Chapter 1.38
FLAG DISPLAY
Sections:
1.38.030 Allowed flags on city property.
1.38.040 Permanent and temporary flag displays on city property.
1.38.050 Lowering flags to half-staff.
1.38.060 Flag height requirements.
1.38.010 Definitions.
(1) “Flag” means a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is used as a symbol, signaling device, or decoration.
(2) “Flagpole” and “flag staff” mean a staff or pole on which a flag is hoisted and displayed.
(3) “Display” means the flying of a flag on a flagpole. (Ord. 3538 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024).
1.38.020 Purpose and intent.
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the official display of flags inside and outside of city facilities. It is the specific intent of the city council of the city of Longview to follow the federal law, including but not limited to the United States Flag Code and Washington State law, in flag displays on city property. Raising a flag is an expression of government speech. Accordingly, the locations for the display of flags on city property are not forums for free expression by the public. This chapter is not intended to regulate display of flags on employee clothing, personal property, or workstations, which are instead governed by the city’s personnel policy. (Ord. 3538 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024).
1.38.030 Allowed flags on city property.
The city will fly or display only the following flags on property owned by the city: the flag of the United States of America; the Washington State flag; the POW/MIA flag; the city of Longview flag; and any other flag mandated by federal or Washington State law. (Ord. 3538 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024).
1.38.040 Permanent and temporary flag displays on city property.
The city will fly or display the United States flag, the Washington State flag, and the city of Longview flag on a permanent basis on the flag staffs outside City Hall, R.A. Long Park and in such other locations as the city council may select. The POW/MIA flag will be displayed at such times and places as are mandated by federal or Washington State law on a flag staff outside City Hall and in such other locations as the city council may select. (Ord. 3538 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024).
1.38.050 Lowering flags to half-staff.
The city will lower flags displayed on city property to half-staff in the following circumstances:
(1) At the direction of the president of the United States;
(2) At the request of the governor of the state of Washington;
(3) At the request of the city council or city manager in the event of the death of a current city employee or official. (Ord. 3538 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024).
1.38.060 Flag height requirements.
(1) No flag displayed on city property shall be flown higher than the flag of the United States of America.
(2) If a city property has only one flagpole, the United States flag shall be displayed at the top, followed immediately by the city of Longview flag.
(3) All flag displays must conform to the United States Flag Code and relevant Washington State laws regarding the order and position of flags. (Ord. 3538 § 1 (Exh. A), 2024).