WHAT IS A SIGN CODE?

A sign code is a document that a municipality has adopted that regulates the height, size, setback, and number of signs allowed based on zone or land use. Signs can only be regulated when seen from adjacent property or from the right-of-way.

The City Council has made Sign Code Implementation part of their 2003/2004 Council Goals. This stems from many related issues, such as City Beautification, Economic Development, Increased Quality of Life for residence and the business community. This has and will lead to the specific acts that will achieve the above purposes.

There have been numerous communications with City Staff and with City Council regarding Sign Code Implementation. It all began in March of 2002. This was the month that new design standards were adopted. Shortly after this staff sent a Notice of Nonconformance letter to all sign owners who had a nonconforming sign. (A nonconforming sign is a sign or sign structure erected prior to the effective date of this Sign Code that does not conform to the provisions of this Sign Code.) As you can well imagine, our office was flooded with phone calls and customers wanting to know what this was all about. This, in turn, led to the re-examination of the Sign Code. The City Council amended the Sign Code on 5/12/03.

New Sign Code

What's Next?	Compliance Dates
What's the Status?	Sign Design Standards
Freestanding Sign Requirements	Conforming Examples
Visual Examples of Pierce County, Current and Proposed Code Requirements