Moses Lake adopts sign ordinance

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake City Council approved an ordinance regulating electronic signs with a 4-3 vote.

The ordinance was read and approved a second time, making it an official law Tuesday.

The issue was raised following citizen concerns over some electronic signs being too bright, creating a driving distraction.

“No electronic sign lamp may be illuminated to a degree of brightness that is greater than necessary for adequate visibility,” according to the law. “Signs found to be too bright shall be adjusted as directed by the City of Moses Lake.”

Signs requiring more than four seconds to change between displays must be turned off during the interval, the ordinance states. Messages must have a static display time of at least two seconds with all parts of the message being displayed within 10 seconds. Scrolling messages must hold a static position of at least two seconds.

The background color of the sign can’t be white and the minimum height from the sign to the ground must be 13 feet.

The council removed a proposed prohibition on signs that flash, pulse, have fireworks and explosions, appear to move to and away from someone, bounce, rotate and have blinking lights.

“We’re going to regret that we didn’t have some ordinance that prohibits that,” Councilmember Richard Pearce said.

Councilmembers Pearce, James Liebrecht and Dick Deane voted against the measure.

Mayor Ron Covey and Councilmembers Jon Lane, Brent Reese and Bill Ecret voted to approve the ordinance.