and Street Graphics, and shall approve those applications found to comply with the criteria. Applications found to conflict with the review criteria and requests to deviate from sign program requirements will be referred to the Design Review Board for consideration of approval. The Code Administrator and Design Review Board shall not place greater restraints on signs than provided by Chapter 20D.40 RCDG. (Formerly 20C.20.230(15))

20D.160.10-040 Exemptions.

(1) Seasonal Decorations. Reasonable seasonal decorations within an appropriate holiday season or during a festival are exempt from this section as long as such displays are removed promptly at the end of the holiday season or festival;

(2) Street Furniture. Sculptures, fountains, benches, lighting, mosaics, landscaping and other street furniture and design features which do not incorporate advertising or identification are exempt from this section’s requirements;

(3) Signs Not Visible From Public Way. Exterior and interior signs or displays not intended to be visible from streets or public ways, signs in the interior of a building more than three feet from the closest window and not facing a window, window displays and point of purchase advertising displays such as vending machines are exempt from the requirements of this section;

(4) Flagpoles. Poles erected for the purpose of displaying patriotic or corporate flags are exempt from the requirements of this section;

(5) Standard Street Signs. Signs designating street names and/or numbers are exempt from the requirements of this section. (Ord. 1734. Formerly 20C.20.230(20))

20D.160.10-050 Sign Requirements per Zoning District.

The chart entitled “Sign Requirements per Zoning Districts” establishes sign type, area, height and location requirements for the various zoning districts and is incorporated as a part of this section.

(Ord. 2105; Ord. 1841; Ord. 1756; Ord. 1734; Ord. 1730. Formerly 20C.20.230(30))

Sign Requirements per Zoning District
Signs	Zoning Districts
GC; CB; CC-3; CC-4; CC-5; GDD, ODD, DD; Convenience Commercial Cluster	CC-1; CC-2 NC; MP; I; BP; OV R-20; R-30	Nonresidential in A; UR; RA-5; R-1 – R-18; CC-6
Number Of Signs
Maximum Number of Freestanding or Projecting Signs per Street Frontage per Establishment	1	1	1
Freestanding Signs
Minimum Setback (feet)	5	5	10
Maximum Height (feet)	A height equal to the sign setback up to 10 feet	A height equal to the sign setback up to 10 feet	10
Maximum Size per Sign Face (square feet)	The smaller of 1% of the average gross floor area or 1 sq. ft. per 4 feet of street frontage where the sign is to be placed up to a maximum of 75 sq. ft.; but in any event, 25 sq. ft. is permitted	The smaller of 1% of the average gross floor area or 1 sq. ft. per 4 feet of street frontage where the sign is to be placed up to a maximum of 50 sq. ft.; but in any event, 25 sq. ft. is permitted	25
Maximum Number of Sign Faces	4	4	2
Wall Signs
Maximum Area (square feet)	The larger of 15% of the facade to which attached or 60 sq. ft. up to a maximum of 300 sq. ft.	The larger of 30 sq. ft. feet or 15% of the facade to which the sign is attached up to a maximum of 100 sq. ft.	60
Maximum Height (feet)	Top of the wall or facade to which attached	Top of the wall or facade to which attached	20
Projecting Signs
Maximum Area per Sign Face (sq. ft. )	15	15	25
Maximum Area Total All Sign Faces (sq. ft. )	30	30	50
Maximum Height (feet)	Top of the wall or facade to which attached	Top of the wall or facade to which attached	20
Note: Individual businesses in multiple building complexes not permitted to have freestanding signs.

20D.160.10-060 Permitted Temporary Signs.

Temporary signs, exempt from RCDG 20D.160.10-050 unless otherwise provided, are permitted in any zoning district subject to the following requirements:

(1) Banners on Redmond Way Railroad Overpass. Sign banners may be displayed on the Burlington Northern Railroad Bridge Redmond Way overcrossing on a temporary basis for a period not to exceed 14 days providing the following criteria are met:

(b) The sign message must promote a governmental, charitable or civic activity sponsored by a governmental entity or private nonprofit organization;

(c) The sign banner shall be of a light weight, plastic, fabric or durable paper material and shall not be constructed of wood, metal or any other such heavier material which could present a hazard if the banner became detached from the overpass;

(d) Permits for overpass signs shall be issued and administered by the Director of Public Works or the Director’s designee. A fee in an amount sufficient to cover the cost of processing a permit application shall be charged for each permit.

(2) Construction Signs. Nonilluminated signs that identify the architects, engineers, planners, contractors or other individuals or firms involved with a construction project, or announce the character or purpose of the project may be displayed at the project site. There may be one sign on each street the project fronts upon, but no more than a total of two signs. No sign shall exceed 32 square feet in area and 10 feet in height. The signs shall be removed upon occupancy of the project.

(3) Celebration Displays. Unless otherwise provided, temporary signs, banners, posters, festoons and clusters of lights, flags, pennants and balloons and searchlights are permitted only for a period of 17 days and for a total of three times per year to announce the opening of a new enterprise, celebrate business anniversaries or announce major sales. These displays must be used on the site of the enterprise and must be removed at the end of the time period. Banners must be attached securely to and flat against the building wall of the respective establishment. A permit is required to display a banner. Searchlights are permitted for the above-specified occasions only if they are used for a maximum period of 17 consecutive days and no more than three times a year and the beam of the searchlight does not flash against any building or does not sweep an arch lower than 45 degrees from vertical. Large celebration displays are not allowed to project above the building in which they are associated and must be outside all site distance triangles noted in RCDG 20D.210.25-040.

(4) Banner Display in City Center Neighborhood. In the City Center neighborhood only, banners may be displayed for a period of 30 days and for a total of six times per year to announce the opening of a new enterprise, celebrate business anniversaries or announce major sales. Each business or organization may display only one banner per period. No permit is required to display a banner in the City Center neighborhood. The rights and privileges granted under this paragraph shall automatically terminate three years from the date of its adoption, unless otherwise provided for by the City Council.

(5) Major Land Use Action Notice. Where required by RCDG Title 20F, public notice signs which describe proposed major land use actions and public hearing dates are permitted. The sign or signs shall comply with the standards contained in RCDG Title 20F.

(a) On-Premises Signs. On-premises political signs located at the headquarters of a political party, candidate for public elective office, or a public issue decided by ballot are permitted. All on-premises political signs shall comply with the dimensional and locational requirements of the sign district in which located.

(i) Location. Permits for political signs are not required. Political signs may not be placed on private property without the permission of the property owner. In parking strips and public rights-of-way where the placement of a political sign may be fairly attributed to an neighboring property owner, permission of that owner must first be obtained prior to placement. Political signs may not be located so as to impede driver vision or represent an obstruction or hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic. On public property not part of the public right-of-way, relevant City departments may designate an area or areas for the placement of political signs in order to ensure that placement will not interfere with the intended use of that land.

(ii) Size/Spacing. Political signs shall not exceed six square feet in size. No political sign may exceed six feet in height, measured from the pre-existing ground level to the top of the sign.

(iii) Removal of Election Signs. Off-premises political signs shall be removed within seven days of the date of the election to which the sign pertains. Failure to remove political signs within the time limit provided shall constitute a violation of this code and be punishable as such. In the event that City personnel are required to remove signs from public rights-of-way after expiration of the time limit for removal, all costs associated with such removal shall be the responsibility of the candidate or campaign organization for whom the sign was posted and shall be collected in addition to any other penalty applicable to failure to remove the sign.

(iv) Public Works Projects. The Public Works Department may remove signs from public rights-of-way in order to conduct periodic maintenance activities. Signs removed for this purpose may be picked up at the City’s Maintenance and Operations Center and returned to their prior location if still within the removal deadline. The Public Works Department may permanently remove political signs from public rights-of-way for the purpose of carrying out major public works projects. Political signs removed for this purpose will be held and made available for pick up at the City’s Maintenance and Operations Center until 14 days following the next occurring election.

(v) Removal of Signs in Disrepair. The Public Works Department may remove any sign which is in a state of disrepair from the public right-of-way or public property at any time. For purposes of this subsection, a sign is in a state of disrepair if it is ripped, torn, broken, faded, obliterated, obscured, dilapidated, blown down, knocked over or in any other state in which its message has ceased to be readable or legible.

(vi) Notification. Persons interested in locating off-premises political signs within the City shall first notify the City Clerk of their intent to do so and obtain a copy of the City’s political sign regulations.

(i) Maximum (Max.) size, height (Ht.), and number of on-premises real estate signs:


Items Being Advertised	Max. Size in Sq. Ft.	Max. Ht. in Feet	Max. No. of Signs
Single-Family House or Lot	4	6	2
Commercial, Industrial or Multiple-Family Lots	32	6	2
Commercial, Industrial or Multiple-Family Buildings or Portion of Building	16	6	2
Subdivisions (single-family lots or houses)	32	6	2

(ii) All on-premises real estate signs authorized by subsection (7), Real Estate Signs, shall be removed when the sale closes or, in the case of a rental or lease, when the tenant takes possession.

(b) Open house or directional real estate signs shall be permitted in compliance with the following requirements:

(i) No more than one on-premises open house or directional sign shall be allowed for each property.

(A) No more than three off-premises open house or directional signs shall be allowed for each property.

(B) No off-premises open house or directional real estate signs shall be allowed for properties located outside the City of Redmond.

(iii) The area of an open house sign shall not exceed six square feet per sign face and each sign shall have no more than two sign faces.

(iv) Directional signs shall not exceed one and one-half square feet per sign face and each sign shall have no more than two sign faces. Directional signs, also referred to as arrow signs, are signs that are intended to assist people in finding the location of difficult to locate properties that are for sale, lease, or rent. Directional signs shall only be allowed when the following conditions are met: (A) the property can only be accessed by a private roadway and (B) any driveway connecting the property to the private roadway does not abut a public roadway. Where the development abuts a public roadway, the directional signs shall only be placed within the development or in rights-of-way that touch the edge of the development.

(A) For properties offered for sale, rent or lease, open house and directional signs may be used during on-site construction and for 31 calendar days after all occupancy permits have been issued.

(B) For properties offered for sale, rent or lease after the initial period provided for subsection (7)(b)(v)(A), Time Limits, open house and directional signs shall only be allowed when a seller, agent, or a person giving information on leasing or renting the property is present on the property.

(C) For properties offered for rent or lease after the initial period provided for subsection (7)(b)(v)(A), Time Limits, open house and off-site directional signs may be used for no more than three calendar days in any month.

(vi) Open house or directional signs may be located within public rights-of-way where consistent with subsection (7)(a)(i) and (a)(ii). The signs shall not be located within vehicle lanes, bikeways, trails, sidewalks, or median strips. Open house or directional signs shall comply with RCDG 20D.210.25-030 that prohibits obstruction of sight distance triangles. Open house or directional signs shall not block driveways or be affixed to utility poles, trees, or traffic signs.

(vii) The use of balloons, festoons, flags, pennants or any other attached display on a real estate sign is prohibited.

(viii) Developments that consist of multi-family housing units offered for rent or lease shall be considered one property.

(8) Temporary Window Signs. Temporary window signs shall not be included in the sign area for each facade, provided that such signs do not exceed the smaller of a total of 50 square feet or 10 percent of the window area.

(9) Signs on Kiosks. Temporary signs on kiosks are permitted but the signs shall not exceed four square feet in area.

(10) Temporary Uses and Secondary Uses of Schools, Churches, or Community Buildings. Temporary signs relating directly to allowed temporary uses under these regulations and secondary uses of schools, churches, or community buildings may be permitted for a period not to exceed the operation of the use. The signs need not be processed through the Design Review Board and are subject to the following requirements:

(b) No more than one on-premises sign and one off-premises sign shall be permitted per temporary use, except by virtue of having been in consistent operation prior to the existence of this chapter, and due to the fact numerous individual operators participate in the operation, the open air crafts and farmer’s market, commonly known as the Saturday Market, shall be allowed two on-premises signs in addition to one off-premises sign.

(c) No sign shall exceed 32 square feet total of all sign faces. Sandwich board signs, or “A” board signs, shall not exceed 12 square feet in total sign area.

(e) Signs shall not be portable readerboard types, electrical or neon. Only indirect lighting is allowed.

(f) Sandwich board or “A” board signs may be used in compliance with this subsection, Temporary Uses and Secondary Uses of Schools, Churches, or Community Buildings, provided they are used only during the days the temporary or secondary use occurs and are removed after the use ceases for each day.

(h) Signs shall be approved by the Planning Director before they are used. If a temporary use permit is required, this review shall take place as part of the temporary use application decision. (Ord. 2076; Ord. 1942; Ord. 1790. Formerly 20C.20.230(35))

20D.160.10-070 General Sign Requirements.

(1) Street Address Identification. Each residence, building, business or complex of buildings shall display and maintain on-premises street address number identification. The number or letters shall be visible from the street and be at least four but not greater than 12 inches high and of a color contrasting with the background upon which placed. Address verification signs of less than four square feet are exempt from the provisions of RCDG 20D.160.10-050.

(2) Directional Signs. Directional signs may be located to guide or direct pedestrian or vehicular traffic to parking entrances, exits, service areas, and business locations and may not exceed six square feet in area. Such signs are exempt from RCDG 20D.160.10-050 if they do not contain a commercial message or the name of establishment.

(3) Parking Area Signs. Where parking is separated from the business served, one off-premises sign is permitted for identification. Signs shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and are exempt from RCDG 20D.160.10-050 if there is no commercial message.

(4) Changing Message Signs. Changing message signs such as the movement of the hands of a clock or digital changes indicating time, date and temperature or other message are permitted.

(5) Lighting Restrictions. No person shall construct, establish, create, or maintain any stationary exterior lighting or illumination system or any interior system which is intended to be viewed from a public street, highway or other public thoroughfare used for vehicular traffic when such system contains or utilizes: any exposed incandescent lamp with a wattage in excess of 25 watts unless a dimmer or sun screen is attached; any exposed incandescent lamp with an internal metallic reflector; any exposed incandescent lamp with an external reflector; any revolving beacon light; any continuous or sequential flashing operation in which more than one-third of the lights are turned off at one time and/or which uses light of more than 25 watts; or any strobe light. These provisions shall not apply to: lighting systems owned or controlled by any public agency for the purpose of directing or controlling navigation, traffic, highway or street illumination; electronic information systems which display the time of day and/or the atmosphere temperature or programmable electronic messages of a public service or commercial nature; or temporary lighting used for repair or construction as required by governmental agencies.

(6) Permanent Subdivision or Neighborhood Identification Signs. Permanent signs, including those for short subdivisions, may be placed at the major entrances to the subdivision or neighborhood on arterial and collector streets. The signs shall be located outside the right-of-way, and be no more than 10 feet in height or length, and not exceed 60 square feet per face or 120 square feet in total area of all sign faces.

(7) Permanent Windows Signs. Permanent window signs shall be treated as wall signs. Windows decals and emblems shall not exceed a total of five square feet in area per business premises and are exempt from RCDG 20D.160.10-050.

(8) Incidental Signs. Incidental signs are small signs of a noncommercial nature without advertising intended primarily for the convenience of the public and have a maximum area of two square feet. Included are signs designating restrooms, hours of operations, entrances and exits to buildings and parking lots, help wanted, public telephones, etc. Also included are property control and warning signs such as “no trespassing,” “no dumping,” etc., and plaques, tablets or inscriptions which are an integral part of a building or are attached flat to the face of a building, walkway or street.

(9) Fuel Price Signs. Fuel price signs must be permanently anchored to the ground or attached to a canopy or its supports. Sign area shall not exceed 12 square feet, and not more than one such sign per street frontage is permitted. These signs are exempt from RCDG 20D.160.10-050.

(10) Readerboards. Readerboards are signs in which the sign copy or content can be readily and frequently changed. Readerboards are permitted subject to the size and location requirements of this section.

(11) Certain Public Facility Signs. The following signs and displays are exempt from the requirements of this section: traffic and pedestrian signs and signals, signs required by law, street and governmental directional signs, official public notices, and governmental flags. Signs of governmental agencies and facilities including the City shall otherwise comply with the requirements of this section.

(12) Sight Clearance. The requirements of RCDG 20D.210.25, Sight Clearance at Intersections, shall be complied with.

(13) Sign Maintenance. Signs shall be maintained in a state of good repair. Those signs found to be deteriorated or unsafe shall be repaired or removed by the owner within five days after receiving notice from the City. The premises surrounding a freestanding sign shall be free of litter, and any landscaped area shall be maintained.

(14) Wall Mounted Signs. Wall mounted signs shall not extend above the height of the facade or wall to which attached. Wall sign area shall include each face of all signs.

(15) Rooftop Signs. Rooftop signs are permitted if attached to the building in such a manner that from all angles of view they appear to be part of the basic shape of the building and shall not exceed the height of the building. (Rooftop signs that are projecting signs are not permitted.) Rooftop signs shall not be painted on the roofing material.

(16) Projecting Signs and Marquees. Projecting signs and marquees may not extend more than five feet from a building facade and shall have a minimum clearance of eight feet above sidewalks. Projecting signs and marquees shall not extend into a public right-of-way without the approval of the Technical Committee. Projecting signs shall have no visible angle irons, wire, bracing, or standard support structure except those that are an integral part of the overall design such as decorative metals or wood. The area of a projecting sign shall be the area of the maximum number of sign faces visible from any single viewpoint. Under marquee signs shall be considered projecting signs.

(17) Freestanding Signs. Freestanding signs shall be of a style, material and design compatible with the associated building. All sign and support elements are to be integrated into a single design. Auxiliary projections or attachments not a part of that design shall not be erected without a building permit. Freestanding signs shall not be oriented toward an expressway and then shall not extend into a public right-of-way. The area of a freestanding sign shall be the area of the maximum number of faces visible from any single viewpoint.

(18) Multiple Building Complexes and Multiple Tenant Buildings. Each multiple building complex is permitted one freestanding sign on each street on which it adjoins and has access. However, the Technical Committee may permit one additional sign per street frontage when the respective frontage is at least 300 feet. Individual businesses and buildings in such a complex are not permitted freestanding signs. Each multiple tenant building, unless it is a part of a multiple building complex, is permitted one freestanding sign on each street on which it adjoins and has access. Individual businesses in such a building are not permitted freestanding signs. Signs shall be based on a uniform sign concept approved by the Design Review Board that shall be known as the “Approved Sign Program.” All subsequent tenant signs must conform to the approved program in addition to sign review criteria defined in Chapter 20D.40 RCDG, unless a modification from the program has been requested by the property owners.

(19) Marquee and Canopy Signs. Marquee and canopy signs shall be considered wall signs for the purpose of determining sign area.

(20) Service Organization Signs. Service, fraternal, and similar organizations located in the City may erect signs at City entrances only as follows: there shall be one standard no higher than 10 feet that shall carry all of the signs for the subject organizations; there shall be no more than one standard per entrance; each organization sign, symbol, or emblem shall not exceed two square feet in sign area. (Ord. 1942. Formerly 20C.20.230(40))

20D.160.10-080 Bonus Allowance for Outstanding Design.

It is recognized that the size, number and location of signs and graphics alone does not provide good visual communication that is harmonious with its setting. Therefore, to encourage outstanding graphics design, the creative use of forms, colors, texture and materials, and innovative solutions to sign design, the following bonus allowances may be permitted subject to design review as provided in RCDG Title 20F, Administration and Procedures.

(1) The Technical Committee may give bonuses for outstanding sign design. Such bonuses may include a waiver from the location requirements and a size increase of up to 50 percent.

(c) Exhibit technical competence and quality in design, construction, durability, and have standard details uncluttered by wires, angles, or other elements that detract from the appearance;

(d) Avoid colors that are in harsh contrast to surrounding signs and architecture (subdued hues are preferable, though contrast can be accommodated if it is not multiplied to a point of shattering the visual harmony of the site and reducing the attention-getting factor by creating clutter);

(e) Relate to architectural features rather than obscure or disregard building planes;

(f) Present a harmonious relationship to other graphics and street furniture in the vicinity;

(g) Be of a size that is in scale with the setting, building, or structure where located; and

20D.160.10-090 Prohibited Signs.

(1) Animated Signs. No sign shall be animated, revolve or rotate either mechanically or by illumination except the movement of the hands of a clock, digital changers and barber poles.

(2) Off-Premises Signs. Off-premises signs are not permitted within the City of Redmond unless exceptions are specifically made elsewhere in this section. Included within this prohibition are billboards, poster boards and other advertising for products or businesses not located on the site of the business or place of sale.

(3) Portable Signs. All portable signs except real estate signs and other portable signs specifically allowed by RCDG 20D.160.10-060, Signs and Street Graphics, are prohibited. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, portable readerboards, signs on trailers, sandwich boards, except as allowed by RCDG 20D.160.10-060(10), Signs and Street Graphics: Temporary Uses, and sidewalk signs.

(4) Signs on Utility Poles. Signs on utility, street light and traffic control standards or poles are prohibited, except for those of the utility or government.

(5) Signs Not Meeting the Requirements of This Section or That are Legal Nonconformances. The following signs are unlawful and prohibited: signs that do not comply with the conditions of their permits; signs erected, altered or relocated without a permit and not in compliance with this section; signs which were lawful under prior sign codes, but which have been altered or relocated so that the sign is not in compliance with this section; and signs that identify and advertise activities, products, businesses, or services which have been discontinued, terminated or closed for more than 60 days on the premises upon which the signs are located.

(6) Signs within Rights-of-Way. Signs within public rights-of-way may be permitted upon approval by the Director of Public Works.

(7) Streamers and Pennants. Displays of banners, festoons flags, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of lights, chasing strobe or scintillating lights, flares, balloons, bubble machines, and similar devices are prohibited, except on a limited basis as seasonal or festival decorations or for grand openings or anniversaries of establishments.

(8) Traffic-Like Signs. Signs which by reason of their size, location, movement, content, coloring or manner of illumination may be confused with a traffic control sign, signal, or device, or the light of an emergency vehicle, or which obstruct the visibility of any traffic or street sign or signal are prohibited.

(9) Obscene Signs. Signs which bear or contain statements, words or pictures which are obscene under the prevailing statutes or U.S. Supreme Court decisional law are prohibited. (Ord. 1942. Formerly 20C.20.230(50))

20D.160.10-100 Removal and Disposal of Illegal Signs.

(1) Any sign on public property or within a public right-of-way or easement, including utility poles within a public right-of-way or easement, that violates the Redmond Community Development Guide or Redmond Municipal Code may be removed by the City without notice.

(2) If the advertiser can be determined, the City shall store the illegal sign for 30 calendar days after the day the sign was removed and notify the advertiser that the City is storing the sign and the time and location where the sign can be retrieved. The advertiser may retrieve the sign during any working days within this 30-day period.

(3) To reimburse the City for the costs of removing and storing the sign, an advertiser retrieving a sign shall pay the City a $50.00 fee for each sign removed to compensate the City for its costs. This fee is a reimbursement of City costs and shall not be considered a penalty. This fee shall be paid in addition to any penalty levied.

(4) If the City’s determination that the sign is illegal is appealed and the decision-maker determines the sign is not illegal, the advertiser shall not have to pay the fee. If the fee has been paid, the City shall reimburse the advertiser. Any appeals of the City’s determination that the sign is illegal shall not stay the requirement to comply with the Redmond Community Development Guide or Redmond Municipal Code.

(5) If the advertiser cannot be determined or the sign is not picked-up by the advertiser within the time period set by subsection (2), Removal and Disposal of Illegal Signs, the City shall dispose of the sign. The removal and disposal of signs is an enforcement mechanism and is not a penalty. The placement of illegal signs may be subject to the penalties provided for in Chapter 1.14 RMC in addition to the removal and disposal of illegal signs.

(6) The City and its officers, employees, or contractors shall not be responsible for any lost or damaged signs located on public property, public rights-of-way, or public easements while on the property, right-of-way or easement, or in City custody. (Ord. 1942. Formerly 20C.20.230(60))

20D.160.10-110 Amortization of Sandwich Board Signs.

(1) Any sandwich board sign which was legally established and in use during the week of June 26, 1997, may continue to be used for six months from June 26, 1997, provided that the sandwich board sign is in compliance with all regulations in effect when the sign was legally established.

(2) After the amortization period in subsection (1), Amortization of Sandwich Board Signs, has ended, sandwich board signs legally established or used before June 26, 1997, shall be prohibited uses and structures and their use shall cease.

(3) Other than as provided in subsection (1), Amortization of Sandwich Board Signs, sandwich board signs shall not be legal nonconforming uses or structures.

(4) Sandwich board signs shall be defined as signs used for advertising and constructed of two boards or other flat surfaces hinged or otherwise connected at one end. (Ord. 1942. Formerly 20C.20.230(70))

20D.160.10-120 Signs in a Transition Overlay.*

(1) See RCDG 20D.230.20-020, When Compliance with Transitional Regulations is Required, for the location of Transition Overlays and the identification of protected and complying zones.

(2) Within the Transition Overlay, only monument and wall signs shall be permitted. Monument signs shall be affixed directly to the ground and be no higher than five feet from the finished grade.

(3) On neighborhood protection streets, monument signs shall be located perpendicular to the street and not be oriented to residential zones located across the street.

(5) For properties bounded by NE 40th Street on the north, Bellevue-Redmond Road on the east, and 156th Avenue NE on the west, only major complex identification signs may be oriented to NE 40th Street, Bellevue-Redmond Road, and 156th Avenue NE. No more than one identification sign may be located at each entrance to properties within this area. (Ord. 2027)

*Code reviser’s note: This section was originally added as 20D.160.10-110 by Ord. 2027. It has been renumbered in order to avoid conflict with existing provisions.