Washington Neon Underglow Laws

Washington neon underglow usage is governed by the state's Code. All relevant laws, rules and regulations pertaining to vehicle lighting including car underglow in Washington have been provided below. Make sure to examine the regulations carefully and do not use any restricted lights.

Usage of neon underglow lighting is governed by Washington Administrative Code, Title 204: State Patrol (Equipment), Chapter 204-21: Lighting Requirements.

Is neon underglow legal in Washington?

Washington law restricts additional aftermarket vehicle lighting which includes neon underglow. In Washington neon underglow is not legal.

Using car underglow is legal only when parked on a private property, but ensure your lights are not displaying red or blue colors, nor flashing or rotating in any way.

Washington vehicle lighting laws

Below are all relevant excerpts from Washington Vehicle Code that limit, restrict or allow certain aftermarket lights to be installed on vehicles.

WAC 204-21-230 – Lighting equipment prohibited.

[…] (a) If a vehicle is in motion on a public roadway, the vehicle must not:

(i) Display aftermarket neon lighting devices.

[…] (b) If a vehicle is not in motion and parked on private property, the vehicle may use aftermarket lighting except as outlined under RCW 46.37.180. […]

(3) Red emergency lights are prohibited on any vehicle other than an authorized emergency vehicle, a law enforcement vehicle, an emergency tow truck as defined in WAC 204-21-020(8), school buses, and private carrier buses.

(4) Blue lights are prohibited on any vehicle other than a law enforcement vehicle as defined in WAC 204-21-020.

(5) Flashing white lights are prohibited on any vehicle other than authorized emergency vehicles, law enforcement vehicles, school buses, and emergency tow trucks as defined in WAC 204-21-020.

Punishment

Penalty for violation of vehicle lighting regulations is a $124 fine.

Our information about car neon underglow laws in Washington was last updated in 2023 and checked in 2024. In case any info we provided is not up to date or correct be sure to contact us so we can revise it. Thank you!

Check our data with your local law enforcement or other relevant agencies! Washington underglow laws in certain cities or counties may be different from state legislation. While we do our very best to provide the most accurate information about LED and neon street glow usage we will not be held liable for any potentially incorrect or misinterpreted info.

State of Washington Info

Washington is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States located north of Oregon, west of Idaho, and south of the Canadian province of British Columbia on the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Named after George Washington, the first President of the United States, the state was carved out of the western part of the Washington Territory which had been ceded by Britain in 1846 by the Oregon Treaty as a settlement of the Oregon Boundary Dispute. It was admitted to the Union as the 42nd state in 1889. Washington is the 18th most extensive and the 13th most populous of the 50 United States.

Capital: Olympia

Population: 6,897,012

Area: 71,300 sq mi (184,827 km2)

Cities ▼

Cities in Washington: Seattle, Tacoma, Spokane, Bellevue, Olympia, Redmond, Everett, Bellingham, Renton, Yakima, Kirkland, Vancouver, Puyallup, Issaquah, Federal Way, Bothell, Lynnwood, Bremerton, Kennewick, Kent, Auburn, Tri-Cities, Forks, Wenatchee, Port Angeles, Richland, Gig Harbor, Walla Walla, Pasco, Pullman, Port Townsend, Woodinville, Edmonds, Marysville, Anacortes, Sequim, Mercer Island, Mount Vernon, Lakewood, Ellensburg, Bainbridge Island, Leavenworth, Poulsbo, Lacey, Tukwila, SeaTac, Shoreline, Fort Lewis, Sammamish, Port Orchard

Counties ▼

Counties in Washington: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferso, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman, Yakima

Wikipedia

State website



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