Jefferson County, MO Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- No
- Standard size cap
- 32 square feet
- State-route size cap
- 96 square feet
- Earliest posting
- 90 days before election
- Removal deadline
- 15 days after election
Summary
Jefferson County allows political signs without a permit if they stay at or under thirty-two square feet, or ninety-six square feet along State lettered or numbered routes, and are posted no more than ninety days before an election and removed within fifteen days after it.
Political signs, provided that the signs do not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area (except along State lettered or numbered roads where political signs shall not exceed ninety-six (96) square feet in area), are not erected more than ninety (90) days prior to the election and are removed no later than fifteen (15) days after the election.
Full Breakdown
4250(A)(6) of the Unified Development Ordinance, part of Article XIII adopted April 2, 2008 and amended by Ordinance No. 16-0100 in January 2016. The base size limit is thirty-two (32) square feet, matching the general threshold the UDO uses elsewhere to separate small signs from billboards, but the section triples the allowance to ninety-six (96) square feet for political signs placed along State lettered or numbered roads, the state highway routes that run through the county such as Highway M or Highway A. Timing is regulated on both ends of the calendar: a political sign cannot be erected more than ninety (90) days before the election it references, and it must be removed no later than fifteen (15) days after that election, regardless of the outcome.
4270 and the sight-triangle clearance at intersections. 4480 even if it otherwise meets the size and timing limits. This section reaches only unincorporated Jefferson County property.
Violations & Fines
A political sign that exceeds the 32-square-foot cap (96 square feet on State lettered or numbered routes), goes up more than 90 days before the election, or stays up beyond 15 days after it is out of compliance with Section 400.4250(A)(6) and can be removed by the County without notice if it sits in a road right-of-way; broader UDO violations expose the responsible party to a misdemeanor fine of up to $1,000 under Section 400.140.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can a political sign be on my Jefferson County property?
When do I have to take down my candidate's yard sign?
Do I need a county permit to put up a political sign?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jefferson County
Compare Jefferson County to another location·View the Missouri sign regulations overview
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