# Sign Regulations in Ellensburg, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ellensburg, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/ellensburg
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-05
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WA/Ellensburg/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT3BUFI_CH3.12SICO)

## At a glance

Ellensburg, Washington regulates 17 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Sidewalk Signs in the C-C, C-C II zoning district are capped at 3 ft tall, 2 ft width x 3 ft height per sign face, and 2 ft wide (Sec. ECC 3.12.340(G) (C-C and C-C II section), ECC 3.12.060). Most commercial signs in Ellensburg require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 35 ft (except wall signs may extend to top of a building wall) | 300 sq ft per sign; 600 sq ft for multifaced signs | — |
| C-C, C-C II | 4 | 35 ft (except wall signs may extend to top of building wall) | 300 sq ft per sign, 600 sq ft for multifaced | — |
| C-H | 4 | 100 ft | 16 sq ft per sign | — |
| C-N | 2 | — | 32 sq ft per face, 64 sq ft total sign area | — |
| I-L, I-H | 2 | — | 32 sq ft per face, 64 sq ft total sign area | — |
| R-H, R-L, R-M, R-O, R-S, MHP | 5 | — | 48 sq ft | — |
| R-O (Office/Professional Use) | 1 | — | 25 sq ft per property | — |
| Public Reserve Zones, Public Rights-of-Way | 2 | 20 ft min. clearance above right-of-way | 64 sq ft for all faces of electronic display | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-Premises Sign | 35 ft (except wall signs may extend to top of a building wall) | 300 sq ft per sign; 600 sq ft for multifaced signs | — | — | — | On-premises | — | ECC 3.12.240(A), (C); 3.12.090; 3.12.140 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | One per street frontage, max two (with exceptions). | On-premises | — | ECC 3.12.300(E), (F) |
| Temporary Banner and Poster | Must conform to height requirements for the zone | Aggregate 250 sq ft per business address (commercial/industrial zones) | — | — | No more than 7 displayed at any one time. | Private property only | — | ECC 3.12.340(C) |
| Temporary Decoration | Must conform to height requirements for the zone | Aggregate 250 sq ft per business address (commercial/industrial zones) | — | — | — | Private property only | — | ECC 3.12.340(D) |
| Construction Sign | — | 48 sq ft in R-S, R-L, R-M, R-O; in all other zones, conform to sign area for sign type used | — | — | One per site | On property with active construction | — | ECC 3.12.340(B) |
| For Sale or Rent Sign | — | 8 sq ft in R-S, R-L, R-M, R-O, MHP, and C-N; 48 sq ft in C-C, C-C II, C-H, I-L, I-H | — | — | — | On property for sale/rent | — | ECC 3.12.340(E) |
| Election Sign | — | 10 sq ft in R-S, R-L, R-M, R-O, MHP; all other zones use sign area of underlying sign type | — | — | — | Private property of consenting owner | — | ECC 3.12.340(A) |

### C-C, C-C II

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign | — | 25 sq ft per face; 50 sq ft total for multifaced signs | — | — | One per business (one per street frontage if on two streets) | On building; may project over right-of-way up to 6 ft | — | ECC 3.12.220(A)-(D), ECC 3.12.200 |
| Sidewalk Sign | 3 ft | 2 ft width x 3 ft height per sign face | 2 ft | — | One per business (by business license) | On sidewalk/outside business | — | ECC 3.12.340(G) (C-C and C-C II section), ECC 3.12.060 |
| On-Premises Sign | 35 ft (except wall signs may extend to top of building wall) | 300 sq ft per sign, 600 sq ft for multifaced | — | — | — | On the premises | — | ECC 3.12.200, 3.12.240(A)-(C) |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | One per street frontage, max two | On the premises | — | ECC 3.12.300(E)-(F), ECC 3.12.200 |

### R-H, R-L, R-M, R-O, R-S, MHP

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Residential Apartment Use) | — | 8 sq ft per property | — | — | — | On building | — | ECC 3.12.300(B) |
| Wall Sign (Single Family/Home Occupation) | — | 3 sq ft per property | — | — | — | On building | — | ECC 3.12.300(D) |
| Construction Sign | — | 48 sq ft | — | — | One per site | On property under active construction | — | ECC 3.12.340(B) |
| For Sale or Rent Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On property for sale/rent | — | ECC 3.12.340(E) |
| Election Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | Private property of consenting owner | — | ECC 3.12.340(A) |

## Prohibited signs in Ellensburg

- No sign or sign structure shall be erected in such a manner that any portion of its surface or supports will interfere with the free use of any fire escape, exit or standpipe.
- No sign shall obstruct any openings to such an extent that light or ventilation is reduced to a point below that required by any other city code.
- Signs shall be located to provide clearance from overhead electrical conductors as provided by codes.
- All off-premises signs are prohibited.
- No electric sign shall revolve or be animated.
- No electric sign shall flash on and off or alternate between varying light intensities.
- The light emitted from any electrical sign or any light source used to illuminate the face of a sign shall not adversely affect nearby premises or the safe vision of operators of vehicles.
- Roof signs or other building-mounted signs which project above the roof line of the building on which the sign is mounted shall be prohibited in all zones except the C-H zone.
- Individual signs shall not be combined to create one large sign that is larger than the allowable area for any individual sign.
- All signs placed on vehicles, trailers, or portable supports which are parked or located for the primary purpose of displaying said signs are prohibited. This does not apply to signs or lettering on buses, taxis, or vehicles operating during the normal course of business.
- It is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, alter or continue to use any sign in violation of the provisions of this chapter.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ellensburg

- Signs and public notices required or directed by law including traffic control signs.
- Exterior building signs not visible from streets or other public rights-of-way.
- Interior building signs. (However, electrical interior signs must meet electrical sign requirements.)
- Historic or memorial plaques, tablets, or inscriptions attached flat to a building, not illuminated, and not exceeding three square feet in area.
- Signs painted or mounted on delivery vehicles or other operable commercial vehicles primarily used for transportation and commerce.
- Signs required under the Washington State Department of Transportation "Motorist Information Sign Program" if minimum requirements for program participation are met and city approval is obtained.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All activity to construct, erect, replace, or otherwise change any sign requires a valid sign permit issued by the city.
- A permit application must include information such as scaled drawings, materials, colors, type of lettering or symbols, illumination method, and proposed mounting location (for certain zones).
- All signs erected in the C-C and C-C II zones must undergo a design review process prior to permit issuance.
- Temporary construction signs must obtain a sign permit specifying display duration.
- Whenever a sign projects over or rests upon a public right-of-way, the owner must file a hold-harmless agreement and proof of liability insurance with the city.

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

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