# Sign Regulations in Sumner, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Sumner, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/sumner
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/47287592#47287592)

## At a glance

Sumner, Washington regulates 33 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Single-Family Residential Signs in the Residential Districts (RES, RP, LDR-4, LDR-6, LDR-7.2, LDR-8.5, LDR-12, MDR, HDR) zoning district are capped at 6 feet tall and 6 square feet, with a 10 feet from property line if freestanding setback (Sec. § 18.44.210B). Most commercial signs in Sumner require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | 42 inches (30 inches if <10 ft from driveway) | 64 square feet total (electronic portion ≤60% of side) | — |
| Residential Districts (RES, RP, LDR-4, LDR-6, LDR-7.2, LDR-8.5, LDR-12, MDR, HDR) | 8 | 15 feet | 50 square feet total (no face >25 sq ft) | — |
| Town Center Plan area (TCP) | 6 | 42 inches (30 if <10 ft driveway) | 150 square feet (no face >75 sq ft) | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC) | 7 | 42 in (30 near drive) | 150 sq ft (no face >75) | — |
| General Commercial (GC) | 6 | 15-35 ft | 250 or 5% | — |
| Interchange Commercial (IC) | 6 | 45 feet | 300 (no >150/face) | — |
| Industrial Districts (M-1, M-2, LI, HI) | 7 | 15-35 ft | 300 or 5% | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| City Entrance Sign | 8 feet | 12 square feet total on all faces | — | — | — | Erected to identify the town | — | § 18.44.190 |
| Construction Sign | — | 50 square feet total of all faces | — | — | One per street frontage | Each street frontage of the building or structure under construction | — | § 18.44.160E |
| Nonpolitical Campaign Sign | 4.5 feet | 36 square feet total of all faces (no face >18 sq ft) | — | — | — | Any lot | — | § 18.44.160C |
| Political Campaign Sign | 4.5 feet | 36 square feet total of all faces (no face >18 sq ft) | — | — | — | Private property with consent or street rights-of-way (not restricting traffic view) | — | § 18.44.160D |
| Real Estate Sign - Single-Family/Multifamily | 6 feet (unless in window) | 20 square feet (no face >10 sq ft) for single-family/multifamily; 50 sq ft total for unimproved acreage (1/4 sq ft per ft frontage) | — | — | One per street frontage | On premises for sale/rent/lease; one per street frontage | — | § 18.44.160A.1 |
| Real Estate Sign - Subdivision/Multiple-Family Complex | 10 feet for freestanding; wall not project above building | 25 square feet each | — | — | One per street frontage | Each street frontage | — | § 18.44.160B.1 |
| Digital Message Sign | 7 feet | 64 square feet total (electronic portion ≤60% of side) | — | — | One | For public schools, government, regional community centers | — | § 18.44.180 |
| Sandwich Board/Sidewalk Sign | 42 inches (30 inches if <10 ft from driveway) | — | 24 inches | — | One per business (TCP: max 2 for no frontage) | Next to curb edge of sidewalk; in front of business within 12 ft of entrance (or corner multiple; TCP up to 2 for route marking) | — | § 18.44.120 |

### Residential Districts (RES, RP, LDR-4, LDR-6, LDR-7.2, LDR-8.5, LDR-12, MDR, HDR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign - Single-Family Dwelling | 6 feet | 2 square feet | — | — | One per occupancy | Attached to building, fence, standard or mailbox | — | § 18.44.210A.1 |
| Identification Sign - Multifamily Freestanding | 6 feet | 18 square feet | — | — | One per street frontage | Each street frontage | — | § 18.44.210A.2.a |
| Identification Sign - Multifamily Wall | — | 18 square feet or 10% facade | — | — | One per street frontage | Attached to building | — | § 18.44.210A.2.b |
| Identification Sign - Multifamily Window | — | 20% of window area | — | — | — | Inside windows | — | § 18.44.210A.2.c |
| Single-Family Residential Sign | 6 feet | 6 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line if freestanding | One | Freestanding or wall on premises | — | § 18.44.210B |
| Identification Sign - Conditional Use | 15 feet | 40 square feet | — | 10 feet from property lines | One per street frontage (max 2) | Freestanding or wall; each street frontage | — | § 18.44.210C |
| Farm Product Identification Sign | 15 feet | 50 square feet total (no face >25 sq ft) | — | — | — | On property where product grown; not in right-of-way | — | § 18.44.160H, 18.44.210E.1 |
| Neighborhood Identification Sign | 5 feet | 20 square feet | — | 10 feet from property line | One per entrance | Street entrance to subdivision ≥10 acres | — | § 18.44.150, 18.44.210E.2 |

### Neighborhood Commercial (NC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Identification Sign - Freestanding (Multiestablishment) | 15-35 ft (15 at 15 ft setback +2/ft) | 150 sq ft (no face >75) | — | Height on setback | 1 per frontage (max 2) | Each street frontage (max 2) | — | § 18.44.230B.1.a |
| Building Identification Sign - Wall (Multiestablishment) | — | 150 or 5% facade | — | — | 1 per frontage (max 2) | Each frontage (max 2) | — | § 18.44.230B.1.b |
| Individual Establishment Sign - Wall (Multi) | — | 150 or 5% | — | — | Max 2 (corner 3) | Facade | — | § 18.44.230B.2 |
| Freestanding Sign - Single | 15-35 ft | 150 (no >75/face) | — | As above | 1 per (max 2) | Per frontage (max 2) | — | § 18.44.230C.1 |
| Wall Sign - Single | — | 150 or 5% | — | — | Max 2 (3 corner) | Facade | — | § 18.44.230C.2 |
| Sandwich Board/Sidewalk Sign | 42 in (30 near drive) | — | 24 in | — | 1 per business | Per 120 | — | § 18.44.230D.2 |
| Neighborhood Identification Sign | 5 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 10 ft property line | 1 per entrance | Street entrance ≥10 ac | — | § 18.44.230D.1, 18.44.150 |

## Prohibited signs in Sumner

- No sign shall be located in or project into the right-of-way of any public street unless specifically authorized (§ 18.44.050).
- No sign shall interfere with the sight distance of motorists or pedestrians (§ 18.44.060).
- Off-premises signs are prohibited except for specific permitted cases (§ 18.44.110A).
- Banners, streamers, pendants, balloons (greater than 100 in a display), festoons of lights, and decorations are prohibited except temporarily for sales, promotions, or events (§ 18.44.110B).
- Signs revolving in excess of eight revolutions per minute or giving the impression of movement through lights are prohibited except time/temperature units or changeable message centers in business/commercial districts (§ 18.44.110C).
- Signs attached to or placed on vehicles, trailers, or containers parked on private or public property are prohibited except for vehicles operating in normal business (§ 18.44.110D).
- Benches on sidewalks bearing advertising are prohibited except for public transit authority signs at bus stops (§ 18.44.110E).
- Waste receptacles carrying advertising on public right-of-way or private property are prohibited (§ 18.44.110F).
- Signs constituting a traffic hazard due to size, location, movement, content, coloring, illumination, or obstruction are prohibited (§ 18.44.110G).
- Signs not properly maintained, dilapidated, or hazardous must be repaired or removed (§ 18.44.110H).
- Signs pasted or attached to utility poles, trees, fences, other signs, rocks, or natural features are prohibited except single-family dwelling identification signs on fences, standards, or mailboxes (§ 18.44.110I).
- Lighted signs adjacent to and directed toward a residential district that detract from residential welfare are prohibited (§ 18.44.110J).
- Portable signs are prohibited except temporary signs (§ 18.44.110K).
- Roof signs are prohibited (§ 18.44.110L).
- Signs identifying or advertising home occupations are prohibited (§ 18.44.110M).
- Electronic reader board signs are prohibited except in specified zones (IC south of SR-410, GC, TCP) (§ 18.44.110N).
- Signage advertising marijuana businesses or products within 2,000 feet of churches, residential, libraries, parks, trails, daycare facilities, or schools is prohibited (§ 18.44.110O).
- Stationary exterior lighting systems with exposed incandescent lamps over 25 watts (unless dimmed/screened), metallic reflectors, revolving beacons, or continuous/sequential flashing are prohibited except for public agency, aircraft warning, electronic info systems, or temporary construction lighting (§ 18.44.100).
- All lighted signs must have low/soft illumination or be shielded (§ 18.44.100C).

## Signs exempt from permit in Sumner

- Official public signs (§ 18.44.030A).
- Signs not visible or intended to be viewed from a public or pedestrian right-of-way (§ 18.44.030B).
- Window merchandise displays (§ 18.44.030C).
- Window signs: decals for credit cards honored (≤2 sq ft), temporary signs for national ads/marketing specials, individual neon signs (≤3 sq ft, one per window or per 32 sq ft window area) (§ 18.44.030D).
- Point of purchase advertising displays (e.g., product dispensers, candy machines) (§ 18.44.030E).
- National flags, flags of political subdivisions, or symbolic flags of noncommercial institutions (§ 18.44.030F).
- Gravestones (§ 18.44.030G).
- Reasonable holiday decorations (§ 18.44.030H).
- Plaques, tablets, or inscriptions for building name, erection date, or commemorative info (integral/flat to building, nonilluminated, ≤3 sq ft) (§ 18.44.030I).
- Sculptures, fountains, mosaics, murals, and design features without advertising or identifications (§ 18.44.030J).
- Legal notices required by law (§ 18.44.030K).
- Signs required by law (§ 18.44.030L).
- Structures for separate use (e.g., phone booths, recycle containers) or sign graphics on motor vehicles/boats/trailers/containers in normal business operation (§ 18.44.030M).
- Barber poles (≤4 ft length, director-approved design/location/erection) (§ 18.44.030N).
- Signs stating business hours on private property (no advertising/promotional info, ≤4 sq ft) (§ 18.44.030O).
- Change of advertising copy on permitted sign structure without additional fee or requirements if form/format unchanged; structural changes require permit (§ 18.44.030P).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A site and sign plan drawn to scale is required for sign permit applications, with detailed submittal requirements established by the director (§ 18.44.290).
- For business park identification signs, internally lighted signs require approval through administrative design review based on Sumner design and development guidelines (§ 18.44.155F).
- A variance process is established to acknowledge changes in lifestyle, travel patterns, and land use philosophy (§ 18.44.020).
- For multi-establishment buildings and shopping centers, aggregate sign area calculations imply coordinated sign planning to comply with total allowances across zones.

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

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