# Sign Regulations in Kennewick, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Kennewick, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/kennewick
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/wa/kennewick/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT18ZO_CH18.24SI)

## At a glance

Kennewick, Washington regulates 52 sign types across 15 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Single Business in the Industrial, Light (IL), Industrial, Heavy (IH) zoning district are capped at Up to 60 ft tall and Up to 150/300/400 sq ft depending on height tier, with a Must comply with clearance triangle (KMC 13.12; KMC 18.27.060) setback (Sec. KMC 18.24.030(1) Table A; KMC 18.24.040(1)-(5),(9)). Most commercial signs in Kennewick require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (15 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential - Suburban (RS) | 7 | Up to 16 ft | Up to 50 sq ft per street-facing building facade | — |
| Residential - Low Density (RL) | 7 | Up to 16 ft | Up to 50 sq ft per street-facing building facade | — |
| Residential - Medium Density (RM) | 7 | Up to 16 ft | Up to 50 sq ft per street-facing building facade | — |
| Residential - High Density (RH) | 7 | Up to 16 ft | Up to 50 sq ft per street-facing building facade | — |
| Residential - Manufactured Home (RMH) | 7 | Up to 16 ft | Up to 50 sq ft per street-facing building facade | — |
| Residential - Trailer Park (RTP) | 7 | Up to 16 ft | Up to 50 sq ft per street-facing building facade | — |
| Public Facilities (PF) | 10 | Up to 60 ft | Up to 150/300/400 sq ft depending on height tier | — |
| Commercial - Neighborhood (CN), Commercial - Office (CO), Commercial - Regional (CR), Commercial - Auto Row (CAR), Commercial - Marina (CM), Business Park (BP), Industrial Park (IP), Historic, Mixed-Use (HMU) | 13 | Up to 60 ft | Up to 150/300/400 sq ft depending on height tier | — |
| Commercial - Community (CC), Commercial - General (CG) | 14 | Up to 60 ft | Up to 150/300/400 sq ft depending on height tier | — |
| Industrial, Light (IL), Industrial, Heavy (IH) | 15 | Up to 60 ft | Up to 150/300/400 sq ft depending on height tier | — |
| Commercial - Central Business District (CBD) | 15 | Preferred monument/ground; if not practical, max height 20 ft | Up to 64 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Urban Mixed-Use (UMU) | 15 | Preferred monument/ground; if not practical, max height 20 ft | Up to 64 sq ft per sign face | — |
| Justice Facilities (JF) | 2 | Maximum 6 ft (measured per KMC 18.24.020(26)) | Maximum area per sign face: 32 sq ft | — |
| Parking (P) | 2 | Maximum 6 ft (measured per KMC 18.24.020(26)) | Maximum area per sign face: 32 sq ft | — |
| Open Space (OS) | 2 | Maximum 6 ft (measured per KMC 18.24.020(26)) | Maximum area per sign face: 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 15 zones)

### Industrial, Light (IL), Industrial, Heavy (IH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Single Business | Up to 60 ft | Up to 150/300/400 sq ft depending on height tier | — | Must comply with clearance triangle (KMC 13.12; KMC 18.27.060) | Up to two per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | KMC 18.24.030(1) Table A; KMC 18.24.040(1)-(5),(9) |
| Freestanding Sign - Group of Businesses | Up to 60 ft | ≥90 sq ft per business or up to single-business maxima (150/300/400 sq ft by height) | — | Maintain view clearance triangle | Based on frontage: 0–200 ft = up to 2; 201–400 ft = up to 4; 401–600 ft = up to 5; over 601 ft = up to 6 | Along street frontage(s) | — | KMC 18.24.030(1) Table A |
| Wall Sign | Not beyond the top or ends of wall | 25% of applicable wall area | — | — | Any combination, but not to exceed four of projecting/wall/graphic/pictorial per use | Building facade | — | KMC 18.24.030(1) Table A (Wall); KMC 18.24.020(29); KMC 18.24.040(1) |
| Projecting Sign | Not more than 5 inches above or beyond the attaching wall | Up to 75 sq ft OR 1/2 frontage, whichever is greater | — | — | Included in the max of four total for projecting/wall/graphic/pictorial per use | Attached to building, projecting | — | KMC 18.24.030(1) Table A (Projecting); KMC 18.24.040(1) |
| Pictorial Sign | Maximum building height | 33% of applicable wall area | — | — | Included in the max of four total for projecting/wall/graphic/pictorial per use | On building facade | — | KMC 18.24.030(1) Table A (Pictorial); KMC 18.24.040(1) |
| Graphic-Window Sign | Maximum building height | 33% of applicable wall area or applicable window area | — | — | Included in the max of four total for projecting/wall/graphic/pictorial per use | On or within 3 ft of window and visible from exterior | — | KMC 18.24.030(1) Table A (Graphic-window); KMC 18.24.020(30); KMC 18.24.060(2)(h); KMC 18.24.040(1) |
| Banner | No maximum specified (ordinance Table A explicitly states None) | No maximum specified (ordinance Table A explicitly states None) | — | Must not obstruct required sight distance | Not specified | As displayed per property; must meet safety/visibility standards | — | KMC 18.24.030(1) Table A (Banner row); KMC 18.24.060(2)(g) |
| Non-Commercial Portable Sign (All non-residential zones) | Maximum 6 ft (measured per KMC 18.24.020(26)) | Maximum area per sign face: 32 sq ft | — | Must not create traffic visibility obstruction; comply with view clearance standards | Unlimited, subject to total area cap of 64 sq ft per parcel | On private property or in parking strip (between curb and sidewalk) with abutting property owner permission and no traffic visibility obstruction | — | KMC 18.24.050(16)(a),(b),(d) |

### Commercial - Central Business District (CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Single Business (CBD) | Up to 13 ft | Up to 32 sq ft per sign face | — | Maintain view clearance triangle | One | Per lot; along street frontage | — | KMC 18.24.030(2) Table B (Freestanding single business) |
| Freestanding Sign - Group of Businesses (CBD) | Up to 13 ft | Up to 64 sq ft per sign face | — | Maintain view clearance triangle | One | Per lot; along street frontage | — | KMC 18.24.030(2) Table B (Freestanding group businesses) |
| Wall Sign (CBD) | Not beyond the top or ends of wall | 25% of applicable wall area | — | — | Not specified (N/A in table) | Building facade | — | KMC 18.24.030(2) Table B (Wall); KMC 18.24.020(29) |
| Projecting Sign (CBD) | Up to 10 ft | Up to 24 sq ft per sign face | — | — | One | Attached to building, projecting | — | KMC 18.24.030(2) Table B (Projecting) |
| Graphic-Window Sign (CBD) | Maximum building height | 33% of applicable wall area or applicable window area | — | — | Not specified (N/A in table) | On or within 3 ft of window and visible from exterior | — | KMC 18.24.030(2) Table B (Graphic-Window); KMC 18.24.020(30); KMC 18.24.060(2)(h) |
| Pictorial Sign (CBD) | Maximum building height | 33% of applicable wall area | — | — | Not specified (N/A in table) | On building facade | — | KMC 18.24.030(2) Table B (Pictorial) |
| Banner (CBD) | No maximum specified (ordinance Table A explicitly states None) | No maximum specified (ordinance Table A explicitly states None) | — | Must not obstruct required sight distance | N/A | As displayed per property; must meet safety/visibility standards | — | KMC 18.24.030(2) Table B (Banner); KMC 18.24.060(2)(g) |
| Non-Commercial Portable Sign (All non-residential zones) | Maximum 6 ft (measured per KMC 18.24.020(26)) | Maximum area per sign face: 32 sq ft | — | Must not create traffic visibility obstruction; comply with view clearance standards | Unlimited, subject to total area cap of 64 sq ft per parcel | On private property or in parking strip (between curb and sidewalk) with abutting property owner permission and no traffic visibility obstruction | — | KMC 18.24.050(16)(a),(b),(d) |

### Urban Mixed-Use (UMU)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Single Business (UMU) | Up to 13 ft | Up to 32 sq ft per sign face | — | Maintain view clearance triangle | One | Per lot; along street frontage | — | KMC 18.24.030(2) Table B (Freestanding single business) |
| Freestanding Sign - Group of Businesses (UMU) | Up to 13 ft | Up to 64 sq ft per sign face | — | Maintain view clearance triangle | One | Per lot; along street frontage | — | KMC 18.24.030(2) Table B (Freestanding group businesses) |
| Wall Sign (UMU) | Not beyond the top or ends of wall | 25% of applicable wall area | — | — | Not specified (N/A in table) | Building facade | — | KMC 18.24.030(2) Table B (Wall); KMC 18.24.020(29) |
| Projecting Sign (UMU) | Up to 10 ft | Up to 24 sq ft per sign face | — | — | One | Attached to building, projecting | — | KMC 18.24.030(2) Table B (Projecting) |
| Graphic-Window Sign (UMU) | Maximum building height | 33% of applicable wall area or applicable window area | — | — | Not specified (N/A in table) | On or within 3 ft of window and visible from exterior | — | KMC 18.24.030(2) Table B (Graphic-Window); KMC 18.24.020(30); KMC 18.24.060(2)(h) |
| Pictorial Sign (UMU) | Maximum building height | 33% of applicable wall area | — | — | Not specified (N/A in table) | On building facade | — | KMC 18.24.030(2) Table B (Pictorial) |
| Banner (UMU) | No maximum specified (ordinance Table A explicitly states None) | No maximum specified (ordinance Table A explicitly states None) | — | Must not obstruct required sight distance | N/A | As displayed per property; must meet safety/visibility standards | — | KMC 18.24.030(2) Table B (Banner); KMC 18.24.060(2)(g) |
| Non-Commercial Portable Sign (All non-residential zones) | Maximum 6 ft (measured per KMC 18.24.020(26)) | Maximum area per sign face: 32 sq ft | — | Must not create traffic visibility obstruction; comply with view clearance standards | Unlimited, subject to total area cap of 64 sq ft per parcel | On private property or in parking strip (between curb and sidewalk) with abutting property owner permission and no traffic visibility obstruction | — | KMC 18.24.050(16)(a),(b),(d) |

## Prohibited signs in Kennewick

- Off‑premises commercial signs are prohibited in all districts (including off‑premises mobile signs), except as otherwise provided in the chapter.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited in all districts.
- Signs that imitate or resemble official traffic or government signs or signals are prohibited in all districts.
- Signs attached to trees, utility poles, public benches, light poles, or any other public property or right‑of‑way are prohibited.
- Strobe or strobe‑like devices visible from the exterior of a building or location are prohibited for sign illumination.
- Any sign not permitted by Chapter 18.24 is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Kennewick

- Signs on public transit benches and shelters and on/within public transit vehicles installed under a City franchise are exempt from Chapter 18.24.
- Off‑premises signs for non‑commercial community‑sponsored events (on property other than the event site) are exempt from Chapter 18.24 but must be approved by the Department of Planning for sight visibility and structural safety; allowed up to 14 days prior to the event and must be removed within 3 days after the conclusion of the event season.
- Home occupation signs and signs for family day care homes do not require a building permit.
- Signs 4 square feet or less in area do not require a building permit.
- Development and “For Sale” or “For Rent” signs do not require a building permit.
- Changing sign copy (re‑lettering, replacing/changing the sign face, repainting, cleaning, or other similar nonstructural changes) does not require a building permit.
- Official public notices or signs relating to an emergency do not require a building permit.
- Construction signs do not require a building permit.
- Banners do not require a building permit.
- Window signs do not require a building permit.
- Signs that are required by law do not require a building permit.
- Signs installed in conjunction with a new structure under a current building permit, and that comply with Chapter 18.24, do not require a separate sign building permit.
- Governmental signs placed or required by a city, county, state, or federal agency (including emergency and warning signs, traffic signs, signs required to be displayed by law, signs directing the public to points of interest, and signs showing the location of public facilities) do not require a building permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A building permit is required for all signs unless specifically exempted in KMC 18.24.060(2). Permit applications must include owner and user information, site address and location, sign drawings with design and dimensions, structural calculations, and lighting details (KMC 18.24.070).
- Directional signs in commercial (C), industrial (I), or UMU zones require approval of a Land Use Permit for a Conditional Use (KMC 18.42.100). Criteria include lack of arterial frontage for freestanding signage, special site circumstances (location/size/shape/topography), and the ability to condition design for aesthetics, lighting, safety, and compatibility; additional limits apply to location, number, height (preferably ground/monument; max 20 ft if impractical), area (max 32 sq ft), and consistency with any adopted neighborhood/subarea plan or overlay (KMC 18.24.050(4)).
- Rooftop signs in CG, CC, UMU, IL, or IH zones require approval of a Land Use Permit for a Conditional Use (KMC 18.42.110). Criteria include no street frontage available for freestanding signage, wall signs inadequate due to restricted visibility, and conformance with the sign table (KMC 18.24.050(13)).
- Any change in building use or classification that requires site plan approval (KMC 18.42.110), or any new sign structure installation, triggers a requirement to bring applicable signage into conformance with Chapter 18.24; copy modifications are exempt (KMC 18.24.090).

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

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