Ogden, UT Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Section 18-3-26, titled 'Noncommercial Opinion Signs; Transition Provisions,' sits in chapter 3 of the Outdoor Sign Code alongside Ogden's other general sign regulations, but it works differently: rather than setting a standard, it takes political and noncommercial opinion signs on private property out of Title 18 entirely. The provision traces to the 1999 Code, later amended by Ordinance 2007-62 on August 21, 2007, and it explains its own origin: the city council referred regulation of these signs to the planning commission for study and recommendation, and in the meantime chose to refrain from regulating noncommercial opinion and political campaign signs on private property in residential areas.

Until the council adopts new sign rules, the section states plainly that these signs 'shall be considered exempt from the provisions of this title,' meaning none of the permit requirements in section 18-1-5, the size and height standards elsewhere in chapter 3, or the general construction standards in chapter 2 apply to a political sign on private property. That exemption does not reach signs on public property or public rights-of-way, which remain subject to other Title 7 and Title 18 provisions covering placement on city land.

Because the exemption is framed as a transition measure pending study, it remains the operative rule in Ogden City today; no later ordinance in the code repeals or narrows it. Homeowners and campaigns placing yard signs during an election cycle on private residential or commercial property are not required to obtain a sign permit from the Division of Building Services for those signs.