Bothell Sound

City Hall · Apr 15, 2025

Citywide sign code overhaul scheduled for public hearing and adoption

A citywide sign code update was scheduled for a public hearing on April 15, 2025, with adoption set for May 6, 2025. 1

What the records say

In materials published ahead of the April 15, 2025 meeting, the record said the city was scheduled to hold a public hearing on updates to Chapters 12.22 and 12.64 of the Bothell Municipal Code (BMC), which cover the sign code. 1 The record included a final draft of the updates and the Planning Commission's findings, conclusions, and recommendation as attachments. 1 The recommended action was to hold the public hearing, and the item was scheduled for adoption on May 6, 2025. 1 The Planning Commission's findings describe the amendments as implementing updates to align with recent court decisions requiring content-neutral standards and removing distinctions between on-premises and off-premises signs, including amendments and deletions across sections such as definitions, sign categories, permanent and temporary sign rules, and the deletion of separate real estate and campaign sign sections. 1 A Determination of Non-Significance under the State Environmental Policy Act was issued March 17, 2025. 1

  • A public hearing on updates to Chapters 12.22 and 12.64 BMC (Sign Code) was scheduled for April 15, 2025. 1
  • The Planning Commission's findings describe the amendments as aligning the sign code with recent court decisions requiring content-neutral standards and removing distinctions between on-premises and off-premises signs, including deletion of separate real estate and campaign sign sections. 1
  • The item was scheduled for adoption on May 6, 2025. 1

Why it matters

A citywide sign code overhaul can change what signs businesses, property owners, and residents can display, affecting storefronts, wayfinding, and neighborhood character. The adoption date is set for May 6, 2025, so residents and businesses may want to follow the outcome. 1

What changed / what's next

  • The proposed change is the update to Chapters 12.22 and 12.64 BMC, the city's sign code, applying citywide. 1
  • The adoption of the sign code update was scheduled for May 6, 2025. 1
  • The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome. 1
  • A SEPA Determination of Non-Significance for the proposal was issued March 17, 2025. 1