Baring Sign Regulations: Political Signs Rules (2026)

Political signs in unincorporated King County are governed by King County Code 21A.20, which regulates temporary signs including campaign and political signage. On private property, political signs are permitted with the property owners consent without a sign permit, subject to size limits (typically 6 square feet per sign in residential zones, larger in commercial zones) and placement standards. Political signs in the public right of way (road shoulders, medians, on utility poles, in parks) are prohibited under KCC 21A.20 and Washington State Department of Transportation rules for state highways. Signs placed in the right of way may be removed by county or state crews without notice. The First Amendment provides strong constitutional protection for political speech, so time-based restrictions on political signs have been limited by courts. King County typically requires political signs to be removed within 7 days after the election to which they refer. Signs may not obstruct sight distance at intersections, block sidewalks, or be attached to traffic control devices. Supreme Court case Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015) requires content-neutral sign rules, so King Countys framework treats political signs similarly to other temporary signs. Residents who see signs in the right of way can report them or remove them if they are illegally placed; homeowners should not take down signs from neighbors private property.