19.36.040 Sign categories—Freestanding signs—Wall signs

19.36.040 Sign categories—Freestanding signs—Wall signs.

A. General. Table 36-1 specifies sign categories for all use zones within the city. The specific regulations pertaining to each sign category are contained in this section. These standards apply to permanent signs. Where there is a conflict between the general and specific regulations, the more specific regulations shall control.

B. Instructions for Tables 36-1 and 36-2. First, determine the property’s zoning from the city’s zoning map. Then, refer to Table 36-1 to determine which sign category applies to that zone. Use Table 36-2 to determine sign requirements applicable to permanent freestanding and wall signs. Also refer to the applicable footnotes and detailed requirements listed for the MU zone in this section. Where a sign is not regulated by a zone or sign category, see the development standards in EMC 19.36.050 for specific sign types.

Table 36-1: Sign Categories for Use Zones
Use Zone	Sign Category
AG; R-S; R-1; R-2; R-2(A)	D⁽¹⁾
UR3; UR4	C⁽²⁾
NB, LI1 ⁽³⁾ ⁽⁵⁾, LI2, HI, MU (within Metro Everett) ⁽⁴⁾	B
B, MU (outside of Metro Everett)	A

1Sign category C for permitted nonresidential uses in these zones.

2Sign category D for single-family detached and two-family (duplex) dwellings in these zones.

3Sign category D for residential dwelling unit.

4See subsection (C) of this section for additional sign standards applicable to the MU zone for Metro Everett.

5Sign category B for nonresidential and mixed-use buildings. Sign category C for residential buildings.

Table 36-2: Freestanding Signs and Wall Signs
	FREESTANDING SIGNS⁽⁷⁾⁽⁸⁾					WALL SIGNS^(4)(10)
SIGN CATEGORY	Maximum Number (1)	Maximum Area in square feet (s.f.)	Min. Setback from Lot Line Abutting the Street ROW	Interior Setback (feet)	Max. Height (feet)	Maximum Size (s.f.) (3)
A ⁽⁹⁾	1 sign for every 300 feet of street frontage or fraction thereof up to a maximum of 4 signs for the entire site	75 s.f. plus an additional 25 s.f. for each additional business on a lot having more than 1 business up to a maximum area of 150 s.f. ⁽²⁾	Monument signs: 3' from back of sidewalk⁽¹²⁾; Freestanding pole signs: 10'	10	25⁽⁹⁾	Greater of 48 s.f. or 15% of the area of the building facade up to a maximum of 300 s.f.
B	1 sign for every street frontage ⁽⁶⁾	40 s.f. ⁽²⁾	Monument signs: 5'; Freestanding pole signs: 10'	10	20 ⁽⁹⁾	Greater of 32 s.f. or 15% of the area of the building facade up to a maximum of 100 s.f.
C ⁽⁴⁾ ⁽¹¹⁾	1 sign for every street frontage	All uses other than SFR, duplex, home occupation or B&B house: 32 s.f. ⁽⁵⁾	1 foot setback for every 1 foot of sign height	10	10	All uses other than SFR, duplex or home occupation: greater of 24 s.f. or 15% of the area of the building facade up to a maximum of 40 s.f.
C ⁽⁴⁾ ⁽¹¹⁾	1 sign for every street frontage	SFR or duplex: 2 s.f.	1 foot setback for every 1 foot of sign height	None	10	SFR or duplex: 2 s.f.
D ⁽⁴⁾ ⁽¹¹⁾	1 sign per unit	2 s.f. ⁽⁵⁾	None	10	4	2 s.f. ⁽⁵⁾

1Interstate 5, SR 526, alleys, vacant, or unimproved rights-of-way are not considered street frontages for calculating the number of allowable freestanding signs.

2If two or more signs are permitted, the signs may be combined into one sign up to twice the maximum amount allowed for one sign.

3Awning signs shall be considered to be wall signs for the purpose of determining allowable sign area. Also refer to the requirements in this chapter for projecting signs, canopy signs and window signs.

4Projecting signs are prohibited in sign categories C and D.

5Bed and breakfast house in sign categories C and D: one freestanding sign is permitted. The sign shall be a maximum of twelve square feet and shall have a minimum setback of ten feet from the abutting right-of-way. In sign category D, one wall sign is permitted up to a maximum of twenty-four square feet.

6In the MU zone, freestanding signs shall be prohibited. For additional standards applicable to the MU zone, see subsection C of this section.

7All freestanding signs must provide a landscape/protective island around the base of the sign. Refer to EMC 19.36.050.

8A single commercial use on a corner lot with a street frontage of less than one hundred feet on both streets shall be permitted only one freestanding sign.

9Monument type signs shall be limited to eight feet in height.

10Backlit cabinet signs are limited to twenty square feet in sign categories A and B and six square feet in the MU zone. For sign categories C and D, backlit cabinet signs are prohibited.

11For sign categories C and D, internal illumination is prohibited except for electronic changing message centers. See EMC 19.36.050(C) and (I).

12If no sidewalk is present, monument signs shall be set back three feet from the property line.

C. Special Regulations for the MU Zone Within Metro Everett Only. Signage in the MU zone in Metro Everett shall conform to sign category requirements in Tables 36-1 and 36-2 unless otherwise stated in this section.

a. Backlit signs with letters or graphics on a plastic sheet (cabinet signs) are prohibited unless otherwise noted.

b. Backlit logos under six square feet or individual backlit letters are permitted.

c. Externally lit signs are encouraged.

a. Wall signs shall be designed and located appropriate to the building’s architecture. For example, wall signs must not cover windows, building trim or ornamentation.

b. Wall signs may not extend above the building parapet, soffit, the eave line or the roof of the building, or the windowsill of the second story. Exception: individual letters may extend above the building parapet, soffit or eave line by a maximum of eighteen inches. There shall be no backing material or exposed/visible supports.

c. Wall signs should be mounted plumb with the building, with a maximum protrusion of one foot, unless the sign incorporates sculptural elements or architectural devices. The sign frame shall be concealed or integrated into the building’s architectural character in terms of form, color, and materials.

3. Upper Story Wall Signage. In the event of a conflict with other provisions of this chapter, the requirements in this section shall prevail.

a. One upper story sign may be permitted per building facade for nonresidential and mixed-use buildings. Such signs are in addition to other permanent signs allowed pursuant to sign category B.

b. Each upper story wall sign shall not exceed one hundred ninety square feet.

c. Upper story wall signs shall be limited to logo and/or name only.

d. Upper story wall signs shall be located forty feet or more above the elevation of the sidewalk or alley, but may not extend above the building parapet, soffit, the eave line or the roof of the building. Signs shall be mounted so as to not obstruct any window, building trim, ornamentation or other significant architectural detail.

e. Upper story wall signs shall be limited to channel lettering and/or logos, with halo lighting effects. Lighting may be used to accent signs. Electronic message center signs and cabinet signs are prohibited. (Ord. 3774-20 § 10 (Exh. 8), 2020; Ord. 3684-19 § 2(A)(Exh. 1 § 4), 2019.)