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A. Permits Required.

1. No sign shall be installed, constructed or altered, except as provided by Title 18B PCC, without a sign permit first being issued by the Planning and Public Works Department (PPW).

2. A separate permit shall be required for each sign, even if installed at one time on contiguous property.

3. Sign permit applications shall be approved only when intended to advertise or announce a legally established use.

B. Permit Exemptions.

1. General.

a. Exemption from the requirement to obtain a permit shall not authorize any sign constructed, erected, or located in any manner in violation of the provisions of this Title or any other laws or ordinances of Pierce County, including the prohibition against placing signs upon County right-of-way.

b. For commercial signs, repainting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure for which a permit has previously been issued shall not require a new sign permit, so long as the structure, design, color, material, or content, etc., is not modified in such a way as to conflict with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan or these regulations.

c. For noncommercial signs, repainting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure for which a permit has previously been issued shall not require a new sign permit, as long as the structure, design, color, or material is not modified in such a way as to conflict with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan or these regulations. Changing the information on a noncommercial sign shall not require a new sign permit.

d. Changing the advertising copy or message of an approved reader board, theater marquee, or electronic message sign shall not require a new sign permit.

e. Design features of a building, when such features are an essential part of the architecture of a building (including religious symbols) and which do not represent a product, service or registered trademark, shall not require a sign permit.

2. Permit Exempt Signs. A sign permit is not required for the following:

a. Signs not exceeding 2 square feet in area, stationary, and non-illuminated;

b. Memorial signs or tablets, permanent plaques, cornerstones, nameplates, and other building markings that are attached to or carved into the building materials and that are integrated into the structure;

c. Signs of the State, County, city, public service, or utility companies indicating danger, aids to service or safety, traffic control or traffic direction signs, signs showing the location of public facilities, or Adopt-A-Road Litter Control Program signs;

d. Signs posted inside a building and not visible from outside the building and any sign that is not visible off site except for parking lot signage regulated pursuant to PCC 18B.20.060;

e. Building address numbers with cumulative area of 8 square feet or less;

f. Community service club signs;

g. Community plan area identification signs at locations authorized in individual community plans, not to exceed 6 square feet in size, and posted by governmental entities;

h. Governmental or official notices, flags, emblems, or insignia; and

i. Temporary signs as described in PCC 18B.10.040, Temporary Signs.

C. Permit Application Submittal.

1. Sign permit applications are accepted by the Department as being fully complete when they include all the necessary information as identified on the applicable submittal standard, the appropriate fees, and any other pertinent information as the Department may require to insure compliance with the provisions of Title 18B PCC. See Chapter 18.40 PCC for details about the application filing process.

2. For multi-tenant and multi-building complexes, unless the request is like for like (or smaller) replacement of an existing sign, or if the request is consistent with a master sign plan previously approved by the Department, the applicant shall provide:

a. A site plan showing the location of each wall and freestanding sign;

b. Drawings, renderings, and/or photographs of each sign; and

c. The dimensions and materials used for each sign.

D. Compliance with Building Codes. All signs authorized through Title 18B PCC shall comply with the International Building Code or other building codes adopted by the County for structural requirements.

(Ord. 2022-5s2 § 1, 2022; Ord. 2017-12s § 2 (part), 2017; Ord. 2014-42 § 3 (part), 2014; Ord. 2013-85 § 1 (part), 2013; Ord. 2013-30s2 § 6 (part), 2013; Ord. 2009-21 § 1, 2009; Ord. 2008-56s § 1 (part), 2008; Ord. 2007-85s § 3 (part), 2007; Ord. 2004-52s § 4 (part), 2004; Ord. 2002-22s § 2 (part), 2002; Ord. 2000-55s § 1 (part), 2000; Ord. 99-68 § 4, 1999; Ord. 97-84 § 3 (part), 1997)