Palm Desert, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Subsection E of § 25.56.090 is the political sign rule for the City of Palm Desert, and it has five parts. Signs cannot be located in the public right-of-way. No fee or permits are required for the right to erect them. On private property, the applicant must secure the permission of the property owner. Signs cannot be placed in any manner that creates a hazard to public health or safety. Signs must be removed within 30 days following the election. The definitions chapter describes a political sign as any sign concerning candidates for political office or involving a ballot issue, so measure signs fall under the same rule as candidate signs.

Other provisions fill in the edges. Section 25.56.040(I) lists political signs among exempt signs allowed without a sign permit application, if not illuminated, though the cross reference it prints points to § 25.56.090.C rather than subsection E. Table 25.56-3 lists political signs among the temporary signs and sends the reader to subsection E, and the general standards for temporary signs in subsection D require private property only, no attachment to trees, utility poles, light standards, or similar items in the public right-of-way, no illumination, no movement, durable materials, and prompt removal at expiration. Section 25.56.050(L) prohibits signs on public property, in the public right-of-way, or on public utility poles, including portable signs. Window signs with non-commercial content follow the temporary sign rules on number, area, size and height. Subsection E prints no area, height or number figure.