Sutter County, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Sutter County addresses political signs in its Zoning Code sign chapter. Under Section 1500-21-050, certain temporary signs are allowed without a permit, and subsection (B)(4) states that political signs 'shall be installed no earlier than 90 days prior to the election and removed no later than 15 days following the election.' Political signs must still comply with the chapter's general prohibitions in Section 1500-21-080, which bar signs within the public right-of-way or any easement, signs that obstruct safe sight distances at intersections or driveways, signs within the corner-lot clear-vision triangle, and signs placed on public property (other than official government signs). On or along state highways, California's Outdoor Advertising Act adds a separate state-law layer: Business and Professions Code Section 5405.3 exempts temporary political signs from outdoor-advertising permitting but requires they be placed no sooner than 90 days before the scheduled election, removed within 10 days after, be no larger than 32 square feet, and not be placed within the highway right-of-way or within 660 feet of and visible from a landscaped freeway. Property owners on private land generally follow the county's timing; signs near state routes also must meet the stricter Caltrans/state removal window. Sign size and content-neutral placement rules apply equally regardless of message.