San Bernardino, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

San Bernardino Development Code Chapter 19.22 regulates signs using content-neutral rules that apply equally to political, real estate, garage sale, and other temporary signs in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015). Residents may post temporary signs on private property with owner permission, subject to size limits typically 6 square feet per sign in residential zones and 32 square feet in commercial zones, placed no earlier than 90 days before an election and removed within 10 days after. Signs may not exceed 6 feet in height. Illumination is generally prohibited for temporary signs. Political signs are strictly forbidden in the public right-of-way, including on sidewalks, parkways, utility poles, traffic signs, and in medians, under Vehicle Code 21464 and Municipal Code 19.22, because they create visual distraction and traffic hazards. The Public Works Department and Code Enforcement remove such signs on sight, and repeat violators can be cited under Chapter 8.30 starting at 100 dollars. Campaigns placing signs on private property should obtain written permission and photograph the locations to avoid disputes. Signs on vacant lots without owner permission are trespass and subject to removal. HOAs in communities like Rosena Ranch and Seccombe Lake Plaza generally cannot ban political signs on individual lots under Civil Code 4710, though they may impose reasonable size and duration limits.