Political Signs: Arlington vs Somerville
How do political signs rules compare between Arlington, MA and Somerville, MA?
Arlington and Somerville have similar restriction levels.
Arlington, MA
Middlesex County
Political signs on private property are protected speech under the First Amendment and MGL c.54. Cities may regulate size and placement but cannot require permits or prohibit them outright.
View full Arlington rules →Somerville, MA
Middlesex County
Somerville allows political signs on private property with owner consent during election seasons. Content-neutral size and placement rules apply. Reed v. Town of Gilbert limits content-based restrictions.
View full Somerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington | Somerville |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Case | Reed v Town of Gilbert 2015 | - |
| Polling Place Buffer | 150 feet (MGL c.54 s.65) | - |
| Residential Size Cap | 6 sq ft typical | - |
| Permit Required | No for private property | - |
| Removal Deadline | 7-14 days post-election | - |
| Allowed on | - | Private property with consent |
| Prohibited in | - | Public right-of-way |
| Content neutral | - | Reed v. Gilbert 2015 |
| Sight lines | - | Cannot obstruct |
| Post-election removal | - | 7-14 days |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington FAQ
Can I put a political sign on my lawn?
Yes. Political signs on private residential property are protected speech. Most Middlesex County cities cap size at 6 square feet and require removal shortly after the election.
Can the city remove my sign?
Only if it violates size, location, or safety rules, or is placed in the public right-of-way. Signs on private property within size limits cannot be removed.
Somerville FAQ
Can I put a campaign sign on the tree lawn?
No. Tree lawns are typically in the public right-of-way. Keep signs entirely on private property.
Can the city limit how long a political sign stays up?
Yes, but only through content-neutral rules applied to all temporary signs, not rules targeting political content.
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