Santa Clara County, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Santa Clara County regulates political signs under its zoning sign ordinance with content-neutral rules designed to comply with Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015), which prohibits content-based sign restrictions. Political signs on private property are generally allowed without permit and may be posted in reasonable numbers before elections. Typical rules limit signs to 6 square feet in residential zones (up to 32 square feet in commercial zones), require placement entirely on private property with consent of the owner, and prohibit placement in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, on street trees, or on traffic sign posts. Signs cannot obstruct sight lines at intersections or driveway visibility. California Elections Code 18370 prohibits electioneering within 100 feet of a polling place. Caltrans and the county can remove signs placed illegally in the public right-of-way without notice. Sign removal is recommended within 10-15 days after the election to avoid blight citations. HOAs cannot prohibit political signs under Civil Code 4710, though they may impose reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions.