# Sign Regulations in Kalama, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Kalama, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/kalama
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-05
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WA/Kalama/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.38SI)

## At a glance

Kalama, Washington regulates 32 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Narrow Parcel < 50ft frontage)s in the Highway Commercial Zoning District (HWC), Commercial Zoning Districts zoning district are capped at 35 ft tall and 50 sq ft, with a See above location requirements. setback (Sec. 17.38.110(B)(1)(a, d-e)). Most commercial signs in Kalama require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 10 square feet aggregate (for all such signs on a site) | — |
| Central Business Zoning District (CBD) | 7 | 36 inches | 100 sq ft | — |
| Highway Commercial Zoning District (HWC), Commercial Zoning Districts | 7 | 36 inches | 300 sq ft | — |
| Industrial District | 3 | 36 inches | 100 sq ft per sign for commercial/industrial; 50 sq ft for non-retail per frontage | — |
| Residential Zoning District | 4 | See Table 17.18.040-117 (Accessory structure height limit) | 50 sq ft | — |
| Mixed Use Zoning District (MU-R, MU-C, MU-I, MU-B) | 8 | 50 ft | 360 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Central Business Zoning District (CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | One wall sign per 1 linear foot of primary building frontage; max 40 sq ft if less than 40 ft frontage; total area on any wall must not exceed that wall's frontage-based calculation or 40 sq ft, whichever is greater. | — | — | — | On building wall. | — | 17.38.110(A)(1)(a-f) |
| Fence Sign | — | No more than 10 sq ft per single fence sign; no less than 5 sq ft per sign. | — | — | — | On fence, within fence area only, not on top or sides. | — | 17.38.110(A)(1)(c), 17.38.110(A)(6) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | One per main entry | Projecting from building, max 6 ft from wall, minimum 6 in from wall. | — | 17.38.110(A)(2) |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | One per main entry | Projecting from building, max 6 ft from wall. | — | 17.38.110(A)(2) |
| Portable Sign (A-frame / Sandwich Board) | 36 inches | 24 in wide, 36 in tall (each sign) | 24 inches | — | 1 per frontage/single-tenant; 1 per business/multiple tenants | Next to curb edge of sidewalk in front of business, outside of pedestrian/traffic hazard areas. | — | 17.38.110(A)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Pole Sign) | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business; 2 if 100 ft apart | On property, min 8 ft clearance above sidewalk. | — | 17.38.110(A)(4) |
| Illuminated Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building, main or secondary entrances. | — | 17.38.110(A)(5) |

### Highway Commercial Zoning District (HWC), Commercial Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Narrow Parcel < 50ft frontage) | 35 ft | 50 sq ft | — | See above location requirements. | 1 per parcel | On parcel; must not be closer than 25 ft to adjacent property or 50 ft to other freestanding sign on same parcel. | — | 17.38.110(B)(1)(a, d-e) |
| Freestanding Sign (Wide Parcel >50ft frontage) | 35 ft | 100 sq ft per sign. Aggregate not to exceed 1 sq ft per lineal ft of frontage. | — | 50 ft between signs, 25 ft from adjacent property. | More than one if >100 ft frontage | Must be 50 ft from other freestanding signs on same parcel, 25 ft from adjacent parcels. | — | 17.38.110(B)(1)(b-d) |
| Freestanding Sign (Shopping Center/Professional Complex Identification Sign) | 35 ft | 300 sq ft | — | 100 ft from adjacent property (same side) | As permitted by frontage | Along frontages >300 ft. Must be 100 ft from adjacent property on same side. No other freestanding sign >50 sq ft on property. | — | 17.38.110(B)(1)(f) |
| Wall Sign (Highway Commercial/Commercial) | — | 100 sq ft per sign (unless total sign area is less than 10% of facade area) | — | — | Unlimited, with area limits | On building walls. | — | 17.38.110(B)(2) |
| Projecting Sign (in lieu of Freestanding Sign) | — | — | — | — | As permitted by projecting sign standards | On building, projects over walkway if setback prevents freestanding sign. | — | 17.38.110(B)(3) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On canopy or awning attached to building. | — | 17.38.110(B)(4) |
| Portable Sign (A-frame/Sandwich Board) | 36 inches | 24 in wide, 36 in tall | 24 inches | — | 1 per frontage (single); 1 per business (multi-tenant) | Next to curb edge of sidewalk, in front of advertising business. | — | 17.38.110(A)(3), referenced for Industrial and HWC districts |

### Mixed Use Zoning District (MU-R, MU-C, MU-I, MU-B)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (MU-C, MU-B subzones) | 50 ft | 360 sq ft | — | Same as HWC (50 ft between signs, 25 ft to adjacent parcel) | — | On property as per HWC standards. | — | 17.38.145(B), (D) |
| Wall Sign (MU-C, MU-B subzones) | — | 100 sq ft per sign, aggregate area not exceeding 2 sq ft per lineal ft of building facade (unless total area is <10% of facade area). | — | — | Unlimited if area limits maintained | On building wall. | — | 17.38.145(B),(D); referencing 17.38.110(B)(2) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign (MU-C, MU-B subzones) | — | — | — | — | — | On canopy or awning attached to building. | — | 17.38.145(B), (D); referencing 17.38.110(B)(4) |
| Portable Sign (A-frame/Sandwich Board, all subzones) | 36 inches | 24 in wide, 36 in tall | 24 inches | — | 1 per frontage/single tenant; 1 per business/multitenant | Next to curb edge of sidewalk. | — | 17.38.145(B, D); referencing 17.38.110(A)(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (MU-R Subzone) | See Table 17.18.040-117 (Accessory structure height limit) | 50 sq ft (entrance), 32 sq ft (individual property), 4 sq ft (multifamily) | — | — | — | On property as per residential standards. | — | 17.38.145(A) |
| Wall Sign (MU-R Subzone) | — | Matches allowable area for freestanding sign (entrance, individual, multifamily). | — | — | — | On wall, in lieu of freestanding sign. | — | 17.38.145(A); 17.38.130(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (MU-I Subzone) | 35 ft | 100 sq ft for commercial/industrial; 50 sq ft for non-retail per frontage | — | — | As per Industrial rules | On property per industrial standards. | — | 17.38.145(C); referencing 17.38.120 |
| Wall Sign (MU-I Subzone) | — | Max 12% of façade or 100 sq ft, whichever is greater. | — | — | Unlimited if area requirements are met | On building wall. | — | 17.38.145(C); referencing 17.38.120(B) |

## Prohibited signs in Kalama

- No strobe lights or signs containing strobe lights, or any other flashing, moving, or animated features that are visible beyond any property line.
- No signs placed or painted on any motor vehicle or trailer that is not operable and not routinely used to transport or provide the goods or services being advertised, or that is parked with the primary purpose of providing a sign that would not otherwise be allowed.
- No private sign placed within a public right-of-way, including road bulb outs, on a public sidewalk, or overhanging a public right-of-way, except where overhanging a public sidewalk with specific authorization and at least eight feet of vertical clearance.
- No sign that is determined by the city council to be an imminent hazard to public safety due to its design, materials, physical condition, or placement.
- No signs painted, attached to, or otherwise supported by rock formations, utility poles, trees, or other plant materials.
- No portable signs within any public right-of-way when obstructing pedestrian walkways, bikeways, or driveways on private property.
- No signs owned by businesses which are not located either within the city or within a mile of the city limits.
- No sign attached to a building shall extend above the parapet or roof/ridgeline except for signs on architectural features, which are not constructed solely to support the sign.
- All signs, including supporting structures, must be erected or placed totally within the boundaries of the site and not within any public right-of-way, with limited exceptions.
- Freestanding signs other than sandwich board signs shall not extend beyond property lines.
- Closed business or event signs must be removed within ninety days of closure/discontinuance of the business or within ten days of event conclusion.
- No sign shall be located so as to pose a traffic vision hazard.
- In residential zones, internally illuminated signs are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Kalama

- Traffic signs, wayfinding signs, signals, and other traffic control devices erected by the city or other public authority.
- Community informational signs erected by a special district of the state.
- Public notices pertaining to public health or safety issues, or for notification of legal or legislative actions of public interest that are erected by the city or other public authority, and of a temporary nature.
- Permanent plaques, cornerstones, name plates, antique, or vintage signs on the outside of a barn, shed, garage, residence, or other building identification markings carved into the building materials and which are an integral part of the structure.
- Signs within buildings, provided they do not include moving, flashing or animated signs that are visible from any private or public roadway, or from adjacent properties.
- Incidental signs intended for public information or convenience and which consist of no more than ten square feet for a combination of such signs, including restroom signs, hours of operation signs, address numbers, help wanted, open/closed signs, credit card signs, and similar signs.
- The American flag, state flag, special purpose flags, pennants or banners that are displayed properly and not intended to contribute to a commercial advertising display.
- On-site real estate signs.
- Public information/identification signs.
- Temporary/special event signs on private property, as long as they are up no longer than thirty days before and removed ten days after the event, and are not replaced for ninety days after removal.
- Monuments depicting significant events, persons, or accomplishments, as defined in this chapter.
- Signs that are a part of a city approved contest for decorations and signage.
- Residential district freestanding signs up to thirty-two square feet in area and not more than six feet in height.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit application for any non-exempt sign must include a site plan, structural drawings, and photographs as part of the review process.
- Entrance signs for residential neighborhoods, subdivisions, manufactured home parks, apartment/condominium complexes, or similar, are subject to review and approval during site plan review and/or planned unit development review.
- Variance applications for sign adjustments beyond ten percent of basic requirements require a public hearing by the hearing examiner.
- No explicit requirement for a master sign plan is stated, but compliance with these submittal and review procedures, especially for larger developments and variances, is required citywide.

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

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