King County, Washington, United States

Places
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King County is the most populous county in Washington and the 12th-most populous in the United States. Is it legal to wear a thong in King County?

:exclamation: The opinions provided here are for informational purposes only. Laws change frequently; this post may be out of date. Review current codes before wearing a thong and talk to a lawyer if you need legal advice. :balance_scale:

Washington :+1:

Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 9A.88.010

King County :+1:

King County Code

Algona :no_entry_sign:

Algona Municipal Code 9.30.010

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E. “Unlawful public exposure” means:

  1. A public exposure of any portion of the human anus, buttocks or genitals;

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Auburn :+1:

Auburn City Code 9.82.010

Beaux Arts Village :+1:

Beaux Arts Village Municipal Code

Bellevue :+1:

Bellevue City Code 10.04

Black Diamond :+1:

Black Diamond Municipal Code 9.51

Bothell :+1:

Bothell Municipal Code 9.01.070

Burien :+1:

Burien Municipal Code 9.95.200

Carnation :+1:

Carnation Municipal Code 9.28.030

Clyde Hill :+1:

Clyde Hill Municipal Code 9.30.020

Covington :+1:

Covington Municipal Code 9.140.050

Des Moines :+1:

Des Moines Municipal Code 9.76.020

Duvall :+1:

Duvall Municipal Code 7.01.200

Enumclaw :no_entry_sign:

Enumclaw Municipal Code 9.54.030

A. It shall be unlawful for any person 10 years of age or older to recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally appear in a public place other than a public place provided or set apart for nudity, or to recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally cause or permit another person 10 years of age or older to appear in a public place other than a public place provided or set apart for nudity, in a state of nudity, which includes a state of dress or undress such that any of the following body parts or portions thereof are exposed to view or are covered with anything other than a full and opaque covering which completely covers all of the described area:

  1. The male or female genitals, pubic area, buttocks or anal cleavage.

  2. The nipple or areola of the female breast; and in addition at least one-half of that outside surface of the breast located below the top of the areola, which area shall be reasonably compact and contiguous to the areola.

B. Attire which is insufficient to comply with these requirements includes but it not limited to those items commonly known as G-strings, T-backs, dental floss, and thongs.

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Federal Way :no_entry_sign:

Federal Way Revised Code 6.45.025

(1) A person is guilty of lewd conduct if in a public place the person intentionally:

(a) Exposes any of the following body parts of the person without a full and opaque covering:

(i) Any part of the male or female genitals, pubic hair, pubic area, perineum, anus, or bottom one-half of the anal cleft;

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Hunts Point :+1:

Hunts Point Municipal Code 9.05.010

Issaquah :+1:

Issaquah Municipal Code 9.50.010

Kenmore :+1:

Kenmore Municipal Code 9.05.490

Kent :+1:

Kent Municipal Code 9.02.070

Kirkland :+1:

Kirkland Municipal Code 11.20.020

Lake Forest Park :+1:

Lake Forest Park Municipal Code 9.30.020

Maple Valley :+1:

Maple Valley Municipal Code 9.05.425

Medina :+1:

Medina Municipal Code 9.04.030

Mercer Island :+1:

Mercer Island Municipal Code 9.18.020

Milton :+1:

Milton Municipal Code 9.04.020

Newcastle :+1:

Newcastle Municipal Code 9.05.580

Normandy Park :+1:

Normandy Park Municipal Code 7.04.185

North Bend :+1:

North Bend Municipal Code 9.180.010

Pacific :+1:

Pacific Municipal Code 9.100.050

Redmond :no_entry_sign:

Redmond Municipal Code 9.38

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I. “Unlawful public exposure” means:

1.A public exposure of any portion of the human anus, buttocks or genitals;

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Renton :+1:

Renton Municipal Code 6-18-18

Sammamish :+1:

Sammamish Municipal Code 9.05.340

SeaTac :+1:

SeaTac Municipal Code 8.05.300

Seattle :+1:

Seattle Municipal Code 12A.09.020

Is nudity illegal?

It’s legal to be naked (anywhere) in Seattle

Shoreline :+1:

Shoreline Municipal Code 9.10.550

Skykomish :+1:

Skykomish Municipal Code 9.05.010

Snoqualmie :+1:

Snoqualmie Municipal Code 9.82.010

Tukwila :no_entry_sign:

Tukwila Municipal Code 8.50.030

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  1. “Indecent exposure” means showing, or making open to view, one’s genitals, pubic area, or buttocks, or the mature female breast;

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Woodinville :+1:

Woodinville Municipal Code 9.03.162

Yarrow Point :+1:

Yarrow Point Municipal Code 9.04.010

Thong & G-String Friendly Destinations (Hotels, Beaches, Lakes, Resorts) in the PNW and Northern California
Thongs vs. G-Strings
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Thank you for putting together such an extensive list of local laws. It’s greatly appreciated as I’m looking for more places to be able to wear my thong when swimming or catching rays. Interesting that Federal Way says it’s not legal…For what it’s worth I’ve been swimming laps at K.C.A.C. exclusively in a thong since the start of Covid 4-5 days a week without any issues at all. I don’t even bring a “back up” pair of briefs with me anymore. I’ve also heard that Redmond pool is thong friendly as well, but I haven’t been up there as it’s a bit of a drive for me and I’ve got 3 pools closer that are all thong friendly.

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Do you swim laps in a thong?
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I’m glad the information is useful, @Thonged4Life.

State/County/City codes usually regulate what’s allowed in public, which should be defined. The Federal Way Revised code defines a “public place” as the following.

“Public place” means an area generally visible to public view, and includes streets, sidewalks, bridges, alleys, plazas, parks, driveways, parking lots, automobiles (whether moving or not), and buildings open to the general public, including those which serve food or drink or provide entertainment, and the doorways and entrances to buildings or dwellings and the grounds enclosing them, and businesses contained in structures which can serve customers who remain in their vehicles by means of a drive-up window.

If I want to know whether or not it’s okay to wear a thong at a public beach, I’ll check the associated code. Public pools often have their own rules. I’ve seen city pools that prohibit thongs even though they are allowed at beaches. For example, thongs are not allowed at the Peter Kirk Pool in Kirkland even though they are permitted and commonplace at the city’s waterfront beaches.

Bathing suits must be family friendly, all thongs and revealing attire will not be permitted within the facility.

The Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center has a Federal Way address, but is operated by the county. King County likely owns the facility and the land it’s built on.

The Redmond Pool is owned by the city and operated by Wave Aquatics, a private company.

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Can you tell me which pools you wear thongs at? Now that summer is over I’d like to swim laps in my thong. I usually wear a brief but would like to switch. I live in Graham but work in Tacoma so K.C.A.C. Is a short drive from work. Any info would be helpful! Thanks!

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I’ve been wearing my thongs at K.C.A.C. Five days a week for probably the last three years with no issues at all. Mind you the ones I wear are solid color Desmitt. They are very plain and very conservative cut. Although they are thongs they’re very conservative. They’re not buldge. They’re not push-up or anything crazy and I definitely do not make a big deal about them. So far I’ve had no problems whatsoever.

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7

I wear bang clothes solid color thongs, which are very similar to the Desmit thongs. Solid dark colors, not see through etc. Maybe I should head up there and try KCAC as well. What time of day do you go?

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8

I did the 11:30-1:30 session.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been there this year at all. I was involved in a bad accident last November and I’m currently unable to swim at all so I have not been back. But I’m staying hopeful for my future.

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Yikes! I will keep you in prayer! That’s a terrible thing! I hope you get well soon!

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Much appreciated :slight_smile: unfortunately it’s gonna be a while. I got some nerve damage and some spinal damage. But if you go to my house and go in dresser, I still have quite a collection of thongs and hopefully someday I’ll be able to walk good enough again and be able to head to the beach and go tan in one. I hope your visit to KC AC goes well and you get to carry the torch for thonging in King County.

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That’s just terrible. Let me know if there’s anything that I can do for you. I have not been up there yet, if I go, it would be in the afternoon after work, so we’ll see how it goes. You say you swam laps in a thong there for a long time? Did you ever see anyone else doing the same?

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Did you ask permission to swim in a thong at KCAC or did you just go? Have you been to the one in Redmond? I went to 24 in Tacoma and they politely asked me to wear something else lol.

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I appreciate the offer, I let you know. Yeah I swam laps there for at least 2 years straight. Sadly I never saw anyone else in a thong. But I know for sure anyone who happened to be looking would have seen me in mine…. Like I’ve said, I didn’t hide. Most importantly I didn’t make a big deal about it. Take my pre swim shower, go walk out on deck, give the the guard my “pass” ( they give you a daily pass card you give to the lifeguard every day before you swim), pick a lane, swim at least an hr (alternating Brest,back,freestyle) then get out and go back to the locker room…. All acting same as if I has a normal “speedo” on. I’ve made several friends there. No issues at all with the thong. I bet mathe “regulars” are probably wondering where I’m at…

I did ask the head lifeguard if I could wear one. She said “yeah if you want to, you might get a few looks, but that’s their problem“ I have been told her that I just got to Arkansas from living in Florida so wearing thongs was nothing new to me so that’s what I had more of and if it was OK I would wear them. And I asked her is it against the rules. And she said no there is nothing in the world that she knew of that would prevent me from wearing one so the next day when I showed up to the pool, that’s what I had and I had no problems from anybody so that was all I were every day for the next two years and some change. No, I haven’t been to the pool in Redmond. But I have worn my thong at Fife Aquatic Center every time I’ve gone there to Swim labs since 2020 with no problems.

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The fife aquatic center is much closer to me than KCAC. I have thought about calling them to ask. Maybe I should just show up? Also, did you ask permission there as well?. I’m an excellent lap swimmer so like others have said, if I just act normally, things should be fine.

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I’ve spent a bit of time exploring the Kirkland waterfront. While thong swimwear isn’t overly common, there are a few spots where you’ll see people wearing them and where you might feel comfortable wearing one yourself.

A few things to keep in mind regardless of which park you visit:

  1. Geese are a problem at all of these parks, and they defecate everywhere. Bring a towel or blanket you can easily wash afterward.
  2. Check the county’s water quality status. Toxic algae and bacteria often lead to local health advisories against swimming.
  3. Weekdays are much quieter. Expect significantly bigger crowds on weekends.

There are four waterfront parks south of downtown along Lake St S (which turns into Lake Washington Blvd NE) and two options further north.

Marina Park

Marina Park sits just west of downtown. It features grassy lawns, restrooms, benches, a pavilion, and a small, rocky beach. Paid parking is available in a lot right next to the park, but I recommend finding street parking near Heritage Park and walking over. The city hosts frequent summer events here, so it’s worth checking the calendar before heading out.

I wouldn’t recommend wearing a thong here. There’s heavy foot traffic along the paved path through the park, and it’s the least “beachy” of the nearby options. You’ll see far more people in street clothes than in swimwear.

David E. Brink Park

David E. Brink Park is a short walk south of Marina Park along Lake St S. It’s a long, narrow strip with a concrete walkway along the water, a small rocky beach, a pier, and a grassy slope running the length of the park. There are no restrooms or lifeguards.

Teens often jump off and swim around the pier. Sunbathers, who occasionally wear thongs, tend to stick to the north lawn. The hill is steep enough to block views from passing cars, though pedestrians on the sidewalk still have a clear view down. Because it lacks restrooms and playgrounds, it isn’t very popular with families.

Marsh Park

Marsh Park is located just a bit further south. It offers a tiny parking lot, restrooms, two grassy lawns, and a short pier where people jump in and swim. Trees used to shade the north lawn, but they were cut down earlier this year, making the area much sunnier than before.

Marsh Park is flatter and more exposed to the street than David E. Brink Park, and it tends to draw larger crowds. While it isn’t a top destination for families due to the lack of play structures, you’ll still see some here.

As with David E. Brink Park, people occasionally sunbathe in thongs. However, because it’s more exposed and the crowds leave less space to spread out, Marsh Park wouldn’t be my first choice.

Houghton Beach Park

Continuing south, Houghton Beach Park is the largest of the four downtown-area parks. Facilities include a parking lot, restrooms, a beach volleyball court, a playground, a lifeguarded swim area, a long pier, and several grassy lawns.

The area around the volleyball court is popular with high school and college groups. Cheeky and thong swimwear is relatively common here, though I wouldn’t feel comfortable lounging in this spot regardless of what I was wearing.

I’ve seen people wearing thongs, including parents with their children, at the swim beach and adjacent lawn, but it feels a bit too central and exposed for my comfort.

The larger lawn at the south end of the park works well for sunbathing on quieter days, though it is often dominated by families having barbecues on the weekends.

Juanita Beach Park

Juanita Beach Park is a short drive north of downtown. It features a large parking lot, restrooms, a lifeguarded swim area, a pier, a covered picnic shelter, and volleyball courts. It’s a popular spot for families all summer long, and the Friday farmers market draws lots of people. While I’ve seen people in thongs here, it’s less common than at the downtown beaches.

Most sunbathers lie out on the eastern lawn, though some set up on the west side near the volleyball courts. The park is spacious enough to find a pocket away from family activities, but with so much going on, it’s not secluded.

O. O. Denny Park

O. O. Denny Park is further north on Juanita Dr NE. It offers two parking lots, restrooms, several unguarded swim beaches, a covered picnic shelter, and a playground.

Sunbathers tend to lie out on the waterfront slope in the center of the park or on the far north lawn, which is farthest from the restrooms. I’ve spotted a few conservative thong swimsuits here (e.g., Jolyn-type “slim” bottoms).

O. O. Denny is my personal favorite. It gets very busy on weekends with family gatherings and barbecues. During the week, however, it’s pleasantly quiet. Because the park is so expansive, there’s usually plenty of room to spread out.