HomeMy WebLinkAboutIV.C A Frame Signs
Memorandum
To:
Planning & Community Development Committee
From:
Al Hicks, Senior Planner
CC:
Elizabeth Chamberlain, Principal Planner
Date:
January 20, 2009
Re:
A Frame Signs – Discussion on whether to expand where permitted within the City
INTRODUCTION
Merchants and real estate brokers have expressed increased interest in the City amending its
sign code to allow for the expanded use of A frame signs. In response to this interest, the City is
exploring the potential impacts involved in permitting A-frame signs and reviewing practices of
other jurisdictions as they pertain to this activity.
INFORMATION
Staff researched other Washington State jurisdictions and how those cities address A –frame or
sandwich board signs. Below is a table outlining the regulations from the various jurisdictions.
SizePlacement
Jurisdiction Zone Permitted Standards
Requirements Requirements
University Place Commercial Zones 12’ face 5’ ROW
Temporary
Residential 5’ face setback and Open House
20’ from
intersections
EverettCentralBusiness District N/ACurb, edge of N/A
sidewalk
Edmonds Downtown 6’ Area/3’ High N/ACannot block
Community Business pedestrian access
Waterfront
SnoqualmieCommercial zones 2’ x 3’ On premises N/A
Puyallup CBD/CBD Core 6 square feet per Sidewalk Cannot block access
side
KentIndustrial 36”w x 42”t On premises 2 per Retail Business
Sea-Tac Residential – open houses 9 square feet Off premises on N/A
private property
Renton City center
32” x 36” One per 4’ of unobstructed
Outside city center frontage sidewalk between
adjacent to business One per sign & curb
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Residential frontage and
one against No closer than 4’
building to public ROW
Open House
Olympia Downtown Business
2’w x 4’h OneDirectly in front of
Neighborhood Retail sponsoring business.
Community Retail Shall not be in 6 feet
Neighborhood Village pedestrian walking
Urban Village lane. Located next to
Neighborhood Center curb, cannot interfere
Community Oriented
with car doors
Shopping Center
opening.
PO/RM
Unobstructed passage
General Commercial of 48”.
Urban Waterfront
Urban Waterfront -
Housing, Commercial
Services-High Density
High Density Corridor-1
High Density Corridor-2
High Density Corridor -3
High Density Corridor-4
districts
Port Townsend N/A8 square feet per 15 feet between At least 30” but not
face; Max width signs more than 6’ from curb
30”, Max height or no more than 3’
4’, Min height 30” from building. No
closer than 12” to any
planting.
Wenatchee Central Business District 6 square feet One per building On site
North Business District One per street
frontage and one
per building.
South Business District One per street
frontage and one
per building.
Waterfront One per building On site
Mixed Use One per building On site
SultanUrban Center 6 square feet; 1 per single tenant Up to 150 feet off-site;
max height 3’ building no pedestrian hazard
can be created.
Sticker required.
Commercial 6 square feet Multi-tenant On premises; no
building one per pedestrian hazard can
50’ street frontage be created. Sticker
required.
Generally, cities preclude:
The lighting of the signs or electronic signs, preclude their placement in planting strips or the
damaging of required landscaping.
Impairment of access to street furniture, hydrants, the creation of a distraction for vehicular
traffic or the impairment of vision or sight distance.
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Permitting
Cities that allow A frame signs, either temporarily or permanently, usually require a permit for
the sign.
Although some do not, most cities allowing A-frame signs regulate the sign size and
placement.
A hold harmless agreement is required at a minimum and frequently cities require the permit
holder to indemnify the City against lawsuits by anyone suffering injury as a result of the sign.
Enforcement
Snoqualmie authorizes the confiscation and removal of the sign after two violations.
Puyallup allows for the immediate removal and destruction of any sign found to be in
violation. Issuance of a permit would facilitate compliance by enabling the City to revoke the
permit for any permit holder found to be consistently violating A-frame sign requirements
CONCLUSION
A-frame signs in commercial areas have the ability to benefit merchants by enabling the merchant
to offer unadvertised specials that may appeal to passersby. Additionally the A-frame sign
provides the opportunity for the merchant to emphasize a sale or product. The shopper benefits
through being informed of the availability or cost of items that they may have been unaware of
have an interest in. A-frame signs may have an ability to draw people to a store or shopping area,
such as the downtown, in an attempt to see what unexpected opportunities exist.
However, the concerns are the impact on pedestrian mobility and safety, especially that of the
disabled. A-frame signs impact the amount of sidewalk space available and can provide an
impediment which can cause injury, especially when sidewalk width is limited or the sign placed in
such a way as to block the sidewalk. The sign can serve as a significant barrier to the disabled
when improperly placed or sidewalk widths are narrow.
In automobile oriented, heavy commercial areas, placing A-frame signs along the street could
prove to be a distraction for motorists, placing the signs against the building might better serve the
public. In older residential neighborhoods with narrow sidewalks, it might be necessary to
preclude the A frame open house sign in the right of way, restricting it to on premise use.
NEXT STEPS
At the January 26, 2009 committee meeting staff is looking for feedback from the Committee on
the following:
Whether to proceed with further analysis on the potential of permitting A-frame signs outside
of the downtown.
Staff develop options for potential code changes.
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