Baldwin Park, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing definition
- § 153.220.200, POLITICAL SIGN
- Residential temporary sign cap
- 10 sq ft, 3 ft tall, no permit
- Residential permanent sign cap
- 10 sq ft combined, 4 ft tall
- Right-of-way placement
- Prohibited, § 153.170.050(L)
- Utility poles/trees/fences
- Prohibited, § 153.170.050(O)-(P)
- Penalty reference
- § 10.99
Summary
Baldwin Park treats political signs as noncommercial temporary signs under its sign code. Homeowners can post them without a permit if they stay within the residential exempt-sign limits, and they cannot go on utility poles, trees, fences or in the public right-of-way.
POLITICAL SIGN. A noncommercial sign related to a forthcoming public election. ... (C) Exempt signs. The following categories of signs do not require a sign permit: ... (2) Residential signs. On residential property: (a) Up to three flags or pennants of up to ten square feet on a staff or pole of no longer than eight feet; (b) Up to three permanent signs with a combined area of no more than ten square feet and a height of no more than four feet; ... (d) Up to four other temporary signs with a combined area of no more than ten square feet and a height of no more than three feet.
Full Breakdown
Baldwin Park Municipal Code defines a POLITICAL SIGN as "a noncommercial sign related to a forthcoming public election" under Chapter 153.170's sign definitions (§ 153.220.200). The city does not run a separate election-specific permit track for these signs; instead they are regulated like any other temporary or permanent sign under § 153.170.040, EXEMPT SIGNS. On residential property, an owner may display up to three permanent signs totaling no more than ten square feet and four feet tall, up to six temporary window signs totaling nine square feet, and up to four other temporary signs (the category political yard signs fall into) totaling no more than ten square feet with a height cap of three feet, all without a sign permit.
Multi-unit residential properties get an added allowance of one flag and combined temporary/permanent signage of six square feet per dwelling unit. Because political signs qualify as noncommercial temporary signs, they are not subject to the city's separate permitted-temporary-sign track in § 153.170.060, which is reserved for business grand-opening and promotional banners capped at 30 consecutive days. Placement still has to clear § 153.170.050, PROHIBITED SIGNS: no signs in the public right-of-way (division L), none attached to utility poles without written utility company approval (division O), and none attached to trees, fences, bridges or light poles (division P).
A sign that is abandoned, meaning no sign copy has appeared on it or the related activity has ceased for 90 days, is also independently prohibited under division (A). Violations of the sign chapter carry the penalty referenced at § 10.99.
Violations & Fines
Placing a political sign on a utility pole, tree, fence, light pole or within the public right-of-way violates § 153.170.050 and can be cited under the general penalty at § 10.99. Exceeding the residential exempt-sign size or height caps in § 153.170.040(C)(2) without obtaining a sign permit is also a violation, as is leaving a sign up after it becomes abandoned under § 153.170.050(A).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a political yard sign in Baldwin Park?
Can I attach a political sign to a utility pole or street tree?
Is there a special rule for how long political signs can stay up before or after an election?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Baldwin Park
California rules heatmap·Compare Baldwin Park to another location·View the California sign regulations overview
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