It's campaign season, and campaigns have placed signage in the City of Lake Stevens city limits.  Below is the Lake Stevens Municipal Code (LSMC) requirements (LSMC 14.68.015 Temporary Noncommercial Signs) for placing temporary non-commercial (e.g. political) signs. Signage of this nature is allowed on both private property and within the public right-of-way. 

Should the Municipal Code governing the placement of these signs not be adhered to, the sign will be removed and placed in queue for disposal.

Private Property:

• Temporary non-commercial signs within residential zone signs are limited to 16 square feet per side (32 square feet total). LSMC 14.68.015(e)(2)
• Temporary non-commercial signs within commercial zone signs are limited to 32 square feet per side (64 square feet total). LSMC 14.68.015(e)(3)
• Temporary non-commercial signage may not exceed 6 feet in height in all zones. LSMC 14.68.015(e)(2-3)
• Temporary non-commercial signage must be free standing with no permanent structural support; LSMC 14.68.015(b)(1)
  • A temporary sign cannot be attached to a permanent fixture
  • A temporary sign cannot have a concrete base

Public Right-of-Way:

• Temporary Signage may not be placed in the following locations; LSMC 14.68.015(d)(1)
  • Roundabouts Medians
  • Shoulders
  • Travel Lanes
  • Adjacent to parks or city facilities
  • Adjacent to existing signage such as stop signs
• Temporary non-commercial signage may only be placed in the public right of way at ground level locations accessible by a sidewalk. LSMC 14.68.015(d)(1)
• Temporary non-commercial signage cannot be attached to existing permanent structures such as; LSMC 14.68.015(b)(3)(i)
  • Existing permeant signage
  • City fencing
  • Public buildings and facilities
  • Rockery walls
• Signs cannot obstruct the public right of way; LSMC 14.68.015(a)(4)
  • Signs blocking sidewalks will be removed.
• Temporary non-commercial signage in the right-of-way are limited to four square feet per side (eight square feet total) and shall not exceed four feet in height; LSMC 14.68.015(d)(3).
• Temporary signs in nonresidential zones including mixed use zones are limited in size to 16 square feet per side (32 square feet total) per Section 14.68.050(c) and shall not exceed six feet in height; LSMC 14.68.015(d)(4).
• Spacing between temporary signs is restricted to 10 feet; LSMC 14.68.015(d)(5)
  • Signs that are placed closer together will be spaced apart accordingly
  • If signs are doubled up, placed in front of one another, or there is no space to adhere to the spacing rule all signs in that area will be removed 

If you have any questions, contact Cameron Fauth, Code Enforcement Officer, 425-622-9437, cfauth@lakestevenswa.gov