Kentucky Political Signs Law: Statewide Sign Regulations Rules (2026)

Key Facts

Highway placement: Prohibited without permit
Polling buffer: 300 feet
Statute: KRS 177.863, 117.235
Content rules: Strictly limited

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 300-foot no-electioneering zone around polling places on election day. HOAs can be limited under federal display protections, but Kentucky does not have a specific yard-sign statute beyond 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?

Only through content-neutral durational limits applied to all temporary signs. Rules treating political signs differently from other temporary signs are likely unconstitutional under Reed v. Town of Gilbert.

Where are political signs banned in Kentucky?

On state highway rights-of-way without Transportation Cabinet authorization under KRS 177.863, and within 300 feet of a polling place entrance on election day under KRS 117.235.

Kentucky Political Signs Protected by First Amendment Statewide