# Sign Regulations in Auburn, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Auburn, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/auburn
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-10
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://auburn.municipal.codes/ACC/18.56)

## At a glance

Auburn, Washington regulates 23 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Real Estate Sign - Developed Commercial/Industrial Property “For Sale or Rent”s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 32 sq ft per side, with a If freestanding, must be located more than 15 ft from any abutting property line and public right-of-way line setback (Sec. ACC 18.56.025(D)). Most commercial signs in Auburn require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 42 inches | 32 sq ft per banner (for a single business on a site) | — |
| RC, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-MHP (Nonresidential Uses, Except as Noted) | 3 | 10 ft (highest point of sign structure) | No single sign exceeds 32 sq ft; cumulative area per entrance: 50 sq ft | — |
| R-F, R-NM (Nonresidential Uses) | 4 | 22 ft | 100 sq ft per face (minimum entitlement: one 32 sq ft sign for frontages < 64 ft) | — |
| C-1 (Nonresidential Uses) | 5 | 22 ft | 100 sq ft per face (minimum entitlement: one 32 sq ft sign for frontages < 64 ft) | — |
| RO (Nonresidential Uses) | 4 | 22 ft | 100 sq ft (minimum entitlement: one 16 sq ft sign; does not receive 25% increase) | — |
| P-1, I | 4 | 18 ft | Combined area of the two signs ≤ 120 sq ft; neither sign > 80 sq ft | — |
| L-F | 3 | 30 ft (20 ft on second or third frontage) | 125 sq ft per face (minimum entitlement: 32 sq ft for sites without 64 ft frontage) | — |
| M-1, M-2 | 4 | 30 ft (20 ft on second or third frontage) | 125 sq ft per face (minimum entitlement: 32 sq ft for sites without 64 ft frontage) | — |
| C-2 | 6 | 30 ft (20 ft on second or third frontage) | 200 sq ft (overall per sign), with a maximum of 125 sq ft per face (minimum entitlement: 32 sq ft for sites without 64 ft frontage) | — |
| DUC | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | 10 ft (15 ft where parking lots exceed 500 spaces) | 6 sq ft per sign face (10 sq ft where parking lots exceed 500 spaces) | — | — | — | On-site, guiding to parking entrances/exits/service areas | — | ACC 18.56.020(E); ACC 18.56.050(A) |
| Real Estate Sign - Residential “For Sale” / “Sold” | 7 ft | 5 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On the property for sale | — | ACC 18.56.025(A) |
| Real Estate Sign - Residential Directional “Open House” (On-Premises) | — | 5 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per street frontage (on-premises) | On the premises for sale | — | ACC 18.56.025(B) |
| Real Estate Sign - Residential Directional “Open House” (Off-Premises) | — | 5 sq ft per side | — | — | Up to 3 off-premises signs (or 4 off-premises signs in entire development if multiple open houses) | Along periphery of public right-of-way; not on utility poles or traffic safety devices | — | ACC 18.56.025(B) |
| Real Estate Sign - Undeveloped Commercial/Industrial Property “For Sale or Rent” | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On property for sale or rent | — | ACC 18.56.025(C) |
| Real Estate Sign - Developed Commercial/Industrial Property “For Sale or Rent” | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side | — | If freestanding, must be located more than 15 ft from any abutting property line and public right-of-way line | 1 per street frontage | On property; if the building face is less than 10 ft from the building line, sign must be placed on the building or in a window | — | ACC 18.56.025(D) |
| Real Estate Sign - Undeveloped Residential Property “For Sale” | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per side (if ≤ 5 sq ft, see setback exception) | — | If sign area > 5 sq ft, must be placed more than 30 ft from the abutting property line | 1 per street frontage | On property for sale | — | ACC 18.56.025(E) |
| Real Estate Sign - Additional Temporary Off-Premises Signs (Special Permit) - Option 1 | 42 inches | 5 sq ft per side | — | — | Number determined by Director | Along periphery of public right-of-way; not attached to utility poles or traffic safety devices | — | ACC 18.56.025(F) |

### C-1 (Nonresidential Uses)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 22 ft | 100 sq ft per face (minimum entitlement: one 32 sq ft sign for frontages < 64 ft) | — | — | 1 per frontage; not to exceed 2 total | On-site | — | ACC 18.56.040(B)(1)-(2)(a)-(d) |
| Wall Sign (Building or Tenant Space) | — | 100 sq ft (minimum entitlement: one 16 sq ft sign; does not receive 25% increase) | — | — | 1 per frontage | On building facade | — | ACC 18.56.040(B)(1), (3)(a)-(c) |
| Suspended Sign (Under Marquee/Canopy) | — | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per entrance | Attached to and suspended from a marquee or canopy | — | ACC 18.56.040(B)(4) |
| Projecting Sign (In Lieu of Permitted Freestanding Sign) | Subject to height requirement of the zoning district | — | — | — | 1 (in lieu of a freestanding sign) | Projecting from building wall | — | ACC 18.56.040(B)(5)(b)-(d) |
| Changing Message Center Sign (CMC) | — | — | — | — | ≤ 1 per street frontage | Only on frontages along a collector, minor, or principal arterial street | — | ACC 18.56.030(F)(1), (2)-(7); 18.56.030(D)(1)-(2) |

### C-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 ft (20 ft on second or third frontage) | 200 sq ft (overall per sign), with a maximum of 125 sq ft per face (minimum entitlement: 32 sq ft for sites without 64 ft frontage) | — | — | Up to 2 per frontage; not to exceed 4 total | On-site | — | ACC 18.56.040(E)(1)(a)-(e) |
| Wall Sign (Building or Tenant Space) | — | 125 sq ft | — | — | — | On building facade | — | ACC 18.56.040(E)(2) |
| Projecting Sign (In Lieu of Permitted Freestanding Sign) | Subject to height requirement of the zoning district | — | — | — | 1 (in lieu of a freestanding sign) | Projecting from building wall | — | ACC 18.56.040(E)(3)(a)-(c) |
| Suspended Sign (Under Marquee/Canopy) | Maximum placement height: 25 ft | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 | Attached to and suspended from a marquee or canopy | — | ACC 18.56.040(E)(4)(a)-(d) |
| Off-Premises Sign | 20 ft | — | — | — | 1 per business and 1 per parcel | Must be located in a zone that permits off-premises signs; within 750 ft of the business being advertised | — | ACC 18.56.040(E)(5)(a)-(h) |
| Changing Message Center Sign (CMC) | — | — | — | — | ≤ 1 per street frontage | — | — | ACC 18.56.030(F)(1), (2)-(7) |

## Prohibited signs in Auburn

- Swinging projecting signs are prohibited citywide.
- Portable signs are prohibited except where expressly permitted by the code (e.g., real estate signs and specific allowances in the C-2 zone and ACC 18.29.060(I)).
- Banners, pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, rotating or blinking lights, strings of lights, and similar devices are prohibited except as allowed under the Temporary Signs provisions.
- Flashing signs are prohibited except as allowed under the Sign Lighting Provisions.
- Changing message center signs are prohibited except where expressly allowed in specified zones (I, P-1, C-1, C-2, M-1, M-2).
- Signs attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer parked on private or public property that is not associated with the business advertised are prohibited (with exceptions for normal business vehicle identification, automobile-for-sale signs, and franchised buses/taxis).
- Private signs placed in or on a public right-of-way are prohibited except as expressly permitted by this chapter.
- Any sign that constitutes a traffic hazard or detriment to traffic safety, impairs driver or pedestrian vision, distracts from the visibility of traffic control devices, or misleads/confuses traffic is prohibited.
- Any sign or advertising structure or supporting structure that is torn, damaged, defaced, or destroyed is prohibited.
- Signs attached to poles installed by governmental agencies, utility poles, trees, rocks, or other natural features are prohibited.
- Signs attached to benches, garbage cans, or other street furniture located within the public right-of-way are prohibited.
- Rotating signs are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Any sign that does not structurally or materially conform to the city's adopted International Building Code is prohibited.
- Exterior or interior lighting systems intended to be viewed from a street that utilize any of the following are prohibited: exposed incandescent lamps over 25 watts; exposed incandescent lamps with metallic or external reflectors; revolving beacon lights; or continuous/sequential flashing operation (except as allowed for changing message center signs).

## Signs exempt from permit in Auburn

- Flags of a government or noncommercial institutions such as schools (flagpoles are treated as structures).
- Official public notices and official court notices.
- Incidental signs (e.g., restrooms, hours of operation, entrances/exits, help wanted, property control/warning signs, plaques/tablets integrated into a building).
- Signs not visible from a public right-of-way.
- Lettering or symbols painted directly onto or magnetically flush-mounted onto an operable vehicle.
- Painting, repainting, cleaning, repairing, and other normal maintenance of signs, provided no structural or electrical changes are made.
- Religious symbols not attached to a permitted sign.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, dates of erection, and similar elements incorporated into building materials or the facade.
- Signs required by law; traffic or pedestrian control signs; signs indicating scenic or historic points of interest, erected by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of public duty.
- Sculptures, fountains, mosaics, and design features that do not incorporate advertising or identification.
- Temporary signs limited exclusively to noncommercial speech.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The planning, building and community director may require a master sign plan for development proposals to ensure a consistent and coordinated signage scheme; master signage plans must be recorded.
- Under an approved master sign plan, the director may authorize signs greater in area and height than otherwise allowed in the applicable zone when part of a coordinated signage scheme.
- Administrative deviations: The director may grant up to a 50% deviation from sign height and sign area when specific findings are met; applications must include a memorandum addressing criteria and a detailed site plan/elevations; a written decision is issued within seven business days after a complete submittal; decisions may be appealed to the hearing examiner (ACC 18.70.050).
- Variances: Requests exceeding the 50% deviation or not related to sign height or area must be processed as a variance in accordance with ACC 18.70.010.

## 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 10 zoning districts in Auburn — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Auburn+WA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-auburn

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