By Marian Berejikian, Friends of Pierce County

Hello everyone:  There are changes to Pierce County code for development and signs being considered. It looks like electronic message signs will be allowed in school and other areas with urban areas. Also, it looks like sign directed towards 16 and 302 will be allowed under a variance process. Please check out the website for any changes in your community: http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/index.aspx?NID=3295

Please see below for more information.

The next Planning Commission meeting is on April 23 at 9:00 am at Pierce County’s Annex – Public Meeting Room, 2401 So. 35th St., Tacoma.

Please send or submit your written comments to the Pierce County Planning Commission, 2401 So. 35th Street, Tacoma, WA 98409, or email comments to tfairba@co.pierce.wa.us
If you wish your comments to be distributed to the Commission in advance of a hearing, comments must be received by the Clerk of the Commission in the Planning Office a week before
the hearing (April 15th). If you want to deliver your written comments at the public hearing, please provide ten (10) copies to the Clerk of the Commission.

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Pierce County Code Consolidation & Efficiency Project

Similar to the previous three phases of code consolidation, for Phase IV, PALS staff has analyzed the development regulations for instances of duplication and/or inconsistency.  Where appropriate, such regulations have been consolidated to one countywide standard.  Regulations unique to the character of a specific community have been left as a regulation applicable only in that community.

Significant components of the fourth phase of code consolidation include:

• Consolidation of the density and dimension tables (Title 18A)
• Consolidation of the sign code (Title 18B)
• Consolidation of temporary event regulations (Tiles 5, 8, 12,      18A)
• Title 18B  go here to get full text – http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/23065

·        Pierce County Code Consolidation
·        Title 18B
·        Development Regulations – Signs
·        General sign regulations have been consolidated to countywide standards, they include: Placement and Location, Accuracy and Design, Setbacks, Building and Wall Signs, Freestanding Pole and Monument Signs, Parking Lot Signage, Off Premises, Signs, Electronic Message Signs, Sign Illumination, and
·        Chapter 18B.20
·        Countywide Sign Design Regulations.
·        The temporary sign section has been reorganized to clarify general regulations that apply to all temporary signs due to the prevalence and variety of temporary signs throughout the County, 18B.10.040.
·        An administrative sign variance option has been added, similar to the recently approved land use administrative variance, 18B.10.080.
·        As requested by Council, a new section has been added for Electronic Message Signs to be allowed in all urban areas for schools, public safety facilities and regional parks, with restrictions, 18B.20.080
·        Sign tables that limit the size of signs for each individual community remain unconsolidated
·        Chapter 18B.30
·        The definitions necessary to implement and understand the sign code have been moved from Title 18 to Title 18B, Chapter 18B.60
·        Regulations relating to Billboards have been moved to Title 18A, because they are regulated as a use type rather than as a sign type

18B.30.060 Gig Harbor Peninsula Community Plan Area.
The following regulations apply to signs within the Gig Harbor Peninsula Community Plan area, in addition to the Countywide Sign Design Regulations of this Title of Chapter 18B.20 PCC.A.
Prohibited Signs. Signs directed specifically and primarily at SR 16 and SR 302 are generally prohibited in addition to those prohibited in PCC 18B.10.060 B, Pierce County. See PCC 18B.30.060 B below for additional information about Areas of Special Control within the Gig Harbor Peninsula Community Plan area.
B. Areas of Special Control.
It is recognized that the regulations provided in Title 18B PCC may not adequately handle all of the street graphic situations in an area as diverse as the Gig Harbor Peninsula. Therefore, the following areas shall be subject to special controls:
1.SR-16 and SR-302. On-site signs may be incidentally visible to SR 16 and SR-302 or other State highways provided that they conform to the design elements of the zone in which they lie and the thoroughfare (other than SR-16 and SR-302) toward which they are oriented, and provided that no alteration or modification of structure or landscape is done for the primary purpose of gaining or increasing visibility of SR-16, SR-302, etc., traffic.
a. As part of a proposed development, signs or graphics directed specifically and primarily at SR-16, SR 302, etc., are generally prohibited; however, it is recognized that certain cases may arise where such policy may cause undue hardship or be unduly restrictive. In such case, application for adjustment may be made through the variance process, described in PCC 18B.10.080.
2. Scenic Vistas. Scenic vistas and viewpoints indicated in, or as a result of, a community plan;
3. Commercial Concentrations. Urban and strip concentrations of commercial development are areas whose character indicates that signs should be permitted under regulations which require special consideration. In some cases, these would be more restrictive; less restrictive in others; and unique in still others. Such an urban concentration may be either of the following:
a. A street intersection, square, or similar area which is devoted to intensive commercial uses, provided that driving speeds do not exceed 30 miles per hour; or
b. A regional or community shopping center which is five acres or more in area.
NOTE: Strip concentrations are any street or thoroughfare having commercial activities on each side of the right – of -way and which is:
(1)Adjacent to an urban concentration;
(2)Not more than 1,000 feet in length; and
(3)Does not carry traffic moving at speeds exceeding 30 miles per hour.
4.Areas of Special Control are those with special and unique visual characteristics; special, unique or fragile ecosystems; or those with natural beauty that require special sign regulations to insure that all street graphics used within or adjacent to the area are compatible with each other. Generally, it is expected that sign regulations in these areas will be more restrictive than those which would otherwise be applicable under these Regulations.
a. Unless otherwise permitted by rule or ordinance, only projecting and ground graphics permitted in institutional surroundings will be allowed in this area.
b. In all areas of special control, the Department shall establish the necessary provisions for signs on a case – by-case basis which are more restrictive, less restrictive, or unique in relation to the Gig Harbor Peninsula Sign Table, having regard to the character of the area of special control in question. The Sign Table shall be used in conjunction with the Plan and the provisions of this Title in evaluating proposed signs in areas of special control

Marian Berejikian, Friends of Pierce County
P. O. Box 2084, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
(253) 851-9524