San Benito County, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

San Benito County Code § 25.07.016 governs all signs in the unincorporated area and requires permits for most signs, but political signs are expressly exempt from the permit requirement; all other provisions of the chapter still apply. The County Elections Office and District Attorney have clarified that a sign qualifies for the political exemption only if it advocates a particular election outcome, is displayed not sooner than 90 days before the scheduled election, and is removed within 10 days after the election. Signs that violate these timing rules, are placed on property without the owner's consent, interfere with any right-of-way or easement, or create a hazard as deemed by County Code Enforcement, Caltrans, the CHP, or another agency are considered abandoned and subject to removal. The County's standards run alongside California Business & Professions Code § 5405.3, which preempts local rules for temporary political signs in the state highway environment: such signs may not exceed 32 sq ft, may not be placed in a highway right-of-way or within 660 feet of a landscaped freeway, must be posted no sooner than 90 days before and removed within 10 days after the election, and require a filed statement of responsibility for removal. Signs must also comply with Fair Political Practices Commission disclosure rules. Property owners may post political signs on their own private property subject to these content-neutral time, place, and manner limits.