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Billboard Moratorium

Moratorium Expired

For the record, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 28003 on July 19, 2011, to retain the billboard moratorium (enacted per Ordinance No. 27982) through November 16, 2011.  The Council also amended Ordinance No. 27982 to exempt from such moratorium vested applications for billboard relocation permits and applications for repair of existing billboards for purposes of implementation of safety improvements mandated by or to federal standards.  

Ordinance No. 28003 - July 19, 2011
City Council Public Hearing Notice - July 12, 2011
Planning Commission Recommendation on Billboard Moratorium - June 1, 2011
Ordinance No. 27982 - May 17, 2011

Background

The City Council adopted Ordinance No. 27982 on May 17, 2011, enacting an emergency moratorium that stops the acceptance of applications to install or construct new billboards or to alter, modify or replace existing billboards anywhere in the City for 180 days. The purpose of the moratorium is to allow the City to further review and consider changes to its billboard regulations. The Tacoma Municipal Code addresses moratoria in Chapter 13.02.055.

The City Council referred the moratorium to the Planning Commission to develop findings and recommendations addressing, at a minimum, whether the emergency moratorium is needed.  If so, what is the appropriate duration of the moratorium?  On June 1, 2011, the Commission conducted a public hearing and made a recommendation to the Council regarding the need for the duration of the moratorium. 

The City Council conducted a public hearing on July 12 to receive public comment on the Commission's recommendation, and adopted Ordinance No. 28003 on July 19 to retain the moratorium.  The Council also amended Ordinance No. 27982 to exempt from such moratorium vested applications for billboard relocation permits and applications for repair of existing billboards for purposes or implementation of safety improvements mandated by state or federal standards.  

 

Billboard Regulations 

The Planning Commission conducted a review of the City's billboard regulations.  The Commission had significant concerns regarding the introduction of digital technology into certain zones of the City.  See the webpage of Billboard Regulations.  


Staff Contact

Shirley Schultz
(253) 591-5121
email


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