Glendale, AZ Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- State Law
- A.R.S. 16-1019 preempts local restrictions
- Private Property
- No permit required for political signs
- Right-of-Way
- Allowed 60 days before primary election
- Removal Deadline
- Within 15 days after election
- Size Limit
- HOAs may limit to reasonable sizes
Summary
Arizona law (A.R.S. 16-1019) strongly protects political sign display and preempts local restrictions. In Glendale, residents may display political signs on private property without a permit. Signs must be removed within 15 days after the election. Political signs in the public right-of-way are permitted starting 60 days before a primary election and must be removed within 15 days after the general election.
A. It is a class 2 misdemeanor for any person to knowingly remove, alter, deface or cover any political sign of any candidate for public office or in support of or opposition to any ballot measure, question or issue or knowingly remove, alter or deface any political mailers, handouts, flyers or other printed materials of a candidate or in support of or opposition to any ballot measure, question or issue that are delivered by hand to a residence for the period commencing seventy-one days before an election and ending fifteen days after the election, except that for a sign for a candidate in a primary election who advances to the general election, the period ends fifteen days after the general election.
C. Notwithstanding any other statute, ordinance or regulation, a city, town or county of this state shall not remove, alter, deface or cover any political sign if the following conditions are met:
1. The sign is placed in a public right-of-way that is owned or controlled by that jurisdiction.
2. The sign supports or opposes a candidate for public office or it supports or opposes a ballot measure, question or issue.
3. The sign is not placed in a location that is hazardous to public safety, obstructs clear vision in the area or interferes with the requirements of the Americans with disabilities act (42 United States Code sections 12101 through 12213 and 47 United States Code sections 225 and 611).
4. The sign has a maximum area of sixteen square feet, if the sign is located in an area zoned for residential use, or a maximum area of thirty-two square feet if the sign is located in any other area.
5. The sign contains the name and telephone number or website address of the candidate or campaign committee contact person.
Full Breakdown
Glendale regulates political signs through its general sign ordinance while respecting First Amendment free speech protections. Signs in public rights-of-way, on utility poles, and on public property are prohibited. Signs must not obstruct traffic sight lines or create safety hazards. Yard signs do not typically require permits. Content-based restrictions on political speech are unconstitutional per Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put political signs in my Glendale yard?
Can my HOA restrict political signs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Glendale
Compare Glendale to another location·View the Arizona sign regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Political Signs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Maricopa County handle political signs.