Sign Regulations in Port Orchard, Washington
Port Orchard, Washington has specific sign regulations covering 45 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include All Permanent and Temporary Signs (General Standards), Illuminated Signs (General), Sign Materials (General). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: January 2, 2026
Sign Regulation Overview for Port Orchard, Washington
Sample Sign Requirements in Port Orchard
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Permanent and Temporary Signs (General Standards) | — | Aggregate limit per business/use determined by formula; no explicit per-face cap except where specified by individual sign type sections. | — |
| Sign Materials (General) | — | Paper/adhesive-faced permanent signs prohibited over 30 sq ft (except interior window signs). | — |
| Building-Mounted Wall Sign (Residential Zones) | — | 4 sq ft total per site (subject to 2-acre minimum parcel size). | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Port OrchardFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
45
- All Permanent and Temporary Signs (General Standards)
- Illuminated Signs (General)
- Sign Materials (General)
- Sign Placement and Location (General)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
9
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Port Orchard
Other Cities in Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Port Orchard 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 Port Orchard, 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 Port Orchard, regulated sign types include All Permanent and Temporary Signs (General Standards), Illuminated Signs (General), Sign Materials (General), Sign Placement and Location (General), 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 Port Orchard 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 Port Orchard are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Port Orchard has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Port Orchard, Washington Sign Rules at a Glance
Port Orchard, Washington regulates 45 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Subdivision Entrance Sign (Residential Zones)s in the Residential zones (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, RMU where used as residential, Residential zone) zoning district are capped at 5 ft. tall and 100 sq ft per face., with a ≥5 ft from adjacent right-of-way; must meet sight visibility standards. setback (Sec. §20.132.090(1); §20.132.040(7); §20.132.210(3)(e)). Most commercial signs in Port Orchard require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Port Orchard, Washington
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Port Orchard (9 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | — | Paper/adhesive-faced permanent signs prohibited over 30 sq ft (except interior window signs). | — |
| Residential zones (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, RMU where used as residential, Residential zone) | 8 | 8 ft above ground. | 100 sq ft per face. | — |
| Nonresidential zones (GB, RMU where ground floor nonresidential, NMU, CMU, BPMU, DMU, GMU, CC, CH, IF, LI, HI, CI, PR, PF, Nonresidential zone) | 21 | Sign height on wall: not to exceed 70% of the height of blank wall space or fascia on which mounted. | 100 sq ft per face. | — |
| Downtown mixed use (DMU), (Downtown) Gateway mixed use (GMU), Downtown height overlay district (DHOD) (as downtown context) | 1 | — | Within 12 sq ft per face general projecting sign limit. | — |
| Residential mixed use (RMU), Neighborhood mixed use (NMU), Commercial mixed use (CMU), Business professional mixed use (BPMU) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Commercial corridor (CC), Commercial heavy (CH), Industrial flex (IF), Light industrial (LI), Heavy industrial (HI), Commercial mixed use (CMU), Business professional mixed use (BPMU), Neighborhood mixed use (NMU), Downtown mixed use (DMU), Gateway mixed use (GMU) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Self-storage overlay district (SSOD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Ruby Creek overlay district (RCOD), McCormick Village overlay district (MVOD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| View protection overlay district (VPOD) | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Port Orchard(sample of 3 of 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Permanent and Temporary Signs (General Standards) | — | Aggregate limit per business/use determined by formula; no explicit per-face cap except where specified by individual sign type sections. | — | — | — | All signs visible/audible from any street, sidewalk, or public place are regulated. | — | Unlock | §20.132.020; §20.132.030; §20.132.040; §20.132.050(1)-(4) |
| Illuminated Signs (General) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §20.132.090(1)-(4); §20.132.200(5)(b) |
| Sign Materials (General) | — | Paper/adhesive-faced permanent signs prohibited over 30 sq ft (except interior window signs). | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §20.132.100(1)-(2) |
| Sign Placement and Location (General) | — | — | — | — | — | No sign in the roadway portion of city right-of-way, except as expressly allowed (e.g., certain projecting or temporary signs with permits). No signs mounted on vehicles parked to attract attention. No signs on fuel tanks, storage containers, or solid waste receptacles/enclosures except required information. | — | Unlock | §20.132.110 |
| Sign Area Measurement (All Sign Types) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | §20.132.120 |
| Sign Height Measurement (Freestanding Signs) | — | — | — | — | — | Freestanding signs within 25 ft of road may use alternative grade reference. | — | Unlock | §20.132.130(1) |
| Master Sign Plan (Multitenant and Mixed Use Sites) | — | — | — | — | — | Applies to proposed new mixed use, nonresidential, multitenant building(s), or multitenant site developments; may be used voluntarily for any new or existing nonresidential use. | — | Unlock | §20.132.060(1)-(7) |
| Sign Variances (Placement, Area, Height) | — | — | — | — | — | Applies to any parcel/building where placement, area, or height standards create practical difficulties; may not be used to allow prohibited sign types/features. | — | Unlock | §20.132.070(1)-(8) |
Residential zones (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, RMU where used as residential, Residential zone)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building-Mounted Wall Sign (Residential Zones) | — | 4 sq ft total per site (subject to 2-acre minimum parcel size). | — | — | Not specified by count; effectively whatever fits within total 4 sq ft. | On building walls in residential zones, only on sites that are at least 2 acres in size. | — | Unlock | §20.132.170(1)(a)-(d); §20.132.090(1) |
| Projecting Sign (Residential Zones) | — | 1.5 sq ft per face. | — | — | 1 projecting sign per tenant space or building frontage, in addition to allowed wall signage. | On building facades, may extend max 4 ft from building, hung min 6 inches from building; no higher than first-story level. | — | Unlock | §20.132.230(2)(b), (3), (4)(a)-(d) |
| Subdivision Entrance Sign (Residential Zones) | 5 ft. | 100 sq ft per face. | — | ≥5 ft from adjacent right-of-way; must meet sight visibility standards. | 2 subdivision entrance signs per residential subdivision entrance. | At entrances to residential subdivisions, on a separate tract (not on resultant residential lot), within 50 ft of adjacent street centerline intersection, at least 5 ft from adjacent right-of-way, must satisfy sight visibility. May not be in right-of-way or public easement unless authorized by city council via street use permit. | — | Unlock | §20.132.090(1); §20.132.040(7); §20.132.210(3)(e) |
| Temporary Signs (Residential Zones - Single-Family) | Freestanding (ground-mounted): 5 ft; stake-mounted or portable: 3 ft; development sign: 8 ft. | Per sign: 4 sq ft for freestanding; window sign 4 sq ft; 1 post-mounted development sign up to 32 sq ft. Total on any one site: 32 sq ft of temporary freestanding signage. | — | — | Not numerically capped except by total square footage and specific allowances (e.g., 1 post-mounted subdivision-construction sign). | On private property in residential zones; window signs in windows; surface-mounted signs on walls/fences on sites ≥2 acres; freestanding signs in yards respecting any separate sight-distance rules. | — | Unlock | §20.132.270(1)-(3), (6)(a)-(c) |
| Temporary Signs (Residential Zones - Multifamily) | Freestanding (ground-mounted): 5 ft; stake-mounted or portable: 3 ft; development sign: 8 ft. | Per sign: 6 sq ft for freestanding; window sign 4 sq ft; 1 post-mounted development sign up to 32 sq ft. Total on any one site: 32 sq ft of temporary freestanding signage. | — | — | Not numerically capped beyond area limits. | On multifamily residential sites; window signs in residential units; surface-mounted only on sites ≥2 acres as described. | — | Unlock | §20.132.270(6)(b)(ii)-(iii), (6)(c) |
| Temporary Signs (Large Residential Sites ≥2 acres) (Option 1) | 8 ft above ground. | One sign up to 32 sq ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage (Option 1). | On any site (residential or nonresidential) at least 2 acres in size, at street frontage. | — | Unlock | §20.132.270(8)(a)-(c) |
| Changeable Copy Sign (Residential Zones - Nonresidential Uses Only) | — | Not more than 20% of allowed wall sign area or 50% of a freestanding sign face. If wall-mounted and ≥100 ft from street frontage, changeable copy may be up to 50% of permitted wall sign area. | — | Additional changeable copy modules must be ≥100 ft from abutting streets or rights-of-way. | 1 per parcel by default, with limited additional modules as above. | Only as integral part of building-mounted wall sign or freestanding sign; allowed in residential zones only if on property not containing a purely residential land use (e.g., church, school) or if part of mixed-use development where principal use is nonresidential. | — | Unlock | §20.132.180(1)-(5) |
| Window Sign (Residential Units) | — | Up to 4 sq ft for temporary residential window sign; also subject to general rule that all window signs (temporary+permanent) may not exceed 25% of window area. | — | — | No more than 1 permanent window sign per window; 1 temporary window sign per residential unit. | Inside windows of residential units; permanent window signs no higher than second-story windows. | — | Unlock | §20.132.030(11); §20.132.270(6)(a); §20.132.280(1)-(5); §20.132.090(1), (3)(c) |
Nonresidential zones (GB, RMU where ground floor nonresidential, NMU, CMU, BPMU, DMU, GMU, CC, CH, IF, LI, HI, CI, PR, PF, Nonresidential zone)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building-Mounted Wall Sign (Nonresidential Zones) | Sign height on wall: not to exceed 70% of the height of blank wall space or fascia on which mounted. | Per facade: 5% of facade area; overall subject to aggregate business formula (1 sq ft per linear ft of frontage + 1 sq ft per 200 sq ft floor area). No more than 200 sq ft on any one frontage if 25% setback bonus used. | Not to exceed 60% of width of wall plane or width of tenant space. | — | Not specified by count; limited by area and master sign plan. | On building façades; may be used on any elevation designated for signage (primary and secondary), consistent with frontage calculations and master sign plan if applicable. | — | Unlock | §20.132.050(4)(b)(i)-(iii); §20.132.060(3)(d); §20.132.170(2)(a)-(e) |
| Freestanding Sign - Top-Mounted Pole Sign | <50 ft frontage: 6 ft; 50–99 ft: 10 ft; ≥100 ft: 12 ft. | Per face: <50 ft frontage: 24 sq ft; 50–99 ft: 36 sq ft; ≥100 ft: 50 sq ft. | — | ≥5 ft from street-side property line; ≥25 ft from interior side lot line; ≥30 ft from residentially zoned property; outside 15x15 ft driveway visibility triangle and per public works sight-distance standards. | 1 per site frontage; multiple only where multiple frontages with ≥60 ft spacing. | On nonresidential sites with street frontage, at least 5 ft from street-side property line, ≥25 ft from any interior side lot line, ≥30 ft from any residential-zoned property. Not within 15x15 ft sight triangle at driveways or where it obstructs sight distance. | — | Unlock | §20.132.210(1)-(3)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign - Pole and Mast Arm Hanging Sign | 10 ft for any frontage length. | Per face: 16 sq ft (both tiers). | — | Same as other freestanding signs. | Counts toward 1 freestanding sign per frontage limit. | Same siting/setback rules as other freestanding signs. | — | Unlock | §20.132.210(3)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign - Double Post-Mounted | <50 ft: 6 ft; 50–150 ft: 7 ft; ≥150 ft: 8 ft. | Per face: <50 ft frontage: 30 sq ft; 50–150 ft: 42 sq ft; ≥150 ft: 56 sq ft. | — | ≥5 ft from street-side property line; ≥25 ft interior side; ≥30 ft from residential zone; outside sight triangle. | Counts within limit of 1 freestanding sign per frontage. | Subject to general freestanding setbacks and sight-distance rules. | — | Unlock | §20.132.210(3)(c) |
| Freestanding Sign - Monument | <50 ft: 6 ft; 50–150 ft: 7 ft; ≥150 ft: 8 ft. | Per face: <50 ft frontage: 30 sq ft; 50–150 ft: 42 sq ft; ≥150 ft: 56 sq ft. | — | Same as other freestanding signs. | Within 1 per frontage cap. | Subject to general freestanding sign location and setback rules. | — | Unlock | §20.132.210(3)(d), (4)(a)-(f) |
| Freestanding Sign - Subdivision Entrance Sign (Nonresidential Zones) | 5 ft. | 100 sq ft per face. | — | At least 5 ft from adjacent right-of-way and within 50 ft of adjacent street centerline intersection; must meet sight visibility standards. | 2 per entrance. | At residential subdivision entrances, but these may affect PR/PF or other nonresidential zones where subdivisions adjoin; same placement rules as above. | — | Unlock | §20.132.210(3)(e); §20.132.090(1) |
| Accessory Sign - Small (Entry/Egress Points) | Building-mounted: 8 ft; Freestanding: 3 ft from grade. | 3 sq ft per face; may be double-sided. | — | Must meet freestanding sign setbacks when freestanding. | Max 4 per parcel; 1 per vehicle entry/egress. | At vehicle points of entry/egress to a site, in nonresidential zones only; freestanding versions must meet freestanding sign setbacks. | — | Unlock | §20.132.150(1)-(6) |
| Portable Sign - Sandwich Board | 4 ft. | — | 3 ft. | ≥10 ft from side lot line; outside sight-distance triangles; if in right-of-way, subject to street use permit conditions. | Single-tenant lots: 1 per street frontage (2 if frontage >120 linear ft). Multitenant lots: 1 per business per tenant space. | On nonresidential lots: must be ≥10 ft from side lot line. Multitenant lots: also must be no farther than 10 ft from primary building or tenant suite unless otherwise allowed in master sign plan. May not be on or overhang city right-of-way (including sidewalk) without street use permit; must not be within sight-distance triangle at driveways/intersections; if on sidewalk or pedestrian access, must maintain ADA-compliant clearance. | — | Unlock | §20.132.220(1)-(7) |
PermitPal covers all 9 zoning districts in Port Orchard — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 9 zones for Port Orchard — start freeProhibited Signs in Port Orchard
- No person shall erect, alter, maintain or relocate animated signs, including rotating or revolving signs, fixed aerial displays, balloons, pennants, spinners, propellers, whirling or similar wind‑moved devices (including flag canopies and feather signs) not otherwise allowed, and streamers, tubes or other air‑moved devices; historic signs/replicas are allowed only if they replicate historic motion in the same location, and flags are not considered animated signs.
- No nuisance signs are allowed, including any sign that emits smoke, visible particles, odors, or sound, except speakers in drive‑through facilities.
- Bench or furniture signs greater than one square foot in area are prohibited.
- Flashing signs or lights are prohibited, including any sign with an intermittent or flashing light source, signs creating the illusion of intermittent or flashing light by animation or an externally mounted intermittent light source, and exposed light sources exceeding the equivalent of 25 watts per incandescent lamp (including clear bulbs) on theater marquees, except for neon incorporated into the sign design; electronic message center and digital signs are only allowed as regulated elsewhere in the code.
- Hazardous signs are prohibited, including any sign that constitutes a traffic hazard or detriment to traffic safety by reason of size, location, movement, illumination method, obstruction of drivers’ vision, or distraction from official traffic control devices; no sign may interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic, or be erected so that it obstructs the vision of pedestrians or creates glare or illumination hazards.
- No sign may impede free ingress or egress from any door, window, or exit way required by building and fire regulations.
- No permanent sign, except a subdivision entrance sign, shall be located on a vacant lot, parcel, or easement, and no permanent sign may be the principal use of a lot, parcel, or easement; signs may only be established as an accessory use to a principally permitted use, except subdivision entrance signs on tracts under HOA ownership.
- Portable signs on wheels (trailer signs), changeable copy portable signs, and illuminated portable signs are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Signs on utility poles or trees are prohibited.
- Off‑site controlled signs are prohibited, meaning any sign that is programmed and/or controlled from an off‑site location.
- No sign may be placed within the roadway portion of the city right‑of‑way, except where specifically allowed by the chapter and subject to any required street use or special event permits.
- No sign may be mounted, attached, or painted on a trailer, boat or motor vehicle parked, stored, or conspicuously displayed on private premises for the primary purpose of attracting public attention, except for business vehicles that are operable, lawfully parked, and actively used in daily business with permanent or magnetic signage.
- No sign may be painted, attached, or mounted on fuel tanks, storage containers, solid waste receptacles or their enclosures, except for information required by law.
- Freeway‑oriented signs are prohibited except where specifically allowed for building‑mounted, window, temporary, and certain freestanding signs under the freeway‑oriented sign exceptions.
- Temporary signs may not be illuminated.
- No sign located in a residential zone may be illuminated, except halo illumination or illumination necessary for allowable digital signs on parcels two acres or larger or for subdivision entrance signs.
- All illuminated signs over three square feet must be turned off by 11:00 p.m. or when the business closes, whichever is later, and must have functioning automatic shut‑off timers; operation beyond these times is prohibited.
- Paper‑faced permanent signs (including vinyl‑coated paper and adhesive‑applied paper products) larger than 30 square feet are prohibited; canvas or vinyl signs of that size must meet minimum material specifications.
- For permanent signs larger than 30 square feet, sign faces of canvas, fabric, vinyl, or similar pliable materials may not be installed with exposed edges; they must be mounted behind a perimeter frame or trim cap, except for specified flags.
- Freestanding signs are prohibited on sites that lack street frontage.
- Freestanding signs are prohibited within specified setbacks: they must not be within five feet of the street‑side property line, 25 feet of any interior side lot line, or 30 feet of residential‑zoned property (except as specifically allowed for subdivision entrance signs).
- Freestanding signs are prohibited within the 15‑by‑15‑foot driveway‑street sight triangle or any area that obstructs motorists’ vision or violates sight‑distance standards.
- A freestanding sign may not be approved if a roof‑mounted sign exists or in conjunction with a roof‑mounted sign.
- Berming may not be used to increase freestanding sign height beyond the maximum allowed.
- Support elements such as angle iron, bracing, guy wires or similar features used to support a sign may not be visible from publicly accessible areas.
- Electrical service to freestanding or landscaped‑area signs may not be above ground or exposed; exposed conduit, housings, or wire on buildings must be concealed or painted to match the surface.
- Sign structures and their associated landscape areas must be kept free of supplemental attachments or secondary uses such as supplemental unpermitted signs, light fixtures, newspaper racks, trash containers, or bicycle racks.
- Signs may not be programmed or controlled from off site; digital and EMC signs must be designed for local on‑site control and programming.
- Signs that have become dilapidated or hazardous must not be left in that condition and may be ordered repaired, maintained, or removed by the city.
- Vacant or unused sign support structures, poles, angle irons, or other remnants of old signs that are not in use and not proposed for immediate reuse under a sign permit may not remain and must be removed.
- Temporary signs are prohibited in roundabouts, medians, shoulders, travel lanes, and areas of the public right‑of‑way that are not accessible by sidewalk or pedestrian path.
- Temporary signs are prohibited within 100 feet of roadway centerline intersections and within 10 feet of the back of curb, edge of pavement (where no stripe exists), or edge‑stripe of a travel lane, and in rights‑of‑way adjacent to city facilities, parks, and other government‑owned properties.
- Temporary signs in right‑of‑way may only be installed along specifically listed corridors and must comply with all location restrictions; placement elsewhere in right‑of‑way is prohibited.
- Temporary signs in right‑of‑way may not exceed four square feet per face and three feet in height.
- Temporary signs in right‑of‑way may not be of a type other than stake‑mounted signs manually pushed or hammered into the ground, unless allowed by street use permit.
- Temporary signs may not block access to structures or parked cars, may not block vehicular sight distance at corners, intersections, or driveways, may not block pedestrian walking paths, and may not mimic or be attached to governmental signs or power poles.
- Portable signs may not be located on or overhang city right‑of‑way (including sidewalks) without a street use permit, and cannot be in sight‑distance triangles or create public safety hazards; they must also comply with ADA clearances.
- Portable signs may not be illuminated in any manner.
- Projecting signs over public property must maintain minimum clearances (e.g., at least seven feet above grade, no more than two‑thirds width of sidewalk, required separations, and appropriate support hardware); any projecting sign overhanging right‑of‑way without required permits is prohibited.
- Sign walkers may not use illuminated or reflective signs, may not operate outside daylight hours, may not be within 30 feet of a street or driveway intersection, may not stand on public property or in public right‑of‑way other than sidewalks, may not stand in parking aisles or stalls, vehicle or pedestrian travel paths, or on fences, walls, boulders, planters, other signs, vehicles, utility facilities, or structures, and may not physically interfere with or create hazardous distractions to road users.
- Temporary signs that are in need of repair, worn, dilapidated, or a public nuisance must be removed; allowing such conditions to persist is prohibited.
- No sign may be erected or maintained without required permits (sign permit, building permit, street use permit, special event permit) where applicable, and signs may not be erected under expired sign permits, master sign plans, or variances.
Exempt Signs in Port Orchard
- Changes to the face or copy of changeable copy signs, digital signs, and electronic messaging signs are exempt from sign permit requirements, provided the changes do not alter the material or appearance of the sign as originally permitted.
- Normal repair and maintenance of conforming or legal nonconforming signs is exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Temporary signs on private or public property that meet the standards for temporary signs in the code are exempt from sign permit requirements, though they must comply with all applicable standards.
- Building identification numbers required by the municipal code or other city or state regulations are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Governmental signs installed by the city, county, state, or federal agencies for public health, safety, and general welfare are exempt from sign permit requirements, including emergency and warning signs, traffic and/or wayfinding signs erected by authorized public agencies, signs required by law, signs showing location of public facilities, and any similar signs placed or required by a governmental agency in carrying out its responsibilities.
- Flags are exempt from sign permit requirements, provided they conform to all sign regulations in the chapter.
- Certain stone or cement plaques and cornerstones with engraved or cast symbols, permanently embedded in a building’s foundation or masonry siding, not exceeding four square feet in area, are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Interior signs or displays located entirely inside a building and at least three feet away from transparent doors and windows are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Signs and sign support structures not visible or audible beyond the lot boundaries or from any public right‑of‑way are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Signs on vehicles are exempt from sign permit requirements unless the vehicle is parked or stationed primarily to attract attention to an activity or sign, or is regularly parked in a prominently visible location primarily to attract attention to the sign.
- Temporary signs taped or otherwise affixed to the inside of a window, easily removable, and within applicable size limits for window and temporary signs are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Outdoor benches or furniture with signs are exempt from permit requirements when the sign component is a plaque one square foot or less in area.
- Privately maintained traffic control signs in subdivisions with private roads and signs in parking lots are exempt from sign permit requirements.
- Sign walkers are exempt from sign permit requirements, although they must comply with all substantive standards for sign walkers and for signs generally.
- Temporary signs do not require a sign permit but must comply with all standards in the temporary sign section.
- Window signs (permanent and temporary) do not require a sign permit but must comply with window sign standards.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Port Orchard
- A sign permit is required before erecting, altering, or relocating any sign unless the sign or related activity is expressly listed as exempt; this applies citywide to all sign types.
- Even if a sign is exempt from sign permit requirements, it must still comply with all other standards of the sign chapter (size, location, illumination, materials, etc.).
- Some sign types may trigger additional permits under other city codes (e.g., building permits for structural/electrical work, street use permits for signs in or over right‑of‑way, and special event permits for certain event‑related signs), and these must be obtained where applicable.
- Where electrical service is provided to a sign, an electrical permit is required prior to installation of any new sign requiring electrical service.
- Before the city will issue any sign permit for space in a proposed new mixed‑use, nonresidential, multitenant building or in a multitenant site development, a master sign plan for the building(s) and/or site development must first be reviewed and approved.
- A master sign plan may also be voluntarily developed and maintained by the owner or agent of any new or existing nonresidential use, even when not strictly required.
- If a sign is subject to an approved master sign plan, a current master sign plan must be on file or submitted with the sign permit application as part of a complete application.
- Where a development agreement is used instead of the normal master sign plan process, the development agreement procedures replace master sign plan procedures, but the applicant must still provide all master sign plan information for review.
- All signs included in a master sign plan must meet both the general sign permit approval criteria and specific master sign plan criteria (architectural similarity, visual relationship, integration with buildings, and not obscuring conforming signs).
- Once approved, a master sign plan expires if the depicted signs are not installed within 180 days; after expiration no sign may be erected under that plan unless the plan is extended or reapproved.
- Amendments to an approved master sign plan may be requested at any time and are processed under the same procedures and criteria as the original plan, considering existing signs under the plan.
- Sign variance applications may be submitted before or concurrent with the associated sign permit application; if a variance is needed for permit issuance, a variance must be applied for unless the applicant directs the city to process the sign permit without variance.
- A variance may be granted only for sign placement, sign area, or sign height standards, not to permit any prohibited sign type or feature, and must meet detailed approval criteria (visibility needs, safety, consistency with code and comprehensive plan, practical difficulties, etc.).
- Where strict application of sign regulations would violate First Amendment rights, the city may grant a variance that does not meet all normal variance criteria but only to the extent reasonably necessary to protect those rights; such approvals are treated as variances for all purposes of the chapter.
- If a sign permit, master sign plan, or variance expires, no sign may be erected under that approval even if related building or street use permits remain valid.
Source: ecode360 municipal code