20.37.370 Fairhaven urban village – Signs.
A. Applicability. The regulations of this section shall apply to the development of any principal and/or accessory use within any area in the Fairhaven urban village except as follows:
1. Development in residential transition areas shall comply with Chapter 20.28 BMC, Infill Housing, Chapter 20.30 BMC, Residential Single Development, or Chapter 20.32 BMC, Residential Multi Development, for corresponding development.
2. Signage for industrial uses in industrial zoned areas shall comply with Chapter 20.36 BMC, Industrial Development.
B. General Provisions. No sign shall be permitted unless it complies with the provisions herein.
C. Exemptions. The following signs shall be exempt from the provisions of this title:
1. Traffic signs installed by a government agency.
2. Directional, wayfinding program signs installed by a government agency if the signs are consistent with the provisions of the Fairhaven neighborhood and urban village plan.
3. Tenant panel and directory signs when located within a recessed entry.
4. Interior signs including those painted on the interior of glass windows.
5. Building identification signs or cornerstones are permitted as an integral and architecturally compatible part of the building or structure. Cornerstones shall not exceed four square feet and building identification signs shall not exceed 32 square feet. These exemptions shall not contain any colors, words, letters, numbers, symbols, graphic designs, logos or trademarks for the purpose of identifying a good, service, product or establishment.
6. Directional Signs.
a. Directional signs are limited to six square feet per sign face and three feet in height if freestanding.
b. The message shall not contain the name of the establishment or advertising of any kind. Examples of directional signs include: “Enter,” “Service Entrance,” “No Parking,” etc.
c. There is no limit on the number of directional signs.
D. Standards.
1. Unless specified otherwise herein, the following signs are prohibited:
a. Off-premises, billboard, and rooftop.
b. Flashing, video, electronic, revolving, and any other signs that appear to move or vary in intensity. Animated, moving, blinking or electronic (LED or similar) message boards are permitted only in association with theaters.
c. Halo signs are not permitted within the historic district (see Figure 20.37.370-A).
d. Signs on building walls facing a residentially zoned area when the property whereon the sign is located abuts a residential zoned area.
Figure 20.37.370-A Historic District and Historic Influence Area
2. The total gross area of all permanent exterior signs, including wall mounted and projecting signs, for any one building shall not exceed one square foot of area to one lineal foot of street frontage, or 100 square feet, whichever is more restrictive (logos are included).
3. One monument or pole sign per parcel is permitted whether it is for a single or mixed use. Either sign shall not exceed 60 square feet per face or six feet in height measured from existing grade. A pole sign shall be mounted on at least two posts placed at the outermost sides of the sign face.
4. Projecting Signs.
a. Shall not exceed 12 square feet in area and shall have a rectilinear shape to emphasize design elements of the building facade itself. Minor allowances for logo identity are permitted. (See Figure 20.37.370-B.)
b. Shall be mounted to have at least eight feet of clearance from the ground and six inches from the vertical wall.
c. Shall comply with the International Building Code and the requirements of the public works department when projecting over the street right-of-way or public alley.
d. One projecting sign shall be allowed per tenant. Tenants may be grouped onto a single sign not to exceed the maximum 12 square feet. (See Figure 20.37.370-C.)
e. Not obscure a building’s character-defining features.
f. Use permanent, durable materials such as painted or carved wood, individual wood or cast metal letters or symbols, or stone (slate, marble or sandstone). Plastic and other synthetic materials are not appropriate.
g. Be limited to lighting that is subdued, incandescent and front lit from the exterior rather than back lit. Neon signs are permitted.
Figure 20.37.370-B
Figure 20.37.370-C
5. Temporary building signs shall not exceed 32 square feet.
6. Real estate signs are limited to one sign per street frontage, shall be unlighted, and shall not exceed 32 square feet. [Ord. 2017-05-013 § 2; Ord. 2012-08-041 § 13 (Exh. G)].