Alhambra, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

In the City of Alhambra, political and other noncommercial signs are addressed in the sign regulations of Zoning Code Chapter 23.21. According to the code's exempt-sign provisions (Section 23.21.040), election-related political signs do not require a sign permit, but a sign that is election-related must be removed within 14 days after the election to which it pertains. Because political signs are noncommercial speech, the City's ability to restrict their content is constitutionally limited; cities may generally regulate the time, place, and manner (such as size, placement on private property, and removal timing) but not the message. Signs may not be placed in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, or in a way that obstructs traffic visibility. For homeowners in a community association, California Civil Code Section 4710 separately protects the right to display noncommercial signs, posters, flags, and banners on an owner's property; an HOA may impose reasonable size restrictions (noncommercial signs cannot exceed 9 square feet, flags/banners 15 square feet) but cannot impose content-based bans or limit display to a particular election season. Residents should keep signs on their own property, avoid the public right-of-way, and remove election signs within the 14-day window after the election.