Richland, WA Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitted zones
- Commercial recreation, C-2 and C-3 districts only
- Location
- Freeway side of line 350 feet from interchange ROW
- Interchange ROW start
- Begins 1,500 feet from crossing street center
- Max height
- 80 feet maximum
- Max size
- 240 sq. ft., formula 12 times square root of F
- Enforcement
- Civil infraction; third violation becomes a misdemeanor
Summary
In the City of Richland, Washington, a freeway interchange sign is allowed only in the general business districts (commercial recreation, C-2 and C-3) and only on the freeway side of a line 350 feet from the interchange right-of-way, per RMC § 27.08.030(E)(1)(a). RMC Table 27.10.020(B) then caps the sign at 240 square feet, a height of 80 feet, and a size formula of 12 times the square root of the longest building wall.
"Sign, freeway interchange" means an on-premises freestanding sign located within the prescribed distance from the right-of-way boundary of a grade separated interchange that is designed and placed to attract the attention of freeway and interchange traffic. ... ... a. Freeway interchange signs are permitted, provided such signs are located on the freeway side of a line 350 feet from and parallel to the interchange right-of-way. The interchange right-of-way shall begin at a point along the freeway 1,500 feet from the center of the street passing over and under the freeway. b. Where freeway interchange signs are permitted or where more than one freestanding sign is permitted, the total allowable surface area may be increased by a multiplier of two; provided, that no individual freestanding sign shall exceed 240 square feet in surface area. ... TYPE OF SIGN MAXIMUM SIZE/AREA FORMULA MAXIMUM HEIGHT ... MINIMUM SETBACK ... Freeway Interchange Signs 240 sq. ft. 12 x square root of F (F = longest building wall) 80' ... Behind Property Line
Full Breakdown
Richland's code treats a "freeway interchange sign" as its own category: RMC § 27.06.175 defines it as an on-premises freestanding sign located within a prescribed distance of a grade-separated interchange's right-of-way and designed to attract freeway and interchange traffic. Under RMC § 27.08.030(E), which governs the commercial recreation (C-R), retail business (C-2) and general business (C-3) districts, such signs are permitted only on the freeway side of a line running 350 feet from and parallel to the interchange right-of-way; that right-of-way itself begins 1,500 feet along the freeway from the center of the street that crosses over or under it.
Subsection (E)(1)(b) then adds a size bonus: wherever a freeway interchange sign is permitted, or wherever more than one freestanding sign is allowed, the total allowable surface area for the site's freestanding signage doubles, but no single freestanding sign can exceed 240 square feet. The specific-provisions table at RMC § 27.10.020(B) sets the outer limits for the freeway interchange sign category directly: a maximum size of 240 square feet, computed by the formula 12 times the square root of the sign's longest building wall (denoted F), a maximum height of 80 feet, and a minimum setback placing the sign behind the property line.
A comparable freeway-corridor doubling rule appears again at RMC § 27.08.040(B)(1)(e) for business-center freestanding signs, letting those signs reach 80 feet and double their base area near a grade-separated interchange, provided the sign sits more than 300 feet from an R-1 or R-2 residential zone.
Violations & Fines
A freeway interchange sign built outside the permitted corridor, above 240 square feet, or taller than 80 feet is an unlawful sign and public nuisance under RMC § 27.12.030(A). The owner is subject to a civil infraction penalty set at RMC § 10.02.050(E), with each day of the violation a separate offense; a third violation at the same location escalates to a misdemeanor under RMC § 1.30.010, and the city can order removal or summarily abate the sign at the violator's cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in Richland can a freeway interchange sign be placed?
How tall and how big can a freeway interchange sign be?
Can a Richland business double the size of its freestanding sign near a freeway?
What penalty applies to an oversized freeway sign in Richland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richland
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