19.67.110 Temporary sign standards | Anacortes Municipal Code

A. Applicability. All temporary signs are subject to the placement, size, and height requirements of this chapter, and the requirements in the underlying zone. Additionally, the following requirements apply:

B. Permitting. A sign permit is not required for temporary signs.

a. Temporary signs may be located on private property with the property owner’s permission.

b. Temporary signs attached to building walls must not be placed in a manner that obstructs any door, Fire Department sprinkler connection, or street number sign.

c. Temporary signs must not be placed on the roof of a building, or affixed to a permanent sign or its structure, tree, utility pole, or street sign.

d. No part of a temporary sign may overhang a paved roadway, bicycle path, parking space, driveway, loading area, or wheelchair access.

e. Temporary signs must not be permanently attached to the ground, a building, or to any other structure, other than what is necessary to secure the sign to prevent theft, wind damage, or safety problems.

f. Temporary signs must not be placed in any public park, trail, open space, or other public space, except for those signs placed by the city.

2. Only Type 4 temporary signs may be placed within the public right-of-way. Such signs are subject to the standards in subsection H of this section.

3. Only Type 4 temporary signs may be placed on a sidewalk or other pedestrian pathway. Such signs are subject to the standards in subsection H of this section.

D. Materials. Temporary signs may be made of any durable material, and the sign face may be of rigid or flexible construction.

E. Illumination Prohibited. Temporary signs may not be directly illuminated or be provided with any electric service.

F. Noncommercial Temporary Signs. Noncommercial signs do not promote commercial products or services. The content of such signs is not regulated, but is subject to the following requirements:

1. Noncommercial temporary signs are subject to the requirements of Table 19.67.110(F).

Table 19.67.110(F)
Size and duration of noncommercial temporary signs.
	Non-A-board sign in the public right-of-way	A-board sign in the public right-of-way	Any temporary sign on private property
Sign area, maximum	4 square feet	See subsection (H)(4) of this section for A-board (Type 4 temporary sign) standards	12 square feet
Height above grade, maximum	3 feet		8 feet
Duration, maximum	180 days per calendar year unless otherwise limited by the temporary sign type		180 days per calendar year unless otherwise limited by the temporary sign type
Location requirements	See subsection (H)(4)(f) of this section		See subsection (C)(1) of this section

2. Community banner signs up to 100 square feet in size and 20 feet above grade in height may only be located on public banner poles erected by the city for that use. Community banner signs may not be illuminated.

3. Signs Advertising a Public Event. Maximum duration must be from one month before the event to five days after the event.

1. Construction Signs. On properties with active construction, temporary signs must meet the following requirements:

a. Number. One nonilluminated, double-faced temporary sign is permitted for each lot frontage.

b. Sign Area. Maximum size of 24 square feet.

c. Height. Maximum height of eight feet above grade.

d. Permitted Sign Types. Types 2 and 3.

e. Duration. Temporary signs must be removed by the date of first occupancy of the property or one year after placement of the sign, whichever occurs first.

2. Exterior event signs, such as grand opening signs, sale signs, promotional signs, exhibitions, quitting business signs, and other nonpermanent exterior signs used to advertise an event.

a. Number. There is no limit to the number of exterior event signs that may be displayed at any one time for any one business or tenant.

b. Applicability/Location. Businesses in mixed-use and industrial zones may display exterior event signs.

c. Sign Area. Exterior event signs are limited to 20 square feet in size, except for building-mounted Type 2 temporary signs, which are subject to the area standards in subsection (H)(2) of this section.

d. Height. Based on height limits of allowed temporary sign types in subsection (H) below.

e. Permitted Sign Types. Types 1 through 5.

f. Duration. Exterior event signs (individual signs and/or groups of signs) may be displayed for no more than 60 cumulative days per calendar year per business or tenant.

3. Residential Real Estate. Signs associated with residential properties for sale or rent must comply with the following:

i. Number. Limited to one sign per lot frontage on the subject property.

ii. Sign Area. Maximum size of six square feet.

iii. Height. Maximum height of six feet above grade.

iv. Permitted Sign Types. Type 1.

v. Duration. Must be removed within five days of the final sale or rental.

i. Location. No further from the subject property than the nearest arterial street intersection.

ii. Quantity. No more than one “For Sale” or “For Rent” sign may be used at any street intersection for any one developer, broker, seller or owner.

iii. Sign Area. Maximum size of two square feet.

iv. Height. Maximum height of six feet above grade.

v. Permitted Sign Types. Type 1.

vi. Duration. Must be removed within five days of the final sale or rental.

4. Commercial and Industrial Real Estate. Signs associated with commercial and industrial properties for sale or rent must comply with the following:

a. Location and Quantity. Limited to one sign per lot frontage on the subject property.

b. Sign Area. Maximum size of 16 square feet.

c. Height. Maximum height of eight feet above grade for properties adjacent to State Route 20 in the LM1 or HM zone and six feet above grade in all other areas.

d. Permitted Sign Types. Types 1 through 3.

e. Duration. Must be removed within five days of the final sale or rental.

5. Commercial Temporary Signs in a Residential Zone. Permitted commercial temporary signs in residential zones are limited to:

a. Residential real estate signs as established in subsection (G)(3) of this section.

b. Home occupation signs as established in Table 19.67.070.

c. Signs associated with permitted nonresidential uses are subject to the standards of this section.

H. Temporary Sign Requirements by Sign Type. Below are standards for a wide variety of temporary sign types that may be allowed based on the site’s zoning, land use, or context. Where the provisions of subsection F or G of this section conflict with the provisions of this subsection H, the provisions of subsection F or G of this section apply.

1. Type 1 Temporary Signs. Signs in this category consist of small, temporary yard signs that are typically associated with (but not limited to) the advertisement of real estate, political campaigns, and event announcements.

a. Location. Type 1 temporary signs may be located in any zone.

i. For developed property, one sign may be displayed per dwelling unit and per business. For undeveloped and vacant property, one sign may be displayed per one-quarter acre of land.

ii. The provisions of subsection (H)(1)(b)(i) of this section are suspended during the 60-day period before any primary or general election scheduled by Skagit County. Following the end of such period, the provisions of subsection (H)(1)(b)(i) of this section are in force until the following period of suspension.

c. Size. Maximum sign area is six square feet (per side if dual-sided) per sign. Signs placed in windows are subject to the size standards of AMC 19.67.090(E).

d. Height. Maximum height of the sign, including supports, is six feet above grade (except for noncommercial signs located in a public right-of-way per subsection F of this section).

e. Material. If outdoors, the sign face must be composed of a rigid material.

f. Mounting. Outdoor signs may be only mounted and supported by posts or stakes which are attached to the ground.

g. Duration. No limit unless otherwise specified in this section for the particular location, use, or context.

2. Type 2 Temporary Signs. Signs in this category are typically referred to as “banners” that are typically associated with (but not limited to) the announcement of community events. These may be freestanding (supported by posts on either end) or building-mounted signs.

a. Location. Type 2 temporary signs are permitted in the mixed-use and industrial zones, on any property owned by a public agency, and on any property owned by a nonprofit corporation organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code.

b. Quantity. One sign may be displayed per property.

c. Size. Maximum sign area for freestanding Type 2 signs is 18 square feet (per face of dual-sided signs). The maximum sign area for Type 2 signs attached to buildings is the same as sign area for wall signs (with internal lighting) as established in Table 19.67.090(A)(3) based on the size of the facade.

Exception: Lesser maximum sign area may be allowed for the particular use per subsection F or G of this section.

d. Height. Maximum height of any freestanding signs, including supports, is six feet above grade (except for noncommercial signs located in a public right-of-way per subsection F of this section). Type 2 signs attached to a building must not be placed on or above the roof of a building and must not be placed over any windows.

e. Material. The sign face must be composed of a flexible material.

f. Mounting. Freestanding signs may be only mounted and supported by posts or stakes which are attached to the ground.

g. Duration. For each property, Type 2 signs may be displayed for a maximum 30 calendar days per year. A maximum of six separate displays are permitted each year, with a minimum of 10 calendar days of separation between displays.

3. Type 3 Temporary Signs. Signs in this category are large signs typically associated with (but not limited to) the advertisement of land sales, construction activity, and commercial and industrial buildings for rent.

a. Location. Type 3 temporary signs may be located in any zone under the following conditions:

i. The parcel upon which the sign is displayed has a minimum of 100 feet of lot frontage.

ii. The parcel does not contain a permanent freestanding sign with digital or changeable copy.

b. Quantity. One sign may be displayed per property.

c. Size. Maximum sign area is 24 square feet (per face of dual-sided signs) unless lesser maximum sign area applies for the particular use per subsection F or G of this section.

d. Height. Maximum height of the sign, including supports, is eight feet above grade unless lesser maximum height applies for the particular use per subsection F or G of this section.

e. Material. The sign face must be composed of a rigid material.

f. Mounting. Signs may be only mounted and supported by posts or stakes which are attached to the ground.

g. Duration. Unless otherwise specified in this section for the particular location, use, or context:

i. Type 3 temporary signs may be displayed without limit to duration on properties that are undeveloped or vacant.

ii. In all other cases, signs may be displayed a maximum of one year, with a minimum of 60 calendar days of separation between displays. The minimum separation period applies regardless of whether the previous display reached the maximum duration of display.

4. Type 4 Temporary Signs. Signs in this category must only include A-board and standing signs as defined by AMC 19.67.030. Signs in this category are typically associated with (but not limited to) the advertisement of retail businesses and announcement of public events.

a. Location. Type 4 temporary signs may only be displayed in the mixed-use, industrial, and overlay designations, provided they comply with the standards herein.

i. Commercial Use. One sign may be displayed per customer entrance, and no more than two signs may be displayed per business.

ii. Noncommercial Use. Two signs per lot may be displayed for each single noncommercial purpose.

c. Size. Maximum sign area is six square feet (per face of dual-sided signs).

d. Height. Maximum height of the sign when placed in its display position, including supports, is four feet above grade (except for noncommercial signs located in a public right-of-way per subsection F of this section).

e. Material. The sign face must be composed of a rigid material.

i. Signs for a commercial use must be located within 15 feet of a customer entrance.

ii. Signs must maintain at least 25 feet of separation from other Type 4 temporary signs.

iii. Signs placed on a pathway or sidewalk must be placed to one side of the sidewalk or pathway and provide a minimum of four feet of unobstructed sidewalk or pathway width. Signs must not be placed on sidewalks or pathways less than four feet in width.

iv. Signs must not be located within center medians, traffic circles, traffic islands, and roundabouts.

g. Duration. Signs may only be displayed during the period beginning 30 minutes prior to the daily opening and ending 30 minutes following the daily closing of the business displaying the sign.

Figure 19.67.110(H)(4)
Examples of Type 4 temporary signs.
The sign above illustrates a proper location for a Type 4 temporary sign, whereas the sign(s) below are placed in the middle of the sidewalk where it obstructs pedestrian traffic.	Type 4 temporary signs may come in the A-board form (upper left example) or in a standing form (as above).

5. Type 5 Temporary Signs. Signs in this category are feather signs. Feather signs are prohibited except where used for an exterior event sign (see subsection (G)(2) of this section) or for multi-tenant centers meeting the criteria below.

a. Location. Type 5 temporary signs may only be displayed in properties in a mixed-use or industrial zone.

b. Quantity. One sign may be displayed per site/property. For site/properties with more than 100 feet of block frontage, multiple signs are allowed, provided there is at least 100 feet of separation between signs.

c. Size. Maximum height of feather signs is 13 feet.

d. Design. Signs must designed in a uniform manner, including consistent size and shape, where more than one sign is permitted.

e. Duration. Type 5 temporary signs associated with an exterior event are subject to the duration provisions of subsection (G)(2) of this section. Type 5 temporary signs associated with an existing on-site tenant may be displayed without limit to duration.

6. Type 6 Temporary Signs. Signs in this category include fixed aerial displays, balloons, pennants, spinners, strings of flags, streamers, tubes, or other devices affected by the movement of the air or other atmospheric or mechanical means. Such signs are prohibited except where used for an exterior event sign (see subsection (G)(2) of this section).

I. Special Community Event Signage. The purpose of this provision is to provide for a periodic increase in the number of temporary signs that may be displayed for special community events which promote economic activity in Anacortes.

1. Qualifying Events. Events sponsored by the city, nonprofit agencies, and/or multiple Anacortes-based businesses that are intended to attract tourism activity in Anacortes.

2. Period of Applicability. Beginning 10 days prior to the date of the event (or beginning date of a multiday event) and ending 24 hours following the conclusion of the event.

3. Additional Temporary Signs Permitted. An unlimited number of temporary signs may be displayed in the CBD, C, CM, I and LM1 zones during the period of applicability.

4. Other Regulations Remain in Effect. During the period of applicability, all other temporary sign regulations remain in effect. (Ord. 3040 § 2 (Att. A), 2019)