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Billboards are considered a commercial use type as defined in Chapter 18A.33 PCC. See PCC 18A.33.270 C. for a description of the billboard use type. The following regulations shall apply to all billboards located in Pierce County.

A. Moving Parts. Billboards shall not be erected or maintained which have any moving parts.

B. Projections. Billboards shall not be erected or maintained which have any projections that extend more than 3 feet out from the surface of the billboard face.

C. Highway Visibility Restriction. Except as permitted under this Section, no person shall erect a billboard which is visible from the main traveled way of the following streets, roads, or highways located in the unincorporated area of Pierce County:

State Route 512

State Route 16

State Route 302 and Key Peninsula Highway

State Route 410

State Route 167

Canyon Road

State Route 162

State Route 7 (Pacific Avenue)

State Route 704

State Route 161

D. Size. The maximum square footage allowed for a billboard face, except in the Employment Center zone, is 300 square feet with an extension of up to 20 percent of the total square footage for cut-outs or space extensions. Any cut-outs or space extensions shall not extend more than 5½ feet above the top of the billboard, nor more than 2 feet out from the sides of the billboard, and not more than 1½ feet below the bottom of the billboard. In the EC zone, the maximum square footage allowed for a billboard face is 672 square feet, and cut-outs and space extensions shall not be permitted.

E. Lighting. Billboards shall not be erected or maintained which contain, include, or are illuminated by any flashing, intermittent, or moving light or lights. Billboards shall not include lighting unless it is so effectively shielded as to prevent beams or rays of light from being directed at any portion of the traveled ways of the highway or is of such low intensity or brilliance as not to cause glare or to impair the vision of the driver of any motor vehicle. Signs found to be too bright, in the opinion of the Pierce County Building Official, shall be adjusted in accordance with the instructions of the Building Official.

F. Spacing. The minimum distance between billboards in all zone classifications shall be 1,000 feet, regardless of jurisdictional boundaries. The distance shall be measured from the outer edge of the billboard. Measurements shall be along or parallel to the edge of the traveled way on which the billboard face is directed.

G. Setbacks. The setback of a billboard shall be not less than 15 feet from a street property line nor less than 2 feet from a side property line. The setback point shall be that portion of any billboard structure that is closest to the property line. Such structures may be built solid from the ground up.

H. Maintenance and Repair.

1. All billboards shall be maintained in good repair in compliance with all applicable building code requirements.

2. Each sign structure must at all times include a facing of proper dimensions to conceal back bracing and framework of structural members. During periods of repair, alteration, or copy changes, such facing may be removed for a maximum period of 48 consecutive hours.

I. Nonconforming Billboards.

1. A nonconforming billboard shall not be changed, relocated, expanded or altered in any manner which would increase the degree of its nonconformity except as allowed in PCC 18A.55.010.I.2 below.

2. When a nonconforming billboard is located on property being acquired for County right-of-way, it may be relocated and a building permit issued if the:

a. Billboard is being relocated on the original parcel at the same distance from the new right-of-way as it was before relocation; and

b. Relocation serves as mitigation of damages or provides for the avoidance of a takings claim as part of right-of-way acquisition. In no event shall permission to relocate the billboard confer upon the owner and/or tenant any rights or benefits pertaining to the nonconforming use that are in excess of those existing at the time of the transfer of title or right of possession of the new right-of-way.

3. Any legally established billboard located in a designated billboard free zone per PCC 18B.55.020, Parkland-Spanaway-Midland Billboard Regulations, shall be deemed nonconforming

(Ord. 2013-85 § 1 (part), 2013; Ord. 2013-30s2 § 5 (part), 2013)