Kennewick, WA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155 (2015), held that sign codes singling out political or campaign signs by message are content-based and presumptively unconstitutional under the First Amendment. Kennewick's sign rules, in KMC Chapter 18.24 (Signs) within Title 18 (Zoning) and the sign-code provisions in KMC Chapter 15.24, are administered as content-neutral standards that apply to all temporary residential signs regardless of message. Typical content-neutral standards include limits on aggregate square footage per residential parcel, a height cap, setbacks from the curb and sight-distance triangles at intersections, no attachment to utility poles or traffic-control devices, and a prohibition on signs in the public right-of-way. WAC 468-66 (administered by WSDOT) governs political signs on state-highway right-of-way, allowing them only as on-premise signs on private property meeting the regulation; signs in the state-highway ROW are removed by WSDOT. Washington election law (RCW 29A.84.510) and Public Disclosure Commission rules require sponsor identification on political advertising. Polling-place electioneering buffers are set in RCW 29A.84.510-540, enforced by Benton County Elections.