Martinez, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Martinez treats political signs under the same content-neutral temporary-sign framework that applies to all non-commercial signage in MMC Title 22. The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Reed v. Town of Gilbert held that sign ordinances distinguishing among temporary signs by message (political vs. real-estate vs. ideological) are content-based and presumptively unconstitutional. Accordingly, Martinez applies a single set of size, height, and location rules to all temporary non-commercial signs.

Residents may post political signs on their own property or with the consent of a private property owner at any time, without regard to election calendars. Typical limits in residential zones: maximum 6 square feet of total temporary sign area per parcel, maximum 4 feet in height for freestanding signs, and at least 1 foot behind the public sidewalk or right-of-way line.

California Elections Code 18370 prohibits the defacement or unauthorized removal of political signs and imposes criminal penalties. Civil Code 4710 prevents HOAs and CC&Rs from banning non-commercial signs, posters, flags, or banners on members' separate property, subject only to reasonable content-neutral restrictions.

Prohibited regardless of message: placement in the public right-of-way (medians, sidewalks, utility poles, street trees, traffic-sign posts), attachment to public property, and obstruction of sight triangles at intersections. Signs in the right-of-way may be removed by the city without notice under Streets & Highways Code 101.7. Campaign volunteers should retrieve signs within a reasonable period after election day as a courtesy, though the city does not enforce a specific removal deadline for legally posted political signs on private property.