Bellaire, TX Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Political signs in Bellaire are protected by Texas Election Code Section 259.002, which prohibits a municipality from regulating signs on private property that relate to an election or measure. The city's sign ordinance may regulate size and construction standards for safety purposes. Political signs may not be placed in public rights-of-way, on utility poles, or on city property. On private residential property, political signs are permitted from the 90th day before an election through the 10th day after the election under Texas Property Code Section 202.009, which governs HOA authority over political signs. HOAs may regulate the size, number, and manner of display during this protected period but cannot prohibit them entirely. Signs must be ground-mounted or window-displayed and may not exceed customary sizes (typically 36 by 24 inches for residential yard signs). Outside the protected election period, HOAs may have broader authority to restrict political signs per their governing documents. The city may remove political signs placed illegally in public rights-of-way. First Amendment protections also apply to political speech through signage on private property.