HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-025 political and temporary signs ORDINANCE NO. 2001- 25
AN ORDINANCE relating to political and temporary signs; amending sections 15.08.040 and
15.08.110 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code.
WHEREAS, the Legal Department has reviewed and recommended the following proposed
amendments relating to the posting of political and temporary signs for enactment by the City of
Yakima in order to conform to the Washington Supreme Court's decision in Michael Collier, et
al. v. The City of Tacoma, 121 Wn.2d 737 (1993).
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the following proposed amendments relating to the
posting of political and temporary signs and finds that it is in the best interest of the City that they
be enacted, now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA,
WASHINGTON:
Section 1. Section 15.08.040 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code is hereby amended to
read as follows:
15.080.040 Exempt signs.
Except when otherwise prohibited, the following signs are exempt from the
application, permit and fee requirements of this title when the standards of this chapter are
met:
1. Window signs;
2. Point of purchase displays, such as product dispensers;
3. Gravestones;
4. Barber poles;
5. Historical site plaques;
6. Structures intended for a separate use such as phone booths, Goodwill containers, etc.;
7. Official and legal notices issued by any court, public body, person or officer in
performance of a public duty or in giving any legal notice;
8. Directional, warning or information signs or structures required or authorized by law,
or by federal, state, county or city authority;
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9. Official flags of the United States of America, states of the United States, counties,
municipalities, official flags of foreign nations, and flags of internationally and nationally
recognized organizations;
10. Political signs which during a campaign, advertise a candidate or candidates for public
elective office, a political party, or promote a position on a public issue, provided such signs shall
not --bc tcd-more -. - •; • - : - -ction to which they relate and are (i) all political
sins shall be removed within fifteen days following the election;, except that in cases where a
general election follows a primary election, those signs for candidates whose names will appear on
the ballot in the • eneral election ma be disila ed durin the interim s eriod and u • to fifteen da s
after the general election, and (ii) no political sign shall be erected upon any private property
without the permission of the resident or owner thereof, and in cases where there is no occupied
structure on the property, no political signs shall be placed thereon without the written consent of
the owner of the property;
11. Construction and real estate signs not exceeding thirty -two square feet in sign area;
12. All temporary signs (See Section 15.08.110) except portable signs;
13. Church, school and community center name and/or readerboards not exceeding thirty -
two square feet in sign area;
14. Canopies and awning signs;
15. On- premises signs not readable from the public right -of -way, i.e., menu boards, etc.;
16. On- premises directional signs;
17. Official public or court notices issued by a government agency or body or required or
provided for under adopted statute.
Section 2. Section 15.08.110 of the City of Yakima Municipal Code is hereby amended to
read as follows:
15.08.110 Temporary signs.
All temporary signs shall conform to the following:
1. No temporary sign shall be displayed for more than thirty days at any one time nor more
than ninety days during a calendar year.
2. Only one temporary sign on each street frontage per parcel or lot is permited.
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3, No temporary sign shall be placed in a required parking space, driveway or clearview
triangle.
4. No temporary sign may be placed in the public right -of -way or an easement unless
specifically permitted by the city /county.
5. Temporary signs placed on the ground shall be separated from parking and driveway
areas by a curb or other barrier.
6. No temporary sign shall be displayed more than 15 days after the event for which it is
intended.
Section 3. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days after its passage, approval,
and publication as provided by law and by the City Charter.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, signed and approved this Jf day of June, 2001.
ATTEST: Place, Mayor
City Clerk
Publication Date: 6 -8 -2001
Effective Date: 7 -8 -2001
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. a3
For Meeting of June 5, 2001
ITEM TITLE: Consideration of an Ordinance relating to political and temporary signs;
amending sections 15.08.040 and 15.08.110 of the City of Yakima
Municipal Code
SUBMITTED BY: William R. Cook, Director of Community and Economic Development
Department; and Ray Paoleiia, City Attorney
CONTACT PERSON /TELEPHONE: Doug Maples, Code Administration and Planning
Manager (509) 575 -6121
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
In 1993 the City Council passed an ordinance exempting political signs in the Yakima
Municipal Code Section 15.08.040 and 15.08.110 regarding signs. This allowed political signs
to be placed in the right of way and on other government property without regulation or
permission.
In October 2000, the City Council directed staff to review current regulations regarding political
signs in the right of way. The City Legal Department has reviewed our present ordinance and
found certain modifications necessary to comply with the constitutional standards set forth by
the Washington State Supreme Court.
Resolution Ordinance X Other (Specify)
Contract Mail to (name and address):
Phone:
Funding Source
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL . City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Request the City of Yakima Council's approval of the
modifications to YMC Section 15.08.040 and 15.08.110.
BOARD /COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
COUNCIL ACTION: Ordinance passed. ORDINANCE NO. 2001 -25