# Sign Regulations in Chelan, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Chelan, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/chelan
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WA/Chelan/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.58SI)

## At a glance

Chelan, Washington regulates 23 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Monuments in the Downtown Planning Area zoning district are capped at 42" to 6 ft tall and 20–40 sq ft, with a Min. 2' from back of sidewalk setback (Sec. 17.58.060(C)(10)(c)). Most commercial signs in Chelan require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential District | 10 | 42 inches | 50 sq ft | — |
| Nonresidential Zoning Districts | 2 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Planning Area | 6 | 42" to 6 ft | 20–40 sq ft | — |
| T-A District | 1 | 25 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| PLF District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Mobile Home Parks | 3 | 42 inches | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 42 inches | 25–50 sq ft (depending on lot frontage size) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | One per street frontage | On site of construction project | — | 17.58.050(A)(7) |
| Real Estate Sign | 42 inches | 4 sq ft | — | — | One per lot | One per lot; not placed where driver’s visibility might be obstructed | — | 17.58.050(A)(19) |
| Freestanding Sign (Development/Subdivision Identification) | 4 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per entrance | At entrance to development or subdivision | — | 17.58.060(C)(7) |
| Freestanding Sign (Bed and Breakfast, Conditional Use Option 1) | 10 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | One | Within property boundaries | — | 17.58.060(C)(8)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign (Historical Site, Conditional Use Option 1) | 10 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | One | Within property boundaries | — | 17.58.060(C)(8)(d) |
| Freestanding Sign (Home Occupation, Conditional Use Option 1) | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | One | Within property boundaries | — | 17.58.060(C)(8)(e) |
| Freestanding Sign (Parking Lot, Conditional Use Option 1) | 15 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | One per off-street parking area | Within property boundaries | — | 17.58.060(C)(8)(g) |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonconforming Use Option 1) | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | One | Within property boundaries | — | 17.58.060(C)(9) |

### Downtown Planning Area

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Monument | 42" to 6 ft | 20–40 sq ft | — | Min. 2' from back of sidewalk | One per frontage; corner lots may have one per street if separated by 150' | Front yard; min. 2' from back of sidewalk | — | 17.58.060(C)(10)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign - Standing | 6 ft | 16 sq ft | — | Min. 2' from back of sidewalk | One per frontage | Front yard; min. 2' from back of sidewalk | — | 17.58.060(C)(10)(c) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 17.58.060(C)(10)(d), 17.58.060(B)(3) |
| Banner Sign | — | — | — | — | Multiple permitted | On façade | — | 17.58.060(C)(10)(e) |
| Suspended Sign | 1 ft | — | 6 ft length | — | One per business | Hangs under marquee, awning, or canopy; minimum 1' from marquee and 1' from facade. | — | 17.58.060(C)(10)(f) |
| Wall Sign | — | 10% of wall plane | No wider than 80% of the width of the façade or storefront space | — | — | Centrally located on facade; cannot extend above second floor (unless name of building); not above parapet/soffit, or eave line/roof | — | 17.58.060(C)(10)(g) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directory Sign | — | 4 sq ft per business or use | — | — | One per business or use | Wall | — | 17.58.060(B)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign | 16 ft (except gas stations or highway frontage, see additional) | 25–50 sq ft (depending on lot frontage size) | — | At least 10' back from street; min 2' from sidewalk (downtown) | One per parcel/frontage, specifics vary by frontage | Min. 10' setback from street; within yard area; not to block visibility | — | 17.58.060(B)(2); 17.58.060(C)(2) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | Extends horizontally from wall | — | 17.58.060(B)(3) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 42 inches | — | 30 inches | — | One per business | In front of business, adjacent to curb, only during business hours | — | 17.58.060(B)(4) |
| Suspended Sign | 12 inches (1 foot) | 6 sq ft | 6 feet | — | One per business | Hangs below permanent overhang, marquee, or canopy | — | 17.58.060(B)(5) |
| Wall Sign | — | 10% of wall plane | — | — | Per business, per wall plane | Parallel and attached to wall, no more than 12" from wall face; confined within wall limits | — | 17.58.060(B)(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Chelan

- Abandoned signs are unlawful to erect or maintain.
- Animated signs are unlawful to erect or maintain.
- Bench signs are unlawful to erect or maintain.
- Portable signs are unlawful to erect or maintain.
- Off-premises signs are unlawful to erect or maintain.
- Roof signs or marquee signs which are located on, project or extend above the eave or parapet line of any portion of the building are unlawful to erect or maintain.
- Signs in a dilapidated or hazardous condition are unlawful to erect or maintain.
- Signs on doors, windows or fire escapes that restrict free ingress or egress are unlawful to erect or maintain.
- Flashing signs are unlawful to erect or maintain.
- Moving signs are unlawful to erect or maintain.
- Signs which purport to be, are an imitation of, or resemble an official traffic sign or signal or which could cause confusion with any official sign, or which obstruct the visibility of any traffic/street sign, signal, or obstruct a vehicle driver's visibility at, including, but not limited to, intersections, alleys, and driveways are unlawful to erect or maintain.
- Signs attached to utility, street light and traffic control standard poles are unlawful to erect or maintain.
- Signs on any vehicle or trailer parked as a stationary display for advertising purposes on public or private property which are visible from public rights-of-way are unlawful to erect or maintain. (Except for signs painted on or magnetically attached to vehicles operating in the normal course of business.)
- Electronically changeable message signs are unlawful to erect or maintain except as allowed in section 17.58.060(B)(7).

## Signs exempt from permit in Chelan

- Accessory commercial signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- Banner signs, decorative flags, pennants, or streamers are exempt if displayed for only one 30-day period per calendar year and the initial posting date is written on the sign.
- Barber poles are exempt from permit requirements.
- Billboard signs on the outfield fence of the City of Chelan parks baseball fields are exempt.
- Commemorative plaques and integral signs are exempt.
- Community activity signs or banner signs are exempt if installed no sooner than 30 days prior to the event and removed within 14 days after the event.
- Construction signs are exempt: one per street frontage; area limits based on zoning; removed within 30 days of building completion.
- Exterior holiday or festive decoration lights are exempt if removed within three weeks after the holiday.
- Flags and/or insignia of any government are exempt.
- Historically significant signs are exempt.
- Historical site or structure signs are exempt if approved by city council, nonilluminated unless allowed, and only indicate name, hours of visitation, and admission charges.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings (including names) are exempt if they do not include commercial wording, moving parts, or moving lights.
- Menu signs for drive-in restaurants are exempt.
- Menu signs for other than drive-in restaurants are exempt if same as given to customers and max size is four square feet.
- Movie theater display cases are exempt if not more than two cases not exceeding 24 square feet each.
- Murals are exempt (except any portion that meets the definition of a sign), and if approved by city council or designee.
- Noncommercial signs bearing only property numbers, postal box numbers, or names of occupants are exempt.
- Political signs are exempt if removed no later than one week after the relevant election.
- Real estate signs are exempt: one per lot; not to obstruct driver visibility; area and height limits by zoning district; must be removed within 30 days from date of closing.
- Real estate sale signs for condominium projects and subdivisions are exempt if area and height are within specified limits, the posting date is marked, and the sign is removed within five years or after 75% of units/lots are sold.
- Signs of a public entity (e.g., community service, kiosk, public utility, traffic control, or by public officer in performance of public duty) are exempt provided they meet location, size, and structural requirements.
- Signs directing and guiding traffic and parking on private property (no advertising matter) are exempt if not exceeding six square feet per sign.
- Temporary signs are exempt if securely affixed, initial posting date written, and removed within 30 days.
- Time and temperature signs are exempt if meeting height restrictions for freestanding sign in zoning district.
- Wall graphics are exempt except for portions containing letters, symbols, trademarks, logos, written copy, moving parts, or moving lights.
- Window signs are exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required to erect, alter or relocate any sign unless specifically exempted.
- Sign permit applications must include an accurately scaled drawing of all building faces to be signed—including all existing and proposed signs in the case of wall and projecting signs—and an accurately scaled site plan in the case of freestanding signs.
- In multiple tenant buildings, the building owner's responsibility is to assign allowed sign size and location between tenants to comply with the sign code.
- Variance applications (to request deviations from sign code requirements) are processed via the board of adjustment as provided for in chapter 17.64.
- If any sections of the sign code conflict, the most restrictive applies; a more specific requirement overrides a general one.
- Murals must be approved by the city council or its designee if exempted (see murals exemption).
- Nonconforming sign status reviews and possible extensions are handled by the board of adjustment via a formal meeting process.

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

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