This title shall be hereinafter known as the “Tukwila Sign and Visual Communication Code.” It may be cited as such and will be hereinafter referred to as the “Sign Code.”
(Ord. 2742, 10/17/2024)
The purpose of this code is to enhance the City’s aesthetic character; to protect the public health, safety and welfare; and to increase the effectiveness of visual communication in the City by providing opportunities for Tukwila businesses, residents and property owners to display signage. The regulations for signs have the following specific objectives:
1. 
To have signs that attract and invite rather than demand the public’s attention along the City’s streetscapes.
2. 
To have streets that appear orderly and safe, because clutter is minimized.
3. 
To have signs that enhance the visual environment of the City, because they are in harmony with building architecture and landscape design.
4. 
To allow business identification that is not unduly hindered by regulatory standards.
5. 
To ensure typical communication and civic discussion is fostered in the City’s residential neighborhoods.
6. 
To allow signs that utilize high quality construction materials, fine architectural detailing, harmonious proportionality, and that serve a multi-modal environment.
(Ord. 2742, 10/17/2024)
Nothing in this code shall relieve any person, corporation, firm or entity from responsibility for damages to any other person suffering physical injury or damage to property as a result of the installation, display, maintenance or removal of any sign authorized under this code. The City and its employees, agents and officials shall assume no liability for such injury or damage resulting from the authorization of any permit or inspection implementing the provisions of this code.
(Ord. 2742, 10/17/2024)
If any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this code or its application to any person or situation should be held invalid or unconstitutional for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of the remaining portions of this code or its application to any other person or situation.
(Ord. 2742, 10/17/2024)
A. 
In the event an application to install a sign requires a level of expert review the City cannot complete in house, the City shall have the right to have a third party assist in the review. In such cases where a third party review is required, the applicant shall reimburse the City for the full cost of the third party review.
B. 
If the installation of a sign requires inspection services that due to complexity or specialty cannot be completed by City staff, the applicant shall be responsible for coordinating and paying a private firm to complete such inspections. Copies of any inspection reports shall be submitted to the City in order to demonstrate the inspections have been completed.
(Ord. 2742, 10/17/2024)
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, noncommercial copy may be substituted for commercial copy on any lawful sign structure.
(Ord. 2742, 10/17/2024)
Nothing in this title shall be interpreted to allow a violation of the City’s Sensitive Area Regulations or Shoreline Regulations. In cases of conflict between the Sign Code and the City’s adopted Sensitive Area Regulations and/or Shoreline Regulations, the requirements of the Sensitive Area Regulations and/or Shoreline Regulations shall prevail.
(Ord. 2742, 10/17/2024)