Carver County, MN Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Carver County Code § 154.40
- General election window
- Aug. 1 to 10 days after election
- Special election window
- 13 weeks before to 10 days after
- Size limit in window
- None, any size allowed
- Outside the window
- Standard 32/36 sq ft sign rules apply
- Substitution clause
- § 154.41 lets owners swap in noncommercial copy anytime
Summary
Carver County lets residents post noncommercial and political signs of any size, overriding the county's usual permit and size rules, starting August 1 of a general election year through ten days after the election, and for 13 weeks before any special election through ten days after it. Outside those windows, political signs are treated like any other sign under the county's standard sign chapter.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, all signs of any size containing noncommercial speech may be posted from August 1 in any general election year until ten days following the general election and 13 weeks prior to any special election until ten days following the special election.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-20: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 111-2025, passed 7-25-25).
Full Breakdown
40, NONCOMMERCIAL SPEECH, sits in its own subsection of Chapter 154 and expressly overrides the rest of the sign chapter: signs of any size containing noncommercial speech may be posted from August 1 in a general election year until ten days after the election, and for 13 weeks before a special election until ten days after it. Chapter 154 defines NONCOMMERCIAL SPEECH to include, but not limit itself to, 'messages concerning political, religious, social, ideological, public service and informational topics,' so a campaign yard sign, a candidate endorsement banner, or an issue-advocacy sign all qualify.
10, do not apply to a qualifying noncommercial sign during the protected window. 41, the substitution clause, reinforces this by letting the owner of any otherwise-lawful sign swap in noncommercial copy at any time, without a new permit, to prevent inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over noncommercial speech. 23(E).
Violations & Fines
A political sign posted outside the protected windows is judged under the general sign rules: it needs a permit under § 154.10 if larger than six square feet, must stay within the 32/36-square-foot caps of § 154.20, and cannot sit in the public right-of-way under § 154.23(E). Violating the chapter is a misdemeanor under § 154.15, with each day of continued violation a separate offense, and the county can pursue removal, a stop-work order, or injunctive relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put up a political yard sign any size I want before the election?
Do I need a county permit for a campaign sign?
Can I put a political sign in the road right-of-way?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Carver County
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