The type, character, number, location, and size of permanent signs varies with land use categories. The land use categories are established by the FMC. No signs shall be permitted either as a main or accessory use except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. All signs permitted within these zones or districts shall be on-premises signs.
(Ord. 1488-03 § 1, 2003)
This section governs specific sign allowances for residential subdivisions in all districts.
Subdivision Readerboard Sign. Each residential subdivision shall be allowed subdivision readerboard signs subject to the following requirements:
A. 
Residential subdivision readerboard signs containing electronic messaging displays shall be subject to the following standards:
1. 
The display shall not, or shall not appear to, flash, undulate, pulse, or portray explosions, fireworks, flashes of light, or blinking or chasing lights; the display shall not appear to move toward or away from the viewer, expand or contract, bounce, rotate, spin, twist or otherwise portray movement or animation as it comes onto, is displayed on, or leaves the sign board.
2. 
Displays/messages shall either appear immediately on the electronic message sign or shall scroll/travel onto the sign. Displays/messages that scroll or travel onto the sign shall be allowed from one direction only per display. Each display/message shall remain in a static state for at least three seconds.
3. 
Electronic displays shall either have a static display/message (single message that does not change) or the electronic messaging shall be turned off between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
(Ord. 1488-03 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1777 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1833 § 9, 2013; Ord. 2004 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019)
This section governs specific sign allowances in commercial and industrial districts.
A. 
Gasoline Stations. Due to the significance of displayed gasoline prices and special needs of gas stations for identification, gasoline stations are allowed specific signs in addition to the signs permitted by zoning district. Permits are required for the following signs:
1. 
Permanently mounted signs at each pump island displaying prices for gasoline. Such signs shall be limited to six square feet each and to no more than one per fuel pump; and
2. 
One permanently mounted station identification sign on the fuel island canopy. One sign per canopy is allowed. These signs are limited to eight square feet in size.
B. 
Temporary Sign Permits. All lawfully licensed businesses shall be allowed temporary sign permits as set forth in Chapter 16.04 FMC.
C. 
Off-Premises Permanent Directional Signs. The intent of this section is to facilitate navigation to businesses that experience reduced visibility due to their distance from principal arterials.
1. 
One off-premises permanent directional sign shall be permitted subject to the following criteria:
a. 
The subject property must have its primary street frontage on an "access street" or lesser (per city of Fife comprehensive plan); and
b. 
The location of the subject property must be a minimum of 200 feet from a principal arterial; and
c. 
The subject business must show a need for off-premises signage and how the sign will benefit the community; and
d. 
The location of the off-premises sign can only be located at the nearest intersection of the closest principal or minor arterial, excluding 12th Street East, and "access street" or lesser to which the subject property is located; and
e. 
The off-premises site must be located in a commercial or industrial district; and
f. 
The square footage of the off-premises sign shall be included in the subject property's total square footage sign allowance. In no case shall the off-premises sign exceed the total allowable signage for the subject property.
2. 
In all cases, an easement and maintenance agreement must be reviewed and approved by the city of Fife and recorded against all subject properties with Pierce County assessor's office. At no time shall there be any more than two permitted freestanding signs (subject properties and off-site signs) on any one frontage. The sign shall be nonilluminated.
The process for the allowance of an off-site sign shall be reviewed and approved through Chapter 16.11 FMC, Comprehensive Sign Design Plans.
D. 
Off-Premises Temporary Real Estate Directional Signs. A large residential development is allowed a maximum of three off-premises temporary directional signs to guide potential customers to the location of the development. A large residential development shall be defined as a residential subdivision with at least 50 lots. All such signs shall require a sign permit and shall meet the following criteria for approval:
1. 
All such signs must be permanent monument signs constructed of concrete, rock, brick or similar material, or high quality nonprojecting pole signs constructed of durable materials. They may have an interchangeable message area, but must always show the name of the development and its location or direction.
2. 
All such signs may only be located in the following zoning districts: neighborhood commercial (NC), community commercial (CC), regional commercial (RC), and industrial (I).
3. 
No such sign shall exceed eight feet in height.
4. 
Each development is allowed a maximum of three signs; provided, that no single sign shall exceed 32 square feet in area.
5. 
No such sign shall be allowed on the public right-of-way.
6. 
The location of each sign must be at least 200 feet from any other sign of the same type that is located on the same side of the same street.
7. 
All such signs must be located within 500 feet of an intersection.
8. 
All such signs shall be nonilluminated, and no part of any sign shall move or be animated.
9. 
Once the overall development has a 90 percent occupancy of vested lots, or has been under construction for five years, whichever comes first, all related signs permitted by this section shall be removed.
10. 
A site plan, maintenance agreement, and written permission from the property owner must be approved and accepted by the city community development director for each such sign.
11. 
No such signs shall be approved until the final plat for the development is approved by the city and recorded with the Pierce County auditor.
(Ord. 1488-03 § 1, 2003; Ord. 1543-04 § 1, 2004; Ord. 1777 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1833 § 11, 2013; Ord. 2004 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019)
A-Board Sign. A-board signs may be placed in the industrial district subject to the following requirements:
A. 
A-board signs shall only be displayed during the hours the business is open to the general public, but in no event earlier than 7:00 a.m. or later than 9:00 p.m. A-board signs shall be removed and placed indoors between the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
B. 
A-board signs shall not be placed in the public right-of-way, encroach into any portion of a required handicap ramp or pedestrian walkway, or be placed in an off-street parking space or driveway/aisle. The placement of A-board signs in parking area landscape islands is allowed; provided, that landscaping is not damaged or destroyed.
C. 
A-board signs shall be of durable materials and construction, sufficient to withstand environmental conditions that may cause the sign to become detached from the ground (e.g., wind). Cardboard or other similar nondurable material shall not be allowed.
D. 
Due to the portable nature of A-board signs, and the requirement for daily placement and removal in accordance with the requirements set forth in this section, it shall be the responsibility of the sign owner to ensure proper placement. City staff are authorized to immediately remove any signs found to be in violation of the requirements of this section.
E. 
A-board signs shall not move, spin, flash, or otherwise be animated.
(Ord. 1833 § 12, 2013; Ord. 2004 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019)
The following tables are to be used in conjunction with this title:
Table A: Permitted Signs by Type and Zoning District
Refer to Table B for sign allowances and standards.
Sign Type
Single-Family Residential District
Multifamily Residential Districts
Commercial Districts
Industrial District
A-board
NP
NP
NP
A
Construction
NP
A
A
A
Directional
NP
P
P
P
Flag1
A
A
A
A
Freestanding
P
P
P
P
Gasoline station signs
NP
NP
Refer to FMC 16.05.040(A) for specific signage that is allowed in addition to signs permitted by zoning district
Freestanding with electronic messaging display
NP
NP
P
P
Mural2
A
A
A
A
Address identification
A
A
A3
A3
Off-premises directional
NP
NP
P
P
Projecting4
NP
NP
P
P
Real estate – on premises
A
A
A
A
Real estate – off premises
A5
A
P6
P6
Roof
NP
NP
NP
NP
Residential subdivision readerboard (may include electronic messaging display)
P7
P7
P7
P7
Wall
P
P
P
P
NP = Not Permitted
P = Permit Required
A = Allowed w/o Permit (shall meet regulations)
1 Flags subject to FMC 16.02.140.
2 Murals subject to FMC 16.09.010(M).
3 Each business required to display a street address number that is visible from the street.
4 Permitted in lieu of freestanding signs. In multitenant or multibuilding complexes, a projecting sign is permitted in lieu of a wall sign.
5 Intended for "open house" signs.
6 Refer to additional provisions in FMC 16.05.040(D).
7 Shall be ground style and located within the approved and recorded boundaries of the subdivision and only on a tract, lot or parcel not occupied by or intended to be occupied by a dwelling unit. Additionally, electronic messaging display shall be subject to standards in FMC 16.05.020(A).
Table B: Sign Allowances and Standards by Zoning District
Sign Type
Single-Family Residential District
Multifamily Residential Districts
Commercial Districts
Industrial District
A-Board – Refer to Additional Provisions in FMC 16.05.050
Number Permitted
–
–
–
1 per business per lot
Maximum Sign Area (Square Feet)
–
–
–
12
Maximum Height (Inches)
–
–
–
481
Maximum Width (Inches)
–
–
–
36
Construction2
Number Permitted
–
1
1
1
Maximum Sign Area (Square Feet)
–
32
32
32
Directional
Number Permitted
–
4
6
6
Maximum Sign Area (Square Feet)
–
6
6
6
Freestanding: Single-Tenant Building, Multitenant Building3, or Multibuilding Complex
Number Permitted
14
1 per multifamily development street frontage5
1
1
Maximum Sign Area (Square Feet)
10
32
1 square foot of sign area for each lineal foot of primary street frontage up to a maximum sign area of 150 square feet6
Maximum Height (Feet)
–
10
30
30
Properties with Freeway Frontage: Permitted One Additional Freeway-Facing Sign7
Maximum Sign Area (Square Feet)
–
–
250
250
Maximum Height (Feet)
–
–
40
40
Properties with Primary Street Frontage Exceeding 300 Feet: Permitted One Additional Sign8
Maximum Sign Area (Square Feet)
–
–
75
75
Maximum Height (Feet)
–
–
30
30
Properties with Frontage on More Than One Street: Permitted One Additional Sign for Each Frontage
Maximum Sign Area (Square Feet)
–
–
Limited to area not more than 50% of the area allowed for the same type of sign on the primary street frontage9
Maximum Height (Feet)
–
_
Name and Address Identification
Number Permitted
110
Minimum of 1 street address display for each building is required
Minimum of 1 street address display for each business is required
Maximum Sign Area (Square Feet)
Name plate signs: 4
–
–
Height
Address lettering: minimum 3 inches
Numbers shall be 6 to 12 inches tall11
Numbers shall be 6 to 12 inches tall and visible from street
Off-Premises Directional – Refer to Additional Provisions in FMC 16.05.040(C)
Number Permitted
–
–
1
1
Maximum Sign Area (Square Feet)
–
–
16
16
Projecting
Number Permitted
–
–
Projecting signs are limited to half the allowed area of a freestanding sign on the same property12
Maximum Sign Area (Square Feet)
–
–
Real Estate – On Premises
Number Permitted
1 temporary nonilluminated sign per street frontage
1 temporary nonilluminated sign per street and freeway frontage
1 nonilluminated sign per street and freeway frontage
Maximum Sign Area (Square Feet)
Open house13: 8
Permanent display of sale/rental/
lease: 32
Temporary14: 20
Permanent display of sale/rental/
lease: 8
Temporary14: 20
Permanent display of sale/rental/lease: 8
Maximum Height (Feet)
6
12
12
12
Real Estate – Off Premises
Number Permitted
No maximum15
No maximum16
3
3
Maximum Sign Area (Square Feet)
6
6
32
32
Maximum Height (Feet)
–
–
8
8
Residential Subdivision Readerboard
Number Permitted
117
117
117
117
Maximum Sign Area (Square Feet)
32
32
32
32
Maximum Height (Feet)
6
6
6
6
Minimum Setback
10 feet from all property lines
10 feet from all property lines
10 feet from all property lines
10 feet from all property lines
Wall Sign
Number Permitted
14
1 per multifamily development street frontage5
Total allowed sign area shall be calculated by allowing 1.5 square feet of wall sign for each linear foot of lot frontage or business frontage, whichever is greater, up to a maximum of 200 square feet. The maximum square footage may be split into 2 or more signs with a maximum of 3 signs per wall face.
Multitenant building18: Permitted 1 wall sign with an area equal to 1.5 square feet per lineal foot of the length of the business facade up to a maximum area of 200 square feet.
Multibuilding complex19: Each building other than the primary building on the site shall be allowed 1 wall sign. Permitted area is calculated by 1.5 square feet of sign for each linear foot of building frontage. The primary building on the site is allowed 1.5 square feet of wall sign for each lineal foot of lot or building frontage. The maximum area of a wall sign is 200 square feet.
Maximum Sign Area (Square Feet)
10
32
Properties with Frontage on More Than One Street: Permitted One Additional Sign for Each Frontage
Maximum Sign Area (Square Feet)
–
–
Limited to area not more than 50% of the area allowed for the same type of sign on the primary street frontage9
Maximum Height (Feet)
–
–
1 Height shall be measured from the lowest adjoining grade within one foot of the sign to the top of the sign.
2 Sign may be temporarily displayed during construction phases of a development and shall be removed within two weeks of occupancy of the building/facility.
3 Each multitenant building is permitted a freestanding directory sign not to exceed 75 square feet in area and 12 feet in height.
4 Each lot shall be permitted one nonilluminated freestanding or wall sign. If the city of Fife has issued a business license for a lawfully permitted home business occupation, the business may use this allowance for advertising.
5 Multifamily developments may use one illuminated or nonilluminated wall sign or freestanding sign per street frontage, not both. Freestanding signs shall comply with landscaping requirements in Chapter 16.06 FMC.
6 Freestanding signs on the same lot must be at least 100 feet apart.
7 Alternatively, freeway sign may be a freeway-facing wall sign with same allowance for sign area.
8 Permitted when a business, multitenant building, or multibuilding complex has total frontage on the primary street of more than 300 feet. Sign shall be oriented toward the primary street. Freestanding signs on the same street and the same lot shall be at least 150 feet apart. No more than two freestanding signs are allowed on any one street frontage of any one lot.
9 The additional signs shall be located and facing upon the street frontage from which they are allowed and no freestanding sign shall be located closer than 100 feet to a freestanding sign on another street frontage of the same lot.
10 Shall bear only the name of the principal occupant and/or the street number of the private dwelling.
11 Fire marshal reserves the right to periodically inspect multifamily residences to verify compliance with this requirement. Numbers must be clearly visible from adjacent streets and entrances whenever possible.
12 Signs that project over a parking, maneuvering, or loading area must be at least 14 and one-half feet above grade at their lowest point. Signs that project over a walkway or pedestrian area must be at least seven feet above grade at their lowest point. Projecting signs are not permitted to project over a public right-of-way. Structural calculations may be required for projecting signs.
13 Open house signs must be removed when the sale closes or, in the case of a rental or lease, when the tenant takes possession.
14 Temporary signs must be removed upon sale, rent or lease of the premises.
15 There shall be a minimum separation of 200 lineal feet between such signs. Signs must be removed each day at conclusion of open house or other sales event and are permitted only between sunrise and sunset while the seller or agent is in attendance at the subject property. No off-premises sign shall be placed any further than one-half mile (2,640 lineal feet) from subject property or to the closest principal arterial or whichever distance is lesser.
16 There shall be a minimum separation of 100 lineal feet between such signs. Signs must be removed each day at conclusion of open house or other sales event and are permitted only between sunrise and sunset while the seller or agent is in attendance at the subject property. No off-premises sign shall be placed any further than one-quarter mile (1,320 lineal feet) from subject property or to the closest minor arterial or whichever distance is lesser.
17 One additional residential subdivision readerboard sign may be allowed if located greater than one-half mile from another subdivision readerboard sign within the same subdivision.
18 Permitted for any multitenant business that has an outside wall and an outside entrance opening directly to the business. All wall signs must be located on walls in conjunction with tenant lease space.
19 Building frontage shall be determined by orientation to the primary street.
(Ord. 2004 § 1 (Exh. A), 2019)