HomeMy WebLinkAbout4729 Ordinance - Amending Titles 17 & 25 Related to Billboards (CA 2024-002)Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 1
ORDINANCE NO. 4729
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PASCO, WASHINGTON,
AMENDING PASCO MUNICIPAL CODE (PMC) SECTIONS 17.10.010,
17.15.010, 17.15.040, AND 25.95.050 PROVIDING FOR OFF-PREMISE
ADVERTISING BILLBOARD SIGNS, AND REGULATION OF OFF-PREMISE
ADVERTISING BILLBOARD SIGNS.
WHEREAS, the City of Pasco adopted its first Sign Code that prohibited Billboards in all
zoning districts in 2006; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pasco City Council desires to expand off-premise advertising
opportunities within the City; and
WHEREAS, the City of Pasco desires that expanded off-premise advertising opportunities
be well regulated in order to enhance and maintain the aesthetic character, to promote the public
health, safety and general welfare, and to increase the effectiveness of visual communication in
the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASCO,
WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That Section 17.10.010 entitled “Generally” of the Pasco Municipal Code
shall be and hereby is amended and shall read as follows:
17.10.010 Generally.
For the purpose of this title, certain abbreviations, terms, phrases, words, and their
derivatives shall be construed as specified in this chapter and are to be used only
for the implementation of this title. Words used in the singular include the plural,
and the plural the singular. Words used in the masculine gender include the
feminine, and the feminine the masculine.
“Alley” means a public street not designed for general travel and used primarily as
a means of access to the rear of residences and business establishments.
“Building” means any structure built for the support, shelter, or enclosure of
persons, animals, chattels, or property of any kind.
“Building code” means the building codes of the City adopted by PMC Title 16.
“Building line” means a line established by ordinance beyond which no building
may extend.
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 2
“Building Official” means the Building Official of the City and/or the person
designated to enforce the sign code by the City Manager.
“Change of copy” means the change of a logo, and/or message upon the face or
faces of a legal sign.
“City” means the City of Pasco, Washington.
“Community event” means a community-wide event open to the general public and
sponsored by a public agency, a public or private school, or a not-for-profit civic
organization.
“Curb line” means the line at the face of the curb nearest to the street or roadway.
In the absence of a curb, the City Engineer shall establish the curb line.
“Display surface” means the area made available by the sign structure for the
purpose of displaying the advertising message.
“District” or “zoning district” means any district established pursuant to the
provisions of PMC Title 25.
“Durable” means a nonbiodegradable material that withstands degradation from the
elements such as weatherproof card stock, aluminum, metal, UV-protected plastics,
treated or painted wood concrete, stone and similar materials.
“Erects” means to build, construct, attach, place, suspend, or affix, including the
painting of a wall sign.
“Face of building” means the general outer surface of any exterior wall of a building
or other structure.
“Facade” means the entire building front or street wall face, including the grade to
the top of the parapet or eaves, and the entire width of the building elevation.
“Fence – subdivision” means a common fence constructed along the rear line of
residential lots that back on arterial streets and constructed as part of the subdivision
improvements.
“Filling station, public motor fuels” means any area of land, including any structure
or part thereof, that is used or designed to be used for the supply of motor fuels;
also deemed to be included within this term shall be: Any area or structure used or
designed to be used for polishing, greasing, washing, spraying (other than paint),
dry cleaning, or otherwise cleaning or servicing such motor vehicles.
“Frontage” means the measurement of the length of the property line or building
front.
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 3
“Hearing Examiner” means the Pasco Hearing Examiner as set forth in Chapter
25.195 PMC.
“Incombustible material” means any material which will not ignite at, or below, a
temperature of 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit during an exposure of five minutes, and
which will not continue to burn or glow at that temperature.
“Mansard roof” means a sloped roof or roof-like facade architecturally able to be
treated as a building wall.
“Multiple-building complex” means a group of commercial or industrial structures.
“Multiple-tenant building” means a single structure that houses more than one retail
business, office or commercial venture, but that does not include residential
apartment buildings sharing the same lot, access and/or parking facilities.
“Nonconforming signs” are those which were lawfully installed, but which do not
comply with the requirements of this title.
“Nonstructural trim” means the molding, batons, caps, nailing strips, latticing,
cutouts or letters and walkways that are attached to the sign structure.
“Parapet” means a false front or wall extension above the roof line.
“Parcel” means the real property on which a business is located or the portion of
real property designated for use of a business. Parcel shall include all adjacent
property used by a business including yards, parking lots, and storage yards. Where
more than one business is located within a building, the property on which that
building is located is considered one parcel.
“Perimeter” means a square or rectangle required to enclose the sign area.
“Periphery of right-of-way” means that portion of the right-of-way lying behind the
street improvement. (See definition for “Street improvements.”)
“Person” means and includes persons, firms, partnerships, associations,
corporations, and other business entities.
“Premises” means the real estate as a unit, upon which is displayed the sign or signs
mentioned in this chapter.
“Private road or driveway” means every way or place in private ownership and used
for travel of vehicles by the owner or those having express or implied permission
from the owner, but not by other persons.
“Projection” means the distance by which a sign extends over public property or
beyond the property line.
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 4
“Right-of-way (ROW)” means that area of land dedicated for public use or secured
by the public for purposes of ingress and egress to abutting property and other
public purposes, including that space between the adjacent property line and the
back of the street and/or sidewalk improvements.
“Roadway” means that portion of a highway improved, designed, or ordinarily used
for vehicular travel, exclusive of the sidewalk or shoulder. In the event a highway
includes two or more separated roadways, the term “roadway” shall refer to any
such roadway separately but shall not refer to all such roadways collectively.
“Roofline” means the top edge of a roof or parapet or the top line of a building
silhouette.
“Setback” means the distance measured on a horizontal plane between a public
right-of-way line or a property line and the closest portion of a sign thereto.
“Sidewalk” means that property between the curb lines or the lateral lines of a
roadway and the adjacent property, set aside and intended for the use of pedestrians,
or such portion of private property parallel and in proximity to a public highway
and dedicated to use by pedestrians.
“Sign” means a name, identification, description, display or illustration that is
affixed to, or represented directly or indirectly upon, a building, structure, or piece
of land and that directs attention to an object, product, place, activity, person,
institution, organization or business. However, a “sign” shall exclude any display
of official court or public office notice, emblem or insignia of a nation, political
unit, school, or religious group. A “sign” shall not include a sign located completely
within an enclosed building unless the public may view the sign from a roadway or
sidewalk, or the context of this chapter shall so indicate.
“Sign, abandoned” means a sign that no longer correctly directs or exhorts any
person nor advertises a bona fide business, lessor, owner, product or activity
conducted or available on the premises whereon such sign is located.
“Sign area” means the total area of a sign visible from any one viewpoint or
direction, excluding the sign support structure, architectural embellishments, or
framework that contains no written copy, and includes only one side of a double-
faced sign. Individual letter signs using a wall as the background without added
decoration or change in wall color shall be calculated by measuring the perimeter
enclosing each letter. The combined total area of each individual letter shall be
considered the total area of the sign. Module signs consisting of more than one sign
cabinet shall be computed by adding together the total area of each module.
Perimeter or sign area shall be established by the smallest rectangle enclosing the
extreme limits of the letter module or advertising message being measured.
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 5
“Sign – awning” means a sign that is hung from and below a building awning or
canopy that may extend outwards under the awning or canopy and over the
walkway or parking area.
“Sign – banner” means flexible material on which a sign is painted or printed that
is attached to a building or displayed on the grounds.
“Sign – billboard” means a an off-premise sign or off-premise sign structure
supported by one or more uprights and braces in the ground or on a building roof
upon which general advertising matter is placed, usually by the poster method,
erected entirely upon private property.
“Sign – billboard, digital” means an off-premise sign or off-premise sign structure
supported by one or more uprights and braces in the ground, erected entirely upon
private property, upon which general advertising messages are changed by any
electronic process or remote control, provided that the change from one message to
another message is no more frequent than once every eight seconds and the actual
change process is accomplished in two seconds or less. The display will operate at
an illumination intensity not to exceed three-tenths (0.3) foot-candles over ambient
light as measured at 150 feet and must be equipped with a light sensor that
automatically adjusts the intensity of the display in real-time according to the
amount of ambient light.
“Sign – blade or projecting” means a sign that is wall-mounted perpendicular to the
building that may extend upwards and above the facade and/or outwards and over
the walkway or parking area.
“Sign – business” means a sign which directs attention to a business or profession
conducted, or to a commodity, service, or entertainment sold, or offered upon the
premises where such sign is located, or to which it is affixed.
“Sign – canopy” means a sign that is painted onto the face or edge of an awning or
canopy that is mounted to the building facade.
“Sign – changing message center” means an electronically controlled public service
time and temperature sign, message center, or readerboard where different copy
changes of a public service or commercial nature are shown on the same lamp bank.
“Sign – combination” means any sign incorporating any combination of the
features of freestanding, projecting and roof signs. “Combination sign” shall
include signs commonly referred to as “fin signs.”
“Sign – community event regional” means a sign that identifies events occurring at
a regional sports/entertainment/convention/trade facility containing 60 or more
acres located within 1,000 feet of a freeway interchange and adjacent to a highway
of statewide significance.
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 6
“Sign – construction” means a temporary sign designating the contractor(s),
architect(s), and engineer(s) participating in a construction project underway on the
same premises. A construction sign may also include the name of the project.
“Sign – directional” means any sign designated and used solely for the purpose of
indicating the location or direction of a place on the premises upon which the sign
is located.
“Sign – directional off-premises kiosk” means a structure erected by the City or a
private party through a license agreement with the City in approved locations
bearing multiple off-premises directional signs.
“Sign – directional traffic” means a sign that is located to guide or direct pedestrian
or vehicular traffic to parking entrances, exits and service areas.
“Sign – directory of tenants” means a sign that identifies the building or project
name and the tenants which share a single structure or development.
“Sign – double-faced” means a sign with two faces.
“Sign – electrical” means a sign or sign structure in which electrical wiring,
connections, and/or fixtures are used as part of the sign proper.
“Sign – flashing” means an electrical sign or portion thereof that changes light
intensity in a sudden transitory burst or that switches on and off in a constant pattern
with more than one-third of the light source that is not constant being off at any one
time.
“Sign – follow-through” means a sign which identifies the location of a business
for the purpose of participating in the Washington State Department of
Transportation Motorist Information Sign Program.
“Sign – freestanding pedestal” means a self-supported sign permanently attached
directly to the ground upon a pedestal base or monument foundation and not
attached to any building, wall or fence (also called pedestal or monument sign).
“Sign – freestanding pole” means a self-supported sign permanently attached
directly to the ground supported by upright poles or posts or braces placed on or in
the ground (also called ground or pole sign).
“Sign – freeway” means a freestanding sign located on the premises where the
business, product or service is located, with said sign being within 250 feet of I-
182, SR-395 or SR-12.
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 7
“Sign – freeway interchange” means a sign that provides only regional
identification for a group of businesses within an area defined by a state-recognized
business association where the businesses collectively occupy a minimum of 15
acres of land.
“Sign – garage or yard sale” means a sign advertising a private sale of personal
household possessions; not for the use of any commercial venture.
“Sign height” means the vertical distance measured from the adjacent grade at the
base of the sign support to the highest point of the sign or sign structure, whichever
is higher.
“Sign – identification” means a sign of an informational nature that directs attention
to certain uses other than businesses, individual private residences.
“Sign – inflatable” means a large balloon or balloon-like object greater than 18
inches in any dimension that uses blown air or a gas to remain inflated.
“Sign – informational private” means a sign placed for the convenience of the
property owner used for the sole purpose of designating property control and
warning signs such as “no trespassing,” “no dumping,” “patrolled by dogs,” etc.
“Sign – informational public” means a sign placed for the convenience of the public
used for the sole purpose of designating restrooms, hours of operations, entrances
and exits to buildings and parking lots, help wanted, public telephones, public
notary, etc. Also included are plaques, tablets or inscriptions that are an integral
part of a building.
“Sign – interior” means any sign attached to the interior surface of the window of
any building or structure, or maintained within the building or structure.
“Sign – landmark” means a sign or plaque that is attached to the surface of the
building or on a site that identifies or describes the historical, cultural, social, or
other significance of a building or site.
“Sign – limited duration” means any sign advertising real estate sales or rentals or
construction projects utilized for a specified period of time.
“Sign, marquee or readerboard” means a sign that displays a changing message
using manually mounted lettering or electronic printout that may be mounted on a
building or freestanding pedestal or pole.
“Sign, marquee or readerboard – portable” means a sign that displays a changing
message using manually mounted lettering or electronic printout that may be
mounted on an easel, trailer, or other movable equipment.
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 8
“Sign – nameplate” means a sign which indicates no more than the name and
address of the resident of the premises.
“Sign – nonconforming” means any sign lawfully constructed prior to the
enactment of the ordinance codified in this title, which fails to conform to the
provisions of this title.
“Sign – off-premises” means a sign that carries a message of any kind or directs
attention to a business, commodity, service, or entertainment conducted, sold, or
offered elsewhere than upon the premises where such sign is located, or to which it
is affixed. Signs identifying a business complex and containing the names of
multiple businesses within the complex shall not be considered an off-premises
sign.
“Sign – off-premises directional” means a sign providing directions to a public or
other community event or facility in a location different than the property on which
the sign is posted.
“Sign – off-premises informational” means a sign providing information about
events conducted at a public or other community facility in a location different than
the property on which the sign is posted.
“Sign – open house” means a sign welcoming viewers to a piece of residential real
estate that is being offered for sale.
“Sign – pedestrian-oriented” means a sign the primary purpose of which is to
provide information for pedestrians and bicyclists.
“Sign – political” means a temporary sign that identifies a candidate(s) for public
elective office; urges a particular vote on a ballot measure in a pending public
election, whether local, state or national; or expresses an opinion on a public issue.
“Sign – portable” means an unlighted business sign, including paper, cardboard,
wood or metal, that is capable of being moved easily and that is not permanently
affixed to the ground, structure or building. This includes a sidewalk or sandwich
board signs, except those worn by a person.
“Sign – poster” means a decorative placard or advertisement intended to advertise
a movie, theater production, video or CD, or other product or special event that is
being conducted or offered for sale.
“Sign – readerboard” means a lighted or unlighted business sign or part of a sign
on which the letters are readily replaceable such that the copy can be changed from
time to time at will.
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 9
“Sign – readerboard, portable” means a lighted or unlighted business sign or part
of a sign on which the letters are readily replaceable such that the copy can be
changed from time to time at will. A portable readerboard is capable of being
moved or trailer mounted and is not permanently affixed to the ground, structure or
building.
“Sign – real estate” means a temporary sign erected by the owner, or his/her agent,
that advertises the real estate upon which the sign is located for rent, lease or sale,
or directing people to the property.
“Sign – real estate directional” means a temporary and/or portable sign that is
intended to assist people finding the location of difficult-to-locate property that is
for sale, rent, or lease.
“Sign – revolving” means any sign that rotates or turns in a circular motion by
electrical or mechanical means and does not exceed eight revolutions per minute.
“Sign – roof” means a business sign erected upon or above a roof or parapet of a
building or structure. Mansard roof signs shall be considered wall signs.
“Sign – sandwich or A-frame” means a temporary portable two-faced board-style
sign that is readily movable and has no permanent attachment to a building,
structure, or the ground.
“Sign – special event” means a temporary sign advertising activities concerning a
drive or event of a political, civic, seasonal, cultural, philanthropic, educational or
religious event or organization that will occur intermittently.
“Sign structure” means any structure supporting or capable of supporting any sign
defined in this chapter. A sign structure may be a single pole or may or may not be
an integral part of the building or structure.
“Sign – temporary” means any real estate, open house, special event, garage sale,
or political sign corresponding to a specific event and displayed for a limited period
of time.
“Sign – tract” means signs used for the sale of real property in a platted subdivision.
“Sign – wall” means any sign or graphic design which is attached parallel to, or flat
against, or is painted on, the wall or exterior of a building or structure having a
commercial message or identification.
“Sign – wall-mounted” means a sign attached or erected parallel to and extending
from the facade or wall of any building to which it is attached. A wall sign is
supported through its entire length with the exposed face of the sign parallel to the
plane of said wall or facade. A sign painted on the wall of a building or a sign
painted or attached to a marquee shall be considered a wall-mounted sign.
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 10
“Sign – window” means any sign which is painted or mounted onto an exterior
window pane, or which is hung directly inside the window, including
advertisements for services or products in the form of decals, emblems, paint,
exposed neon, banners, etc., within three feet of the window pane.
“Sign – window, temporary indoor” means any sign (or poster) of a temporary
nature displayed within a commercial building on the inside of the glass or in close
proximity to the window and may be viewed by persons outside of the building.
“Street” means a public or private way open to general public use including all
classes of roadways and excepting alleys, driveways, and interstate freeways, but
including major internal circulation corridors within parking lots.
“Street frontage” means the side of the building facing a street that abuts the
property on which the building is located.
“Street improvements” means the paved roadway, and adjoining curb, gutter,
sidewalk and landscaping.
“Structure” means anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires
location on the ground or attachment to something having location on the ground.
“U.L.” means Underwriters Laboratory.
Zone, Zoning District. See definition under “District.” [Ord. 4678 § 1, 2023; Ord.
4190 § 1, 2014; Ord. 3909 § 1, 2009; Ord. 3790 § 2, 2006; Code 1970 § 17.03.010.]
Section 2. That Section 17.15.010 entitled “Interpretation of sign allowance table” of
the Pasco Municipal Code shall be and hereby is amended and shall read as follows:
17.15.010 Interpretation of sign allowance table.
(1) The sign allowance table, as incorporated herein, determines whether a
specific sign is allowed in a zone district or by land use activity. The zone district
or land use activity is identified in the left column and the specific sign allowances
are located in the rows of the table.
(2) If no symbol or number appears in the table box at the intersection of the
column and row, the sign is not allowed in that category or is not subject to an
allowance.
(3) If a number appears in the table box at the intersection of the column and
row or in the column or row heading, the sign may be allowed subject to the
appropriate requirement and specific conditions indicated in the table footnotes.
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 11
(4) All applicable requirements shall govern a sign whether or not the
requirements are cross-referenced in the table.
Sign Allowance Table
Permit requirement
| Material restrictions
| | Number of signs
| | | Allowable surface area in sq. ft. (1)
| | | | Height in feet (2)
| | | | | Projection over ROW to curb line
| | | | | | Spacing in linear feet (3)
| | | | | | | Visible ground plane/passage
area (4)
| | | | | | | | Setback from adjacent
property line
| | | | | | | | | Setback from ROW in
feet (5)
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Duration (days)
| | | | | | | | | | | Notes
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Access, landmark, and informational signs - all zones
entry/exit freestanding
pedestal/pole sign
yes durable 1 4 4 5 0 per
exit/entry
landmark wall sign/plaque yes durable 1 10 8 5 0 per
building
frontage
informational -
private (6)
wall sign no durable 1 2 8 5 0 per
building
frontage
freestanding
pedestal/pole sign
no durable 1 6 4 5 0 per street
frontage
informational -
public
wall sign no durable 1 2 8 5 0 per
building
frontage
freestanding
pedestal/pole sign
no durable 1 6 4 5 0 per street
frontage
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 12
Sign Allowance Table
Permit requirement
| Material restrictions
| | Number of signs
| | | Allowable surface area in sq. ft. (1)
| | | | Height in feet (2)
| | | | | Projection over ROW to curb line
| | | | | | Spacing in linear feet (3)
| | | | | | | Visible ground plane/passage
area (4)
| | | | | | | | Setback from adjacent
property line
| | | | | | | | | Setback from ROW in
feet (5)
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Duration (days)
| | | | | | | | | | | Notes
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Permanent signs
Residential districts - RT, R-S-20, R-S-12, R-S-1, R-1, RFAH-1/1A, R-2, R-3, R-4, RMHP
identification -
dwelling unit
wall sign no durable 1 2 8 5 0 per
property
freestanding
pedestal/pole sign (17)
no durable 1 2 4 5 0 per
property
identification -
bldg complex
wall sign yes durable 1 24 20 5 0 per
building
frontage
freestanding
pedestal/pole sign (17)
yes durable 1 24 4 5 0 per street
frontage
daycare facility wall sign yes durable 1 16 20 5 0 per
building
frontage
commercial freestanding
pedestal/pole sign (17)
yes durable 1 16 15 5 0 per street
frontage
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 13
Sign Allowance Table
Permit requirement
| Material restrictions
| | Number of signs
| | | Allowable surface area in sq. ft. (1)
| | | | Height in feet (2)
| | | | | Projection over ROW to curb line
| | | | | | Spacing in linear feet (3)
| | | | | | | Visible ground plane/passage
area (4)
| | | | | | | | Setback from adjacent
property line
| | | | | | | | | Setback from ROW in
feet (5)
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Duration (days)
| | | | | | | | | | | Notes
| | | | | | | | | | | |
school/religious
use (15)
wall sign yes durable 1 24 20 5 0 per
building
frontage
freestanding
pedestal/pole sign (17)
yes durable 1 40 15 5 0 per street
frontage
freestanding
marquee/readerboard
sign (17)
yes durable 1 24 15 5 0 per street
frontage
Office/commercial districts - O, C-1, C-2, C-3, C-R, BP, I-1, I-2, I-3
Composite allowance - all sign surfaces
maximum per
sign
window sign (11) no transparent na 25% 15
per
building/street
frontage
awning sign per
business
yes durable 1 24 15 (2) 8 may
extend
over
walkway
canopy sign yes maintained a 25% 24 (2) 8 may
extend
over
walkway
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 14
Sign Allowance Table
Permit requirement
| Material restrictions
| | Number of signs
| | | Allowable surface area in sq. ft. (1)
| | | | Height in feet (2)
| | | | | Projection over ROW to curb line
| | | | | | Spacing in linear feet (3)
| | | | | | | Visible ground plane/passage
area (4)
| | | | | | | | Setback from adjacent
property line
| | | | | | | | | Setback from ROW in
feet (5)
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Duration (days)
| | | | | | | | | | | Notes
| | | | | | | | | | | |
wall sign yes durable na 25% na 14 0
blade/projecting sign yes durable 1 125 (2) (2) 5 0
freestanding pedestal
sign
yes durable 1 350 15 0 5 0
*freestanding
marquee/readerboard
sign (17)
yes durable 1 48 15 5 0 per street
frontage
*freestanding pole -
tenant directory sign
(17)
yes durable 1 12 35 0 6 5 0 up to 12
tenants per
sign
*freestanding pole sign
(17)
yes durable 1 350 35 0 6 5 0
freestanding billboard
sign (7, 17)
yes durable 1 250 35 0 500 6 5 0 Maximum
25
billboard
sign
structures
in City.
freestanding digital
billboard sign (7, 17)
yes durable 1 250 35 0 500 6 5 0
off-premises directional
sign (14)
yes durable 1 5 15 5 0
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 15
Sign Allowance Table
Permit requirement
| Material restrictions
| | Number of signs
| | | Allowable surface area in sq. ft. (1)
| | | | Height in feet (2)
| | | | | Projection over ROW to curb line
| | | | | | Spacing in linear feet (3)
| | | | | | | Visible ground plane/passage
area (4)
| | | | | | | | Setback from adjacent
property line
| | | | | | | | | Setback from ROW in
feet (5)
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Duration (days)
| | | | | | | | | | | Notes
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Commercial/industrial districts - C-3, C-R, BP, I-1, I-2, I-3
maximum per
sign
freeway sign yes durable 1 350 70 500 6 35 35 per
freeway
frontage
per freeway or freeway interchange
(9) sign
yes durable 1 480 70 500 6 35 35 per 15-acre
site
minimum
frontage
property
and freeway
readerboard (9) sign
yes durable 1 150 35 500 6 35 35 per 15-acre
site
minimum
Limited duration signs
Undeveloped property
Residential freestanding
pedestal/pole sign
yes durable 1 24 8 5 0 15 after
closing
- lot
- tract freestanding
pedestal/pole sign
yes durable 1 60 8 5 0 15 after last
closing
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 16
Sign Allowance Table
Permit requirement
| Material restrictions
| | Number of signs
| | | Allowable surface area in sq. ft. (1)
| | | | Height in feet (2)
| | | | | Projection over ROW to curb line
| | | | | | Spacing in linear feet (3)
| | | | | | | Visible ground plane/passage
area (4)
| | | | | | | | Setback from adjacent
property line
| | | | | | | | | Setback from ROW in
feet (5)
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Duration (days)
| | | | | | | | | | | Notes
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Commercial freestanding
pedestal/pole sign
yes durable 1 24 8 5 0 15 after
closing
- lot
- tract freestanding
pedestal/pole sign
yes durable 1 60 8 5 0 15 after
closing
Construction wall/banner sign yes durable 1 24 8 5 0 const
freestanding
pedestal/pole sign
yes durable 1 32 8 5 0 const
Real estate sales/rentals per building or property
Residential
zones
window/poster sign no 1 2 0 15 after
closing
freestanding
pedestal/pole sign (10)
no durable 1 6 8 5 0 15 after
closing
freestanding sign (10) no durable 2 2 8 5 0 15 after
closing
Commercial
zones (12)
window/poster sign no 1 2 0 15 after
closing
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 17
Sign Allowance Table
Permit requirement
| Material restrictions
| | Number of signs
| | | Allowable surface area in sq. ft. (1)
| | | | Height in feet (2)
| | | | | Projection over ROW to curb line
| | | | | | Spacing in linear feet (3)
| | | | | | | Visible ground plane/passage
area (4)
| | | | | | | | Setback from adjacent
property line
| | | | | | | | | Setback from ROW in
feet (5)
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Duration (days)
| | | | | | | | | | | Notes
| | | | | | | | | | | |
wall/banner sign no durable 1 6 20 5 0 15 after
closing
freestanding
pedestal/pole sign (9)
no durable 1 6 8 5 0 15 after
closing
Temporary signs
Open house -
real estate sales
sandwich - directional
(10)
no durable 4 6 4 5 0 after event
sandwich - site (10) no durable 1 6 4 5 0 after event
Special event - sales, charities, etc.
Schools,
churches,
parks, farmers
mkt, Xmas
trees
sandwich - directional
(10)
no durable 4
6 4 5 0 after event
sandwich - site (10) no durable 1 6 4 5 0 after event
window poster no na 50% after event
window banner no durable 1 16 0 after event
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 18
Sign Allowance Table
Permit requirement
| Material restrictions
| | Number of signs
| | | Allowable surface area in sq. ft. (1)
| | | | Height in feet (2)
| | | | | Projection over ROW to curb line
| | | | | | Spacing in linear feet (3)
| | | | | | | Visible ground plane/passage
area (4)
| | | | | | | | Setback from adjacent
property line
| | | | | | | | | Setback from ROW in
feet (5)
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Duration (days)
| | | | | | | | | | | Notes
| | | | | | | | | | | |
wall sign/banner no durable 1 64 20 5 0 after event
banner - mounted
freestanding pole
no durable 1 10 20 (2) 8 5 0 after event
marquee/readerboard -
portable
no durable 1 18 4 5 0 after event
balloons (12) no biodegradable 15 20 5 after event
Residential
zones
sandwich - directional
(10)
no durable 2 6 4 5 0 after event
sandwich - site (10) no durable 1 6 4 5 0 after event
Commercial
zones
sandwich - directional
(10)
no durable 2 6 4 5 0 after event
sandwich - site (10) no durable 1 6 4 5 0 after event
window poster no na 50% after event
window banner no durable 1 16 0 after event
wall sign/banner no durable 1 64 20 5 0 after event
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 19
Sign Allowance Table
Permit requirement
| Material restrictions
| | Number of signs
| | | Allowable surface area in sq. ft. (1)
| | | | Height in feet (2)
| | | | | Projection over ROW to curb line
| | | | | | Spacing in linear feet (3)
| | | | | | | Visible ground plane/passage
area (4)
| | | | | | | | Setback from adjacent
property line
| | | | | | | | | Setback from ROW in
feet (5)
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Duration (days)
| | | | | | | | | | | Notes
| | | | | | | | | | | |
banner - mounted
freestanding pole
no durable 1 16 20 (2) 8 5 0 after event
marquee/readerboard -
portable
no durable 1 18 4 5 0 after event
balloons (12) no biodegradable 15 20 5 after event
inflatables (13) yes nonflammable 1 350 70 250 5 0 after event
SR-12/395 and
I-182
inflatables (13) yes nonflammable 1 350 70 500 5 0 after event
Political (16) freestanding no durable na 6 4 5 0 10 after
election
* Freestanding pole signs are not allowed of the downtown overlay zone.
1 The area within a continuous perimeter enclosing the outer limits of the sign face,
but not including structural elements, which are not a part of the display. The area
of a two-sided sign equals the area of one side. The area of a spherical, cubical, or
polyhedral sign equals 1/2 the total surface area.
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 20
2 Height: measured from the average finished grade at the sign foundation.
Awning signs shall be at least 8 and no more than 16 feet above the walkway.
Blade/projecting signs shall not extend more than 10 feet above the building facade
or 6 feet from the face of the building.
3 Spacing: the linear distance between signs, or sign structures, in feet.
4 The area under the sign that shall be free of obstructions to allow passage of
pedestrians and vehicles.
5 Setback: shall be that portion of any sign or sign structure that is closest to the
property line.
6 Private informational signs must be for an original purpose and may not simply
repeat the same message over and over.
7 Reserved.Signs visible from Washington State Highways may be subject to the
Highway Advertising Control Act of 1971 and require approval by the Washington
State Department of Transportation in additional to local approval.
8 On private property adjacent to an arterial road: not within 100 feet of a public
street intersection, 300 feet of a residential district, within 250 feet of a freestanding
sign of 200 sf of display area.
9 Freeway interchange signs must be located within 1,000 feet of an interchange,
and 300 feet of ROW, on site of business on a minimum 15-acre site.
10 Square feet per one face of a two-sided sandwich board.
11 Window signs may include credit card logos and advertise hours of operation
and address.
12 Balloons shall be no larger than 18 inches in diameter, not attached to a roofline.
13 Inflatables shall be securely anchored to the ground and not create a traffic or
other hazard in the event of deflation.
Inflatables shall be measured by square feet of surface volume.
14 Off-premises directional signs shall be of the material, color, lettering font, and
structure specified by the Building Official.
15 Excepting Pasco High School Bulldogs stadium sign.
16 Campaign signs on private property are limited to 32 square feet in size.
17 Permanent freestanding pole signs are not allowed within the Downtown Core,
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 21
as illustrated in PMC 25.95.050(2) of the Downtown Pasco Overlay zone.
Section 3. That Section 17.15.040 entitled “Prohibited signs” of the Pasco Municipal
Code shall be and hereby is amended and shall read as follows:
17.15.040 Prohibited Signs.
From and after September 1, 2006, it is unlawful for any person to maintain, erect
or place within the City:
(1) A swinging projecting sign;
(2) Signs attached to or placed upon a vehicle or trailer parked on private or
public property designed to operate as a de facto permanent advertising sign. This
provision is not to be construed as prohibiting the identification of a firm or its
principal products on a vehicle operating during the normal course of business. This
does not include automobile for sale signs or signs attached to licensed buses or
taxis;
(3) Private signs placed in or upon a public right-of-way, except as expressly
provided herein;
(4) Any sign that constitutes a traffic hazard or detriment to traffic safety
because of size, location, movement, content, or method of illumination. Any sign
that obstructs the vision of drivers or detracts from the visibility of any official
traffic control device or diverts or tends to divert the attention of drivers of moving
vehicles away from traffic movement on streets, roads, intersections, or access
facilities. No sign shall be erected so that it obstructs the vision of pedestrians, or
which by its glare or by its method of illumination constitutes a hazard to traffic.
No sign may use words, phrases, symbols or characters in such a manner as to
interfere with, mislead, or confuse the steady and safe flow of traffic;
(5) Any sign or advertising structure or supporting structure that is torn,
damaged, defaced or destroyed;
(6) Signs attached to utility poles, trees, rocks or other natural features;
(7) Signs attached to subdivision fences;
(8) Signs attached to benches on public rights-of-way;
(9) Billboards and product advertising signs; rRoof signs, including signs
painted directly on a sloped or gabled roof surface; strobe lights, lasers; strings of
streamers; and all other signs not otherwise specifically authorized or exempted by
this chapter;
(10) Off-premises signs except those expressly permitted herein;
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 22
(11) Balloons or inflatables attached, anchored or tethered to a roof of a building.
Section 4. That Section 25.95.050 entitled “Development standards” of the Pasco
Municipal Code is hereby amended and shall read as follows:
25.95.050 Development standards.
(1) The downtown Pasco overlay district shall be exempt from the following:
(a) Off-street parking requirements of Chapter 25.185 PMC.
(b) Density threshold requirements of PMC 25.215.015.
(2) The following signs shall be prohibited, within the downtown core, as
illustrated below, of the downtown overlay zone.
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 23
(a)Billboard signs
(b)Freestanding pole signs
Section 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or word
of this Ordinance should be held to the invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent
jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality thereof shall not affect the validity or
constitutionality of any other section, subsection, sentence, clause phrase or word of this
Ordinance.
Ordinance – Amending PMC Sections 17.10.010, 17.15.010, 17.15.040 and 25.95.050 - 24
Section 6. Corrections. Upon approval by the city attorney, the city clerk or the code
reviser are authorized to make necessary corrections to this ordinance, including scrivener’s errors
or clerical mistakes; reference to other local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations; or
numbering or referencing of ordinances or their sections and subsections.
Section 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take full force and effect five (5) days
after approval, passage and publication as required by law.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco, Washington, on this 7th day of October,
2024.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________
Kerr Ferguson Law, PLLC
City Attorneys
_____________________________
Pete Serrano
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Debra Barham, MMC
City Clerk
Published: October 13, 2024