Auburn, AL Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Earliest posting
- 30 days before the election date
- Removal deadline
- 7 days after election; run-off signs 7 days after run-off
- Size limit
- 32 square feet maximum
- Prohibited locations
- All city- and school-owned property, rights-of-way, parks
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor plus case costs, Sec. 1-9
- Governing section
- City Code Sec. 8-5
Summary
Auburn bans political signs earlier than 30 days before an election and requires removal within 7 days after the election date, caps size at 32 square feet, and bans them entirely on city- or school-owned property including rights-of-way, parks and schools under City Code Sec. 8-5.
It is unlawful to place, erect or maintain political signs earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the official election date. Said signs must be removed within seven (7) days after the official election date. In the event of a run-off election, the signs of the run-off candidates may be maintained until the seventh day after the run-off election.
Political signs are limited in size to no more than thirty-two (32) square feet.
Pursuant to Section 23-1-6 of the Code of Alabama and Article Six of the Auburn Zoning Ordinance, it is unlawful to erect or display political signs on any property owned or controlled by the City of Auburn or Auburn City Schools. This shall include public rights-of-ways, trees, light poles, sidewalks, streets, benches, fire hydrants, public parks or playgrounds, libraries, fire stations, City Hall, and schools.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 90).
Full Breakdown
Auburn's political sign rules sit in Chapter 8 of the City Code, the same chapter that governs municipal elections. Sec. 8-4 defines a political sign as a temporary sign promoting a candidate's campaign or an upcoming referendum on a public issue. Sec. 8-5 sets the display window: signs cannot go up earlier than 30 days before the official election date and must come down within 7 days afterward; if a race goes to a run-off, the run-off candidates' signs can stay up until the seventh day after the run-off.
Size is capped at 32 square feet regardless of location. The section also carries an absolute ban on any property owned or controlled by the City of Auburn or Auburn City Schools, citing Code of Alabama Sec. 23-1-6 and Article Six of the Auburn Zoning Ordinance: that reaches public rights-of-way, trees, light poles, sidewalks, streets, benches, fire hydrants, parks, playgrounds, libraries, fire stations, City Hall and school grounds. Placement responsibility runs to the candidate: Sec. 8-5 makes candidates answerable for volunteers and sign contractors who put up or take down their signs, and a candidate is held responsible for violations committed on their behalf even if a third party did the physical work.
Sec. 8-6 sets the penalty as a misdemeanor punished under Sec. 1-9 of the City Code, with the violator also required to pay all costs and expenses of the case.
Violations & Fines
Violating the 30-day posting window, the 7-day removal deadline, the 32-square-foot cap or the ban on city- and school-owned property is a misdemeanor under Sec. 8-6, punishable as prescribed in Sec. 1-9 of the City Code, plus all costs and expenses of prosecution. Candidates bear responsibility for signs placed by their volunteers or contractors, so an untimely or oversized sign traced to a campaign exposes the candidate, not just whoever planted it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I put up a political sign in Auburn?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Auburn
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