Sign Regulations in Olympia, WA (2026)
5 verified sign regulations for Olympia, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
In the City of Olympia, Washington, political signs fall under the noncommercial speech sign standards of OMC 18.43.085, and the content is not regulated. Homes in the Residential Sign Zone can post any number of signs up to ten square feet and four feet tall, set back five feet. Signs in the public right of way are capped at six square feet.
Olympia WA Political and Noncommercial Sign Rules
Light RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 18.43.085
Noncommercial speech signs express noncommercial messages such as public/ community events, religious, political, ideological, or other philosophical messages. ... The content of such signs is not regulated but the sign is subject to 18.43.060, any placement standards for the sign type in Section 18.43.080, and the following requirements: ... B. On private property in Residential Sign Zone: 1. ...
Garage Sale Signs
In the City of Olympia, Washington, a garage, yard, moving or patio sale can use one sign on the premises and three off-premises signs, each no larger than four square feet. No sign permit is required, the signs stay up only during the sale, and they must come down the day the sale ends.
Olympia WA Garage Sale Sign Limits and Removal
Some RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 18.43.130
1. Noncommercial. ... All temporary signs in the residential sign zone shall only display noncommercial copy, unless otherwise allowed (e.g. real estate, construction signs). For the purposes of this chapter, garage and yard sale signs are considered to be temporary and noncommercial signage. ... 7. Garage Sale (Yard Sales, Moving Sales, Patio Sales). No sign permit or Temporary Sign Agreement ...
Digital Billboards
In the City of Olympia, Washington, billboard signs sit on the prohibited list in Olympia Municipal Code 18.43.050, and the same list bans animated signs. Electronic message signs survive only in narrow forms, such as public service signs at academic schools and one shopping center development identification sign, each under brightness, hold-time and fade standards.
Olympia WA Digital Billboard and Electronic Sign Rules
Heavy RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 18.43.050
18.43.050 Prohibited Signs Unless otherwise provided for in this chapter, no person shall erect, alter, maintain, or relocate any of the following signs as defined in 18.02.180 in the City and such existing signs must be removed. ... B. Animated Signs. Any animated sign, except traditional barber signs. ... D. Billboard Signs. ... K. Abandoned Signs.
Window Signs
In the City of Olympia, Washington, window signs are permitted in the Downtown, Auto Mall, and Business and Corridor Sign Zones, with noncommercial window signs only in the Residential Sign Zone. They cannot be animated, and coverage is capped by zone: 35 percent of the window area in Business & Corridor, 25 percent in the Auto Mall and Residential zones.
Olympia WA Window Sign Rules and Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 18.43.080
H. Window Signs. ... Where permitted, the following standards shall apply: ... 1. Window signs can be of a temporary nature (e.g. a poster in a window) or of a more permanent nature (e.g. professional lettering adhered to the window; opaque or semitransparent film with or without graphics or text). All of these sign types can be removed and replaced. Window signs with commercial or noncommercia...
Freeway-Facing Signs
In the City of Olympia, Washington, pole signs are permitted only in the Freeway Corridor design review district and the Auto Mall Sign Zone. Next to I-5 or US Highway 101, a pole sign is limited to multifamily complexes, shopping centers, and industrial complexes, one per development, and it counts as one of the permitted freestanding signs.
Olympia WA Freeway Corridor Pole Sign Rules
Some RestrictionsOlympia Municipal Code § 18.43.070
N. Pole Signs. 1. Sign Structure - Pole signs are permitted in Freeway Corridor design review district and the Auto Mall Sign Zone. 2. Use limits - if property is adjacent to freeway, pole signs are limited to multifamily complexes, shopping centers, and industrial complexes. 3. For the purposes of calculating the number of permitted signs, pole signs are subject to the standards for freestandi...
Looking for Thurston County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Olympia city rules.
Sign Regulations in Thurston County →