Sacramento County, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Sacramento County's Zoning Code expressly protects political campaign signs as temporary free-speech displays under Section 5.10.1.C, 'Political, Religious and Civic Campaign Signs.' Such signs are authorized in any zone for a period not to exceed 90 days, provided they are removed within 10 days following the conclusion of the campaign. The code does not impose a square-footage cap specific to political signs in residential zones, but it does set placement limits: signs may not be displayed in designated Scenic Corridors, must not be within five feet of the side property lines, and must be set back from the street right-of-way lines at least 10 feet. Where a Public Utilities/Public Facilities (PUPF) easement exists, the setback increases to 14 feet in residential and agricultural-residential zoning districts and 16 feet in all other zoning districts. The Planning Director may adopt rules and regulations to further regulate such signs. These content-neutral time, place, and manner standards align with California free-speech protections (and Reed v. Town of Gilbert principles) that prevent local governments from singling out political speech for stricter treatment than other temporary signs. Property owners should keep signs out of the public right-of-way, where the county may remove signs that obstruct visibility or violate placement rules.