Sign Regulations in McCleary, Washington

McCleary, Washington has specific sign regulations covering 7 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Projecting Sign, Freestanding Canopy, Freestanding Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.

Data last verified: May 8, 2025

Sign Regulation Overview for McCleary, Washington

Sample Sign Requirements in McCleary

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaSetback
Portable Sign9 square feet per side
Projecting SignNot more than 5 feet above the highest exterior wall or 2 feet above roof ridge line.
Fence-Mounted Identification Sign (Residential Development)4 feet32 square feet

* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.

PermitPal Coverage for McClearyFull Coverage

Sign Types Covered

7

  • Projecting Sign
  • Freestanding Canopy
  • Freestanding Sign
  • Portable Sign
  • +2 more types

Zoning Districts

4

Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations

Data Includes

  • Permit requirements
  • Height restrictions
  • Illumination rules

Official Resources for McCleary

City WebsiteMunicipal Code1 permit application link available

Frequently Asked Questions

Sign height limits in McCleary vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.

To get a sign permit in McCleary, 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 McCleary, regulated sign types include Projecting Sign, Freestanding Canopy, Freestanding Sign, Portable Sign, 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 McCleary 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 McCleary are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. McCleary has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.

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McCleary, Washington Sign Rules at a Glance

McCleary, Washington regulates 7 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Canopys in the Commercial Districts, Commercial District (C-1), Commercial District (C-2) zoning district are capped at 15 feet at peak tall and 10% of lot surface area (floor area of all canopies), with a See 'location_of_sign' and 'additional_requirements' setback (Sec. 17.28.040). Most commercial signs in McCleary require a permit.

Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for McCleary, Washington

Sign Rules by Zoning District in McCleary (4 zones)

Zoning DistrictSign Types RegulatedMax HeightMax AreaPermit Required
General Regulations For All Zones5Not more than 5 feet above the highest exterior wall or 2 feet above roof ridge line.32 square feet
Residential Districts14 feet32 square feet
Commercial Districts, Commercial District (C-1), Commercial District (C-2)215 feet at peak10% of lot surface area (floor area of all canopies)
Industrial Districts115 feet at peak10% of lot surface area (floor area of all canopies)

Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in McCleary(sample of 3 of 4 zones)

General Regulations For All Zones

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
Freestanding SignFor residential developments: Each entrance may have one sign.Shall not be located within the public right-of-way. For residential developments: each entrance to a subdivision or manufactured home park may have a freestanding or fence-mounted identification sign up to 32 square feet; height not exceeding 4 feet.Unlock17.28.090(D)(1), 17.28.040(G), 17.28.090(D)(1)(b)
Portable Sign9 square feet per side1 per entityDirectly in front of the sponsoring entity during business hours only.Unlock17.28.090(D)(2)
Projecting SignNot more than 5 feet above the highest exterior wall or 2 feet above roof ridge line.Not directly over windows or in conflict with other signs or architectural features. In C-1 and C-2: may extend no closer than 2 feet to edge of roadway with at least 10 feet clearance from grade.Unlock17.28.090(D)(3)
Fence-Mounted Identification Sign (Residential Development)4 feet32 square feet1 per entranceAt entrance to subdivision or manufactured home parkUnlock17.28.090(D)(1)(b)
Temporary SignMay be located in the right-of-way if conforming with requirements. Not allowed in right-of-way adjacent to public property unless approved.Unlock17.28.090(D)(4)

Commercial Districts, Commercial District (C-1), Commercial District (C-2)

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
Projecting SignNot more than 5 feet above the highest exterior wall, or 2 feet above roof ridge lineMay extend no closer than 2 feet to the edge of the roadway; must provide a minimum clearance of 10 feet from highest existing grade.Unlock17.28.090(D)(3)(c)
Freestanding Canopy15 feet at peak10% of lot surface area (floor area of all canopies)See 'location_of_sign' and 'additional_requirements'No more than 2 per lot without council approval. For entertainment/dining: more than one allowed, but only one may remain for more than 5 days.Not in front yard or within 5 feet of rear and side lot lines, except for entertainment or dining purposes, in which case no closer than 5 feet to front or side lot linesUnlock17.28.040

Industrial Districts

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
Freestanding Canopy15 feet at peak10% of lot surface area (floor area of all canopies)See 'location_of_sign' and 'additional_requirements'No more than 2 per lot without council approval. For entertainment/dining: more than one allowed, but only one may remain for more than 5 days.Not in front yard or within 5 feet of rear/side lot lines unless for entertainment/dining, in which case must be at least 5 feet from front or side lot lines.Unlock17.28.040

PermitPal covers all 4 zoning districts in McCleary — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.

See all 4 zones for McCleary — start free

Prohibited Signs in McCleary

  • No sign shall obstruct or impair access to a public sidewalk, public or private street or driveway, traffic control sign, bus stop, fire hydrant, bench or any type of street furniture, or otherwise create a hazard.
  • Signs or sign structures which by coloring, shape, design or location resemble or conflict with traffic control signs or devices are prohibited.
  • Signs that create a safety hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic, as determined by the director of public works or the city building official, are prohibited.
  • Signs attached to public property without permission of the government agency owning the same, including, without limitation, trees, utility poles, and streetlights, are prohibited.
  • Signs not meeting the requirements of this chapter are subject to removal by the city.
  • Abandoned signs must be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located within six months of abandonment.
  • Signs that constitute a safety hazard to the public shall be removed or made safe immediately.
  • It is a violation to fail to comply with or to be in conflict with any provision of this chapter; each day is a separate offense.
  • No sign shall be located within the public right-of-way (for freestanding signs).
  • Portable signs shall be nonilluminated.
  • Temporary signs shall not be located in right-of-way adjacent to public property owned or under the control of a unit of federal, state or local government, or special purpose district such as a school park, public utility, port or library district unless otherwise approved by that entity.
  • Temporary signs placed within the public right-of-way that may otherwise be allowed but are in a degraded or dilapidated state, or are illegible, may be removed by the city.

Exempt Signs in McCleary

  • Wall mounted sign holders designed for insertion of signs and posters shall be considered permanent signage and subject to all permanent sign standards.
  • Adding a new sign face to a nonconforming sign which does not modify the shape, size or any structural element of a nonconforming sign shall be permitted.
  • Temporary signs may be located in the right-of-way when they conform with the requirements of this chapter and have permission from the abutting property owner.
  • Temporary signs located in city maintained rights-of-way are subject to temporary removal by the city upon the need to conduct work.

Sign Plan & Submission Notes for McCleary

  • The construction and placement of all signs shall conform to the International Building Code and be pre-approved by the city council and/or staff.
  • For signs that meet the definition of more than one sign type, the public works director shall determine which standards apply based on the sign's function, location and orientation.
  • Nonconforming signs must be made to conform, or removed, when modifying structure, frame, or support, or when renovating the facade of a building with nonconforming wall or projecting signs.
  • All existing signs not in compliance with this chapter upon the effective date are considered nonconforming and must be brought into compliance or removed under the conditions set forth in the ordinance.

Source: municode municipal code