Cowlitz County, WA Sign Regulations: Window Signs (2026)

568 sets the sign standards for the agriculture-industrial (AG-I) zoning district in unincorporated Cowlitz County; it is the Land Use Ordinance's only dedicated sign section, so it governs signage on AG-I properties rather than the county at large. Subsection D lists prohibited signs, and paragraph 3 targets window signs specifically: a window sign is not allowed if it displays content unrelated to the merchandise for sale or the service performed by the business on that property. The section carves out a narrow exception, letting an on-premises sign call attention to public holidays, community events, or the time and temperature, even though that content is not literally about the goods or services sold.

Beyond the window-sign rule, subsection D also bars animated, rotating, flashing or audible signs, except limited grand-opening displays up to 15 days, signs painted on trees, rocks, utility poles or other natural or public features, unofficial signs imitating traffic control devices, signs that could be confused with a traffic signal or emergency vehicle light, and signs promoting an illegal activity. Any prohibited sign, including a noncompliant window sign, is subject to removal at the owner's expense once the Director, Building Official or another county official gives notice.

Businesses in the AG-I zone are also subject to the section's separate numeric limits on business identification signs, generally capped at 10 percent of the building's front face or a 35-square-foot minimum per face, and freestanding signs set back at least 15 feet from property lines.