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(1) Use of the signs listed in subsection (2) of this section does not affect the number or types of signs otherwise allowed under EC 9.6000 through 9.6680 of this land use code.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the following signs are exempt from the requirements of EC 9.6600 through 9.6680, and are exempt from the requirement to obtain a sign permit if they are located on private property outside of vision clearance areas:

Addresses. Number and street name of any size. (Addresses are regulated per EC 8.005(21) Numbering of Structures and Premises and Fire Code 505.1 Address Identification.)

Banners. One banner, not to exceed 32 square feet in size, may be installed on the exterior wall of a hotel, motel, convention center or auditorium in lieu of the freestanding sign exempt under this section.

Building Directories. For buildings with multiple tenants, 1 wall-mounted sign up to 12 square feet in area for the purpose of communicating to persons already on the development site.

Drive-through Signs. Two drive-through signs for each drive-through lane. Each drive-through sign may be up to 7 feet in height and up to 40 square feet in area. Drive-through signs may be digital signs if the sign display is static and the display copy is not changed more than once per hour, except for a portion of the digital display not to exceed 2 square feet may change the display copy more frequently.

Hand Held Signs. Hand carried signs of 9 square feet or less in area, worn or carried by an individual.

Historical Agency Plaques. Plaques or historical markers placed by historical agencies or organizations recognized by the city.

Murals. Painted wall highlights, wall decorations and other murals.

Non-Residential Property Signs. One freestanding sign or banner for each development site that is not used primarily for a single-unit dwelling or duplex. A freestanding sign may not exceed 12 square feet in size per face, with a maximum of two faces; a banner may not exceed 15 square feet in size. The maximum height of a freestanding sign under this exemption is 6 feet (from grade).

Parking Lot Signs. Signs up to 3 square feet in area and up to 5 feet in height constructed or placed within a parking lot for the purpose of directing traffic, parking, and towing. (Towing signs are regulated per EC 5.540 Signs Required for Parking Facilities Before Citing or Towing Unauthorized Vehicles.)

Public Signs. 1) Signs constructed or placed in a public right-of-way by or with the approval of a governmental agency having legal control or ownership over the right-of-way; 2) Signs owned or constructed under the direction or authorization of the city, including, but not limited to, signs installed within parks and at natural resource areas within the NR Natural Resource Zone and PRO Parks, Recreation and Open Space Zone to account for entrances, trail signs, and markers; and 3) Signs placed by a public utility for the purpose of providing information concerning a pole, line, pipe or other facility belonging to the public utility.

Residential Property Signs. Two signs for each development site used primarily for a single-unit dwelling or duplex. The signs are limited to the following types: freestanding sign or banner. A freestanding sign may not exceed 12 square feet in size per face, with a maximum of two faces; a banner may not exceed 15 square feet in size. The maximum height of a freestanding sign under this exemption is 5 feet (from grade), and it must be separated by at least 8 feet from any other freestanding sign on the same development site.

Seasonal Decorations. Lights and decorations in place during the period between November 15 and January 15.

Signs During Elections. Signs 12 square feet or less in area, located on private property during the period from 60 days before to 5 days after any public election to be held in Lane County, Oregon.

Signs on Historic Property. Signs constructed or maintained on historic property, as defined in this land use code, which signs are otherwise subject to regulation because of their location on historic property.

Stadium Signs. Signs located within a sports stadium which are intended for viewing primarily by persons within such stadium, where the stadium is enclosed by a site obscuring fence or wall at least 6 feet in height.

Traffic Directing Signs. The owner or lessor of private property may construct 1 sign at each entrance to the property and at each entrance to a building on the property for the purpose of providing direction to vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Except for signs painted on paved surfaces, each sign shall not exceed 3 square feet of surface area and shall be no more than 30 inches in height, if located in a vision clearance triangle as defined in EC 9.6780 Vision Clearance Area. If the sign is located outside a vision clearance triangle, then the sign shall be no more than 5 feet in height.

Transit Signs. Signs identifying transit stops, facilities, and bus routes only. Transit signs shall not include commercial advertising at bus stops or on transit-oriented street furnishings.

Vehicular Signs. Any sign permanently or temporarily placed on or attached to a motor vehicle, where the vehicle is used in the regular course of business for purposes other than the display of signs, except taxis whose signage is regulated by EC 3.345 Public Passenger Vehicle Services – License and/or Permit Required.

Vending in Downtown Activity Area. Signs, including portable signs, for activities authorized by Downtown Activity permits issued for private commerce on public property.

Vending Machine Signs. Any sign which forms an integral part of a machine used to dispense goods to consumers.

Wall Signs, Small. Wall signs with no interior illumination, a surface area of 6 square feet or less and which are 8 feet or less above grade, intended for persons already on the development site.

Warning Signs. Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state or local law, regulation, or ordinance, and emergency warning signs erected by a governmental agency, utility company or a contractor doing authorized or permitted work within a public right-of-way.

(3) No sign is exempt from the provisions of:

(a) EC 9.6615 Prohibited Signs,

(b) EC 9.6620 Nonconforming Signs, or

(c) EC 9.6640 General Provisions,

unless specifically exempted under one of those provisions.

(Section 9.6610, see chart at front of Chapter 9 for legislative history from 2/26/01 through 6/1/02; amended by Ordinance No. 20353, enacted November 28, 2005, effective January 1, 2006; Ordinance No. 20502, enacted November 26, 2012, effective December 28, 2012; and Ordinance No. 20557, enacted July 27, 2015, effective August 30, 2015; Ordinance No. 20642, enacted October 12, 2020, effective November 20, 2020; Ordinance No. 20667, enacted May 24, 2022, effective June 25, 2022.)