# Sign Regulations in Everett, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Everett, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/everett
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-08
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.everettwa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/43377/1936_SIGNS?bidId=)

## At a glance

Everett, Washington regulates 42 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Category D - Residential Uses)s in the Agriculture (AG); Neighborhood Residential-Constrained (NR-C); Neighborhood Residential (NR) zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall and 2 sq ft (bed & breakfast exception below), with a No minimum street setback; interior setback 10 ft setback (Sec. EMC 19.36.040 Table 36-2 (Category D); footnotes 4, 11). Most commercial signs in Everett require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agriculture (AG); Neighborhood Residential-Constrained (NR-C); Neighborhood Residential (NR) | 7 | 10 ft | Per Table 36-3: Category C total sign area 32 sq ft (Principal Arterial) / 24 sq ft (Minor/Collector); ECM component 24 sq ft (Principal) / 18 sq ft (Minor). Category D total 24 sq ft (Principal) / 20 sq ft (Minor); ECM component 18 sq ft (Principal) / 15 sq ft (Minor). | — |
| Urban Residential (UR4, UR7) | 7 | 10 ft | Per Table 36-3 (Category C/D values by arterial classification) | — |
| Mixed-Use (MU4, MU7, MU15, MU25) (Within Mixed-Use Centers) | 6 | 42 inches | Up to 190 sq ft (per building facade) | — |
| Mixed-Use (MU4, MU7, MU15, MU25) (Outside of Mixed-Use Centers) | 5 | 42 inches | Greater of 48 sq ft or 15% of facade, up to 300 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial – Mixed Use (LI-MU) | 8 | 42 inches | 40 sq ft (may combine two permitted signs into one up to 80 sq ft) | — |
| Light Industrial (LI) | 5 | 42 inches | 40 sq ft (combine two permitted into one up to 80 sq ft) | — |
| Heavy Industrial (HI) | 5 | 42 inches | 40 sq ft (combine two permitted into one up to 80 sq ft) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 4 ft | Up to 32 sq ft per sign | — |

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

### Agriculture (AG); Neighborhood Residential-Constrained (NR-C); Neighborhood Residential (NR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Category D - Residential Uses) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | On building wall; may not extend above the roofline. | — | EMC 19.36.040 Table 36-1 (AG; NR-C; NR = Category D; footnote 1 for nonresidential uses), Table 36-2 (Category D); footnotes 4, 10, 11; EMC 19.36.050(B)(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Category D - Residential Uses) | 4 ft | 2 sq ft (bed & breakfast exception below) | — | No minimum street setback; interior setback 10 ft | 1 per unit | On private property; not within public right-of-way. | — | EMC 19.36.040 Table 36-2 (Category D); footnotes 4, 11 |
| Wall Sign (Permitted Nonresidential Uses Only) (Category C) | — | Greater of 24 sq ft or 15% of facade, up to 40 sq ft | — | — | — | On building wall; may not extend above the roofline. | — | EMC 19.36.040 Table 36-1 (footnote 1); Table 36-2 (Category C - nonresidential uses); footnotes 4, 11; EMC 19.36.050(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Permitted Nonresidential Uses Only) (Category C) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Minimum street setback: 1 foot from lot line for each 1 foot of sign height; interior setback 10 ft | 1 per street frontage | On private property; outside public right-of-way. | — | EMC 19.36.040 Table 36-2 (Category C - nonresidential uses); footnotes 4, 11 |
| Wall Sign (Bed & Breakfast in Category D) | — | Up to 24 sq ft | — | — | Not specified | On building wall. | — | EMC 19.36.040 Table 36-2 footnote 5 |
| Freestanding Sign (Bed & Breakfast in Categories C and D) | — | 12 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from abutting right-of-way | 1 | On private property; not in right-of-way. | — | EMC 19.36.040 Table 36-2 footnote 5 |
| Electronic Changing Message Sign (Schools/Religious Facilities only in Categories C/D) | — | Per Table 36-3: Category C total sign area 32 sq ft (Principal Arterial) / 24 sq ft (Minor/Collector); ECM component 24 sq ft (Principal) / 18 sq ft (Minor). Category D total 24 sq ft (Principal) / 20 sq ft (Minor); ECM component 18 sq ft (Principal) / 15 sq ft (Minor). | — | ≥100 ft from any existing residence in a residential zone | 1 ECM sign | At least 100 ft from any existing residence in a residential zone. | — | EMC 19.36.050(C)(4)-(8) and Table 36-3 |

### Light Industrial – Mixed Use (LI-MU)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Nonresidential & Mixed-Use Buildings) (Category B) | — | Greater of 32 sq ft or 15% of facade, up to 100 sq ft | — | — | — | On building wall; may not extend above roofline; individual letters may extend up to 18 inches above parapet/soffit/eave (no backing material/exposed supports). | — | EMC 19.36.040 Table 36-1 footnote 5 (LI-MU = Category B for nonres/mixed-use); Table 36-2 (Category B wall signs); 19.36.050(B)(2); footnote 10 |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential & Mixed-Use Buildings) (Category B) | 20 ft (Monument signs limited to 8 ft) | 40 sq ft (may combine two permitted signs into one up to 80 sq ft) | — | Monument signs: 5 ft from street lot line; pole signs: 10 ft; interior setback 10 ft | 1 per street frontage | On private property; not within public right-of-way. | — | EMC 19.36.040 Table 36-2 (Category B); footnotes 2, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Projecting Sign (Category B - Nonresidential & Mixed-Use Buildings) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | May project into ROW for storefront buildings with ROW permit; not above roofline except Hewitt Ave provision; not over windows. | — | EMC 19.36.050(F) |
| Portable Sign (Sandwich Board) (Category B - Nonresidential & Mixed-Use Buildings) | 42 inches | 8 sq ft per side; max height 42 inches | — | Maintain 6-ft pedestrian clear zone if in ROW | 1 per entity | On premises or on sidewalk in front of business with ≥6-ft clear zone; during business hours only. | — | EMC 19.36.050(D); 19.36.020(B)(2)(a) |
| Electronic Changing Message Sign (Category B - Nonresidential & Mixed-Use Buildings) | — | ECM component up to 24 sq ft (and ≤50% of sign area) | — | — | — | As part of a permanent on-site sign. | — | EMC 19.36.050(C)(2)-(7); Table 36-3 (Category B) |
| Wall Sign (Residential Buildings) (Category C) | — | Greater of 24 sq ft or 15% of facade, up to 40 sq ft | — | — | — | On building wall. | — | EMC 19.36.040 Table 36-1 footnote 5 (LI-MU = Category C for residential); Table 36-2 (Category C); footnotes 4, 11 |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Buildings) (Category C) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft (nonresidential uses within residential building context) or 2 sq ft for detached/townhouses; see use | — | Street setback = 1 ft per 1 ft of sign height (Category C); interior setback 10 ft | 1 per street frontage (Category C nonres uses) or 1 per unit (Category D for detached/townhouse) | On private property; not in ROW. | — | EMC 19.36.040 Table 36-2 (Category C & D details); footnotes 4, 11 |
| Electronic Changing Message Sign (Schools/Religious Facilities only in Categories C/D portion of LI-MU) | — | Per Table 36-3 (Category C/D values by arterial classification) | — | ≥100 ft from any existing residence in a residential zone | 1 ECM sign | ≥100 ft from any existing residence in a residential zone. | — | EMC 19.36.050(C)(8); Table 36-3 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Window Sign (Commercial Uses) | — | Up to 25% of the window area | — | — | Max one internally lit (neon/stained glass) sign per each 15 ft of building frontage | Inside or on window; integrate with window display when feasible. | — | EMC 19.36.050(E)(1)-(4); 19.36.020(B)(3)(e) |
| Canopy Sign / Awning Sign | — | Counts toward wall sign allowance when used in place of wall signs | — | — | — | On or under canopy/awning. | — | EMC 19.36.050(G)(1) |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Under canopy/marquee/awning with at least 1 ft clearance to both outer edge and building facade. | — | EMC 19.36.050(G)(2) |
| Interior-Oriented Sign | — | Up to 32 sq ft per sign | — | At least 10 ft from any street ROW | — | On private property interior-facing; at least 10 ft from any street right-of-way. | — | EMC 19.36.050(H)(1) |
| Directional Sign (On-premises) | 4 ft | Up to 6 sq ft per side | — | — | — | On private property to direct pedestrian/vehicular traffic. | — | EMC 19.36.050(H)(2); 19.36.020(B)(2)(d) |
| Residential Development Identification Sign | 4 ft | Up to 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance to subdivision or manufactured home park. | — | EMC 19.36.050(A)(5) |
| Temporary Signs (General) | Max 3 ft in ROW; Max 6 ft on private property | Residential zones in ROW: 4 sq ft total; Nonresidential zones in ROW: 6 sq ft total; On private property (residential uses): total of 6 sq ft across up to 4 signs; On private property (nonresidential uses): 1 sign per tenant space up to 6 sq ft; Temporary banners: 32 sq ft | — | — | As specified by location/use | In ROW where permitted (not in roundabouts/medians/shoulders/travel lanes or areas without pedestrian access); On private property with owner consent. | — | EMC 19.36.060(A)-(C) |
| Signs in Shoreline Master Program Jurisdiction | — | — | — | — | — | Within areas under SMP jurisdiction; comply with underlying zone/category and shoreline standards. | — | EMC 19.36.050(J)(1)-(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Everett

- Signs or sign structures that resemble or conflict with traffic control signs or devices
- Signs that create a safety hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic, as determined by the city engineer or building official
- Revolving signs and signs with flashing, rotating, or blinking lights, including signs with changing light intensity or brightness or signs that create an appearance or illusion of motion or animation
- Signs that move by force of wind, electrical power, or mechanical means (including feather or sail signs)
- Signs attached to public property without permission of the owning government agency (including trees, utility poles, and street lights)
- Privately installed signs that restrict use or activity of any public right-of-way without permission from the city
- Signs placed on vehicles or trailers parked or located primarily for the purpose of displaying the sign (except for buses, taxis, vehicles operating in the normal course of business, or vehicles advertising themselves for sale)
- Displays of banners, clusters of flags, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, strings of lights, spinners, twirlers or propellers, flashing, rotating or blinking lights, strobe lights, flares, balloons or inflated signs over 24 inches in diameter, and similar devices of a carnival nature (except where permitted in this chapter)
- Searchlights and beacons
- Roof signs, including statues, figures, or objects
- Signs employing exposed electrical conduits, ballast boxes, or other equipment
- Fabric awning signs and backlit awning signs
- Signs for home occupations

## Signs exempt from permit in Everett

- Regulatory, identification, or directional signs installed by or at the direction of a government entity
- Signs required by law
- Official public notices or official court notices
- Signs or displays not visible from streets, rights-of-way, sidewalks, or parking areas open to the public
- Flags: in nonresidential zones, flags of government or noncommercial institutions (e.g., schools) are exempt; in residential zones, flags up to 24 square feet are exempt and one flagpole is allowed; flagpole height must comply with the underlying zone height limit
- Point-of-purchase advertising displays such as product dispensers or vending machines
- Informational warning signs (e.g., “No trespassing,” “No dumping,” “No parking – tow-away,” “Private”) not exceeding 6 square feet
- Structures intended for separate use (e.g., dumpsters and recycling containers) provided no advertising oriented to the public right-of-way is attached
- Reasonable seasonal decorations during the appropriate public holiday or civic festival season, removed promptly at the end of the season
- Sculptures, fountains, mosaics, murals, and design features
- Postal signs
- Historic site markers or plaques, gravestones, and address numbers mounted flush on the wall of a building
- Lettering or symbols painted directly onto or flush-mounted magnetically onto a licensed and operable motor vehicle operating in the normal course of business
- Billboards (regulated under EMC Chapter 16.20)
- Repair, cleaning, repainting, or other normal maintenance activities and other changes that do not alter the sign structure
- Signs not requiring permits (must still comply with all requirements): portable signs meeting chapter requirements; nonelectric signs not exceeding 2 square feet in single-family residential zones; incidental signs; directional signs not exceeding 6 square feet whose sole purpose is pedestrian/vehicular traffic direction
- Exempt from overall permitted sign area calculations: incidental signs; directional signs; interior-oriented signs; temporary signs meeting this chapter’s requirements; temporary window displays and painted window signs; street numbering of buildings; portable, window, and temporary signs are excluded from Table 36-2 maximum sign area

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Conceptual sign plans and designs must be submitted for review and approval at the time of shoreline permit approval (for properties under Shoreline Master Program jurisdiction)
- Administrative modification of sign standards may be approved by the planning director using EMC Title 15 review process; cannot be used to allow prohibited signs; electronic changing message sign standards and overall freestanding sign height in category A are not eligible; director applies specified review criteria and may impose conditions
- Electronic changing message signs for schools and religious facilities in residential zones require Review Process II and a sign permit; subject to specific operational and design limits; the planning director may condition or deny the sign
- Signs marking historical or cultural sites must be approved by the historical commission (within shoreline jurisdiction standards)
- Nonconforming sign removal may be required when a lot is subject to applications requiring Review Process III, IV, or V under EMC Title 15; the review authority may require removal as a condition of approval
- Signs within 660 feet of Interstate 5 may require Washington State Department of Transportation approval (Chapter 468-66 WAC) prior to city review

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

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