Whittier, CA Sign Regulations: Political Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Max sign area
- 4 square feet
- Max height
- 5 feet
- Sign spacing
- At least 5 feet apart
- Placement
- Private property only, with owner's written permission
- Enforcement
- Summary abatement, held 14 days at Whittier PD
Summary
Temporary noncommercial signs, including campaign and political signs, may go up only on private property in Whittier, capped at four square feet and five feet tall, spaced at least five feet apart, and only with the property owner's written permission, per WMC § 16.10.020.
A.All signs shall be placed on private property only. Signs placed on public property are prohibited, except as provided for in Section 18.73.030 of the Whittier Municipal Code.[...]C.Signs shall be placed at least five feet distance from each other.D.Signs shall not be placed so as to obstruct ingress and egress into any private or public property.[...]G.For signs posted on any property, the person or entity responsible for the sign shall obtain written permission from the property owner or their authorized representative prior to posting of any signs.H.No sign shall exceed four square feet of gross sign area, and shall not exceed a height of five feet (as measured vertically from the bottom of the sign or the pole it is mounted on) to the top of the sign.
Full Breakdown
10 covers all temporary, noncommercial signs, defined as signs whose primary purpose is not to promote a commercial transaction or location, which sweeps in campaign and political signage. 030(E) permits. Signs must sit at least five feet from each other, cannot block ingress or egress to any property, cannot obstruct the public's view of governmental traffic, directional, parking, or street address signs, and cannot obstruct sidewalk or street access for pedestrians and vehicles. The person responsible for a sign must get written permission from the property owner before posting, and no sign may exceed four square feet of gross area or a height of five feet measured from the sign's base or mounting pole.
Right-of-way directional signs additionally cannot be illuminated, flash, move, or emit sound, steam, or smoke. 030, held for fourteen days at the Whittier Police Department before destruction, with the owner notified within twenty-four hours if identifiable.
Violations & Fines
A sign placed in violation of Chapter 16.10 is subject to summary abatement by the city and a removal fee set by council resolution (§16.10.030). The responsible person can contest that fee by filing a "Request for Hearing Form" with the Whittier Police Department within fifteen days and depositing the fee in advance (§16.10.040); the hearing officer's decision is final, and any court challenge must be filed under Government Code §53069.4 within twenty days (§16.10.060(E)).
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can a campaign sign be in Whittier?
Can I put a political sign in the parkway or on a utility pole?
What happens if my political sign gets removed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Whittier
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