Thurston County, WA Sign Regulations: Digital Billboards (2026)
Key Facts
- Off-premises signs
- Banned outright, § 21.75.080(J)
- Animated signs
- Banned outright, § 21.75.080(B)
- Flashing signs
- Banned outright, § 21.75.080(C)
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Lacey Urban Growth Area
- Enforcement
- Thurston County Title 26 Code Enforcement
Summary
Thurston County's Lacey UGA sign code bans off-premises billboards outright, along with animated and flashing signs, so digital billboards cannot be permitted anywhere in that unincorporated zoning area.
The following signs or displays are prohibited: ... B. Animated signs; C. Flashing signs; ... J. Off-premises signs including: 1. Any sign identifying a use, facility or service which is not located on the premises; ... 3. Any sign that advertises or otherwise directs attention to a product, service or activity, event, person, institution or business... offered elsewhere than on the premises where such sign is located.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 77).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 21.75 of the Lacey Urban Growth Area zoning code, which governs unincorporated Thurston County land around Lacey, prohibits off-premises signs outright under Section 21.75.080(J): any sign advertising a business, product, or service not located on the same premises, which is exactly what a billboard is. The same section separately bans animated signs (B) and flashing signs (C), so even an on-premises digital display that changes color or flashes is barred. A 'changing message center sign' is defined in 21.75.020 but gets no exemption from the animated or flashing bans. Violations are handled under Title 26 Code Enforcement of the county code.
Violations & Fines
Illegal off-premises, animated, or flashing signs, including digital billboards, must be removed and are subject to code enforcement action under Title 26 of the county code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put up a digital billboard in unincorporated Thurston County near Lacey?
What about an on-premises electronic reader board that just shows text?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Thurston County
Compare Thurston County to another location·View the Washington sign regulations overview
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