Citrus Heights, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Private Property
- Allowed (size limits)
- Typical Size
- 6 sq ft per sign
- Right-of-Way
- Prohibited
- HOA Rule
- CC §4710 protects
- Removal
- Misdemeanor (Elec §18370)
Summary
Political signs on private residential property are protected political speech under the First Amendment. Citrus Heights cannot ban political signs but may regulate content-neutral aspects such as size and placement. Signs in the public right-of-way are generally prohibited.
(a) The governing documents may not prohibit posting or displaying of noncommercial signs, posters, flags, or banners on or in a member's separate interest, except as required for the protection of public health or safety or if the posting or display would violate a local, state, or federal law. (b) For purposes of this section, a noncommercial sign, poster, flag, or banner may be made of paper, cardboard, cloth, plastic, or fabric, and may be posted or displayed from the yard, window, door, balcony, or outside wall of the separate interest, but may not be made of lights, roofing, siding, paving materials, flora, or balloons, or any other similar building, landscaping, or decorative component, or include the painting of architectural surfaces. (c) An association may prohibit noncommercial signs and posters that are more than nine square feet in size and noncommercial flags or banners that are more than 15 square feet in size.
Full Breakdown
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015) confirmed that content-based sign regulations require strict scrutiny. Citrus Heights, like other California cities, allows political signs on private property subject only to content-neutral rules on size, setback, and placement. Typical rules: signs under 6 square feet per sign and 32 square feet total on residential property, set back from the sidewalk, not illuminated, and not attached to trees or utility poles. Signs in the public right-of-way (medians, parkway strips, signal poles) are prohibited and may be removed by Public Works. California Elections Code §18370 makes unauthorized removal of political signs a misdemeanor. HOAs cannot flatly ban political signs during election seasons under Civil Code §4710.
Violations & Fines
Right-of-way signs may be removed by the city. Unauthorized removal of lawfully posted political signs is a misdemeanor under Elections Code §18370.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a political sign in my yard?
Can my HOA ban candidate signs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Citrus Heights
California rules heatmap·Compare Citrus Heights to another location·View the California sign regulations overview
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Political Signs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle political signs.