# Sign Regulations in Ruston, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ruston, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/ruston
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-05
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/WA/Ruston/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=TIT25ZO_CH25.09SICO)

## At a glance

Ruston, Washington regulates 23 sign types across 4 zoning districts. A-Board/Portable Sign (Temporary Real Estate Open House)s in the Residential (RES) zoning district are capped at 4 feet tall and 12 square feet total, 6 square feet per face (Sec. 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, A-Board/Portable Sign (Temporary Real Estate Open House), RES column.).

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential (RES) | 13 | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — |
| Commercial (COM, COM-P) | 20 | Maximum: fascia, eaves, or cornice height of building; in no case to exceed 50% of building facade height. | 84 square feet total (including tenant signage). | — |
| MPD | 20 | Maximum: fascia, eaves, or cornice height of building; in no case to exceed 50% of building facade height. | 84 square feet total (including tenant signage). | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | Less than 2 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential (RES)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Board/Portable Sign (Temporary Real Estate Open House) | 4 feet | 12 square feet total, 6 square feet per face | — | — | 1 per entity per street frontage | On-premises only. Requires right-of-way use permit and insurance if located within the public right-of-way. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, A-Board/Portable Sign (Temporary Real Estate Open House), RES column. |
| Building Address Identification | — | — | 12-inch maximum text height | — | 1 per street frontage | On building facade per street frontage. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, Building Address Identification, RES column. |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises under construction, per street frontage. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, Construction Sign (Temporary), RES column. |
| Neighborhood Identification Sign | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | At entrance to neighborhood, per street frontage. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, Neighborhood Identification Sign, RES column. |
| On-premises Instructional Signs | 4 feet | 4 square feet | — | — | As needed | On premises as needed. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, On-premises Instructional Signs, RES column. |
| Temporary Real Estate Signs - Commercial | 6 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On commercial property, per street frontage. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, Temporary Real Estate Signs - Commercial, RES column. |
| Temporary Real Estate Signs - Residential | 6 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On residential property, per street frontage. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, Temporary Real Estate Signs - Residential, RES column. |
| Wall Mounted (Home Occupations) | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On building, per street frontage. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, Wall Mounted (Home Occupations), RES column. |

### Commercial (COM, COM-P)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Board/Portable Sign | 4 feet | 12 square feet total, 6 square feet per face | — | — | 1 per entity per street frontage | On-site. Requires right-of-way use permit and insurance if located within public right-of-way. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, A-Board/Portable Sign, COM/COM-P column. |
| A-Board/Portable Sign (Temporary Real Estate Open House) | 4 feet | 12 square feet total, 6 square feet per face | — | — | 1 per entity per street frontage | On-site. Requires right-of-way use permit and insurance if located within public right-of-way. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, A-Board/Portable Sign (Temporary Real Estate Open House), COM/COM-P column. |
| Awning Sign | — | Maximum text height and width subject to RMC 25.09.050; not to exceed 8 inches in height on vertical faces of awnings or canopies. | 8 inches (vertical face) | — | Not limited | On awnings/canopies. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, Awning Sign, COM/COM-P column. |
| Commercial Shopping Center Sign | 8 feet (base and sign structure not to exceed 8 feet above average grade of adjacent right-of-way). | 84 square feet total (including tenant signage). | — | — | 1 per commercial shopping center | At entrance to commercial shopping center. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, Commercial Shopping Center Sign, COM/COM-P column. |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises under construction, per street frontage. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, Construction Sign (Temporary), COM/COM-P column. |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage, on-site. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, Freestanding Monument Sign, COM/COM-P column. |
| Neighborhood Identification Sign | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | At entrance to neighborhood, per street frontage. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, Neighborhood Identification Sign, COM/COM-P column. |
| On-premises Instructional Signs | 4 feet | 4 square feet | — | — | As needed | On premises as needed. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, On-premises Instructional Signs, COM/COM-P column. |

### MPD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Board/Portable Sign | 4 feet | 12 square feet total, 6 square feet per face | — | — | 1 per entity per street frontage | On-site. Requires right-of-way use permit and insurance if located within public right-of-way. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, A-Board/Portable Sign, MPD column. |
| A-Board/Portable Sign (Temporary Real Estate Open House) | 4 feet | 12 square feet total, 6 square feet per face | — | — | 1 per entity per street frontage | On-site. Requires right-of-way use permit and insurance if located within public right-of-way. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, A-Board/Portable Sign (Temporary Real Estate Open House), MPD column. |
| Awning Sign | — | Maximum text height and width subject to RMC 25.09.050; not to exceed 8 inches in height on vertical faces of awnings or canopies. | 8 inches (vertical face) | — | Not limited | On awnings/canopies. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, Awning Sign, MPD column. |
| Commercial Shopping Center Sign | 8 feet (base and sign structure not to exceed 8 feet above average grade of adjacent right-of-way). | 84 square feet total (including tenant signage). | — | — | 1 per commercial shopping center | At entrance to commercial shopping center. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, Commercial Shopping Center Sign, MPD column. |
| Construction Sign (Temporary) | 8 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On premises under construction, per street frontage. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, Construction Sign (Temporary), MPD column. |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage, on-site. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, Freestanding Monument Sign, MPD column. |
| Neighborhood Identification Sign | 6 feet | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage | At entrance to neighborhood, per street frontage. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, Neighborhood Identification Sign, MPD column. |
| On-premises Instructional Signs | 4 feet | 4 square feet | — | — | As needed | On premises as needed. | — | 25.09.060 Sign type matrix, On-premises Instructional Signs, MPD column. |

## Prohibited signs in Ruston

- Off-premises signs and billboards, except as described in RMC 25.09.060 Sign Type Matrix.
- Abandoned signs.
- Animated signs.
- Electronic signs.
- Pole-mounted signs.
- Signs that are damaged or have a damaged supporting structure unless repaired within 90 days after receipt of written notice from the City.
- Signs on roofs or above eaves.
- Signs attached to utility poles, public traffic signs, trees, rocks, or other natural features.
- Signs attached to benches along public rights-of-way.
- Signs emitting pollutants (i.e., smoke, sound, or other pollutant).
- Signs resembling official traffic-control devices, interfere with traffic, or are otherwise determined to be a safety hazard by the City Engineer.
- Non-construction signs or banners attached to fencing.
- Signs which are not exempt from the building code, but do not conform in structure or material to applicable building codes.
- Garage sale signs that are posted for more than seven calendar days.
- Rotating, moving, or flashing signs or lights, except as specifically allowed in RMC 25.09.060 Sign Type Matrix.
- Inflatable signs.
- Signs not specifically addressed in this chapter shall be prohibited unless otherwise allowed under other law.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ruston

- Address signs.
- Garage sale signs advertising garage sales or yard sales (with requirements: max four square feet; not erected more than four days prior to the event; on premises only; removed within one day after the event).
- Flags of a government.
- Murals that do not contain advertising copy painted on the exterior wall of a building or structure.
- Nongovernmental and/or noninstitutional flags used for celebration of holidays or special events, provided they are removed within seven days of the end of the event.
- Seasonal decorations customary for holidays erected entirely on private property.
- On-premises instructional signs not exceeding four square feet and four feet in height.
- On-premises or off-premises temporary campaign and political signs not exceeding eight square feet; removed from public property within ten days after the event or election.
- Nonilluminated window signs conforming to RMC 25.09.060 Sign Type Matrix.
- One temporary construction sign conforming to RMC 25.09.060 Sign Type Matrix.
- Real estate signs conforming to RMC 25.09.060 Sign Type Matrix.
- Nonelectric portable signs conforming to RMC 25.09.060 Sign Type Matrix.
- Decal signs as defined in this chapter.
- Community announcement signs as defined in this chapter.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A proposed site plan showing the address, location of the affected lot, building(s) and sign(s), showing both existing and proposed signs, is required as part of every sign permit application.
- Signs which include structural modifications to existing structures, or which involve the construction of new support structures regulated by the International Building Code, must also submit an application for a building permit as determined by the Building Official.
- No sign shall be installed, constructed, erected, painted, structurally altered, posted or applied without first obtaining a sign permit from the Mayor or his designee, unless specifically exempted.
- A separate permit shall be required for each group of signs installed simultaneously on a single supporting structure; each additional sign erected on the structure must have a separate permit.

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

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