# Sign Regulations in Seatac, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Seatac, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/seatac
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-14
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/SeaTac/#!/html/SeaTac15/SeaTac15600.html)

## At a glance

Seatac, Washington regulates 27 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding/Monument Signs in the Commercial Low (CL); Community Business (CB); Community Business in the Urban Center (CB-C); Regional Business Mix (RBX); Industrial (I) zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 85 sf (non-electronic portion); EMS size limits per zone-specific EMS entry, with a 5 ft all property lines; possible 0–5 ft with vision clearance documentation. setback (Sec. SMC 15.600.030(B)(1)(a)-(b); 15.600.030(A)(2)(a)-(b); 15.600.020(C)-(D); 15.600.020(B)). Most commercial signs in Seatac require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 6 ft | 32 sf (aggregate on a lot) | — |
| Commercial Low (CL); Community Business (CB); Community Business in the Urban Center (CB-C); Regional Business Mix (RBX); Industrial (I) | 6 | 15 ft | 85 sf (non-electronic portion); EMS size limits per zone-specific EMS entry | — |
| Residential High (RH); Urban Residential High (URH); Urban Residential High – Mixed Use (URH-MU); Neighborhood Village Medium (NVM); Neighborhood Village High (NVH); Urban Village Medium (UVM); Urban Village High (UVH) | 10 | 15 ft | 85 sf | — |
| Residential Low (RL); Residential Medium (RM); Urban Residential Medium (URM) | 6 | — | Electronic portion: 25 sf; total sign: 85 sf | — |
| Park (P) | 4 | 6 ft | 32 sf (aggregate on a lot) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding/Monument Sign - Setbacks | — | — | — | Interior lot: front 5 ft, sides 10 ft; corner lot: all property lines 5 ft; alternative 0–5 ft front setback with vision clearance documentation. | — | Interior lots: 5 ft from front property line; 10 ft from side property lines. Corner lots: 5 ft from all property lines. A sign may be set back 0–5 ft from the front property line if documented not to hinder vision clearance per SMC 15.400.340. | — | SMC 15.600.020(D)(1)-(3); 15.600.020(C)(1)-(5) |
| Illumination - All Sign Types | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SMC 15.600.020(A)(3); 15.600.030(A)(2)(b); 15.600.040(A)(4) |
| Directional Sign | — | 9 sf max; business identification portion of sign limited to 25% of sign area | — | — | Max 1 per entrance (or 2 if necessary for safety). | On the premises; max one per entrance (two if necessary for safety and oriented to different approach directions). Additional street-oriented directional signs only if shown necessary for safety and granted by Director. Off-premises directional signs only via variance if property lacks direct street frontage. | — | SMC 15.600.020(F)(1)-(4); 15.600.130(G)(6)(b) |
| Temporary Sign | 6 ft | 9 sf per temporary sign; one single on-premises temporary sign may be up to 32 sf | — | — | — | On public or private property with owner’s permission (not in public parks/trails/open space except by the owning agency). Not on roofs; not affixed to permanent signs, trees, utility poles, street signs; no overhang over paved travel ways or access areas; in ROW must be 5 ft from other temporary signs and 25 ft from traffic control devices; off-premises commercial temporary signs only in ROW adjacent to commercial premises. | — | SMC 15.600.070(A)-(E) |
| Noncommercial Speech Sign | 6 ft | 32 sf (aggregate on a lot) | — | — | — | — | — | SMC 15.600.060(A)-(D) |
| Electronic Message Sign - General Standards | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SMC 15.600.080(A)(2)(a)-(b); 15.600.080(C)(1)-(4); 15.600.080(D) |
| Number of Permanent Signs - Freestanding Sign Limit | — | — | — | — | 1 per site; 1 per street frontage if multiple frontages (≥150 ft spacing). | — | — | SMC 15.600.020(B)(1)-(2) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Worn by Person) - Exempt | — | — | — | — | — | Public ways of the City. | — | SMC 15.600.010(F)(9) |

### Commercial Low (CL); Community Business (CB); Community Business in the Urban Center (CB-C); Regional Business Mix (RBX); Industrial (I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding/Monument Sign | 15 ft | 85 sf (non-electronic portion); EMS size limits per zone-specific EMS entry | — | Interior: 5 ft front, 10 ft sides; corner: 5 ft all property lines; possible 0–5 ft with vision clearance documentation. | 1 per site; if multiple street frontages, 1 per frontage with ≥150 ft separation. | On-site; setbacks per general regulations (5 ft front; 10 ft sides for interior lots; 5 ft all sides for corner lots; 0–5 ft front possible with vision clearance documentation). | — | SMC 15.600.030(B)(1)(a)-(b); 15.600.030(A)(2)(a)-(b); 15.600.020(C)-(D); 15.600.020(B) |
| Building-Mounted Sign (Wall/Parapet/Awning/Marquee/Porte-Cochere/Canopy-Mounted) | Shall not extend above the highest exterior wall of the building | Per formula | — | — | — | Must be located on the facade from which sign size was derived unless necessary to reasonably identify and locate use and provisions do not otherwise provide adequate options (unused facade area may be used by other tenants per conditions). | — | SMC 15.600.030(B)(2) table and (a)-(i) |
| Window Sign | — | Counts toward aggregate building-mounted sign area per facade formula | — | — | — | Inside and within 3 ft of windows; viewable from exterior. | — | SMC 15.600.015 (Window Sign definition); 15.600.030(B)(2)(h)-(i) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Freestanding) - CL | 15 ft (per freestanding/monument max) | Electronic portion: 25 sf; total sign: 85 sf | — | Per general freestanding setbacks. | 1 per site; 1 per street frontage with ≥150 ft spacing when multiple frontages. | On-site freestanding/monument sign. | — | SMC 15.600.080(A)(1)(a) table (CL row); 15.600.030(B)(1)(a); 15.600.080(C) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Freestanding) - CB/CB-C/RBX/I | 15 ft (per freestanding/monument max) | Electronic portion: 55 sf; total sign: 85 sf | — | Per general freestanding setbacks. | 1 per site; 1 per street frontage with ≥150 ft spacing when multiple frontages. | On-site freestanding/monument sign. | — | SMC 15.600.080(A)(1)(a) table (CB, CB-C, I, RBX rows); 15.600.030(B)(1)(a); 15.600.080(C) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Building-Mounted) | May not extend above highest exterior wall of the building | 55 sf electronic portion per street frontage | — | — | — | On building facade(s) per facade allocation. | — | SMC 15.600.080(A)(2)(b); 15.600.030(B)(2) |

### Residential High (RH); Urban Residential High (URH); Urban Residential High – Mixed Use (URH-MU); Neighborhood Village Medium (NVM); Neighborhood Village High (NVH); Urban Village Medium (UVM); Urban Village High (UVH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding/Monument Sign (Multi-Family Use) | 15 ft | 35 sf | — | Per general freestanding setbacks. | 1 per site; 1 per street frontage with ≥150 ft separation where applicable. | On-site; setbacks per general regulations. | — | SMC 15.600.040(B)(1)(a)-(b)(i); 15.600.040(A)(2)(a)-(d); 15.600.020(B) |
| Freestanding/Monument Sign (Nonresidential Use - Not on arterial) | 15 ft | 35 sf | — | Per general freestanding setbacks. | — | On-site; not fronting on an arterial street. | — | SMC 15.600.040(B)(1)(b)(ii); 15.600.040(A)(2) |
| Freestanding/Monument Sign (Nonresidential Use - Minor/Collector Arterial) | 15 ft | 60 sf | — | Per general freestanding setbacks. | — | On-site; fronting on a minor or collector arterial per City Comprehensive Plan. | — | SMC 15.600.040(B)(1)(b)(iii); 15.600.040(A)(2) |
| Freestanding/Monument Sign (Nonresidential Use - Principal Arterial) | 15 ft | 85 sf | — | Per general freestanding setbacks. | — | On-site; fronting on a principal arterial per City Comprehensive Plan. | — | SMC 15.600.040(B)(1)(b)(iv); 15.600.040(A)(2) |
| Building-Mounted Sign (Wall/Parapet/Awning/Marquee/Porte-Cochere/Canopy-Mounted) | Shall not extend above the highest exterior wall of the building | Per formula | — | — | — | Must be located on facade measured for sign size; unused facade area may be used by other tenants per conditions when necessary to reasonably identify and locate use. | — | SMC 15.600.040(B)(2) table and (a)-(i); 15.600.040(A)(2)(a)-(d) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Freestanding) - UVH | 15 ft | Electronic portion: 55 sf; total sign: 85 sf | — | Per general freestanding setbacks. | 1 per site; 1 per street frontage with ≥150 ft separation where applicable. | On-site freestanding/monument sign in UVH zone. | — | SMC 15.600.080(A)(1)(a) table (UVH row); 15.600.040(B)(1)(a); 15.600.080(C) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Freestanding) - Commercial Use on Principal Arterial (UVM, URH) | 15 ft | Electronic portion: 25 sf; total sign: 85 sf | — | Per general freestanding setbacks. | — | On-site freestanding/monument sign fronting a principal arterial. | — | SMC 15.600.080(A)(1)(a) table (Commercial Uses in UVM, URH rows); 15.600.040(B)(1) |
| Electronic Message Sign (Freestanding) - Noncommercial Use on Principal Arterial (URH) | 15 ft | Electronic portion: 25 sf; total sign: 85 sf | — | Per general freestanding setbacks. | — | On-site freestanding/monument sign fronting a principal arterial. | — | SMC 15.600.080(A)(1)(a) table (Noncommercial Uses in URH row); 15.600.080(D)(2)(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Seatac

- All signs not specifically defined and allowed or exempted by the sign code are prohibited.
- No sign shall be located so as to physically obstruct any door, window, or exit from a building.
- No sign shall be located so as to be hazardous to a motorist’s ingress or egress, or visibility of traffic flow during ingress or egress.
- Signs may not violate sight distance requirements.
- Sign illumination may not cause undue brightness, glare, reflection of light on surrounding properties, or unreasonably distract pedestrians or motorists.
- No sign shall contain a letter, word, or phrase that is continued onto another sign.
- Signs which purport to be or resemble an official traffic sign or signal, or bear words such as “stop,” “caution,” “danger,” or similar, are prohibited.
- Signs that, due to size, location, movement, content, coloring or illumination, may be confused with traffic control or emergency vehicle lights, or that obstruct the visibility of any traffic or street sign or signal, are prohibited.
- Signs which rotate or have moving/revolving parts, except for clock hands, are prohibited.
- Signs that display animation are prohibited.
- Any display or sign not specifically allowed by the sign code (including strings of lights; ribbons; spinners; twirlers; propellers; flashing, rotating, blinking, chasing, or scintillating lights; lasers; strobes; lights with stroboscopic effect; displays or lights imitating explosions or fireworks; flares; balloons; bubble machines; or similar carnival devices, or devices creating sound or smell) is prohibited, except certain devices permitted on a limited basis for grand openings under temporary sign standards.
- Holographic displays are prohibited.
- Signs identifying or window signs advertising activities, products, businesses, or services discontinued for more than 60 days on the premises are prohibited; window signs in excess of the amount of wall signage allowed, or mounted between 3 and 7 feet above floor level and obstructing the majority of the window, are prohibited.
- Private signs on utility poles are prohibited.
- Searchlights are prohibited.
- Miscellaneous pole-mounted advertisements are prohibited.
- Signs for which a permit has been granted under conditions with which the permittee does not comply are prohibited.
- Signs for which a permit has been granted and subsequently revoked for cause are prohibited.
- Signs erected, altered, or relocated without a required permit are prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited except those qualifying as nonconforming signs.
- Roof signs are prohibited except as allowed through a variance.
- Signs attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer on public or private property are prohibited, except for identification of a firm or its products on a vehicle operating during the normal course of business, or advertising a vehicle for sale if such sign is placed inside the vehicle.
- Any sign that impedes free ingress and egress from required doorways/windows/exits, or blocks pedestrian access to transit or to/from parked vehicles, is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Seatac

- Traffic or pedestrian control signs or signals; signs in the public right-of-way indicating scenic or historic points of interest; or signs erected or placed by or on the order of a public officer in the performance of public duty.
- Signs required by law.
- Noncommercial public service signs that are nonilluminated, nonelectronic, do not exceed 8 square feet in surface area and 6 feet in height, and are limited to one sign per street frontage.
- Official public notices, official court notices, or official sheriff’s notices.
- Government flags and other political or special purpose flags not intended to contribute to a commercial advertising display.
- Plaques, tablets, or inscriptions indicating the name of a building, its date of erection, or other commemorative information that are integral to the building or attached flat to the face of the building, nonilluminated, and not exceeding 3 square feet.
- Nonilluminated on-site informational signs such as “No Trespassing,” “No Dumping,” “No Parking,” “Private Property,” “Fire Lane,” “Handicapped Parking,” not exceeding 3 square feet.
- Holiday and community special event decorations that do not display a commercial message.
- Sandwich-board signs worn by a person walking in public ways.
- Existing theater marquees (monument and/or building mounted).
- Signs internal to the site and not visible or legible at ground level from public rights-of-way, parks, public easements, and public walkways.
- Public art, such as non-commercial murals that do not meet the definition of “sign.”
- Nonilluminated signs less than 9 square feet in surface area are exempt from permit requirements (must still meet all code requirements).
- Temporary signs do not require a sign permit (must comply with temporary sign standards and other applicable provisions).
- Permit exceptions: repainting, cleaning, or other normal maintenance or repair of a permitted sign without modifying the structure or content; changing the advertising copy or message on an approved readerboard or theater marquee during the period of amortization.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan or comprehensive sign plan requirement is stated; signage is regulated through zone-specific standards and individual sign permits.
- A sign permit is required for any sign 9 square feet or larger, or any illuminated or electronic sign; nonilluminated signs below 9 square feet and temporary signs are exempt from permit requirements.
- A variance is required to allow roof signs; criteria include no street frontage, site more than 200 feet from a public right-of-way, sign size limited to what is necessary for adequate visibility, no other permanent signage allowed on the site, and no visible support structure.
- A variance may allow off-premises permanent signs when permanent signage cannot be located on the site, the sign displays only information directly related to the subject business/property, and the sign is located as close as possible to the subject business/property.
- A variance may allow off-premises directional signs when the premises lack direct street frontage and on-premises directional signs are inadequate to reasonably apprise the public of the location.
- Variance decision criteria include: no grant of special privilege inconsistent with nearby properties; no material detriment to public welfare or nearby properties; exceptional effort toward visual harmony with a consistent design theme; and hardship due to special property circumstances not caused by the applicant.
- Variance limitations include: cannot increase any dimensional standard by more than 50%; cannot increase the number of signs permitted on a site or in a zone; cannot vary general, procedural, or administrative provisions; cannot vary prohibited or illegal sign types; cannot vary dimensional standards of the changeable portion of an electronic sign.
- Additional directional signs oriented to the street (beyond one per entrance) may be allowed only if necessary for safety and expressly granted by the Director.

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

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