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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2162 ORDINANCE NO. 2162 AN ORDINANCE regulating the erection, re-erection, operation, possession and control of signs; providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor, providing penalties for the violation thereof and repealing Section 12 of Ordinance No. 1155. THE CITY OF BRE~ERTON DOES ORDAIN: CHAPTER I -- TITLE AND DEFINITION Section 101. This Ordinance shall be known as and may be cited as the Sign Ordinance of the City of Bremerton. Section 102. For the purpose of interpreting provisions of this Ordinance, certain words and phrases are defined herein: Words used in the present tense include the future; words used in the singular number include the plural, and words used in the plural n~nber include the singular number. Words not defined herein shall be construed as defined in other ordinances relating to similar subject matter. Section 105. Signs means any fabricated sign, including its structure, use, constructed of any letter, figure, character, mark, point, plane, marquee sign, design, poster pictorial picture, stroke stripe, line, trademark, reading matter or illuminating device, con- structed, ~ttached, erected, fastened, or manufactured in any manner whatsoever so that the same shall be used for the attraction of the public to any place, subject, person, firm, corporation, public per- formance, article, machinery, or merchandise whatsoever, and displayed in any manner whatsoever out of doors for recognized advertising. Section 10~-1o Display Sign: D~splay sign means the surface made available by the structure, either for direct mounting of letters and decorations, or for the mounting of facing material intended to carry the entire advertising message. Section 105-2° Electrical Sign means any letters, work, model, device, or representation used in the nature of any out-door advertise- ment, announcement or direction and illuminated by means of incandescent globes or luminous tubes, or by means of lenses or transparencies which transmit light from a source within or on ~he structure. This term shall also include any letter, work or representation. Section 10~-5. Ground sign means any sign which is supported by one or more uprights or' braces in or upon the ground. Section 105-4. Horizontal Sign means any projecting sign having a greater horizontal than vertical dimension. Section 10~-5. Marquee Sign means any sign affixed to any hood or canopy, supported from and extending Deyond 'the wall of any building. Section 105-6. Projecting Sign means any advertising structure attached to a building and extending more than eighteen (18") inches beyond the line of the building, or property. Section 103-7. Roof Sign means any sign erected, constructed, and maintained on the roof of any building, which sign does not ex- tend more than 15 inches beyond any exterior wall of such building. Section 103-8. Single face sign shall mean any sign placed flat against the building. Section 103-9. Temporary Sign means any sign madeof cloth, cart- board, wallboard, or similar material which is erected for a limited period of use and w~ich is required to be removed at the expiration of -the permitted period. Section 103-10. Vertical Sign means a projection sign having a greater vertical than horizontal dimension. Section 103-11. Wall Sign means a sign which is affixed to any building where su6H sign shall project not mor. e than 15 inches from the building wall or part thereof. Section 104° The word. "person" when used in this Ordinance means one or more persons of either SeX, an association, co-partnership, or a corporation, whether acting by themselves or 'by an agent, servant, em- ployee, guardian, or trustee; the singular shall be understood to include ORDINA~'.CE No. 2162 (eon't) the plural and the masculine pronoun shall include the feminine. Section 104-1. The word "user" shall be understood to mean the lessee or purchaser of any sign. CHAPTER II -- PERMITS Section 201. No sign shall be erected, altered, or re-erected except as prescribed in thi~ Ordinance, nor until a permit therefor shall have been issued, as provided in this Ordinance. EXCEPTION: Signs defined in Sections 201-A and 201-B may be erected without permits, after ~pproval. Section 201-A. Signs with an area not exceeding 6 sq. ft. and ~zavin8 no provisions for iilumination~ as authorized in Zoning Ordin- ance 1792, City of Bremerton, Section Section 201-B. Ground or wall signs with an area not exceeding 24 sq. ft. to be used on construction project only during the dura- tion of ~he construction seriod and for 5~ze sole pu?pose of identify- ing contractors and other persons essential to such construction. Section 202. Signs erected prior to the date on which this Ord- inance became effective are not to be considered as being in violation of it until such time as the Building Inspector shall have notified the person responsible for such sign of the existence of unsafe con- ditions. Section 202-A. Signs may be constructed and maintained in those districts within the City of Bremerton authorized 'by Ordinance No. 1792, known as the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Bremerton. Section 20~. If, after issuance of a permit, the operations authorized thereunder be not completed within sixty (60) days after date of peumit, such permit s~a. ll 'be void, except when larger signs require more time to build and evidence is shown that work is progress- ing at normal rate. The Building Inspector may make an exception and extead the date of ~omple'tion. Section 204. Where work i'or which a pe~"mit-is required by this Ordinance is altered or proceeded with prior to obtaining said permit, the fees specified shall be doubled, but the payment of such double fee shall not relieve any persons from fully comp_lying with the re- quirements of ~his Ordinance in the execution of the work nor from any penalties prescribed herein. '.. CHAPTER III -- APPLICATION FOR PERi¥1IT Section ~01. Any person desiring to obtain a sign permit shall file plans, with a written application therefor with the Building In- spector which applicauion shall contain information showing the type of construction, supports, design and location of the sign and other information as may be necessary, so that the Building Inspector may determine 'the compliance of' the sign with this Ordinance. If it shall appear from such application ti_ab the sign will comply with the pro- visions of this Ordinance, then the Building Inspector shall issue a permit therefor. A separate electrical permit is required for the electrical connection of the sign. Section ~O~. Signs after hanging may be connected to the customers electrical circuit by ~he erector for testing purposes only, but in no case shall the sign ce left connected unless the erector of such sign has a City Electrical Contractor,s License and permiE to connect to the power system. Section 303. Fees for permits: Temporary Signs (ninety (90) days or less ~1.00 Signs (Installed value) ~200.00 or less 2.00 Signs " " 200.00 to ¢500.00 5.00 Signs " " 500.00 to 1000.00 7.50 Each additional '.~1000.00 or fraction 4.00 ORDINANCE NO. 2162 (Con't) CHAPTER IV --ERECTION OF SIGNS Section 401. ~rojection Signs shall be supported entirely from the building in front of which they are placed with proper metal sup- ports, each support being attached where possible to masonry wails to which they shall be connected by expansion shields or bolts running through 'the masonry walls. '~here masonry w~lls are not available, signs shall be supported in an equally substantial manner. Section 402. ~hen hanging a sign, the person, firm, or corpora- tion to whom the permit has been issued shall Oe responsible and shall take such precautions, to save harmless the City of Bremerton, its of- ficers, agents and employees, from any and all claims, damages, judg- ments an~ expenses which may come from any negligence of' the applicant, his agents, servants, or employees, and shall place caution signs, cones, barricades, or rope g~ards to protect ~nd safe-guard the pedestrians, and shll have the name of the sign erector conspicuously posted on the job. Section 403. Projecting signs shall be at least ten (10') feet or as may be determined in the clear oetween the lowest point of any pro- jection and the sidewalk im~ediately below, except a marquee sign, and it shall not occupy more than two thirds (2/3) 'the width of t~e side- walk, measuring from the building. Section 405. Ail signs, together with their supports, shall be designed so that they will safely withstand a horizontal wind load of ~hirty (30) pounds per square foot of projected area. Section 405-A. For the purpose of determinin~.~ wind pressure, all signs shall ~e classified as either open or solid. Signs in which the projected area exposed to wind consists of 70~ or more of the gross area as determined by the overall dimensions sh~ll ~oe classified as solid simns; those in which the pr~,jected exposed area is derived from open letters figures, stripes, and structure framing members, the ag- gregate total area of which is less than 70~ of the ~ross area so deter- ~nined shall be classified as open signs. Section 405-B. Each compartment of the signs shall be provided with at least one hole not less than ~ inch nor more than one (1) inch in diameter to oermi= draina6e of moisture or condensation. Section 405-C. Ail portions of structural iron or steel parts shall be galvanized, rust resistant or ge provided with an equivalent protection against corrosion. Section 405-D. Earthquakes. Signs shall also be designed to with- stand earthquakes, shocks as set forth in the Building Code of the City of gremerton. Section 406. Ail signs extended over any public or private place shall be supported by uplift guys of galvanized steel cable equipped with closed and ~alvanized turn buckles bo fasten cable. Supporting Cables~ ~!inimum or equal: Maximum allowed N~zmber & Size Number & Size of Number & ~iz~ of Sign Area of Cable Turn-buckles Anchor Bolts Up to 40 sq. ft. One !,, One 3/8" One ~ 41 to 70" " One 6" One ~,, Two 5/8" 71 to 100" " Two 6" Two -~ ~" Three 5/8" 100 Sq. Ft. Three '~ Three-~ Si~gns with am area exceeding 100 sq feet shall have an additional sup- port for each additional thirty (30) square feet or fraction thereof. Larger size cables may be substitated for a number of small ones when ,approved by the Building Inspector. All signs having an area of 100 square feet or more shall have at least two anchor bolts extending threugh the wall and a~chored with an approved washer or plate. In any case where a building is veneered, the expansion bolt shall extend through the veneer into the main wazl of the building at least three inches. In no case shall an uplift guy Oe fastened to a window frame or mullion. Section 407. All sig.ns extending over any public or private space shall be s~pported wi~h side guys or galvanized steel cable and closed end turnbuckles as follows: ORDINANCE NO. 2162 (Con't) Maximum allowed Number & Size Size of Size of Anchor sign area of cable turnbuckles bolts 20 sq. ft. 1 pr of ~-'' 5/16" 3/8" 40 sq. ft. 2 pr of ~" 5/16" 3/8" Signs with an area in excess of 40 square feet shall~ha~e,~an addition- al pair of guys for each additional 30 square feet or fraction thereof. Section 408. Sign Body: In Fire Zone One and Two, signs shall be constructed entirely of metal or other non-combustible materials. Materials other than metal shall 0e permitted only by ~ecial permis- sion from the Buildi.n.$ Inspector. Section 408-A. Approved combustible p&astics means obly those combu~e plast£c materials which, when tested in accordance with the American Society for testing materials standard methods for test for flamability of plastics over 0.050 inch thinkness (D635-44), burns no faster than 2.5 inches per minute in sheets of 0.060 inch thickness. Section 408-B. In First or Second Fire Zone; the total plastic area of ~ll faces shall not exceed 200 square feet. Section 408-C. Non-electrical signs not exceeding 35 sq. ft. in area with a light wood frsGne covered on all sides with metal may Oe erected upon the approval of 'the Building Inspector. Section 409. Sheet steel faces, sides, tops, and bottoms of signs shall be galvanized when metal is No. 24 U S gauge, or lighter, and used only with the Building Inspector's approval. Section 409-A. ±'he construction of signs shall meet the require- ments of the Natio,~ual Board of Fire Underwriters Laboratories, -mc. Standards for Electrical Signs. Section 410. Ail electrical signs shall be constructed to conform to ~he requirements of the current issue of ~he Natiomal Electrical Code, Article 600, or the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., Standards for Electric Signs. CHAPTER V -- MAIN'~E~{ANCE OF SIGNS Sec~,_~en 501. Signs coming under the ~erms of this Ordinance shall be kep~"' ~ safe'""structural condition an all times, and shall be suOject to inspection by the Building Inspector. It is provided, however, that the City shall in no case be liable for neglect or failure ~o keep signs in good condition or responsible for any de,sage caused by defective con- dition. Section 802. If any sign shall Oecome unsafe, the Building Inspec- tor shall notify the owner and/or user either to remove the sign or make the same safe without delay. The Building Inspector shall notify the owner and/or user failing to keep a sign properly lighted or in good con- dition, to light and repair the same. Section ~0~. I~a sign is taken down for any reason and is to be re-instal!e~, it she, ll conform to ~he requirements for a new sign install- ation. Section 504. No signs of any description shall be installed, erect- ed, or constructed in such a manner as to obstruct any fire escape or window or door reouired Oy City Ordinance, nor shall any sign be at~ached in any man~er to a fire escapte. CHAPTER VI -- ENi,:OHCEMENT OF ORDINAiWCE Section 601. The Building Inspector shall be responsible for the enforcement of tais Ordinance. Section 602. Records: The Building Inspector shall keep records of al% work undertaken in connection with the inspection of signs. Ail such records, toge~}-~e~~ with all drawings, specificaoions, statements, et~., file5 with the Building Inspector, shall ce considered puOlic rec- ords and saall ce open for inspection at reasonable times. Section 603.. Inspection of Signs: The Building Inspector shall cause all sig~ns in the course of erection to De inspected. The Building ORDINAt~CE NO. 2162 (Cch't) Inspector shall 0e notified by 'the person installing the Sign, before it is raised in place, for the purpose of checking the f tame construc- tion of such sign. i~he wiring of all electrical signs shall be approv- ed by the Electrical Inspector before inspection is made by the Build- ing Inspector. CHAPTER VII -- INSTALLER'S LICENSE ~ND BOND Section V01. Bond: No person, firm or corporation shall engage within the corporate limits oi' the City of Bremerton in Lhe business of out door advez, tising by erecting of ground signs, roof signs, wall signs, marquee signs, and/or projecting signs or post signs until such person, firm or corporation shall have filed with the City Clerk a oo~ld in the sum of ~1,000.00 Dollars, rrovided,~ however, that in lieu of the bond required ~erein, any licensee hereunder may submit proof tnat the City of Bremerton or any of its officers will not be held responsible by reason o~' any accidents resulting from ~he const._.uction, erection, alter- ation, or removal of any sign. Such liability insurance shall protect the City in the amount of ~0,000.00 Dollars damage to ~y one person and ~100,000.00 total damages per sign, with surety to oe approved by said City Attorney conditioned for the faithful observance of this Ord- inance an~l ~o save and keep harmless ~he City of Bremerton of~'icials and employees from all dasnages, il. abilities, losses or judgments th.a~ may be recovered against the City by reason of the negligent erection of any such signs, for the period of one year from ~!ate .of erection of such sign. Section 70~. License required: No person, firm or corporation shall engage in the business of sign or out ~oor advertising by erect- ing ground, roof, wall, projecting, or marquee signs, or post signs within the corporate limits of the ~ity of Bremerton without first having procured a license from the City clerk to conduct such business. Application for a license shall be made on forms .to be furnished for such purpose by the City clerk. The Building Inspector shall examine such application at such time and place as he shall deslgna~e as to his or its qualifications and competency to engage in the business. The exmmination shall be practical and elementary in character but suffi- cien~ to test the qualification of the applicant in ate most approved methods in connection with said business. Such license shall not be transferable and any license granted may be revoked by the Building Inspector if the licensee violates any provisions of this Ordinance. ~hen a license is revoked, a new license shall not again be granted to the same licensee for at least sixty (60) days. The initial fee for such licnese shall be fifty (~)50.00) Dollars, and the license shall ex- pire on the 30t~ may of June following the date of issuance. The fee for each year's renewal of such license shall be fifty (~}50.00) Dollars. Any license issued subsequent to January 1 bi' any year may be issued upon payment of one-half ~he annual license fee as herein provided. CHAP[~ER VIII -- PENAL£Y FOR VIOLATION Section 801. Any pez'son, firm or corporation owning, operating, maintaining, erecting, re-erecting, or in charge of, possession or con- trol of any electric or oti~e~-~ sign within the corporate limits of the City of Bremerton who shall neglect or refuse to comply' with the provis- ions of this Ordinance shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon convic- tion thereof shall be fined in any stun not e~ceeding Three Hundred (}300.00) ~ollars or imprisoned in the City Jail for a term not exceed- inS ninety (90) days, or both, in the discretion of the Court, any such person, firm, or corporation shall i~mmediately, upon notice from the Building Inspector, remove or rebuild the sign which violates the pro- visions of this 6rdina:~ce and. failure to so do shall constitute a sep- arate violation of this Ordinance. CHAPTER IX -- VALI8IPY AND REPEALS Section 901. Should any section, clause or provision of the Ord- inance be declared invalid by any Court of competen~ jurisdiction, such invalidity shall ~,ot effect the validity of this Ordinance as a whole, or any part thereof, other titan the part so declared to be invalid. Section 902. Section 12, Ordinance No. 1153 be, and the same is hereby repealed. APPROVED on first reading this 25th day of January, 1956. ORDINANCE NO. 2162 (Con't) PASSED by ths City Council of the City of Bremerton, signed by the Mayor and attested by the City Clerk in authentication of such passage this 28th day of March, 1956. ATTEST: ~. 0. DO-~ISTAD, Ma~o~ E.H.T. McGOWAN~ City Clerk