Turlock, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- none, if size limits met
- Residential max size
- 6 sq ft, 4 ft tall
- Nonresidential max size
- 32 sq ft, 6 ft tall
- Removal deadline
- 5 days after event or election
Summary
Turlock exempts noncommercial message signs, including campaign and political signs, from a sign permit on private property as long as they meet size, height, setback, and removal-deadline limits.
Signs erected on private property displaying a noncommercial message when consistent with the following conditions and requirements:
(i) Residential properties. Individual signs shall not exceed six (6) square feet in size, shall not exceed four (4') feet in height measured from the grade of the property.
(ii) Nonresidential properties. Individual signs shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in size and shall not exceed six (6') feet in height measured from the grade of the property.
(iii) Signs shall not occupy more than twenty-five (25%) percent of the street frontage of the property as observed from the public right-of-way.
(iv) Noncommercial messages related to a specific time frame or event shall be removed within five (5) days of the last day of the time frame or event.
(v) All signs shall be constructed of durable materials and may not be permanently mounted to the ground or a building.
(vi) Signs shall not be located closer than five (5') feet to any property line.
(3)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4937289; v6 updated 2026-06-25).
Full Breakdown
Under TMC § 9-2-514(a)(2), a noncommercial-message sign on private residential property needs no sign permit if it's no larger than six square feet, no taller than four feet, set back at least five feet from any property line, and doesn't cover more than twenty-five percent of the street frontage. Nonresidential properties get a larger allowance: thirty-two square feet and six feet tall. Signs tied to a specific time frame or event, including a candidate or ballot measure, must come down within five days after that time frame or event ends.
Violations & Fines
A noncommercial sign that exceeds the size or height limits, or stays up more than five days after its election or event, loses its permit exemption and becomes an enforceable violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to put a campaign sign in my yard in Turlock?
How soon must I take down an election sign after voting ends?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Turlock
California rules heatmap·Compare Turlock to another location·View the California sign regulations overview
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Political Signs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle political signs.