Sign Regulations in Tacoma, WA (2026)
4 verified sign regulations for Tacoma, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Tacoma treats political signs as temporary signs: capped at two per issue, 4 square feet per side, 3 feet tall, and must come down within 14 days of the event or after six months, whichever is sooner.
Tacoma Political Sign Size and Timing Limits
Some RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 13.06.090.I.3.k
A property owner, or another party with approval of the property owner, may place up to two signs per issue or event on private property or on the right-of-way adjacent to said private property... Signage shall not exceed 4 square feet in area per side (eight square feet total) and three feet in height. The duration of display of a temporary sign shall not exceed six months in any 12-month peri...
Holiday Displays
Seasonal decorations displayed on private property are exempt from Tacoma's sign permit requirements under TMC § 13.06.090.I.3.b(7), so homeowners can put up holiday lights and lawn displays without a sign permit.
Tacoma Exempts Holiday Yard Decorations
Few RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 13.06.090.I.3.b(7)
Exempt signs. The following signs shall be exempt from all requirements of this section and shall not require permits; however, this subsection is not to be construed as relieving the user of such signage from responsibility for its erection and maintenance, pursuant to Title 2 or any other law or ordinance relating to the same. (1) Changing of the advertising copy or message on a sign speci...
Digital Billboards
Tacoma bans off-premises digital billboards outright as a prohibited sign type, while allowing smaller on-site electronic message signs under separate brightness, size, and curfew standards.
Tacoma Digital Billboard Ban
Heavy RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 13.06.090.I.3.c(12)
Prohibited signs. The following commercial signs are prohibited, except as may be otherwise provided by this chapter: ... (12) Digital Billboards.
Window Signs
Tacoma exempts window signs from sign permits, but they can't cover more than 25% of the window area in commercial and mixed-use zones.
Tacoma Window Sign Coverage Cap
Some RestrictionsTacoma Municipal Code § 13.06.090I.3.c(9)
Window signs. Exempt, but shall not exceed 25 percent of the window area.
Looking for Pierce County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tacoma city rules.
Sign Regulations in Pierce County →