Political Signs

Regulations for Political Signs

Size & Display

Signs in residential and non-residential zones may be no greater than 36 square feet in size, 8 feet in height, may not be lit, and may not have moving parts. However, deed restrictions may have more stringent requirements. Permits are not required for election signs.

Placement

Election signs of any size are never permitted on public rights-of-way. The street right-of-way includes not only the paved street, but also the adjacent land on each side of the street and any median in the middle of the street. Signs may be placed only on private property with the property owner’s permission.

  • On residential streets with sidewalks, all election signs are to be placed on the homeowner’s side of the sidewalk, not between the sidewalk and the street.
  • On residential streets without sidewalks, election signs may be placed no closer than 10 feet from the edge of the pavement.
  • Signs may not be placed in any median or green strip within the street.
  • On major streets, such as Highway 146, Repsdorph Road, NASA Road 1, Red Bluff, and Todville Road, signs are to be placed behind utility poles and behind the fence line. Signs may be placed on a fence with the property owner’s permission, but may not be placed in front of any fence on a property line.

Removal

The City requests that all election signs be removed within 72 hours following the election associated with the sign. If a runoff election occurs, the candidates may continue to display their signs for 72 hours after the runoff election. The filing of a recount request would suspend the 72-hour period for people involved in the recount. If a recount determines a winner, the City requests that signs be removed within 72 hours after the recount.

Vehicular Signs

No sign shall be displayed on or attached to any vehicle that requires a state inspection sticker other than for immediate transfer from or to a permitted location. This subsection shall not be construed as prohibiting the customary commercial or industrial logo, location, phone numbers, identification numbers, and slogan carried on the sides of a commercial vehicle and intended for identification. Any vehicle displaying advertising and parked off-premises of the business so advertised, that does not carry a valid state inspection sticker or a valid license, and is parked in such a manner as to be conspicuous to the motoring public, shall be considered an off-premises sign for the purposes of this ordinance.

Placement Restrictions

No political advertising is allowed within 100 feet of City Hall during the period of early voting or on Election Day. This includes logos on vehicles and clothing. The parking lot of City Hall is within 100 feet of City Hall.

Prohibited Signs

  • Helium balloons with messages
  • Signs with flashing, blinking, or traveling lights or messages
  • Illuminated signs
  • Portable or wheeled signs
  • New billboards
  • Signs that contain visible moving parts

City-owned property

Political Advertising is not allowed on city-owned property or on railroad rights-of-way.

Violations

Any sign in violation of the regulations listed above is subject to immediate removal and disposal without notice to the candidate.

Report Violations


City Ordinance - Article 6. - Sign Standards