Type 1 – Standard Channel Letter Front Lit
Classic lit letters that read clearly from the road.
Starting at $13 $11.70 Per Inch
Washington city guide
Storefront Signs and Channel Letters for Tacoma Businesses
Tacoma businesses can order custom channel letters and storefront graphics from our Renton shop, about 25 miles up I-5, and have them shipped ready for a licensed Tacoma installer.
- Sign permitCity of Tacoma Planning & Development Services
- Electrical permitTacoma Power, where it is your utility
- Installer licenseNo separate city sign installer license since 2019
- Right-of-way workBond required for work over the city right-of-way
How it works
Ordering a Storefront Sign for Tacoma, WA
Two things are specific to Tacoma. Sign permits go through the City’s Planning & Development Services under the Tacoma Municipal Code, and for properties served by Tacoma Power, the electrical permit and inspection come from Tacoma Power rather than from L&I.
We build and ship; a local pro installs. Your sign is made and tested in Renton, Washington and shipped to your door with a wiring diagram and install pattern. A licensed sign installer or electrician in Tacoma, WA mounts and connects it. We don’t have an office or installation crew in Tacoma.
Who can install it
Who Can Install and Connect a Sign in Tacoma
Tacoma used to require a separate city regulatory license for sign installers and maintainers. According to the City, that license has not been required since July 15, 2019; sign work still needs a sign permit from Planning & Development Services, and Washington’s L&I rules still apply to installing a lit sign.
The electrical connection still needs a Washington L&I-certified electrician working for a licensed electrical contractor. If Tacoma Power serves your property, it issues the electrical permit and performs the inspection.
| Electrical permits & inspection | Tacoma Power, 3628 S 35th St (253-502-8277), for properties it serves; otherwise L&I |
|---|---|
| City sign installer license | Not required since July 15, 2019 (sign permit still required) |
Official sources
- City of Tacoma: Sign erectors (license change and permit requirements)
- L&I: Cities and utilities that issue their own electrical permits (Tacoma Power)
Rules change. Always confirm with the office that issues your permit before you order.
Permits
Tacoma Sign Permits
Installing or maintaining a sign in Tacoma requires a sign permit from Planning & Development Services. The City’s requirements include a certificate of insurance naming the City as certificate holder (minimum $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident for injury, and $50,000 for property damage), and a right-of-way bond when the work is done in, on, over or from the City right-of-way, which can apply to projecting signs or work from the sidewalk.
| Permit office | City of Tacoma Planning & Development Services |
|---|---|
| Insurance | Certificate naming the City: $100,000 / $300,000 injury, $50,000 property damage |
| Right-of-way | Bond for work in, on, over or from the City right-of-way |
New to sign permits? Read how sign permits work and what your electrician needs.
Official sources
Rules change. Always confirm with the office that issues your permit before you order.
Delivery
Shipping to Tacoma, WA
Standard shipping takes 3–6 business days in transit; 3-day, 2-day and overnight shipping are available at checkout. Every sign is made to order, and the estimated ship date for each shipping speed, including production, is shown at checkout. See shipping options and prices.
Planning for Tacoma weather
Tacoma’s wet winters call for well-sealed wall penetrations. Near the port and waterfront, ask your installer about corrosion-resistant fasteners for the salt air.
Popular choices
Popular Choices for Tacoma Businesses
Type 3 – Standard Channel Letter Front & Back Lit
Face and halo glow together for a bold night look.
Starting at $17 $15.30 Per Inch
Feather Angled Flag
Roadside flags for car lots and strip centers.
Starting at $134.79 $119.28 per item
Questions
Tacoma Storefront Sign FAQ
Who issues the electrical permit for a sign in Tacoma?
If Tacoma Power is your electric utility, Tacoma Power issues the electrical permit and inspects the work. Otherwise the permit comes from L&I.
Does a sign installer need a City of Tacoma license?
Not anymore. Tacoma stopped requiring its regulatory license for sign installers on July 15, 2019, but the sign still needs a city sign permit, and the electrical connection needs a licensed electrician.
Can I get a channel letter sign near me in Tacoma?
Yes. We make channel letters in Renton and ship them to Tacoma addresses, ready for your local installer. We don’t install or offer pickup.
Keep reading
Guides and Products
- Custom Channel LettersEvery lit style, priced online
- Channel Letter CostReal prices by style and height
- Sign BuilderDesign and price your sign
- Sign Permit HelpWhat the city and your electrician need
- Installation GuideRaceway vs. direct mount
- Banners & DisplaysGrand opening banners, flags, stands
- Washington State GuideLicensing and statewide rules
Other Washington city guides
Planning a Sign in Tacoma, WA?
Send your storefront photo, logo and your landlord’s sign criteria. We’ll suggest a size and style that fits Tacoma rules and give you a price before you order.
- Mon–Fri, 8:00am–5:00pm PST
- Made in Renton, WA · shipped to all 50 states