Sign Regulations in Island County, WA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Island County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Island County exempts political signs from its local sign permit process and defers to state law instead. Section 17.03.180.R.3.j lists 'political signs in accordance with state law' as an exemption from the county's sign regulations, so campaign signs don't need a county building permit.
Political Sign Rules in Island County
Few RestrictionsIsland County Code §§ 17.03.040, 17.03.180.R.3.j
Sign, political means a temporary sign announcing or supporting political candidates or issues in connection with any national, state, or local election. ... 3.Exemptions. The following sign types are exempt from the requirements of this section: ... j.Political signs in accordance with state law;
Garage Sale Signs
Island County treats garage sale signs as 'special event or temporary' signs under section 17.03.040, capped at 30 calendar days per display and one 30-day period per calendar year under section 17.03.180.R.3.p. A temporary sign permit is required to verify and monitor those time limits.
Garage Sale Sign Rules in Island County
Some RestrictionsIsland County Code §§ 17.03.040, 17.03.180.R.3.p
Sign, special event or temporary means a sign or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, fabric, plywood, or other light material and designed or intended to be displayed for a short period of time. This definition includes signs advertising private sales of personal property such as "house sales," "garage sales," "rummage sales," and the like or private not-for-profit events such as ...
Holiday Displays
Island County exempts holiday and seasonal decoration signs from its sign permit requirements entirely. Section 17.03.180.R.3.f lists 'holiday and seasonal decoration signs' among the exemptions, and section 17.03.040 defines them as temporary signs clearly incidental to a recognized holiday, with no county-set removal deadline.
Holiday Decoration Sign Rules in Island County
Few RestrictionsIsland County Code §§ 17.03.040, 17.03.180.R.3.f
Sign, holiday decoration means temporary signs, in the nature of decorations, clearly incidental to and customarily and commonly associated with any national, local or religious holiday. ... 3.Exemptions. The following sign types are exempt from the requirements of this section: ... f.Holiday and seasonal decoration signs;
Digital Billboards
Unincorporated Island County bans electronic messaging center signs and any sign that animates, moves, flashes or strobes. Section 17.03.180.R.4 lists both among the sign types 'prohibited' countywide, so digital billboards and changeable electronic message boards cannot be permitted on private property outside the incorporated cities.
Digital and Electronic Sign Ban in Island County
Heavy RestrictionsIsland County Code § 17.03.180.R.4
4.Prohibited signs. The following sign types are prohibited:a.Animated signs and signs that move, flash, or strobe;b.Electronic messaging center signs; ... e.Pole signs, either new or replacement, that exceed eighteen (18) feet in height or the height of the building associated with the sign, whichever is less;
All Island County ordinances
See every category we cover for Island County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Island County Ordinance Hub →