A. Signs within the Shoreline Master Program Jurisdiction.

1. Sign permits shall be submitted for review and approval at the time of shoreline permit submittal.

2. All signs shall be located and designed to minimize interference with vistas, viewpoints, and visual access to the shoreline.

3. Overwater signs or signs on floats or pilings shall be prohibited, except when related to navigation or as approved as part of a water-dependent use.

4. Signs which impair visual access in view corridors are prohibited.

5. Governmental signs indicating the public’s right of access to shoreline areas shall be installed and maintained in conspicuous locations at all points of access. Signs shall also indicate all limitations on use of such areas including use of fire, alcohol, jet skis, and other recreational equipment, as well as requirements regarding pets.

B. Illumination Standards.

1. Signs, except for facade or awning signs, shall only be illuminated externally by light sources shielded so that the lamp is not visible from adjacent properties, the public right-of-way or watercourses. Sign lighting shall conform to BIMC 18.15.040.

2. Lights illuminating a sign shall project illumination toward the face of the sign.

3. Signs shall not flash, rotate, or have motorized parts or exposed electrical wires.

4. Signs shall not be illuminated between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless the premises on which they are located is open for business.

5. Up to three neon signs are allowed in commercial zones for each business; provided, that they do not exceed four square feet for any individual sign. Total signage of all types shall not exceed 25 percent of an individual window area. For each retail business that has window area in excess of 100 square feet, an additional four square feet of neon sign area is allowed. Neon signs are allowed only on properties zoned for commercial uses, shall not be visible from the shoreline, and shall not flash.

6. One commercial use sign for theaters, including film or performing arts buildings that were constructed prior to November 10, 1999, may be internally illuminated and may include external unshielded neon lights.

7. Facade signs may be internally illuminated if:

a. The background does not emit light;

b. The background constitutes a minimum of 80 percent of the sign area; and

c. The illumination source is shielded.

C. Placement Standards.

1. Signs, including banners and temporary sign, shall not be mounted on roofs, extend above the roof line, or be located more than 20 feet above the grade except for retail businesses with a second-floor exterior entrance.

2. Signs projecting from a building shall not be less than eight feet above grade, unless permitted by the city through an administrative variance procedure.

3. Freestanding signs shall not exceed five feet in height except in the business/industrial and NC zones and except as regulated by BIMC 15.08.120.B. Supporting structures (providing that they are not signs) for freestanding signs may extend one foot higher than the height limit for freestanding signs. In the business/industrial and NC zones, freestanding signs shall not exceed eight feet in height.

D. Freestanding signs shall be located within a landscaped area that is twice the area of the sign area, and the plantings or the landscaped area shall be located so as to shield illumination sources.

E. All signs visible from Highway 305 must be in conformance with the standards of the Scenic Vistas Act (Chapter 47.42 RCW and Chapter 468-66 WAC) that is incorporated herein by this reference as well as the related Washington State Department of Transportation (“WSDOT”) rules, regulations, and noncompliance penalties; provided, that all signs within the city shall also be subject to any additional restrictions as provided in this chapter. In the case of conflict between the requirements of the Scenic Vistas Act and this chapter, the more restrictive requirement shall apply. (Ord. 2024-27 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024)