Sign Permits

The City has three sign designation categories:

• Commercial and Industrial Signs
• Residential Signs
• Temporary Signs

Each category has a specific set of regulations, see above tabs for more detail.

In addition to the above categories, the City also uses Wayfinding signs. Wayfinding signs are signs erected by the City on arterial streets directing the public to public, civic, or nonprofit facilities. The number of locations where wayfinding signs can be located are limited.

Apply for a Sign Permit

Complete and submit a Sign Permit Application. A complete application includes site plan, sign design drawings, dimensions, mountings, and fees as described below.

• Provide two copies of the drawing of the sign, including dimensions and the following information (if applicable).

• For Monument Signs, please provide a site plan indicating where the sign(s) will be located and the distance from property lines.
• Information on how the sign(s) will be attached, mounted or placed in the ground.
• For Wall Signs, please provide the final sign dimensions and the wall square footage dimensions.

Permit Process

1. Submit sign permit application. Fees may be paid at submittal or issuance.
2. Plans are reviewed by both the Planning and Building Divisions for compliance with the sign ordinance and the building codes—this normally takes about 2 weeks.
3. You will receive an email from Community Development staff when your permit is approved and ready to be picked up.
4. After the sign is installed, call Community Development at (360) 491-5642 for an inspection.

Signs permitted in commercial and industrial areas include:

• Free-standing
• Informational
• Directional
• Internal circulation
• Marquee and awning
• Wall signs

Certain temporary signs are also permissible. 

A complete application includes site plan, sign design drawings, dimensions, mountings, and fees as described below.

Sign Type

• “Free-standing sign” means any sign which is supported by one or more uprights or braces in or upon the ground.

• “Wall sign” means any sign attached to or painted directly on the wall, or erected against the wall of a building being parallel or approximately parallel to said wall; and does not exceed a distance of fifteen inches from said wall.
• “Marquee” is a permanent roofed structure attached and supported by the building.

• “Awning” is a temporary shelter supported entirely from the exterior wall of a building.
• “Projecting sign” means a sign attached to a building or other structure and projecting away from the structure more than 12 inches.
• “Under canopy” means a sign placed under an awning, marquee, or canopy, and placed perpendicular to the storefront oriented to pedestrians on the sidewalk or an internal walkway.
• “Internal way-finding sign” means a sign used to aid customers in circulation within parking lots of commercial uses. 

Permitted Sign Categories by Land Use ( X = Permitted sign)

Freestanding Sign Sizes

Wall Sign Sizes

Temporary Signs

• Banners
• Sandwich Board Signs
• Construction Signs in residential and commercial zones
• Grand Opening Signs and Displays
• Special Event Signs
• Real Estate Signs
• Open House Signs
• Developed and Undeveloped Properties
• Temporary and Seasonal Business Operations Signs

Prohibited Signs

• Roof signs
• Animated signs
• Flashing signs
• Portable signs
• Signs that imitate an official traffic sign
• Signs projecting over or located on a sidewalk or public right-of-way (except awnings, marquees, or projecting signs in commercial zones)
• Signs attached to public owned poles like traffic signal/sign poles, and power or telephone poles
• Strings of banners pennants, and other graffiti-like material, except as described in Temporary Signs
• Free-standing pole/pylon signs

Signs allowed in within residential areas are:

• Free-standing
• Wall
• Fence

A complete application includes site plan, sign design drawings, dimensions, mountings, and fees as described below.

• Provide two copies of the drawing of the sign, including dimensions and the following information (if applicable).

• For Monument Signs, please provide a site plan indicating where the sign(s) will be located and the distance from property lines.
• Information on how the sign(s) will be attached, mounted or placed in the ground.
• For Wall Signs, please provide the final sign dimensions and the wall square footage dimensions.

Residential Temporary Signs

• Garage Sale Signs
• Political Signs
• Subdivision Signs

Permitted Home Occupation

• One flush mounted wall sign
• Maximum size of 2 square feet
• Can only be indirectly lit, no internal illumination

Neighborhood Considerations
Some Neighborhood or Homeowner Associations may have additional requirements for signs. Please check your neighborhood’s covenants and restrictions or contact your association’s representative for details.

Prohibited Signs

• Roof signs
• Animated signs
• Flashing signs
• Signs that imitate an official traffic sign
• Signs projecting over or located on a sidewalk or public right-of-way (except awnings or marquees in commercial zones)
• Signs attached to public owned poles like traffic signal/sign poles, and power or telephone poles
• Strings of banners pennants, and other graffiti-like material, except as described in Temporary Signs
• Free-standing pole/pylon signs

Temporary signs can be a helpful and cost effective method to publicize special or short-term needs. This type of signage is regulated to minimize the visual clutter which could result from a proliferation of signs.

Temporary Signs requiring a permit

Banners

• May not be used for permanent signage
• Must be made of durable materials and shall be well maintained
• Limited to two 30-day placements per calendar year
• May only be placed on building walls, tacked down on all four corners, and limited to
• 10% of wall area

Sandwich Board Signs

• For businesses that cater to pedestrians
• Shall be pedestrian oriented in nature
• Businesses are only permitted one sign
• Maximum sign area of 9 square feet, no wider than 3 feet
• Must be made of durable materials and shall be well maintained
• Signs may only be displayed during business hours, provisions shall be made to keep a sign in a well lit area after dark
• Signs may be located no further than 12 feet from the entrance to the business
• Signs must maintain 5 feet clearance on the sidewalk, not obstruct entrances, stairs, handicap ramps or be located within the vision triangle

Construction Signs

• May be displayed only after receipt of a building permit and during construction
• One sign permitted per site per public street where the project fronts Residential Zones
• Maximum size: 32 square feet
• Maximum height: 10 feet
• At least 10 feet from the property line and 10 feet from adjacent property line All Other Zones
• Maximum size: 32 square feet
• Maximum height: 10 feet
• At least 10 feet from the property line and 30 feet from adjacent property line

Grand Opening Signs / Displays

• Permitted for a maximum of seven days
• Only for the opening of a completely new enterprise or a business under new management
• All materials shall be removed immediately after the grand opening
• Grand opening temporary signs include: posters, banners, strings of pennants, balloons, searchlights, etc.

College Street Banner

• An application must be made with the Lacey City Manager’s Office, (360) 491-3214. Space is subject to scheduling. There is a $25.00 fee for hanging the banner.
• The banner is hung by City staff on City-owned poles located on College Street between 6th Avenue SE and Woodland Square Loop.
• This is only available for non-profit organizations or for governmental use.

Special Events Signs

• A special event is defined as a circus, carnival, festival or other similar event
• Placed only on private property
• Maximum size: 4 square feet
• May be displayed 30 days prior to the event and must be removed within 7 days of the conclusion of the event
• Business special events are allowed, not to exceed 30 days per year

Temporary Signs requiring no permit:

 Real Estate Signs (must be made of durable materials)

• Developed Residential Properties
• For sale signs must be located on the property being sold (no off-site directional signs)
• One “For Sale” sign is allowed per parcel
• Maximum size: 5 square feet
• Maximum height: 7 feet 

Open House Signs

• One “Open House” sign allowed on property for sale 
• Up to 3 open house signs directing toward the house. If more than one house within a subdivision, a maximum of 4 signs per subdivision is allowed.
• Open house signs must be placed within one mile of the open house
• Open house signs may only be displayed during daylight hours, while an agent is on the site and must state “open house” on the sign

Undeveloped Residential Properties

• There may be one sign used along the street frontage of the development to advertise buildable lots
• Maximum size: 32 square feet
• Maximum height: 7 feet
• Sign must be located at least 30 feet from property line
• The sign must be removed once all lots are developed

Subdivisions

• Subdivisions may have one cluster of flagpoles (up to 5 poles) in front of the sales office
• Flagpoles must be removed after all houses have sold

Developed Commercial / Industrial

• May be one sign used along the street frontage
• Maximum size: 32 square feet
• Maximum height: 7 feet
• If the sign is free standing, it must be located more than 15 feet from the property line or public right-of-way
• If one wall of the building is less than 10 feet from the building line, then the sign must be placed on the building or in a window 

Undeveloped Commercial / Industrial

• There may be one sign used along the street frontage
• Maximum size: 32 square feet
• Maximum height: 7 feet 

Temporary / Seasonal Sales

• Vendors who receive temporary business licenses are permitted one sign
• Maximum size: 20 square feet
• The sign shall be mounted to the booth or trailer used for the temporary sale 

Political Signs

• Maximum size: 10 square feet
• Located only on private property
• For candidates who are successful in the primary, signs may remain until 7 days after the final election
• Special election signs may be displayed for 60 days prior to the election and the signs must be removed within 7 days after the election

Garage Sale

• Sign is limited to one sign on the premises of the sale and 3 directional signs
• Maximum size: 4 square feet
• The signs may only be displayed during the sale and must be removed the day of the sale

Prohibited Signs

• Roof signs
• Animated signs
• Flashing signs
• Portable signs
• Signs that imitate an official traffic sign
• Signs projecting over or located on a sidewalk or public right-of-way (except awnings or marquees in commercial zones)
• Signs attached to public owned poles like traffic signal/sign poles, and power or telephone poles
• Strings of banners, pennants, and other graffiti-like material
• Free-standing pole/pylon signs