# Sign Regulations in Centralia, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Centralia, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/centralia
- **Data last verified:** 2025-06-19
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Centralia/#!/html/Centralia18/Centralia1824.html)

## At a glance

Centralia, Washington regulates 32 sign types across 14 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Single-Tenant Building)s in the All other zoning districts (C-1, C-2, C-3, LBD, M-1, M-2) zoning district are capped at 30 ft tall and 150 sq ft, with a Min 2 ft from right-of-way (per 18.24.210) setback (Sec. 18.24.330(F)(1)). Most commercial signs in Centralia require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (14 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-family and two-family residential districts (R:2, R:4, R:8), Very Low-Density Residential District (R:2), Low-Density Residential District (R:4), Moderate-Density Residential District (R:8) | 7 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| Multifamily and transitional use districts (R:15, R:20), Medium-High-Density Residential District (R:15), High-Density Residential District (R:20) | 3 | — | 25 sq ft | — |
| All other zoning districts (C-1, C-2, C-3, LBD, M-1, M-2) | 15 | 30 ft | 360 sq ft per business (minimum 60 sq ft allowed if business has only a wall sign) | — |
| Limited Business District (LBD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Commercial District (C-1) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Highway Commercial District (C-2) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Core Commercial District (C-3) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Light Industrial District (M-1) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial District (M-2) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Gateway Commercial District (GC) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Health Services District (H-1) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Open Space/Public Facilities District (OS/PF) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Port Master Plan District (PMP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | 16 in x 74 in per organization, or 24 sq ft aggregate if multiple on one sign | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 14 zones)

### Single-family and two-family residential districts (R:2, R:4, R:8), Very Low-Density Residential District (R:2), Low-Density Residential District (R:4), Moderate-Density Residential District (R:8)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary, Nonilluminated) | — | 3 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises | — | 18.24.310(A) |
| Open House Sign (attached to Real Estate Sign) | — | 1.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Attached to existing real estate sign | — | 18.24.310(B) |
| Open House Sign (standalone, if no real estate sign installed) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | 18.24.310(B) |
| Nameplate Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Situated on the premises | — | 18.24.310(C) |
| Temporary Building Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises undergoing construction | — | 18.24.310(D) |
| Permanent Development Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per main entrance | At main entrance(s) | — | 18.24.310(E) |
| Nonresidential Use Sign (e.g., churches, schools, clinics) | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | On premises | — | 18.24.310(F) |

### All other zoning districts (C-1, C-2, C-3, LBD, M-1, M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Single-Tenant Building) | 30 ft | 150 sq ft | — | Min 2 ft from right-of-way (per 18.24.210) | 1 per single-tenant building; see below for multitenant & additional | On premises (not over right-of-way) | — | 18.24.330(F)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multitenant Building) | 30 ft | 250 sq ft sign; 25 sq ft directory sign per tenant, max 100 sq ft total per building | — | Min 2 ft from right-of-way (per 18.24.210) | 1 per multitenant building | On premises | — | 18.24.330(F)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multifamily Complex) | 30 ft | 250 sq ft sign; directory signage as above | — | Min 2 ft from right-of-way (per 18.24.210) | 1 per complex | On premises | — | 18.24.330(F)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Additional for Street Frontage) | 30 ft | 150 sq ft per sign | — | Min 2 ft from right-of-way (per 18.24.210) | 1 per 300 ft over first 300 ft | On premises | — | 18.24.330(F)(4) |
| Projecting Sign (in lieu of Freestanding) | — | — | — | As above | 1 per business | On building | — | 18.24.330(F)(6) |
| Wall Sign | — | 360 sq ft per business (minimum 60 sq ft allowed if business has only a wall sign) | — | — | Per business | On wall/awning/marquee | — | 18.24.330(G) |
| Under-Marquee Sign | — | 6 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per business entrance | Hanging under marquee/canopy/permanent walkway cover, in front of business, adjacent to entrance | — | 18.24.330(E) |
| Parking Lot Signs | — | 20 sq ft per sign, 1 per entrance | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each parking lot entrance | — | 18.24.330(J) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Portable Sign (Sandwich Board/A-Board) | — | 6-8 sq ft per face, 2 faces only | — | — | 1 | On-premises; not on public right of way except as provided in 5.30 CMC | — | 18.24.200 |
| Directional Sign (Govt/Institutional/Civic/Religious Parking/Exits/Entrances) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises, as needed | — | 18.24.020, 230, 250 |
| Civic and Church Directional/Entrance Sign | — | 16 in x 74 in per organization, or 24 sq ft aggregate if multiple on one sign | — | Minimum 25 feet from street | — | At/near city limits, on rights-of-way or private property (with permission) | — | 18.24.230 |
| Political Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per candidate per lot | Private property only | — | 18.24.240 |
| Essential Public Needs Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | 18.24.250 |
| Incidental Sign (General; product info, hours, etc.) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | 18.24.020, 18.24.040(F) |

## Prohibited signs in Centralia

- No person shall erect, re-erect, construct, apply or structurally alter or move any sign without first obtaining a building permit, except as otherwise provided.
- It is unlawful for any person to erect or place within the city: swinging projecting signs; outdoor advertising signs (billboards); flashing signs (except certain electronic signs), signs which revolve in excess of five revolutions per minute, and signs which contain wind-actuated elements; signs attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer parked on private or public property for advertising (except certain exemptions); benches on sidewalks or private property bearing advertising matter (other than as excepted or as authorized as a conditional use); private signs placed in or on a public thoroughfare (except certain required directional signs or other exceptions); any sign which constitutes a traffic hazard or detriment to safety by size, location, movement, content, coloring, method of illumination, or by obstructing vision or official traffic signals; signs not properly maintained, showing neglect, or in a dilapidated or hazardous condition; abandoned signs; signs in residential districts for home occupations.
- Off-premises signs are generally prohibited except by approved variance.
- No sign may use the words “stop,” “look,” “danger,” “drive-in,” or any other words, symbol, or character that would interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- No flashing or revolving red, green, blue, or amber lights shall be permitted on any sign.
- No sign may be erected so that it obstructs vision of pedestrians.
- Signs not properly maintained, showing neglect, or in hazardous condition must be repaired or removed.
- No person shall construct, establish, or maintain any exterior or interior stationary lighting or illumination system intended to be viewed from a public right-of-way, which contains or utilizes: (1) any exposed incandescent lamp with a wattage in excess of twenty-five watts unless a dimmer or sunscreen is attached; (2) any exposed incandescent lamp with an internal metallic or external reflector; (3) any revolving beacon light; (4) any continuous or sequential flashing operation in which more than one-third of the lights are off at any one time and/or uses light over twenty-five watts.
- No sign, except as authorized, may be placed in or over a public right-of-way.
- Any sign which by glare or method of illumination constitutes a hazard to traffic is prohibited.
- Political signs cannot be placed on public property or right-of-way, or on private/vacant property without owner permission.
- Outdoor advertising signs (billboards) are prohibited.
- No sign shall be erected that projects more than allowed distances from property lines, over roof/parapet, or is less than vertical clearance requirements.
- Home occupation signs are prohibited in residential districts.
- Signs displaying upon the windows of vacant stores, except as specifically allowed, are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Centralia

- Official directional and traffic signs, copy of signs, signs not intended to be viewed from a public right-of-way, window displays, point of purchase advertising displays such as product dispensers, national flags, flags of political subdivisions, symbolic flags of an institution or business, gravestones, barber poles, historical site plaques, signs in R:2 and R:4 zones of six square feet or less giving the street number, and other signs of a noncommercial nature are not regulated by the sign code.
- No permit is required for: changing advertising copy or message on lawful electric or painted sign, theater marquee or similar changeable copy signs; painting, repainting, cleaning, repair and normal maintenance unless structural/electric changes are made; real estate signs six square feet or less; political signs; temporary holiday signs and decorations customary for special holidays on private property; incidental signs of eight square feet or less; temporary paper signs in windows not exceeding fifty percent of window area; religious symbols; temporary building signs (2 per project) denoting architect, engineer, contractor or developer, sized not exceeding 32 square feet for first sign and 12 for second; memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, dates of erection; bulletin boards not over 12 square feet for public, charitable or religious institutions located on premises; signs required by law, traffic or pedestrian control signs, signs indicating scenic or historic points of interest, erected by public officer; sculptures, fountains, mosaics, and design features not incorporating advertising or identification; flag of a government or noncommercial institution such as school; official public and court notices; signs painted on or attached inside a window using less than 20 percent of the window; temporary signs 8 square feet or less displayed less than 30 days; essential public needs signs (restrooms, deliveries in rear, etc.) under 6 square feet; signs, banners, or flags of a civic nature or benefit to the community placed on publicly owned appurtenances on rights-of-way with written approval of the city manager, subject to size, design, and other restrictions set by city manager.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A comprehensive design plan (master sign plan) can be submitted for special consideration, potentially allowing height or area in excess of normal zone limits, subject to planning commission approval; applications must include narratives regarding legibility, visibility, site relations, land use characteristics, and include renderings. Approval may require conditions.
- Supergraphics as part of a comprehensive design plan require final approval through a hearing examiner in accordance with the variance procedure.
- Applications for comprehensive design plan permits must be submitted to the building official along with a regular sign permit application.
- Signs not otherwise allowed may be permitted through a variance or special use hearing (e.g., off-premises signs, high rise signs, roof signs exceeding parapet, large temporary signs). These require a hearing examiner/variance process.
- Site plan review (see Ch. 20.84 CMC) is required for all residential projects with more than one unit and nonresidential uses to ensure compatibility with architectural and neighborhood elements.
- New buildings or exterior remodels may be subject to design review areas and additional committees, under site plan/design review processes.
- Any complex development, substantial new development, major remodel, or nonresidential use (including signs as part of building/facility plans) will likely require presentation of architectural, landscape, and sign plans to city or site plan review committees prior to permit issuance.
- The building official may waive submission of structure plans for signs when structural aspects are of minor importance.
- Permit exceptions do NOT exempt signs from compliance with sign code provisions and general prohibitions.
- Certain exceptions for non-permitted signs (per 18.24.040) may still be subject to city or city manager review (e.g., civic banners on public appurtenances, etc.), or additional requirements set administratively.

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

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