Sign Regulations in Puyallup, Washington
Puyallup, Washington has specific sign regulations covering 42 sign types across 26 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Building Identification Sign, Temporary Sign, Facade Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: November 26, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Puyallup, Washington
Sample Sign Requirements in Puyallup
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Permitted Signs | — | — | Not in locations obstructing traffic or views (§20.60.020(1)) |
| Building Identification Sign | — | 25 square feet | — |
| Facade Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 6 square feet | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
42
- Building Identification Sign
- Temporary Sign
- Facade Sign
- Monument Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
26
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Puyallup
Other Cities in Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Puyallup 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 Puyallup, 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 Puyallup, regulated sign types include Building Identification Sign, Temporary Sign, Facade Sign, Monument 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 Puyallup 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 Puyallup are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Puyallup has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Puyallup, Washington Sign Rules at a Glance
Puyallup, Washington regulates 42 sign types across 26 zoning districts. Projecting Signs in the CB Zone zoning district are capped at 8 ft min clear tall, 25 sq ft, and Not extend 2 ft curb wide, with a 2 ft curb setback (Sec. PMC § 20.60.055). Most commercial signs in Puyallup require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Puyallup, Washington
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Puyallup (26 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| RS Zones (RS-35, RS-10, RS-08, RS-06, RS-04) | 9 | 3.5 ft (freestanding/sandwich) | 40 square feet (combined with monument) | — |
| RM Zones (RM-10, RM-20, RM-Core) | 9 | 3.5 ft | 40 sq ft (combined monument) | — |
| ARO Zone (uses other than commercial) | 8 | Max 10 ft | 25 sq ft | — |
| ARO Zone (commercial uses) | 9 | Min 8 ft clearance | 64 sq ft | — |
| PF Zone | 11 | 15 ft at setback +1 ft per ft additional setback, max 36 ft | 40 sq ft per wall | — |
| MED Zone | 8 | Max 10 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| OP Zone | 8 | Max 10 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| CL Zone | 8 | Max 10 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| CBD Zone | 7 | Min 8 ft clear; max 4 ft over ROW | 64 sq ft | — |
| CBD-Core Zone | 7 | Max 10 ft | 64 sq ft | — |
| CB Zone | 12 | 15 ft at setback +1 per ft add, max 36 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| CG Zone | 12 | 15 ft at setback +1 per add, max 36 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| ML Zone | 12 | 15 ft +1 per add max 36 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| MR Zone | 12 | 15 ft +1 max 36 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| CCX Zone | 6 | Max 10 ft | 125 sq ft | — |
| CMX Zone | 6 | Max 10 ft | 125 sq ft | — |
| LMX Zone | 6 | Max 10 ft | 125 sq ft | — |
| RMX Zone | 6 | Max 10 ft | 125 sq ft | — |
| UCX Zone | 6 | Max 10 ft | 125 sq ft | — |
| MP Zone | 7 | 8 ft clear | 40 sq ft | — |
| FAIR Zone | 10 | 15 ft at setback +1 max 36 ft; 1 may exceed building ht | 400 sq ft | — |
| AGO Zone | 2 | As underlying | As underlying | — |
| Fair Parking Overlay Zones (RS-FPO, RM-FPO) | 2 | 3.5 ft above grade | As RS/RM | — |
| Shaw-East Pioneer Overlay Zones (CB-SPO, CG-SPO, ML-SPO) | 3 | As CBD | As CBD | — |
| Planned Development Zones (PDR, PDC) | 2 | As plan | As plan | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Puyallup(sample of 3 of 26 zones)
CB 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 Identification Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Integral | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.065(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Pole) | 15 ft at setback +1 per ft add, max 36 ft | 150 sq ft | — | Front 10 ft, arterial 25 ft, rear 10 ft, side 0 ft, street side 10 ft | 1 per frontage | Freestanding | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055; § 20.60.065(4) |
| Monument Sign | Max 10 ft | 150 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 per frontage | Freestanding | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055; § 20.60.065(5) |
| Projecting Sign | 8 ft min clear | 25 sq ft | Not extend 2 ft curb | 2 ft curb | 1 per frontage | Perp wall | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055 |
| Full-Color Electronic Message Sign (Primary Arterial) | As monument | As monument | — | As monument | 1 per site +1 if 500 ft sep | Primary arterial frontage | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055(7); § 20.60.065(3) |
| Monochrome Electronic Message Sign (Arterial/Collector) | As monument | As monument | — | — | As full | Primary/sec/collector | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055(7); § 20.60.065(3) |
| Temporary Sign | 3.5 ft | As general | — | — | As general | Property/ROW | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.070 |
| Under-Canopy Sign | 8 ft clear | — | Canopy, 2/3 sidew | 2 ft | 1 per frontage | Under | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055 |
CG 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 Identification Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Integral | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.065(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Pole) | 15 ft at setback +1 per add, max 36 ft | 150 sq ft | — | Front 20 ft, arterial 25 ft, rear 0 ft, side 0 ft, street side 10 ft | 1 per frontage | Freestanding | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055; § 20.60.065(4) |
| Monument Sign | Max 10 ft | 150 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 per frontage | Freestanding | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055; § 20.60.065(5) |
| Projecting Sign | 8 ft clear | 25 sq ft | 2 ft max to curb | 2 ft | 1 per frontage | Perp | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055 |
| Full-Color Electronic Message Sign (Primary) | As | As monument | — | — | 1 +1 | Primary | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055(7); § 20.60.065(3) |
| Monochrome Electronic Message Sign | As | As | — | — | As full | Arterial/collector | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055(7); § 20.60.065(3) |
| Temporary Sign | 3.5 ft | As general | — | — | As | Property | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.070 |
| Under-Canopy Sign | 8 ft | — | Canopy | 2 ft | 1 | Under | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055 |
ML 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 Identification Sign | — | 25 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Integral | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.065(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Pole) | 15 ft +1 per add max 36 ft | 150 sq ft | — | Front 20 ft, arterial 20 ft, rear 0, side 0, street 10 ft | 1 per frontage | Freestanding | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055; § 20.60.065(4) |
| Monument Sign | 10 ft max | 150 sq ft | — | 5 ft | 1 per frontage | Freestanding | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055; § 20.60.065(5) |
| Projecting Sign | 8 ft clear | 25 sq ft | — | 2 ft | 1 per frontage | Perp | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055 |
| Full-Color Electronic Message Sign | As | As | — | — | 1 +1 | Primary | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055(7); § 20.60.065(3) |
| Monochrome Electronic Message Sign | As | As | — | — | As | Arterial | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055(7); § 20.60.065(3) |
| Temporary Sign | 3.5 ft | As general | — | — | As | Property | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.070 |
| Under-Canopy Sign | 8 ft | — | — | 2 ft | 1 | Under | — | Unlock | PMC § 20.60.055 |
PermitPal covers all 26 zoning districts in Puyallup. Run a code check for your exact address to get the zone that applies to your property and its full sign requirements — illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
Run a code check for your exact address — freeProhibited Signs in Puyallup
- Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise interfere with an official traffic sign, signal or device or obstruct or interfere with a driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic
- Except as provided for in Table 20.60.050(5) and PMC § 20.60.067(1)(c) and § 20.60.070(1), signs encroaching upon or overhanging public rights-of-way
- Any sign attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer parked on public or private property (does not prohibit signs on vehicles operating during normal course of business or being taken home)
- Signs painted on, attached to, or placed on a roof
- Signs painted on, attached to, or placed on bus benches
- Any sign erected or placed in a public right-of-way, except for temporary off-premises signs as authorized herein, and except those required by a governmental agency under the provisions of this code
- Any sign affixed to a utility pole, whether located on private property or within the public right-of-way, pursuant to RCW 70.54.090
- Any sign affixed to a fire hydrant, light pole, traffic light, traffic sign, government sign, or any other public facility within the ROW except as authorized herein
- Any sign affixed to a tree
- No sign shall be used as a fence
- Portable or temporary signs except as allowed in PMC § 20.60.070
- Sail, feather, or paper signs
- Balloons except as allowed as temporary signs under PMC § 20.60.070(5)
- Inflatable signs over 10 feet in diameter
- Signs which are an imitation of or resemble official traffic or government signs
- Flashing signs or signs which sparkle or twinkle in sunlight
- Billboards in any zone
- Abandoned or dilapidated signs
- Rotating or motion signs
- Any sign with content or subject matter that constitutes obscenity as defined by law
- Any sign displaying video or animations
Exempt Signs in Puyallup
- All signs not legible from a distance of more than eight feet from a property line abutting a public right-of-way
- Official notices required by a court, public body, or public safety official
- Directional, warning, identification or information signs authorized or required by federal, state or municipal governments, including traffic or pedestrian control/warning/direction signs
- Flags of any size (flags shall be no taller than the maximum height allowed in the applicable zone)
- Religious symbols and seasonal decorations
- Permanent signs on private property which are two square feet in area and smaller
- Street address identification signs
- Signs regulating the use or identification of publicly owned parks and recreation facilities, including trail signage, when authorized by the city of Puyallup parks and recreation department
- One electronic message sign per site that utilizes monochrome color technology, no more than six square feet in area, that alternates between messages no more frequently than once every two seconds
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Puyallup
- In the MED zone, signs shall be allowed as specified in the approved master plan; for properties outside of an approved master plan, signs shall be provided as specified in Chapter 20.60 PMC
- In the PF zone, signs shall be allowed as allowed in Chapter 20.60 PMC or as otherwise established by a conditional use permit or master plan
- In the MP zone, a master signage plan pursuant to PMC § 20.60.037(1) shall be required of every business park development prior to the installation of any signs
- In the Shaw-East Pioneer Overlay Zone (CB-SPO and CG-SPO), if a master sign plan exists for a development, those regulations shall rule
- For planned developments, the sign regulations shall not be limited by the requirements of this chapter, but shall be allowed as proposed in a master sign plan; if a master sign plan has not been approved, sign regulations shall revert to the sign regulations for the zone of the subject parcel
Source: ecode360 municipal code