Santa Clara County, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Zoning Ordinance Sec. 4.40.100
- Permit
- None; allowed without ASA in any district
- Max size (R1/R1E/RHS/R1S/R2)
- 16 sq ft
- Max size on vacant lot
- 32 sq ft
- Removal deadline
- Within 10 days after final election
- Placement limit
- No highway obstruction (Div. B17, Sec. B17-18)
Summary
Political signs are permitted in any zoning district of unincorporated Santa Clara County without architecture and site approval, under Zoning Ordinance Section 4.40.100. Size limits apply by district and signs must be removed within 10 days after the related election.
(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. (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
100 governs political signs in unincorporated Santa Clara County. The County states the intent is to encourage participation by the electorate while ensuring signs are located, constructed and removed so as to protect public safety and general welfare. ) of the County Ordinance Code, which addresses obstruction of highways; (2) no political sign may exceed 16 square feet in surface area in any R1, R1E, RHS, R1S or R2 zoning district, unless it is on a vacant lot, in which case the limit is 32 square feet; and (3) each political sign must be removed within 10 days following the final election to which it relates.
The section does not apply to commercial outdoor advertising structures maintained by licensed outdoor-advertising operators. These County size limits operate within the bounds of the First Amendment and California law, which protect noncommercial political speech; content-based or durational restrictions are read narrowly. The County does not require a permit for compliant residential political signs.
Violations & Fines
A political sign that exceeds the applicable 16- or 32-square-foot limit, obstructs a highway in violation of Division B17, or is left up more than 10 days after the final election is subject to removal. The ordinance authorizes County officials to enter private property and remove signs placed in violation without incurring liability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How large can a political sign be on my unincorporated residential property?
When do I have to take my election signs down?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clara County
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clara County to another location·View the California sign regulations overview
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