# Sign Regulations in Tukwila, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Tukwila, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/tukwila
- **Data last verified:** 2025-09-24
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://records.tukwilawa.gov/WebLink/1/edoc/54074/Tukwila%20Municipal%20Code%20-%20Title%2019%20-%20Sign%20and%20Visual%20Communication%20Code.pdf)

## At a glance

Tukwila, Washington regulates 25 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Monument Sign (Institutional uses and multi-family complexes)s in the Residential Zone (LDR, MDR, HDR) zoning district are capped at 5 feet tall, 30 sq ft per face, 60 sq ft total; 35 sq ft per face and 70 sq ft total if LEED certified, and 15 feet wide, with a Must meet sight distance triangle; typically 5 ft setback standard per monument sign setback (Sec. 19.20.030.A,B). Most commercial signs in Tukwila require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zone (LDR, MDR, HDR) | 3 | 5 feet | 50 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Zones (O, MUO, RCC, NCC, RC, RCM, TUC, C/LI, TVS, TSO), Industrial Zone (LI, HI, MIC/L, MIC/H) | 14 | 25 ft | 288 sq ft per sign; maximum 8% of parking structure face for one wall; 6.5% for other faces | — |
| Tukwila Urban Center (TUC) | 2 | 25 feet | 75 sq ft per face, 150 sq ft total | — |
| Tukwila International Boulevard Corridor | 1 | — | — | — |
| Billboard Receiving Areas (Commercial/Light Industrial and defined corridors north of Boeing Access Road, along West Valley Highway, East Marginal Way, Airport Way) | 2 | 35 ft | 500 sq ft per face (may increase to 672 sq ft for special PSA/emergency alerts if billboard operator agrees) | — |
| Billboard Sending Areas | 1 | — | 500 sq ft per face (672 sq ft for public service/alert if meeting special requirements) | — |
| Annexation Areas | 1 | — | If exceeds code by 15% or less, deemed conforming | — |
| Essential Public Facilities within commercial or industrial zones | 1 | No increase for monument sign height allowed; grand monument signs can be as tall as tallest building (or 115 ft for sites over 85 acres) | As modified by Master Sign Program but not exceeding program limits (e.g. monument signs up to +25% area; wall signs max 500 sq ft (over 85 acres), otherwise max 250 sq ft (up to 85 acres); up to 6% of EBF) | — |
| Public Recreation Overlay | 1 | — | 10 sq ft per banner (max 2 per pole) | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### Residential Zone (LDR, MDR, HDR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Institutional uses and multi-family complexes) | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per building | Flush-mounted to building | — | 19.20.030.C; 19.20.030.A |
| Monument Sign (Institutional uses and multi-family complexes) | 5 feet | 30 sq ft per face, 60 sq ft total; 35 sq ft per face and 70 sq ft total if LEED certified | 15 feet | Must meet sight distance triangle; typically 5 ft setback standard per monument sign | One per public street accessing the premise | In landscaped area at street front; must meet sight distance triangle restrictions | — | 19.20.030.A,B |
| Monument Sign (Dynamic Feature) | — | — | — | — | One dynamic-feature monument sign per premise | As permitted for monument sign | — | 19.20.030.D |

### Commercial Zones (O, MUO, RCC, NCC, RC, RCM, TUC, C/LI, TVS, TSO), Industrial Zone (LI, HI, MIC/L, MIC/H)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Under 400 linear feet ROW) | 6 ft | 36 sq ft per side/72 sq ft total (message); 54 sq ft per side/108 sq ft total (total size incl. structure) | 15 ft | Minimum 5 ft from property lines | One per premise | Min. 5 feet from all property lines; outside of sight distance triangle if taller than 3 feet; landscaped area | — | 19.20.040 and Table 1 |
| Monument Sign (400-599 linear feet ROW) | 7 ft | 50 sq ft per side/100 sq ft total (message); 70 sq ft per side/140 sq ft total (total size incl. structure) | 15 ft | Minimum 5 ft from property lines | One per premise | Min. 5 feet from all property lines | — | 19.20.040 and Table 1 |
| Monument Sign (600-799 linear feet ROW) | 7 ft | 60 sq ft per side/120 sq ft total (message); 80 sq ft per side/160 sq ft total (total size incl. structure) | 15 ft | Minimum 5 ft from property lines | One per premise | Min. 5 feet from all property lines | — | 19.20.040 and Table 1 |
| Monument Sign (800-999 linear feet ROW) | 8 ft | 66 sq ft per side/132 sq ft total (message); 88 sq ft per side/176 sq ft total (total size incl. structure) | 15 ft | Minimum 5 ft from property lines | Two per premise | Min. 5 feet from all property lines | — | 19.20.040 and Table 1 |
| Monument Sign (1,000 ft and over linear street frontage) | 8 ft | 72 sq ft per side/144 sq ft total (message); 96 sq ft per side/192 sq ft total (total size incl. structure) | 15 ft | Minimum 5 ft from property lines | One for every 400 ft of linear frontage | Min. 5 feet from all property lines; one for every 400 ft of frontage | — | 19.20.040 and Table 1 |
| Wall Sign / Flush-Mounted Building Sign | — | 150 sq ft max (except MIC/H zone: 1,500 sq ft max); formula as above | — | — | One per public entrance per tenant; see above for exceptions | Only on exposed building face; per exterior public entrance (except special rules in MIC/H) | — | 19.20.050.A and Table 2 |
| Awning Face Sign | — | No larger than flush-mounted sign allowed for location; max 30% of awning area | — | — | Distributes area among multiple awnings on same face | Face of awnings over public entrances | — | 19.20.050.B |
| Corner Projecting Sign (TUC and NCC zones only) | 25 ft | 75 sq ft per face; 150 sq ft total | — | — | One per building corner | Corners of buildings built to minimum setbacks of two public or private streets | — | 19.20.050.D |

### Billboard Receiving Areas (Commercial/Light Industrial and defined corridors north of Boeing Access Road, along West Valley Highway, East Marginal Way, Airport Way)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Billboard (Standard) | 35 ft | 500 sq ft per face (may increase to 672 sq ft for special PSA/emergency alerts if billboard operator agrees) | — | Min. 10 ft from ROW; foundation at least 15 ft from ROW; must meet zone side/rear setback | As allowed, see Billboard regulations | Designated Billboard Receiving Areas | — | 19.38.020-040 |
| Billboard (Digital) | 35 ft | 500 sq ft per face (may increase to 672 sq ft for special PSA/emergency alerts if billboard operator agrees) | — | Min. 10 ft from ROW; foundation at least 15 ft from ROW; must meet zone side/rear setback | As allowed, see Billboard regulations | Designated Billboard Receiving Areas | — | 19.38.020-040 |

## Prohibited signs in Tukwila

- A sign, sign style or device is prohibited if it is not specifically permitted by this code.
- Signs adjacent to State roads that do not comply with Washington State Department of Transportation regulations.
- Any sign using the word 'stop', 'look' or 'danger' or any word, symbol, character or color that might be confusing to traffic or detract from any legal traffic control device.
- Any sign, symbol, object or device located within City or State rights-of-way or City easement or City-owned property without City and/or State approval.
- Any sign, symbol, object or device located on a traffic control device, City light pole or other City-owned facility, except as provided in TMC 19.12.030.4.
- Any sign, symbol, object or device placed or hung from a tree, bush, shrub or other vegetation.
- Strings of pennants, banners or streamers, searchlights, clusters of flags, wind-animated objects, balloons and similar devices, except as provided under TMC 19.24.060.
- The use of portable signs or other similar devices, unless permitted under TMC 19.24.070.
- Dynamic signs, except those types specifically permitted under this code.
- Abandoned signs.
- No sign may be placed on any property without the property owner’s permission. Private property owners are responsible for removal of unauthorized signs on their property.
- Signs which are not in compliance with environmental, sensitive area, or shoreline regulations where applicable.
- Cabinet signs with missing sign faces are strictly prohibited.
- No sign may be erected, constructed or altered discernible from any public right-of-way or adjacent premises without a sign permit, except as provided by code.
- No additional permanent building-mounted signage is permitted on a tenant space with a non-conforming building-mounted sign.
- No additional permanent freestanding signs are permitted on a premises that contains a non-conforming freestanding sign.

## Signs exempt from permit in Tukwila

- Repainting of an existing sign when there is no other alteration (does not allow copy or face changes).
- Refacing, panel change or copy change on existing conforming monument signs with valid Tukwila sign permits, per specific code references.
- Temporary window signs, subject to limitations of TMC 19.24.080.
- Traffic signs and/or markings installed for regulating, warning or directing traffic, including on private property with permission; must meet the MUTCD.
- Signs on utilities and wireless communication facilities denoting danger or safety information, including emergency contact info.
- Land use notice boards per TMC 18.104.110.
- Text or graphics on umbrellas in outdoor seating or plaza areas.
- Up to four directional signs per premises to direct vehicular traffic (with size and placement limits).
- On residential properties in residential zones: one 1.5-square-foot building-mounted plaque per property; and up to four temporary signs totaling 12 sq ft, none larger than 6 sq ft.
- Display of up to three flags, each on an individual flag pole, per premise (flag content not regulated).
- Banners within the City's right-of-way, located on City-owned light poles, street light signal poles, or hanging above the right-of-way when approved by the Director of Public Works or designee.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Master Sign Program: Properties of 15 acres or more (with at least 200,000 square feet of buildings), or Essential Public Facilities in commercial/industrial zones, may apply for a Master Sign Program to customize standard sign requirements.
- A Master Sign Program is a Type 1 permit decision and its approval does not waive permit requirements for individual signs; after approval, all permanent signs must conform to the plan.
- Application requirements for a Master Sign Program are subject to TMC 18.104.060.
- The Master Sign Program must contain a schedule for removal of all non-conforming signs on the premises within three years from program approval date.
- Any new or amended Master Sign Program shall include removal of any existing, non-conforming signs on the premises (phased schedule and financial guarantee allowed).
- After approval of a Master Sign Program, permanent signs may only be erected, placed, painted, or maintained in conformance with the Plan, which is enforceable and must be referenced in leases and recorded on title.
- Applications for permanent, temporary, and billboard signs are subject to application requirements in TMC 18.104 or TMC 18.104.060, referenced repeatedly, and non-conforming signs in annexation areas require a Type 1 sign permit for grace-period eligibility.
- Sign Permit and Master Sign Program applications are Type 1 decisions pursuant to TMC 18.104.010.

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

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