Spokane Municipal Code

Table 17C.240.230-1
Standards for Permanent Signs in
Commercial, Center and Corridor, and Industrial Zones [1]

DTC, DTG, DTU, DTS, GC, LI & HI [8]

CC2, CB, & CA3 [2][8]

O, OR, NR, NMU

CC1, CA1 & CA2 [2]

CC4 [2]

SIGNS ATTACHED TO BUILDINGS

Size Allocation

1-1/2 sq. ft. per 1 ft. of primary building wall or 15 percent of the primary building wall, whichever is greater

1 sq. ft. per 1 ft. of primary building wall if a freestanding sign is also on the same street frontage,
1-1/2 sq. ft. per 1 ft. of primary building wall if there is no freestanding sign on the same street frontage

Same

Same

15 sq. ft.

Maximum Number

No limit within size allocation

Same

Same

Same

1

Maximum Area Per Sign

250 sq. ft. In the DT Zones, the maximum area per sign attached to a building is not limited

100 sq. ft.

50 sq. ft.

50 sq. ft.

15 sq. ft.

Minimum Guaranteed Sign Area for a Ground Floor Tenant Space

32 sq. ft.

Same

Same

Same

15 sq. ft.

TYPES ALLOWED

Fascia, Awning, Marquee, Roof Mounted, Painted Wall

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Projecting

Yes, but no projecting signs if a freestanding sign is also on the same street frontage

Same

Same

Same

Same

FREESTANDING SIGNS

Maximum Number

1 per site or 1 per 300 ft. of arterial street frontage and 1 for each additional 300 ft. or fraction thereof [3]

1 per arterial street frontage

1 per arterial street frontage

1 monument sign per arterial street frontage

1 monument sign per building

When Not Allowed

Not Limited

Not allowed if there is already a projecting sign on the same site frontage, or if existing signs attached to buildings exceed the limit of 1 sq. ft. to 1 ft. of primary building wall

Same

Same

Not allowed if there is already a wall or projecting sign

Size Allocation for All Freestanding Signs

1 sq. ft. per 1 ft. of arterial street frontage
Local street frontage can be used if there are not arterial site frontages

Same

Same

Same

15 sq. ft.

Size Limit

250 sq. ft.

75 sq. ft. [5]

50 sq. ft. [5]

50 sq. ft.

15 sq. ft.

Maximum Height [6]

35 ft.

In the DTS zone, the maximum height is 60 ft.

20 ft.

20 ft.

5 ft.

5 ft.

ADDITIONAL SIGNS ALLOWED

Directional Signs, Temporary Signs [7]

See SMC 17C.240.243(D) and SMC 17C.240. 244

Yes = Allowed      No = Prohibited
Notes:
[1] Temporary signs are regulated under SMC 17C.240. 244(H), Temporary Signs.
[2] Signs in CC and CA zones are subject to the standards and guidelines contained in the Initial Design Standards and Guidelines for Centers and Corridors.
[3] On sites with frontages longer than 300 feet, sign area earned from the first 300 feet may not be used on the second sign. For example, a 350-foot street frontage may have a 200 sq. ft. and a 50 sq. ft. freestanding sign. Interstate freeways, United States highways, state routes that are not also City of Spokane Arterials are not considered arterial streets for purposes of this Title. Sites with frontage on more than one arterial are allowed a freestanding sign on each arterial. The size allocation for each freestanding sign shall be calculated independently using only the length of the arterial frontage adjacent to the freestanding sign. The square footage allowance for freestanding signs for one arterial shall not be transferred to other arterials.
[4] Where a site has no arterial street frontage, one freestanding sign is allowed.
[5] The maximum sign area may be an additional twenty-five square feet for each additional business on a site having more than one business, up to a maximum area of one hundred fifty square feet.
[6] This height limit is for the total height of the combined sign face and sign structure.
[7] These signs may be allowed in addition to signs attached to buildings and freestanding signs when they meet the standards of SMC 17C.240. 243 (D) and SMC 17C.240. 244.
[8] Signage standards for mini-storage facilities are listed in 17C.350. Mini-storage facilities are not permitted in the DTC or CA3 zone.

Table 17C.240.230-2
Sign Features for All Signs in Table 17C.240.230-1

GC, CC2, Downtown, CB, LI, HI, O, OR, NR, NMU, CC1 & CC4

Electronic Message Center Sign Features

Allowed [1][2]

Lighting

Direct, Indirect, or Internal

Maximum Distance
Extending into ROW

See SMC 17C.240.220(E)

Maximum Area
Extending into ROW

See SMC 17C.240.220(E)

Bonus Allowance for Outstanding Design

See SMC 17C.240.290

Notes:
[1] Electronic Message Center sign features are allowed in the GC, CC2, Downtown, CB, LI, HI O, OR, NR, NMU, & CC1 zones if they meet the standards of SMC 17C.240.240, Electronic Message Center Signs.
[2] Electronic Message Center sign features are not allowed in the CC4 Zone