Kentucky Statewide Rule
Kentucky Political Signs Protected by First Amendment Statewide
Key Facts
- Highway placement
- Prohibited without permit
- Polling buffer
- 100 feet on election day
- Statute
- KRS 177.863, 117.235
- Content rules
- Strictly limited
Summary
Kentucky political signs receive First Amendment protection that limits content-based local regulation. State law restricts placement on highway rights-of-way and within polling place buffer zones.
(1) The governing documents of an association shall not prohibit the outdoor display of political yard signs by an owner or resident on the owner's or resident's property. Signs shall be displayed no earlier than thirty (30) days before any special, primary, or regular election and no later than seven (7) days after that election unless a longer time period is provided by local ordinance. The governing documents may include reasonable rules and regulations regarding the placement, size, and manner of display of political yard signs.
Full Breakdown
Kentucky cities and counties may impose reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on political signs but cannot regulate based on content, following Reed v. Town of Gilbert. KRS 177.863 prohibits placing signs on state highway rights-of-way without Transportation Cabinet permission, and KRS 117.235 establishes a 100-foot no-electioneering zone around any polling place entrance on election day. HOA sign bans are separately voided by KRS 381.800, but Kentucky otherwise has no general yard-sign statute beyond these highway and election rules.
Violations & Penalties
Sign removal by Transportation Cabinet; misdemeanor for electioneering within 300 feet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Kentucky cities limit how long political signs may stay up?
Where are political signs banned in Kentucky?
Sources
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