Sign Regulations in North Bend, Washington
North Bend, Washington has specific sign regulations covering 27 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Commercial Sign (General), Subdivision Monument Sign, Childcare/Bed & Breakfast Sign (Monument or Front Facade). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: October 23, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for North Bend, Washington
Sample Sign Requirements in North Bend
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subdivision Monument Sign | Monument style only; see general prohibition J (≤10 ft) | 30 sq ft (cumulative area) | — |
| Childcare/Bed & Breakfast Sign (Monument or Front Facade) | — | 3 sq ft (cumulative area) | — |
| Home Occupation Door Sign | — | 2 sq ft (cumulative area) | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for North BendFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
27
- Commercial Sign (General)
- Subdivision Monument Sign
- Childcare/Bed & Breakfast Sign (Monument or Front Facade)
- Home Occupation Door Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
10
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for North Bend
Other Cities in Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
In North Bend, monument signs are limited to Monument style only; see general prohibition J (≤10 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 North Bend, 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 North Bend, regulated sign types include Commercial Sign (General), Subdivision Monument Sign, Childcare/Bed & Breakfast Sign (Monument or Front Facade), Home Occupation Door 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 North Bend 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 North Bend are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. North Bend has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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North Bend, Washington Sign Rules at a Glance
North Bend, Washington regulates 27 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Site Entrance Sign (Multiple-Tenant Site)s in the NB zoning district are capped at 8 ft above adjacent grade tall and 30 sq ft per side (two faces permitted) (Sec. NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (NB V. Commercial Uses, Multiple: a)). Most commercial signs in North Bend require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for North Bend, Washington
Sign Rules by Zoning District in North Bend (10 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDR, CLDR | 6 | Monument style only; see general prohibition J (≤10 ft) | 30 sq ft (cumulative area) | — |
| HDR | 8 | Monument style only; ≤10 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| NB | 14 | 35 ft for wall-mounted; 20 ft for pole; 10 ft for monument | 125 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Commercial (DC) | 9 | 35 ft for wall-mounted; 10 ft for monument (pole signs prohibited in DC) | 125 sq ft | — |
| IMU | 12 | 25 ft (overall commercial sign height limit) | 125 sq ft | — |
| IC | 10 | 35 ft (overall commercial sign height limit) | 150 sq ft cumulative area per single property (only one side counted for two-sided signs) | — |
| EP-1 | 3 | 35 ft (overall commercial sign height limit) | 150 sq ft cumulative area per single property (only one side counted for two-sided signs) | — |
| EP-2 | 3 | 35 ft (overall commercial sign height limit) | 150 sq ft cumulative area per single property (only one side counted for two-sided signs) | — |
| POSPF | 7 | ≤10 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 8 sq ft per side | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in North Bend(sample of 3 of 10 zones)
NB
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subdivision Monument Sign | ≤10 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | Distinctly separated subdivision; >49 lots required | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (NB adopts LDR/HDR residential standards I.1, I.3, I.4) |
| Manufactured/Mobile Home Park Identifying Monument Sign | ≤10 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | Monument type only for parks with >14 units | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (NB I. Residential Uses: I.7; I.8 design/bulk) |
| Site Entrance Sign (Multiple-Tenant Site) | 8 ft above adjacent grade | 30 sq ft per side (two faces permitted) | — | — | One per vehicle entrance | One per vehicle entrance to the site; monument type either ground-mounted or pole-mounted | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (NB V. Commercial Uses, Multiple: a) |
| Wall Sign (Facade 0–1,000 sf) | 15 ft | 10% of facade area (50 sq ft max) | — | — | 1 | Front facade of portion containing the business’s public entrance or architecturally integrated with front facade; alternate side allowed upon showing reasonable difficulty | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (NB V.b); Table 18.20.060A (Facade 0–1,000 sf) |
| Wall Sign (Facade 1,001–2,000 sf) | 15 ft | 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Front facade/public entrance or architecturally integrated portion; alternate side allowed upon showing reasonable difficulty | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (NB V.b); Table 18.20.060A (Facade 1,001–2,000 sf) |
| Wall Sign (Facade 2,001–3,000 sf) | 18 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1* | Front facade/public entrance or architecturally integrated portion; alternate allowed upon showing difficulty | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (NB V.b); Table 18.20.060A (Facade 2,001–3,000 sf; footnote *) |
| Wall Sign (Facade >3,000 sf) | 18 ft | 125 sq ft | — | — | 1* | Front facade/public entrance or architecturally integrated portion; alternate allowed upon showing difficulty | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (NB V.b); Table 18.20.060A (Facade >3,000 sf; footnote *) |
| Business Entrance Sign (Wall or Marquee) | ≤10 ft above adjacent grade or entry landing | 4 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per business | Mounted above or adjacent to public entrance; wall type or marquee type | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (NB V.c) |
IMU
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Signs (HDR standards) | Monument signs ≤10 ft; others per HDR | Per HDR: Elderly home/multifamily signs ≤20 sq ft; subdivision ≤30 sq ft; childcare/B&B ≤3 sq ft; home occupation ≤2 sq ft | — | — | — | Monument or appropriate building facade; home occupation on front door | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (IMU I. Residential Uses: Same as HDR) |
| Freeway-Oriented Center Identification Sign (Multiple-Tenant Site) | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per side (two faces) | — | — | 1 per multiple-tenant site | Located on the center property | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (IMU V.a) |
| Site Entrance Sign (Multiple-Tenant Site) | 8 ft above adjacent grade | 30 sq ft per side (two faces permitted) | — | — | One per vehicle entrance | One per vehicle entrance; monument type either ground-mounted or pole-mounted; may be strategically located away from the actual entrance if ≥25% of message provides directions to vehicle entrance | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (IMU V.b) |
| Wall Sign (Facade 0–1,000 sf) | 15 ft | 10% of facade area (50 sq ft max) | — | — | 1 | Front facade/public entrance or architecturally integrated portion; alternate allowed upon showing difficulty | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (IMU V.c); Table 18.20.060A |
| Wall Sign (Facade 1,001–2,000 sf) | 15 ft | 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Front facade/public entrance or architecturally integrated portion; alternate allowed upon difficulty | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (IMU V.c); Table 18.20.060A |
| Wall Sign (Facade 2,001–3,000 sf) | 18 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1* | Front facade/public entrance or architecturally integrated portion; alternate allowed upon difficulty | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (IMU V.c); Table 18.20.060A (footnote *) |
| Wall Sign (Facade >3,000 sf) | 18 ft | 125 sq ft | — | — | 1* | Front facade/public entrance or architecturally integrated portion; alternate allowed upon difficulty | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (IMU V.c); Table 18.20.060A (footnote *) |
| Business Entrance Sign (Wall or Marquee) | ≤8 ft above adjacent grade or entry landing | 4 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per business | Mounted above or adjacent to public entrance; wall or marquee type | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (IMU V.d) |
IC
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Sign (General) | 35 ft (overall commercial sign height limit) | 150 sq ft cumulative area per single property (only one side counted for two-sided signs) | — | — | — | Industrial/commercial uses | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (IC IV. Commercial Uses: 3) |
| Freeway-Oriented Center Identification Sign (Multiple-Tenant Site) | Up to 35 ft | Up to 150 sq ft per side (two faces) | — | — | 1 per multiple-tenant site | Located on the center property | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (IC V.a) |
| Site Entrance Sign (Multiple-Tenant Site) | 8 ft above adjacent grade | 30 sq ft per side (two faces permitted) | — | — | One per vehicle entrance | One per vehicle entrance; monument type either ground-mounted or pole-mounted; may be located away from actual entrance if ≥25% of message provides directions | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (IC V.b) |
| Wall Sign (Facade 0–1,000 sf) | 15 ft | 10% of facade area (50 sq ft max) | — | — | 1 | Front facade of portion containing the business’s public entrance or architecturally integrated; alternate side allowed upon showing difficulty | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (IC V.c); Table 18.20.060A |
| Wall Sign (Facade 1,001–2,000 sf) | 15 ft | 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Front facade/public entrance or architecturally integrated portion; alternate allowed upon difficulty | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (IC V.c); Table 18.20.060A |
| Wall Sign (Facade 2,001–3,000 sf) | 18 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | 1* | Front facade/public entrance or architecturally integrated portion; alternate allowed upon difficulty | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (IC V.c); Table 18.20.060A (footnote *) |
| Wall Sign (Facade >3,000 sf) | 18 ft | 125 sq ft | — | — | 1* | Front facade/public entrance or architecturally integrated portion; alternate allowed upon difficulty | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (IC V.c); Table 18.20.060A (footnote *) |
| Business Entrance Sign (Wall or Marquee) | ≤8 ft above adjacent grade or entry landing | 4 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per business | Mounted above or adjacent to public entrance; wall or marquee type | — | Unlock | NBMC 18.20.060 Table 18.20.060 (IC V.d) |
PermitPal covers all 10 zoning districts in North Bend — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 10 zones for North Bend — start freeProhibited Signs in North Bend
- Abandoned signs are prohibited in all zoning designations.
- Billboards are prohibited in all zoning designations.
- Signs with blinking, flashing, intermittent, or moving lights are prohibited, except for the time and temperature portion of a sign.
- Electronically controlled or computer-generated changeable image signs (changing shape, size, color, etc.) are prohibited.
- Illuminated signs that allow unshielded light onto a street, highway, sidewalk, adjoining property, the night sky, or create nuisance-like conditions are prohibited.
- Interstate 90 signs, including signs on buildings or properties parallel and adjacent to the I‑90 right-of-way (including on-ramps/off-ramps) where the elevation is considered secondary frontage or a secondary facade, are prohibited.
- Inflatable objects used for commercial purposes are prohibited, except with a maximum 10-day special events permit or as a holiday sign for a public display.
- Laser lights and search lights are prohibited, except with a maximum 10-day special events permit.
- Monument signs exceeding 10 feet in height are prohibited.
- Signs, balloons, or devices affixed or painted on trees, rocks, other natural features, and street furniture (including benches, bus stops, waste receptacles, etc.) are prohibited.
- Signs affixed to or painted on parked vehicles, trailers, or carts used for commercial display are prohibited; off-premises signs in the right-of-way of Interstate 90 or SR‑202 are prohibited except those placed by WSDOT. Exceptions to the vehicle/trailer prohibition include: normal business identification on conventional vehicles; vehicles/trailers being temporarily loaded/unloaded or conducting business/personal functions; vehicles/trailers on the business property within 100 feet of the building for no more than 24 consecutive hours; authorized government vehicles; trailers or carts that house a business with a valid city business license; vehicles parked at the owner’s residence.
- Posters not associated with movies, plays, theaters, or similar public performances scheduled or playing at the time of display are prohibited.
- Pole signs are prohibited except in IC and IMU zoning districts and in NB zoning districts on major arterials where the speed limit is 50 mph or above.
- Reader-boards are prohibited, except those explicitly allowed by code (such as movie theater signs and marquee signs).
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Strings of pennants, ribbons, streamers, spinners, Mylar balloons, or similar carnival-like moving/fluttering devices are prohibited.
- Traffic hazard/public nuisance signs are prohibited, including: signs imitating official traffic signs/signals or using words such as “stop,” “look,” “danger,” “caution,” “warning,” or “go slow”; signs that may confuse motorists or detract from legal traffic-control devices as determined by the city engineer; signs placed so as to obscure motorist vision as determined by the city engineer.
- Signs, balloons, or devices affixed to or painted on utility poles, street sign poles, traffic signal equipment and poles, garbage receptacles, benches, bridges, railings, fences, and bus shelters are prohibited, except for bus route maps, bus route information, and directory of sponsors (if applicable).
Exempt Signs in North Bend
- Signs within the North Bend Downtown Historic District are exempt from this chapter and must comply with the North Bend Historic Commercial District Sign Design Guidelines (adopted by reference).
- Signs for the North Bend Factory Stores are exempt from this chapter and must comply with the North Bend Factory Stores Tenant Signage Criteria (adopted by reference).
- Signs for the Mountain Valley Shopping Center are exempt from this chapter and must comply with the Planned Sign Program for Mountain Valley Shopping Center (adopted by reference; signage plan submitted pursuant to the master site plan application).
- All signs placed at city-owned recreation fields require permission from the city and may be subject to conditions at the discretion of the community services director.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for North Bend
- Sign plans must be reviewed and approved before issuance of a sign construction permit; processed as a Type I administrative application per Chapter 20.01 NBMC, with the review fee included in the underlying Type I construction permit fee (NBMC 18.20.015).
- Type and intensity of sign illumination must be reviewed and approved before installation (NBMC 18.20.050.B.5).
- If allowable facade sign area is divided to create two signs, the secondary sign may not exceed 25 square feet and the location of the second sign requires approval by the technical review committee, consistent with the chapter’s intent and the city’s design guidelines (Table 18.20.060A footnote).
- Complete sign permit applications must include scaled color drawings, construction plans (materials, illumination details, installation details, dimensions), building elevations showing sign locations, a calculation of total existing and proposed site signage, structural details for freestanding signs, and a detailed site plan with property lines, sign locations, setbacks, scale/north arrow, and sight-distance triangles where applicable (NBMC 18.20.100).
- Historic District signs require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application and a project description demonstrating consistency with the historic district design standards as determined by the King County Landmarks and Historic Commission (NBMC 18.20.100.F).
- Factory Store signs require a written analysis showing conformance with the Factory Stores planned sign program specifications (NBMC 18.20.100.G).
- Mountain Valley Shopping Center signs require a written analysis showing conformance with the Mountain Valley Shopping Center planned sign program specifications (NBMC 18.20.100.H).
- Off-premises signs within the downtown commercial zoning district along North Bend Way between Sydney Avenue and Ballarat Avenue require a city street use permit and must be located within 15 feet of the front entrance of the business (NBMC 18.20.080.E).
Source: other municipal code