HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 1913 - Sign Permits and Temporary Signage (Repealed by Ord 2303)
2004 §1 (part)
2019 §1 2303
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City of Tukwila
Washington
fig Ordinance No.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, AMENDING PARTS OF TUKWILA
MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 19, SIGN CODE, TO CLARIFY AND
REVISE STANDARDS FOR SIGN PERMITS AND TEMPORARY
SIGNAGE; REPEALING ORDINANCE NOS. 1274 (PART), 1649
SECTION 1, 1770 SECTIONS 68 AND 69, 1796 SECTION 3
(PART), AND 1892 SECTION 2; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY;
AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the need to correct inconsistencies in the Sign Code dealing
with real estate directional signage; and
WHEREAS, the Parks Department wishes to display temporary signage without permits, subject to
the pre approval of the Director of the Parks Department and in accordance with the Sign Code; and
WHEREAS, Tukwila residents have expressed their concern about the negative visual impacts of
special temporary signs and displays, such as searchlights; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to reduce the number, size, duration, frequency and /or
negative visual impacts of temporary signs;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON,
DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. TMC Chapter 19.12, Permits, is amended to read as follows:
Chapter 19.12
PERMITS
Sections:
19.12.010 Required.
19.12.020 Application procedure.
19.12.030 Application for sign permit Contents.
19.12.050 Exceptions Permits not required.
19.12.060 Criteria for granting variances.
19.12.070 Fees Permanent signs.
19.12.080 Fees Temporary signs.
19.12.090 Fees Work started prior to permit issuance.
19.12.110 Maintenance and removal of signs.
19.12.120 Special permit signs and displays.
19.12.130 Revocation.
19.12.010 Required.
A. No sign shall hereafter be erected, re- erected, constructed or altered, except as provided by this
code and a permit for the same has been issued by the City acting through its Planning Director, provided
that a sign posted for purposes of giving public notice pursuant to TMC 18.104.110 shall be exempt from
the requirements of this title.
B. A separate permit is required for each group of signs on a single support structure or the sign or
signs for each business entity. In addition, electrical permits shall be obtained for electrified signs.
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19.12.020 Application procedure.
Application for a sign permit shall be made in writing upon forms furnished by the Department of
Community Development. Sign permits other than special permission signs and unique signs shall be a
Type 1 decision, provided that the denial of approval for a Type 1 sign permit shall be appealable to the
Planning Commission pursuant to the provisions of TMC 18.108.020 for appeals of Type 2 decisions.
Special permission signs shall be a Type 2 decision and shall be processed pursuant to the terms of TMC
18.108.040 and .050. Unique signs shall be a Type 3 decision and shall be processed pursuant to the
terms of TMC 18.108.030. Such application shall contain the location of the proposed sign structure by
street and number or by surveyor's exhibit or legal description, as well as the name and address of the sign
contractor or erector.
19.12.030 Application for sign permit Contents.
When applying for a sign permit, a simple illustration showing how the proposed sign shall look on the site
shall be submitted. A vicinity map at a scale of 1 inch representing 200 feet (or larger) shall be required,
showing the property on which the proposed sign is located, the street and nearest intersection, together
with a site map at the scale of 1 inch representing 20 feet (or larger) showing the location of the sign,
structures, right -of -way, easements and property lines. Elevation projections of the proposed sign shall also
be submitted with the application and shall include, but not be limited to, the following: the sign's
relationship to the property lines, easements, setback lines, supporting structure, colors and materials and
method of illumination.
19.12.050 Exceptions Permits not required.
A. The following shall not require a permit (these exceptions shall not be construed as relieving the
owner of any sign from the responsibility of its erection and maintenance and its compliance with the
provisions of this code or any other law or ordinance regulating the same):
1. The changing of the advertising copy or message on a theater marquee, readerboard and
similar signs specifically designed for the use of replacement copy;
2. Repainting or cleaning of an advertising structure shall not be considered an erection or
alteration which requires a sign permit unless:
a. a structural or electrical change is made; or
b. the area or the shape of the sign is altered; or
c. except as provided in TMC 19.12.050A.1, there is a change in the advertising copy or
message on any sign located in either the Manufacturing/Industrial Center /Light (MIC /L) District or the
Manufacturing/Industrial Center /Heavy (MIC /H) District (as they are established and identified under
Title 18 of the Tukwila Municipal Code).
3. Temporary signs and decorations customary for special holidays, such as Independence Day
and Christmas, erected entirely on private property;
4. Real estate signs 16 square feet or less in area offering the immediate premises for sale,
lease or rent, except in LDR, MDR and HDR zones where the maximum sign area allowed is six square
feet. Portable real estate directional signs (such as "A" boards), provided they are used only when the real
estate company representative, agent or seller is in attendance at the property for sale. Rigid real estate
directional signs provided they are used to advertise a property that is currently for sale.
5. Signs not exceeding four square feet in area and advertising acceptance of credit cards,
provided these are located on the face of a building or upon another larger sign background area for which
a permit has been obtained;
6. One on- premises sign not electrical or illuminated, four square feet in area or less, which is
affixed permanently on a plane parallel to the wall that is located entirely on private property;
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7. Traffic signs and /or markings, for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic,
whether on public or private property. Such signs and markings shall comply with the Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, current edition, published by the U.S. Department of
Transportation, Federal Highway Administration;
8. Bulletin boards not over twelve square feet in area for each public, charitable or religious
institution when the same is located on the premises of said institution;
9. Temporary signs denoting the architect, engineer or contractor, when placed upon work
under construction and not exceeding 32 square feet in area;
10. Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and dates of erection, when cut into any
masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other non combustible material;
11. Signs of utilities indicating danger and service or safety information;
12. A maximum of four internal information signs as defined in TMC 19.08.120 and as
regulated by TMC Section 19.22;
13. Political signs, posters, or bills shall not exceed 32 square feet in area (if single faced) or 64
square feet (if multi faced); and, if located on private property, must have the consent of the property
owner or the lawful occupant thereof. Each political sign shall be removed within 10 days following an
election, except that the successful candidates of a primary election may keep their signs on display until
10 days after the general election, at which time they shall be promptly removed. Signs of a more general
political nature (not related to an election) are not subject to time restrictions. It is unlawful for any
person to paste, paint, affix or fasten onto the surface of any utility pole, bridge, sidewalk, or City -owned or
operated vehicle, or any public facility of any kind any such sign, poster, bill or advertising device when
such facilities are located on public property or within public easements;
14. Window signs which are of a temporary nature for commercial businesses and which
occupy less than 25% of the window surface. Signs on or in the window which occupy more than 25% of
the window surface are permanent and will be considered part of the overall signing permitted for the
business. Such permanent window signs shall require permits;
15. Signs of community service and fraternal organizations, including notation of place and
date of regular activity meetings.
16. Temporary signs displayed on City of Tukwila parks property. Said signage must be
preapproved by the Director of the Tukwila Parks Department prior to display.
B. The provisions of this section shall be narrowly construed so as to effectuate the purposes of this
Title, as enumerated in Section 19.04.020.
19.12.060 Criteria for granting variances.
A. Variance review shall be a Type 3 permit pursuant to 18.104.010. The Hearing Examiner may
grant a variance to the requirements of this code only if the applicant demonstrates compliance with the
following criteria:
1. That the variance as approved shall not constitute a grant of special privilege which is
inconsistent with the intent of this sign code, nor which contravenes the limitation uses of property
specified by the zoning classification in which this property is located.
2. That the variance is necessary because of special circumstances relating to the size, shape,
topography, location or surroundings of the subject property to provide it with use rights and privileges
permitted to other properties in the vicinity and in the zone in which the subject property is located.
3. That the granting of the variance will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or
injurious to property or improvements in the vicinity and in the zone in which the subject property is
located.
4. That the special conditions and circumstances prompting the variance request do not result
from the actions of the applicant.
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5. That the variance as granted represents the least amount of deviation from prescribed
regulations necessary to accomplish the purpose for which the variance is sought and which is consistent
with the stated intent of this code.
6. That granting of the variance shall result in greater convenience to the public in identifying
the business location for which a sign code variance is sought.
7. That the granting of the variance will not constitute a public nuisance or adversely affect
the public safety.
B. The proposed variance shall not interfere with the location and identification of adjacent
business buildings or activities.
19.12.070 Fees Permanent signs.
At the time of application for a permit to erect or install a sign or device controlled by this code, the
Planning Department shall collect a minimum fee of $50.00 or 50 cents per square foot of total sign face
area, whichever is greater. This fee does not include the costs of engineering checks nor of electrical or
other inspections required by other appropriate agencies.
19.12.080 Fees Temporary signs.
For the installation of temporary signs, banners, streamers, and other special permit signs as provided in
TMC Chapter 19.24, the permit fee shall be $25.00.
19.12.090 Fees Work started prior to permit issuance.
Where work for which a permit is required by this code is started prior to obtaining a permit, the fees
specified in TMC 19.12.070 and .080 shall be doubled, but the payment of such double fee shall not
relieve any person from fully complying with the requirements of this code in the execution of the work
nor from any other penalties prescribed herein.
19.12.110 Maintenance and removal of signs.
A. All signs together with their supports, braces, guys and anchors shall be kept in repair and in
proper state of preservation. The surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or posted at all times.
The ground area shall be neat and orderly.
B. The Planning Director may order the removal or maintenance of any sign that is not maintained
in a safe and orderly condition. The order for removal or maintenance of any sign shall be sent by the
Planning Director to the person to whom the sign permit was granted, or the property owner if no
authorized permit was granted, by certified mail, return receipt requested. If the action requested in the
order is not taken within 30 days from the date of the notice, the Planning Director may direct the signs to
be removed from the premises. The permittee or owner shall be charged an amount equal to the City cost
for removal, but in no event shall the fee be less than $50.00.
19.12.120 Special permit signs and displays.
Strings or pennants, banners and streamers, festoons of lights, clusters of flags, balloons, searchlights and
similar devices of a carnival nature may be displayed on private property only, by special permit. Such
permit shall be issued only for the grand opening of a new enterprise or the grand opening of an enterprise
under new management. The period of the permit shall not exceed 7 days. Searchlight beams shall not
flash against any building or sweep an arc greater than 45 degrees from vertical.
19.12.130 Revocation.
The Planning Director is authorized and empowered to revoke any permit upon failure of the holder
thereof to comply with any provision of this code.
Section 2. Ordinance No. 1274, as codified at TMC 19.24.010.A and B, is amended to read as
follows:
A. Temporary signs may not exceed a total of 64 square feet in sign face area for all temporary
signs being displayed. The number of on- premises temporary signs shall be limited to no more than two at
any one time. Temporary signs may remain in place for a period not exceeding 30 days, except real estate
A -Sign Code 3 -6 -00 4
signs which may be displayed as long as the property is for sale, or special permit signs as provided in TMC
19.12.120. Portable real estate directional signs (such as "A" boards) are permitted only when the real
estate company representative or agent or seller is in attendance at the property for sale. Rigid real estate
directional signs are permitted provided they are used to advertise a property that is currently for sale.
B. Temporary sign permits shall not be issued more frequently than once per calendar quarter per
business. Temporary sign permits may be renewed for an identical period upon payment of an identical
fee.
Section 3. Repealer. Ordinance Nos. 1274 (part), 1649 Section 1, 1770 Sections 68 and 69,
1796 Section 3 (part), and 1892 Section 2, as codified at TMC 19.12, are hereby repealed.
Section 4. Severability. If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this
ordinance or its application to any person or situation should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional for
any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the
validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this ordinance or its application to any other
person or situation.
Section 5. Effective Date. This ordinance or a summary thereof shall be published in the official
newspaper of the City, and shall take effect and be in full force and effect five (5) days after passage and
publication as provided by law.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular
Meeting thereof this /7 day of 1¢ 2000.
ATTEST /AUTHENTICATED:
d. ahL�,
C�(�+ Jane E. Cantu, CMC, City Clerk
APPROVED TO FORM:
Office of the City Attorney
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK:
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL:
PUBLISHED:
EFFECTIVE DATE:
ORDINANCE NO.:
A -Sign Code 3 -6 -00
Steven M. Mullet, Mayor
5
CITY OF TUKWILA
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. f 9g
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, AMENDING PARTS OF
TUKWILA MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 19, SIGN CODE, TO
CLARIFY AND REVISE STANDARDS FOR SIGN PERMITS
AND TEMPORARY SIGNAGE; REPEALING ORDINANCE
NOS. 1274 (PART), 1649 SECTION 1, 1770 SECTIONS 68 AND
69, 1796 SECTION 3 (PART), AND 1892 SECTION 2;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND ESTABLISHING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
On the City Council of the City of Tukwila passed Ordinance
No. amending parts of Tukwila Municipal Code Title 19, Sign Code, to correct
inconsistencies dealing with real estate directional signage; to allow temporary signage without
permits on City parks property, subject to the pre- approval of the Director of the Parks
Department; to limit the negative visual impacts of special temporary signs and displays, such as
searchlights; and to reduce the number, size, duration, frequency and /or negative visual impacts
of temporary signs; providing for severability; and establishing an effective date.
The full text of this ordinance will be mailed without charge to anyone who submits a
written request to the City Clerk of the City of Tukwila for a copy of the text.
APPROVED by the City Council at its meeting of
Published Seattle Times:
J,- 4 09/ 00 is
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0 /4j /D Jane E. Cantu, CMC, City Clerk