Political Signs: Altadena vs Los Angeles
How do political signs rules compare between Altadena, CA and Los Angeles, CA?
Altadena has fewer restrictions than Los Angeles.
Altadena, CA
Los Angeles County
Political signs on private property in Altadena are protected speech under the First Amendment (Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 2015). LA County Code Ch. 22.116 limits aggregate residential sign area but cannot impose content-based restrictions.
View full Altadena rules →Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
Los Angeles regulates political signs as part of its content-neutral temporary sign rules under LAMC 91.6217. Residential properties may display temporary signs up to 12 square feet without a permit. Signs cannot be placed in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, or illuminated. After Reed v Gilbert, the city rewrote restrictions to apply equally to all temporary signs regardless of message.
View full Los Angeles rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Altadena | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Code Section | LA County Code Ch. 22.116 | - |
| Max Aggregate Area | ~6 sq ft residential | - |
| Public Right-of-Way | Prohibited | - |
| Content Restrictions | Limited by 1st Amendment | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Altadena FAQ
Can I put political signs on my Altadena lawn?
Yes — within the aggregate residential sign area limit (~6 sq ft) under LA County Code Ch. 22.116. The county can't restrict content under the 1st Amendment.
Los Angeles FAQ
When can I put up a political sign in LA?
Any time. After Reed v Gilbert, LA removed its 60-day election-window rule. Temporary signs follow the same content-neutral standards year-round.
How big can my political sign be?
Up to 12 square feet in aggregate on a residential property without a permit. Larger or commercial-zone signs may require permits under LAMC 14.4.
Can I post a sign on a utility pole or parkway?
No. Placement in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, street trees, or parkways is prohibited and the sign will be removed without notice.
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