Lodi, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- No: yard signs on private property
- Max size (along state highways)
- 32 sq ft (Cal. BPC §5405.3)
- Display window (state highway)
- 90 days before to 10 days after election
- Public right-of-way / utility poles
- Prohibited (all signs)
- City regulates message content
- No (LMC 17.34.020)
- Statement of Responsibility
- Required for signs along state highways
Summary
Political signs in Lodi are treated as constitutionally protected non-commercial speech and are regulated content-neutrally under Lodi Municipal Code Chapter 17.34. The chapter expressly states the City does not regulate sign-copy (commercial or non-commercial), and along state highways California Business & Professions Code §5405.3 sets a uniform statewide framework: max 32 sq ft, posted no earlier than 90 days before the election, removed within 10 days after.
4710. (a) The governing documents may not prohibit posting or displaying of noncommercial signs, posters, flags, or banners on or in a member’s separate interest, except as required for the protection of public health or safety or if the posting or display would violate a local, state, or federal law. (b) For purposes of this section, a noncommercial sign, poster, flag, or banner may be made of paper, cardboard, cloth, plastic, or fabric, and may be posted or displayed from the yard, window, door, balcony, or outside wall of the separate interest, but may not be made of lights, roofing, siding, paving materials, flora, or balloons, or any other similar building, landscaping, or decorative component, or include the painting of architectural surfaces.
Full Breakdown
34, adopted/amended by Ordinance No. 1922) is structured as a content-neutral, time/place/manner ordinance. 020 expressly states that 'the provisions of this chapter do not regulate the message content of signs (sign-copy), regardless of whether the message content is commercial or noncommercial,' so political/campaign yard signs are treated the same as any other temporary, non-commercial sign on private property. They are not allowed on public property, in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, parkways, or attached to traffic signs or street trees: those prohibitions apply to all signs and are enforced regardless of viewpoint.
3 governs temporary political signs: each sign must (1) encourage a vote in a scheduled election, (2) be placed no sooner than 90 days before the election and removed within 10 days after, (3) be no larger than 32 square feet, (4) not be placed within the right-of-way of any highway or within 660 feet of a classified landscaped freeway where visible, and (5) have a Statement of Responsibility filed with Caltrans naming the person responsible for removal. There is no city permit required for a residential yard political sign on private property with the owner's consent.
Violations & Fines
City code enforcement follows the graduated process described at lodi.gov/1349/Enforcement-Process: a Courtesy Notice (15 days, no fine), then a Notice of Violation (15 days, no fine), then an Administrative Citation with monetary fines under LMC Title 1. Signs unlawfully placed in the public right-of-way may be removed by City staff without further notice. Along state highways, Caltrans is authorized under Cal. BPC §5405.3 to remove non-conforming temporary political signs and bill the responsible party for removal costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put a campaign sign in my yard in Lodi?
Can I put political signs along Highway 99 or Highway 12?
When do I have to take my campaign sign down?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lodi
California rules heatmap·Compare Lodi to another location·View the California sign regulations overview
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Political Signs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Joaquin County handle political signs.