# Sign Regulations in Tacoma, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Tacoma, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/tacoma
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-13
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://cms.tacoma.gov/cityclerk/Files/MunicipalCode/Title13-LandUseRegulatoryCode.pdf#page=374)

## At a glance

Tacoma, Washington regulates 42 sign types across 21 zoning districts. Wall Signs in the District Sign Standards (DCC, DMU) zoning district are capped at 35 ft above grade (except 1 corporate logo 150 sq ft >35 ft; public facility exempt) tall and 150 sq ft (non-res); 300 sq ft public facility >5 acres; 20 sq ft residential, with a None, on private property setback (Sec. TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table a)). Most commercial signs in Tacoma require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (21 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 32 feet freestanding (45 in PMI, 40 if >500 ft from buffered); <= building height or 200 ft for wall | 75% of allowed area in district or 30 square feet, whichever less | — |
| Residential Districts (UR-1, UR-2, UR-3, NRX) | 13 | 8 feet (15 feet for conditional uses) | 40 square feet per face | — |
| Residential Districts (R-4, R-5, Planned Residential Districts) | 2 | 6 feet | 30 square feet for all faces | — |
| Conditional Uses in Residential Districts (Public Parks, Schools, Religious Facilities >1 Acre, >=100 ft Frontage) | 3 | 15 feet | 40 square feet per face | — |
| Conditional Uses in Residential Districts (Parks, Schools, Churches <1 Acre or <100 ft Frontage, Other Conditional Uses) | 2 | 6 feet | 30 square feet for all faces (total with building face <=30 sq ft) | — |
| District Sign Standards (DCC, DMU) | 19 | 35 ft above grade (except 1 corporate logo 150 sq ft >35 ft; public facility exempt) | 150 sq ft (non-res); 300 sq ft public facility >5 acres; 20 sq ft residential | — |
| District Sign Standards (WR) | 19 | 35 ft above grade (1 corporate logo 150 sq ft >35 ft) | 200 sq ft (non-res); 20 sq ft residential | — |
| District Sign Standards (DR) | 19 | 35 ft above grade (no corporate logo) | 100 sq ft (non-res); 20 sq ft residential | — |
| District Sign Standards (C-2, CIX, CCX, UCX, M-1, M-2, PMI) | 20 | 35 ft (45 public >5 acres; <= building h if <=300 ft res or freeway) | 200 sq ft (400 sq ft public >5 acres) | — |
| District Sign Standards (C-1) | 20 | 10 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| District Sign Standards (T, NCX, URX, Non-Residential Districts with VSD) | 17 | 10 feet | Allocation on primary, 50 sq ft perpendicular, 25 sq ft alley, 10 sq ft upper/basement | — |
| District Sign Standards (HM, HMX) | 17 | 15 feet identification/directory | 75 sq ft identification, 25 sq ft directional | — |
| District Sign Standards (PDB) | 15 | 6 feet | 75 sq ft per elevation (single, total 150 all signs); 20 sq ft multi | — |
| District Sign Standards (RCX) | 15 | 4 feet | 30 sq ft max perpendicular (not exceed allocation), 10 sq ft alley/upper/basement | — |
| Multi-Unit Residential | 2 | 6 feet | 20 square feet | — |
| All Shoreline Districts | 3 | Varies | 10 square feet total | — |
| Shoreline Commercial Districts (S-7, S-9, S-10) | 2 | 15 feet | 60 square feet | — |
| Shoreline Commercial District (S-8) | 2 | 20 feet | 75 square feet max any sign; +10 sq ft per tenant (not in max) | — |
| Shoreline Commercial Districts (S-1a, S-1b, S-5, S-6, S-6/7, S-11, S-15) | 2 | 8 feet | 60 square feet | — |
| Shoreline Industrial Districts (S-1a, S-6/7, S-7, S-8, S-9, S-10) | 2 | 20 feet | 100 square feet | — |
| Shoreline Park/Recreational Districts (S-1a, S-6/7, S-7, S-8, S-9, S-10) | 1 | 8 feet | 30 square feet per face | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 21 zones)

### District Sign Standards (DCC, DMU)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 35 ft above grade (except 1 corporate logo 150 sq ft >35 ft; public facility exempt) | 150 sq ft (non-res); 300 sq ft public facility >5 acres; 20 sq ft residential | — | None, on private property | 2 per frontage, max 3 per business | Attached to building | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table a) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | Subject to allocation | On awning | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table a) |
| Projecting Sign | 35 ft (public >5 acres exempt) | — | — | — | 1 per building | Attached to building | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table a) |
| Blade Sign | — | 8 sq ft per side (25% increase symbolic shape) | — | — | 1 per business | Attached to building | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table a) |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 8 sq ft per side (25% increase symbolic shape) | — | — | 1 per business | Under canopy | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table a) |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft (30 ft public >5 acres) | 30 sq ft (300 sq ft public >5 acres) | — | None | 1 per frontage, max 2 per site | On private property | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table a) |
| Temporary A-Board Sign | 4 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | 2 per business | On sidewalks >=12 ft wide | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table a) |
| Banner Sign | — | 60 square feet (400 sq ft cultural) | — | — | 1 per business | On site | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table a) |

### District Sign Standards (C-2, CIX, CCX, UCX, M-1, M-2, PMI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 sq ft (400 sq ft public >5 acres) | — | None for attached | 3 per business | Attached to building | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table b) |
| Blade Sign | — | 8 sq ft per side (25% increase symbolic) | — | — | 1 per business | Attached to building | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table b) |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 8 sq ft per side (25% increase symbolic) | — | — | 1 per business | Under canopy | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table b) |
| Freestanding Sign | 35 ft (45 public >5 acres; <= building h if <=300 ft res or freeway) | 200 sq ft (+100 sq ft shopping center name; 75% max freeway frontage; 400 public >5 acres) | — | Per g; 200 ft from other freestanding | 1 per frontage (additional per 300 ft) | Private property, parallel frontage for freeway, no adjacent freeway | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table b) |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign | 6 ft (15 ft PMI) | 15 sq ft (25 sq ft PMI) | — | — | Per l (4 PMI) | Private property | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table b) |
| Temporary A-Board Sign | 4 feet | 12 square feet per side | — | — | 1-2 per business | Private or off-site in center for CIX | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table b) |
| Banner Sign | — | 60 square feet (400 cultural) | — | — | 1 per business | On site | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table b) |
| Feather Sign | 10 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | Max 2 per frontage | Private property | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table b) |

### District Sign Standards (C-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | None | 3 per business | Attached to building | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table b) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | Subject to allocation | On awning | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table b) |
| Blade Sign | — | 8 sq ft per side (25% increase) | — | — | 1 per business | Attached to building | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table b) |
| Under-Canopy Sign | — | 8 sq ft per side (25% increase) | — | — | 1 per business | Under canopy | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table b) |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft (<100 ft frontage), 15 ft (100-300 ft), <= building h | 100 sq ft | — | Same as C-2 | Same as C-2 | Private property | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table b) |
| Off-Premises Directional Sign | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | Per l | Private property | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table b) |
| Temporary A-Board Sign | 4 ft | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | 1-2 per business | Same as C-2 | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table b) |
| Feather Sign | 10 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | Same as C-2 | Private | — | TMC 13.06.090.I.4 (Table b) |

## Prohibited signs in Tacoma

- Signs or sign structures which, by coloring, wording, lighting, location, or design, resemble or conflict with a traffic control sign or device, or which make use of words, phrases, symbols, or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse persons traveling on the right-of-way or which, in any way, create a traffic hazard as determined by the City Engineer or designee.
- Signs which create a safety hazard by obstructing the clear view of pedestrians or vehicular traffic, or which obstruct a clear view of official signs or signals as determined by the City Engineer or designee.
- Signs, temporary or otherwise, which are affixed to a tree, rock, fence, lamppost, or bench; however, construction, directional, and incidental signs may be affixed to a fence or lamppost.
- Any sign attached to a utility pole, excluding official signs as determined by Tacoma Public Utilities.
- Signs on public property, except when authorized by the appropriate public agency.
- Signs attached to or placed on any stationary vehicle or trailer so as to be visible from a public right-of-way for the purpose of providing advertisement of services or products or for the purpose of directing people to a business. This provision shall not apply to the identification of a firm or its principal products on operable vehicles operating in the normal course of business. Public transit buses and licensed taxis are exempt from this restriction.
- Roof signs, except where incorporated into a building to provide an overall finished appearance.
- All portable signs not securely attached to the ground or a building, including readerboards and A-frames on trailers, except those allowed by the regulations of the appropriate zoning district.
- Abandoned or dilapidated signs.
- Portable readerboard signs.
- Inflatable signs and blimps.
- Digital Billboards.
- Off-premises signs, except pursuant where specifically authorized in 13.06.090.I.3.l.

## Signs exempt from permit in Tacoma

- Changing of the advertising copy or message on a sign specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy.
- Repainting, maintenance, and repair of existing signs or sign structures; provided, work is done on-site and no structural change is made.
- Signs not visible from the public right-of-way and beyond the boundaries of the lot or parcel.
- Incidental and warning signs.
- Sculptures, fountains, mosaics, murals, and other works of art that do not incorporate business identification or commercial messages.
- Signs installed and maintained on bus benches and/or shelters within City right-of-way, pursuant to a franchise authorized by the City Council.
- Seasonal decorations for display on private property.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection, when cut into any masonry surface or when constructed of bronze or other incombustible material.
- Signs of public service companies indicating danger and aid to service or safety.
- Non-electric bulletin boards not exceeding 12 square feet in area for each public, charitable, or religious institution, when the same are located on the premises of said institutions.
- Construction signs denoting a building which is under construction, structural alterations, or repair, which announce the character of the building enterprise or the purpose for which the building is intended, including names of architects, engineers, contractors, developers, financiers, and others; provided, the area of such sign shall not exceed 32 square feet.
- Window sign.
- Temporary on-premise or off-premise signs, subject to the regulations in TMC 13.06.090.I.3.k.
- Professional name plates two square feet or less.
- Changing plex-style faces in existing cabinets; provided, work is done on-site without removing sign.
- Temporary public event signs not exceeding 12 square feet, and temporary event banners, placed on publicly owned land or adjacent public right-of-way. Signs or banners shall be securely attached to the ground or a structure and must be removed after the event.
- Home address signage: one per street face, per unit, including ADUs, located entirely on private property.
- Traffic and directional signs installed by a governmental entity.
- Signs not readable from a public right-of-way or adjacent property.
- Merchandise displays.
- Point of purchase advertising displays, such as product dispensers.
- National flags, flags of a political subdivision, and symbolic flags of an institution or business.
- Legal notices required by law.
- Historic site plaques.
- Gravestones.
- Structures intended for a separate use, such as Goodwill containers and phone booths.
- Scoreboards located on athletic fields.
- Lettering painted on or magnetically flush-mounted onto a motor vehicle operating in the normal course of business.
- Barber poles.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Buffering exemptions may be allowed via a sign code variance where it can be demonstrated that topography or intervening development prevents a billboard from being seen from the buffered area.
- A subdivision identification sign shall be approved by the Director.
- For PRDs, a single identification sign for the overall development shall be allowed at each major access to the PRD District; provided, only one overall development sign shall be allowed adjacent to each frontage of the PRD District.
- All signs shall be submitted for review by Planning and Development Services, as required by the Building Code and the Electrical Sign Code. Additionally, the proposed design of all signs shall be submitted to Planning and Development Services prior to construction for review to ensure conformance with the standards listed hereinabove.

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

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