Federal Way, WA Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)

FWRC Chapter 19.270 expressly prohibits any exterior indication of a home occupation, including signs, advertising, or outside displays. This is one of the strictest provisions of the home occupation ordinance and mirrors policies adopted by many Washington cities to preserve residential character. Permitted signage standards for commercial properties are found in FWRC Chapter 19.140, which does not extend to home occupations operating under 19.270. Address numbers required by building code and emergency response are not considered signage. Temporary real estate, political, and garage sale signs are regulated separately under FWRC 19.140 with their own size and duration limits. A home occupation seeking to display a sign must go through Process III conditional use review under FWRC 19.270 and demonstrate the sign will not harm neighborhood character. Internet advertising, business cards, and vehicle lettering parked off-site are not restricted by FWRC 19.270, but a commercial vehicle with business lettering parked visibly at the home may be treated as exterior indication.