Yakima, WA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Yakima's sign code is YMC Title 15 / Chapter 15.08, part of the Yakima Urban Area Zoning Ordinance (UAZO). YMC 15.08.010 (Purpose) requires the regulations to be 'reasonable, effective, consistent, content-neutral and nondiscriminatory' and provides that 'Any classification of signs herein which purports to permit speech by reason of the type of sign, identity of the sign user or otherwise, should be interpreted to allow commercial or noncommercial speech on the sign. Nothing in this chapter should be construed to favor commercial speech over noncommercial speech.' This satisfies Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155 (2015). Political/campaign signs are therefore regulated as temporary signs under YMC 15.08.110. (1) No review is required — the first sentence of YMC 15.08.110 reads 'No review is required for temporary signs.' (2) Location: temporary signs may not be placed in a required parking space, driveway, or clear view triangle (15.08.110(A)); may not be placed on city-owned property other than the right-of-way without a special-event/temporary-use permit (15.08.110(B)); and may not be placed in the roadway (15.08.110(C)). (3) Right-of-way: under 15.08.110(D), temporary signs in the city ROW outside the roadway are allowed only between the property line and the back of the nearest curb (or edge of pavement where no curb exists), require approval of the abutting landowner, must be stakes that can be manually pushed/hammered into the ground, are limited to 4 sq ft and 3 ft in height, and any dilapidated/nuisance sign 'shall be removed by the person responsible.' Signs may not be placed on sidewalks. (4) Residential zones (15.08.110(E)): single-family — temporary freestanding signs max 4 sq ft and 5 ft high if post-mounted, 3 ft if stake/portable; multifamily — max 6 sq ft and 5 ft if post-mounted, 3 ft if stake/portable; plus one window sign per unit up to 4 sq ft. (5) Sign illumination — YMC 15.08.075(A) prohibits illumination of temporary or portable signs and prohibits illumination of any sign in a residential zone (except halo/EMC on parcels two acres or larger). (6) Attachment to public property — YMC 15.08.070(K) reads 'No signs shall be affixed, connected, taped, zip-tied, tied, or otherwise attached to any city property, including, but not limited to, utility poles, utility boxes, fences, or street signs. Such signs will be removed by the city. Removed signs will be held for five business days at the public works department after which they will be discarded and/or destroyed.' (7) Removal — under YMC 15.08.110(H), 'A temporary sign shall be promptly removed after the event for which it is intended.' Washington state has no statewide political-sign preemption statute; RCW Chapter 42.17A regulates campaign finance reporting (including sponsor-identification on political advertising under RCW 42.17A.320) but does not override municipal placement rules. Enforcement is by the Yakima Office of Code Administration (509-575-6126).