Portland, ME Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Portland does not enact its own political-sign size or duration rule for the public right-of-way; the state Categorical Signs statute (23 M.R.S. §1913-A) sets a uniform rule that applies in every Maine municipality. Temporary signs (the category that covers campaign/political signs) placed in a public right-of-way are limited to 12 weeks per calendar year, with a sub-cap of 6 weeks within each half of the year (Jan 1–Jun 30 and Jul 1–Dec 31), may not exceed 4 ft by 8 ft, must be marked with the name and address of the person or organization that placed the sign together with the date erected, and must be set at least 30 ft from another sign carrying the same or substantially the same message. Signs may not be affixed to traffic-control devices, utility poles, trees, or medians under 6 ft wide. On private property, 23 M.R.S. §1914 caps any single on-premises sign at 50 sq ft (signs over 50 sq ft are regulated separately) and Portland Land Use Code Chapter 14 (Land Use — Zoning) imposes residential-zone sign limits administered by the Permitting & Inspections Department.