Auburn's Sign Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles sign regulations a little differently. In Auburn, Washington, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Holiday Displays

Auburn permits seasonal holiday lights and displays on residential property without a permit. Displays must avoid creating a traffic sight hazard or excessive light trespass onto neighbors.

Key details: Permit: Not required for residential displays. Noise: Quiet hours apply per ACC 8.28. Placement: Private property, not ROW. Electrical: Must meet NEC outdoor standards.

Extreme light trespass, obstruction of sight triangles, or music-synced displays violating noise limits can trigger civil infractions under ACC 8.28 or ACC 8.12 after complaints and a courtesy notice.

Auburn is more permissive than most cities when it comes to holiday displays. That said, there are still limits.

Political Signs

Auburn allows temporary political signs on private property with owner permission under ACC 18.56. Signs cannot block sight distance and must be removed shortly after the election.

Key details: Code Reference: ACC Chapter 18.56 Signs. Residential Max: Typically 6 square feet per face. Placement: Private property only. Post-Election: Remove within about 10 days.

Signs in the public right-of-way or attached to utility poles can be removed by the city without notice and discarded. Signs exceeding size limits can result in a civil infraction under ACC 18.56 after written notice to the property owner.

Auburn is more permissive than most cities when it comes to political signs. That said, there are still limits.

Garage Sale Signs

Auburn allows temporary garage sale signs on private property during the sale under ACC 18.56. Signs in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, or on street trees are prohibited and can be removed.

Key details: Code Reference: ACC Chapter 18.56 Signs. Permit: Not required for residential event signs. Placement: Private property only, not ROW. Removal: By end of sale or within 24 hours.

Signs placed in the public right-of-way or on utility poles may be removed by the city and discarded without notice. Sign violations on private property can result in civil infractions under ACC 18.56 after written notice.

Auburn is more permissive than most cities when it comes to garage sale signs. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Auburn gives residents more room on sign regulations. 3 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Auburn can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.