# Sign Regulations in Sedro Woolley, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Sedro Woolley, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/sedro-woolley
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-01
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/SedroWoolley/#!/SedroWoolley17/SedroWoolley1740.html#17.40)

## At a glance

Sedro Woolley, Washington regulates 12 sign types across 17 zoning districts. Portable Sign (A-Frame / Sandwich Board / Sidewalk)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Standard height max 48 in; 48 in exception adjacent to SR 9 or SR 20 tall, Standard: ≤36 in by 48 in on each face (max 12 sq ft per face). Exception near SR 9 or SR 20: ≤48 in by 48 in per face (max 16 sq ft per face)., and Standard width max 36 in; exception up to 48 in adjacent to SR 9 or SR 20 wide, with a Must not interfere with vision clearance triangles (SWMC 17.44.020); must be placed to avoid traffic/pedestrian interference. setback (Sec. SWMC 17.40.035(A)–(G)). Most commercial signs in Sedro Woolley require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (17 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential zones (R-5, R-7, R-15) | 1 | — | Greater of 5 sq ft or 1% of gross floor area (total combined for all signs on a site) | — |
| Mixed Commercial (MC) Zone | 3 | 20 ft measured from centerline of adjoining road to top of sign structure | Up to 200 sq ft total surface area; minimum 32 sq ft per side; also limited to 2% of gross floor area, whichever is less | — |
| Urban Village Mixed-Use (UVMU) Overlay | 3 | 20 ft from centerline of adjoining road to top of sign structure | Up to 200 sq ft total; minimum 32 sq ft per side; also limited to 2% of gross floor area, whichever is less | — |
| Transitional Mixed Commercial Overlay | 3 | 20 ft from centerline of adjoining road | ≤200 sq ft total; ≥32 sq ft per side; limited to 2% of gross floor area | — |
| Central Business District (CBD) Zone | 3 | 20 ft from centerline of adjoining road to top of sign structure | ≤200 sq ft total; ≥32 sq ft per side; capped at 2% of gross floor area | — |
| Industrial (I) Zone | 3 | 20 ft from centerline of adjoining road | ≤200 sq ft total; ≥32 sq ft per side; limited to 2% of gross floor area of the buildings | — |
| Public (P) Zone | 3 | 20 ft from centerline of adjoining road | ≤200 sq ft total; ≥32 sq ft per side; capped at 2% of gross floor area | — |
| Open Space (OS) Zone | 2 | 20 ft from centerline of adjoining road | ≤200 sq ft total; ≥32 sq ft per side; limited to 2% of gross floor area | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | Standard height max 48 in; 48 in exception adjacent to SR 9 or SR 20 | City identification/community service club type signs: ≤50 sq ft per side. Business identification directional units on dead‑end streets: each unit not longer than 4 ft; height governed by letter size and any applicable visibility standards; total area implied by 6‑in letters over length up to 4 ft (exact area not specified but constrained). | — |

_8 additional zoning districts are covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 17 zones)

### Mixed Commercial (MC) Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft measured from centerline of adjoining road to top of sign structure | Up to 200 sq ft total surface area; minimum 32 sq ft per side; also limited to 2% of gross floor area, whichever is less | — | Must comply with clear vision triangle requirements of city code; height measured from centerline of adjoining road. | One freestanding sign per building frontage on a public right‑of‑way | On‑premises, freestanding, ground‑oriented signs in MC (a non‑residential zone) along public rights‑of‑way; must meet clear vision triangle requirements. | — | SWMC 17.40.010(A)–(E); 17.40.020(B)(1), (B)(3), (C), (D); 17.40.045(A), (B); 17.40.040(A)–(B) |
| Wall / Facade Sign | — | 0–499 sq ft facade: 50 sq ft max; 500–999: 10% of facade area or 75 sq ft, whichever is less; 1,000–1,499: 9% or 100 sq ft, whichever is less; 1,500–2,999: 8% or 150 sq ft, whichever is less; 3,000 or greater: 6% or 200 sq ft, whichever is less | — | — | One facade sign per business per frontage on a public right‑of‑way | Mounted on building facades facing public rights‑of‑way serving MC uses. | — | SWMC 17.40.010(C)–(E); 17.40.020(B)(2), (D); 17.40.045(A), (B) |
| Digital Sign (Integrated in Freestanding or Wall Sign) | If part of freestanding sign, overall sign height ≤20 ft from centerline of adjoining road | Digital portion ≤50% of the standard sign’s surface area; total sign area as allowed for freestanding or facade signs | — | Minimum 100 ft from residential or open space zoned property lines; freestanding location must also meet clear vision triangle requirements. | Maximum one digital sign per property (may be double‑sided) | On‑premises signs in Mixed Commercial zone, on properties not within 100 ft of residential or OS zone boundaries and directed away from such zones. | — | SWMC 17.40.010(A), (D); 17.40.045(A)(1), (B)(1)–(7); 17.40.020(B)(1), (B)(3) |

### Urban Village Mixed-Use (UVMU) Overlay

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 ft from centerline of adjoining road to top of sign structure | Up to 200 sq ft total; minimum 32 sq ft per side; also limited to 2% of gross floor area, whichever is less | — | Must comply with clear vision triangle; height from road centerline. | One freestanding sign per building frontage on a public right‑of‑way | On‑premises, ground‑oriented signs along public rights‑of‑way in the UVMU overlay (MC underlay). Must meet clear vision triangle requirements. | — | SWMC 17.40.010(A)–(E); 17.40.020(B)(1), (B)(3), (C), (D); 17.40.045(A), (B); 17.40.040(A)–(B) |
| Wall / Facade Sign | — | 0–499 sq ft facade: 50 sq ft; 500–999: 10% or 75 sq ft max; 1,000–1,499: 9% or 100 sq ft; 1,500–2,999: 8% or 150 sq ft; 3,000+: 6% or 200 sq ft (always whichever is less in each tier) | — | — | One facade sign per business per frontage on a public right‑of‑way | Building facades facing public rights‑of‑way serving uses in UVMU. | — | SWMC 17.40.010(C)–(E); 17.40.020(B)(2), (D); 17.40.045(A), (B) |
| Digital Sign (Integrated in Freestanding or Wall Sign) | If freestanding, overall sign height ≤20 ft from centerline of adjoining road | Up to 50% of total sign area; sign total as allowed by 2% GFA/200 sq ft limit (freestanding) or facade table (wall) | — | Minimum 100 ft distance from residential or OS zoned properties; clear vision triangle for freestanding installations. | One digital sign per property (may be double‑sided) | On‑premises signs within UVMU (Mixed Commercial underlay) on sites at least 100 ft from residential or OS zoned property and oriented away from such properties. | — | SWMC 17.40.010(A), (D); 17.40.045(A)(1), (B)(1)–(7); 17.40.020(B)(1), (B)(3) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Provisions – All Signs | — | — | — | — | — | Applies to all signs in all zones unless otherwise specified. | — | SWMC 17.40.010(A)–(F); 17.40.040(A)–(B) |
| Permanent On-Premises Signs – Residential vs Non-Residential Zones | — | Residential zones: total combined sign area per site ≤ greater of 5 sq ft or 1% of gross floor area of buildings. All other zones: see freestanding and facade rules in zone‑specific entries. | — | — | — | On‑premises signs. | — | SWMC 17.40.020(A)–(B); 17.40.010(D); 17.40.040(A) |
| Permanent Off-Premises Directional Sign – City / Community / Business Identification | — | City identification/community service club type signs: ≤50 sq ft per side. Business identification directional units on dead‑end streets: each unit not longer than 4 ft; height governed by letter size and any applicable visibility standards; total area implied by 6‑in letters over length up to 4 ft (exact area not specified but constrained). | Business directional units on dead‑end streets: max length 4 ft per unit | Must meet visibility/corner visibility and not obstruct vision. Business directional signs on dead‑end streets must meet corner visibility requirements. | — | Off‑premises signs providing directional/location information to general public about places of general interest (tourist information, schools, recreation, CBD/special districts, historic sites, regional developments), community identity at city entrances, service clubs/organizations, and business identification for sites on dead‑end streets. Any sign visible from a state highway must be approved by the Department of Transportation. Must not be located where they may cause a hazard or obstruct driver vision. | — | SWMC 17.40.025(A)–(D) |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | Each business: maximum 2 temporary signs at any one time; maximum 30 display days per year total | Exterior, on‑premises or possibly off‑premises signs related to temporary sales or events, subject to general location and safety rules. | — | SWMC 17.40.030(A)–(D) |
| Portable Sign (A-Frame / Sandwich Board / Sidewalk) | Standard height max 48 in; 48 in exception adjacent to SR 9 or SR 20 | Standard: ≤36 in by 48 in on each face (max 12 sq ft per face). Exception near SR 9 or SR 20: ≤48 in by 48 in per face (max 16 sq ft per face). | Standard width max 36 in; exception up to 48 in adjacent to SR 9 or SR 20 | Must not interfere with vision clearance triangles (SWMC 17.44.020); must be placed to avoid traffic/pedestrian interference. | Each business: maximum 1 portable sign, in addition to temporary and permanent signs | Placed on or near sidewalks/right‑of‑way adjacent to the business, subject to not interfering with vehicle/pedestrian traffic and vision clearance triangles; exception size for locations adjacent to SR 9 or SR 20. | — | SWMC 17.40.035(A)–(G) |
| Digital Sign – General Allowance and Prohibition | — | Digital portion may not exceed 50% of the standard sign surface area for any sign that incorporates digital display. | — | Digital signs must be located at least 100 ft from residential or OS zoned properties as measured from sign to nearest property line of such property. Clear vision triangle and other general setback/visibility rules also apply. | Maximum 1 digital sign per property (may be double‑sided) | Digital signs are: not allowed in any residential zones; only allowed in MC and Industrial zones (subject to Mixed Commercial/Industrial display standards); severely limited in CBD (only on specified streets) and Public zones, and not allowed within 100 ft of residential or OS zones. Must be directed away from residential and OS zoned properties, including across public rights‑of‑way. | — | SWMC 17.40.010(A)(8); 17.40.045(A)–(C) |

## Prohibited signs in Sedro Woolley

- No sign shall be erected or employed that impairs scenic views or the appearance of the surrounding area (SWMC 17.40.010(A)(1)).
- No sign shall be erected or employed that creates traffic hazards by blocking vision or causing excessive diversion of attention (SWMC 17.40.010(A)(2)).
- No sign shall be erected or employed that is structurally incapable of withstanding stresses to which it is likely to be subjected (SWMC 17.40.010(A)(3)).
- No sign shall be erected or employed that contains flashing or uncomfortably intense light (SWMC 17.40.010(A)(4)).
- No sign shall be erected or employed that is designed to attract attention through mechanical or wind-generated movement (SWMC 17.40.010(A)(5)).
- No sign shall be erected or employed without consent of the property owner (SWMC 17.40.010(A)(6)).
- No sign shall be erected or employed that is a festoon, banner, or pennant type sign (SWMC 17.40.010(A)(7)).
- Digital signs are prohibited except as specifically allowed and regulated in SWMC 17.40.045 (SWMC 17.40.010(A)(8)).
- Obsolete signs, defined as signs advertising a business, product, or service that is no longer available or, for on‑premises signs, no longer located on the same site, must be removed within ninety days of the change in business or offering (SWMC 17.40.010(B)).
- In residential areas, internal illumination of signs is prohibited; only external illumination is allowed (SWMC 17.40.010(D)).
- All sign lighting must be directed so as not to shine onto adjacent residential properties or into the night sky (SWMC 17.40.010(D)).
- Each sign must be maintained in good visual and structural condition at all times, including maintaining color integrity and all parts and supports in accordance with the sign’s original city approval; repairs must use materials and design of equal or greater quality than the original sign (SWMC 17.40.010(E)).
- Digital signs are not permitted in any residential zones (SWMC 17.40.045(A)(1)).
- Digital signs are not permitted in the central business district except on specified segments of Eastern Street, Murdock Street, Puget Street, State Street, and Ferry Street (SWMC 17.40.045(A)(2)).
- Digital signs may not use audio speakers (SWMC 17.40.045(B)(3) and (C)(4)).
- Digital signs must not be located closer than 100 feet from residentially zoned or open space zoned properties, including across public rights‑of‑way (SWMC 17.40.045(B)(4) and (C)(5)).
- Digital signs may not display flashing, strobing, video imaging, or scrolling messages faster than the minimum dwell times; fading or dissolving transitions are not permitted (SWMC 17.40.045(B)(5) and (C)(6)).
- In the CBD and public zones, digital signs may not display images or non‑text graphics, may not use more than one text color (with a dark background), and may not use animation, movement, video imaging, scrolling, fading, or dissolving (SWMC 17.40.045(C)(6)).
- No more than one digital sign is allowed per property, although it may be double‑sided (SWMC 17.40.045(B)(6) and (C)(7)).
- Digital signs are not permitted as stand‑alone structures; they must be integrated into a standard sign surface area and may not exceed 50% of that surface area (SWMC 17.40.045(B)(7) and (C)(8)).
- Digital signs must comply with specified maximum brightness levels relative to ambient light and absolute nit limits; operation above those limits is prohibited (SWMC 17.40.045(B)(1)–(2) and (C)(1), (3)).
- In the CBD and public zones, digital signs may be used after dusk only until 11:00 p.m., or for at most one hour after an on‑site event they are advertising (SWMC 17.40.045(C)(2)).
- In the CBD and public zones, digital signs may only advertise activities, goods, or services available on the property where the sign is located, or present public service information; off‑premises advertising on such digital signs is prohibited (SWMC 17.40.045(C)(9)).
- All permanent signs that are erected without the required sign permit are prohibited (SWMC 17.40.040(A)).
- Temporary signs that are not permanently marked with the date of erection are prohibited and must be immediately removed when directed by the code enforcement officer (SWMC 17.40.030(D)).
- Portable signs that exceed the allowed maximum dimensions (36" x 48" per face, or 48" x 48" per face adjacent to State Route 9 or 20) are prohibited (SWMC 17.40.035(C)).
- Portable signs that are not securely weighted or anchored to prevent movement are prohibited (SWMC 17.40.035(D)).
- Portable signs that interfere with vehicle or pedestrian traffic are prohibited (SWMC 17.40.035(F)).
- Portable signs that interfere with required vision clearance triangles are prohibited (SWMC 17.40.035(G)).

## Signs exempt from permit in Sedro Woolley

- Signage at public athletic fields is exempt from regulation under the sign chapter (SWMC 17.40.010(F)(1)).
- Any vehicle or trailer that is road‑ready, currently licensed, and complies with all other ordinances and laws is exempt from regulation under the sign chapter (SWMC 17.40.010(F)(2)).
- Interior and window signs are not regulated as temporary signs under the sign chapter (SWMC 17.40.030(A)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All permanent signs require a sign permit, regardless of zone (SWMC 17.40.040(A)).
- A new or relocated business may use a single unpermitted interim on‑premises sign for up to 90 days while permitting and constructing a permanent sign; this interim sign must still comply with all substantive provisions of the sign chapter (SWMC 17.40.040(B)).
- Certification that a digital sign will comply with the specified brightness limits must be provided by the developer prior to sign permit issuance in mixed commercial and industrial zones (SWMC 17.40.045(B)(1)).
- Certification that a digital sign will comply with the specified brightness limits must be provided by the developer prior to building permit issuance in the CBD and public zones (SWMC 17.40.045(C)(1)).
- Chapter 17.72, previously establishing a separate sign permit chapter, has been repealed; sign permitting is now governed by Chapter 17.40, including SWMC 17.40.040.

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

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