Political Signs: Daly City vs Redwood City
How do political signs rules compare between Daly City, CA and Redwood City, CA?
Daly City and Redwood City have similar restriction levels.
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Daly City regulates signs through Municipal Code Chapter 17.32 (Title 17, Zoning). Temporary noncommercial and political signs on private residential property are broadly protected under California Civil Code 1940.4 (tenant right to display) and Civil Code 4710 (HOA owners), and posting on public property or in the public right-of-way is restricted under DCMC 17.32.160 (general regulations) and Caltrans rules near state highways (Bus. & Prof. Code 5405.3). Signs near polling places are restricted by California Elections Code 18370.
View full Daly City rules →Redwood City, CA
San Mateo County
Unincorporated San Mateo County's Development Code does not set a stand-alone political-sign chapter; temporary signs are addressed within district sign standards. Along state highways, California's Outdoor Advertising Act (B&P Code 5405.3) caps temporary political signs at 32 sq ft, placed no sooner than 90 days before an election and removed within 10 days after.
View full Redwood City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | Redwood City |
|---|---|---|
| City sign code | DCMC Chapter 17.32 (Title 17 Zoning) — DCMC 17.32.120 exempt signs, 17.32.160 general regs, 17.32.240 penalties | - |
| Public right-of-way | No signs on utility poles, traffic signs, medians, sidewalks, or other public property (DCMC 17.32.160) | - |
| Tenant protection | Cal. Civ. Code 1940.4 — landlord may not ban; sign limit 6 sq ft, posted ≤90 days before election, removed ≤15 days after | - |
| HOA protection | Cal. Civ. Code 4710 — HOA may not ban noncommercial signs; max 9 sq ft signs, 15 sq ft flags/banners | - |
| State-highway visibility | Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 5405.3 — max 32 sq ft, 90 days before to 10 days after election, owner permission required | - |
| Polling place buffer | Cal. Elec. Code 18370 — no electioneering signs within 100 ft of polling place or drop box | - |
| County Political-Sign Chapter | - | None as separate category |
| State Highway Rule | - | B&P Code Sec. 5405.3 |
| Max Size (Highways) | - | 32 sq ft |
| Earliest Posting | - | 90 days before election |
| Removal | - | Within 10 days after election |
| Right-of-Way | - | Signs prohibited |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
Can I put a candidate sign in my front yard in Daly City?
Yes. Daly City Municipal Code Chapter 17.32 regulates sign placement but does not prohibit residents from displaying noncommercial or political signs on their own private property. Keep the sign on your lot — not in the sidewalk, parkway strip, or street median — and out of any sight-distance triangle at corners.
How long before an election can I post my sign?
On your private property, Daly City does not set a fixed window. For state-highway-visible signs, Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 5405.3 allows posting no more than 90 days before the election and requires removal within 10 days after. Cal. Civ. Code 1940.4 applies the same 90-day/15-day window to tenants in rental units.
My landlord told me to take down my political sign. Is that legal?
Generally no. California Civil Code 1940.4 protects residential tenants' right to display a political sign relating to an election, initiative, referendum, or matter before a public board. The landlord may impose reasonable size limits (no larger than 6 sq ft) and time limits (90 days before / 15 days after the election), but cannot impose a flat ban.
Can I staple my sign to a telephone pole on Mission Street?
No. Daly City Municipal Code 17.32.160 prohibits attaching signs to utility poles, street trees, traffic signs, and other public fixtures, and prohibits signs in the public right-of-way. The city may remove the sign and issue a citation. PG&E and Caltrans also remove signs from their poles and right-of-way.
Redwood City FAQ
Does unincorporated San Mateo County limit political sign size?
The County's zoning sign standards do not set a distinct political-sign size or duration limit as a separate category. Content-based regulation of political signs is generally barred under Reed v. Town of Gilbert.
When must I take down a political sign near a state highway?
Under California B&P Code Section 5405.3, signs near state highways must be removed within 10 days after the election and may not be posted more than 90 days before it.
How big can a political sign be?
Near state highways, California law caps temporary political signs at 32 square feet. On private property away from highways, the County does not impose a separate political-sign size category, but signs may not be in the public right-of-way.
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