Yakima County, WA Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Eligible uses
- Hotels, motels, restaurants, service stations, fruit stands
- Distance test
- Within 1,000 ft of an I-82 interchange
- Alt. distance test
- Within 250 ft of the I-82 right-of-way
- Sign limit
- One freeway sign per lot or development
- Single-frontage bonus
- Freeway sign added, freestanding sign kept
- Height cap
- Per Table 19.20-4 freestanding sign limits
Summary
Yakima County Code § 19.20.150 lets hotels, motels, restaurants, service stations, and fruit stands near Interstate 82 swap one allowable freestanding sign for a larger freeway sign. A qualifying business must sit within 1,000 feet of an I-82 interchange or 250 feet of the I-82 right-of-way, with only one freeway sign per lot, complex, or development.
(1) Purpose. This Section permits hotels and motels, restaurants, service stations, and fruit stands near Interstate Highway 82 to have larger on-premises signs to inform freeway travelers of their service.
(2) Location. A use with more than one street frontage may substitute a freeway sign for one of its allowable freestanding signs when the use or portion thereof, is:
(a) Within 1,000 feet of an I-82 interchange; or
(b) Within 250 feet of the I-82 right-of-way.
(3) Number of Freeway Signs. Only one freeway sign is permitted on each lot, multiple-use complex or for each development, whichever is most restrictive.
(4) Uses with Only One Frontage. Uses within the area with only one public road frontage may install a freeway sign in addition to the permitted freestanding sign.
(5) Sign Height. The maximum height for freeway signs is shown in Table 19.20-4.
Table 19.20-1. Type of Signs Permitted SIGN TYPE ZONING DISTRICTS AG, FW, RT, Rural-10/5, R/ELDP-40 RS SR R-1 R-2 R-3 B-1 B-2 SCC LCC GC HTC M-1 M-2 MIN On-Premises Signs (2) Changing message center signs Accessory to a permitted use Not permitted Video signs (1) Accessory to a permitted use Not permitted
Freestanding signs (excluding Freeway signs), subject to Sections 19.20.120 & 19.20.140, including those integrated with entry gates for identification Accessory to a permitted use Projecting signs, subject to Section 19.20.090. Wall signs, subject to Section 19.20.100.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4871853; v6 updated 2026-04-21; through 04-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
150 exists, in the code's own words, to permit hotels and motels, restaurants, service stations, and fruit stands near Interstate Highway 82 to have larger on-premises signs to inform freeway travelers of their service. A use with frontage on more than one street can substitute a freeway sign for one of its normally allowable freestanding signs when the business sits within 1,000 feet of an I-82 interchange, or within 250 feet of the I-82 right-of-way. Only one freeway sign is permitted per lot, per multiple-use complex, or per development, whichever limit is most restrictive.
150(4) lets it add the freeway sign in addition to its permitted freestanding sign. 20-4, the same table that sets height limits for freestanding and off-premises signs generally, so a freeway sign cannot exceed the district's ordinary freestanding-sign height even though it is aimed at highway traffic rather than the local street. 30 before the Reviewing Official approves installation.
Violations & Fines
Yakima County Code Title 21 governs enforcement of Chapter 19.20's sign standards, including freeway signs. The Code Enforcement Official in the Department of Public Services investigates complaints, issues notices of violation for an oversized, unpermitted, or extra freeway sign, and can pursue civil infractions, fines, or liens against the property under Sections 21.01.020 and 21.01.040 if the owner does not bring the sign into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What businesses qualify for a freeway sign in Yakima County?
Can a business have both a freeway sign and its regular sign?
How tall can a freeway sign be in Yakima County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima County
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