Santa Maria, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Santa Barbara County's Sign Standards (Land Use & Development Code, Chapter 35.38) regulate signs in the unincorporated area but do not list a distinct 'political sign' classification. The code's exempt-signs list (Section 35.38.030) covers items like governmental flags and signs required by law, and its permit provisions exempt categories such as for-sale/lease/rent signs from a Sign Certificate of Conformance. Temporary political signs on private property are a form of protected free speech under the First Amendment, and courts have struck down many content-based local restrictions on them, so the County's general standards (height, setback, and zone limits in Section 35.38.050 and related sections) apply rather than a special political-sign rule. Where signs are placed near or within California state highway right-of-way, state law controls: Business & Professions Code Section 5405.3 permits temporary political signs no larger than 32 square feet, placed no sooner than 90 days before an election and removed within 10 days after, and prohibits placement within a highway right-of-way or within 660 feet of a landscaped freeway, with a statement of responsibility filed for removal. Confirm placement, size, and timing with Santa Barbara County Planning & Development and Caltrans for highway-adjacent locations.