1. All signs shall be constructed of such materials or treated in such a manner to withstand normal wear from weathering. Sign materials should be able to meet the Uniform Building Code for wind resistance. Neon is an acceptable material. The design, fabrication and lettering and/or message elements shall be comparable in quality to a product produced by a professional commercial sign shop. The use of plastic and foam is prohibited as an exterior material in the Old Town district as defined in Chapter 18.175 TMC. Creative designs are strongly encouraged, especially hanging signs, to distinguish the Old Town district. The Old Town design standards, Commercial Standard 9, shall be required if the subject property is located in the Old Town district and is subject to review by the architectural review committee.

2. Commercial and Industrial Districts. All signs shall be earth tone colors in the Old Town district. All signs and their supporting members shall be constructed of noncombustible materials or fire-retardant treated wood, which maintains its fire-resistive qualities when tested in accordance with the rain and weathering tests of the state building code standards.

3. Nontreated Signs. All wall, ground, marquee, and projecting signs of 20 square feet or less may be constructed of nontreated wood.

4. Directly Illuminated Signs. All signs illuminated from within may be faced with plastics approved by the state building code. All commercial signs shall be externally lit in the Old Town district with low-voltage, high-intensity lighting.

5. Glass. All glass used in signs shall be shatter resistant, or covered by a shatter-resistant material.

6. Wood. Wood in contact with the ground shall be foundation-grade redwood, foundation-grade cedar, all-heartwood cypress, or any species of wood which has been pressure treated with an approved preservative. Trim and backing strips may be constructed of wood.

7. All letters, figures, and other message elements shall be safely secured to the sign structure.

8. Each electrical sign shall be constructed to meet the requirements of the state electrical code.

9. No sign shall be erected or maintained in such a manner that any portion of its surface or its supports will interfere in any way with free use or access to any fire escape, exit, or standpipe. No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to obstruct any window so that light or ventilation is reduced below minimum standard required by any applicable law or building code.

10. No sign face, supporting member of a sign, or other obstruction will be permitted to obstruct the view from an automobile at an intersection. The location of a sign and its supporting members must be such that a car, if stopped at an intersection, can see clearly for the distances set forth in the table below. The location of the stopped car and the approaching traffic will be determined by assuming streets are improved to standards in accordance with their street classification set forth in the transportation system plan.

Signs constructed lower than two feet or their lowest portion higher than nine feet in height, measured from the top of the curb, or where no curb exists, from the established street centerline grade, are permitted and are not considered to obstruct visibility. Objects with a horizontal dimension of 12 inches or less are not considered to obstruct visibility.

11. All signs projecting over a sidewalk or public right-of-way shall be at least 10 feet in height. No sign shall project farther than five feet into any public right-of-way, except in alleys where signs shall not be constructed in a manner that would prohibit the movement of delivery trucks. In any event, no sign shall project beyond a curb or into a roadway.

1. All signs shall be maintained at all times in a state of good repair.

2. Any sign erected or maintained in violation of this section is a public nuisance and the city may issue a 45-day written notice that requires the owner of the sign or of the premises to correct the unlawful condition or remove the sign. It shall be unlawful for any person who owns or controls the sign, or the premises on which it is situated, to fail to obey such an order within the time prescribed. The city shall give the notice by registered mail to the owner of the sign or, if the sign owner cannot be located, to the owner of the building or premises upon which the sign is located. If the sign owner or property owner has not removed or corrected the sign within the 45-day period, the city may requisition the removal of the sign, and the charge for removal shall become a lien on the property. If the city finds that any sign is in violation of this section to the extent that it deems it an immediate and serious danger to the public, it may order its immediate removal.

3. Upon discontinuance in business or occupancy of any establishment, the city shall require the removal of the signs and supporting structures advertising or identifying the establishment according to the procedure set forth in subsection (B)(2) of this section. [Ord. 817 § 8-3J.738, 2006.]