Sign Regulations in Washington County, MN (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Washington County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
Garage Sale Signs
Washington County treats a garage-sale sign as a 'yard sign' under Development Code Section 1.10(4)(C): it may go up on private property with the owner's consent, but it must come down within seven days after the sale ends, and it must sit at least ten feet from any property line.
Washington County Garage-Sale Sign Removal Rule
Some RestrictionsWashington County Development Code, Ch. 2, Sec. 1.10(4)(C) and (F)
(C) Yard signs are allowed on private property with the consent of the property owner. Such signs must be removed within seven (7) days after the completion of any process, situation or event to which they apply. (F) Yard signs may not be closer than ten (10) feet from any property line.
Holiday Displays
Washington County's outdoor lighting standards do not apply to temporary lighting used during customary holiday seasons. The Development Code carves out this exemption alongside civic-event lighting, airport lighting and emergency lighting, so seasonal light displays skip the shielding and intensity limits imposed on year-round outdoor fixtures.
Washington County Exempts Holiday Lighting Displays
Few RestrictionsWashington County Development Code, Chapter Two § 1.8(1)(A)
(1) Exemptions. The standards of this section shall not apply to the following: (A) Temporary holiday lighting. The Development Code does not prohibit the use of temporary outdoor lighting used during customary holiday seasons.
Digital Billboards
Washington County's Development Code flatly bans flashing signs, including any sign containing an electric reading board. Section 1.10(4)(E) prohibits signs emitting intermittent, rotating or direct light that could be confused with traffic, aviation or emergency signaling, ruling out digital and electronic billboard displays county-wide.
Washington County Bans Flashing, Electric Reading-Board Signs
Heavy RestrictionsWashington County Development Code, Ch. 2, Sec. 1.10(4)(E); definitions, Sec. 1.10
(E) Flashing signs are prohibited. Signs emitting intermittent, rotating, or direct light which may be confused with traffic, aviation, or emergency signaling are prohibited. "Sign, Flashing: An illuminated sign which has a light source not constant in intensity or color at all times while such sign is in use or a sign containing an electric reading board."
Window Signs
Washington County's sign rules do not reach signs painted, glued or otherwise attached directly to or visible through a window or glass door. Development Code Section 1.10(1) carves those signs out entirely, so no Sign Permit or Certificate of Compliance is required for window displays in the unincorporated county.
Washington County Exempts Window Signs
Few RestrictionsWashington County Development Code, Ch. 2, Sec. 1.10(1)
1.10 Signs (1) Non-applicability. The regulations contained herein do not apply to signs painted, attached by adhesive or otherwise attached directly to or visible through windows and glass portions of doors.
Freeway-Facing Signs
Washington County prohibits nearly all signs, other than public utility warning signs, on county property or within a major highway or county road right-of-way. Illuminated signs must additionally sit at least 25 feet from the roadway surface and 10 feet from the right-of-way line.
Washington County Bans Signs Along Major Highway ROW
Some RestrictionsWashington County Development Code, Chapter Two § 1.10(4)(B), (D)
(B) All signs, other than public utility warning signs, are prohibited on County property and within the public right-of-way of any major highway or County road. ... (D) Illuminated signs shall be diffused or indirect to prevent rays of light from being directed onto any major highway or County road. Illuminated signs and their support structures shall not be located closer than twenty-five (25...
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