Political Signs: Tulare vs Visalia
How do political signs rules compare between Tulare, CA and Visalia, CA?
Tulare and Visalia have similar restriction levels.
Tulare, CA
Tulare County
Tulare's old political-sign rule at Municipal Code § 10.188.050(J) imposed time limits the City stopped enforcing after Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015), and staff began rewriting Chapter 10.188 to be content-neutral. In practice political signs on private residential property are treated like other temporary signs, and on highway frontage Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 5405.3 controls.
View full Tulare rules →Visalia, CA
Tulare County
California Civil Code Section 4710 universally prohibits homeowner associations from banning noncommercial political signs on owner-occupied separate interest property, overriding any local HOA covenant.
View full Visalia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Tulare | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Code chapter | Tulare Municipal Code Ch. 10.188 (Signs); § 10.188.050(J) unenforced | - |
| State highway rule | Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 5405.3 — 90 days before / 10 days after election, ≤ 32 sq ft | - |
| Controlling case | Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155 (2015) | - |
| Right-of-way | No signs in public right-of-way or within 660 ft of landscaped freeway | - |
| Statute | - | Civil Code §4710 |
| Applies to | - | HOAs and CIDs |
| Size limit | - | 9 sq ft signs |
| Remedy | - | Attorney fees available |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Tulare FAQ
Can the City of Tulare make me take down a campaign sign in my yard?
Not based on its content or election timing. The old § 10.188.050(J) durational limit on political signs has not been enforced since 2018 because of Reed v. Town of Gilbert. Generic content-neutral rules (size, no obstructing sight triangles, no posting on utility poles) still apply.
How close to Highway 99 can I put a campaign sign?
Not in the Caltrans right-of-way, and not within 660 ft of a classified landscaped freeway if the sign is visible from it. Per Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 5405.3, the sign must be ≤ 32 sq ft, posted no more than 90 days before the election, removed within 10 days after, and have a Statement of Responsibility on file.
Visalia FAQ
Can my HOA ban yard signs during election season?
No. Civil Code Section 4710 protects noncommercial political signs on your separate interest property. The HOA may only enforce reasonable size, material, and safety limits set by the statute.
Does this protect signs in the front yard?
Yes, if the front yard is part of your separate interest. Common areas owned by the HOA are not covered, and signs can still be limited to 9 square feet with non-durable materials excluded.
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