Yakima County, WA Sign Regulations: Window Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit needed for window signs
- No
- Governing exemption
- YCC § 19.20.040(1)
- Egress restriction
- § 19.20.050(7) bans blocking exits
- Coverage percentage cap
- None specified
- Definition source
- YCC § 19.01.070
Summary
Window signs in unincorporated Yakima County do not need a sign permit, application, or fee. YCC § 19.20.040(1) exempts them outright from Chapter 19.20's permitting process, but § 19.20.050(7) still bans any sign on a door, window, or fire escape that blocks free entry or exit.
"Window sign" means any sign, picture, symbol or combination thereof, designed to communicate information that is placed inside a window or upon the window panes or glass and is visible from the exterior of the window. Except when otherwise prohibited, the following signs are exempt from the application, permit and fee requirements of this Title when the standards of this Chapter are met: (1) Window signs; ... (7) Signs on doors, windows, or fire escapes that restrict free ingress or egress;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4871853; v6 updated 2026-04-21; through 04-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
070 as any sign, picture, symbol, or combination of them designed to communicate information that is placed inside a window or upon the window panes or glass and is visible from outside. Because of that broad definition, most retail window displays, painted lettering, and posted notices on glass storefronts in the unincorporated county qualify. 20, so a business does not need to file for a sign permit or pay a permit fee before installing or changing a window sign, as long as the sign meets the other standards of the chapter.
050(7) separately prohibits any sign placed on a door, window, or fire escape if it restricts free ingress or egress, a life-safety rule that applies regardless of the permit exemption. 20 does not otherwise cap the percentage of window area a window sign may cover, so unless a sign blocks an exit or entrance, or falls into one of the chapter's other prohibited categories such as flashing or dilapidated signs, it can be placed and changed without county sign review. 14, which typically requires a permit before installation.
Violations & Fines
Because window signs are exempt from the permit and fee process, there is no permit-based penalty for simply posting one. A window sign that blocks a required exit door or fire escape, however, violates § 19.20.050(7)'s prohibition and can be cited by Yakima County Code Enforcement as a Class I Civil Infraction under § 21.04.030, with a default penalty of up to $250, in addition to any fire-code correction order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a window sign on my business in Yakima County?
Is there a limit on how much of my window I can cover with signage?
Can a window sign block my store's exit door?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima County
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