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Colusa County, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified June 2026

Key Facts

Code section
Colusa County Code Sec. 44-3.50.040(b)(2)
Status
Temporary sign allowed without a permit
Maximum area
32 sq ft
Maximum height
12 ft (building permit required over 7 ft)
Placement
Private property with owner consent; not in public right-of-way
Illumination
Permit-exempt temporary signs may not be illuminated

Summary

In unincorporated Colusa County, campaign and political signs are temporary signs allowed without a permit under Section 44-3.50.040(b)(2) of the Zoning Code. They may not exceed 32 square feet in area or 12 feet in height, must be on private property with the owner's consent and out of the public right-of-way, and any sign over 7 feet tall requires a building permit.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Colusa County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Campaign or political signs pertaining to an election to any public office or ballot measure may be installed on private property with the property owner's consent with the following restrictions: (A) The maximum sign height shall be twelve feet; (B) All signs that have a height greater than seven feet require a building permit in accordance with the building code; (C) No campaign or political signs shall be greater than thirty-two square feet...

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 850, passed April 7, 2026).

Full Breakdown

50 (Sign Regulations). 040(b)(2). The provision allows them to be installed on private property with the property owner's consent, subject to these restrictions: (A) the maximum sign height is 12 feet; (B) all signs greater than 7 feet in height require a building permit in accordance with the building code; (C) no campaign or political sign may exceed 32 square feet; and (D) in no case may a campaign or political sign, through its construction, placement, or size, endanger the health, safety, or welfare of the public.

The general temporary-sign rules in the same section also apply: temporary signs allowed without a permit may not be illuminated, may be no more than 5 feet high if freestanding (6 feet if affixed to a building), and 'shall not be placed on public property or in the public right-of-way' (Sec. 040(b)). Note the size/height allowances specific to political signs (12 feet/32 square feet) are stated in the political-sign subsection itself. Along state highways, the California Outdoor Advertising Act also applies. Because content-based limits on political speech raise First Amendment concerns, these size, height, and durational rules are enforced as time, place, and manner standards; direct questions to Colusa County Planning & Building.

Violations & Fines

Posting a political sign larger than 32 square feet, taller than 12 feet, taller than 7 feet without a building permit, on public property or in the public right-of-way, or without the property owner's consent violates Section 44-3.50 of the Colusa County Zoning Code. Code enforcement may order removal and may remove signs placed unlawfully in the public right-of-way.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big can a political sign be in unincorporated Colusa County?
Under Colusa County Code Section 44-3.50.040(b)(2), a campaign or political sign may not exceed 32 square feet in area or 12 feet in height, and any sign greater than 7 feet tall requires a building permit. Political signs are allowed without a sign permit but must follow these limits.
Where can I put political signs in Colusa County?
Campaign and political signs may be installed on private property with the property owner's consent. The Colusa County Zoning Code (Section 44-3.50.040(b)) prohibits placing permit-exempt temporary signs on public property or in the public right-of-way, and such signs may not be illuminated.
Do I need a permit for a political sign?
Not a sign permit - campaign and political signs are allowed without a sign permit under Section 44-3.50.040(b)(2). However, any political sign greater than 7 feet in height requires a building permit in accordance with the building code, and signs along state highways are also subject to the California Outdoor Advertising Act.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Colusa County

All Colusa County rules

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