Fullerton, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit
- not required for election/campaign signs
- Definition source
- § 15.49.015
- Owner duty
- remove unauthorized political signs
- Violation status
- declared a public nuisance
- Still banned
- inflatable or portable campaign displays
Summary
Fullerton's sign code exempts election and campaign signs from the sign-permit requirement in § 15.49.060(A)(1)(f), and separately defines an ELECTION/CAMPAIGN SIGN as one "related to the vote in a near-future election of candidates and/or issues" under § 15.49.015. Even without a permit, owners must keep sign areas clear of unauthorized political signs under § 15.49.090(A).
(A) Signs that require a permit.
(1) No sign or sign structure, as defined in this chapter and not exempt there from, shall be erected, constructed or relocated unless a sign permit has been issued by the Director of Community and Economic Development, except that the following types of signs do not require a sign permit:
(a) A temporary sign intended to be displayed for a short period of time not to exceed 30 days in any six-month period that otherwise conforms to the provisions of this chapter;
(b) A sign painted on a wall, window or door of buildings;
(c) A change of copy to an existing sign structure already installed or erected;
(d) An on-site directional sign under six feet in height;
(e) A real estate for sale or lease sign; and
(f) An election/campaign sign.
Full Breakdown
49 (Sign Standards and Regulation) treats election and campaign signs as a defined category separate from banners, portable signs and billboards. 060(A) lists the sign types a resident or candidate committee can put up without first obtaining a sign permit from the Director of Community and Economic Development, and subsection (A)(1)(f) names "an election/campaign sign" outright, alongside real estate signs, on-site directional signs under six feet, and signs painted directly on a wall, window or door. 090(A) requires that "all signs and sign structures shall be kept free of any material, including unauthorized election/campaign signs and other signs not approved by the original or subsequent permits," making the property owner responsible for taking down stray or expired political signs.
020, so long as it does not fall into one of those prohibited categories, such as a portable A-frame outside downtown or an inflatable yard display.
Violations & Fines
An unauthorized or leftover election/campaign sign is treated as ordinary sign clutter under § 15.49.090(A) and, per § 15.49.110, any sign maintained in violation of Chapter 15.49 is declared a public nuisance subject to the abatement procedure in Chapter 6.01. The Director of Community and Economic Development can order removal, and sign types the code does prohibit outright, such as a portable A-frame or inflatable sign used for a campaign display, are removable under § 15.49.050(A).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a campaign yard sign in Fullerton?
Can code enforcement make me take down an old campaign sign?
Can I put up an inflatable balloon display for a candidate?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fullerton
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Political Signs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle political signs.