Skip to main content
Loading…
This section is included in your selections.

A. Permits Required. It shall be unlawful for any person to erect, re-erect, construct, enlarge, display, alter or move a sign, or cause the same to be done, without first obtaining a permit for each sign from the city of Monroe as required by this chapter. This section shall not be construed to require an additional permit to clean, repaint, or otherwise perform normal maintenance or repair of a permitted sign or sign structure. If, however, a sign is modified in any way, a permit is required. No permit shall be required to change the message on a changeable message and electronic sign.

B. Permanent Permit Application Procedure – Single-Occupancy Buildings, Complexes, or Properties. A sign permit shall be filed providing completed forms and supplemental information deemed necessary by the city of Monroe to show full compliance with this and all other laws and ordinances concerning single-occupancy buildings, complexes, or properties. A separate permit shall be required for a sign or signs for each business entity or location and a separate permit shall be required for each group of signs on a single supporting structure. Additional signs applied for separately shall require a separate permit.

C. Permanent Permit Application Procedure – Multi-Occupancy Buildings, Complexes, or Properties. A sign permit shall be filed providing completed forms and supplemental information deemed necessary by the city of Monroe to show full compliance with this and all other laws and ordinances concerning multi-occupancy buildings, complexes, or properties.

1. The purpose of this section is to establish binding master sign site plans for multi-occupancy buildings, multi-building complexes or properties under common ownership and/or control, in order to establish consistent sign design, location and materials and to allow for certain signage bonuses as set forth below. All development permits for multi-occupancy buildings, multi-building complexes and commonly developed properties sharing common access points and adjacent to one another, approved after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, shall submit a master sign site plan to the city for approval.

2. Transfer for Master Sign Site Plan. The maximum determined signage for the development may be transferred from one tenant and/or parcel to another within the site.

3. Approval and Modification of Master Sign Site Plan. The city shall approve a master sign site plan and subsequent modifications. Any deviation from the approved master sign site plan such as additional signage, relocating signs, replacement signs and other modifications not including tenant name changes shall require modifying and updating the approved master sign site plan on file at the city.

D. Temporary Sign Permit Application Procedure – Except A-Frame Signs. A no-fee sign permit shall be filed providing completed forms and supplemental information deemed necessary by the city of Monroe to show full compliance with this and all other applicable laws and ordinances. In addition, applications for A-frame sign permits shall comply with the insurance and hold harmless provisions in subsection (F) of this section. The no-fee sign permit shall be affixed to each temporary sign.

E. Electrical Permits. An electrical permit shall be obtained for electric signs. Portable signs shall not be located on any property until such time as a building permit has been issued. No building permit will be issued until there is compliance with other codes and ordinances of the city of Monroe and the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries has approved the method of electrical power for said portable sign.

F. Insurance and Hold Harmless Provisions. The owners of any signs that are located in, project into or overhang a public right-of-way shall prior to approval of a sign permit execute and deliver to the city a hold harmless agreement in a form approved by the city attorney, holding the city harmless against any and all claims of any nature whatsoever arising out of the presence of such sign in or over the public right-of-way.

G. Permit Processing. All proposed signs other than those requesting a variance from the requirements of this chapter shall be processed by the city of Monroe following review and comment as specified above, and provided the proposed sign(s) is within the intent and purposes of this chapter, complies with this chapter’s provisions, and will not be contrary to the public interest, detrimental to the public welfare or safety, or injurious to property in the vicinity. Signs must be inspected by the city and must conform to the currently adopted International Building Code.

H. Permanent Sign Permit Fees. A nonrefundable fee shall be paid upon the filing of an application for a sign permit in accordance with the sign fee which shall be established by city council.

I. Permanent Sign Permit – Time Limitation. If, after the issuance of a sign permit, the operations authorized thereunder are not completed or substantially completed within one hundred eighty days after the date of the permit, such sign permit shall be automatically null and void.

J. Revocation of Permit. The city of Monroe may, in writing, suspend or revoke a permit issued under provisions of this chapter whenever the permit is issued in error or on the basis of incorrect information or whenever the sign is in violation of any ordinance, regulation or provision of this chapter.

K. Change of Copy. The holder of a permit, for the duration thereof, shall have the right to change the advertising copy words only on the structure or sign for which the permit was issued, without being required to pay any additional fees.

L. Permanent Wall Sign and Mural Maintenance. Failure to properly maintain the mediums used within a painted wall sign or mural or artwork as defined herein shall be sufficient grounds to revoke the sign permit.

M. Interpretation. In all applications for permits where a matter of interpretation arises, the most restrictive definition shall prevail. (Ord. 005/2019 § 10 (Exh. B))