DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Filed May 5, 2026, 3:59 p.m.]

Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 26-06-081.

Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: Chapter 468-420 WAC, Event signs, banners, and decorations.

Hearing Location(s): On June 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., virtual hearing in Microsoft Teams at https://bit.ly/WAC-468-420-June-10-2026; or dial in by phone at +1 206-531-0324,,164651386# for United States, Seattle, Conference ID is 164 651 386#. Find a local number at https://dialin.teams.microsoft.com/039e7852-bef4-4986-949b-6b82f4e2095f?id=164651386. For further details about joining a Microsoft Teams meeting, visit https://aka.ms/JoinTeamsMeeting?omkt=en-US.

Date of Intended Adoption: June 10, 2026.

Submit Written Comments to: Jessi Henderson, P.O. Box 47344, Olympia, WA 98504-7344, email Jessi.Henderson@wsdot.wa.gov, beginning the date and time of this filing, by June 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Washington state department of transportation (WSDOT) Americans with Disabilities Act office, toll-free 855-362-4ADA(4232), TTY 711, email wsdotada@wsdot.wa.gov, by June 3, 2026.

Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Reestablish/revise WAC 468-95-148 in a new chapter of Title 468 WAC. This process was previously established under WAC 468-95-148; this rule would reestablish the requirements for banner placements on state highways as outlined in RCW 47.36.030(3) and 47.42.020(10), and WSDOT Traffic Manual section 7-8.

Reasons Supporting Proposal: Reestablish/revise WAC 468-95-148 in a new chapter as this is the process for approvals of events signs, banners, and decorations on state highways.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 47.36.030(3), 47.42.020(10), and 47.24.020(3).

Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

Name of Proponent: WSDOT, governmental.

Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation, and Enforcement: Jessi Henderson, headquarters transportation operations, 360-705-7289.

A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.

A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. This is not required because WSDOT is not subject to RCW 34.05.328 (5)(a)(i) and has not made RCW 34.05.328 applicable to this rule.

This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal:

Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) as the rules adopt, amend, or repeal a procedure, practice, or requirement relating to agency hearings; or a filing or related process requirement for applying to an agency for a license or permit.

Explanation of exemptions: Requirement for applying for event signs, banners, and decorations permit.

Scope of exemption for rule proposal:

Sam Wilson, Director

Business Support Services

Chapter 468-420 WAC

EVENT SIGNS, BANNERS, AND DECORATIONS

WAC 468-420-010Definition.

"Event signs, banners, and decorations" means any outdoor sign, banner, decoration, display, device, figure, painting, drawing, message, placard, poster, billboard, or other thing that is designed, intended, or used to advertise or inform, any part of the advertising or informative contents of which is visible from any place on the main-traveled way of the interstate system or other state highway. The term includes the sign face(s), and the sign structure unless the sign is painted on a building, and applies to portable, temporary, and permanent installations.

Pursuant to RCW 47.36.030(3) and 47.42.020(10), and WAC 468-66-020 the department may permit signs, banners, or decorations visible to state highways that promote a local agency sponsored event in accordance with the applicable following criteria. For city streets that are also part of the state highway system under chapter 47.24 RCW, cities are responsible for approving signs, banners, and decorations located greater than 20 feet above the roadway surface.

WAC 468-420-020Event signs, banners, and decorations criteria.

(1) Signs, banners, and decorations shall not interfere or obstruct the view of any traffic control device or impair the operation of transportation management systems or street illumination.

(2) The sign, banner, or decoration shall not include commercial advertising as determined by the department.

(3) Signs, banners, or decorations shall be mounted not less than 20 vertical feet above the roadway surface measured at any point.

(4) Signs, banners, or decorations shall not be visible from interstate highways, or other state highways having a posted speed limit of 50 miles per hour or greater.

(5) Signs, banners, or decorations shall be installed no more than 30 days before and removed no more than three days after the local agency sponsored event.

(6) Signs, banners, or decorations shall not be mounted over highways with four or more lanes. Vertical mounting on luminaire posts may be permitted, provided such installations meet wind load requirements specified by the department.

(7) Signs, banners, or decorations shall not be illuminated in any manner as indicated in RCW 47.36.180.