Grass Valley, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Nevada County regulates signs in unincorporated areas under Section L-II 4.2.12 (Signs) of its zoning code. Political signs are listed among the signs exempt from the sign standards: Section L-II 4.2.12.H.15 provides that temporary political signs may not exceed 32 square feet per sign, provided such signs are not posted more than 90 days preceding the election and are removed within 10 days following the election. The County code also prohibits placing any sign so that it occupies space in a public right-of-way, including sidewalks, alleys, streets, or public or private easements, unless necessary for traffic-safety purposes (Section L-II 4.2.12.I.9). These local figures align with California Business and Professions Code 5405.3, the Outdoor Advertising Act provision that protects temporary political signs: under state law a temporary political sign must be no larger than 32 sq ft, may be placed no sooner than 90 days before the election and removed within 10 days after, must have a filed statement of responsibility, and may not be placed within a highway right-of-way or within 660 feet of a landscaped freeway. So a property owner in unincorporated Nevada County may display political signs on private property within these size and timing limits without a sign permit, but signs may not be placed in the road right-of-way.