Sonoma County, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Sonoma County treats campaign and political signs as a permitted sign type that needs paperwork before anything goes up. Section 26-84-030(f) of the Zoning Regulations allows them in any zoning district, but only once a zoning permit has been issued, and Figure A at the end of the sign article lists campaign and political signs as their own column in the table of permitted signs by base zoning district.

The size and count limits depend on the district. In R1 (single family residential) districts, a parcel is limited to two single-faced signs of sixteen square feet each, or one double-faced or wing-type sign of no more than sixteen square feet on each face. In every other zoning district, a parcel is limited to two single-faced signs or one double-faced V-type sign, with a maximum of thirty-two square feet on each face. Those caps apply per parcel, not per candidate, so a campaign that wants two candidates represented on one lot has to fit both inside the same allowance.

Timing is tied to the election calendar. No sign can be erected earlier than ninety days before the election in which the candidate or measure will be voted upon. A sign for a candidate who wins the primary can stay up for the general election, provided it is properly maintained. After the campaign closes, every sign must be removed entirely within twenty days, and if signs are left behind the county can impose a penalty sufficient to cover the cost of removal.

Before posting on private property, the candidate, campaign manager or sponsor must contact the planning department to confirm the applicable sign regulations. Placement rules protect sight lines: a detached sign cannot sit closer to a road, street or common driveway than the property line and cannot obstruct sighting distance for vehicle traffic. The top of a sign cannot be more than four feet above the top of a fence, and in no case more than seven feet above the ground. Sign structures must be erected in a safe manner under standards set by the building department, and the maintenance and removal of the signs is the responsibility of the candidate, campaign manager or sponsors.

Two general sign provisions in § 26-84-010 also reach political signs. No one can erect a regulated sign without the written consent of the property owner on file with the planning department, and signs at or near intersections cannot block clear vision or be confused with traffic signs or signals. Campaign and political signs are the one sign type expressly excused from the ban on signs attached to trees and poles, so long as they comply with § 26-84-030.