Chino, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Title 17 of the Chino Municipal Code is the city's sign code (descriptor confirmed from cityofchino.org/616/Municipal-Code linking to library.municode.com/ca/chino). Under content-neutral First Amendment doctrine (Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 2015), cities cannot treat political signs differently than other temporary noncommercial signs of the same type — Chino's residential temporary sign rules therefore apply equally to campaign signs. Under Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §5405.3, a temporary political sign (1) cannot exceed 32 sq ft, (2) may be placed up to 90 days before the election, and (3) must be removed within 10 days after the election. Signs are prohibited in the highway right-of-way and within 660 ft of and visible from a landscaped freeway. Cal. Penal Code §556 makes it a misdemeanor to place any sign on State, city, or county property without lawful permission — this covers utility poles, street trees, traffic signals, medians, and parkway strips. Off-premises commercial signs along SR-71 (Chino Valley Freeway), SR-83 (Euclid Avenue), and SR-60 are also restricted under Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §5405 (the Outdoor Advertising Act). HOA-governed neighborhoods in The Preserve and other planned communities may impose additional CC&R restrictions, but Cal. Civil Code §4710 limits HOA restrictions on noncommercial signs/flags/banners on a member's separate property.