Upland, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)

Sign regulation in the City of Upland falls under Chapter 17.15 of the Municipal Code, which governs the location, type, size, height, design, quantity, content, and illumination of signs throughout the City. The code defines a 'political sign' as a sign erected prior to an election to advertise or identify a candidate, campaign issue, election proposition, or other related matters. The City's Elections page asks that temporary political signs not be posted more than 45 days before an election, and the City Clerk requires a person to complete and submit a statement of understanding before placing signs in the City; the Clerk's office can be reached at (909) 931-4120 or UplandCityClerk@uplandca.gov. Billboards and off-site outdoor advertising are prohibited in all zones except limited real-estate directional and kiosk signs. Two constitutional limits apply: (1) under the U.S. and California Constitutions and California case law, cities cannot prohibit noncommercial/political signs on private property, though reasonable time, place, and manner (size, setback, right-of-way) rules are allowed; and (2) the City cannot regulate sign content. Political signs may not be placed in the public right-of-way, and signs in the state highway right-of-way are controlled separately by Caltrans. Because the City's published guidance frames the 45-day window and statement of understanding as requests/requirements administered by the Clerk, residents should confirm current rules with the City Clerk. These are the incorporated City of Upland's standards, separate from unincorporated San Bernardino County.