Sign Regulations in Lynden, Washington
Lynden, Washington has specific sign regulations covering 25 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Projecting Sign, Identification Sign (Government/School/Church). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 5, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Lynden, Washington
Sample Sign Requirements in Lynden
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Identification) | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | — |
| Temporary Yard Sign | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | — |
| Wall Sign (Home Occupation) | 5 ft | 6 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for LyndenFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
25
- Wall Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Identification Sign (Government/School/Church)
- Primary Sign (Wall or Freestanding)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Lynden
Other Cities in Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
In Lynden, wall signs can be up to 5 ft. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Lynden, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Lynden, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Projecting Sign, Identification Sign (Government/School/Church), Primary Sign (Wall or Freestanding), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Lynden vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Lynden are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Lynden has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Lynden, Washington Sign Rules at a Glance
Lynden, Washington regulates 25 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Monument - Directory in Complex)s in the Historic business, commercial business and public use districts (HBD, CSL, PU zones) zoning district are capped at 5 ft + 1 ft for each business (max 17 ft) tall, 80 sq ft, and 10 ft wide, with a 1 ft per ft of sign height >5 ft setback (Sec. 19.33.060(G)(2), (B)(4)). Most commercial signs in Lynden require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Lynden, Washington
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Lynden (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | — | — |
| Residential districts (RS, RM zones) | 6 | 5 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Historic business district (HBD) | 6 | 7 ft (but must not extend higher than nearby roof or cornice line) | 16 sq ft | — |
| Historic business, commercial business and public use districts (HBD, CSL, PU zones) | 11 | Directory monument: 5 ft + 1 ft per business, max 17 ft. | 150 sq ft per wall | — |
| Commercial business districts (RCS, CS-3 zones) | 12 | 25 ft standard; 35 ft allowed if 100–300 ft from state highway right-of-way | 150 sq ft (any one sign) | — |
| Industrial districts (ID, IBZ zones) | 8 | 5 ft for monument + 1 ft/business (max 10 ft for multi-complex); 17 ft for other freestanding signs | 150 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Lynden(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
Residential districts (RS, RM zones)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Identification) | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | One wall-mounted identification sign per street frontage | — | Unlock | 19.33.050(A)(1), (3), (E) |
| Temporary Yard Sign | 5 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Yard | — | Unlock | 19.33.050(A)(1), (C)(3) |
| Wall Sign (Home Occupation) | 5 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Wall of home occupation | — | Unlock | 19.33.050(A)(3), (E) |
| Wall Sign (Multifamily Complex/Subdivision) | 5 ft | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | 19.33.050(A)(2), (B) |
| Identification Sign (Government/School/Church) | 5 ft (unless increased by conditional use permit, then CSL standards apply) | 24 sq ft (ID sign) + 16 sq ft (reader board, must be incorporated in main sign structure) | — | — | 1 ID sign + 1 reader board | — | — | Unlock | 19.33.050(A)(4), (B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Permanent) | 5 ft | — | — | 5 ft inside property lines | — | Monument or pole sign mounted on two poles placed at the outermost sides of sign face | — | Unlock | 19.33.050(C)(1)-(4), (E) |
Historic business, commercial business and public use districts (HBD, CSL, PU zones)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directory Sign (Multiple-Business Complex) | Directory monument: 5 ft + 1 ft per business, max 17 ft. | 80 sq ft | 10 ft | — | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | Unlock | 19.33.060(A)(2), (B)(4), (G)(2) |
| Directory Sign (Multiple-Tenant Building) | — | 48 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On building | — | Unlock | 19.33.060(A)(3) |
| Outdoor Business Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | For businesses operating outdoors w/o building | — | Unlock | 19.33.060(A)(4) |
| Identification Sign (Government/School/Church) | — | 36 sq ft (ID sign) + 24 sq ft (reader board) | — | — | 1 ID + 1 reader board | — | — | Unlock | 19.33.060(A)(5) |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument, Single/Multi-Tenant) | Single/Multi-tenant monument: 5 ft; Directory monument: 5 ft + 1 ft per business (max 17 ft). | 80 sq ft | — | Setback 1 ft per ft height in excess of 5 ft. All signs min 5 ft from property line. | 1 per building | CSL/PU zones: one per building; HBD: see separate standards. | — | Unlock | 19.33.060(G)(1)-(5) |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument - Directory in Complex) | 5 ft + 1 ft for each business (max 17 ft) | 80 sq ft | 10 ft | 1 ft per ft of sign height >5 ft | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | Unlock | 19.33.060(G)(2), (B)(4) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per main entry | May project max 4 ft; clear min 8 ft above sidewalk; min 6 in from wall. | — | Unlock | 19.33.060(E) |
| Reader Board Sign | — | 75% of sign area, or 30 sq ft (whichever is less) | — | — | — | Incorporated into main sign | — | Unlock | 19.33.060(I) |
Commercial business districts (RCS, CS-3 zones)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Sign (Wall or Freestanding) | — | 150 sq ft (any one sign) | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | 19.33.063(A)(1), (6) |
| Directory Sign (Multiple-Business Complex) | — | 80 sq ft | 10 ft | — | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | Unlock | 19.33.063(A)(2) |
| Directory Sign (Multiple-Tenant Building) | — | 48 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | Unlock | 19.33.063(A)(3) |
| Identification Sign (Government/School/Church) | — | 36 sq ft (ID sign) + 24 sq ft (reader board) | — | — | 1 ID + 1 reader board | — | — | Unlock | 19.33.063(A)(5) |
| Freestanding Sign (Single/Multi-Tenant) | 25 ft standard; 35 ft allowed if 100–300 ft from state highway right-of-way | 150 sq ft (if only one sign); 100 sq ft (if more than one sign, each must be of equal size and shape) | — | Setback: 1 ft per ft height excess of 5 ft; all at least 5 ft from property line. | 1 per 60 ft frontage | 1 per 60 ft of frontage | — | Unlock | 19.33.063(F)(1)-(6), (B)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Directory Monument for Multiple-Business Complex) | — | 80 sq ft | 10 ft | Setback: 1 ft per ft of height excess of 5 ft; min 5 ft from property line. | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | Unlock | 19.33.063(F)(2) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per main entry | May project no more than 4 ft; minimum 8 ft clearance above sidewalk; 6 in from wall. | — | Unlock | 19.33.063(D) |
| Reader Board Sign | — | 75% of sign area, or 30 sq ft (whichever is less) | — | — | — | Part of overall signage | — | Unlock | 19.33.063(G) |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Lynden — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Lynden — start freeProhibited Signs in Lynden
- No sign shall be erected, caused to be erected, or allowed to remain erected except in compliance with all regulations established in this chapter.
- No owner or lessee shall knowingly allow any sign to be erected on their property in violation of this chapter.
- No person shall take any action intending to, or having the effect of, circumventing the purpose and intent of this chapter.
- All signs must be designed and constructed to meet Uniform Building Code and Lynden Municipal Code requirements. Electrified signs must comply with the National Electrical Code.
- Signs may not create a safety hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- No sign shall obstruct rights-of-way or be placed within the clear vision triangle at intersections.
- No sign shall cause hazardous glare to motorists or pedestrians.
- Prohibited signs include: abandoned signs; bench signs on or within thirty feet of the public right-of-way; new billboards; flashing, revolving, or any other moving signs (except clocks or permitted devices); off-premises signs (unless specifically exempted); off-premises real estate signs in the historic business district; portable reader board signs (with exceptions, never in historic business district); roof-mounted signs or signs painted directly on a roof; signs resembling or conflicting with traffic-control signs or devices; signs larger than two square feet attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer (with exceptions); signs attached to utility poles or traffic signs; signs within the public right-of-way (except specific community/kiosk/overhang as authorized); signs in city-designated buffer zones or greenbelts (except park/trail/informational signs); streamers or inflatable objects (except for special events, must be removed within 24 hours, outside historic business district); laser lights.
Exempt Signs in Lynden
- Fundraising signs for public construction projects/nonprofit/religious campaigns (specific size/time limits, max 6/year).
- Real estate signs (one per parcel, size limits, timely removal after sale).
- On-premises or on-vehicle incidental signs not exceeding two square feet each.
- On-premises directional signs not exceeding six square feet with no advertising.
- Political signs on private property (size/time limits).
- Temporary construction signs (max 32 sq ft, max one year, remove after completion).
- Traffic, directional, or informational signs lawfully installed or required by a government entity.
- Signs not intended to be viewed/readable from a public right-of-way.
- Window merchandise displays.
- Flags of US, state, city, county, foreign nation, or sanctioned flags (subject to size/pole height/protocol).
- Decorative banners (max five per premises, consistency/theme requirements, displayed at least six months).
- Legal notices required by law.
- Barber poles.
- Grave markers.
- Incidental, nonilluminated signs on small community service structures (phone booths, transit shelters, recycle/used goods containers).
- Incidental, nonilluminated signs (max three per storefront).
- Nonilluminated informational signs affixed to motor fuel pumps (max two sq ft, no advertising).
- Temporary signs (max 30 days, max two up at once per business, includes banners/hanging/freestanding/temporary window lettering/searchlights with duration limits).
- Lettering or symbols painted or magnetically mounted on operable vehicles in normal business use (none above vehicle roof, except vehicles for hire).
- Signs attached to buses/taxis for hire.
- One nonilluminated bulletin board (max 12 sq ft) for each public/charitable/religious institution on premises.
- Grand opening/going out of business signs (no sign permit; area/height/type/placement limits suspended up to 90 days, subject to time/occasion restrictions, one event per 12 months; other regulations remain).
- Mural signs within the historic business district in existence at the ordinance's effective date.
- Nonilluminated religious symbols mounted on church premises.
- On-premises, directional signs for churches, schools, and government offices (max 8 sq ft, sandwich board, portable, not in public right-of-way).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Lynden
- All permanent signs subject to design review must obtain approval from the Design Review Board (DRB) before a sign permit may be issued. This includes all replacement signs.
- Permit applications must include a site plan showing location of lot, buildings, and signs (existing and proposed), and a scale drawing of each proposed sign or revision, among other documentation.
- The Design Review Board must approve freestanding signs in residential districts and sandwich board signs in the historic business district.
- Monument sign placement alternatives may be approved by the city planner as part of a streetscape improvement plan and planned unit development.
- Approval of plans by building official and, where required, the Design Review Board is required before a permit is issued.
- Mural signs require prior recommendation of the Design Review Board and approval of the city council.
- Variances from requirements require application, Design Review Board review (public notice, written findings), and may be appealed to city council.
Source: municode municipal code