Whatcom County communities allow temporary garage-sale signs on private property, but keep them out of the public right-of-way and off utility poles. Take every sign down promptly once the sale ends, or it becomes a code violation.
Temporary directional and on-site signs for garage and yard sales are allowed across Whatcom County under the general temporary-sign rules. Keep them small, post them only with the property owner's permission, and never staple or nail a sign to a utility pole, street-sign post, or tree. Signs placed in a state highway right-of-way, such as along the Guide Meridian, are removed by WSDOT; along county and city streets, placement rules vary and enforcement is mostly complaint-driven. Put signs up shortly before the sale and pull them all down when it is over. Bellingham and the county treat abandoned signs as litter and a code-compliance issue.
Signs nailed to poles or left up after the sale are removed as litter and can bring a code-compliance notice. Signs in the highway right-of-way are pulled without notice.
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