Richmond, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Same Size/placement Rules
- Same size/placement rules as other non-commercial yard signs
- No Post-election Removal
- No post-election removal deadline (unconstitutional to require)
- Civil Code §713:
- Civil Code §713: HOAs cannot ban non-commercial signs under 9 sq ft
- Civil Code §1940.4:
- Civil Code §1940.4: tenants protected from landlord political sign bans
- Election Code §18370:
- Election Code §18370: no electioneering within 100 ft of polling place
Summary
Political signs receive strong First Amendment protection in Richmond and must be treated on the same terms as other non-commercial yard signs. California Civil Code §713 also prohibits HOAs from banning non-commercial signs under 9 sq ft. No special election-period restrictions apply in Richmond.
rticle 1 added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 180, Sec. 2. ) 4710. (a) The governing documents may not prohibit posting or displaying of noncommercial signs, posters, flags, or banners on or in a member’s separate interest, except as required for the protection of public health or safety or if the posting or display would violate a local, state, or federal law. (b) For purposes of this section, a noncommercial sign, poster, flag, or banner may be made of paper, cardboard, cloth, plastic, or fabric, and may be posted or displayed from the yard, window, door, balcony, or outside wall of the separate interest, but may not be made of lights, roofing, siding, paving materials, flora, or balloons, or any other similar building, landscaping, or decorative component, or include the painting of architectural
Full Breakdown
Political signs in Richmond are regulated under the same content-neutral framework as other non-commercial yard signs per Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015), which forbids content-based sign regulation. 06 applies size (up to ~6 sq ft per sign, aggregate 12-24 sq ft), placement (private property only, no right-of-way), and safety (vision triangle) limits equally to all non-commercial messages. Richmond does not impose a duration limit tied to the election cycle, older ordinances that required signs come down within X days after an election are unconstitutional.
California Civil Code §713 prohibits HOAs and CC&Rs from banning non-commercial signs, flags, or banners of reasonable size (generally 9 sq ft or less) on separate interests (lots or condominium exteriors), HOAs may regulate aesthetic details but cannot ban political expression. Campaign signs on public property, utility poles, and medians are prohibited and routinely removed by Public Works during election season. Commercial signs, billboards, and flashing/animated signs near polling places are restricted under Election Code §18370 (electioneering within 100 feet of a polling place is prohibited on Election Day). 4, which protects tenant political speech including signs of up to 6 sq ft on the rented premises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord in Richmond prohibit political signs in my window?
Can Richmond require political signs come down after an election?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richmond
California rules heatmap·Compare Richmond to another location·View the California sign regulations overview
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Political Signs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Contra Costa County handle political signs.