Tri-Cities Sign Size and Height Bylaws

Signs and Advertising Washington 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 10, 2026 Flag of Washington

Tri-Cities, Washington property owners and businesses must follow municipal sign size and height standards set by each city to ensure safety, visibility, and code compliance. This guide summarizes where sign rules live, who enforces them, typical permit steps, and how to appeal or request variances in Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco. It is written for owners, contractors, and property managers seeking clear next steps to install or modify permanent and temporary signs in the Tri-Cities area.

Penalties & Enforcement

Sign regulations are enforced by city planning, building, and code enforcement divisions; fines and sanctions vary by city and are documented in each municipal code. For city code text, consult the municipal codes for Kennewick, Richland, and Pasco [1][2][3].

  • Fines: specific dollar amounts or per-day penalties are not specified on the cited municipal code overview pages; see the city code chapters linked in the footnotes for details or contact the enforcement office.
  • Escalation: information on first, repeat, or continuing offence escalation is not specified on the cited overview pages and is handled per each city enforcement procedure.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: typical actions include stop-work orders, removal orders for nonconforming signs, administrative orders, and referral to municipal court for compliance; exact remedies are listed in each city code.
  • Enforcer: Planning, Building, or Code Enforcement divisions are the primary enforcers; complaints and inspections are initiated through each city's code enforcement contact points or permit counter.
  • Appeals & time limits: appeal routes are via administrative appeal to hearing examiner or municipal procedures; exact appeal time limits and procedures are not specified on the cited overview pages and must be confirmed in the relevant city code or appeal procedure documents.
Contact the local planning or code enforcement office promptly to avoid escalating penalties.

Applications & Forms

Most sign installs require a sign permit or plan review from the city planning or building department. Specific form names and fees are published by each city; if a published form or fee schedule is not available on the public pages, contact the permit counter.

Standards: Size, Height, Location, and Types

Each Tri-Cities jurisdiction sets numeric limits for sign area, height, and setbacks, and differentiates between permanent, temporary, projecting, awning, and digital signs. Review the municipal code chapter for dimensional tables and exemptions before design or purchase [1][2][3].

  • Permit requirement: permanent signs almost always require a permit and plan review.
  • Structural review: larger or taller signs may require building permits and structural calculations.
  • Visibility and safety: signs must not obstruct sight triangles, traffic signals, or pedestrian routes.
Temporary signs typically have shorter permitted durations and stricter placement rules than permanent signs.

Common Violations

  • Installing without a permit.
  • Exceeding permitted height or area limits.
  • Noncompliant illumination or electronic message content rules.

Action Steps

  • Confirm applicable rules in the local municipal code [1][2][3].
  • Prepare site plans, elevations, and structural calculations as required and submit to the city planning or building counter.
  • Pay permit fees as published by the city; if a fee is not listed online, request a fee estimate from the permit office.
  • Arrange inspections and obtain final sign approval before placing the sign into service.

FAQ

Do I need a permit for a new commercial sign?
Most new commercial signs require a permit and plan review from the local city; check the municipal code and contact the city planning department for specifics.
What if my sign is nonconforming to current code?
Nonconforming signs may be allowed to remain until replaced or may require a variance or amortization per the city code; consult code enforcement for options.
How long does a temporary sign stay permitted?
Temporary sign duration limits vary by city and sign type; check the specific municipal code chapter for time limits or contact the permit office.

How-To

  1. Review the local municipal code chapter for signs to confirm dimensional limits and permit requirements [1][2][3].
  2. Prepare required application materials: site plan, sign elevations, message content for electronic signs, and structural calculations if needed.
  3. Submit the application and pay fees at the city permit counter or online portal.
  4. Coordinate inspections and correct any cited deficiencies.
  5. Obtain final approval and keep permit documentation on file.

Key Takeaways

  • Each Tri-Cities city publishes its own sign rules; always check the local municipal code first.
  • Most permanent signs need a permit and may require structural review.
  • Contact the local planning or code enforcement office early to avoid fines or removal orders.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Kennewick municipal code - library.municode.com
  2. [2] Richland municipal code - library.municode.com
  3. [3] Pasco municipal code - library.municode.com

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