DeSoto, TX Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Reed Gilbert
- Reed v. Gilbert content neutrality
- Private Property Placement
- Private property placement protected
- Public Row Placement
- Public ROW placement prohibited
- Legal Reference
- HOA restrictions limited by TX Elec. Code 259.002
- Timing Limits Apply
- Timing limits apply
Summary
DeSoto's political sign regulations must comply with the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert, which requires content-neutral sign rules, and with Texas Election Code Sec. 259.002
Sec. 259.002. REGULATION OF DISPLAY OF POLITICAL SIGNS BY PROPERTY OWNERS' ASSOCIATION. (a) In this section, "property owners' association" has the meaning assigned by Section 202.001, Property Code.(b) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a property owners' association may not enforce or adopt a restrictive covenant that prohibits a property owner from displaying on the owner's property one or more signs advertising a candidate or measure for an election:(1) on or after the 90th day before the date of the election to which the sign relates; or(2) before the 10th day after that election date.
Full Breakdown
S. Supreme Court's decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert, which requires content-neutral sign rules, and with Texas Election Code Sec. 002 and Texas Local Government Code restrictions. Political signs on private residential property are broadly protected, DeSoto cannot prohibit them entirely and must treat them with rules no more restrictive than other temporary signs. Typical lawful regulations include size limits (often 36 square feet or less per sign in residential areas), location requirements (on private property, not in the public right-of-way or on utility poles/trees/traffic signs), and timing limits (often allowing signs 60-90 days before an election and requiring removal within 10 days after).
Signs cannot block sight distance at intersections or driveways. The public right-of-way, including grass strips between sidewalks and streets, medians, and utility easements, is not private property, and signs placed there are subject to removal. HOAs also cannot flatly prohibit political signs under Tex. Elec. 002.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can DeSoto ban political signs in my yard?
How long before an election can I put up political signs in DeSoto?
Can my DeSoto HOA remove my political sign?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in DeSoto
Texas rules heatmap·Compare DeSoto to another location·View the Texas sign regulations overview
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How other cities in Dallas County handle political signs.