Those looking to advertise services and goods, or tout political candidates, must follow the city’s newly clarified regulations or face a fee to reclaim illegally placed signs.

Federal Way’s sign code, which regulates where private signs are allowed along the city’s roadways, has been better defined — and staff will not hesitate to remove illegally placed materials, building official Lee Bailey said.

In the past, city staff would find campaign, yard sale or real estate signs that appeared to be placed in the right-of-way, but because the city’s code was not clearly defined, the question reoccurred as to what was legal.

“There is no stripe painted on the ground, so it’s hard to figure out where that right-of-way is,” Bailey said.

Staff hesitated to pick up signs unless they could tell the signs were illegally placed in locations such as medians and planter strips or closely bordering sidewalks.

“Suddenly there was a glut of signs and real estate signs placed inappropriately,” Bailey said.

Illegally posted signs can reduce motorists’ visibility, distract drivers and force pedestrians or bicyclists into the roadway, according to the King County Elections Web site, www.metrokc.gov/elections. Additionally, city and county road crews must spend time removing the signs to perform landscaping or maintenance duties, and county staff must spend time logging complaints about the illegally placed signs.

When the city began to crack down on its sign code and started confiscating questionably-placed advertisements, the public responded negatively, Bailey said. The city was told the right-of-way boundaries were not clear enough.

In an effort to assist both city staff and the public, the sign code’s right-of-way boundaries have been clarified. Signs must be placed behind the utility marker (fire hydrants, utility boxes or telephone poles), farthest from the street, even if multiple markers are located in one area.

They may not be placed near the curb and gutter or in the median. They cannot be placed at the edge of the sidewalk or in planting strips. Placing signs in triangle patches of grass or landscaping near turn lanes is illegal. Posting signs on light poles or fences is not allowed. Any area in the right-of-way is off limits.

Code compliance officers have been instructed to photograph signs in violation of the code before removing them. Once removed, the signs will be held by the city for 15 days, Bailey said. If the owner wishes to reclaim that sign, he or she must make an appointment to do so by calling City Hall. A $5 per sign fee is also charged.

Because several signs placed throughout the year belong to real estate agencies, the city sent each establishment in the South King County area notification of its sign code, Bailey said.

Contact Jacinda Howard: jhoward@fedwaymirror.com or (253) 925-5565.

Information on where a sign can legally be placed can also be found at the city’s Web site at www.cityoffederalway.com or at City Hall, 33325 8th Ave. S.