# Sign Regulations in Snohomish, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Snohomish, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/snohomish
- **Data last verified:** 2025-06-23
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://snohomish.municipal.codes/SMC/14.245)

## At a glance

Snohomish, Washington regulates 35 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (1-3 tenants) (Option 1: Not internally illuminated & uses light lettering/logos on dark background)s in the Commercial (C), Historic Business District (HBD), Business Park (BP), Midtown District (MID), Industrial (I), Airport Industry (AI), Pilchuck District (PIL), Pilchuck District - Pilchuck Single-family, Pilchuck District - Townhouse, Pilchuck District - Center, Pilchuck District - Civic zoning district are capped at 12 ft. tall, 40 sq. ft., and 5 ft. wide, with a 6 ft from public right-of-way; 5 ft from property line setback (Sec. SMC 14.245.065). Most commercial signs in Snohomish require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-family residential (SFR), Low density multifamily residential (LDR), Medium density multifamily residential (MDR), High density multifamily residential (HDR) | 7 | 8 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial (C), Historic Business District (HBD), Business Park (BP), Midtown District (MID), Industrial (I), Airport Industry (AI), Pilchuck District (PIL), Pilchuck District - Pilchuck Single-family, Pilchuck District - Townhouse, Pilchuck District - Center, Pilchuck District - Civic | 18 | 48 in (top above ground); max 36 in height as dimension | 125 sq. ft. | — |
| Parks, Open Space and Public (POP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Historic District overlay zone (HD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Pilchuck District Building Height overlay zone (PIL-H), Midtown District North overlay zone (MID-N), Midtown District South overlay zone (MID-S) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | — | 10 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Single-family residential (SFR), Low density multifamily residential (LDR), Medium density multifamily residential (MDR), High density multifamily residential (HDR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Places of Worship, School, and Public Land Uses) (Sites under 1 acre) | 5 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from internal property line; 6 ft from right-of-way | 1 per frontage with 150 ft separation | Minimum setback from internal property line: 10 ft. Minimum setback from right-of-way: 6 ft. | — | SMC 14.245.115 |
| Freestanding Sign (Places of Worship, School, and Public Land Uses) (Sites 1 acre and greater) | 8 ft. | 24 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from internal property line; 6 ft from right-of-way | 1 per frontage with 150 ft separation | Minimum setback from internal property line: 10 ft. Minimum setback from right-of-way: 6 ft. | — | SMC 14.245.115 |
| Freestanding Sign (Other Non-Residential Land Uses) | 5 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — | 10 ft from internal property line; 6 ft from right-of-way | 1 per frontage with 150 ft separation | Minimum setback from internal property line: 10 ft. Minimum setback from right-of-way: 6 ft. | — | SMC 14.245.115 |
| Building Sign (Places of Worship, School, and Public Land Uses) (Sites under 1 acre) | — | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per frontage | — | — | SMC 14.245.115 |
| Building Sign (Places of Worship, School, and Public Land Uses) (Sites 1 acre and greater) | — | 20 sq. ft. or 5% of 1 street-facing facade up to 60 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per frontage | — | — | SMC 14.245.115 |
| Building Sign (Other Non-Residential Land Uses) | — | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per frontage | — | — | SMC 14.245.115 |
| Occupant Identification Sign (Residential) | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per use | — | — | SMC 14.245.115, 14.245.060(E) |

### Commercial (C), Historic Business District (HBD), Business Park (BP), Midtown District (MID), Industrial (I), Airport Industry (AI), Pilchuck District (PIL), Pilchuck District - Pilchuck Single-family, Pilchuck District - Townhouse, Pilchuck District - Center, Pilchuck District - Civic

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (1-3 tenants) (Option 1: Not internally illuminated & uses light lettering/logos on dark background) | 12 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | 5 ft. | 6 ft from public right-of-way; 5 ft from property line | 1 per site, exceptions apply | Minimum 6 ft setback from public right-of-way. Minimum 5 ft setback from any property line. | — | SMC 14.245.065 |
| Freestanding Sign (1-3 tenants) (Option 2: Internally illuminated or does not use light on dark) | 12 ft. | 25 sq. ft. | 5 ft. | 6 ft from public right-of-way; 5 ft from property line | 1 per site, exceptions apply | Minimum 6 ft setback from public right-of-way. Minimum 5 ft setback from any property line. | — | SMC 14.245.065 |
| Freestanding Sign (4-7 tenants) (Option 1: Not internally illuminated & uses light lettering/logos on dark background) | 12 ft. | 60 sq. ft. | 6 ft. | 6 ft from public right-of-way; 5 ft from property line | 1 per site, exceptions apply | Minimum 6 ft setback from public right-of-way. Minimum 5 ft setback from any property line. | — | SMC 14.245.065 |
| Freestanding Sign (4-7 tenants) (Option 2: Internally illuminated or does not use light on dark) | 12 ft. | 40 sq. ft. | 6 ft. | 6 ft from public right-of-way; 5 ft from property line | 1 per site, exceptions apply | Minimum 6 ft setback from public right-of-way. Minimum 5 ft setback from any property line. | — | SMC 14.245.065 |
| Freestanding Sign (8+ tenants) (Option 1: Not internally illuminated & uses light lettering/logos on dark background) | 15 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | 6 ft from public right-of-way; 5 ft from property line | 1 per site, exceptions apply | Minimum 6 ft setback from public right-of-way. Minimum 5 ft setback from any property line. | — | SMC 14.245.065 |
| Freestanding Sign (8+ tenants) (Option 2: Internally illuminated or does not use light on dark) | 15 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | 8 ft. | 6 ft from public right-of-way; 5 ft from property line | 1 per site, exceptions apply | Minimum 6 ft setback from public right-of-way. Minimum 5 ft setback from any property line. | — | SMC 14.245.065 |
| Freestanding Sign (7 acres or more, monument sign, not internally illuminated, uses light on dark) | 18 ft. | 125 sq. ft. | — | 6 ft from public right-of-way; 5 ft from property line | see additional requirements | Minimum 6 ft setback from public right-of-way. Minimum 5 ft setback from any property line. | — | SMC 14.245.065 |
| Freestanding Sign (7 acres or more, monument sign, internally illuminated or not using light on dark) | 18 ft. | 75 sq. ft. | — | 6 ft from public right-of-way; 5 ft from property line | see additional requirements | Minimum 6 ft setback from public right-of-way. Minimum 5 ft setback from any property line. | — | SMC 14.245.065 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SMC 14.245.060(B) |
| Governmental Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SMC 14.245.060(C) |
| Historical Plaque, Memorial Sign, Building Name/Date Stone | — | 10 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Must be cut into/inlaid as part of building | — | SMC 14.245.060(D) |
| Parking Lot Identification Sign | — | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Parking lot | — | SMC 14.245.060(I) |
| Incidental Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SMC 14.245.060(J) |
| Interior Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Entirely inside of building, at least 3 ft from doors/windows | — | SMC 14.245.060(M) |
| Exempt Vehicle with Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | SMC 14.245.060(N) |

## Prohibited signs in Snohomish

- Signs not specifically allowed in this chapter are prohibited.
- Signs or sign structures which by coloring, working, or location resemble or conflict with traffic-control signs or devices.
- Signs that create a safety hazard for pedestrians or vehicular traffic.
- All signs that rotate, move, glare, flash, change, reflect, or blink, or appear to do any of those things, including search lights, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
- All inflatable advertising or attention-getting devices, including balloon signs of all sizes.
- Any signs located on public right-of-way without evidence of specific approval by the City, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
- Signs with changeable letters and numbers, except certain sign types as allowed in this chapter.
- Off-site signs, except for off-site highway signs and permitted community event signs that comply with specific requirements.
- Private signs attached to municipal sign and signal poles.
- Electronic changing message signs in the Historic District.
- It is unlawful to use, place, or erect any sign board, sign, billboard, bulletin board, post, pole, or device of any kind for advertising in any park, or to attach any notice, bill, poster, sign, wire, rod, or card to any tree, shrub, railing, post, or structure within any park; or to place or erect in any park a structure of any kind.
- No sign shall have blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights, or other illumination devices which have a changing light intensity, brightness, or color, or are so constructed and operated as to create an appearance or illusion of writing or printing, except those showing date, time, and temperature exclusively (with limited exceptions).

## Signs exempt from permit in Snohomish

- Non-illuminated signs of two (2) square feet in area, or less, except in the Historic Business land use designation area.
- Window signs.
- Signs installed by the City, county, or a federal or state governmental agency for the protection of the public health, safety, and general welfare, including emergency and warning signs, traffic/wayfinding signs, signs required by law, signs showing location of public facilities, and any sign, posting, notice, or similar sign placed by or required by a governmental agency.
- Historical plaques, memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, building cornerstones, and date-constructed stones when cut into any masonry surface or inlaid so as to be part of the building, provided none exceed ten (10) square feet in area.
- Occupant signs in residential districts, limited to the name of the occupant and/or address of the premises.
- Signs required or specifically authorized for public purposes by any law, statute, or ordinance.
- Religious symbols.
- Flags bearing the official emblem of a nation, state, municipality, educational institution, or non-commercial organization.
- Identification signs for parking lots not advertising premises or products and having an area of three (3) square feet or less.
- Incidental signs.
- Changes to the face or copy of changeable copy signs, digital signs, electronic messaging signs, provided such changes do not change the material or appearance of the sign as originally permitted by the City.
- The normal repair and maintenance of conforming or legal non-conforming signs.
- Interior signs or displays located entirely inside of a building and located at least three (3) feet away from transparent doors and windows.
- Any sign on a vehicle, unless such vehicle is parked or stationed near an activity for the primary purpose of attracting public attention to such activity. Vehicles or mobile units regularly parked in a prominent visible location for the primary purpose of attracting attention to the sign are not allowed.
- Any outdoor bench or furniture with any signs or plaques one (1) 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

- Except as otherwise permitted by this chapter, no sign shall be installed, erected, altered, or relocated without applying for and receiving a sign permit issued by the Planning Director.
- No sign permit is required for cleaning or other normal maintenance and repair of a sign, or for changes to tenant or business names on multi-tenant signs, provided the original design, function, structure, and size are maintained and remain in compliance.
- Signs in the Historic Business land use designation area being repaired or multi-tenant signs being changed require review by the Design Review Board.
- A sign permit shall be required before displaying a commercial banner.
- Approval of a Site Development Plan is required for the construction of an off-site highway sign. The City Planner may impose conditions of approval to mitigate adverse impacts.
- In the case of a multi-tenant building, the owner or management of the building is responsible for allocation of sign area among tenants and shall be a coapplicant on all sign applications pertaining to the building and property.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/snohomish