Santa Clara County, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Zoning Ordinance Section 4.40.100 governs political signs in unincorporated Santa Clara County. The County states the intent is to encourage participation by the electorate while ensuring signs are located, constructed and removed so as to protect public safety and general welfare. Notwithstanding other sign-chapter provisions, political signs are permitted in any zoning district without architecture and site approval, subject to three conditions: (1) no political sign may be located in violation of Division B17, Chapter II (Section B17-18 et seq.) of the County Ordinance Code, which addresses obstruction of highways; (2) no political sign may exceed 16 square feet in surface area in any R1, R1E, RHS, R1S or R2 zoning district, unless it is on a vacant lot, in which case the limit is 32 square feet; and (3) each political sign must be removed within 10 days following the final election to which it relates. The section does not apply to commercial outdoor advertising structures maintained by licensed outdoor-advertising operators. These County size limits operate within the bounds of the First Amendment and California law, which protect noncommercial political speech; content-based or durational restrictions are read narrowly. The County does not require a permit for compliant residential political signs.