Political Signs: A Deed Holder’s Guide to Laws and Limits

Is there a First Amendment right to display political signs of any kind, size, or position on the sign poster’s own property? At first, the answer might seem to be a flat-out yes. The Constitutional commitment to free speech prevents heavy-handed government interference with political messaging.

But states place limits on what residents may do with signage. And local rules, called ordinances, can differ on what those limits are.

Although your state, county, and township will have their own rules and regs, you can get an idea of how this all works as we review a few samples here.

In Orange County, California? Keep Your Signs to Yourself.

Residents of Newport Beach, a Pacific coastal city in Orange County, California, may put up signs for candidates. They just have to be sure the signs are on private property. And each property can have up to three signs and no more.

But what if those three signs are as big as walls? The city ordinance has legally ruled out that possibility. When all the signs are measured and the sizes added up, the total signage can make up six feet in width and four feet in height. In other words, each sign can be up to three feet wide if there are two signs. That would total six feet in width.

The people of Newport Beach may not place election signs in road medians, on trees, electric poles, or public lighting structures, in public walkways or in parks. Officials may remove any signs on city property.

Also, check for time allowances. Typically there are no time limits for political signs on private property. But Orange County, Florida law says signs can’t appear more than 90 days before the vote that they refer to. Nor may they remain up more than 10 days after the date of voting. Officials may remove signs that appear outside of the allowed timeframe.

Vandalizing the Neighbor’s Sign? You’re on Candid Camera!

Private property owners have First Amendment rights to engage in political speech. Obstructing this right offends property rights and Constitutional speech protections.

So, neighbors who don’t like each other’s campaign signs just have to put up with the annoyance. But as we all know, political campaigns are stressful. Some people just can’t seem to help themselves.

Consider a case of a ticked-off neighbor before last year’s election day in Pennsylvania.

In Union Township, PA, law enforcement decided to publish video camera footage of a masked, left-handed person spraying red paint over election signs in a homeowner’s yard at night. Police asked neighbors to spill the beans. They said the trespasser also sprayed large letters spelling out “Trump” on the street. The impacted homeowner said this type of vandalizing occurred in both 2020 and 2024.

As townships use public funds for graffiti removal, this kind of activity is a loss to all local homeowners.

But video footage is often the key to an arrest. With all the cameras around today, it’s increasingly likely for vandals to be traced.

There’s a story of an indignant homeowner who stuck an electronic tag on a sign and tracked the sign to a car full of stolen signs. The sleuth then posted pictures of the sign thief’s car on social media.

Fines and Jail Time for Sign Snatching? Yes.

Pennsylvania law imposes punishments for those who meddle with election signs in people’s yards. The crime is a misdemeanor in Pennsylvania. Those found guilty may be jailed up to a year, or put on probation, or have to pay fines. Charges can include theft, trespass, or criminal mischief — or all of the above.

Those who deface public roadways or other public spaces can face charges of institutional vandalism.

Of course, it’s not just Pennsylvania that outlaws sign snatching.

In Ohio, damaging or pulling up your neighbor’s political yard signs can bring felony charges, with potential fines up to $2,500 and possibly time behind bars.

In Missouri, destroying, vandalizing, or taking a campaign yard sign from private property is a misdemeanor under the election laws. Culprits can still face fines up to $2,500, or up to a year behind bars — or both.

In fact, laws in all U.S. states criminalize the taking of campaign signs from private property.

Know Your Rights: Cities Can Be Wrong.

Pennsylvania’s branch of the American Civil Liberties Union says local officials sometimes tell homeowners to take their political signs down. The group says some ordinances can be fought in court under First Amendment principles. If other displays are allowed, says the group, political signs shouldn’t be more tightly restricted — by time limits, size limits, or numerical limits. If large holiday decorations or real estate signs are OK, then large political signage has to be OK too, says the group. So, check that your local ordinances treat them alike.

The law on this point was established in 2015 at the U.S. Supreme Court level, in the case of Reed v. Town of Gilbert. As that case is relatively new, there are local governments that have yet to update their ordinances — which could now be unconstitutional.

The American Civil Liberties Union acknowledges that local governments can bar people from placing signs where they become a public safety risk. But governments should not force people to apply for permits or pay fees to put up signs on their properties.

Another thing governments are not constitutionally permitted to do? Enforce their sign ordinances only against signs on one side of the political race or ballot issue.

Is your deed part of a homeowners’ association? A particular set of rules may apply. Read all about flags, signs, and your HOA.

At the End of the Day, Respect Is the Keyword.

The Constitution protects political viewpoints and campaigns from government interference. These protections have particular strength on private, residential land.

But read your state and local laws and rules.

And listen to the wise counsel of Richard Wilson, the D.A. for Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Wilson asks people to “respect everyone’s right to free speech, as political signs are a part of that.”