Santa Fe, NM Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

15 SFCC 1987, part of the city's Campaign Code, sets the rules for temporary political campaign signs. No building permit is required to post one. Signs cannot be located on or overhang public property, including rights-of-way, though a sign placed on a curb strip in front of a private residence is exempt from that ban if the homeowner allows it. On private property, a sign may go up only with the property owner's consent, and that owner can remove any sign placed without permission. Each candidate must designate a liaison contact responsible for lawful placement and location of the campaign's signs, and file that person's name and phone number with the city clerk.

No sign may exceed 32 square feet. If a sign violates the section, the city clerk first asks the candidate's liaison to remove it within 24 hours; if that deadline passes, the clerk imposes a fine of $50 per sign, per day the violation continues. Should the liaison still not act, the city manager can direct city staff to physically remove signs from public property or rights-of-way, including towing any vehicle illegally parked on city property while displaying a political sign. All political signs, regardless of location, must come down within five days after the election. The Campaign Code as a whole, including this section, is enforced by the ethics and campaign review board under Section 6-16 SFCC 1987.