Sign Regulations in Camas, Washington
Camas, Washington has specific sign regulations covering 16 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Animated/Electronic Message Board Signs, Bulletin Board, Incidental Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 5, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Camas, Washington
Sample Sign Requirements in Camas
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Incidental Sign | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — |
| Monument Sign | 5 ft | 6 sq ft per lot | Minimum 5 ft from property line unless adjusted for safety/vision clearance; 10 ft over pedestrian, 14 ft over vehicular area |
| Temporary Sign | — | 6 sq ft per lot | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
16
- Animated/Electronic Message Board Signs
- Bulletin Board
- Incidental Sign
- Monument Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Camas
Other Cities in Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
In Camas, monument signs are limited to 5 ft. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Camas, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Camas, regulated sign types include Animated/Electronic Message Board Signs, Bulletin Board, Incidental Sign, Monument Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Camas, monument signs typically require a Minimum 5 ft from property line unless adjusted for safety/vision clearance; 10 ft over pedestrian, 14 ft over vehicular area setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Camas are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Camas has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Camas, Washington Sign Rules at a Glance
Camas, Washington regulates 16 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Residential and Multi-family Zones zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall, 6 sq ft per lot, and 20 ft wide, with a Minimum 5 ft from property line unless adjusted for safety/vision clearance; 10 ft over pedestrian, 14 ft over vehicular area setback (Sec. 18.15.050 Table 1, Note 1; 18.15.040.B.12, 18.15.040.C.3). Most commercial signs in Camas require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Camas, Washington
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Camas (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential and Multi-family Zones | 7 | 5 ft | 6 sq ft per lot | — |
| Commercial, Industrial, and Park Zones, LI/BP | 14 | 42 in (3.5 ft) | 100 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 6 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Camas
Residential and Multi-family Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animated/Electronic Message Board Signs | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | 18.15.050 Table 1, Note 4; 18.15.040.B.8; 18.15.110 |
| Bulletin Board | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | 18.15.050 Table 1, Note 4; 18.15.040.B.4 |
| Incidental Sign | — | 2 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | 18.15.050 Table 1; 18.15.040.B.11 |
| Monument Sign | 5 ft | 6 sq ft per lot | 20 ft | Minimum 5 ft from property line unless adjusted for safety/vision clearance; 10 ft over pedestrian, 14 ft over vehicular area | 1 permanent sign per lot | — | — | Unlock | 18.15.050 Table 1, Note 1; 18.15.040.B.12, 18.15.040.C.3 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 6 sq ft per lot | — | — | 1 per lot per event/candidate/issue | — | — | Unlock | 18.15.050 Table 1, Note 1; 18.15.100 |
| Vehicular Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On vehicles parked along vehicular ROW | — | Unlock | 18.15.050 Table 1; 18.15.040.B.21 |
| Wall Sign | — | 6 sq ft per lot | — | — | No more than 2 per building face | Parallel to building, not exceeding 10 inches from wall | — | Unlock | 18.15.050 Table 1, Note 1; 18.15.040.B.22, 18.15.040.C.3 |
Commercial, Industrial, and Park Zones, LI/BP
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directory Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | For complexes with 2+ establishments/businesses | — | Unlock | 18.15.050 Table 1; 18.15.040.B.7 |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | No more than 10% of wall area in combination with all other permitted signs on the same plane and visible from public view, unless Master Sign Permit approved. If lot is vacant, max 96 sq ft. | — | Minimum 5 ft setback from property line; 14 ft clearance over vehicular areas; 10 ft over pedestrian. | One per street frontage per business, additional for every 300 ft of property frontage in multi-building complexes | On same lot as business entity; at least 5 ft from property line. | — | Unlock | 18.15.050 Table 1, Note 2 & 3; 18.15.040.B.10; C.4 |
| Monument Sign | 5 ft | No more than 10% of wall area in combination with all other permitted signs on the same plane and visible from public view, unless Master Sign Permit approved. | 20 ft | Minimum 5 ft from property line unless adjusted for safety; 10 ft over pedestrian, 14 ft over vehicular area | 1 per street frontage per lot, either monument or projecting, not both, and not with freestanding | On ground with wide, solid base | — | Unlock | 18.15.050 Table 1, Note 2; 18.15.040.B.12; C.2; D.3 |
| Portable Sign (including Sandwich Board Sign, A-frame, Poster Panel) | 42 in (3.5 ft) | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | One per business entity per lot | On same lot as business entity; must allow 5 ft pedestrian clearance on sidewalk. | — | Unlock | 18.15.050 Table 1, Note 2; 18.15.040.B.14 |
| Projecting Sign | — | No more than 10% of wall area in combination with others on same plane and visible, unless Master Sign Permit approved. | — | — | Only one per street frontage per lot (either projecting or monument, not both) | Affixed to building/wall | — | Unlock | 18.15.050 Table 1, Note 2; 18.15.040.B.16; C.2 |
| Roof Sign | May not exceed max building height of the zone; if unlimited, then max 25 ft | No more than 10% of wall area in combination with other permitted signs unless Master Sign Permit approved. | — | — | — | Over or on the roof of a building | — | Unlock | 18.15.050 Table 1, Note 2; 18.15.040.B.18 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 10% of wall area in combination with all other permitted signs (unless Master Sign Permit approved), or 96 sq ft if lot is vacant. | — | — | 1 per lot per candidate/issue/event | — | — | Unlock | 18.15.050 Table 1, Notes 2 & 3; 18.15.100 |
| Wall Sign | — | No more than 10% of the wall area in combination with all other permitted signs unless a Master Sign Permit is approved. | — | — | No more than 2 per building face | Parallel to building face | — | Unlock | 18.15.050 Table 1, Note 2; 18.15.040.B.22; C.4 |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennant | — | 4 sq ft per pennant | — | — | — | Hung above sidewalk or street | — | Unlock | 18.15.040.B.13 |
| Poster | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Designed vertically; displayed on wall or window | — | Unlock | 18.15.040.B.15 |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Camas are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in Camas
- Signs attached to any telephone or utility pole.
- Signs located in such a manner so that by location, color, size, shape, nature would tend to obstruct the view or be confused with official traffic signage.
- Signs advertising activities that are illegal under state or federal laws, or regulations in effect at the location of such signs, or at the location of such activities.
- Signs emitting pollutants (e.g. smoke, or sound).
- The tacking or pasting of posters to exterior walls, which are visible from the public right-of-way, is prohibited unless otherwise permitted as a sign in this chapter.
- Signs may not be erected, placed, or substantially altered except in accordance with this chapter and the requirements of the International Building Code.
- Abandoned signs must be removed within thirty days after abandonment unless replaced with a conforming sign.
- Signs suffering more than fifty percent damage or deterioration, or determined to be dangerous or an extreme fire hazard, must be brought into conformance or removed.
- Signs placed in the public right-of-way must be located outside vision clearance areas and may not pose a traffic hazard or other threat to human safety.
- It is unlawful to erect or maintain any portable sign in such a position as to obstruct any fire escape or any window or door leading thereto, or within vision clearance at intersections; and must allow for a pedestrian clearance of five feet on sidewalks.
Exempt Signs in Camas
- No permit is required for mere repainting, changing the message of a sign, or routine maintenance (unless it constitutes a substantial alteration).
- Signs not exceeding six square feet in area that are customarily associated with residential use, and that are not of a commercial nature, such as property identification names or numbers, names of occupants, signs on mailboxes or newspaper tubes, and signs warning the public against trespassing or danger from animals.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, or works of art, so long as such features or works do not contain commercial trademarks, moving parts, or lights, are attached to the building face, and do not exceed three square feet.
- Signs painted on or otherwise permanently attached to currently licensed motor vehicles.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, signs required by law, legal notices, or signs of public utility companies indicating danger.
- Flag, emblem, or insignia of a nation or other governmental unit or institution, or nonprofit organization subject to the guidelines concerning their use set forth by the government or organization.
- Signs located in the interior of a building or within a sport complex that are designed and located to be viewed exclusively by patrons within the building or sport complex.
- Permit exemptions for temporary signs as described (though compliance with requirements still required).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Camas
- A Master Sign Permit may allow the size of signs on a lot or within a zoning district to be exceeded, and provides for comprehensive design and placement for both permanent and temporary signs.
- Approval with a Master Sign Permit is required to exceed specified maximum sign areas in Table 1 or to exceed six square feet in area per lot in residential and ten percent of wall area in commercial zones.
- For multiple contiguous lots or business complexes, a Master Sign Permit is required for bonus sign area and for combining sign area allocations.
- Plans submitted for a Conditional Use Permit (Type III permit) or Design Review, if including sign construction plans in sufficient detail to determine compliance, can constitute approval for sign placement.
- Variance from an approved Master Sign Permit (such as additional signs, relocating signs, or other changes) requires a modification to the permit on file.
- General sign permits require submission of site plan and construction drawings for review.
- Certain sign types in Table 1 require a Master Sign Permit to exceed maximum sizes or percentages.
Source: municode municipal code