Last week, the City of Snoqualmie issued updated guidance on the enforcement of its Sign Code (SMC Chapter 17.75). That updated guidance followed a legal review prompted by concerns about the sign code, First Amendment protections, and state law.
Mayor Mayhew had previously directed a temporary pause on sign code enforcements after concerns over signs about the proposed the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project, and whether the City’s current code could restrict protected speech, including political signage.
According to a city news release, its sign code generally governs commercial signage, and it defers to state law for political signs.
Following the updated legal review, Snoqualmie has launched a formal revision process for its Sign Code, which will proceed through the Planning Commission before final consideration by the City Council.
While the revision process is underway, the City said it will resume enforcement of the following sign placement restrictions:
- Signs located in a median
- Signs located in the center island of a roundabout
- Signs placed within 10 feet of an intersection, or that obstruct visibility for oncoming or turning vehicles
- Signs that obstruct or could be confused with traffic signs, signals, or devices
- Signs that overhang or project into a travel lane (unless permitted and in compliance
- with that permit)
- Signs placed in the public right-of-way directly in front of City property in a way that suggests City endorsement
- Signs placed in the public right-of-way without the consent of the abutting property
The city asked residents and business owners with signs in any of these locations to remove them by Monday, June 15, 2026, with signs remaining after that date subject to city removal.
Snoqualmie said it will continue to pause enforcement of signs located in other public right-of-ways, including parking strips, planting strips, and unpaved shoulders—while the code revision process is completed. be issued once the revision process concludes.
Comments
I want to log a formal complaint. The “church on the Ridge” sign at the Douglas and parkway intersection is blocking my view of the intersection. It’s dangerous and must be taken down.
For Jean – to compain, you need to do so with the City. The City has clearly selectively enforced this policy which is masquerading as a workaround a supreme court decision Reed v. Gilbert, AZ which says you cannot regulate signs based on content. So they said you have to have approval of the adjascent property owner to put up a sign – which I’d like to PRR the agreement of King County Library System for the sign the city put up itself for an event….this screams litigation for the City of Snoqualmie. Mayor Mayhew was perfectly fine with his political signs all over last summer, but suddenly isn’t okay with them? Someone needs to call the City out for this.