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

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

Key Facts

Max area
32 sq ft
Max vertical dimension
48 inches
Max height
8 ft above ground
Location
private property only, unlit
Governing section
SCC 14.29.060(3)

Summary

A temporary political sign on private land in unincorporated Skagit County is exempt from sign permits under SCC 14.29.060(3), capped at 32 square feet in area, 48 inches in vertical dimension, and 8 feet above the ground, and must still meet the code's sight-distance and traffic-safety standards.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Skagit County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(3) Temporary Political Signs. Temporary political signs located on private property are exempt; provided, that such signs may not exceed 32 square feet in area nor 48 inches in vertical dimension, and may be located no higher than eight feet above the surrounding ground.

View official code

Full Breakdown

060 lists the signs exempt from Skagit County's sign permit requirements, and Subsection (3) covers temporary political signs specifically: a political sign on private property is exempt from the chapter's permit and standards, but only within three limits stated in the text: 32 square feet of area, 48 inches of vertical dimension, and a maximum height of eight feet above the surrounding ground. 060 makes both of those cross-references binding on every exempt sign category, not just political ones. That opening paragraph adds that an exempt sign, including a political sign, may not be illuminated. 030, which requires an application showing the sign's location, area, and method of construction before it is placed.

Violations & Fines

A political sign placed off private property, left illuminated, or built beyond the 32-square-foot, 48-inch, or 8-foot limits loses its exemption and becomes an illegally established sign under SCC 14.29.040(2), which the Building Official may remove immediately if it presents a health and safety hazard, or otherwise pursue as a standard Title 14 violation carrying the SCC 14.09.330 civil penalty of $100 per day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for a political yard sign in unincorporated Skagit County?
No. SCC 14.29.060(3) exempts a temporary political sign on private property from the county's sign permit and standards, as long as it stays within 32 square feet, 48 inches in vertical dimension, and eight feet in height above the ground.
Can a political sign be placed in the road right-of-way?
The exemption in SCC 14.29.060(3) only covers signs on private property; the chapter's general sight-distance rule at SCC 14.29.050(5) also bars any sign, exempt or not, from sitting within a public right-of-way or blocking a road's sight triangle.
What if I want a bigger political sign?
Once a political sign exceeds 32 square feet, 48 inches vertically, or eight feet in height, it no longer qualifies as exempt under SCC 14.29.060(3) and must go through the standard sign permit application in SCC 14.29.030 like any other sign.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Skagit County

Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsDigital BillboardsHeavy RestrictionsFreeway-Facing SignsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: FireworksSome Restrictions

All Skagit County rules

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