Maricopa County, AZ Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Display Period
- 60 days before to 30 days after election
- Location
- Private property only
- ROW Prohibited
- Cannot be in public rights-of-way
- State Law
- ARS 16-1019 and ARS 33-1808
Summary
Political signs in unincorporated Maricopa County are regulated by the MCZO and Arizona state law (ARS 16-1019). Signs may be displayed 60 days before an election and must be removed within 30 days after. Political signs must be placed on private property only, not in public rights-of-way or intersection sight triangles. Arizona law protects the right to display political signs on residential property.
16-1019. Political signs; printed materials; tampering; violation; classification; definitions
C. Notwithstanding any other statute, ordinance or regulation, a city, town or county of this state shall not remove, alter, deface or cover any political sign if the following conditions are met:
1. The sign is placed in a public right-of-way that is owned or controlled by that jurisdiction.
2. The sign supports or opposes a candidate for public office or it supports or opposes a ballot measure, question or issue.
3. The sign is not placed in a location that is hazardous to public safety, obstructs clear vision in the area or interferes with the requirements of the Americans with disabilities act (42 United States Code sections 12101 through 12213 and 47 United States Code sections 225 and 611).
4. The sign has a maximum area of sixteen square feet, if the sign is located in an area zoned for residential use, or a maximum area of thirty-two square feet if the sign is located in any other area.
5. The sign contains the name and telephone number or website address of the candidate or campaign committee contact person.
H. Subsection C of this section applies only during the period commencing seventy-one days before an election and ending fifteen days after the election, except that for a sign for a candidate in a primary election who advances to the general election, the period ends fifteen days after the general election.
Full Breakdown
Political signs in unincorporated Maricopa County are regulated by both the MCZO sign provisions and Arizona state law ARS 16-1019, which specifically protects political speech on private property. Signs may be displayed beginning 60 days before a primary or general election and must be removed within 30 days after the election. Political signs cannot be placed in public rights-of-way, on utility poles, or within intersection sight triangles that could obstruct driver visibility. Arizona law prohibits HOAs and governmental entities from banning political signs on residential property, though reasonable size and number restrictions may apply. The MCZO limits temporary signs in residential zones to certain square footage maximums, but content-based restrictions on political messaging are prohibited under First Amendment protections.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I put up a political sign in Maricopa County?
Can I put a political sign on the roadside?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Maricopa County
Compare Maricopa County to another location·View the Arizona sign regulations overview
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