Signs in IB, IC, IG1 and IG2 zones
Seattle Mun. Code § 23.55.036
in effectA. No sign shall have rotating or moving parts that revolve at a speed in excess of seven revolutions per minute. B. Signs may be electric, externally illuminated, or nonilluminated or may use video display methods when the sign meet the development standards in Section 23.55.005 , Video display methods. C. Flashing signs are prohibited. D. On-premises signs 1. The following signs are permitted in addition to the signs permitted by subsections 23.55.036.D.2, 23.55.036.D.3, and 23.55.036.D.4: a. Electric, externally illuminated or non-illuminated signs bearing the name of the occupant of a dwelling unit, not exceeding 64 square inches in area; b. Memorial signs or tablets, and the names of buildings and dates of building erection if cut into a masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other noncombustible materials; c. Signs for public facilities indicating danger and/or providing service or safety information; d. National, state and institutional flags; e. One under-marquee sign not exceeding 10 square feet in area; f. One electric, externally illuminated or non-illuminated sign bearing the name of a home occupation, not exceeding 5 square feet in area. 2. Number and type of signs allowed for business establishments a. Except as further restricted in subsection 23.55.036.D.5, each business establishment may have one ground, roof, projecting, or combination sign (Type A sign) for each 300 lineal feet, or portion thereof, of frontage on public rights-of-way, except alleys. b. In addition to the signs allowed by subsection 23.55.036.D.2.a, each business establishment may have one wall, awning, canopy, marquee, or under-marquee sign (Type B sign) for each 30 lineal feet, or portion thereof, of frontage on public rights-of-way, except alleys. c. Multiple business centers may have one pole, ground, wall, marquee, under-marquee, projecting or combination sign for each 300 lineal feet, or portion thereof, of frontage on public rights-of-way, except alleys. d. Individual businesses that are not drive-in businesses and that are not located in multiple business centers may have one pole sign in lieu of a Type A sign permitted by subsection 23.55.036.D.2.a for each 300 lineal feet, or portion thereof, of frontage on public rights-of-way, except alleys. e. In addition to the signs allowed by subsections 23.55.036.d.2.a and 23.55.036.D.2.b, drive-in business establishments may have one pole sign for each 300 lineal feet, or portion thereof, of frontage on public rights-of-way, except alleys. f. Where the principal use or activity on the lot is outdoor retail sales, banners and strings of pennants maintained in good condition shall be permitted in addition to the signs permitted by subsections 23.55.036.D.2.a and 23.55.036.D.2.b. 3. Maximum area. There is no maximum area limit for on-premises signs for business establishments, except as follows: a. As set forth in subsection 23.55.036.D.5; and b. The maximum area for each wall sign is 672 square feet except that the maximum area for each wall sign for spectator sports facilities with a seating capacity of 40,000 or greater shall be 3,000 square feet. 4. Identification signs for multifamily structures. a. One identification sign shall be permitted on each street or alley frontage of a multifamily structure. b. Identification signs may be wall, ground, awning, canopy, marquee, under-marquee, or projecting signs. c. The maximum area of each sign shall be 72 square feet. 5. Sign height a. The maximum height for any portion of a projecting or combination sign shall be 65 feet above existing grade, or the maximum height limit of the zone, whichever is less. b. The maximum height limit for any portion of a pole sign shall be 30 feet; except for pole signs for multiple business centers and for business establishments located within 100 feet of a state route right-of-way which is not designated in Section 23.55.042 as a landscaped or scenic view section, which shall have a maximum height of 40 feet. c. The maximum height for any portion of a wall, marquee, under-marquee, or canopy sign shall be 20 feet or the height of the cornice of the structure to which the sign is attached, whichever is greater. d. No portion of a roof sign shall: (1) Extend beyond the height limit of the zone for office uses, except that spectator sports facilities with a seating capacity of 40,000 or greater and more than one roof level may have up to two identification signs, with the vertical dimension of lettering or characters limited to 12 feet and a maximum total area for both signs limited to 3,000 square feet; provided, the sign height does not exceed the highest roof level. One additional identification sign may be applied to each surface of the highest roof level, provided it does not exceed the height of that roof level. (2) Exceed a height above the roof in excess of the height of the structure on which the sign is located; or (3) Exceed a height of 30 feet above the roof measured from a point on the roof line directly below the sign or from the nearest adjacent parapet. E. Off-premises Signs. 1. Identifying Signs for Business Districts. Each business district may have up to two (2) identifying ground, pole, wall, or projecting signs which may list businesses located in the district. The identifying signs shall not be located in a residential zone, and shall meet the standard of Section 23.55.014 , Off-premises signs. 2. When accessory parking is provided on a lot other than the lot where the principal use is located, off-premises directional signs five (5) square feet or less in area identifying the accessory parking shall be permitted. 3. Off-premises directional signs and advertising signs in addition to those permitted by subsections E1, E2, and E3 shall be permitted according to Section 23.55.014 , Off-premises signs. 4. Sign kiosks as provided in Section 23.55.015 are permitted. F. Signs Near Residential Zones. When located within fifty (50) feet of an abutting lot in a residential zone, electrical and externally illuminated signs shall be oriented so that no portion of the sign face is visible from an existing or permitted principal structure on the abutting lot. (Ord. 126845 , § 6, 2023; Ord. 124457, § 4, 2014; Ord. 123649, § 43, 2011; Ord. 120611 , § 15, 2001; Ord. 120466 , § 5, 2001; Ord. 120388 , § 12, 2001; Ord. 119391 § 1, 1999; Ord. 113658 § 11, 1987.)
Source: Seattle Municipal Code (Municode library)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_codeFetched: 7/25/2026