HomeMy WebLinkAbout800-14 POLICY & PROCEDURE
Subject:
FLAG POLICY
Index: COUNCIL
Number: 800-14
Effective Date:
11/18/2024
Supersedes:
N/A
Page:
1 of 3
Staff Contact:
CAO
Approved By:
Resolution No. 4543
1.0 PURPOSE:
To establish policy and procedures for displaying flags on city-owned property in
alignment with federal and state laws, including United States Code (4 U.S.C. Ch.
1) and the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 35A.21.180, RCW 1.20.017, RCW
1.20.015).
This policy ensures that:
1.1 Flags on city property are displayed consistently with federal state, and
local guidelines.
1.2 To ensure any commemorative flags represent the city’s official city
government speech and not private speech, the Mayor is only authorized
to display commemorative flags on city property as authorized by this
policy.
1.3 This policy is intended to apply to city property designated by the Mayor
for official purpose of displaying flags. It does not apply to flags displayed
on individually owned property such as clothing, permitted signs in rights-
of-way, handheld flags on public property that is open to the public, or
placed by employees in personal workspaces/on desks, which displays are
subject to other applicable rules or laws such as personnel policies, park
rules, or other laws or rules governing use of city property.
2.0 ORGANIZATIONS AFFECTED:
All departments/divisions
3.0 REFERENCES:
United States Code 4 U.S.C. Ch. 1 The Flag
RCW 1.20.010 State Flag
RCW 1.20.015 Display of national and state flag
Flag Policy
Policy & Procedure 800-14
p. 2
RCW 1.20.017 Display of the national league of families POW/MIA flag
RCW 35A.21.180 Flags to be displayed
4.0 POLICY:
4.1 The National, State, and National League of Families POW/MIA flags shall
be displayed on city-owned property following federal and state laws and
regulations regarding placement, size, and order.
4.2 Commemorative flags may be displayed pursuant to the Mayor’s direction
on city flagpoles only as authorized by this policy and solely to reflect the
city’s official policies, values, or community priorities.
4.3 Commemorative flags must be the same size or smaller than the U.S. or
Washington State flags displayed.
4.4 Any commemorative flag displayed will follow half-staff protocols if the
U.S. and Washington State flags are flown at half-staff.
4.5 The following commemorative flags may be displayed at the Mayor’s
direction:
4.5.1 CITY OF RENTON Flag: The Mayor may order the display of the
official flag of the City of Renton to create civic pride, denote a
sense of place, and reflect the vibrancy of our community.
4.5.2 PRIDE Flag: The Mayor may order the display of the Pride flag in
support of the LGBTQ+ community and recognition of PRIDE
events. This action affirms the city’s stance against discrimination
and harassment and promotes awareness of the ongoing
commitment to equality.
4.5.3 JUNETEENTH Flag: The mayor may order the display of the
Juneteenth flag in honor of the federal, state, and city Juneteenth
holiday. This action acknowledges the significance of Juneteenth in
commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and
promoting awareness of the ongoing commitment to equality.
4.5.4 SISTER CITY Flag: The Mayor may order the display of flags of
recognized Sister Cities during official Sister City visits.
Flag Policy
Policy & Procedure 800-14
p. 3
5.0 DEFINITIONS:
Commemorative Flag: A flag representing an event, cause, or group, chosen by
the City Council to recognize and align with the city’s values and official positions.
6.0 PROCEDURES:
6.1 Limitation on Display of Commemorative Flags:
6.1.1 Commemorative flags not authorized by Section 4.3 of this policy
may not be displayed on city property unless separately authorized
by the City Council as an expression of the City’s official
government speech. A Council authorization to display a flag more
than one time or year should be memorialized with an amendment
to this policy.
6.1.2 The City Council shall only consider requests to display a
Commemorative Flag made by the Mayor or a member of the City
Council. To ensure flags are displayed as government speech,
requests to raise a Commemorative Flag made by members of the
public or other private groups will not be considered.
6.2 Flag Display Management:
6.2.1 Approved flags may be flown on the dates and locations designated
by the Mayor and pursuant to the Mayor’s direction, this policy, and
applicable laws and protocols.
6.2.2 If the Mayor orders the U.S. or Washington State flag at half-staff,
commemorative flags shall also be lowered.
7.0 Documentation and Records
7.1 All commemorative flag displays shall be documented, including the
purpose, authorized dates, and any special instructions. The records are
maintained by the Mayor’s Office.