# Sign Regulations in Edmonds, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Edmonds, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/edmonds
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-31
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://edmonds.municipal.codes/ECDC/20.60)

## At a glance

Edmonds, Washington regulates 101 sign types across 18 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign – BN, BPs in the BN, BP, BC, BD, CW, CG, NCH zoning district are capped at 14 ft max. tall and Single-tenant: 24 sq ft max. Group sign: 48 sq ft max., with a may be in setback but not closer than 5 ft to property line. Otherwise must be on private property, near center of frontage. setback (Sec. 20.60.045(A),(B),(D)–(G); 20.60.025(A)(3)–(5); 20.60.020(N)(1),(8),(9)). Most commercial signs in Edmonds require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (18 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | LDR, RM: 6 ft (freestanding and attached). BN, BP, BC, BD, CW, CG, NCH: 14 ft (attached). | General: 32 sq ft max per sign. LDR: 16 sq ft per street frontage, or 32 sq ft if one sign is displayed for a project of 4+ lots (only 1 sign per project). All other zones: 32 sq ft per street frontage. | — |
| Business and Commercial Zone Districts (BN, BP, BC, BD, NCH, CW and CG) | 2 | — | Max 200 sq ft attached sign area per qualifying frontage; freestanding sign area separately governed by 20.60.045(C). | — |
| Residential Zone Districts (LDR, RM) | 2 | — | 10 sq ft per main street entrance into subdivision/PRD/multifamily project. | — |
| LDR, RM | 5 | 6 ft max sign height (vertical distance from highest point on sign to average finished grade). | 10 sq ft per main street entrance (overall sign area); within 20.60.045(B) LDR/RM caps: 10 sq ft for subdivision/PRD/multifamily. | — |
| BN, BP, BC, BD, CW, CG, NCH | 14 | 14 ft or the height of the face of the building on which the sign is located, whichever is less, consistent with 20.60.020(B). | Up to 160 sq ft total freestanding sign area per site, subject to formula. | — |
| Downtown | 11 | 14 ft max for attached signs in commercial zones; internally illuminated signs in downtown shall not be higher than 14 ft. | Zone‑specific: BN/BP 24 sq ft single / 48 sq ft group; BC/BD/NCH 32 sq ft single / 48 sq ft group; CW 32 sq ft single / 48 sq ft group; CG governed by separate formula. In Downtown zone, monument signs are conditionally permitted per matrix. | — |
| SR-99 | 11 | 14 ft or height of face of building, whichever lower. | As freestanding signs for underlying commercial zone (often CG: up to 160 sq ft per formula; BN/BP/BC/BD/CW/NCH: 24–48 or 32–48 sq ft). Matrix: pole signs are permitted (P) in SR‑99. | — |
| Neighborhood Centers and Hubs (NCH) | 11 | 14 ft or building face height, whichever less. | 32 sq ft (single), 48 sq ft (group). | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (BN, BP, and BC Zones) | 11 | 14 ft or building face height, whichever less. | BN/BP: 24 sq ft single / 48 sq ft group. BC: 32 sq ft single / 48 sq ft group. Matrix: monument signs conditionally permitted (C) in Neighborhood Commercial. | — |
| Business Uses in RM Zones | 11 | Up to 14 ft (BN standard) for approved business use signage in RM. | Projecting signs generally not permitted in LDR/RM zones; Business Uses in RM matrix lists projecting signs permitted (P). This indicates that for lawful business uses in RM, projecting signs are allowed consistent with commercial standards: 16 sq ft max in BN/BP/BC/BD/CW/NCH or 32 sq ft in CG, but Business Uses in RM are limited to BN equivalent; thus 16 sq ft max. | — |
| BN | 10 | 14 ft or building face height. | 24 sq ft (single tenant); 48 sq ft (group sign). | — |
| BP | 10 | 14 ft or building face height. | 24 sq ft single; 48 sq ft group. | — |
| BC | 10 | 14 ft or building face height. | 32 sq ft single; 48 sq ft group. | — |
| BD | 10 | 14 ft or height of face of building. | 32 sq ft single; 48 sq ft group. | — |
| CW | 10 | 14 ft or height of building face. | 32 sq ft single; 48 sq ft group. | — |
| CG | 10 | 14 ft or height of face of building. | Up to 160 sq ft total freestanding sign area (including added area for multiple tenants). | — |
| Downtown waterfront activity center | 2 | 4.5 ft max height. | 6 sq ft max. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones (Zone-Specific Max Sign Areas Recap) | 2 | — | As formula; Downtown activity center adds 6 sq ft per ground floor storefront to max permanent sign area for businesses within that area. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 18 zones)

### BN, BP, BC, BD, CW, CG, NCH

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 14 ft or the height of the face of the building on which the sign is located, whichever is less, consistent with 20.60.020(B). | As above for each wall sign, subject also to total permanent sign area limits per zone. | — | — | Counts toward overall sign number limits in 20.60.025(A)(4). | Attached to wall; must not extend above eave/drip line on pitched roof, or above highest point of wall/mansard on one-story building. | — | 20.60.030(A),(B); 20.60.020(B),(F)–(I),(N)(2)–(5) |
| Projecting Sign – BN, BP, BC, BD, CW, NCH | Up to height of wall to which the sign is attached. | 16 sq ft max per projecting sign. | — | — | Counted within overall sign count except those ≤4 sq ft, which are excluded from counts. | Attached to building/wall, projecting more than 12" into airspace; subject to right-of-way encroachment rules if over ROW. | — | 20.60.040(A),(B),(C); 20.60.025(A)(3)–(4); 20.60.020(N)(2)–(4) |
| Projecting Sign – CG | Up to height of wall to which sign is attached. | 32 sq ft max per projecting sign in CG zone. | — | — | Within general sign count limits; small ≤4 sq ft signs excluded from counts. | Attached to wall; may project more than 12". | — | 20.60.040(A),(B),(C); 20.60.025(A)(3)–(4) |
| Freestanding Sign – BN, BP | 14 ft max. | Single-tenant: 24 sq ft max. Group sign: 48 sq ft max. | — | Monument ≤6 ft: may be in setback but not closer than 5 ft to property line. Otherwise must be on private property, near center of frontage. | Max 1 per lot; 2 if lot has frontage on two arterial streets. | As close as possible to center of street frontage; not on public property; corner sites may have one sign at corner instead of separate signs per frontage. Monument signs ≤6 ft may be within zoning setback but ≥5 ft from property line. | — | 20.60.045(A),(B),(D)–(G); 20.60.025(A)(3)–(5); 20.60.020(N)(1),(8),(9) |
| Freestanding Sign – BC, BD, NCH | 14 ft max. | Single-tenant: 32 sq ft max. Group sign: 48 sq ft max. | — | As for BN/BP. | Max 1 per lot; 2 if lot has frontage on two arterial streets. | Same as BN/BP: near center of frontage, on private property; monument ≤6 ft may be in setback with 5 ft minimum to property line. | — | 20.60.045(B),(D)–(G); 20.60.020(N)(1)–(4),(8),(9); 20.60.025(A) |
| Freestanding Sign – CW | 14 ft max. | Single-tenant: 32 sq ft max. Group sign: 48 sq ft max. | — | As above. | Max 1 per lot; 2 if frontage on two arterials. | As for other commercial zones: private property near center of frontage; monument ≤6 ft can be in setback with 5 ft minimum from property line. | — | 20.60.045(B),(D)–(G); 20.60.025(A) |
| Freestanding Sign – CG | 14 ft max per sign. | Up to 160 sq ft total freestanding sign area per site, subject to formula. | — | As above. | Max 1 per lot; 2 if frontage on two arterial streets, subject to overall area cap. | On private property near center of frontage; monument ≤6 ft may be in setback but ≥5 ft from property line; corner lots may have one corner sign in lieu of separate frontage signs. | — | 20.60.045(B),(C),(D)–(G); 20.60.025(A)(2)–(3) |
| Pedestrian Signs (Portable) – Business/Commercial Zones overall | 3.5 ft (A‑frame/sandwich board); 4.5 ft (other pedestrian signs). | Generally governed by 20.60.055: 6 sq ft max per sign; width ≤2.5 ft; height ≤3.5 ft for A‑frame/sandwich board; height ≤4.5 ft for stanchion/easel/other pedestrian signs. | 2.5 ft max width. | — | 1 per ground floor storefront in areas where permitted (see Downtown waterfront activity center). | On private property or immediately adjacent right‑of‑way in allowed zones and within Downtown waterfront activity center only. | — | 20.60.055; 20.60.025(A)(5); 20.60.020(L) |

### Downtown

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall-Mounted Signs (Downtown) | 14 ft max for attached signs in commercial zones; internally illuminated signs in downtown shall not be higher than 14 ft. | Per wall sign: 1 sq ft per lineal foot of attached wall (BN/BP/BC/BD/CW/CG/NCH standard, applied to downtown zone types) and subject to total sign area for applicable zone (e.g., BN/BP/BC/BD/CW/CW/CG/NCH underlying districts). | — | — | As per underlying business/commercial zones: 3 per site/tenant, 5 if corner/multiple frontages, plus group signs. | On building walls within Downtown activity center (as defined in comprehensive plan). | — | 20.60.020(M) note 1; 20.60.025(A)(1); 20.60.030(A),(B); 20.60.020(N)(2)–(5) |
| Monument Signs (Downtown) | Up to 14 ft; monument signs not more than 6 ft in height may be in setback (see setbacks). Monument signs over 6 ft require design review for consistency of materials/colors/design/proportions with site. | Zone‑specific: BN/BP 24 sq ft single / 48 sq ft group; BC/BD/NCH 32 sq ft single / 48 sq ft group; CW 32 sq ft single / 48 sq ft group; CG governed by separate formula. In Downtown zone, monument signs are conditionally permitted per matrix. | — | Monument signs ≤6 ft: may be in zoning setback but at least 5 ft from property line; not on public property. | 1 freestanding sign per lot; up to 2 if lot fronts on two arterials. | Near center of street frontage; on private property; may be in setback if ≤6 ft height and ≥5 ft from property line, not on public property. | — | 20.60.020(M),(N)(1)–(5); 20.60.045(A)–(G) |
| Pole Signs (Downtown) | — | Not permitted in Downtown (matrix: N). | — | — | 0 – not allowed. | — | — | 20.60.020(M) |
| Projecting Signs (Downtown) | Up to height of wall to which attached; must also respect roofline rules (no attachment above eave/drip line on pitched roofs). | Underlying commercial zones in Downtown: 16 sq ft (BN/BP/BC/BD/CW/NCH), except CG 32 sq ft if present. Matrix: projecting signs are permitted (P). | — | — | Within overall sign count limits per site/tenant. | Attached to building on Downtown properties; may project over sidewalks subject to ROW encroachment permit requirements of Ch. 18.70. | — | 20.60.040; 20.60.020(M),(N) |
| Internally Illuminated Signs (Downtown) | Internally illuminated signs may not exceed 14 ft in height in Downtown. | — | — | — | — | On Downtown buildings (wall-mounted) or inside buildings (exposed neon). | — | 20.60.020(M),(N)(2)–(5) |
| Reader Boards (Downtown) | — | — | — | — | — | On Downtown properties only for public uses or places of public assembly (e.g., schools, churches, public facilities). | — | 20.60.020(M),(N)(6),(7) |
| Pedestrian Signs (Downtown – see Downtown waterfront activity center for geographic subset) | 3.5–4.5 ft depending on type. | 6 sq ft; width ≤2.5 ft; height ≤3.5 ft for A‑frame/sandwich; ≤4.5 ft for other pedestrian signs. | 2.5 ft. | — | 1 pedestrian sign per ground floor storefront. | Between business storefront and public ROW or on sidewalk in front of storefront, within 10 ft of building entry and within 2 ft of building, unless planning/development director approves alternate location that is less intrusive and does not encroach on public sidewalk, or where building is set back and sign can be on private property without encroachment; must maintain clear zone per 18.70.030(C). | — | 20.60.055 |
| Wall Graphics (Downtown) | — | No area restriction. | — | — | — | On exterior walls of Downtown buildings. | — | 20.60.005 (definition); 20.60.050; 20.60.015(C); 20.60.020(M) |

### SR-99

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall-Mounted Signs (SR-99) | 14 ft or height of face of building, whichever lower. | Per wall sign: 1 sq ft per lineal foot of attached wall (BN/BP/BC/BD/CW/CG/NCH standard applies to business/commercial uses in SR‑99 corridor). | — | — | As per business/commercial sign count rules in 20.60.025(A)(4). | On buildings within medical/Highway 99 activity center and Highway 99 corridor. | — | 20.60.020(M) table; 20.60.030(A),(B); 20.60.025(A) as applicable |
| Monument Signs (SR-99) | 14 ft max; monument ≤6 ft may be in setback as described. | By underlying zones along SR‑99 (likely CG or other business zones). Matrix: monument signs are permitted (P) in SR‑99. | — | As for freestanding signs generally. | 1 per lot; 2 if frontage on two arterials. | Near center of frontage on private property; monument ≤6 ft may be in setback ≥5 ft from property line. | — | 20.60.020(M); 20.60.045(A)–(G) |
| Pole Signs (SR-99) | 14 ft max (freestanding sign height cap). | As freestanding signs for underlying commercial zone (often CG: up to 160 sq ft per formula; BN/BP/BC/BD/CW/NCH: 24–48 or 32–48 sq ft). Matrix: pole signs are permitted (P) in SR‑99. | — | As for freestanding signs generally; pole signs >6 ft not allowed in zoning setback; must respect property lines. | 1 per lot; 2 if frontage on two arterials. | On private property near center of frontage; not in public property. | — | 20.60.020(M); 20.60.045(A)–(G) |
| Projecting Signs (SR-99) | Height of wall to which attached. | 16 sq ft in BN/BP/BC/BD/CW/NCH; 32 sq ft in CG segments of SR‑99. | — | — | Within overall sign count limits. | On SR‑99 corridor buildings, projecting from walls. | — | 20.60.020(M); 20.60.040; 20.60.025(A)(3)–(4) |
| Internal Illumination (SR-99) | — | — | — | — | — | On eligible sign types (wall, projecting, freestanding) within SR‑99 corridor. | — | 20.60.020(M); 20.60.020(F)–(I) |
| Reader Boards (SR-99) | — | — | — | — | — | On SR‑99 properties only for public uses/places of assembly. | — | 20.60.020(M),(N)(6),(7) |
| Individual Letter Signs (SR-99) | — | — | — | — | — | Typically wall-mounted or on permitted freestanding structures. | — | 20.60.020(M); 20.60.020(A)(2) |
| Wall Graphics (SR-99) | — | No area restriction. | — | — | — | On walls within SR‑99 corridor. | — | 20.60.050; 20.60.020(M) |

## Prohibited signs in Edmonds

- No permanent sign may be constructed, installed, posted, displayed or modified without first obtaining a sign permit, except as otherwise provided in the sign code.
- Design approval is required for additional signage requested for conditional or nonconforming uses in residential zones.
- No sign may extend above the highest point of the wall or mansard roof on a one‑story building, and signs may not be attached above the eave or drip line on a pitched roof.
- Except for pole‑mounted community event banners, no sign or any part of a sign may be designed or constructed to be moving by any means, and signs shall not contain items such as banners, ribbons, streamers and spinners; only reader boards with non‑moving messages are allowed subject to chapter requirements.
- Signs that extend into or over a public right‑of‑way must comply with the street use and encroachment permit requirements in Chapter 18.70 ECDC.
- Exposed braces and angle irons are prohibited unless they are part of a decorative design integral to the sign; guywires are prohibited unless there are no other practical means of supporting the sign.
- No sign may have blinking, flashing, fluttering or moving lights or other illuminating device with changing light density or color; moving electronic reader board messages are not allowed, and messages that change at intervals of less than 20 seconds are considered blinking or flashing and are not allowed.
- No light source that exceeds 20 watts may be directly exposed to any public street or adjacent property.
- No fluorescent light source may exceed 425 milliamps or be spaced closer than eight inches on center in sign illumination.
- No commercial sign may be illuminated after 11:00 p.m. unless the commercial enterprise is open for business, and illumination may remain on only while the enterprise is open.
- No window signs above the first floor may be illuminated.
- Portable signs may not be used as permanent signage; only fixed signs are permitted as permanent signs.
- Freestanding signs (other than pole‑mounted community event banners) may not be located on public property.
- Each lot or building site is limited to no more than one freestanding sign in all zones, except that business and commercial lots with frontage on two arterial streets may have one freestanding sign per street frontage subject to area limits.
- Commercial off‑premises temporary signage is prohibited, except for off‑premises real estate signs allowed under the real estate sign section.
- For temporary signs, only portable freestanding signs may be used as off‑premises signs, and the following types are prohibited for off‑premises use: signs with a vehicular chassis or support with or without wheels, posters and banners, signs mounted upon vehicles, searchlights, and inflatables.
- Off‑premises temporary signs may not be placed in any portion of the public right‑of‑way typically used by motor vehicles in a lawful manner.
- Off‑premises temporary signs must be placed so as not to impede pedestrian, bicycle, or handicapped travel or access.
- Off‑premises temporary signs must not be posted in a manner or location which impairs traffic safety by unreasonably blocking line of sight at intersections.
- Off‑premises temporary signs may not be posted upon public property other than the public right‑of‑way, and may not be posted within or upon planter boxes and flower beds within publicly maintained landscaped portions of the right‑of‑way.
- All signs not expressly permitted by the sign code are prohibited.
- Signs that the director of public works determines to be a hazard to vehicle or water traffic because they resemble or obscure a traffic control device or obscure visibility needed for safe traffic passage are prohibited and must be removed.
- All signs improperly posted or displayed within a public right‑of‑way are declared a public nuisance and are subject to immediate removal and confiscation by the city.

## Signs exempt from permit in Edmonds

- Signs required by provisions of local, state, or federal law are exempt from the regulations of the sign code, except that dimensional and placement standards still apply unless a variance is otherwise required by law.
- Official public notices required by provisions of local, state, or federal law are exempt from the regulations of the sign code, except that dimensional and placement standards still apply unless a variance is otherwise required by law.
- Signs not visible from a public location are exempt from the regulations of the sign code, except that dimensional and placement standards still apply unless a variance is otherwise required by law.
- Seasonal and holiday displays that do not incorporate written copy or graphics to convey a message are exempt from the regulations of the sign code, except that dimensional and placement standards still apply unless a variance is otherwise required by law.
- Gravestones are exempt from the regulations of the sign code, except that dimensional and placement standards still apply unless a variance is otherwise required by law.
- Directional symbols that are two square feet or less and intended to provide on‑site directions or similar information are not considered signage as regulated by the sign code.
- Governmental signs are exempt from the processes and development regulations of the sign code, although they are subject to rules and procedures established by the planning and development director and may be removed by the city at its discretion.
- Construction signs do not require a sign permit if they are removed within 10 days of cessation of the work, though they must conform to the general regulations for permanent signs and area limits specified for construction signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all permanent signs citywide, except where the chapter expressly provides an exemption (e.g., certain construction signs, exempt sign types).
- Design approval is not required for posting permanent signs in residential zones if the chapter’s restrictions and standards are met; however, if additional signage is requested for conditional or nonconforming uses in residential zones, the property owner must apply for design review.
- Sign permit applications are reviewed by the planning manager or designee under staff approval procedures; certain applications may be referred to the architectural design board (ADB) if the planning manager determines they may significantly affect community aesthetics or traffic safety.
- The ADB must review any sign permit application that requests a modification to any standard prescribed by the sign code; such modifications are allowed only where site configuration or building architecture is unique and the resulting signage does not exceed normally allowed signage by more than 50 percent.
- Sign permit applications that modify an existing sign but do not significantly alter size, height, design, lighting, or color are not referred to the ADB and are processed solely through staff review.
- Use of additional attached sign area in the CG zone in lieu of a freestanding sign is subject to review by the architectural design board.
- Many sign installations require separate installation permits under Chapter 19.45 ECDC and may require plan checking fees, in addition to the sign permit and design review processes.

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

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