Sign Regulations in Ridgefield, Washington
Ridgefield, Washington has specific sign regulations covering 24 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Temporary Signs, Digital Sign (as sign face technology), Wall Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 5, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Ridgefield, Washington
Sample Sign Requirements in Ridgefield
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changeable Copy Sign | 15 ft; wall signs limited to max height for freestanding signs | Wall: max 20% of allowed wall sign area, unless 100+ ft from street then 50% of wall sign area; Freestanding: max 50% of sign face | — |
| Window Sign (Permanent and Temporary) | — | No more than 25% of area of window per sign; Temporary in residential: max 4 sq. ft/window. | — |
| Temporary Signs | Residential: Up to 6 ft if post/ground, 3 ft if stake/portable. Non-residential: 5 ft if post/ground, 3 ft if portable. Any site >2 ac: up to 8 ft. | See zone-specific rules; e.g., Residential: Freestanding 5-6 sq. ft, window 4 sq. ft, surface-mounted 32 sq. ft (if >2 ac.). Non-residential: Freestanding 4 sq.ft, surface-mounted 32 sq.ft, window 25%. Special: up to 64 sq.ft if >2 ac. | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for RidgefieldFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
24
- Temporary Signs
- Digital Sign (as sign face technology)
- Wall Sign
- Projecting Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Ridgefield
Other Cities in Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Ridgefield 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 Ridgefield, 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 Ridgefield, regulated sign types include Temporary Signs, Digital Sign (as sign face technology), Wall Sign, Projecting 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 Ridgefield 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 Ridgefield are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Ridgefield has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Ridgefield, Washington Sign Rules at a Glance
Ridgefield, Washington regulates 24 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (CRB)s in the Non-residential Zones, Commercial Regional Business (CRB), Community Commercial Business (CCB), Public Facilities (PF), Commercial Neighborhood Business (CNB), Employment (E), Ridgefield Mixed Use Overlay (MX) zoning district are capped at 50 ft above grade tall and 200 sq. ft.; up to 250 sq. ft. if adjacent to I-5 ROW, with a 5 ft from street side, 25 ft from interior, 30 ft from residential setback (Sec. 18.710.210.C.1.a, D). Most commercial signs in Ridgefield require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Ridgefield, Washington
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Ridgefield (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 15 ft; wall signs limited to max height for freestanding signs | 30 sq. ft or less (or subject to smaller size per allowed sign type); density: 1 per 100 ft street frontage (nonresidential); 1/200 ft frontage (residential), not to exceed 1/parcel. | — |
| Residential Zones | 8 | 18 ft to peak of arch | 100 sq. ft total, not to exceed 3% of area of façade | — |
| Non-residential Zones, Commercial Regional Business (CRB), Community Commercial Business (CCB), Public Facilities (PF), Commercial Neighborhood Business (CNB), Employment (E), Ridgefield Mixed Use Overlay (MX) | 17 | Not to exceed 70% of height of blank wall space/fascia | 200 sq. ft.; up to 250 sq. ft. if adjacent to I-5 ROW | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Ridgefield
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Changeable Copy Sign | 15 ft; wall signs limited to max height for freestanding signs | Wall: max 20% of allowed wall sign area, unless 100+ ft from street then 50% of wall sign area; Freestanding: max 50% of sign face | — | — | 1 per parcel (additional allowed if 100+ ft from street); see above. | As integral part of building mounted sign or freestanding sign; not portable. | — | Unlock | 18.710.180 |
| Window Sign (Permanent and Temporary) | — | No more than 25% of area of window per sign; Temporary in residential: max 4 sq. ft/window. | — | — | 1 permanent window sign per window | No higher than second story windows for permanent signs. | — | Unlock | 18.710.280, 18.710.030.K |
| Temporary Signs | Residential: Up to 6 ft if post/ground, 3 ft if stake/portable. Non-residential: 5 ft if post/ground, 3 ft if portable. Any site >2 ac: up to 8 ft. | See zone-specific rules; e.g., Residential: Freestanding 5-6 sq. ft, window 4 sq. ft, surface-mounted 32 sq. ft (if >2 ac.). Non-residential: Freestanding 4 sq.ft, surface-mounted 32 sq.ft, window 25%. Special: up to 64 sq.ft if >2 ac. | — | — | See zone-specific rules | Outside roadway only (ROW rules). | — | Unlock | 18.710.270 |
| Digital Sign (as sign face technology) | — | 30 sq. ft or less (or subject to smaller size per allowed sign type); density: 1 per 100 ft street frontage (nonresidential); 1/200 ft frontage (residential), not to exceed 1/parcel. | — | — | See density above | Only as allowed sign face for legal sign types in allowed zones. | — | Unlock | 18.710.190 |
Residential 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq. ft total, not to exceed 3% of area of façade | Not to exceed 60% of the width of wall | — | Not specified, subject to area limitation | On façades as described | — | Unlock | 18.710.170 |
| Freestanding Sign (Temporary) | Ground-mounted: 6 ft. Stake-mounted or portable: 3 ft. | Single-family: max 5 sq. ft. Multi-family: max 6 sq. ft. | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | 18.710.270.G |
| Window Sign (Temporary) | — | Max 4 sq. ft. per window | — | — | 1 per residential unit | — | — | Unlock | 18.710.270.G.1 |
| Surface-mounted Sign (Temporary, sites 2+ acres) | — | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Flatly affixed to wall below fascia/parapet or on-site fences facing street/site | — | Unlock | 18.710.270.G.3 |
| Surface-mounted Sign (Temporary, sites 2+ acres, Option 2) | 8 ft | 64 sq. ft. (any type temporary, sites >=2 acres, but may not be displayed with other temp signs) | — | — | 1 only | — | — | Unlock | 18.710.270.I |
| Projecting Sign | — | 1.5 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building frontage/tenant space | No part lower than 8 ft above grade; max 4 ft extension from building; minimum 6 inches from wall; not above first story | — | Unlock | 18.710.230 |
| Ranch-style Archway Sign | 18 ft to peak of arch | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per approved access point | Over approved access point to a res. property/master-planned res. subdivision | — | Unlock | 18.710.235 |
| Digital Sign | — | 30 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per parcel | — | — | Unlock | 18.710.190, 18.710.090 |
Non-residential Zones, Commercial Regional Business (CRB), Community Commercial Business (CCB), Public Facilities (PF), Commercial Neighborhood Business (CNB), Employment (E), Ridgefield Mixed Use Overlay (MX)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (CRB) | 50 ft above grade | 200 sq. ft.; up to 250 sq. ft. if adjacent to I-5 ROW | — | 5 ft from street side, 25 ft from interior, 30 ft from residential | 1 per site frontage (2 for CRB along I-5) | Setback min 5 ft from street side line, min 25 ft from interior side lot, min 30 ft from residential district | — | Unlock | 18.710.210.C.1.a, D |
| Freestanding Sign (CCB/PF) | 20 ft above grade | 100 sq. ft. | — | 5 ft from street side, 25 ft from interior, 30 ft from residential | 1/site frontage | Setback as above | — | Unlock | 18.710.210.C.1.b |
| Freestanding Sign (CNB/E/MX) | 12 ft (up to 25 ft in E zone with 15% retail and certain conditions) | 75 sq. ft. (E zone properties with up to 15% retail use and within 150 ft I-5 may go to 200 sq. ft.) | — | 5 ft from street side, 25 ft from interior, 30 ft from residential | 1/site frontage | Setback as above | — | Unlock | 18.710.210.C.1.c.i |
| Accessory Sign | Wall: 8 ft max; Freestanding: 3 ft from grade | 3 sq. ft. per face; may be double-sided | — | Freestanding: comply with 5 ft from street side etc. | Up to 4 per parcel | See above | — | Unlock | 18.710.150 |
| Accessory Sign (Drive-Through Large) | 5.5 ft incl. structure | 45 sq. ft. total/drive-up point | Max sign size 30 sq. ft. | — | 1 per drive-up point | Per drive-up entry point | — | Unlock | 18.710.150.G |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | May not be mounted higher than 25 ft. above ground floor. | Primary elevation: up to 1 sq. ft. per lineal foot of awning/canopy width; no more than 40% of awning angle >60deg | No more than 60% of awning width or 60% of tenant space for multiple tenants | — | 1 per primary entrance; 1 per secondary entrance facing a public street/on-site parking | Ground floor only; no projection beyond building/awning edges | — | Unlock | 18.710.160 |
| Portable Sign (Sandwich Board / A-Frame, Pole-Mounted) | See above | Sandwich Board: max 3 ft wide, 4 ft tall; Pole-Mounted: max 2 ft wide, 5 ft tall. | See above | — | 1 per business/tenant space | Not more than 10 ft from primary building (or 10 ft from driveway for single-tenant sites); outside ROW unless ROW use permit. | — | Unlock | 18.710.220 |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | Not higher than 25 ft above ground floor | See above (same as 18.710.160) | Max 60% of width | — | 1 per primary entrance; 1 per secondary entrance facing street/parking | Ground floor only | — | Unlock | 18.710.160 |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Ridgefield are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in Ridgefield
- No person shall erect, alter, maintain or relocate any of the following signs in the city: animated signs (including rotating, revolving, or moving signs, balloons, pennants, spinners, propellers, whirling, flag canopies not otherwise allowed, streamers, tubes, feather flags, or other devices affected by wind), except for historic or replica historic signs that originally had such motion.
- Rotating signs of any type (sign body or any portion rotates or moves).
- Signs which emit smoke, visible particles, odors and sound (except for speakers at drive-through facilities).
- Bench or furniture signs greater than one square foot in area.
- Flashing signs or lights, including intermittent or flashing light sources, with limited exceptions for certain neon designs.
- Any sign that constitutes a traffic hazard or detriment to traffic safety by reason of size, location, movement, or illumination, or obstructs vision of drivers or pedestrians, or distracts from visibility of official traffic devices.
- No sign may impede free ingress and egress from any door, window or exit way required by building and fire regulations.
- Permanent signs on vacant lots, parcels or easements, or as a principal use on any lot/parcel/easement.
- Portable signs on wheels (trailer signs), changeable copy portable signs and illuminated portable signs.
- Abandoned signs.
- Signs on utility poles, fences, on poles or trees.
- Off-site controlled signs (any sign that is programmed and/or controlled off-site).
- Backlit cabinet signs fabricated from acrylic, plexiglass®, plastic-faced, or injection molded panels with translucent vinyl, film, painted graphics, or integrally colored polycarbonate materials.
- Signs may not be placed within the roadway portion of the city right-of-way unless otherwise permitted by city right-of-way use or special event permit.
- No sign may be mounted, attached or painted on a trailer, boat or motor vehicle, which is parked, stored or displayed conspicuously on private premises in a manner intended to attract the attention of the public (exception for operational vehicles as described).
- No sign may be painted, attached or mounted on fuel tanks, storage containers and/or solid waste receptacles or their enclosures, except as required by law.
- All permitted sign structures and associated landscape areas shall be kept free of supplemental attachments or secondary uses, including supplemental signs not part of a permitted sign, light fixtures, newspaper racks, or trash containers.
- No permanent sign may be built using non-durable materials; permanent signs must be manufactured of durable materials that withstand the effects of water and wind (with specific restrictions for large signs).
- Temporary signs in the roadway (curb-to-curb width) are prohibited.
- Illuminated signs are prohibited in any residential zone (RLD 4, 6, or 8 and RMD 16) and in any Community Neighborhood Business (CNB) zone.
- No portable sign may be a changeable copy sign or be illuminated in any manner.
- No projecting sign shall be higher than the first story level or lower than 8 feet above walkways or driveways, or within three feet of the sign; projecting signs in residential zones may not be illuminated.
- No sign may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- Freeway-oriented signs are prohibited except as specified for certain types and locations.
- No freestanding sign on any site without street frontage.
Exempt Signs in Ridgefield
- Changes to the face or copy of changeable copy signs, digital signs, or electronic messaging signs, provided such changes do not change the material or appearance of the sign as originally permitted by the city.
- Normal repair and maintenance of conforming or legal nonconforming signs.
- Temporary signs on private property or public property meeting the requirements in Section 18.710.270 (Temporary Signs).
- Building identification numbers required by city or state regulation.
- Governmental signs installed by the city, county, or federal/state agency for public health, safety and general welfare (e.g., emergency/warning signs, traffic/wayfinding signs, signs required by law, location of public facilities, any sign or posting required by a governmental agency).
- Flags, provided that the vertical staff conforms to all applicable building and base zone standards for structures.
- Stone or cement plaques and cornerstones with engraved/cast text or symbols, permanently embedded in the building's foundation or masonry, provided they do not exceed four square feet.
- Interior signs or displays located entirely inside a building and at least three feet away from transparent doors and windows.
- Signs (and sign support structures) not visible or audible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel, or from any public right-of-way.
- Any sign on a vehicle, unless the vehicle is parked or stationed near an activity for the primary purpose of attracting attention, or regularly parked in a prominent visible location to attract attention to the sign.
- Temporary signs in windows that are easily removable and do not exceed the size limits in Sections 18.710.280 and 18.710.270.
- Plaques on outdoor benches or furniture that are one square foot or less in area.
- Privately-maintained traffic control signs in a subdivision with private roads, or signs in a parking lot.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Ridgefield
- A sign permit is required for all non-exempt signs (Section 18.710.050). A complete sign permit application must include a building elevation/site plan indicating the location and size of existing/proposed signs and their relation to the building/property/streets/adjacent sites.
- All signs must comply with criteria for placement, maximum height, location, and zone, and must meet all requirements of this chapter before a permit can be approved.
- Variance from sign regulations (placement, area, height) may only be granted through a sign variance application, which may be consolidated with the sign permit process if necessary. A sign variance cannot be used to allow any prohibited signs/features.
- No sign permit application requiring a variance will be processed without a sign variance application (unless the applicant requests processing without variance).
- Building permit, right-of-way use permit, and/or special event permit may also be required depending on the proposed sign and its location/type, and these should be applied for in conjunction with the sign permit as needed.
- Master sign plan requirements are not specifically outlined in these sections, but site plan/elevation requirements imply the applicant must address the relationship of proposed new signs to all existing signage and building architecture at the time of permit application.
Source: municode municipal code