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Porter County, IN Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
UDO § 5.46 SI-01(O)
Posting window
30 days before election
Removal deadline
10 days after election
Max height
6 feet
Max area
32 square feet
Sign Permit
Not required
Lighting
Prohibited

Summary

Porter County lets residents post political signs without a permit under UDO § 5.46 SI-01(O), but caps them at six feet tall and 32 square feet, bars any lighting, limits display to 30 days before an election with removal within 10 days after, and still enforces the code's prohibited-location rules.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Porter County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

O. Political Signs: 1. Freedom of Speech: Political signs are considered noncommercial, freedom of speech signs. 2. Timing: Political signs may be erected thirty (30) days prior to an election and should be removed within ten (10) days after the election. 3. Lighting: Political signs shall not be lighted. 4. Location: Political signs are subject to the requirements of §D: Prohibited Locations. 5. Maximum Height: Political signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in height. 6. Maximum Sign Area: Thirty-two (32) square feet. 7. Maximum Number: Not applicable. 8. Sign Permit: A Sign Permit is not required for a political sign.

View official code

Full Breakdown

46, SI-01(O), adopted with the rest of Chapter 5 in the 2007 Unified Development Ordinance. The section opens by declaring political signs 'noncommercial, freedom of speech signs,' then sets six numbered limits. ' Lighting: political signs 'shall not be lighted,' unlike commercial signs, which may be illuminated under separate standards. 46(A). 46(D): a political sign cannot sit in a public right-of-way without Board of County Commissioners authorization, in a utility easement without County Engineer approval, in a no-build or no-disturb zone, on public park property, on traffic-control devices, utility poles or trees, or anywhere it blocks a door, fire escape or safe sight lines.

Because the ordinance is unchanged since 2007, a candidate or resident should confirm current placement limits with the Plan Commission Office before an election cycle.

Violations & Fines

A political sign that exceeds six feet in height or 32 square feet in area, is lit, or sits in a right-of-way or other prohibited location under § 5.46(D) is enforced as a civil zoning violation for an unpermitted or noncompliant sign under UDO § 11.10(A)(1). The Plan Commission can order removal within 10 to 60 days before billing costs as a lien on the property under § 11.08, and a court conviction under § 11.09 carries a $50 to $2,500 fine per day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How early can I put up a political sign in Porter County?
Thirty days before the election, per UDO § 5.46 SI-01(O)(2). The same subsection says the sign 'should be removed within ten (10) days after the election.'
Do political signs need a permit in Porter County?
No. UDO § 5.46 SI-01(O)(8) states a Sign Permit is not required for a political sign, though it must still meet the size, height, lighting and location limits in the rest of subsection O.
How big can a political sign be?
Up to six feet tall and thirty-two square feet in area under UDO § 5.46 SI-01(O)(5)-(6). There is no cap on how many signs a property can display, and the signs cannot be lighted.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Porter County

Garage Sale SignsSome RestrictionsWindow SignsSome RestrictionsDigital BillboardsHeavy RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions

All Porter County rules

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