Off-premises and business signs adjacent to certain public highways.
Seattle Mun. Code § 23.55.042
in effectA. Intent. The purpose of this section is to implement the purpose and policy expressed by the Highway Advertising Control Act of the State of Washington in the regulation of outdoor off-premises signs adjacent to certain public highways, and this section is declared to be an exercise of the police power of the City to protect the public health, safety, convenience and the enjoyment of public travel, to attract visitors to the City and to conserve the beauty of the natural and built environment by regulating the size and location of certain signs adjacent to certain designated freeways, expressways, parkways and scenic routes within the City. This section shall be liberally construed for the accomplishment of these purposes and is intended to be additional and supplemental to other laws regulating the size and location of signs. B. Off-premises and Business Signs Prohibited Near Certain Areas. No off-premises sign or business sign shall be erected within six hundred sixty (660) feet outgoing from the nearest edge of the main traveled way of any landscaped and/or scenic view section of a freeway, expressway, parkway or scenic route designated by this subsection and shown on Exhibit 23.55.042 A (Type A sections), and no off-premises sign shall be erected within two hundred (200) feet in any direction from the main traveled way of the exit and entrance ramps thereto, if any part of the advertising matter or informative content of the sign is visible from any place on the traveled way of the landscaped and/or scenic view section or ramp, except as provided in subsections C and D: 1. West Seattle Freeway from Harbor Avenue S.W. to 35th Avenue S.W.; 2. The west side of the Alaskan Freeway from South Connecticut Street to the west portal of the Battery Street Tunnel. The east side of the Alaskan Freeway from South Connecticut Street to the west portal of the Battery Street Tunnel; 3. Interstate Highway No. 5 from the north City limits to the south City limits; 4. Interstate Highway No. 90 from the east City limits to Interstate Highway No. 5; 5. State Route 520 (Evergreen Point Bridge) to Interstate Highway No. 5. C. Business Signs Permitted on Type A Landscaped and Scenic View Sections. The following business signs shall be permitted outright on Type I landscaped and scenic view sections: 1. Stationary, nonflashing business signs on the face of a structure, the total area of which shall not exceed ten (10) percent of the face of the structure or two hundred fifty (250) square feet, whichever is less; 2. Stationary, nonflashing freestanding business signs, of which the total area visible from any place on the traveled way of the landscaped and/or scenic view section does not exceed seventy-five (75) square feet, and not exceeding thirty (30) feet in height including structures and component parts as measured from the grade immediately below the sign; 3. Real estate "for sale" or "for rent" signs, provided the total area of all such signs on any lot shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet; 4. Stationary, nonflashing business signs for gas stations, the area of a single face of which shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet and the total combined area of which shall not exceed two hundred fifty (250) square feet, which may be apportioned among freestanding business signs not exceeding thirty (30) feet in height and business signs on the face of a structure. D. Discretionary Exceptions. 1. Discretionary exceptions from the provisions of subsection B may be issued for the types of signs listed in subsection D2 as a Type I decision under Chapter 23.76 , Master Use Permits and Council Land Use Decisions, when the Director finds that the following criteria are met: a. The exception will not make difficult the viewing and comprehending by motorists and pedestrians of official or conforming signs; and b. The exception will not increase the density of signs along a designated landscaped and/or scenic view section to an extent tending to constitute a hazard to traffic safety or a detriment to the appearance of the neighborhood; and c. The exception will not allow a sign to impinge upon a view of scenic interest. 2. Discretionary exemptions may be permitted for the following types of signs: a. Business signs composed of letters, numbers or designs individually painted or mounted directly on a structure; b. Business signs on a structure which extend not more than twelve (12) feet in height above the face of the structure, provided that the maximum permitted area of such signs, except for gas station signs, shall be reduced by fifty (50) percent; c. Time, temperature and/or stock index recording devices as part of a business sign; d. Business signs on a structure face of five thousand (5,000) square feet or more, the area of which exceeds two hundred fifty (250) square feet but which in no case exceeds five (5) percent of the area of the face of the structure; e. Except signs for gas stations, freestanding business signs on the same premises with business signs on the face of a structure. E. Off-premises Signs Prohibited Near Certain Areas. No off-premises sign shall be erected within six hundred sixty (660) feet outgoing from the nearest edge of the main traveled way of any landscaped and/or scenic view section designated by this subsection (Type B section) and shown on Exhibit 23.55.042 A, and no off-premises signs shall be erected within two hundred (200) feet in any direction from the main traveled way of the exit or entrance ramps thereto, if any part of the advertising matter or informative content of the off-premises sign is visible from any place on the traveled way of the landscaped and/or scenic view section or ramp. 1. The east side of Aurora Avenue North from the George Washington Memorial Bridge (Raye Street) to Prospect Street; 2. The east side of Dexter Avenue North from Westlake Avenue North to Aloha Street; 3. The east side of Westlake Avenue North from the Fremont Bridge to Valley Street; 4. The west side of Fairview Avenue North and Fairview Avenue East from Valley Street to the Lake Union Ship Canal; 5. The north side of Valley Street from Westlake Avenue North to Fairview Avenue North; 6. The south side of North 34th Street from the Fremont Bridge to North Pacific Street; 7. The south side of North Northlake Way and Northeast Northlake Way from the George Washington Memorial Bridge to Tenth Avenue Northeast; 8. The east side of Harbor Avenue Southwest from Southwest Florida Street to Duwamish Head; 9. The northwesterly side of Alki Avenue Southwest from Duwamish Head to Alki Point; 10. Lake Washington Boulevard and Lake Washington Boulevard South from Interstate 90 to Denny Blaine Park; 11. The perimeter streets of Green Lake, consisting of Aurora Avenue North from West Green Lake Way North to West Green Lake Drive North; West Green Lake Drive North; East Green Lake Way North; and West Green Lake Way North; 12. Northwest 54th Street and Seaview Avenue Northwest from the Hiram Chittenden Locks to Golden Gardens Park; 13. All streets forming the perimeter of Seattle Center, as follows: Mercer Street from Warren Avenue North to Fifth Avenue North; Fifth Avenue North from Mercer Street to Broad Street; Broad Street from Fifth Avenue North to Denny Way; Denny Way from Broad Street to Second Avenue North; Second Avenue North from Denny Way to Thomas Street; Thomas Street from Second Avenue North to First Avenue North; First Avenue North from Thomas Street to Republican Street; Republican Street from First Avenue North to Warren Avenue; Warren Avenue from Republican Street to Mercer Street; 14. The south side of North Pacific Street and Northeast Pacific Street from 34th Street North to Latona Avenue Northeast; 15. Fourth Avenue South from Airport Way South to South Royal Brougham and South Royal Brougham Way from Fourth Avenue South to Occidental Avenue South. (Ord. 119239 § 33, 1998; Ord. 116780 , § 4, 1993; Ord. 112830, § 10(part), 1986.) Exhibit 23.55.042A
Source: Seattle Municipal Code (Municode library)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_codeFetched: 7/25/2026