Palm Springs, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential cap
- Two 8-sq-ft signs, or one 16-sq-ft sign, plus 4-sq-ft window sign
- Permit needed
- No, on private residential property
- Commercial/industrial cap
- Two 10-sq-ft signs or one 20-sq-ft sign, event-tied
- Right-of-way placement
- Barred except narrow no-sidewalk residential exception
- Defined as
- "Temporary sign" under Sec. 93.20.03
Summary
Palm Springs classifies political and election signs as "temporary signs" under Section 93.20.03, and on residential property Section 93.20.09(A)(1) allows them without a permit, at any time: up to two free-standing signs of 8 square feet each, or one of 16 square feet, plus one 4-square-foot window sign, per property.
"Temporary sign"is any sign, handbill, or poster which is placed to advertise or announce a special event, or which pertains to a particular event or occurrence, or which is not permanently anchored or secured to a building and not having supports or braces permanently secured in the ground, including but not limited to "political signs," "election signs," and "real estate signs." The term "temporary signs" does not include any government sign. ... ... A. Temporary Signs allowed at any time. A property owner may place sign(s) with a sign face no larger than the following on the property at any time, as follows: 1. Residential Zones. Up to two free-standing temporary signs of up to eight square feet, or one free-standing temporary sign of up to 16 square feet, and/or one window sign of no more than four square feet may be maintained on each individual residentially zoned property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4923139; v14 updated 2026-06-24).
Full Breakdown
09(A) lets a residential property owner place these signs "at any time" without a permit, capped at two free-standing signs of up to 8 square feet each, or one free-standing sign up to 16 square feet, plus a separate window sign up to 4 square feet. Commercial and industrial property gets a larger allowance of two 10-square-foot signs or one 20-square-foot sign, though Subsection (B) ties that allowance to special events, requiring removal within five days after the event and barring installation more than 60 days before it.
09(C) bars temporary signs on any public right-of-way, tree, utility pole, or street sign, with a narrow exception in Subsection (D) letting a residential owner place a sign in an unsidewalked, landscaped right-of-way no closer than three feet from the curb. "
Violations & Fines
A political or election sign placed in the public right-of-way outside the narrow no-sidewalk residential exception in Section 93.20.09(D) is deemed a public nuisance under Section 93.20.11(D) that the Code Enforcement Official can order abated and removed immediately, with the sign held for 30 days before disposal; signs exceeding the residential or commercial size caps are separately subject to Section 93.20.13's criminal sanctions and administrative penalties under Chapters 1.01 and 1.06 of the Municipal Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a political yard sign in Palm Springs?
Can I put a campaign sign in the parkway strip next to the street?
Is there a size limit for political signs on a business property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Springs
California rules heatmap·Compare Palm Springs to another location·View the California sign regulations overview
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