Sign Regulations in Pierce County, WA (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Pierce County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Unincorporated Pierce County treats a political sign as a "yard sign" under PCC 18B.10.040, the temporary-sign chapter of the county's sign code. Yard signs face no cap on quantity and need no permit, unlike other temporary signs limited to one per road frontage. The only timing rule applies to signs tied to a specific event, which must come down within 10 days afterward.
Pierce County Political Yard Sign Rules
Light RestrictionsPCC 18B.10.040
Temporary signs consist of all types of signs that are not permanently affixed to a building or structure including, but not limited to: banners, garage sale signs, pennants, feather/sail signs, window signs, A-boards, and yard signs... A. Regulations – General. 1. No more than one temporary sign which is not affixed to a building may be displayed along each road frontage, per establishment, at...
Garage Sale Signs
Garage sale signs are temporary signs under PCC 18B.10.040 in unincorporated Pierce County. They need no permit, but only one non-yard temporary sign is allowed per road frontage and signs may not sit in the right-of-way.
Pierce County Garage Sale Sign Rules
Few RestrictionsPierce County Code 18B.10.040
No more than one temporary sign which is not affixed to a building may be displayed along each road frontage, per establishment, at any one time except any number of yard signs may be displayed.
Digital Billboards
Pierce County limits digital billboards, called "electronic message signs" under PCC 18B.20.080, to specific civic uses and select commercial zones rather than allowing them countywide. Schools, regional parks, and police/fire stations may display them in urban areas; only schools and public-safety facilities qualify in rural areas. A business may add one only inside a commercial urban zone flagged in the sign table, and messages must hold for a set minimum time.
Pierce County Electronic Message Sign Rules
Significant RestrictionsPCC 18B.20.080
Electronic message signs are allowed as follows: A. Electronic message signs are allowed for the following civic uses in urban areas as shown in Table 18B.20.080-1, Electronic Message Signs: 1. Schools (elementary, middle, high, college, university); 2. Regional park facilities; 3. Police and fire stations; and 4. Religious facilities. B. Electronic message signs are allowed for the following c...
Window Signs
Pierce County counts window signs as part of a building's overall sign allotment rather than regulating them on their own. PCC 18B.20.040 caps combined building, window, and wall sign area at 20 percent of the building facade or the applicable Sign Table maximum, whichever is smaller, and bars any window sign from completely blocking the view into a business.
Pierce County Window Sign Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsPCC 18B.20.040(A)(2), (F)
2. Temporary and permanent building, window and wall sign area shall not occupy more than 20 percent of the total area of the building facade or the total maximum area allowed in the applicable Sign Table, whichever is less. For purposes of this calculation, noncommercial signs such as open/closed, store hours of operation, address, and other similar information shall not be included... F. Regu...
Freeway-Facing Signs
Pierce County bans new billboards visible from the main traveled way of ten named state routes and county roads under PCC 18A.55.010.C, including SR 16, SR 512 and Pacific Avenue (SR 7). The restriction applies only in unincorporated areas, and existing billboards on those corridors are locked in as nonconforming rather than allowed to expand.
Pierce County Freeway-Facing Billboard Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsPCC 18A.55.010.C
C. Highway Visibility Restriction. Except as permitted under this Section, no person shall erect a billboard which is visible from the main traveled way of the following streets, roads, or highways located in the unincorporated area of Pierce County: State Route 512 State Route 16 State Route 302 and Key Peninsula Highway State Route 410 State Route 167 Canyon Road State Route 162 State Route 7...
Sign Regulations by City in Pierce County
2 cities in Pierce County have their own sign regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Pierce County ordinances
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