# Sign Regulations in Washington, Utah

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Washington, Utah, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Washington, Utah (UT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/utah/washington
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Washington, Utah regulates 19 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Monuments in the OS, A, RA, R-1, R-2, R-3, MH, PUD3 zoning district are capped at 6 feet maximum tall and Up to 64 square feet, with a 6 feet from property lines setback (Sec. 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE). Most commercial signs in Washington require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 6 feet maximum | 16 square feet maximum per sign | — |
| OS, A, RA, R-1, R-2, R-3, MH, PUD3 | 6 | 12 feet maximum | Up to 128 square feet | — |
| AP, C-1, C-2, C-3 | 9 | 25 feet maximum | Up to 128 square feet | — |
| C-2, C-3, I-1, I-2, BP | 12 | 50 feet maximum | Up to 400 square feet | — |
| C-3, I-1, I-2 | 1 | 50 feet maximum | 672 square feet maximum | — |
| PCD | 1 | Signage plan required | Signage plan required | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### OS, A, RA, R-1, R-2, R-3, MH, PUD3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction | 12 feet maximum | 24 square feet maximum (aggregate total) | — | 12 feet from property lines | — | On private property | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Awning, Flat, Marquee or Wall | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to the wall of the main structure | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Monument | 6 feet maximum | Up to 64 square feet | — | 6 feet from property lines | 1 sign per street frontage | On private property | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Property | 6 feet maximum | 6 square feet maximum | — | — | 1 sign per lot or parcel per street frontage | On private property | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Development Promotional | 12 feet maximum | Up to 128 square feet | — | 12 feet from property lines | — | On private property | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Window | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |

### AP, C-1, C-2, C-3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction | 12 feet maximum | 32 square feet maximum | — | 12 feet from property lines | — | On private property | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Development Promotional | 12 feet maximum | Up to 96 square feet | — | 12 feet from property lines | — | On private property | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Awning, Flat, Marquee or Wall (Street Frontage) | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to the wall of the main structure | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Awning, Flat, Marquee or Wall (Internal Property Line) | — | — | — | — | — | Attached to the wall of the main structure | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Freestanding (except monument type signs) | 25 feet maximum | Up to 128 square feet | — | 10 feet from property lines | 1 sign per street frontage | On private property | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Monument | 6 feet maximum | Up to 64 square feet | — | 6 feet from property lines | 1 sign per street frontage | On private property | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Projecting | — | 24 square feet maximum | — | — | — | Attached to the wall(s) of the main structure(s), projecting no more than 6 feet from wall(s), nor beyond private property | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Property | 6 feet maximum | 32 square feet maximum | — | — | 1 sign per lot or parcel per street frontage | On private property | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |

### C-2, C-3, I-1, I-2, BP

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction | 12 feet maximum | 32 square feet maximum | — | 12 feet from property lines | — | On private property | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Development Promotional | 20 feet maximum | Up to 96 square feet | — | 12 feet from property lines | — | On private property | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Freestanding (except monument type signs) (Standard) | 35 feet maximum | Up to 400 square feet | — | 10 feet from property lines | 1 sign per each 300 feet of street frontage or part thereof | On private property | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Freestanding (except monument type signs) (Freeway Exit) | 50 feet maximum | Up to 400 square feet | — | 10 feet from property lines | 1 sign per each 300 feet of street frontage or part thereof | Within 1,500 feet of a freeway exit | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE and footnotes |
| Monument | 6 feet maximum | Up to 64 square feet | — | 6 feet from property lines | 1 sign per each 300 feet of street frontage or part thereof | On private property | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Projecting | — | 24 square feet maximum | — | — | — | Attached to wall(s) of the main structure(s), projecting no more than 6 feet from the wall(s) nor beyond the private property | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Property | 6 feet maximum | 32 square feet maximum | — | — | 1 sign per lot or parcel per street frontage | On private property | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |
| Roof (Street Frontage) | 10 feet maximum | — | — | — | — | On the parapet wall(s) or roof surface(s) of the main structure(s), but not projecting above the top of parapet wall(s) or the highest peak(s) of the roof surface(s) onto which it is attached | — | 9-18-21: SIGN REGULATIONS BY ZONE |

## Prohibited signs in Washington

- Abandoned signs are prohibited in any zone.
- A-frame signs are prohibited in any zone.
- Roof signs that are animated, project above the roofline or parapet wall, and/or have exposed mounting brackets and hardware are prohibited in any zone.
- Snipe signs are prohibited in any zone.
- Any truck, trailer or other vehicle conspicuously or regularly parked on or off premises with an advertising message or logo displayed to attract attention to a business, product or promotion is prohibited if determined by the zoning administrator to be used for advertising.
- Graffiti is prohibited in any zone.
- Spotlights or beacons directed into the night sky are prohibited except as part of an approved promotional period for temporary signs.
- Off premises signs (including billboards) are prohibited except as otherwise provided in the chapter.
- Portable signs are prohibited except as otherwise provided in the chapter.
- Signs attached to or on public property are prohibited except as otherwise provided in the chapter.
- No sign shall be erected, altered or maintained so as to obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window or door opening.
- No sign shall be attached in any manner that will interfere with any ventilation opening.
- No sign shall be suspended by nonrigid attachments that allow the sign to swing in the wind.
- No sign shall be constructed, placed, or modified in violation of any city ordinance, including this chapter.
- No sign shall be placed in or over a public right of way, or otherwise impair the visibility of traffic, constitute a vehicular or pedestrian traffic hazard, or cause a public nuisance of any kind.
- No temporary sign shall be attached to a utility pole, fence or tree.
- No sign shall be located on or project over publicly owned land or inside existing street rights of way or planned rights of way as identified in the city transportation master plan.
- Animated signs with flashing, spinning or rotating script or pictures are prohibited.
- Animated signs shall not exceed a brightness level of 0.3 foot-candle above ambient light, and must have automatic dimming technology.
- Bright "Day-Glo" or fluorescent colors are prohibited on sign backgrounds.

## Signs exempt from permit in Washington

- Handheld placards and other similar devices traditionally used for public protest and the exercise of free speech are exempt from this chapter.
- Any noncommercial message may be substituted for any commercial message permitted under this chapter.
- Official traffic or government signs, window displays, flags of any nation, government or noncommercial organization, religious symbols, or the display of street numbers are exempt from the definition of 'sign' and are not regulated by this chapter.
- Directional or instructional signs located entirely on premises that do not advertise a business and do not exceed 4 sq. ft. in area or 4 feet in height do not require a permit.
- "No trespassing" or "no dumping" signs not exceeding 16 sq. ft. for a single sign or up to 4 signs at 4 sq. ft. each per lot are exempt from a permit unless more are needed to prevent violations.
- Neighborhood identification signs consisting only of the neighborhood name and/or address do not require a permit.
- Religious symbols, commemorative plaques of recognized historical agencies, or identification emblems of religious orders or historical agencies not exceeding 8 sq. ft., placed flat against the main building, require no permit.
- One monument sign of 32 sq. ft. is allowed for churches, schools, public utility companies, libraries, governmental buildings, parks, public golf courses, and similar uses; a second sign allowed if on an arterial street with more than one frontage.
- Notice/bulletin boards not over 32 sq. ft. for medical, public, charitable or religious institutions and oriented solely to the property's interior require no permit.
- Plaques or nameplate signs not more than 2 sq. ft. commemorating historical, cultural or artistic events require no permit if fastened directly to the building with written permit from public works.
- Flags, emblems or insignia of any nation or political subdivision do not require a permit. Corporate flags must not exceed 12 sq. ft.
- Memorial signs or tablets with names of buildings and date of erection cut into masonry or inlaid are exempt.
- Changing of copy (symbols and/or letters) on an approved sign, except for animated signs, does not require a permit.
- Noncommercial, holiday decorations clearly incidental and customary for holidays do not require a permit, of any type, number or area, but must be removed within a reasonable period after the holiday.
- Political or campaign signs on behalf of candidates or measures are permitted without a permit as stated in the code.
- One nonilluminated real estate sign per lot or premises, not exceeding 6 sq. ft., does not require a permit and must be removed 10 days after sale/rent/lease.
- On premises, noncommercial signs associated with residential uses not of a commercial nature and not exceeding 4 sq. ft. do not require a permit.
- Menu boards incidental to drive-through restaurants (sized and directed to the drive-through lane), and fuel price signs as required by law do not require a permit.
- Public necessity signs installed by a unit of government, and temporary signs posted by the city or government agency for public notice, require no permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A common signage plan is allowed for two or more contiguous lots or a single lot with more than one main building, and must include an accurate site plan, calculation of maximum sign area, number, height, and standards for consistency among all signs. Approval results in a 25% increase in freestanding sign area.
- A common signage plan must be signed by all owners or authorized agents. After approval, no sign shall be erected, placed, painted or maintained except in conformance with such plan.
- If a new or amended common signage plan is submitted for a property with existing signs, it must include a schedule for bringing all nonconforming signs into conformance within three years.
- If a common signage plan as submitted does not meet the objective of preventing sign clutter or having a common design theme for signs, the plan must be revised or taken to the planning commission for approval.
- For property rezoned to PCD (Planned Community Development), a signage plan for each proposed PCD shall be reviewed and approved as part of the rezoning request. Signage plan required.
- If a signage proposal requires further interpretation, the request may be forwarded to the planning commission for review.
- If an applicant wishes to propose or retain a sign that does not conform to ordinance standards, a variance or special exception is required through application to the board of adjustment.
- Roof signs in certain zones require conditional use permit approval and are subject to specific standards.
- Off-premises signs in certain zones are subject to conditional use permit approval and require compliance with additional agency (UDOT) approval.
- Additional freestanding sign area (beyond certain size maximums) may be allowed for a common signage plan with conditional use permit approval to allow adequate public visibility.
- Temporary signs for events or types not covered by the chapter may apply for a conditional use permit.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 6 zoning districts in Washington — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Washington+UT&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-washington

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