Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

King County, WA Soliciting & Door-to-Door: No-Knock Registry (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Trigger
posted "No Solicitation"/"No Trespassing" sign
Covers
unrequested sales solicitation at entrance
Exempt
charities, nonprofits, religious/political groups, govt
Also exempt
farmers under RCW 36.71.090
Enforced by
King County Sheriff's Office
Penalty class
class 2 civil infraction, ch. 7.80 RCW
Geographic reach
unincorporated King County only

Summary

Unincorporated King County lets any occupant bar door-to-door solicitors just by posting a sign. Under King County Code § 12.66.010, once a "No Solicitation" or "No Trespassing" sign sits at or near the entrance, an uninvited person may not enter or remain on the premises to pitch a sale, and the sheriff enforces the ban as a civil infraction.

City-specific rules exist: Seattle has its own no-knock registry rules that differ from King County's county-level regulations. If you live in Seattle, check the city-specific page instead.

12.66.010 Solicitation prohibited if sign posted. If a person has not been requested or invited by the occupant, the person shall not enter or remain upon any private premises for the purpose of contacting the occupant to solicit the immediate or future purchase or sale of goods, services or any other thing of value if a sign stating "No Solicitation" or "No Trespassing" is posted at or near the entrance to the premises.

Full Breakdown

090. C. 80 RCW, the state's civil infraction statute, rather than a criminal charge, which keeps sign violations out of criminal court while still allowing a fine.

Violations & Fines

Ignoring a posted "No Solicitation" or "No Trespassing" sign to pitch a sale is a class 2 civil infraction under § 12.66.040, punishable under chapter 7.80 RCW, and it is enforced by King County Sheriff's deputies rather than charged as a crime. A citation can issue on each entry onto posted property, and the sheriff may use the broader code-enforcement authority in K.C.C. Title 23 alongside chapter 7.80 RCW when addressing repeat solicitors. Exempt solicitors under § 12.66.020, charities, political and religious groups, government agencies, and farmers under RCW 36.71.090, face no penalty for approaching a signed door.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a "No Soliciting" sign have legal force in unincorporated King County?
Yes. Under King County Code § 12.66.010, once a "No Solicitation" or "No Trespassing" sign is posted at or near a home's entrance, an uninvited person may not enter or remain on the property to solicit a sale of goods, services or anything else of value.
Can charities or political campaigners knock even if a sign is posted?
Yes. § 12.66.020 exempts solicitations by charitable, nonprofit, religious or political organizations, by government agencies, and by farmers exempted under RCW 36.71.090, along with simply leaving printed advertising materials, so those visitors can still approach a signed door.
Who enforces King County's no-soliciting sign law?
The King County Sheriff's Office enforces chapter 12.66 under § 12.66.030, using the code-enforcement authority in K.C.C. Title 23 alongside the statute; a violation is a class 2 civil infraction under § 12.66.040, punishable under chapter 7.80 RCW.
Does this rule apply inside Seattle or other King County cities?
No. King County Code chapter 12.66 only reaches the unincorporated county; incorporated cities like Seattle, Bellevue, Kent and Redmond enforce their own solicitation ordinances, not this county chapter.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in King County

All King County rules

Compare King County to another location·View the Washington soliciting & door-to-door overview

Get notified when No-Knock Registry in King County, WA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.

No-Knock Registry in Cities Across King County