# Sign Regulations in Mountlake Terrace, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Mountlake Terrace, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/mountlake-terrace
- **Data last verified:** 2025-06-19
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/MountlakeTerrace/#!/MountlakeTerrace19/MountlakeTerrace19135.html)

## At a glance

Mountlake Terrace, Washington regulates 22 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Freestanding or Monument Sign (religious facilities, schools, PUDs, subdivisions) - Residentials in the Single-Household Residential Districts (RS 8400, RS 7200, RS 4800, RS-T) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 24 sq. ft., with a Must meet minimum yard building setbacks for RS zone; not extend over property lines; not violate sight area triangle (see 19.135.050(B), 19.120.290) setback (Sec. 19.135.060(E) (Freestanding and Monument Signs; RS; religious facilities, schools, PUDs, subdivisions)). Most commercial signs in Mountlake Terrace require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (13 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-Household Residential Districts (RS 8400, RS 7200, RS 4800, RS-T) | 4 | 6 ft | 50 sq. ft. per wall | — |
| Multiple-Household Residential Districts (RML, RMM) | 2 | 6 ft | 50 sq. ft. per wall | — |
| Community Business District (BC) | 5 | 30 ft | Max. 12 in. vertical | — |
| Town Center Zones (TC-1, TC-2, TC-3, TC-R) | 2 | 30 ft | — | — |
| General Commercial District (CG) | 3 | 30 ft | Counts toward wall sign area | — |
| Freeway/Tourist District (F/T, all building districts A-F) | 3 | 30 ft | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Light Industry/Office Park District (LI/OP) | 3 | 30 ft | Counts as part of wall sign area | — |
| Sexually Oriented Adult Businesses/Adult Entertainment Establishments Overlay District (S.O.A.B.) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Recreation and Park District (REC, with subdistricts Mini-Parks, Neighborhood Parks, Community Parks, Natural Area/Greenway, Linear Parks, Special Use Areas) | 3 | 15 ft above grade at base | 100 sq. ft. total per facility; max 50 sq. ft. per street frontage | — |
| Special Development District/Residential (SDD/R) | 2 | — | 50 sq. ft. per wall | — |
| Special Development District Commercial/Residential (SDD C/R) | 2 | 30 ft | — | — |
| Public Facilities and Services District (PFS) | 2 | 30 ft | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 6 ft on-premises; 2 ft off-premises | 16 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 13 zones)

### Single-Household Residential Districts (RS 8400, RS 7200, RS 4800, RS-T)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single-Household Residential Use) | — | N/A | — | — | 0 | — | — | 19.135.060(A) (Wall Signs; RS; Single-household residential) |
| Wall Sign (Private Recreational Facilities) | — | 50 sq. ft. per wall | — | Sign structures must comply with minimum front, side, and rear yard building setbacks for zone; may not extend over property lines; may not violate sight area triangle (see 19.135.050(B), 19.120.290) | 1 per wall | On wall; may not extend above building wall to which attached | — | 19.135.060(A) (Wall Signs; RS; Private recreational facilities) |
| Wall Sign (Religious Facilities, Schools) | — | 50 sq. ft. per wall | — | Sign structures must comply with minimum front, side, and rear yard building setbacks for zone; may not extend over property lines; may not violate sight area triangle (see 19.135.050(B), 19.120.290) | 1 per wall | On wall; may not extend above building wall to which attached | — | 19.135.060(A) (Wall Signs; RS; Religious facilities, schools) |
| Freestanding or Monument Sign (religious facilities, schools, PUDs, subdivisions) - Residential | 6 ft | 24 sq. ft. | — | Must meet minimum yard building setbacks for RS zone; not extend over property lines; not violate sight area triangle (see 19.135.050(B), 19.120.290) | 2 per lot; 1 per street frontage | Permitted on street frontage; not to exceed max height | — | 19.135.060(E) (Freestanding and Monument Signs; RS; religious facilities, schools, PUDs, subdivisions) |

### Community Business District (BC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (All Uses) | — | — | — | — | 4 per wall | On wall; not above wall; mounted flat | — | 19.135.060(A) (Wall Signs; BC, CG, LI/OP, F/T, PFS, SDD C/R) |
| Awning Sign | — | Counts toward wall sign total area | — | — | 1 per use | On awning, not over 1ft above wall, 8ft clear above sidewalk | — | 19.135.060(B) |
| Projecting Sign | — | Counts toward wall sign total area | Project max 5 ft from bldg facade | — | 1 per use | Attached to bldg; 8ft clearance above sidewalk | — | 19.135.060(C) |
| Under-Marquee Sign | — | Max. 12 in. vertical | — | — | — | Suspended from marquee, 8ft clearance above ground | — | 19.135.060(D) |
| Freestanding or Monument Sign | 30 ft | — | — | Signs must meet setbacks, not extend over property lines, comply with sight triangles. | 2 per lot, 1 per street frontage | Street frontage, integrated base and landscaping required | — | 19.135.060(E) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Garage Sale Sign | 6 ft on-premises; 2 ft off-premises | 2 sq. ft. on-premises, 4 sq. ft. off-premises | — | — | 2 on-premises, 2 off-premises | On-premises or in right-of-way as specified | — | 19.120.210; 19.135.090(E) |
| Political Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | — | On private property or within public ROW with property owner permission (subject to code) | — | 19.135.090(C) |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 ft. (single-fam/multi-fam), 10 ft. (comm/indust) | 6 sq. ft. (single home), 16 sq. ft. (multi-fam), 32 sq. ft. (commercial/industrial) | — | — | 2 per lot, 1 per frontage (on-premises); 3 off-prem for open house | On premises being advertised; off-premises with restriction | — | 19.135.090(D) |

## Prohibited signs in Mountlake Terrace

- No sign shall be located on any building, portion of building, or property other than where the business or service advertised is located. (19.135.050.A)
- No sign shall extend into or over a public right-of-way, except as permitted by certain public information signs. (19.135.050.A, 19.135.080.H)
- No sign shall be built to or extend over any property line; setback requirements must be met, including sight triangles. (19.135.050.B)
- No sign shall impair or interfere with sight distance at intersections or driveways (sight area triangles). (19.135.050.B, 19.120.290)
- No sign shall be illuminated so as to create a nuisance or safety hazard for traffic or adjoining residents. (19.135.050.C.3)
- No sign shall have lighting that includes exposed incandescent lamps over 25 watts without a dimmer or sunscreen, revolutions, beacons, or strobe lights, except as allowed for certain changing message centers. (19.135.050.C.1)
- No animated, revolving, or rotating sign is allowed without an approved special use sign permit. (19.135.070.D)
- Off-premises signs are not allowed, except for very limited exceptions for political/real estate/garage sale signs and with special use sign permit. (19.135.070.C)
- Portable signs are prohibited, with exceptions for political, real estate, garage sale, and approved temporary/special events. (19.135.070.B)
- No sign may be affixed to utility, street light, or traffic control poles, except by the utility or government. (19.135.070.E)
- No sign shall be animated, revolve, or rotate, except approved clock, digital, or barber pole, or with special use sign permit. (19.135.070.D)
- No sign shall simulate or resemble traffic-control signals/devices, or obscure such devices. (19.135.070.F)
- No sign shall display obscene content as defined by state/federal law. (19.135.070.H)
- Signs within the public right-of-way are prohibited unless specifically approved by the City Engineer. (19.135.070.G)
- No sign or associated lighting may be hazardous to passing motorists or create glare visible from a public right-of-way. (19.120.030, 19.135.050.C)
- No sign shall be maintained in a deteriorated/unsafe condition (signs must be maintained). (19.135.050.D)
- Banners, streamers, pennants, balloons, and temporary celebration devices are only permitted for limited periods with specific events like grand opening or special event, and are prohibited otherwise. (19.135.070.A, 19.135.060.I)
- Nonconforming signs may not be structurally altered or moved without coming into compliance with current regulations. (19.135.050.E, 19.120.250 for nonconformances in general)
- Signs advertising a home occupation/business within a residence are not permitted unless clearly incidental and conforming. (inferred from 19.120.230.B.7, residential sign limits)
- Off-premises signage for marijuana businesses is not allowed. (19.150.040.C)
- Signs must not interfere with access to utilities, water meters, fire hydrants, or impede public right-of-way. (19.130.200.E)
- No sign may be built to violate the defined yard or setback exceptions. (19.120.190)
- Signs shall not be posted on trees. (implicit in no utility pole and protection of trees; 19.130.180)

## Signs exempt from permit in Mountlake Terrace

- Traffic signs, directional signs, and public service message signs installed by government agencies are exempt. (19.135.080.A, H)
- Point of purchase advertising displays such as product dispensers are exempt. (19.135.080.B)
- National and governmental flags are exempt. (19.135.080.C, I)
- Gravestones are exempt. (19.135.080.D)
- Historical site plaques and signs integral to a historical building are exempt. (19.135.080.E)
- Structures or improvements intended for a separate use, such as phone booths, Goodwill containers, and newspaper recycling boxes, are exempt. (19.135.080.F)
- Building addresses with numbers and letters not more than 12 inches in height are exempt. (19.135.080.G)
- Seasonal decorations displayed within an appropriate holiday season or organized community event are exempt if removed within two weeks after the holiday/event. (19.135.090.A)
- Construction signs as specified (non-illuminated, limited size/placement/duration) are exempt from permit. (19.135.090.B)
- Incidental signs of a noncommercial nature (up to two square feet) are exempt from permit. (19.135.090.F)
- Real estate signs meeting size, location, and duration limits are exempt from permit requirement. (19.135.090.D)
- Political signs meeting location, size, spacing, and permission limits are exempt from permit; further unrestricted at political HQ. (19.135.090.C)
- Garage sale signs as regulated are exempt. (19.135.090.E)
- Public information, governmental, and safety signs are generally exempt from sign code requirements. (19.135.080.H, 19.135.080.A)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The Planning Commission may issue special use sign permits to allow off-premises directional signs, animated signs, or signs using a comprehensive design plan that integrates signage into the larger site/building architectural plan. (19.135.100)
- Any request for a comprehensive design sign plan (integration of signage with building/site design, including exemption from strict size/height limits) requires a narrative and submittal for Planning Commission review. (19.135.100.C)
- Special use sign permits are subject to specific design, location, and narrative requirements and may allow exceptions to sign standards for exceptional architectural/visual integration. (19.135.100.C)
- Application for new/altered (nonexempt) signs requires a permit submitted on a form approved by the Planning Department. (19.135.030)
- Nonconforming signs must be brought into compliance if structurally altered, replaced, or moved. (19.135.030, 19.135.050.E, 19.120.250)
- Sign area computation and compliance (including for awnings, super graphics, projecting signs, etc.) must follow specific code calculations in 19.135.040/19.135.060.
- Freeway-oriented signs require Planning Commission review for sign area and location. (19.135.060.J)
- Farmers market signs require a seasonal sign permit with approved locations and duration, issued by the planning department. (19.135.060.I.3)
- Signs in the Special Development District (SDD) must be approved by the Planning Commission (for freestanding signs). (19.80.120)
- Grand opening advertising/temporary signage—may be installed only by permit/approval from Planning Department and only within defined time windows. (19.135.060.I)
- Banner signs to be hung over public streets require separate permits, may only be requested by nonprofits/government, and must follow specific content and process rules. (19.136.010–.120)

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

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