# Sign Regulations in Cheney, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cheney, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/cheney
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-05
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WA/Cheney/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT21ZO_CH21.54SI)

## At a glance

Cheney, Washington regulates 18 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Electronic Message Center (Option: Reader Board on Monument/Pole)s in the C-1 zoning district are capped at No higher than lowest part of roof tall and 5 square feet, with a At least 10 feet from back of sidewalk (for option) setback (Sec. 21.54.040(B)(2)(f)). Most commercial signs in Cheney require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zone (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-3H, SR-2, CALR) | 4 | 12 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| C-2, BP, I-1 | 11 | 35 feet | 400 square feet (per business, per event) | — |
| C-1 | 10 | No higher than lowest portion of building roof | 400 square feet (per business, per event) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 400 square feet per business per event | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential Zone (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-3H, SR-2, CALR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (One and Two-Family Residential) | — | 4.5 square feet | — | — | Single | On the property related to the use | — | 21.54.035(b)(1) |
| Wall Sign (Three or More Unit Residential & Nonresidential) | — | 40 square feet per sign | — | — | Multiple; aggregate area restriction | On the property related to the use | — | 21.54.035(b)(2) |
| Ground Sign (Permanent Development/Subdivision) | 12 feet | 50 square feet | — | — | One per entrance | Per entrance to subdivision or development | — | 21.54.035(b)(3) |
| Ground Sign (Temporary Development/Subdivision) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | One per project | Project location | — | 21.54.035(b)(4) |

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

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 feet | — | — | — | — | On property (not extending over property lines unless air rights easement granted) | — | 21.54.040(A)(2) |
| Wall Sign | 35 feet | — | — | — | — | On property (not extending over property lines without easement) | — | 21.54.040(A)(1)-(2) |
| Projecting Sign | 35 feet | — | — | — | — | On property | — | 21.54.040(A)(1)-(2) |
| Suspended Sign | 35 feet | — | — | — | — | On property | — | 21.54.040(A)(1)-(2) |
| Portable Sign | 35 feet | — | — | — | — | On property | — | 21.54.040(A)(1)-(2) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 400 square feet (per business, per event) | — | — | — | On property | — | 21.54.040(A)(1)-(2); 21.54.090 |
| Electronic Message Center | 35 feet | 20% of sign area (except time/temp) | — | — | — | Integral to a permanent sign, nonresidential only | — | 21.54.040(A)(3) |
| Off-Premises/Billboard Sign | 35 feet | 64 square feet | — | — | — | 600 feet apart, not within 300 feet of residential | — | 21.54.040(A)(2)(f)-(g) |

### C-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | No higher than lowest portion of building roof | — | — | — | — | On property (not over property lines without easement) | — | 21.54.040(B)(2)(a)-(d) |
| Projecting Sign | No higher than lowest portion of building roof | — | — | — | — | On property | — | 21.54.040(B)(1)-(2) |
| Suspended Sign | No higher than lowest portion of building roof | — | — | — | — | On property | — | 21.54.040(B)(1)-(2) |
| Monument Sign | No higher than lowest portion of building roof | — | — | — | — | On property | — | 21.54.040(B)(1)-(2) |
| Portable Sign | No higher than lowest portion of building roof | — | — | — | — | On property | — | 21.54.040(B)(1)-(2) |
| Temporary Sign | — | 400 square feet (per business, per event) | — | — | — | On property | — | 21.54.040(B)(1)-(2); 21.54.090 |
| Incidental Sign | No higher than lowest portion of building roof | — | — | — | — | On property | — | 21.54.040(B)(1)-(2) |
| Electronic Message Center (Option: Reader Board on Monument/Pole) | No higher than lowest part of roof | 5 square feet | — | At least 10 feet from back of sidewalk (for option) | — | On monument or pole sign on First Street only, with site criteria | — | 21.54.040(B)(2)(f) |

## Prohibited signs in Cheney

- Signs which by coloring, shape, wording or location resemble or conflict with traffic control signs or devices as determined by the code enforcement officer.
- Signs which create a safety hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- Signs attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer parked on private property, except for identification on vehicles operating during the normal course of business. Franchised buses and taxis are exempt.
- All flashing signs, except changing message boards.
- Any sign affixed to or painted on trees, rocks, other natural features or utility poles.
- Roof signs.
- Portable reader board signs; existing portable signs must be removed within five years of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter.
- Strobe lights and rotating signs.
- Animated signs.
- Exposed angle iron and guy wires.
- Billboards.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cheney

- Signs on bus benches.
- Political signs posted for up to 90 days.
- One non-electric bulletin board for each public, charitable or religious organization not exceeding 40 square feet.
- Temporary banners for up to 30 days, provided they do not interfere with nearby properties.
- Contractor, architect, surveyor or engineer sign during construction of the property upon which located, provided they do not exceed 48 square feet.
- Wall murals which are primarily decorative, rather than commercial in nature.

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

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