Political Signs: Fresno vs Reedley

Fresno regulates signs under FMC Chapter 15, Article 26 (Sign Regulations). Political signs on private property are broadly protected under the First Amendment and California Election Code Section 18370. The City cannot prohibit political signs on residential property. Signs may be subject to reasonable size limits (typically 32 sq ft in residential zones) and must be removed within a reasonable period after the election. No permit is required for temporary political signs.

Political signs in Reedley are permitted on private property with the property owner's consent, protected under both the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and California Elections Code Section 18310, which makes it a misdemeanor to take, remove, or destroy any lawfully placed political sign. Reedley's municipal code permits political signs on private residential and commercial property but prohibits signs on public property, in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, on traffic signs, and on trees. Under California Government Code Section 65850.6, local agencies may adopt reasonable time, place, and manner regulations for political signs but cannot effectively prohibit their display on residential property. Political signs related to specific elections may typically be displayed up to 90 days before an election and should be removed within 10 days after the election, though signs expressing general political viewpoints not tied to a specific election may be displayed year-round under free speech protections.