# Sign Regulations in Monroe, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Monroe, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/monroe
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-17
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://monroe.municipal.codes/MMC/22.50)

## At a glance

Monroe, Washington regulates 70 sign types across 17 zoning districts. Under-Awning (in lieu of Blade) (Advertising)s in the Downtown Commercial (DC) zoning district are capped at Per MMC 22.50.110 (8 ft clearance under sign) tall and 10 sq ft, with a Per note (b) (edge of ROW allowed) setback (Sec. MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (DC) and notes (a), (b); MMC 22.50.110). Most commercial signs in Monroe require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (17 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | 10 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Institutional (IN), Limited Open Space (LS) | 13 | 24 ft | 120 sq ft (excluding window signage) | — |
| Downtown Commercial (DC) | 20 | Per MMC 22.50.110 (8 ft clearance under sign) | 180 sq ft (excluding window signage) | — |
| Downtown Commercial (Historic Main neighborhood) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Mixed Use – General (MG), Mixed Use – Neighborhood (MN), Mixed Use – Medical (MM) | 20 | 45 ft | 180 sq ft (excluding window signage) | — |
| General Commercial (GC), Industrial Transition (IT), Tourist Commercial (TC) | 23 | 45 ft | 480 sq ft (combination of on- and off-premises signs; excludes window signage) | — |
| Light Industrial (LI), General Industrial (GI), Shoreline Industrial (SI) | 19 | 35 ft | 488 sq ft (combination of on- and off-premises signs; excludes window signage) | — |
| Residential Zones | 5 | 24 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Zones | 5 | 5 ft | 150 sq ft per frontage | — |

_8 additional zoning districts are covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 17 zones)

### Downtown Commercial (DC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Under-Awning (in lieu of Blade) (Advertising) | Per MMC 22.50.110 (8 ft clearance under sign) | 10 sq ft | — | Per note (b) (edge of ROW allowed) | 1 per business on street frontage (in lieu of blade) | Mounted under awning/canopy; may extend up to 6 ft into the public ROW or over sidewalk where sidewalk is at least 10–12 ft wide | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (DC) and notes (a), (b); MMC 22.50.110 |
| Awning/Canopy Fascia (Advertising) (g) | Per MMC 22.50.110 | 40% of vertical edge of awning/canopy | — | Per note (b) (edge of ROW allowed) | 1 per business | Vertical edge of awning/canopy | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (DC) and notes (g), (a), (b); MMC 22.50.110 |
| Blade (in lieu of Under-Awning) (Advertising) | Per MMC 22.50.110 (12 ft clearance for projecting; 8 ft for blade under canopy) | 16 sq ft | — | Per note (b) (edge of ROW allowed) | 1 per tenant space (in lieu of under-awning) | Attached to building facade; may extend up to 4 ft into public ROW or over sidewalk where sidewalk is at least 10–12 ft wide | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (DC) and notes (a), (b); MMC 22.50.110 |
| Projecting (Advertising) | Per MMC 22.50.110 | 20 sq ft | — | Per note (b) | 1 | May extend up to 4 ft into public ROW or over sidewalk where sidewalk is at least 10–12 ft wide | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (DC) and notes (a), (b); MMC 22.50.110 |
| Monument – Single Tenant (Advertising) – Standard | 10 ft (standard) | 32 sq ft (standard) | — | 2 ft (except Historic Main per note e) | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (DC) and note (e) |
| Monument – Single Tenant (Advertising) – Lewis Street Exception | Up to 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 2 ft (except Historic Main per note e) | 1 per street frontage | Lewis Street frontage | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (DC) (Lewis Street allowance) and note (e) |
| Monument – Multitenant (Advertising) – Standard | 10 ft (standard) | 48 sq ft (standard) | — | 2 ft (except Historic Main per note e) | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (DC) and note (e) |
| Monument – Multitenant (Advertising) – Lewis Street Exception | Up to 20 ft | 80 sq ft | — | 2 ft (except Historic Main per note e) | 1 per street frontage | Lewis Street frontage | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (DC) (Lewis Street allowance) and note (e) |

### Mixed Use – General (MG), Mixed Use – Neighborhood (MN), Mixed Use – Medical (MM)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning/Canopy Fascia (Advertising) (g) | Per MMC 22.50.110 | 40% of vertical edge of awning/canopy | — | 2 ft | 1 per business | Vertical edge of awning/canopy | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (MG/MN/MM) and note (g) |
| Under-Awning (in lieu of Blade) (Advertising) | Per MMC 22.50.110 (8 ft clearance) | 10 sq ft | — | 2 ft | 1 per tenant space | Under awning/canopy | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (MG/MN/MM) and note (a) |
| Blade (in lieu of Under-Awning) (Advertising) | Per MMC 22.50.110 | 16 sq ft | — | 2 ft | 1 per tenant space | Building facade | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (MG/MN/MM) and note (a) |
| Monument – Single Tenant (Advertising) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 2 ft | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (MG/MN/MM) |
| Monument – Multitenant Single Street (Advertising) | 8 ft | 48 sq ft | — | 2 ft | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (MG/MN/MM) |
| Freestanding – Single Tenant (<200 lf frontage) – MG only | 20 ft | 80 sq ft | — | 2 ft | 1 per street frontage (<200 lf) | Per street frontage (<200 lf) | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (MG/MN/MM) |
| Freestanding – Single Tenant (>200 lf frontage) – MG only | 20 ft | 80 sq ft per sign | — | 2 ft | 2 per frontage >200 lf (MG only); up to 4/site | Per street frontage over 200 lf | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (MG/MN/MM) |
| Freestanding – Multitenant (<200 lf frontage) – MG only | 20 ft | 120 sq ft | — | 2 ft | 1 per frontage (<200 lf) (MG only) | Per street frontage (<200 lf) | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (MG/MN/MM) |

### General Commercial (GC), Industrial Transition (IT), Tourist Commercial (TC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Informational - Awning/Canopy Fascia (interpreted from table) | Per MMC 22.50.110 | 40% of vertical edge of awning/canopy | — | 2 ft | 1 | Vertical edge of awning/canopy | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (GC/IT/TC) |
| Under-Awning (in lieu of Blade) (Advertising) | Per MMC 22.50.110 | 10 sq ft | — | 2 ft | 1 per business on street frontage | Under awning/canopy | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (GC/IT/TC) and note (a) |
| Blade (in lieu of Under-Awning) (Advertising) | Per MMC 22.50.110 | 16 sq ft | — | 2 ft | 1 per tenant space | Building facade | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (GC/IT/TC) and note (a) |
| Awning/Canopy Fascia (Advertising) (g) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | 2 ft | 1 per property | Awning/Canopy | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (GC/IT/TC) and note (g) |
| Freestanding – Single Tenant (<400 lf frontage) (Advertising) | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — | 2 ft | 1 per frontage (<400 lf) | Per street frontage (<400 lf) | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (GC/IT/TC); MMC 22.50.120(D) |
| Freestanding – Single Tenant (>400 lf frontage) (Advertising) | 35 ft | 100 sq ft per sign | — | 2 ft | 2 per frontage >400 lf; up to 4/site | Per street frontage over 400 lf | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (GC/IT/TC) |
| Freestanding – Multitenant (<400 lf frontage) (Advertising) | 35 ft | 150 sq ft | — | 2 ft | 1 per frontage (<400 lf) | Per street frontage (<400 lf) | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (GC/IT/TC) |
| Freestanding – Multitenant (>400 lf frontage) (Advertising) | 35 ft | 150 sq ft per sign | — | 2 ft | 2 per frontage >400 lf; up to 4/site | Per street frontage over 400 lf | — | MMC 22.50.020, Table 22.50.020 (GC/IT/TC) |

## Prohibited signs in Monroe

- Signs with obscene, indecent, or immoral content that offends public morals or decency are prohibited (22.50.080.A).
- Any sign that constitutes a traffic hazard or is detrimental to traffic safety due to size, location, movement, content, or method of illumination; that obstructs driver or pedestrian vision; or that interferes with or confuses traffic control is prohibited (22.50.080.B).
- Signs that cause glare or impair vision of motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians, or that are a nuisance due to brightness or glare, are prohibited (22.50.080.C; 22.50.130.E).
- Laser signage that uses light-based displays resulting in an image is prohibited (22.50.080.D).
- Signs attached to public vegetation or structures within the right-of-way (e.g., utility poles, traffic control devices, lampposts) or other city-owned property, except the ROW itself, are prohibited unless otherwise allowed by law (22.50.080.E).
- Signs in violation of building, electrical, or fire codes are prohibited (22.50.080.F).
- Advertising vehicles are prohibited (does not include automobile for-sale signs) (22.50.080.G).
- Portable reader board signs, including trailer signs, are prohibited (22.50.080.H).
- Signs with visible moving, revolving, or rotating parts, or other apparent movement by mechanical, electrical, or optical means, are prohibited, except traditional barber poles (22.50.080.I).
- Signs that emit odor or visible matter (e.g., smoke, steam) or involve live animals are prohibited (22.50.080.J).
- Off-premises signs (including billboards, snipe signs, and signs on vehicles/trailers) are prohibited unless specifically authorized; this prohibition does not apply to noncommercial signs or categories specifically exempted (22.50.080.K).
- Billboards and product advertising sponsored flags (including feather banners) and posters are prohibited, except interior signs not visible from the street right-of-way (22.50.080.L).
- Signs painted, pasted, or printed on curbs, pavements, sidewalks, or streets are prohibited, except house numbers and traffic control signs (22.50.080.M).
- Signs painted directly on sloped or gabled roof surfaces are prohibited (22.50.080.N).
- Signs that violate conditions of an issued permit are prohibited (22.50.080.O).
- Torn, damaged, defaced, or destroyed sign structures are prohibited (22.50.080.P).
- Abandoned signs or signs in poor repair are prohibited (22.50.080.Q; 22.50.140.E).
- Any sign not specifically permitted or exempted by the chapter is prohibited (22.50.080.R; 22.50.130.A).
- Flashing devices visible from outside a building are prohibited (22.50.130.E).
- No sign may be anchored to or supported by a fire escape or standpipe, or erected to obstruct ingress/egress from any window, door, or fire escape (22.50.130.I).
- It is unlawful to place or maintain any sign within the right-of-way or on any property without consent of the owner/tenant or underlying property owner (for ROW), except as otherwise authorized (22.50.130.K).
- Signs supported entirely on private property may not extend beyond the curb line into the public right-of-way (22.50.130.L).
- Signs may not be constructed or maintained with less than required clearance from communications or electric power lines (22.50.130.M).
- No sign may be serviced by an overhead electric or power line from a source other than that internal to the sign (22.50.130.N).
- Within parking lots, freestanding or wall-mounted signs are not permitted except ADA accessible parking signs; entry/exit signs only as allowed in the sign tables (22.50.130.O).

## Signs exempt from permit in Monroe

- Traffic or pedestrian control signs, signs required by law, or signs indicating scenic or historic points of interest erected by or on order of a public officer in performance of public duty (22.50.070.A).
- Nonadvertising signs erected/installed by or at the direction of the city (e.g., traffic signs, legal notices, railroad warnings, underground utility location, emergency/warning signs) (22.50.070.B).
- City-directed city-wide freestanding directory/wayfinding systems (22.50.070.C).
- Temporary private ground or wall public-safety signs (e.g., no parking today, use covered walkway, do not enter, danger, loading zone) without number/size/location limits as needed for safety (22.50.070.D).
- Signs directly related to a municipal building or required by a governmental entity (22.50.070.E).
- Flags of governmental and public institutions (22.50.070.F).
- Flag of a commercial institution not advertising a product, limited to one per business and 20 sq ft (22.50.070.G).
- Decorative flags and bunting on public ROW for community celebrations/conventions/commemorations when authorized by city council for a prescribed period (22.50.070.H).
- Governmental banners over the public ROW displaying governmental speech (e.g., government events/celebrations) (22.50.070.I).
- Temporary holiday signs and decorations customary for special holidays on private property (22.50.070.J).
- Official public notices of federal, state, or local governments; official court notices (22.50.070.K).
- Product-identification signs incorporated into machinery/equipment (e.g., vending machines, newspaper racks, telephone booths, gasoline pumps) that identify/advertise only the product/service dispensed (22.50.070.L).
- Lettering or symbols painted directly onto or magnetically flush-mounted onto an operable vehicle (22.50.070.M).
- Advertising on licensed taxicabs and buses or commercial vehicles operating in the normal course of business; signs on public transit benches/shelters and on/within public transit vehicles (22.50.070.N).
- Changing of advertising copy/message on signs designed for replaceable copy (e.g., theater marquees, reader boards) (22.50.070.O).
- Painting, repainting, cleaning, repairing, or normal maintenance (including copy change) of an advertising structure without structural or electrical change (22.50.070.P).
- Interior signs (22.50.070.Q).
- Historic signs (typically wall or projecting) to be restored or authentically recreated as evidenced by historic photos (22.50.070.R).
- Sculptures, fountains, mosaics, and design features that do not incorporate advertising or identification (22.50.070.S).
- Identification signs on recycling collection containers for public, charitable, or nonprofit organizations (22.50.070.T).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Master sign site plan is required for multi-occupancy buildings, multi-building complexes, or properties under common ownership/control; all development permits for such sites approved after the effective date must submit a master sign site plan for city approval (22.50.160.C.1).
- Under an approved master sign site plan, total allowable signage for the development may be transferred among tenants/parcels within the site (22.50.160.C.2).
- Any deviation from an approved master sign site plan (additional signage, relocation, replacement signs, other modifications excluding tenant name changes) requires modifying/updating the approved plan; city approves modifications (22.50.160.C.3).
- General permit requirement: It is unlawful to erect, re-erect, construct, enlarge, display, alter, or move a sign without first obtaining a city sign permit, unless exempt (22.50.160.A).
- No-fee permits and city-issued labels are required for temporary commercial signs (22.50.030.D) and temporary noncommercial speech signs (22.50.050.E).
- No additional permit is required to clean, repaint, or perform normal maintenance/repair of a permitted sign; any modification requires a permit; no permit is required to change the message on a changeable message/electronic sign (22.50.160.A).
- Murals containing a commercial sign message require a sign permit; the commercial display area counts against allowed site/tenant signage (22.50.060).
- Electronic message centers/displays and video display signs require permit applications to include the manufacturer’s operating manual; such signs are subject to periodic performance/safety assessments (22.50.120.E).
- Projecting and suspended (under awning) signs over the public right-of-way in the Downtown Commercial zone may require a letter of indemnification/hold harmless as a permit condition when deemed necessary for safety (22.50.110.B).
- A-frame signs located in the public right-of-way require a letter of indemnification/hold harmless (22.50.100.D; 22.50.160.F).
- Any sign located in, projecting into, or overhanging a public right-of-way requires execution of a hold harmless agreement before permit approval (22.50.160.F).
- Sign inspections (footings, electrical, final) are required for permitted signs; signs must conform to applicable building/electrical codes (22.50.130.H; 22.50.160.G).
- Variances and appeals: The hearing examiner has authority to grant variances/special permits and hear appeals of sign permit decisions; applications require a fee, public notice, and a hearing; a stay may be requested subject to safety exceptions (22.50.190.A–C).
- Administrator interpretations may be made and, if necessary to avoid constitutional violations, deviations may be authorized in writing; such determinations are appealable under the variance/appeal process (22.50.180).

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

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