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King County, WA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Removal deadline
10 days after the election
Private property
requires owner's written consent
Public property
posting signs is prohibited
Max penalty
$250 fine or 90 days jail
Applies to
unincorporated King County only

Summary

Political signs on private property need the owner's written consent, and unincorporated King County requires them removed within ten days after the election under County Code chapter 12.74.

City-specific rules exist: Federal Way, Renton, Bellevue, Seattle, and Auburn have their own political signs rules that differ from King County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Any such sign, poster or bill shall be removed within ten days following election. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to have the signs, posters or bills removed. (Ord. 915 § 2, 1971).

Source: King County Code 21A.20 SignsView official code

Full Breakdown

King County Code 12.74.010 lets political signs, posters or bills promoting candidates or ballot measures go up on private property only with the property owner's written consent. Section 12.74.030 bans posting them on utility poles, sidewalks, roadways or any public building or structure on public property or within public easements. Section 12.74.020 then requires the property owner to take the sign down within ten days after the election; leaving it up longer is a code violation. This chapter applies only in unincorporated King County -- Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton and the county's other 25-plus incorporated cities enforce their own separate sign codes.

Violations & Fines

Violating any part of chapter 12.74, including leaving a sign up past the ten-day deadline, is a misdemeanor: up to a $250 fine, 90 days in jail, or both, per day of noncompliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need permission to put a political sign on my lawn in unincorporated King County?
Yes. King County Code 12.74.010 allows political signs on private property only with the property owner's written consent.
How long can a political sign stay up after election day?
Ten days. County Code 12.74.020 requires the property owner to remove it within ten days following the election.
Does this code apply inside Seattle?
No. This chapter only covers unincorporated King County; Seattle and the county's other 25-plus cities enforce their own sign ordinances.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in King County

Digital BillboardsSignificant RestrictionsFreeway-Facing SignsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsLight RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions

All King County rules

Compare King County to another location·View the Washington sign regulations overview

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Political Signs in Cities Across King County

Seattle, WABellevue, WAKent, WARenton, WAFederal Way, WAKirkland, WAAuburn, WARedmond, WA