Alameda, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Alameda's sign ordinance, AMC Section 30-6.7, lists exempt signs. Subsection (s), 'Non-Commercial, Political, Religious or Public Service Signs,' provides that signs containing noncommercial, political, religious, or public-service messages are exempt from the sign regulations, provided these signs are used exclusively to display such messages and comply with the applicable advertising-structure controls in subsection 6-3 of Chapter VI of the Code. This means political/campaign yard signs on private property are not subject to the size and permit limits that apply to commercial signage. Consistent with First Amendment law (Reed v. Town of Gilbert), Alameda does not impose special size caps or removal deadlines unique to political messages on private property. Separately, California's Outdoor Advertising Act (Business & Professions Code Section 5405.3) governs temporary political signs along state highways: such a sign must be no larger than 32 square feet, may be placed no sooner than 90 days before the election, must be removed within 10 days after the election, and the proponent must file a statement of responsibility. The City defines a 'political campaign sign' (AMC 30-6.2) as a sign advertising support of or opposition to a candidate or proposition for a public election. Signs may not be affixed to public property or placed in the right-of-way without authorization.