Sacramento County, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Display period
- Up to 90 days
- Removal deadline
- Within 10 days after campaign ends
- Side property line setback
- At least 5 ft
- Right-of-way setback
- At least 10 ft (14-16 ft with PUPF easement)
- Scenic Corridors
- Not permitted
- Code section
- Zoning Code Sec. 5.10.1.C
Summary
In unincorporated Sacramento County, Zoning Code Section 5.10.1.C allows political, religious, and civic campaign signs in any zone for up to 90 days, provided they are removed within 10 days after the campaign ends. Signs must stay at least 5 feet from side property lines and 10 feet from the street right-of-way.
(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.
(c) An association may prohibit noncommercial signs and posters that are more than nine square feet in size and noncommercial flags or banners that are more than 15 square feet in size.
Full Breakdown
' 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.
Violations & Fines
Political signs displayed longer than 90 days, left up more than 10 days after the campaign, placed in a Scenic Corridor, or located closer than 5 feet from side lines or 10 feet from the right-of-way violate Section 5.10.1.C and are enforced by Sacramento County Code Enforcement. Signs in the public right-of-way may be removed by county personnel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I keep a political sign up in unincorporated Sacramento County?
Where can I place a campaign sign on my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California sign regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.