Removing or defacing political signs is a misdemeanor in Washington State.
Posted by unDivided with Brandi Kruse, Checked
- Sources
- 3 support
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 90%
unDivided with Brandi KruseOct 27, 2026
The Revised Code of Washington RCW 29A.84.040 (primary source, published 2026-10-25) states that a person who removes or defaces lawfully placed political advertising, including yard signs or billboards, without authorization is guilty of a misdemeanor.
What was said
… I mean, it's absolutely insane. This was posted on a neighborhood group notice for neighbors on Snowqually Ridge: several Yes on 645 signs were removed along the parkway and also on Railroad Avenue. Removing or defacing political signs is a misdemeanor in Washington State, and they're asking for anyone along that area to provide footage, if they have any, of some of these signs being ripped out. …
unDivided with Brandi Kruse · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. RCW 29A.84.040 states that a person who removes or defaces lawfully placed political advertising including yard signs or billboards without authorization is guilty of a misdemeanor.[1]
Supports. The Findlaw reproduction of Washington Revised Code 29A.84.040 contains the same misdemeanor language.[2]
Supports. A News Tribune explainer quotes RCW 29A.84.040 and states that removing or defacing lawfully placed yard signs is a misdemeanor under Washington law.[3]
Context. The statute specifies that each item removed or defaced is a separate violation, and misdemeanor penalties are set by reference to RCW 9A.20.021.[1]
Sources
3 sources: 1 primary, 2 not rated
- 1RCW 29a.84.040: - Washington State Governmentapp.leg.wa.gov · primary source · cited for: supports, context
- 2Washington Revised Code Title 29A. Elections § 29A.84.040codes.findlaw.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 3Can I make my neighbors take down their political campaign signs? What WA law saysthenewstribune.com · not rated · cited for: supports
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
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