17.80.110 Temporary signs.
A. Temporary Signs in Public Right-of-Way.
1. Location. Temporary signs are prohibited from being placed within: roundabouts; medians; shoulders; travel lanes; and areas of the public right-of-way that are not accessible by a sidewalk or pedestrian walking path. Signs shall be no further away than 100 feet from the intersection. Placement of temporary signs shall only be permitted in areas identified on the director’s official map for temporary signs in the right-of-way as updated and maintained by the director. Temporary signs shall not be located in rights-of-way adjacent to city facilities or parks, or any other government-owned facilities and properties.
a. In addition to the standards above, temporary signs in the area on Harborview Drive from Soundview Drive to Rosedale Street, and on North Harborview Drive from Finholm Market to Peacock Hill Drive, are authorized to exceed the 100 feet from the intersection requirement, and these temporary signs shall obtain an encroachment permit in addition to the permit required in subsection (A)(3) of this section.
2. Safety. All temporary signs shall be placed in a manner that is safe for all users of the public right-of-way. Temporary signs shall not block access to structures, parked cars, block vehicular sight distance views at corners, intersections, or block pedestrian walking paths. No temporary sign shall mimic, or be attached to, official roadway signage (stop signs, yield, etc.).
3. Permitting. All temporary signs shall have an approved city permit attached to the sign face. Permits can be acquired online at the city of Gig Harbor website, or in person at the Civic Center at no cost. Permits are valid for 30 days at a time. All signs with expired permits or no permit attached will be removed.
4. Temporary signs in a residential temporary sign area are limited in size to four square feet per side, no more than eight square feet total and shall not exceed three feet in height from the ground when displayed.
5. Temporary signs in a nonresidential temporary sign area are limited in size to six square feet per side, no more than 12 square feet total and shall not exceed three feet in height from the ground when displayed.
6. No sign shall obstruct or impair access to a public sidewalk, public or private street or driveway, traffic control sign, bus stop, fire hydrant, bench, or any type of street furniture, or otherwise create a hazard, including a tripping hazard.
7. Temporary signs shall only be placed in the right-of-way if the sign owner has permission from the underlying property owner. Owners may remove signs without notice.
8. All signs placed or erected that do not meet the regulations will be removed without notice.
B. Temporary Signs on Private Property.
1. All signs placed on private property shall have owner’s consent. Owners may remove signs without notice.
2. Temporary signs on private property do not require a permit.
3. Temporary signs in a residential temporary sign area shall not exceed six feet in height from the ground when displayed and shall be limited as follows:
a. For nonresidential uses, no more than one sign visible from the public right-of-way per tenant space is allowed. The sign is limited in size to six square feet per side, no more than 12 square feet in total.
b. For residential uses, no more than four signs visible from the public right-of-way per lot are allowed. The total size of all signs combined is limited to six square feet; in the case of double-sided signs, 12 square feet is allowed.
4. Temporary signs in a nonresidential temporary sign area shall not exceed three feet in height from the ground when displayed and shall be limited as follows:
a. For nonresidential uses, no more than one sign visible from the public right-of-way per tenant space is allowed. The sign is limited in size to six square feet per side, no more than 12 square feet in total. One temporary banner attached to the exterior of the business for which it applies is additionally allowed and shall be limited to 20 square feet in size. The banner may be displayed for a total of no more than 60 cumulative days per calendar year.
b. For residential uses, no more than four signs visible from the public right-of-way per lot are allowed. The total size of all signs combined is limited to six square feet; in the case of double-sided signs, 12 square feet is allowed.
5. Signs over the size or height standards are considered a permanent sign and shall be permitted under GHMC 17.80.090 or 17.80.100.
6. No sign shall obstruct or impair access to a public sidewalk, public or private street or driveway, traffic control sign, bus stop, fire hydrant, bench, or any type of street furniture, or otherwise create a hazard, including a tripping hazard. (Ord. 1427 § 3, 2019).