# Sign Regulations in Spokane, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Spokane, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/spokane
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-28
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/)

## At a glance

Spokane, Washington regulates 28 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Residential Household Living: Houses, Duplexes, Attached Houses)s in the Residential Zones (RSF, RTF, RA, RMF, RHD) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 3 sq ft, with a Allowed in required setbacks; in front setbacks, monument signs over 3.5 ft tall must be set back 10 ft; supports <2 ft wide with copy at ≥7 ft high may be at front property line; supports >2 ft must be ≥10 ft back (and meet clear view triangle standards). setback (Sec. SMC 17C.240.220(A), Table 17C.240.220-1 (row 2); 17C.240.243(A)(1)). Most commercial signs in Spokane require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 42 inches | 9 sq ft per side | — |
| Residential Zones (RSF, RTF, RA, RMF, RHD) | 8 | Top of wall or 10 ft, whichever is less | 32 sq ft | — |
| CA4 | 2 | Per Residential standards (e.g., 6–10 ft depending on sign type). | Not allowed in CA4 | — |
| CC1, CA1, CA2 | 5 | 5 ft | Max area per sign: 50 sq ft | — |
| CC2, CB, CA3 | 5 | 20 ft | Max area per sign: 100 sq ft | — |
| GC, LI, HI | 5 | 35 ft | Max area per sign: 250 sq ft | — |
| O, OR, NR, NMU | 5 | 20 ft | Max area per sign: 50 sq ft | — |
| CC4 | 5 | 5 ft | Max area per sign: 15 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Zones (DTC, DTG, DTU, DTS) | 5 | 35 ft (in DTS zone, maximum height is 60 ft) | 250 sq ft per sign | — |
| Upriver District | 1 | 35 ft above average grade along front of building | Up to 20 sq ft per primary frontage; side street bonus up to 20 sq ft; overall cap for >2-story buildings 60 sq ft (10% facade). | — |
| Downtown and Campus Districts | 1 | 35 ft above average grade along front of building | Up to 50 sq ft per primary frontage; side street bonus up to 50 sq ft; overall cap for >2-story buildings 150 sq ft (10% facade). | — |
| Great Gorge Park, Downriver, and Latah Creek Districts | 1 | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Freestanding) | 42 inches | 6 sq ft | — | — | Not counted toward total permanent signage on site. | On-site only; not in right-of-way. | — | SMC 17C.240.243(D)(1)-(4) |
| Directional Sign (Fascia/Wall) | 8 ft (for fascia directional signs) | 6 sq ft | — | — | Not counted toward total permanent signage on site. | On-site only; not in right-of-way. | — | SMC 17C.240.243(D)(2)-(4) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (Temporary) | 3 ft (and not more than 3 ft in any dimension) | 9 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per address | Within 12 ft of the business/event; may not obstruct sidewalks, entrances, stairs; not within vision triangle; not to impede vehicular traffic. | — | SMC 17C.240.015(M)(1); 17C.240.245(A)(1)-(4); 17C.240.244(A) |
| Temporary Signs (General) | Freestanding ground-mounted up to 5 ft (post-mounted) or 3 ft (stake/portable) depending on zone; see additional requirements. | Varies by zoning and mounting: Residential freestanding up to 4–6 sq ft; Nonresidential freestanding up to 4 sq ft; Surface-mounted up to 32 sq ft (see additional requirements). | — | Right-of-way: outside roadway and ramp projection; where no curb present, at least 5 ft from edge of roadway. | — | On private property, or in City right-of-way outside the roadway subject to strict placement standards (edge within 6 inches of curb; clear of ramps, medians, etc.). | — | SMC 17C.240.244(C)-(G); 17C.240.070(I) |
| Projecting Sign - Extensions Into Right-of-way | — | If projecting >6 ft into ROW: total area of projection ≤ 60 sq ft; if ≤6 ft projection: ≤ 100 sq ft | — | — | — | May extend into ROW up to 10 ft or within 2 ft of curbline (whichever is smaller). | — | SMC 17C.240.240(B)(1)(a)-(c) |
| Building Mounted Wall Signs - General Placement | — | — | Fascia signs may not extend more than 18 inches from wall; may not extend beyond building corners. | — | — | May be placed on primary or secondary building walls or another structure based on the sign rights of the primary building wall; not on another primary building wall. | — | SMC 17C.240.241(A)-(D) |
| Roof-Mounted Sign (Nonresidential zones only) | — | Cumulative: ≤ allowed wall sign area | — | — | Max 1 per building | On slope of peaked/sloped roof buildings only (nonresidential zones). | — | SMC 17C.240.242(A)(1)-(5) |
| Freestanding Sign - General ROW and Frontage Rules | — | — | — | Residential zones: see SMC 17C.240.243(A)(1)(a)-(c). Commercial/Industrial zones: allowed in required setbacks; prohibited in setback abutting a residentially zoned site (SMC 17C.240.243(A)(2)). | Generally 1 per arterial frontage; a second may be allowed on frontages longer than 300 ft (with limits); 1 allowed if no arterial frontage. | On private property; supports must remain on private property. May project into ROW up to 10 ft or within 2 ft of curb (smaller), subject to area limits by projection. | — | SMC 17C.240.243(B)-(C); Table 17C.240.230 notes [3]-[4] |

### Residential Zones (RSF, RTF, RA, RMF, RHD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fascia/Painted Wall Sign (Residential Household Living: Houses, Duplexes, Attached Houses) | Top of wall or 10 ft, whichever is less | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per site | Attached to building facade. | — | SMC 17C.240.220(A), Table 17C.240.220-1 (row 1); 17C.240.220(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Household Living: Houses, Duplexes, Attached Houses) | 6 ft | 3 sq ft | — | Allowed in required setbacks; in front setbacks, monument signs over 3.5 ft tall must be set back 10 ft; supports <2 ft wide with copy at ≥7 ft high may be at front property line; supports >2 ft must be ≥10 ft back (and meet clear view triangle standards). | 1 per site | On private property; see setbacks. | — | SMC 17C.240.220(A), Table 17C.240.220-1 (row 2); 17C.240.243(A)(1) |
| Fascia/Painted Wall Sign (Residential Household Living: Multi-family Residential Building, Group Living, Day Care, and nonlisted Nonresidential Category Uses) | Top of wall | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Attached to building facade. | — | SMC 17C.240.220(A), Table 17C.240.220-1 (row 3); 17C.240.220(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Household Living: Multi-family, Group Living, Day Care, and nonlisted Nonresidential Category Uses) | 10 ft | 15 sq ft | — | Same residential freestanding setbacks as above. | 1 per building | On private property; see setbacks. | — | SMC 17C.240.220(A), Table 17C.240.220-1 (row 4); 17C.240.243(A)(1) |
| Monument Sign (Subdivisions, PUDs, Agricultural Uses) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft | — | Residential freestanding setback rules apply. | 1 per entrance | At entrances. | — | SMC 17C.240.220(A), Table 17C.240.220-1 (row 5) |
| Monument Sign (Parks and Open Areas) | 10 ft | 10 sq ft | — | Residential freestanding setback rules apply. | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage. | — | SMC 17C.240.220(A), Table 17C.240.220-1 (row 7) and Note [5] |
| Electronic Message Center Sign (Residential Use) | — | Not allowed | — | — | — | — | — | SMC 17C.240.247, Table 17C.240.247-1 (All Residential & CA4) |
| Electronic Message Center Sign (Institutional Uses in Residential zones) | — | Up to 25 sq ft EMC component for a 50 sq ft allowed sign (institutional uses: Wall 50 sq ft; Freestanding 50 sq ft). | — | — | — | On-site for institutional uses | — | SMC 17C.240.247, Table 17C.240.247-1 (All Residential & CA4, Institutional Uses) |

### CC1, CA1, CA2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall/Fascia/Painted Wall Sign (Attached to Buildings) | — | Max area per sign: 50 sq ft | Fascia: ≤18 inches projection; ≤6 inches above top of wall. | — | No explicit numeric limit within allocation | May be placed on PBW, secondary wall, or another structure per PBW rights. | — | Table fragment of 17C.240.230-1 (rows indicating 50 sq ft max); SMC 17C.240.230-2; Notes [2]; SMC 17C.240.241(C) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | May extend into ROW per SMC 17C.240.240(B). | — | Table 17C.240.230-1 (row stating 32 sq ft and restriction with freestanding); SMC 17C.240.240(B); 17C.240.241(D) |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument-Scaled) | 5 ft | 50 sq ft per sign | — | Allowed in required setbacks for buildings/parking; prohibited in setback abutting a residentially zoned site. | Generally 1 per arterial frontage; possible 2 on long frontages (>300 ft). | On arterial street frontage (unless none). | — | Table 17C.240.230-1 (rows: 1 sq ft/ft frontage; 50 sq ft; 5 ft); Notes [3]-[4]; SMC 17C.240.243(B) |
| Electronic Message Center Sign | — | Up to 25 sq ft EMC component (half of 50 sq ft allowed sign) | — | — | — | On-site signs | — | SMC 17C.240.247, Table 17C.240.247-1 (CC1, CA1 & CA2 row) and notes [1]-[3] |
| Roof-Mounted Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per building | Nonresidential only. | — | SMC 17C.240.242(A) |

## Prohibited signs in Spokane

- Flashing signs or lights are prohibited, including signs with intermittent or flashing light sources or the illusion of flashing by animation or external intermittent light sources (only as consistent with electronic message center standards where allowed).
- Abandoned signs and abandoned sign structures are prohibited; existing ones must be removed.
- Signs placed on or painted on motor vehicles or trailers parked primarily to display signs not otherwise allowed by the code are prohibited.
- Permanent balloon signs are prohibited.
- Hazardous signs that resemble, conflict with, imitate, or interfere with official traffic control devices or otherwise impede the safe and efficient flow of traffic are prohibited.
- Signs located upon or projecting over public streets, sidewalks, or rights-of-way are prohibited except where specifically allowed (awnings/marquees, sandwich board signs, diagonal corner signs/signs extending into the right-of-way, and temporary signs meeting right-of-way standards).
- Off-premises signs are prohibited except as expressly allowed elsewhere; no new off-premises signs may be constructed, they may not be located on vacant lots or as a principal use, and may only be established as an accessory use to a principally permitted use (existing off-premises signs are limited as legal nonconforming).
- Signs that require a permit and are erected, constructed, or structurally altered without a permit are prohibited.
- It is unlawful to affix, post, paint, fasten, place, or locate any sign or similar device on City-owned or City-maintained structures located in the public right-of-way, except as otherwise allowed.
- No sign may impede free ingress and egress from any door, window, or exit way required by building or fire code regulations.
- Signs may not be located within a Clear View Triangle; only support structures with combined total width and depth of twelve inches or less may be within the triangle, and a vertical clear view zone between three and ten feet must be maintained.
- All signs and sign structures must be erected and attached totally within the site except when specifically allowed to extend into the right-of-way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Spokane

- Flags are exempt from a sign permit provided they conform to all provisions of the chapter; freestanding flagpoles require a building permit for structural review.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, stained glass windows, and dates of erection when cut into the surface or facade of the building or projecting not more than two inches are exempt from a sign permit.
- Governmental signs installed by City, County, State, or federal agencies for public health, safety, and welfare (including emergency and warning signs, traffic/wayfinding signs, signs required by law, signs showing the location of public facilities, and postings/notices required by a governmental agency) are exempt from a sign permit.
- Signs of public utility companies indicating danger, aiding public safety, or showing the location of underground facilities are exempt from a sign permit.
- Flush-mounted wall signs identifying the name and address of the occupant for each dwelling, not exceeding two square feet in area, are exempt from a sign permit.
- Non-visible signs (not visible beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel or from any public right-of-way) are exempt from a sign permit; such freestanding signs require a building permit for structural review.
- Changes to the face or copy of changeable copy signs, digital signs, or electronic messaging signs that do not change the material or appearance of the sign as originally permitted are exempt from a sign permit.
- Normal repair and maintenance (painting, repainting, cleaning) of conforming or legal nonconforming signs that does not involve structural alteration of the sign or supporting structure is exempt from a sign permit.
- Sculptures, fountains, mosaics, murals, public art, and design features that do not otherwise constitute a sign are exempt from a sign permit.
- Informational/warning signs such as "No trespassing," "No dumping," "No parking," "Private," and signs identifying essential public needs (restrooms, entrance, exit, telephone, etc.) not exceeding three square feet in area are exempt from a sign permit.
- Publicly approved non-illuminated interpretive or historical signs or tablets displayed by a public, educational nonprofit agency, or private development under SMC 17E.060.820 through 17E.060.840, strictly for informing or educating the public, are exempt from a sign permit.
- Illuminated wall highlights that do not contain words, logos, or corporate images are exempt from a sign permit.
- Interior signs or displays located entirely inside a building and at least three feet from transparent doors and windows are exempt from a sign permit.
- Temporary signs are exempt from a sign permit provided they comply with SMC 17C.240.244.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for any sign to be erected, structurally altered, or relocated unless an exemption applies. Permit applications must include a site plan showing the lot, buildings, and signs; plan scale; a scaled drawing of the proposed sign (size, height, copy, structural footing details, attachment method, illumination); the location and size/height of all existing signs on the site; locations of neighboring signs on adjacent properties where spacing applies; and the tax parcel number or address.
- An exception (variance-like) process is available for relief from strict application of regulations regarding sign placement on a parcel or building frontage, sign area, or sign height. Prohibited sign types/features cannot be granted by exception. An exception application may be submitted before or concurrent with the sign permit; it requires a narrative addressing criteria, fees, and follows established review and appeal procedures. A First Amendment exception may be granted to the extent reasonably necessary to protect speech.
- Sign-related provisions of any approved land use permit that applies to the site (e.g., PUDs, binding site plans, conditional uses, and other discretionary permits) supersede the standards of this chapter.
- No explicit requirement for a master sign plan is stated in the provided text.

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

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