# Sign Regulations in Woodinville, Washington

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Woodinville, Washington (WA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/woodinville
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-16
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/WA/Woodinville/#!/Woodinville21/Woodinville2144.html)

## At a glance

Woodinville, Washington regulates 19 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Urban Residential-1 (R-1), Urban Residential-4 (R-4), Urban Residential-6 (R-6), Urban Residential-8 (R-8) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 20 sq ft per sign, with a Minimum 5 ft from closest edge of street right-of-way/easement for sidewalks; cannot occupy parking/loading/walkways/driveways/fire lanes setback (Sec. WMC 21.44.070(1) Table; WMC 21.44.050(7); WMC 21.44.060(2)). Most commercial signs in Woodinville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Urban Residential-1 (R-1), Urban Residential-4 (R-4), Urban Residential-6 (R-6), Urban Residential-8 (R-8) | 11 | Building sign height per WMC 21.44.050(4)(a); cannot protrude above roof silhouette or parapet | Private property: aggregate sign area ≤32 sq ft per site; Right-of-way: 4 sq ft per sign | — |
| Urban Residential-12 (R-12), Urban Residential-18 (R-18), Urban Residential-24 (R-24), Urban Residential-48 (R-48) | 11 | Private property: 12 ft; Right-of-way: 4 ft | Private property: aggregate ≤32 sq ft per site; Right-of-way: 4 sq ft per sign | — |
| Neighborhood Business (NB), General Business (GB), Office (O), Industrial (I), Tourist Industrial (T/I) | 14 | Per building sign height rules (cannot protrude above roof silhouette/parapet per WMC 21.44.050(4)(a)) | Private property: aggregate ≤64 sq ft/site (no single sign >32 sq ft except building-mounted banner up to 50 sq ft); Right-of-way: 5 sq ft/sign (City-approved banner may be up to 75 sq ft) | — |
| Tourist Business (TB), Central Business District (CBD) | 14 | Per WMC 21.44.050(4)(a) | Private property: aggregate ≤64 sq ft/site; single sign ≤32 sq ft except building-mounted banner ≤50 sq ft; Right-of-way: 5 sq ft/sign; City-approved banner may be ≤75 sq ft | — |
| Public/Institutional (P/I), Parks (P) | 9 | Per WMC 21.44.050(4)(a) | Private property: aggregate ≤64 sq ft/site; single sign ≤32 sq ft except building-mounted banner ≤50 sq ft; Right-of-way: 5 sq ft/sign; City-approved banner may be ≤75 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | If edge <18 in from curb: lowest edge ≥18 ft; if ≥18 in: lowest edge ≥14 ft | Digital display ≤32 sq ft and ≤50% of sign area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Urban Residential-1 (R-1), Urban Residential-4 (R-4), Urban Residential-6 (R-6), Urban Residential-8 (R-8)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Building sign height per WMC 21.44.050(4)(a); cannot protrude above roof silhouette or parapet | 10 sq ft cap (and 8% of facade area) | — | — | One building sign per site (total); off-site and right-of-way placement prohibited | On site allowed; off site prohibited; right-of-way prohibited | — | WMC 21.44.070(1) Table (Residential); WMC 21.44.050(9)(b), (10)(a), (10)(c) |
| Projecting Sign | Projecting signs shall not protrude above lowest point of roof structure | 10 sq ft cap and 8% of facade area applies to building sign face | No portion of projecting sign extends more than 5 ft from building wall | — | Counts against the one building sign per site limit | Affixed to building wall; on site allowed; off site/right-of-way prohibited | — | WMC 21.44.060(1)(b)-(c); WMC 21.44.070(1); WMC 21.44.050(5) |
| Awning Sign | Per building sign height rules | 10 sq ft cap and 8% of facade area applies to building sign face | — | — | Counts against the one building sign per site limit | On site; on building | — | WMC 21.44.060(5); WMC 21.44.070(1); WMC 21.44.050(9)(b), (10)(a), (10)(c) |
| Marquee Sign | Lowest edge at least 10 ft above finished grade directly below | — | Marquee structure no wider than entrance it serves plus 4 ft each side; shall not extend closer than 3 ft to curb | — | Counts against the one building sign per site limit | On site; building facade facing street or parking lot | — | WMC 21.44.060(6); WMC 21.44.070(1); WMC 21.44.050(10)(a), (9)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign | 6 ft | 20 sq ft per sign | — | Minimum 5 ft from closest edge of street right-of-way/easement for sidewalks; cannot occupy parking/loading/walkways/driveways/fire lanes | One per street frontage per site | On site allowed; off site/right-of-way prohibited | — | WMC 21.44.070(1) Table; WMC 21.44.050(7); WMC 21.44.060(2) |
| Portable Sign (Commercial) (Sandwich Board) | 3.5 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | Prohibited (except as in WMC 21.44.090(4)) | On site allowed; Right-of-way allowed only within the same zoning district as the site it supports and subject to conditions; Off site prohibited | — | WMC 21.44.090(2) Table (R-1 through R-48); Special conditions 1; WMC 21.44.040(1)(b), (3) |
| Portable Sign (Noncommercial) (Sandwich Board) | 3.5 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | Four per lot | On site allowed; Right-of-way allowed within the same zoning district as the site it supports (subject to placement conditions); Off site prohibited | — | WMC 21.44.090(2) Table (R-1 through R-48); Special conditions 1; WMC 21.44.040(1)(b), (3) |
| Limited Duration Sign (Noncommercial) | 6 ft for freestanding; building signs per WMC 21.44.050(4) | Private property: aggregate sign area ≤32 sq ft per site; Right-of-way: 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | Private property: no maximum number; Right-of-way: no more than one sign per each advertised event along abutting street frontage of a lot | On site allowed; off site prohibited; right-of-way allowed subject to WMC 21.44.050(1) | — | WMC 21.44.090(3)(b) |

### Neighborhood Business (NB), General Business (GB), Office (O), Industrial (I), Tourist Industrial (T/I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Per building sign height rules (cannot protrude above roof silhouette/parapet per WMC 21.44.050(4)(a)) | 8% of facade area; up to 12% with WMC 21.44.080 conditions | — | — | One per tenant per building facade (not to exceed two signs per tenant) plus one building sign per building; plus one shingle sign per tenant (max 3 sq ft) | On site allowed; off site prohibited; right-of-way prohibited | — | WMC 21.44.070(2) Table; WMC 21.44.050(8); WMC 21.44.080 (Large sign bonus) |
| Projecting Sign | Shall not protrude above lowest point of roof; minimum bottom clearance 8 ft over sidewalks | Subject to 8% of facade rule; may be increased to 12% under 21.44.080 | Max projection 5 ft from wall; outer edge ≥3 ft from curb/shoulder | — | Counts under tenant building sign allowance | On site; building facade | — | WMC 21.44.060(1); WMC 21.44.070(2) |
| Marquee Sign | Lowest edge ≥10 ft above finished grade | — | No wider than entrance plus 4 ft each side; ≥3 ft from curb | — | Counts under tenant building sign allowance | On site; building facade facing street or parking lot | — | WMC 21.44.060(6); WMC 21.44.070(2) |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft; up to 15 ft with large sign bonus if conditions met | 25–75 sq ft by formula; up to 100 sq ft with large sign bonus if conditions met | — | Set back at least 5 ft from closest edge of street right-of-way/sidewalk easement; cannot occupy parking/loading/walkways/driveways/fire lanes | One for each full 250 ft of linear street frontage; minimum one allowed per street frontage per site | On site allowed; off site prohibited (except sites without street frontage per WMC 21.44.050(1)(d)); right-of-way prohibited | — | WMC 21.44.070(2) Table; WMC 21.44.080; WMC 21.44.050(7), (10)(b); WMC 21.44.060(2) |
| Portable Sign (Commercial) (Sandwich Board) | 3.5 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | One per establishment | On site allowed; Right-of-way allowed within adjoining front area including sidewalk; Off site prohibited | — | WMC 21.44.090(2) Table (NB, GB, TB, CBD, O row); Special conditions 2; WMC 21.44.040(1)(b), (3) |
| Portable Sign (Noncommercial) (Sandwich Board) | 3.5 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | One per establishment; plus four per site | On site allowed; Right-of-way allowed within adjoining front area including sidewalk; Off site prohibited | — | WMC 21.44.090(2) Table (NB, GB, TB, CBD, and O row) |
| Limited Duration Sign (Commercial) | Same as applicable to permanent building and freestanding signs | 16 sq ft per sign; a banner sign mounted to a building may be up to 50 sq ft | — | — | One per establishment; plus as allowed in WMC 21.44.090(4) | On site allowed; off site prohibited; right-of-way prohibited (with one exception for properties without street frontage) | — | WMC 21.44.090(3)(a) Table |
| Street Pole Banner Sign (Director-approved for nonprofit/City events) | If banner edge <18 in from curb: lowest edge ≥18 ft; if ≥18 in from curb: lowest edge ≥14 ft | 12.5 sq ft | 3 ft | — | Up to two per street pole at approved locations | Only at locations approved by Director; other nonresidential zones allowed only if banners promote nonprofit and/or City-sponsored events | — | WMC 21.44.060(7) |

### Tourist Business (TB), Central Business District (CBD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Per WMC 21.44.050(4)(a) | 8% of facade; up to 12% with WMC 21.44.080 | — | — | One per tenant per building facade (not to exceed two per tenant); plus one building sign per building; plus one shingle sign per tenant (3 sq ft max) | On site allowed; off site prohibited; right-of-way prohibited | — | WMC 21.44.070(2); WMC 21.44.080; WMC 21.44.050(8) |
| Projecting Sign | Shall not protrude above lowest point of roof; minimum 8 ft bottom clearance | Subject to 8% facade rule; may increase to 12% per 21.44.080 | Max projection 5 ft; ≥3 ft from curb/shoulder | — | Counts under tenant building sign allowance | On site | — | WMC 21.44.060(1); WMC 21.44.070(2) |
| Marquee Sign | Lowest edge ≥10 ft above grade | — | No wider than entrance plus 4 ft each side; ≥3 ft from curb | — | Counts under tenant building sign allowance | On site | — | WMC 21.44.060(6); WMC 21.44.070(2) |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 ft; up to 15 ft with bonus | 25–75 sq ft; up to 100 sq ft with bonus | — | 5 ft minimum from street right-of-way/sidewalk easement; avoid obstruction of required areas | One for each full 250 ft of street frontage; minimum one per street frontage per site | On site; off site prohibited except no-frontage exception; right-of-way prohibited | — | WMC 21.44.070(2); WMC 21.44.080; WMC 21.44.050(7), (10)(b); WMC 21.44.060(2) |
| Portable Sign (Commercial) (Sandwich Board) | 3.5 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | One per establishment | On site allowed; Right-of-way allowed within adjoining front area including sidewalk; Off site prohibited | — | WMC 21.44.090(2) Table (NB, GB, TB, CBD, O row) |
| Portable Sign (Noncommercial) (Sandwich Board) | 3.5 ft | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | One per establishment; plus four per site | On site allowed; Right-of-way allowed; Off site prohibited | — | WMC 21.44.090(2) |
| Limited Duration Sign (Commercial) | Same as applicable permanent sign types | 16 sq ft per sign; building-mounted banner up to 50 sq ft | — | — | One per establishment; plus allowances in WMC 21.44.090(4) | On site; off site prohibited; right-of-way prohibited except noted | — | WMC 21.44.090(3)(a) |
| Street Pole Banner Sign | If edge <18 in from curb: lowest edge ≥18 ft; if ≥18 in: lowest edge ≥14 ft | 12.5 sq ft | 3 ft | — | Up to two per street pole | Permitted only in CBD and TB at locations approved by Director | — | WMC 21.44.060(7)(a)-(f) |

## Prohibited signs in Woodinville

- No sign may be placed so as to endanger pedestrians, bicyclists, or traffic by obscuring views or by interfering with official traffic signs due to position or color (WMC 21.44.050(1)(a)).
- Abandoned signs are prohibited (WMC 21.44.030(1)).
- Any sign that imitates, resembles, interferes with, or obstructs official traffic lights, signs, or signals is prohibited (WMC 21.44.030(2)).
- Off-premises signs, including billboards, are prohibited except as otherwise permitted by the chapter (see WMC 21.14.060(7) for special billboard provisions) (WMC 21.44.030(3)).
- Signs attached to public trees, streetlights, and utility poles are prohibited, except for noncommercial signs posted by the owning or controlling public agency (WMC 21.44.030(4)).
- Signs in public rights-of-way are prohibited, except as permitted by the chapter (WMC 21.44.030(5)).
- Signs erected or placed without the property owner’s permission are prohibited, except those authorized or required by a local, State, or Federal government (WMC 21.44.030(6)).
- Animated signs, strobe lights, flashing signs, or signs that scroll or flash text or graphics outdoors are prohibited, except as permitted by the chapter (WMC 21.44.030(7)).
- Signs incorporating a strobe or beacon, or signs that lack measures to prevent direct rays of light from shining on nearby properties or streets, are prohibited (WMC 21.44.030(8)).
- Any electronic or animated sign that reacts to the behavior or electronic signals of motor vehicles and is visible from streets or public pathways is prohibited (WMC 21.44.030(9)).
- Any banner or sign suspended across a street or pathway without permission of the property owner or controlling agency is prohibited (WMC 21.44.030(10)).
- Reflective signs, including signs containing mirrors, are prohibited (WMC 21.44.030(11)).
- Inflatable devices or balloon signs, pennant stringers and streamers, and feather flag signs are prohibited, except when used in temporary, noncommercial situations (WMC 21.44.030(12)).
- Signs that emit smoke, visible vapors, particulate matter, sound, odor, or that contain open flames are prohibited (WMC 21.44.030(13)).
- Human-held signs are prohibited, except when used in temporary, noncommercial situations (WMC 21.44.030(14)).
- Signs that exhibit obscenity as defined in Chapter 21.48 WMC are prohibited (WMC 21.44.030(15)).
- Signs that promote illegal activity are prohibited (WMC 21.44.030(16)).
- Any sign determined by the Director to be a hazard to public safety due to its design, materials, physical condition, or placement is prohibited (WMC 21.44.030(17)).

## Signs exempt from permit in Woodinville

- Official traffic signs, public wayfinding signs, and other traffic control devices erected by the City or a public agency are exempt from a sign permit and are not counted toward sign size/number limits (WMC 21.44.040(5)(a)).
- Signs inside a building or other enclosed facility, not intended to be viewed from outside and located more than three feet from exterior windows, are permit-exempt and not counted (WMC 21.44.040(5)(b)).
- Incidental signs (as defined in WMC 21.11A.200) of two square feet or less are permit-exempt and not counted (WMC 21.44.040(5)(c)).
- Holiday and seasonal decorations are permit-exempt and not counted (WMC 21.44.040(5)(d)).
- Legal and public notices by government agencies are permit-exempt and not counted (WMC 21.44.040(5)(e)).
- Vending machine signs integral to the design of the machine are permit-exempt and not counted (WMC 21.44.040(5)(f)).
- Short-term, seasonal point-of-purchase advertising displays are permit-exempt and not counted (WMC 21.44.040(5)(g)).
- Personal expression signs of any type that are noncommercial, not illuminated, and do not exceed five square feet are permit-exempt and not counted (WMC 21.44.040(5)(h)).
- Signs or emblems of religious, civic, philanthropic, historical, or educational organizations that do not exceed five square feet are permit-exempt and not counted (WMC 21.44.040(5)(i)).
- Permanent plaques, cornerstones, nameplates, and similar building identification markings that are integral to the structure, nonilluminated, and four square feet or less are permit-exempt and not counted (WMC 21.44.040(5)(j)).
- Address signs (maximum two per premises) without commercial content are permit-exempt and not counted: up to three square feet each in residential zones and up to 32 square feet each in nonresidential zones (WMC 21.44.040(5)(k)).
- Flags are permit-exempt and not counted if placed outside the public right-of-way, are not a prohibited sign, and are 50 square feet or less; commercial-message flags are limited to on-site business names/logos, one per business/tenant, and 20 square feet; flagpoles may still require a building permit (WMC 21.44.040(5)(l)).
- Security and warning signs are permit-exempt and not counted: in R-1 through R-18 zones up to two square feet; in all other zones one larger sign up to five square feet per site with all other such signs at two square feet; “no trespassing” signs may be up to four square feet in all zones (WMC 21.44.040(5)(m)).
- Historic site markers, plaques, and gravestones are permit-exempt and not counted (WMC 21.44.040(5)(n)).
- Public announcement signs intended for public announcements only, up to six square feet and without commercial messaging, are permit-exempt and not counted (WMC 21.44.040(5)(o)).
- Signs on vehicles or vessels are permit-exempt and not counted if integral to the vehicle/vessel, affixed by magnet/decal/paint or attached, the vehicle/vessel is operational, and it is not a static display (WMC 21.44.040(5)(p)).
- Art and murals without any commercial messaging or commercial imagery (including figurative commercial imagery) are permit-exempt and not counted (WMC 21.44.040(5)(q)).
- Limited duration signs expressly listed as permit-exempt in WMC 21.44.090 are permit-exempt and not counted (WMC 21.44.040(5)(r)).
- Window signs are additional to other signage allowances and are exempt from the requirement to obtain a sign permit (WMC 21.44.060(4)(c)).
- Noncommercial limited duration signs placed on private property with a sign area of 16 square feet or less do not require a sign permit (applies citywide) (WMC 21.44.090(3)(b), “Sign permit requirement”).
- Limited duration real estate, yard sale, and construction signs placed on private property with a sign area of eight square feet or less do not require a sign permit (applies citywide) (WMC 21.44.090(4), “Sign permit requirement”).
- Portable signs that comply with Table 21.44.090(2) are excluded from the determination of the number and area of signs allowed elsewhere (applies citywide) (WMC 21.44.090(2)).
- Other limited duration signs that comply with Tables 21.44.090(3)(a) and 21.44.090(3)(b) are excluded from the determination of sign numbers and area elsewhere (applies citywide) (WMC 21.44.090(3)).
- Real estate, yard sale, and construction signs that comply with Table 21.44.090(4) are excluded from the determination of sign numbers and area elsewhere (applies citywide) (WMC 21.44.090(4)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Private wayfinding signs require approval of a wayfinding signage plan pursuant to WMC 21.82.070; both the designated area boundaries and the signage plan must be approved by the Director (WMC 21.44.100(3)(a)(iii)-(iv), 21.44.100(4)).
- Application requirements for a private wayfinding signage plan include: completed application; owner authorization; information on the managing entity; a management narrative (maintenance and establishment changes); a site plan showing area layout, proposed sign locations, types, sizes/heights, design/materials/illumination; and, if within public rights-of-way, a proposed agreement with the City for maintenance/removal; and any other information required by the Director (WMC 21.44.100(4)).

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/washington/woodinville