Political signs in Franklin County are protected by the First Amendment per Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015). Cities cannot regulate political signs more strictly than other temporary signs. Columbus (Code 3379.03) allows temporary signs up to 6 square feet in residential zones with no permit required.
Reed v. Gilbert (135 S. Ct. 2218) held content-based sign regulations are subject to strict scrutiny. Franklin County municipalities updated their sign codes in 2015-2017 to be content-neutral. Typical residential limit: 6 square feet per side, one per street frontage, no permit. Commercial zones allow larger signs (16-32 square feet). Right-of-way placement is prohibited (ORC 5521.01 for state highways). Signs must be removed within 7-14 days after the election in most jurisdictions. HOAs may still restrict political signs under deed restrictions, though some states have passed sign-protection laws; Ohio has not.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Franklin County, OH
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See how Franklin County's political signs rules stack up against other locations.
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