Title 18 - Unified Development Ordinance

18.440.010 Purpose and Findings

The purpose of this Chapter is to create a comprehensive and balanced system to regulate signs of all types (temporary and permanent) in a manner that:

1. A.
   Protects state and federal constitutional rights to free speech by providing ample opportunities for expression through signs, while avoiding regulatory triggers or distinctions based on content and providing clear standards for approval.
2. B.
   Protects public health and safety by:

   1. 1.
      Minimizing visual traffic hazards, distractions and obstructions for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, or signs causing confusion by virtue of visual similarity to traffic control signs.
   2. 2.
      Reducing hazards caused by signs overhanging or projecting over public right-of-way.
   3. 3.
      Encouraging the upgrading, updating or removal of signs that are poorly maintained, out of character with their surroundings, or do not conform to this Chapter, and preventing signs that are potentially dangerous due to structural deficiencies and disrepair.
3. C.
   Promotes the community’s appearance, character, quality and business climate by encouraging signs that are attractive and functional for their intended purpose, and that are in scale and architectural harmony with the development site and building(s) and with surrounding buildings and developments.
4. D.
   Enhances and protects the community’s physical appearance and property values and prevents visual clutter or potential deterioration of the community’s appearance and attractiveness that might promote blight.
5. E.
   Implements the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan by establishing uniform standards and procedures to regulate the size, type, number, design, placement, illumination, timeframe and maintenance of signs.

(History: Ord. No. ZRR-3300 §2, 2020; Ord. ZRR-1725; ZRR-1637)

Effective on: 1/1/1901