Alpine County's sign ordinance expressly states that political campaign signs are not regulated by the chapter. Noncommercial signs up to 4 square feet are also exempt from permits. Political signs are protected speech, so the county imposes only minimal content-neutral limits.
Sign regulation across unincorporated Alpine County falls under Title 18, Chapter 18.74. Section 18.74.090(E)(5) provides that political campaign signs are not regulated by this chapter, reflecting the strong First Amendment protection for noncommercial and political speech. Separately, Section 18.74.040(J) exempts noncommercial signs from permit requirements where they are not greater than 4 square feet per parcel. Because political signs are noncommercial speech, a local government may impose only content-neutral time, place, and manner rules and may not single out political signs for stricter treatment than other temporary signs. California law reinforces sign rights: Civil Code Section 1940.4 protects tenants' right to post political signs, and Civil Code Section 4710 limits homeowners associations from prohibiting noncommercial signs on an owner's separate interest. The county's sign code does include special review for the Markleeville Historic District and Bear Valley and a separate sign ordinance for Kirkwood, but the political-sign carve-out in 18.74.090(E)(5) applies countywide. Owners in HOA or planned developments should also check any recorded rules, which under state law cannot unreasonably restrict noncommercial displays.
Because the county does not regulate political campaign signs, enforcement is limited to general public-safety concerns such as signs that obstruct traffic sight distance or are placed in the public right-of-way without authorization. Such signs may be removed by the county or Caltrans.
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