Spokane Municipal Code

Title 17C Land Use Standards

Chapter 17C.240 Signs

Section 17C.240.244 Temporary Signs

1. No Permit required. No sign permit is required for temporary signs.

2. Removal. Any abandoned temporary sign, or other temporary signs that are not explicitly allowed within the right-of-way shall be removed. Failure to remove such signs shall constitute a violation of this chapter.

1. 1. The director of public works and utilities shall have the authority to require the immediate removal of any abandoned temporary sign or other temporary signs not explicitly allowed in the public right-of-way.

1. 2. Authority over abandoned temporary signs in other locations is described in SMC 17C.240.050. The removal shall be at the cost of the sign and/or property owner.

3. Materials. See the definition of “temporary sign” in Section 17C.240.015.

4. City property (excluding City right-of-way). Temporary signs on City-owned property (excluding City right-of-way) are allowed only in conjunction with an approved Special Event permit.

5. City Right-of-Way outside of the Roadway. Temporary signs allowed to be placed in the right-of-way shall meet the following standards:

1. 1. The sign is entirely outside the roadway.

1. 2. The sign is no larger than the maximum allowed for a freestanding temporary sign in the zoning district.

1. 3. The sign is entirely outside of the area of a right-of-way corner that is between the curb and the lines created by extending the property line to the curb face (See Figure 11a)

Figure 11a

Exclusion Area

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1. 4. The sign is entirely outside the area of a sidewalk that is between the lines created by extending the edges of any curb ramp across the sidewalk to the property line.

1. 5. The edge of the sign is within six inches of the curb (See Figure 11b).

Figure 11b

Temporary Signs in the Right of Way

1. 6. The sign does not obstruct a continuous through pedestrian zone of at least six feet in width.

1. 7. The sign does not obstruct pedestrian and wheelchair access from the sidewalk to any of the following:

1. 1. 1. Transit stop areas.

1. 1. 2. Designated disabled parking spaces.

1. 1. 3. Disabled access ramps; or

1. 1. 4. Building exits including fire escapes.

1. 8. Physical Attachment to Public Property.

See SMC 17C.240.070(I).

1. 9. Additional Placement Standards for Temporary Signs.

Temporary signs placed in the right-of-way must meet the following additional standards:

1. 1. 1. Where no curb exists, the sign must be placed outside the roadway at least five feet from the edge of the roadway. Temporary signs may not be placed in medians, traffic islands, or other areas within the roadway.

1. 1. 2. Temporary signs must not be placed in parking spaces, pedestrian pathways, or bicycle paths. 

1. 1. 3. Temporary signs placed in the right-of-way must have the permission for such placement of the abutting property owner, resident, or respective agent. For purposes of this section, the public right-of-way shall mean that portion of the public right-of-way located next to a street between the roadway and the adjacent private property open to the public for general pedestrian passage, including the buffer/planting strip.

6. Temporary signs may be placed on property residentially zoned in accordance with the requirements of this Section and the following:

1. 1. Freestanding signs (includes post-mounted, stake and portable signs).

1. 1. 1. Single-family zones: Temporary free-standing signs shall not exceed four (4) square feet in size and five (5) feet in height, if the sign is post mounted on the ground, and not to exceed three (3) feet in height if the sign is stake-mounted or portable.

1. 1. 2. Multi-family zones: Temporary free-standing signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in size and five (5) feet in height if the sign is post mounted on the ground, and not to exceed three (3) feet in height if the sign is stake-mounted or portable.

1. 2. Surface-mounted signs. Limited to sites two (2) acres or larger:

1. 1. 1. Size. No larger than thirty-two (32) square feet.

1. 1. 2. Location. Must be flatly affixed to walls below the fascia or parapet line, or flatly affixed to on-site fences either facing or abutting the street, or facing inward to the subject site. Signs shall not be attached or tethered to other site improvements.

7. Non-residential zones.  Temporary signs are allowed on non-residentially zoned property in accordance with the requirements of this Section and the following:

1. 1. Freestanding signs (including post-mounted, stake and portable signs): Size/height. Limited to four (4) square feet and five (5) feet in height if the temporary sign is mounted in the ground, and not to exceed three (3) feet in height if the temporary sign is portable.

1. 2. Surface-mounted signs:

1. 1. 1. Size. Limited to thirty-two (32) square feet.

1. 1. 2. Location. Must be flatly affixed to walls below the fascia or parapet line, or flatly affixed to on-site fences either facing the abutting street, or facing inward to the subject site. Signs shall not be attached or tethered to other site improvements.

Date Passed: Monday, January 29, 2018

Effective Date: Saturday, March 17, 2018

ORD C35577 Section 24