9.50.050 Signs Exempt from Permit Requirements.
The following signs are allowed in all sign districts without a sign permit and are not included in the determination of the type, number, or area of permanent signs allowed. All signs, even those exempt from permitting, must comply with sign placement and maintenance requirements.
A. Flags mounted on a pole in the ground or on a building are exempt but are subject to Development Code height regulations and must be located and constructed so that, if the pole should collapse, its reclining length would be contained on the property on which it is installed, subject to the following limitations:
1. Three flags per site under six acres.
2. Six flags per site over six acres.
B. Required or Authorized Signs.
1. Official and legal notices required or authorized by a court or governmental agency;
2. Signs placed in the public right-of-way or public access easement by the entity responsible for administering the right-of-way or public access easement, or by a governmental authority providing transit services within the right-of-way to the extent that the signs are part of a transit stop.
C. Signs which are placed inside a building or structure and which are either not visible through window or building openings or are not intended to be visible from outside the building or structure.
D. One nonilluminated wall or window sign located on or below the second story window opening for nonresidential uses with a maximum sign area of three square feet or one nonilluminated sign located on site in a residential zone with a maximum sign area of three square feet.
E. One wall or window sign limited to two square feet in area per primary facade or below, except in Sign District 5 the sign must be nonilluminated.
F. Signs not greater than four feet in height with a sign area not exceeding six square feet per side and not discernible from a public right-of-way or private street with a public access easement.
G. One permanent freestanding sign not greater than four feet in height with a sign area not exceeding four square feet located at a driveway entrance to a nonresidential property.
H. Signs located within a sports stadium or athletic field and oriented to the playing field or spectator areas.
I. Signs that are carried or worn by humans or animals are allowed at all times while they are being carried or worn.
J. Light Pole Banner. Banners attached to light poles must comply with the following minimum standards:
1. Banners attached to light poles are allowed for nonresidential uses. Banners must not be located in or project over a street or right-of-way or be attached to a City-owned pole except as authorized by the City of Bend.
2. Not more than two banners are permitted on a single light pole.
3. Banners must be vertically installed and must not project more than 36 inches from the light pole. Banners’ sizes must not exceed 30 inches in width and 60 inches in length. Supporting brackets must be attached to the top and bottom of the banner. The banner must be a minimum of eight feet above the finished grade below the sign, 16 feet when located above areas accessed by vehicles.
4. Stringing attachments or supporting devices between any two or more light poles or between light poles and other objects is prohibited.
5. Light pole banners must be maintained in accordance with BC 9.50.100(E)(2).
6. Light pole banners must be attached only on light poles that were legally installed.
K. Nonilluminated signs on an operable motorized vehicle that has a current registration or nonilluminated signs on an operable motorized vehicle or recreational vehicle on a property with an active vehicle dealer certificate. [Ord. NS-2399, 2021; Ord. NS-2292, 2017]