Political Signs: San Jose vs Sunnyvale
How do political signs rules compare between San Jose, CA and Sunnyvale, CA?
San Jose and Sunnyvale have similar restriction levels.
San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
San Jose regulates political signs as part of content-neutral temporary sign rules in SJMC Chapter 23. Residential properties may display temporary signs up to 8 square feet per sign without permits. Signs in the public right-of-way are prohibited. The city rewrote sign rules after Reed v Gilbert to apply uniformly to all temporary signs regardless of message.
View full San Jose rules →Sunnyvale, CA
Santa Clara County
Sunnyvale residents may display temporary political signs on private property under First Amendment protections, with reasonable limits on size and placement.
View full Sunnyvale rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Jose | Sunnyvale |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Permit required | - | No |
| Max size residential | - | Typically 6 sq ft |
| Public right-of-way | - | Prohibited |
| Removal deadline | - | 10 days post-election |
| State law | - | Gov Code 65850 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Jose FAQ
When can I put up a political sign in San Jose?
Any time. Content-neutral rules apply year-round. The 15-day post-event removal rule applies equally to political, real estate, and event signs.
How big can my sign be?
Up to 8 square feet per sign on residential property without a permit. Aggregate area limits apply per parcel.
Can I place signs on public property?
No. Placement on parkways, medians, sidewalks, utility poles, street trees, or any public right-of-way is prohibited and results in summary removal.
Sunnyvale FAQ
Can I put political signs in my yard?
Yes. Political signs on private property are allowed without a permit, subject to size and placement limits.
Can I place signs on the curb strip or median?
No. Signs in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, or medians are prohibited and subject to removal.
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