Political Signs: El Monte vs Los Angeles
How do political signs rules compare between El Monte, CA and Los Angeles, CA?
El Monte has fewer restrictions than Los Angeles.
El Monte, CA
Los Angeles County
Non-illuminated political and other noncommercial temporary signs are exempt from sign-permit requirements under EMMC §17.80.030(J), with size and height caps that lift entirely from 60 days before through 15 days after any local, state or federal election.
View full El Monte 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 | El Monte | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Code section | EMMC §17.80.030(J) (exempt temp noncommercial signs) | - |
| Permit required | No | - |
| Residential size cap | 6 sq ft combined, 4 ft tall | - |
| Nonresidential size cap | 12 sq ft combined, 5 ft tall | - |
| Election window | 60 days before to 15 days after — caps lifted | - |
| Right-of-way signs | Prohibited; summary removal (§17.80.040(L), §17.80.130(D)(2)(a)) | - |
| Illumination | Not permitted on temporary signs (§17.80.110(D)) | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
El Monte FAQ
Do I need a permit to put a candidate or ballot-measure sign in my front yard in El Monte?
No. Under EMMC §17.80.030(J)(1), non-illuminated temporary noncommercial signs — including political signs — are exempt from the sign-permit requirement, provided they stay within 6 sq ft combined and 4 ft tall on a residential lot.
Can I put more signs up during election season?
Yes. Section 17.80.030(J)(2) suspends the residential and nonresidential size caps starting 60 days before a local, state or federal election and ending 15 days after. During that window the volume of noncommercial signage on private property is unrestricted, though right-of-way placement is still prohibited.
Can I stake signs along the sidewalk, on utility poles, or in the median?
No. EMMC §17.80.040(L) prohibits signs in the public right-of-way, including sidewalks, medians, utility and traffic poles, bridges, benches and street lights. The City may remove those signs immediately without notice under §17.80.130(D)(2)(a), and the candidate featured is presumed responsible.
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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