Tacoma, WA Sign Regulations: Window Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Coverage cap
- 25% of window area
- Permit if under cap
- Not required (exempt)
- Applies in
- Downtown, commercial, industrial districts
- Governing code
- TMC § 13.06.090I sign standards
Summary
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.
Window signs. Exempt, but shall not exceed 25 percent of the window area.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4946110; v22 updated 2026-07-28).
Full Breakdown
Under Tacoma's sign code, a window sign is on the list of signs exempt from permitting. That exemption isn't unlimited: the district sign standards tables for the Downtown (DCC, DMU, WR, DR), Commercial (C-1, C-2, CIX, CCX, UCX, M-1, M-2, PMI) and T-district groups each state window signs are 'exempt, but shall not exceed 25 percent of the window area.' Cross a display window's 25% threshold and the sign no longer qualifies for the exemption and must meet the Section 13.06.090I sign standards, including a permit.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding 25% of the window area without a permit is a sign code violation, enforceable through Land Use Code Enforcement (TMC § 13.05.150), which can require the sign brought into compliance or removed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a window sign in Tacoma?
What if my window display covers more than a quarter of the glass?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tacoma
Compare Tacoma to another location·View the Washington sign regulations overview
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Window Signs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle window signs.