Sign Regulations in Sunnyside, Washington
Sunnyside, Washington has specific sign regulations covering 36 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Home Occupation Wall Sign, Residential Subdivision Entrance Sign, Freestanding Sign (≤ 5,000 sq ft GFA). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: December 19, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Sunnyside, Washington
Sample Sign Requirements in Sunnyside
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (≤ 5,000 sq ft GFA) | 8 ft (to bottom of sign) | 20 sq ft per side | 5 ft from property line |
| Freestanding Sign (5,001 – 10,000 sq ft GFA) | 8 ft (to bottom of sign) | 30 sq ft per side | 5 ft from property line |
| Freestanding Sign (10,001 – 35,000 sq ft GFA) | 10 ft (to bottom of sign) | 35 sq ft per side | 10 ft from property line |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for SunnysideFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
36
- Home Occupation Wall Sign
- Residential Subdivision Entrance Sign
- Freestanding Sign (≤ 5,000 sq ft GFA)
- Freestanding Sign (5,001 – 10,000 sq ft GFA)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
5
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Sunnyside
Other Cities in Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
In Sunnyside, monument signs are limited to 8 ft (to bottom of sign). Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Sunnyside, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Sunnyside, regulated sign types include Home Occupation Wall Sign, Residential Subdivision Entrance Sign, Freestanding Sign (≤ 5,000 sq ft GFA), Freestanding Sign (5,001 – 10,000 sq ft GFA), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Sunnyside, monument signs typically require a 5 ft from property line setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Sunnyside are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Sunnyside has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Sunnyside, Washington Sign Rules at a Glance
Sunnyside, Washington regulates 36 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (≤ 5,000 sq ft GFA)s in the Neighborhood Business (B-N); Professional Business (P-B); Freeway Commercial (B-1); General Commercial (B-2); Retail Core (B-3); Light Industrial (M-1); Heavy Industrial (M-2) zoning district are capped at 8 ft (to bottom of sign) tall and 20 sq ft per side, with a 5 ft from property line setback (Sec. SMC 15.36.200(A)–(B); SMC 15.36.140(A)(4), (B), (E); SMC 12.28.090). Most commercial signs in Sunnyside require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Sunnyside, Washington
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Sunnyside (5 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neighborhood Business (B-N); Professional Business (P-B); Freeway Commercial (B-1); General Commercial (B-2); Retail Core (B-3); Light Industrial (M-1); Heavy Industrial (M-2) | 20 | 20 ft (to bottom of sign) | 150 sq ft per side | — |
| Low Density Residential (R-1); URA | 3 | 10 ft | 32 sq ft (one side only) | — |
| Low Density Residential/Manufactured Housing Zone (R-1M); Medium Density Residential (R-2); High Density Residential (R-3); Mobile Home Subdivision (M-H) | 4 | 10 ft | 32 sq ft (one side only) | — |
| Planned Unit Development (PUD) | 5 | 8, 8, 10, 10, 15, 15, 20 ft (to bottom of sign) corresponding to GFA ranges | Per-side limits: 40, 50, 50, 72, 90, 120, 120 sq ft corresponding to GFA ranges | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | May not exceed height limitation of applicable zone | 200 sq ft per face (unless administrator approves larger with written findings) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Sunnyside(sample of 3 of 5 zones)
Neighborhood Business (B-N); Professional Business (P-B); Freeway Commercial (B-1); General Commercial (B-2); Retail Core (B-3); Light Industrial (M-1); Heavy Industrial (M-2)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (≤ 5,000 sq ft GFA) | 8 ft (to bottom of sign) | 20 sq ft per side | — | 5 ft from property line | See Additional Requirements | Anywhere on premises except within the sight triangle established pursuant to SMC 12.28.090 | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.200(A)–(B); SMC 15.36.140(A)(4), (B), (E); SMC 12.28.090 |
| Freestanding Sign (5,001 – 10,000 sq ft GFA) | 8 ft (to bottom of sign) | 30 sq ft per side | — | 5 ft from property line | See Additional Requirements | Anywhere on premises except within the sight triangle | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.200(A)–(B); SMC 15.36.140(A)(4) |
| Freestanding Sign (10,001 – 35,000 sq ft GFA) | 10 ft (to bottom of sign) | 35 sq ft per side | — | 10 ft from property line | See Additional Requirements | Anywhere on premises except within the sight triangle | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.200(A)–(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (35,001 – 60,000 sq ft GFA) | 10 ft (to bottom of sign) | 40 sq ft per side | — | 10 ft from property line | See Additional Requirements | Anywhere on premises except within the sight triangle | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.200(A)–(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (60,001 – 75,000 sq ft GFA) | 15 ft (to bottom of sign) | 75 sq ft per side | — | 10 ft from property line | See Additional Requirements | Anywhere on premises except within the sight triangle | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.200(A)–(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (75,001 – 100,000 sq ft GFA) | 15 ft (to bottom of sign) | 100 sq ft per side | — | 15 ft from property line | See Additional Requirements | Anywhere on premises except within the sight triangle | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.200(A)–(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (≥ 100,001 sq ft GFA) | 20 ft (to bottom of sign) | 150 sq ft per side | — | 15 ft from property line | See Additional Requirements | Anywhere on premises except within the sight triangle | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.200(A)–(B) |
| Monument Sign (≤ 5,000 sq ft GFA) | 5 ft (to top of sign) | 40 sq ft per side | — | None specified beyond sight triangle avoidance | See Additional Requirements | May be adjacent to property lines but not within sight triangle established by Building Official | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.200(A)–(B), (H); SMC 15.36.140(B) |
Planned Unit Development (PUD)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign (All GFA ranges per SMC 15.36.200) – Commercial/Industrial/Public Uses within PUD | 8, 8, 10, 10, 15, 15, 20 ft (to bottom of sign) corresponding to GFA ranges | Per-side limits: 20, 30, 35, 40, 75, 100, 150 sq ft corresponding to GFA ranges | — | 5 ft (≤10,000 GFA); 10 ft (10,001–75,000 GFA); 15 ft (≥75,001 GFA) | See Additional Requirements | Anywhere on premises except within sight triangle | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.200(A)–(B); SMC 15.36.140(A)(4), (B) |
| Monument Sign (All GFA ranges per SMC 15.36.200) – Commercial/Industrial/Public Uses within PUD | 5 ft (≤10,000 GFA); 6 ft (≥10,001 GFA) (to top of sign) | Per-side limits: 40, 50, 50, 72, 90, 120, 120 sq ft corresponding to GFA ranges | — | None specified beyond sight triangle avoidance | See Additional Requirements | Adjacent to property lines allowed outside sight triangle | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.200(A)–(B), (H); SMC 15.36.140(B) |
| Wall/Awning/Marquee Signs – Commercial/Industrial/Public Uses within PUD | — | Counts within total sign area limits | — | — | See Additional Requirements | On building walls, awnings, or marquees | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.130; SMC 15.36.140(A)(4), (C); SMC 15.36.200(C)–(F) |
| Residential Subdivision/Multifamily Entrance Signs – Residential Components within PUD | 5 ft | 18 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per entrance | At subdivision or multifamily complex entrance(s) from an access street | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.140(A)(2)–(3) |
| Home Occupation Wall Sign – Residential Components within PUD | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | On dwelling wall | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.140(A)(1) |
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Off-Premises Sign | May not exceed height limitation of applicable zone | 200 sq ft per face (unless administrator approves larger with written findings) | — | — | — | Prohibited within designated City entryways; elsewhere only with permit | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.050(A)–(B) |
| Window Sign (General Rule) | — | ≤ 25% of any window | — | — | — | In windows on primary frontage | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.060(G); 15.36.200(G) |
| Temporary Signs – Grand Opening Displays | — | Sandwich board component: ≤ 2.5 ft × 4 ft per side | — | — | — | On premises only | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.060(B) |
| Temporary Signs – Special Event Signs (Businesses/Organizations) | — | Total combined ≤ 32 sq ft; Sandwich board: ≤ 2.5 ft × 4 ft per side | — | — | — | On premises only | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.060(C) |
| Temporary Outdoor Commercial Signs (Annual Signage Plan) | — | ≤ 32 sq ft or ≤ 5% of face, whichever is less; max two temporary outdoor commercial signs at any one time | — | — | ≤ 2 displayed at one time | On primary frontage of the building | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.060(I)–(J) |
| Buildings on Corners or Parallel Streets – Area Allowance | — | Corner lot: 150% of allowed sign area; lots with frontage on three sides: 200% of allowed sign area | — | — | — | Applies to buildings located on corner streets or with frontage on three sides | — | Unlock | SMC 15.36.120(B) |
PermitPal covers all 5 zoning districts in Sunnyside — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 5 zones for Sunnyside — start freeProhibited Signs in Sunnyside
- Roof signs are prohibited; the administrator may grant a variance only if no other sign location is available (SMC 15.36.040(A)).
- Flashing signs, as defined in the chapter, are prohibited (SMC 15.36.040(B)).
- Portable/mobile signs (including sidewalk or sandwich board signs and signs mounted on vehicles) are prohibited except as allowed under the temporary sign provisions (SMC 15.36.040(C)).
- Signs that imitate or resemble official traffic signs/signals, or that bear words such as 'stop,' 'caution,' 'danger,' 'warning,' or similar, are prohibited (SMC 15.36.040(D)).
- Signs that, due to size, location, movement, content, coloring, or illumination, may be confused with traffic control signs/signals or emergency vehicle lights, or that obstruct visibility of traffic or street signs/signals, are prohibited (SMC 15.36.040(E)).
- Signs located upon or projecting over public streets, sidewalks, or rights-of-way are prohibited, except as provided for awnings and marquees (SMC 15.36.040(F), 15.36.130).
- Signs attached to utility poles are prohibited (SMC 15.36.040(G)).
- Off-premises signs are prohibited except as specifically permitted under SMC 15.36.050 (SMC 15.36.040(H)).
- Temporary signs (including posters, banners, pennants) are prohibited except as provided under the temporary sign regulations (SMC 15.36.040(I), 15.36.060).
- Strings of banners, pennants, and other graffiti-like material are prohibited (SMC 15.36.040(J)).
- Advertising vehicles are prohibited (SMC 15.36.040(K)).
- Outdoor advertising of alcoholic beverages is prohibited where visible from any public park, public playfield, playfield used primarily by minors, day care center, school property, or from church property if the church files a written objection; upon objection, such advertising must be removed immediately (SMC 15.36.045).
- Sign illumination must be shaded/shielded/directed to avoid undue brightness, glare, reflection, or unreasonable distraction to pedestrians or motorists (SMC 15.36.090).
- No sign may contain or utilize: (a) any exposed incandescent lamp over 25 watts; (b) any exposed incandescent lamp with an internal or external reflector; (c) any continuous or sequential flashing operation; (d) any incandescent lamp inside internally lighted signs except for changing message centers; (e) external light sources directed toward or shining on vehicular/pedestrian traffic or on a street; (f) internally lighted signs using 800-mA ballasts with lamps spaced closer than 12 inches on center; (g) internally lighted signs using 425-mA ballasts with lamps spaced closer than 6 inches on center (SMC 15.36.090).
Exempt Signs in Sunnyside
- Flags, emblems, or insignia of a nation, other governmental unit, or nonprofit organization, subject to the representing entity’s guidelines (permit not required; sign area/number not counted) (SMC 15.36.030(E)(1)).
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of building, stained glass windows, and dates of erection when cut into the surface/facade or projecting not more than two inches (permit not required; sign area/number not counted) (SMC 15.36.030(E)(2)).
- Traffic or other municipal signs, signs required by law or emergency, railroad crossing signs, legal notices, and any temporary noncommercial signs as may be authorized by the City Council (permit not required; sign area/number not counted) (SMC 15.36.030(E)(3)).
- Public utility company signs indicating danger, aiding public safety, or showing the location of underground facilities or public telephones (permit not required; sign area/number not counted) (SMC 15.36.030(E)(4)).
- Flush-mounted wall signs identifying the name and address of the occupant for each dwelling, not exceeding two square feet (permit not required; sign area/number not counted) (SMC 15.36.030(E)(5)).
- Interior signs located inside a building or within an enclosed lobby/court designed to be viewed exclusively by patrons (permit not required; sign area/number not counted) (SMC 15.36.030(E)(6)).
- One bulletin board not over 50 square feet for each public, charitable, or religious institution on its premises (permit not required; sign area/number not counted) (SMC 15.36.030(E)(7)).
- Holiday decorations that are incidental and customary to national, local, or religious holidays (permit not required; sign area/number not counted) (SMC 15.36.030(E)(8)).
- Painting, repainting, or cleaning of a sign or changing copy/message without any structural change (permit not required; sign area/number not counted) (SMC 15.36.030(E)(9)).
- Sculptures, fountains, mosaics, and design features that do not incorporate advertising or identification of any product or business (permit not required; sign area/number not counted) (SMC 15.36.030(E)(10)).
- Small informational or warning signs such as 'No trespassing,' 'No dumping,' 'No parking,' 'Private,' and signs identifying essential public needs (restrooms, entrance, exit, telephone, etc.) not exceeding four square feet (permit not required; sign area/number not counted) (SMC 15.36.030(E)(11)).
- Directional signs erected by the City on public streets directing the public to emergency, public, civic, or nonprofit facilities, not exceeding four square feet and limited to an arrow and type of service (permit not required; sign area/number not counted) (SMC 15.36.030(E)(12)).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Sunnyside
- Temporary outdoor commercial signs: No permit required, but a signage plan for City review and approval is required as part of the annual business license (SMC 15.36.060(I)).
- Variances: The administrator may grant variances from provisions of the sign code upon showing of need and without detriment to surrounding uses; decisions are appealable to the City Council within 14 days (SMC 15.36.170).
- Roof sign variance: Although roof signs are generally prohibited, the administrator may grant a variance if no other sign location is available (SMC 15.36.040(A)).
Source: other municipal code