Santee, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Substitution rule
- Allowed in lieu of any permitted sign (Sec. 13.32.035)
- ROW duration cap
- 45 days per calendar year
- Removal deadline
- 10 days after related event
- Size cap
- 32 sq ft per side
- Height cap outside ROW
- 6 feet
- Small-sign exception outside ROW
- 4 sq ft or less may stay indefinitely
Summary
In the City of Santee, Municipal Code Section 13.32.035 lets a sign carrying an ideological, political or other noncommercial message stand in place of any sign the code otherwise permits, at the same physical size. A temporary noncommercial sign placed in the public right-of-way can stay up no more than 45 days a year under Section 13.32.060(B)(1)(b) and must come down within 10 days of the event it relates to.
§ 13.32.035. Transferability. In each instance and under the same conditions in which this chapter permits any sign, a sign containing an ideological, political or other noncommercial message and constructed to the same physical dimensions and characteristics shall be permitted in lieu of that sign. ... ... b. Temporary Noncommercial Signs. Except as may otherwise be authorized or required pursuant to a temporary use permit pursuant to Chapter 13.06, temporary noncommercial signs are allowed in the public right-of-way without a sign permit subject to the following standards: i. Timing. No temporary noncommercial sign may remain in the public right-of-way for more than 45 days in any calendar year and must be removed no later than 10 calendar days following the date of any event relating to the sign. ii. Size. A temporary noncommercial sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in total area of sign for one side; double-faced signs shall not exceed 32 square feet per side.
Full Breakdown
Within the right-of-way, a temporary noncommercial sign cannot exceed 32 square feet of area per side, cannot be illuminated unless mounted on an already-illuminated structure, cannot be placed in a median, and cannot exceed six feet in height from the surrounding finished grade; persons moving such signs may work in the right-of-way, except the median, as long as they do not impede traffic or create visibility hazards. Outside the right-of-way, Section 13.32.060(B)(2)(b) allows one temporary noncommercial sign per parcel, also capped at six feet in height and never illuminated, but the duration rule there scales with size: a sign of four square feet or less can stay up indefinitely, while one larger than four square feet and up to 32 square feet is limited to 45 days per calendar year, with seasonal decorations exempt from that limit entirely.
Because Section 13.32.035 treats a political or ideological message as a direct substitute for any commercially permitted sign rather than a separate bonus allowance, a homeowner or campaign cannot combine the noncommercial sign with the property's ordinary sign allotment to exceed either one's size limit.
Violations & Fines
A political or noncommercial sign that stays up past 45 days in the right-of-way, is not removed within 10 days of its related event, exceeds 32 square feet per side, is illuminated without qualifying as mounted on an already-lit structure, or is placed in a median violates Section 13.32.060(B); enforcement runs through the Director under Section 13.32.030(B) and the Title 1 general penalty and administrative citation provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put up a political yard sign in Santee without a permit?
How long can a political sign stay up in Santee's right-of-way?
Can a political sign be bigger than a normal commercial sign at the same address?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santee
California rules heatmap·Compare Santee to another location·View the California sign regulations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Political Signs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Diego County handle political signs.