17.50.030 General Sign Regulations.
Construction and installation of signs shall be made in conformance with the Construction Codes adopted in Title 2 of the Pullman City Code.
(1) New Signs, Repairs, Alterations, Abandoned Signs.
(a) Hereafter, no new sign shall be erected nor any existing sign structurally altered that is not in compliance with this Chapter.
(b) All signs shall be kept in good repair and maintained in a safe, neat, clean and attractive condition. Cleaning, painting, or normal maintenance and repair of existing signs does not require a permit, provided no structural alteration is made.
(c) Abandoned and out-of-date signs shall be removed with the exception of building plaques and cornerstones, and signs and their structures that identify buildings by common or historic names.
(d) No sign shall be erected or maintained in such a manner that any portion of its surface or supports will interfere in any way with the safe use of any fire escape, or exit or free use of any external fire department standpipe connection. No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to obstruct any window so that light or ventilation is reduced below minimum standards required by applicable law or the Uniform Building Code.
(e) The owner of any sign that extends over any public right-of-way, erected in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, shall remove and/or relocate that sign at his or her own expense upon the request of the department of public works when that sign, either temporarily or permanently, interferes with any public improvement including, but not limited to, street widening or installation of traffic signs or signals.
(2) Maximum Height. Except as otherwise set forth in this Chapter, the maximum allowable height for any sign shall be thirty-five (35) feet from ground level to sign top. Further height restrictions may apply to individual types of signs or to signs in individual zone districts. On buildings that are over thirty-five (35) feet in height, only flush-mounted signs may be located more than thirty-five (35) feet above ground level.
(3) Sign Illumination. Signs may be illuminated, but no flashing or oscillating sign shall be permitted in the city. Lighting shall be designed and shall function in a manner that shields direct light from adjoining streets and properties.
(4) Permit Application. A permit shall be obtained from the Building Official for the installation of any new sign or the structural alteration of any existing sign.
(a) Application for a sign permit shall be made on forms provided by the public works department. All sign and sign structure dimensions, materials, illumination, foundation and mounting details, and advertising copy shall be shown in drawings accompanying the application form.
(b) A plot plan showing property lines, abutting public rights-of-way, buildings and other structures on the property, existing signs, and proposed sign locations shall be included with the application.
(c) A sign permit shall become null and void if the work for which it was issued has not been completed within one (1) year of its issuance.
(5) Exceptions. The following signs must comply with the provisions of this Title, but shall not require a permit, nor shall the square footage of their surface area be included in the aggregate area of signs permitted for any site or use.
(a) Signs erected or required by government agencies to implement public policy, including traffic, directional, or information signs.
(b) On-premise occupant name plates and house and building numbers not exceeding three (3) square feet in area.
(c) Permanent building plaques and cornerstones.
(d) On-premise seasonal and holiday decorations.
(e) Changes of advertising on a sign defined as having changing copy.
(f) Temporary signs, including construction signs, grand opening displays, real estate signs, special event signs, political signs, and garage sale signs.
(g) Occupant name plates not exceeding three (3) square feet in area for reserved parking spaces in off-street parking facilities.
(h) On-premise non-illuminated incidental signs.
(6) Nonconforming Signs.
(a) Continuance. Any legal nonconforming sign may be continued and maintained but
(i) shall not be structurally altered without being brought into compliance with the requirements of this Chapter, and
(ii) shall not be changed in any manner that increases its non-compliance with the provisions of this Chapter.
(b) Abatement. A prohibited sign or unlawful nonconforming sign shall either be removed or brought into compliance with the provisions of this Chapter within thirty (30) days after the date of notification by the city of its nonconformity.
(7) Termination of Signs.
(a) By Abandonment. No person shall maintain or permit to be maintained on any premises owned or controlled by him or her any sign which has been abandoned.
(b) By Destruction, Damage, Obsolescence, or Danger. The right to maintain any sign shall cease to exist whenever the sign is
(i) damaged or destroyed beyond fifty (50) percent of its value as determined by the Building Official based upon the actual cost of replacing the sign; or,
(ii) structurally substandard under any applicable ordinance of the city to the extent that the sign becomes a hazard.
(8) Removal of Unlawful Signs.
(a) The city planner may order the removal of any sign erected or maintained in violation of this Chapter. The city planner shall give thirty (30) days notice in writing to the owner of the sign, or, if the sign owner cannot be located, to the owner of the property upon which the sign is erected. If the sign has not been removed or brought into compliance within the thirty (30) day period, the city planner may order the removal of the sign, and removal costs shall become a lien on the property, if not paid by the violator within thirty (30) days after removal of the sign.
(b) The Building Official may, without giving notice, order the immediate removal of any sign that presents an immediate danger to the public because of its unsafe condition. Removal costs shall become a lien on the property on which the sign was located, if not paid by the violator within thirty (30) days after removal of the sign. (Ord. 03-33 §25, 2003; Ord. 00-8 §5, 2000; Ord. 87-9 §1, 1987).