Political Signs: Fairfield vs Vacaville
How do political signs rules compare between Fairfield, CA and Vacaville, CA?
Fairfield has fewer restrictions than Vacaville.
Fairfield, CA
Solano County
Fairfield Municipal Code Chapter 25, Article IX (Sign Ordinance) regulates political signs as a category of temporary sign, but the rules must be content-neutral under Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155 (2015). Fairfield's ordinance requires owner permission before any political sign is placed and treats temporary signs equally regardless of message. The California Outdoor Advertising Act (Bus. & Prof. Code §5405.3) also caps state-highway temporary political signs at 32 sq ft and 90 days.
View full Fairfield rules →Vacaville, CA
Solano County
Vacaville Municipal Code §14.09.132.150 (Temporary Signs Allowed Without a Sign Permit) treats political signs as a content-neutral category of temporary sign. Political signs may be placed beginning 90 calendar days before any official election in Solano County, and all political signs must be removed no later than 30 days after Election Day. Signs require the permission of the property owner, lessee, or person in lawful possession, and may not be placed on public property, rights-of-way, medians, parks, landscape areas, or City structures. The code is drafted as content-neutral after Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015).
View full Vacaville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fairfield | Vacaville |
|---|---|---|
| Governing Code | FMC Chapter 25, Article IX (Sign Ordinance) | - |
| Owner Permission | Required before placement | - |
| First Amendment Frame | Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155 (2015) | - |
| State-Highway Cap | 32 sq ft, ≤90 days before / ≤10 days after election (Cal. B&P §5405.3) | - |
| Right-of-Way Signs | Prohibited; summary removal | - |
| Code Section | - | Vacaville Municipal Code §14.09.132.150 |
| Display Window | - | 90 days before election - 30 days after Election Day |
| Property Owner Consent | - | Required |
| Public Property | - | Prohibited (ROW, medians, parks, landscape areas) |
| Constitutional Backdrop | - | Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155 (2015) |
| Removed Sign Hold | - | Up to 30 days at Vacaville Corporation Yard |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fairfield FAQ
How long can I keep a campaign sign in my Fairfield yard?
Fairfield Municipal Code Chapter 25, Article IX treats political signs as a category of temporary sign with duration-neutral limits — Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015) requires content-neutral treatment. The owner of the property must consent. On state-highway frontage, California Business & Professions Code §5405.3 caps display at 90 days before and 10 days after the election.
Can I stake a political sign on the corner of a Fairfield intersection?
No. Fairfield Municipal Code Chapter 25 prohibits signs in the public right-of-way — including parkways, street trees, traffic-signal poles, and utility poles — and Public Works will remove them on sight. Place signs only on private property with the owner, lessee, or person-in-lawful-possession's consent.
Vacaville FAQ
When can I put up a political sign in Vacaville?
Political signs may be placed beginning 90 calendar days before any official election held within Solano County, and they must be removed no later than 30 days after Election Day. The sign must have the permission of the property owner, lessee, or person in lawful possession, and cannot be placed on public property, rights-of-way, medians, parks, landscape areas, or City structures.
Are political signs treated specially under the Vacaville sign code?
Vacaville's temporary-sign code (Vacaville Municipal Code §14.09.132.150) is drafted to be content-neutral after Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015). Political/campaign signs are placed in the same content-neutral category as real estate signs, garage sale signs, and similar temporary signs, with uniform size and placement rules. The City's published election guidance restates these rules for candidates.
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