Somerville, MA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed on
- Private property with consent
- Prohibited in
- Public right-of-way
- Content neutral
- Reed v. Gilbert 2015
- Sight lines
- Cannot obstruct
- Post-election removal
- 7-14 days
Summary
Somerville allows political signs on private property with owner consent during election seasons. Content-neutral size and placement rules apply. Reed v. Town of Gilbert limits content-based restrictions.
Section 65. At an election of state or city officers, and of town officers in towns where official ballots are used, the presiding election officer at each polling place shall, before the opening of the polls, post at least three cards of instruction, three cards containing abstracts of the laws imposing penalties upon voters, and at least three specimen ballots within the polling place outside the guard rail, and have available at the check in area at state elections a number of copies of the information for voters material provided for in section fifty-four at least one for every one hundred
Full Breakdown
Somerville treats political and campaign signs as temporary signs subject to content-neutral size, placement, and duration rules. On residential property, temporary signs are generally limited in square footage per sign and per lot. Signs must be placed on private property with owner permission and cannot be located in the public right-of-way, on trees, utility poles, traffic signs, or city property. The Supreme Court decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015) prohibits municipalities from imposing different rules for political versus other temporary signs, so Somerville applies uniform limits. Signs must not obstruct sight lines at intersections or driveways. Removal is expected within a reasonable period after the election, commonly 7 to 14 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a campaign sign on the tree lawn?
Can the city limit how long a political sign stays up?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Somerville
Compare Somerville to another location·View the Massachusetts sign regulations overview
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Political Signs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle political signs.