Fresno County, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Legal Basis
- Reed v. Gilbert (2015)
- Removal
- 10 days post-election (ROW)
- Private Property
- Allowed w/ owner consent
- Size Limit
- ~32 sq ft typical
Summary
Political signs are constitutionally protected content-neutral speech under Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015). Fresno County cannot regulate political signs differently from other temporary signs. CA Elections Code §20008 limits Caltrans right-of-way signs.
(a) A person shall not, on election day, or at any time that a voter may be casting a ballot, within the 100 foot limit specified in subdivision (b), do any of the following:
(1) Circulate an initiative, referendum, recall, or nomination petition or any other petition.
(2) Solicit a vote or speak to a voter on the subject of marking the voter's ballot.
(3) Place a sign relating to voters' qualifications or speak to a voter on the subject of the voter's qualifications except as provided in Section 14240.
(4) Do any electioneering as defined by Section 319.5.
(b) The activities described in subdivision (a) are prohibited within 100 feet of either of the following:
(1) The entrance to a building that contains a polling place as defined by Section 338.5, an elections official's office, or a satellite location.
(2) An outdoor site, including a curbside voting area, at which a voter may cast or drop off a ballot.
(c) A person shall not, on election day, or at any time that a voter may be casting a ballot, do any of the following within the immediate vicinity of a voter in line to cast a ballot or drop off a ballot:
(1) Solicit a vote.
(2) Speak to a voter about marking the voter's ballot.
(3) Disseminate visible or audible electioneering information.
(d) Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Full Breakdown
Under Reed v. Town of Gilbert, 576 U.S. 155 (2015), content-based sign regulations face strict scrutiny. Fresno County applies the same temporary sign rules (size, placement, quantity) to political signs as to other non-commercial signs. CA Elections Code §20008 requires removal within 10 days after election from Caltrans right-of-way. Typical size: up to 32 sq ft on private property in residential zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the county limit how long I display a campaign sign?
How big can a campaign sign be in unincorporated Fresno County?
When must campaign signs be removed after a Fresno County election?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fresno County
California rules heatmap·Compare Fresno County to another location·View the California sign regulations overview
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