A. 
The Master Sign Program is intended to provide a voluntary process to allow for adaptation of the standard provisions of the Sign Code to the specific needs of larger sites. The signs approved through this process must be integrated into a cohesive design and communication approach for the site, while continuing to meet the overall intent of the Sign Code listed in TMC Section 19.04.020. Signs permitted under this chapter may only list on-premise businesses, products and uses.
(Ord. 2742, 10/17/2024)
A. 
Property owners of premises that meet one of the following conditions may apply for approval of a Master Sign Program to customize the standard Sign Code requirements to their specific site conditions:
1. 
Sites of 15 acres or more, developed with one or more buildings, totaling at least 200,000 square feet.
2. 
Essential Public Facilities within commercial or industrial zones.
(Ord. 2742, 10/17/2024)
A. 
Master Sign Programs are Type 1 Permit decisions in accordance with TMC Chapter 18.104. Approval of a Master Sign Program does not waive the permit requirements for individual signs.
(Ord. 2742, 10/17/2024)
A. 
A Master Sign Program may be approved if all of the following criteria are met:
1. 
The Master Sign Program meets the intent of the Sign Code as well or better than the signage allowed under the standard code provisions.
2. 
The requested deviations from the code respond to the specific characteristics or use of the premises.
3. 
The program complies with the applicable standards in this chapter.
4. 
The existing and proposed signage is integrated with an overall lighting scheme for the project site to create a safe, lively and inviting night-time environment if the site is in a commercial zone.
5. 
No sign-related code enforcement violations on the premises for at least one year prior to submitting the Master Sign Program application.
6. 
The program must contain a schedule for the removal of all non-conforming signs on the premise within three years from the date of Master Sign Program approval.
(Ord. 2742, 10/17/2024)
A. 
Modifications to the following standards may be allowed under an approved Master Sign Program:
1. 
Increase in monument sign total area of up to 25 percent. No increase in height permitted.
2. 
Increase in the area of a flush-mounted building sign, allowed per TMC Section 19.20.50.A shall be allowed as follows:
a. 
For premises up to 85 acres in size, the flush-mounted building sign can be increased to six percent of the exposed building face, up to a maximum of 250 square feet.
b. 
For premises 85 acres and over in size, the flush-mounted building sign can be increased up to six percent of the exposed building face, up to a maximum of 500 square feet, provided that no flush-mounted building sign with an area greater than 250 square feet is located within 250 feet of a public street.
3. 
Aggregation of the building-mounted or freestanding sign area allowed per Table 1 or Table 2 into fewer, larger signs of the same type.
4. 
Up to four additional directional signs. The directional signs must utilize materials, colors and details consistent with the design of the other site signage.
5. 
In no more than one location on a premise, the allowable sign area for an exposed building face may be split between two flush-mounted building signs located on the same exposed building face so long as there is a minimum vertical separation of 20 feet between the two flush-mounted building signs.
6. 
Roof signs, subject to the following standards:
a. 
Roof signs may be allowed only within the TUC zone.
b. 
Roof signs may only be permitted on sloping roofs.
c. 
Roof signs may not exceed a maximum height of four feet above the eave of the roof, but in no case may any part of the sign be higher than the peak of the roof.
d. 
Roof signs may not exceed 40 square feet in total size.
e. 
Roof signs may only be individual channel letters supported by an architecturally-integrated structure.
f. 
Roof signs may not project beyond the face of the building.
g. 
One roof sign may be allowed per structure. One additional roof-top sign may be permitted if the roof-top signs are approved as part of the design review approval of the structure.
7. 
Grand monument signs, subject to the following standards:
a. 
Grand monument signs may be allowed only within the TUC and TVS zones.
b. 
Each grand monument sign would substitute for one of the monument signs the premises is eligible to install under TMC Section 19.20.040.
c. 
Any poles or columns supporting the sign must have an architectural treatment such as brick, stone or wood cladding that is consistent with the design of the buildings on site.
d. 
Sign message area may be increased up to 100 square feet per side, 200 square feet total and the limitation on structure size is removed. For sites over 85 acres, the sign message area may be increased up to 500 square feet per side, 1000 square feet total.
e. 
The sign structure must be set back from the side and rear property lines of the premise a distance equal to the height increase requested or five feet, whichever is greater. The minimum front setback is the smaller of the front yard required in the zoning district or the height increase requested.
f. 
Total height of the sign structure may not exceed the height of the tallest building on the premises, except for sites over 85 acres, the height may exceed the tallest building but shall not exceed 115 feet.
g. 
No more than two grand monument signs are allowed per premises.
8. 
Landmark business wall signs, subject to the following standards:
a. 
Landmark businesses are allowed up to four flush-mounted building signs, one for each wall that faces a cardinal direction.
b. 
The allowed sign area is six percent of the total exterior wall of the tenant space, up to a maximum of 500 square feet.
c. 
Landmark businesses that have a portion of their exterior wall obscured by a structure may place their signage on the structure wall parallel to their obscured wall.
(Ord. 2742, 10/17/2024)
A. 
Any new or amended Master Sign Program shall include the removal of any existing, non-conforming signs on the premises. The applicant may propose a phased schedule for bringing into conformance all signs not conforming to the proposed or amended program, or TMC Chapter 19.36 of this code, within three years. If phasing is proposed, a financial guarantee acceptable to the Director shall be held by the City until the premises is brought into compliance with the Sign Code and approved Master Sign Program.
(Ord. 2742, 10/17/2024)
A. 
A monument sign or grand monument sign permitted under this TMC is permitted to complete refaces and copy changes without having to obtain a new permit, provided ALL of the following criteria are met:
1. 
The monument sign or grand monument sign was authorized by the City under a permit issued on or after August 24, 2010.
2. 
The property owner, or authorized agent of the property owner, was the applicant to secure the permit as required by TMC Section 19.32.075 (1).
3. 
The reface or copy change does not include any structural changes to the sign that result in a change of sign or message area, modification in sign height, inclusion of a dynamic sign component, or change in the monument or grand monument sign’s location.
(Ord. 2742, 10/17/2024)
A. 
In addition to the signs otherwise allowed under the Master Sign Program, the City may allow by development agreement on property adjacent to two interstate highways, installation of one sign intended to attract and welcome visitors to the Tukwila Urban Center area of the City. The standards for such a sign shall be set forth in the development agreement.
(Ord. 2742, 10/17/2024)
A. 
After approval of a Master Sign Program, no permanent signs shall be erected, placed, painted or maintained, except in conformance with such plan, and such plan shall be enforced in the same way as any provision in this code. The Master Sign Program shall be referenced to the lease agreements for all leasable space within the project and recorded on the property title. In case of any conflict between the provisions of such a plan and any other provisions in this code, this section shall control.
(Ord. 2742, 10/17/2024)