Tempe, AZ Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- State Law
- ARS 16-1019 protects political sign rights
- Display Period
- 71 days before primary through 15 days after general
- Size
- Reasonable size limits, typically 4x4 ft residential
- HOA
- ARS 33-1808 prevents HOA bans during display period
- Public Property
- Prohibited on public land, right-of-way, utility poles
- First Amendment
- Strong constitutional protection
Summary
Arizona law (ARS 16-1019) protects the right to display political signs on residential property. Tempe cannot prohibit political signs on private property within reasonable size limits. Signs may generally be placed 60 days before an election and must be removed 15 days after. HOAs cannot prohibit political signs within the statutory time period.
C. Notwithstanding any other statute, ordinance or regulation, a city, town or county of this state shall not remove, alter, deface or cover any political sign if the following conditions are met:
1. The sign is placed in a public right-of-way that is owned or controlled by that jurisdiction.
2. The sign supports or opposes a candidate for public office or it supports or opposes a ballot measure, question or issue.
3. The sign is not placed in a location that is hazardous to public safety, obstructs clear vision in the area or interferes with the requirements of the Americans with disabilities act (42 United States Code sections 12101 through 12213 and 47 United States Code sections 225 and 611).
4. The sign has a maximum area of sixteen square feet, if the sign is located in an area zoned for residential use, or a maximum area of thirty-two square feet if the sign is located in any other area.
5. The sign contains the name and telephone number or website address of the candidate or campaign committee contact person.
D. If the city, town or county deems that the placement of a political sign constitutes an emergency, the jurisdiction may immediately relocate the sign. The jurisdiction shall notify the candidate or campaign committee that placed the sign within twenty-four hours after the relocation. If a sign is placed in violation of subsection C of this section and the placement is not deemed to constitute an emergency, the city, town or county may notify the candidate or campaign committee that placed the sign of the violation. If the sign remains in violation at least twenty-four hours after the jurisdiction notified the candidate or campaign committee, the jurisdiction may remove the sign.
Full Breakdown
Political sign rights in Arizona are strongly protected by state law (ARS 16-1019). Tempe residents may display political signs on their residential property. Under Arizona law, signs may be placed starting 71 days before a primary election and must be removed within 15 days after the general election. Signs generally may not exceed a reasonable size (typically 4x4 feet for residential). Signs cannot be placed on public property, in public rights-of-way, or on utility poles. ARS 33-1808 protects homeowners in HOA communities, prohibiting HOAs from banning political signs during the statutory display period. Tempe's Zoning and Development Code may have additional temporary sign provisions, but state law preempts local restrictions on political signs within the protected timeframe. Political signs are considered protected speech under the First Amendment, giving them strong legal protection.
Violations & Fines
Signs on public property may be removed. Signs remaining beyond the 15-day post-election deadline may be cited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a political sign in my Tempe yard?
Can my HOA ban political signs?
When do I have to remove political signs?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tempe
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Political Signs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Maricopa County handle political signs.