San Bernardino County, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Temporary off-site political signs in unincorporated San Bernardino County are governed by Development Code Section 83.13.070(b)(1). A political sign is defined as one that shows the name or picture of a candidate, relates to an upcoming election or referendum, or advocates a person's, group's, or party's political views. The code imposes four limits: (1) political signs must be removed within 30 days after the election; (2) maximum area is 8 square feet in residential land use zoning districts and 32 square feet in other districts, unless the sign is an on-site sign such as a campaign headquarters; (3) signs may not be erected within a street intersection, clear sight triangle, or any location where they could interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with an authorized traffic sign; and (4) signs may not be nailed or affixed to a tree, fence post, or public utility pole, and may not be located in the public right-of-way, parkway, or on publicly owned land. These content-neutral size and placement rules apply to all temporary political messages. California Elections Code Section 20008 separately caps political-sign liability for damages along state highways at $10 per sign. Signs declared public nuisances or placed illegally in the right-of-way may be removed by the County under Section 83.13.110.