Sign Regulations in Medical Lake, Washington
Medical Lake, Washington has specific sign regulations covering 44 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Nameplate, Community Residential Facility Sign, Wall Sign (High School/College/Golf Course). 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 Medical Lake, Washington
Sample Sign Requirements in Medical Lake
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulletin Board | 6 ft | 25 sq ft per face | — |
| Temporary Subdivision Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — |
| Permanent Subdivision or Area Name Sign | 6 ft (up to 15 ft with planning commission approval in PUD/major subdivision) | — | Out of right-of-way; sight distance triangle applies |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
44
- Nameplate
- Community Residential Facility Sign
- Wall Sign (High School/College/Golf Course)
- Freestanding Sign (High School/College/Golf Course)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
7
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Medical Lake
Other Cities in Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Medical Lake 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 Medical Lake, 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 Medical Lake, regulated sign types include Nameplate, Community Residential Facility Sign, Wall Sign (High School/College/Golf Course), Freestanding Sign (High School/College/Golf Course), 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 Medical Lake 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 Medical Lake are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Medical Lake has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Medical Lake, Washington Sign Rules at a Glance
Medical Lake, Washington regulates 44 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Church, Nonprofit, School, Multiple Family, etc.)s in the Residential Zones (R-1, R-1P, R-2, R-3) zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall, 20 sq ft per face (back to back allowed), and 6 ft wide (Sec. 17.39.060(3)(B)). Most commercial signs in Medical Lake require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Medical Lake, Washington
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Medical Lake (7 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 42 in | 40 sq ft | — |
| Residential Zones (R-1, R-1P, R-2, R-3) | 14 | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Schools and Public Lands Zone | 6 | 20 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| Parks, Open Space Zone | 4 | 10 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Zone (C-1) | 8 | 20 ft | 250 sq ft (plus adjustments for additional frontage) | — |
| Light Industrial Zone (L-I) | 7 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Institutional Zone | 7 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Medical Lake(sample of 3 of 7 zones)
General Regulations For All 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulletin Board | 6 ft | 25 sq ft per face | — | — | — | On-premises of public, charitable, or religious institutions | — | Unlock | 17.39.050(1) |
| Temporary Subdivision Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — | — | — | On premises being sold or leased | — | Unlock | 17.39.050(2) |
| Permanent Subdivision or Area Name Sign | 6 ft (up to 15 ft with planning commission approval in PUD/major subdivision) | — | — | Out of right-of-way; sight distance triangle applies | — | At street entrance(s) to subdivision, in maintained landscaped area, out of ROW | — | Unlock | 17.39.050(3) |
| Temporary Sign (A-frame or Back-to-back) | 42 in | 9 sq ft per face | — | — | — | On or off-premises; may be in ROW if not interfering with traffic | — | Unlock | 17.39.050(4)(E) |
| Contractor/Architect/Surveyor/Engineer Sign | 10 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | One per project | On-premises; location approved by planning director | — | Unlock | 17.39.050(5) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential Use or Property) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft (residential under 1 acre); 16 sq ft (residential 1 acre+) | — | — | One per frontage road | On-premises, one per frontage road | — | Unlock | 17.39.050(6)(A) |
| Real Estate Sign (Commercial/Industrial/Institutional) | 10 ft | 16 sq ft (<2 acres); 32 sq ft (2+ acres) | — | — | One | On-premises | — | Unlock | 17.39.050(6)(B) |
| Open House/Directional Sign | 3 ft (Open House), 5 ft (Directional) | 5 sq ft | — | — | One per access street | Each access street to property, may not interfere with traffic | — | Unlock | 17.39.050(6)(C) |
Residential Zones (R-1, R-1P, R-2, R-3)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nameplate | 6 ft | 4 sq ft (one side) | — | — | — | On-premises; indicates occupant name/address | — | Unlock | 17.39.060(1) |
| Wall Sign (Church, Nonprofit, School, Multiple Family, etc.) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | One | Flat against outside wall of main building | — | Unlock | 17.39.060(3)(A) |
| Freestanding Sign (Church, Nonprofit, School, Multiple Family, etc.) | 10 ft | 20 sq ft per face (back to back allowed) | 6 ft | — | One | On-premises | — | Unlock | 17.39.060(3)(B) |
| Wall Sign (High School/College/Golf Course) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One | Flat against wall of main building | — | Unlock | 17.39.060(4)(A) |
| Freestanding Sign (High School/College/Golf Course) | 20 ft | 32 sq ft per face (back to back allowed) | 10 ft | — | One | On-premises | — | Unlock | 17.39.060(4)(B) |
| Wall Sign (Professional or Business Office, One Office or Building) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | One | Flat against wall of main building | — | Unlock | 17.39.060(5)(A)(i) |
| Freestanding Sign (Professional or Business Office, One Office or Building) | 4 ft | 25 sq ft per face (back to back) | — | — | One | Within front yard area | — | Unlock | 17.39.060(5)(A)(ii) |
| Additional Wall Sign (Professional or Business Office, One Office or Building with Freestanding Sign) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | One | Flat against building | — | Unlock | 17.39.060(5)(A)(iii) |
Commercial Zone (C-1)
| 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 (Individual Business Site) | — | 250 sq ft (plus adjustments for additional frontage) | — | — | Up to 3 walls | On the wall/structure or canopies/awnings affixed | — | Unlock | 17.39.070(1)(A, B, G) |
| Freestanding Sign (Individual Business Site, Option 1) | 20 ft | 150 sq ft (cumulative with Option 2, neither sign to exceed 100 sq ft per sign) | — | — | One (Option 1) | On-premises | — | Unlock | 17.39.070(1)(C), 17.39.070(1)(E), (G) |
| Freestanding Sign (Individual Business Site, Option 2 - Additional Det. Sign) | 20 ft | 100 sq ft per sign (if both used), 150 sq ft combined max | — | — | Two (Option 2) | On-premises; second sign must be 100 ft apart from first | — | Unlock | 17.39.070(1)(C)(ii), (D) |
| Wall Sign (Multiple Offices/Stores/Businesses/Complexes) | — | 250 sq ft (plus adjustment) | — | — | Up to 3 walls | On business wall or canopies/awnings | — | Unlock | 17.39.070(2)(A, B, C), (H) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Businesses/Complexes, Option 1) | 20 ft | 200 sq ft | — | — | One (Option 1) | On-premises; one sign or split between two | — | Unlock | 17.39.070(2)(D-E), (H) |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Businesses/Complexes, Option 2 - Additional Det. Sign) | 20 ft | 100 sq ft per sign (if both used), 200 sq ft combined max | — | — | Two (Option 2) | On-premises; signs must be at least 100 ft apart | — | Unlock | 17.39.070(2)(D-E), (H) |
| Menu Board/Incidental Detached Sign | 6 ft | 25 sq ft | — | — | — | Detached or attached, not readable/visible from public right-of-way | — | Unlock | 17.39.070(1)(F), 17.39.070(2)(G) |
| Projecting Sign (Central Business District) | 3 ft above roofline | 100 sq ft | Projection up to 5 ft over public right-of-way; thickness per Table 4-C | — | — | May project over public right-of-way (central business district only) | — | Unlock | 17.39.070(4) |
PermitPal covers all 7 zoning districts in Medical Lake — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 7 zones for Medical Lake — start freeProhibited Signs in Medical Lake
- Signs which purport to be, are an imitation of, or resemble an official traffic sign or signal, or which obstruct the visibility of any such sign or signal; or which could cause confusion with any official sign or signal
- Signs that create a safety hazard for pedestrian or vehicular traffic
- Flashing signs
- Flashing strobe light, or other similar type flashing display visible from a public road or street
- Portable signs exceeding nine square feet
- All portable reader boards
- All portable electric signs
- Off-premises signs
- Inflatable signs or tethered balloons
- Signs attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property, except vehicles operating in the normal course of business and franchised buses and taxis
- Snipe signs
- Beacons or searchlights
- Awning signs
- Canopy signs
- Billboards
Exempt Signs in Medical Lake
- Changing the advertising copy or message on a lawfully erected sign, reader board, or similar sign specifically designed for replaceable copy
- Painting, repainting, or normal maintenance unless a structural or electrical change is made
- Removal of a previously installed, nonconforming sign for painting, repainting, repairing or maintaining, provided maintenance does not enlarge, substantially alter or increase the nonconformity, and removal is not for longer than seventy-two hours unless extended by the planning director
- Nonelectric incidental signs four square feet or less in area pertaining to goods, products, services, or facilities available on the premises and intended for the convenience of the public while on the premises, unless otherwise prohibited
- A nonelectric bulletin board for each public, charitable, or religious organization, not exceeding twenty-five square feet
- Contractor, architect, surveyor, or engineer sign as permitted
- Murals and/or decorative, antique signs that are art as permitted
- Temporary banners and temporary signs as permitted
- Real estate signs as permitted
- Directional, warning, regulatory, or information signs or structures required or authorized by law, or by federal, state, county, or city authority
- Signs located within a structure, not visible from nor intended to be viewed from the exterior of the building or structure
- American flag, state flag, and/or other official flags of local, state, or national significance
- Nontemporary official company/corporate or other identification type flag displaying a business name and/or logo
- Nontemporary signs attached to and no higher than the outfield fence on ball fields or attached to and no higher than the fence surrounding football fields separating the viewing area from the field
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Medical Lake
- No sign governed by this chapter that is more than four square feet in area shall be erected, re-erected, constructed, painted, posted, applied, or structurally altered except as provided and pursuant to a sign permit signed off by the planning department; each group of signs on a single supporting structure installed simultaneously requires a separate sign permit; thereafter each additional sign erected on the structure must have a separate sign permit.
- Exception to Height Requirement for permanent subdivision or area name signs: Subject to planning commission approval, height limitation may be increased to fifteen feet only in conjunction with a planned unit development or major subdivision, provided that the signage has been included as part of the design and is compatible with the planned development of the subdivision.
- Some temporary banners, flags, pennants, murals/decorative/antique signs, and seasonal/promotional/informational flags located on city streetlight poles within the central business district require an approved permit.
- Location of contractor, architect, surveyor, or engineer sign must be approved by the planning director prior to installation.
- Some temporary commercial banners, flags, pennants and temporary signs require written request and possible extension approval from the planning director.
- Nontemporary official company/corporate or other identification type flags and certain art/mural signs are exempt as permitted (assuming compliance with procedural requirements).
- For any increase in permanent subdivision or area name sign height, signage must be included as part of the planned development design to receive permission (e.g., planned unit development or major subdivision, with planning commission approval).
Source: municode municipal code