Flags & Signs · Washington
Wash. Rev. Code 64.38.033
Flag of the United States; outdoor display; governing documents
Official text ↗
Checked against the official source on 2 November 2026
At a glance
- Flags protected
-
US flag display may not be prohibited if consistent with federal law
“The governing documents may not prohibit the outdoor display of the flag of the United States”
- Limits the HOA may set
-
HOA may set reasonable rules on flag placement and manner
“The governing documents may include reasonable rules and regulations, consistent with 4 U.S.C. Sec. 1 et seq., regarding the placement and manner of display of the flag of the United States.”
- Limits the HOA may set
-
HOA may set reasonable rules on flagpole location and size
“The governing documents may include reasonable rules and regulations regarding the location and the size of the flagpole.”
- Flags protected
-
Flagpole installation for US flag may not be prohibited
“The governing documents may not prohibit the installation of a flagpole for the display of the flag of the United States.”
- Flags protected
-
US flag must be fabric, cloth, or paper on staff or flagpole
“that is made of fabric, cloth, or paper and that is displayed from a staff or flagpole or in a window.”
Each fact is shown with the exact words of the statute it comes from. Your association's governing documents may also apply.
Official text
Copy retrieved from app.leg.wa.gov. Always rely on the official source for the current version.
Show the full text of Wash. Rev. Code 64.38.033
RCW 64.38.033
Flag of the United States—Outdoor display—Governing documents. (Effective until January 1, 2028.)
(1) The governing documents may not prohibit the outdoor display of the flag of the United States by an owner or resident on the owner's or resident's property if the flag is displayed in a manner consistent with federal flag display law, 4 U.S.C. Sec. 1 et seq. The governing documents may include reasonable rules and regulations, consistent with 4 U.S.C. Sec. 1 et seq., regarding the placement and manner of display of the flag of the United States.
(2) The governing documents may not prohibit the installation of a flagpole for the display of the flag of the United States. The governing documents may include reasonable rules and regulations regarding the location and the size of the flagpole.
(3) For purposes of this section, "flag of the United States" means the flag of the United States as defined in federal flag display law, 4 U.S.C. Sec. 1 et seq., that is made of fabric, cloth, or paper and that is displayed from a staff or flagpole or in a window. For purposes of this section, "flag of the United States" does not mean a flag depiction or emblem made of lights, paint, roofing, siding, paving materials, flora, or balloons, or of any similar building, landscaping, or decorative component.
(4) The provisions of this section shall be construed to apply retroactively to any governing documents in effect on June 10, 2004. Any provision in a governing document in effect on June 10, 2004, that is inconsistent with this section shall be void and unenforceable.
[ 2004 c 169 s 1.]
The same topic in other jurisdictions
Arizona · A.R.S. 33-1808 Arizona · A.R.S. 33-1261 Florida · Fla. Stat. 720.304 Florida · Fla. Stat. 718.113 Illinois · 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 160/1-70 Illinois · 765 Ill. Comp. Stat. 605/18.6 Maryland · Md. Code, Real Prop. 11B-111.2 Texas · Tex. Prop. Code 202.012 Texas · Tex. Prop. Code 202.018 Virginia · Va. Code 55.1-1820 Washington · Wash. Rev. Code 64.38.034 Washington · Wash. Rev. Code 64.90.510 Compare flags & signs laws side by side →This page is general legal information, not legal advice, and Harrington Community is not a law firm. For advice about your situation, contact a licensed attorney or your state bar's lawyer referral service.