Sign permit requirements across 17 Seattle-area cities
Side-by-side: which of Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish, Issaquah, Renton, Kent, Federal Way, Mercer Island, Shoreline, Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, Everett, Lynnwood, Woodinville require a permit for a sign, and what triggers one — each row quoted from the city's own code or permit page, with the source linked. Fees and review times appear where the city publishes them.
12 of 17 cities have authoritative rules on file · 17 always require a permit · 0 depend on the scope · 0 do not.
King County
| Jurisdiction | Threshold | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
Always | A City sign permit is needed to erect, alter or relocate a sign; signs of 6 square feet or less, maintenance that leaves the sign unchanged, and political and real estate signs need none. Bellevue requires a City sign permit to erect, alter or relocate a sign (BCC 22B.10.160(A)). No permit is needed, though the sign must still meet the sign code, for a sign of 6 square feet or less (except a subdivision directional sign), for repainting, cleaning or repairing a permitted sign that leaves its structure and content unchanged, for copy changes on an approved reader board or marquee, for temporary political signs, or for real estate and estate sale signs that meet BCC 22B.10.120 (BCC 22B.10.160(D)). | Fee: Bellevue's land use review of a sign is $457, with or without a building permit, and $543 for a temporary sign; a sign permit carries a $53 operations fee, and a new circuit for a sign is a $79 electrical inspection (Ordinance 6879, Tables 2, 7 and 20). Apply via mybuildingpermit.com. | Cite verified 2026-10-24 |
Always | Putting up or structurally altering a permanent sign generally needs a city sign permit; which small or temporary signs are exempt differs by city. Each city's own sign code, usually a chapter of its zoning or development code, decides which signs need a permit and sets their size, number and placement by zone. Putting up or structurally altering a permanent sign generally needs a city sign permit, plus an electrical permit if the sign is lit, while repainting, ordinary maintenance and copy changes generally do not. Which small or temporary signs need no permit, and up to what size, differs from city to city, so check the city's own list before ordering a sign. | Fee: Federal Way prices a permanent sign permit on its installation value off Valuation Table A, $89.54 up to $1,000; an electrical sign adds an electrical connection fee of $94 for the first sign and $43 for each more on the same application, and every sign a planning surcharge of $70 for the first and $26 for each more. Plan review is 65% of the sign permit fee. A temporary sign is a separate permit, $65 (2026 Fee Schedule). | Cite verified 2026-05-17 |
Always | A sign permit is needed to put up, reface, alter or repair a sign, and a temporary sign agreement for a temporary sign; the code lists the signs that need neither. Issaquah requires a sign permit from the Director to erect, re-erect, construct, reface, alter or repair a sign, unless its sign code says the sign needs none, with a separate permit for each sign; temporary signs need a temporary sign agreement instead (LUC 18.612.160). The permanent signs allowed without a permit, such as directional and informational signs, drive-through selection signs and home business signs, must meet the conditions listed for each type and be nonelectric and unlit unless the code allows otherwise (LUC 18.612.070). | Fee: Issaquah's permanent sign permit is $605.28 for a wall or other sign (Type 1), $907.91 for a freestanding or monument sign (Type 2), and $211.85 for each additional sign; a sign variance is $9,684.41 plus hearing examiner costs. The City's technology surcharge is added unless the schedule footnotes a fee (Land Use Fee Schedule, effective April 7, 2026). Apply via mybuildingpermit.com. | Cite verified 2026-10-24 |
Always | A building and planning sign permit is needed to put up, alter or relocate a sign; real estate signs within the size limits need none. Kent requires a sign permit from the building and planning departments to erect, install, apply, affix, alter or relocate a sign, except as its sign code provides (KCC 15.06.080(A)). Real estate signs need no permit: for a house or duplex, one sign per street frontage, up to 4 square feet per face and no higher than 5 feet above the street, unlit (KCC 15.06.040(Q)), and portable signs and farm product signs that meet their own rules need none either. | Fee: Kent's sign permit is $397.17 for a wall sign and $530.50 for a freestanding sign 7 feet high or less; a temporary sign is $200. A technology fee of 3%, at least $10, is added. A lit sign's wiring needs an L&I electrical permit, at L&I's fees. Apply through the City of Kent Permit Portal (sso.kentwa.gov). | Cite verified 2026-10-24 |
Always | A permit is needed to erect, move or structurally alter a sign, and a Planning and Building permit to display other signs; the code's excluded and temporary signs are excepted. Kirkland requires a permit to erect or move a sign or alter its structural parts (KZC 100.25(1)(a), which names the Fire Department as issuer), and a Planning and Building Department permit to display any other sign. Signs outside the sign chapter (KZC 100.15, such as building addresses up to 10 inches tall and small informational signs) and the temporary signs of KZC 100.115 are excepted from the display permit. | Fee: Kirkland's sign permit, plan review included, is $269 for a marquee or building-mounted sign and $359 for a freestanding or pole-mounted sign. Wiring a lit sign is a City electrical hook-up, $121 a circuit. A 3.5% technology fee is added to the City's permit and plan review fees (Kirkland Building Services Fees, 2026). Apply via mybuildingpermit.com. | Cite verified 2026-10-24 |
Always | Putting up or structurally altering a permanent sign generally needs a city sign permit; which small or temporary signs are exempt differs by city. Each city's own sign code, usually a chapter of its zoning or development code, decides which signs need a permit and sets their size, number and placement by zone. Putting up or structurally altering a permanent sign generally needs a city sign permit, plus an electrical permit if the sign is lit, while repainting, ordinary maintenance and copy changes generally do not. Which small or temporary signs need no permit, and up to what size, differs from city to city, so check the city's own list before ordering a sign. | Fee: Mercer Island's design review of a sign by the Code Official is a $910 minimum fee, 5 hours of staff time, with more time at $182 an hour; a lit sign's electrical permit is $46 for a sign on one branch circuit, $9 for each more circuit, with the $46 issuance fee and $214 electrical minimum (2026 Fee Schedule). | Cite verified 2026-05-02 |
Always | Putting up or structurally altering a permanent sign generally needs a city sign permit; which small or temporary signs are exempt differs by city. Each city's own sign code, usually a chapter of its zoning or development code, decides which signs need a permit and sets their size, number and placement by zone. Putting up or structurally altering a permanent sign generally needs a city sign permit, plus an electrical permit if the sign is lit, while repainting, ordinary maintenance and copy changes generally do not. Which small or temporary signs need no permit, and up to what size, differs from city to city, so check the city's own list before ordering a sign. | Fee: Redmond prices a sign permit on its building permit table and plan review, with no Planning, engineering or fire fee: $46.89 up to $500, $46.89 for the first $500 plus $6.08 for each $100 more up to $2,000, and $138.26 for the first $2,000 plus $27.90 for each $1,000 more up to $25,000, with plan review at 65% of that fee. A master sign program or its modification is $1,929.95. A lit sign's wiring needs a City electrical permit. A 4% technology surcharge applies (2026 fee schedules). Apply through the Redmond ePermitting Service, REPS (cityofredmondwa-energovweb.tylerhost.net/ | Cite verified 2026-05-29 |
Always | A Building Official sign permit is needed to put up or alter a sign; repainting, copy changes and the small signs on the City's exception list need none. Renton requires a sign permit from the Building Official to erect, re-erect, construct or alter any sign (RMC 4-4-100B1), with a separate permit for each business or each group of signs on one supporting structure, and an electrical permit for an electric sign (RMC 4-4-100B2). No sign permit is needed for repainting or cleaning a sign, or changing its copy, unless a structural or electrical change is made (inside City Center a new sign face does need one), for one unlit wall sign of 2 square feet or less, for political signs under 32 square feet, or for open-house and construction signs, among the other exceptions in RMC 4-4-100B6. | Fee: Renton's permanent sign permit is $337, for a roof, projecting, awning, canopy, marquee or wall sign and for a freestanding ground or pole sign; a lit sign also needs a City electrical permit, $222 a sign. Temporary signs run from $67 an event sign to $168 for a first A-frame sign. The City adds its 5% technology surcharge to each of these fees (Fee Schedule 2025-2026). Apply via permitting.rentonwa.gov. | Cite verified 2026-10-24 |
Always | Putting up or structurally altering a permanent sign generally needs a city sign permit; which small or temporary signs are exempt differs by city. Each city's own sign code, usually a chapter of its zoning or development code, decides which signs need a permit and sets their size, number and placement by zone. Putting up or structurally altering a permanent sign generally needs a city sign permit, plus an electrical permit if the sign is lit, while repainting, ordinary maintenance and copy changes generally do not. Which small or temporary signs need no permit, and up to what size, differs from city to city, so check the city's own list before ordering a sign. | Fee: Sammamish's sign permit is a $452 flat fee; a lit sign's electrical installation adds $89 a circuit. A one-sided banner permit is $180 and a two-sided one $360. The City adds a 15% technology fee to each fee (2026 Fee Schedule). Apply via mybuildingpermit.com. | Cite verified 2026-05-29 |
Always | An SDCI sign permit is needed for a sign over 5 square feet or one connected to power, and for awning work; the Sign Code limits size and number by zone. Seattle requires a sign permit from SDCI to install or alter any sign larger than 5 square feet or connected to electrical power, and to install or alter an awning, including re-covering one or changing the business name on it; the electrical permit for a lit sign is included in the sign permit. The permit requirements are in the Seattle Building Code and Title 22, and the Sign Code (SMC 23.55) sets the size, number and location of signs allowed in each zone (SMC 23.55.002). In neighborhood residential zones, temporary real estate, contractor and noncommercial signs may total 8 square feet per lot (SMC 23.55.012), and flashing and message-board signs are not allowed (SMC 23.55.020). A sign that extends over a street, sidewalk or alley may also need an SDOT street use permit. | Fee: Where a sign needs an SDCI permit (every electric sign, and a sign over 5 square feet outside the allowances of SMC 23.55.012), the fee is $193.20 for the first 32 square feet of display area plus $31.45 for each 10 square feet more up to 100, rising by size from there; a sign painted or applied directly on a wall is capped at $884. An awning or canopy is a separate permit priced on its value through the Development Fee Index. A sign's circuit takes an SDCI electrical permit ($26.28 up to 25 amps, plus the $55.48 administrative fee), and a 5% technology fee is added (SMC 22.900D.160). | Cite verified 2026-10-24 |
Always | A sign permit is needed to install or change a temporary or permanent sign; maintenance, copy changes and the code's exempt and allowed temporary signs need none. Shoreline requires a sign permit, approving the sign's size, design, location and display, before any temporary or permanent sign is constructed, installed, posted, displayed or modified, except as its sign code provides (SMC 20.50.532(A)). Ordinary maintenance and repair, and changes to the graphics or copy that leave the sign's size, structure and height alone, need no permit (SMC 20.50.532(B)). Allowed temporary signs need no permit unless SMC 20.50.600 says otherwise, and the exempt signs of SMC 20.50.610 include a real estate sign on the parcel of up to 4 square feet and 5 feet tall in a residential zone. | Fee: Shoreline's sign permit is $570 for a building-mounted, awning or driveway sign and $1,140 for a monument or pole sign. Wiring a lit sign needs an L&I electrical permit, at L&I's fees. A 4% technology surcharge is added to the City's permit fees (SMC FEE.010). Apply electronically via eTRAKiT (shorelinewa.gov/ | Cite verified 2026-10-24 |
Always | A sign permit is needed for a permanent sign over 2 square feet or a temporary or portable sign over 4 square feet; smaller signs and the code's listed signs need none. Woodinville requires a sign permit to erect, install or replace any permanent sign larger than 2 square feet, or any limited-duration or portable sign larger than 4 square feet, unless the sign chapter says otherwise; a permit for a limited-duration or portable sign lasts one year and may be renewed (WMC 21.44.040(1), (3)). Smaller signs still must meet the chapter. Allowed without a permit: unlit noncommercial personal expression signs of up to 5 square feet, up to two address signs per premises (3 square feet each in residential zones), flags within the code's limits, holiday decorations, security and warning signs of up to 2 square feet in single-family zones, and the code's other listed signs, though a flag's support structure may still need a building permit under chapter 21.62 WMC (WMC 21.44.040(5)). | Fee: A permanent sign permit in Woodinville is $241 per application, which may cover several signs, plus $119 plan review for each sign; a portable or limited-duration sign is $79, renewed yearly for $22 (2026 Fee Schedule). An illuminated sign's wiring needs an L&I electrical permit, at L&I's fees. Apply through Woodinville's online Permit Portal (aca-prod.accela.com/ | Cite verified 2026-10-24 |
Pierce County
| Jurisdiction | Threshold | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
Always | Putting up or structurally altering a permanent sign generally needs a city sign permit; which small or temporary signs are exempt differs by city. Each city's own sign code, usually a chapter of its zoning or development code, decides which signs need a permit and sets their size, number and placement by zone. Putting up or structurally altering a permanent sign generally needs a city sign permit, plus an electrical permit if the sign is lit, while repainting, ordinary maintenance and copy changes generally do not. Which small or temporary signs need no permit, and up to what size, differs from city to city, so check the city's own list before ordering a sign. | Fee: Lakewood's 2026 fee schedule names no separate sign permit fee. Every permit application carries the City's $90 administrative base fee and a 4% technology fee, and a building permit is priced on the value of the work, $30 up to $500 and $30 for the first $500 plus $4 for each $100 more up to $2,000 (2026 Fee Schedule). Apply through Lakewood's Online Permit Center (app.oncamino.com/ | Cite verified 2026-05-02 |
Always | A development services sign permit is needed to put up or structurally alter a sign; maintenance, a small home occupation sign, window signs and allowed temporary signs need none. Puyallup requires a sign permit from the development services department to install, construct, paint, structurally alter, post or apply a sign, unless its sign code exempts it; maintenance and repair of a lawful sign, such as repainting or refacing without adding sign area, needs none (PMC 20.60.025(1)). No permit is needed, though the sign must still meet the code, for one home occupation wall sign of up to 6 square feet in a residential zone, window signs covering no more than 25 percent of a facade, memorial plaques and cornerstones cut into masonry or built into the building, or temporary signs allowed by PMC 20.60.070 (PMC 20.60.015). | Fee: Puyallup's 2026 fee schedule lists no standard sign permit fee: it prices an innovative sign review at $300, and services it does not name may be billed at the department's $180 hourly rate, by the half hour. An illuminated sign's wiring needs an L&I electrical permit, at L&I's fees (2026 Municipal Fee Schedule). Apply through Puyallup's online permit system, CityView (permits.puyallupwa.gov/ | Cite verified 2026-10-24 |
Always | A sign permit is needed for every new permanent sign and painted wall sign; maintenance with no structural change, window signs and the other exempt signs need none. Tacoma requires a sign permit for every new permanent sign, painted wall sign and temporary off-premises advertising sign (TMC 13.06.090.I.3.a(3)). No permit is needed for copy changes on a sign built for changeable copy, for repainting, maintenance or repair done on site with no structural change, for window signs, construction signs up to 32 square feet, or professional name plates of 2 square feet or less, among the other exemptions of TMC 13.06.090.I.3.b. | Fee: Tacoma prices a sign permit on the sign's value (Table 8-1): $59 up to $500, $170 for the first $2,000 plus $32 for each $1,000 more up to $25,000, and $910 for the first $25,000 plus $24 for each $1,000 more up to $50,000; plan review is 65% of the permit fee, $58 at the least (Table 8-2). Table 1 adds the technology (5%), emergency preparedness (5%) and reserve fund (2%) surcharges, and the natural resources program (5%) on sign permits. A lit sign also needs a Tacoma Power electrical permit. | Cite verified 2026-10-24 |
Snohomish County
| Jurisdiction | Threshold | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
Always | A City sign permit is needed to put up, structurally alter or relocate a sign; a nonelectric sign of 2 square feet or less in a single-family zone and the code's other excepted signs need none. Everett requires a City sign permit to erect, re-erect, attach, structurally alter or relocate a sign; the application goes to the building official, needs planning department approval, and the city engineer reviews it for hazards to drivers and pedestrians (EMC 19.36.020(A)). No permit is needed, though the sign must still meet the sign code, for a nonelectric sign of up to 2 square feet in a single-family zone, portable signs that meet the code, incidental signs, or directional signs of up to 6 square feet (EMC 19.36.020(B)(2)). | Fee: Everett's posted fee handouts have no sign permit table: Planning's review of sign permit plans is 10% of the permit fee, and an administrative modification of the sign rules is $1,092 (2026 Planning, Zoning and Land Use Fee Schedule). Permit Services (425-257-8810) quotes the sign permit itself. | Cite verified 2026-10-24 |
Always | A sign permit is needed before any sign is placed; political campaign signs and the signs outside the sign code need none. Lynnwood requires a sign permit before any sign is placed, except as its sign code provides; signs must be on the premises they serve and permanently installed, unless the code expressly allows a portable or temporary sign (LMC 21.16.210(A)). Political campaign signs need no sign permit (LMC 21.16.270), and building address numbers, signs inside windows and signs not visible from streets or neighboring property are outside the sign code (LMC 21.16.200). | Fee: Lynnwood's zoning fees name no general sign permit fee: a banner permit is $60 per occupancy, and a sign with searchlights $125 a permit. Wiring a lit sign is a City electrical sign hook-up, $60 a sign, plus the 2.5% technology fee on it (LMC 3.104). | Cite verified 2026-10-24 |
How this table is built
Each row reflects the most-recently-verified authoritative rule on file for that jurisdiction and project type. “Not verified” means we have the jurisdiction in our database but haven't yet personally checked the city page for sign rules — those rows fall back to county or WA-state baselines until verified. Sources link directly to the city or county page we read on the verified-on date. See our data-quality leaderboard for how we keep these current.