Campaign yard signs are about as American as apple pie and hotdogs! In order to have an effective winning strategy you MUST use this form of advertising. From the White House, to the State House, to the County Court House politicians rely on this proven method to gain name recognition and reinforce the strength of their campaigns. That said, campaigns need to have a strategy for the use of yard signs to be effective. For most local campaigns advertising will be the largest expense, and these things can get expensive, which means that candidates need to plan wisely to get the best results possible.

Campaign yard signs carry with them different restrictions from "traditional" outdoor advertising. Although the courts have consistently supported the use of yard signs by private property owners, there are however, always some local (perhaps even neighborhood) restrictions that must be observed. Since these local ordinances vary across the state it is best to visit your local election board and ask for a summary of the local guidelines.

We have put together some "Generally Accepted / Common Sense" guidelines for yard signs that you might want to consider. These are based on city and county ordinance requirements (different cities / counties vary greatly). These are by no means a replacement for local ordinances (it's your responsibility to KNOW your local ordinances), this just gets you started on what to begin thinking about!

City Campaign yard sign Guidelines:

The items below represent guidelines that may be applicable to campaigns within cities and towns (within the city/town limits) only. Also remember that some neighborhoods have restrictions and covenants. Please, CHECK your local ordinances!

Campaign yard signs MAY be placed on any private property if authorized by the legal property owner, under the following conditions:

• There are no more than six (6) signs per zone lot.
• No sign shall exceed six (6) square feet in area or six (6) feet in height.
• Signs shall not be illuminated.
• No commercial message shall be displayed on any sign erected in residential, office, or public and institutional zoned areas.
• Signs shall be removed within seven (7) days after the election.

• Within a street right-of-way (which usually includes the grassed area ten feet behind the curb).
• In median strips on divided streets/highways.
• On power and/or utility poles.
• On governmental sign poles and/or signs.
• On trees or other natural features.
• On underpass columns or supports.
• In traffic control boxes.
• On vacate lots without the owner's written permission and/or without proper permits (if required).

County Campaign yard sign Guidelines:

The items below represent guidelines that may be applicable to the county only(outside city limits). Again, CHECK your local ordinances!

"Generally" Prohibited Signs - Flashing signs, illuminated tubing or strings of lights outlining roof or building lines of structures, roof signs, portable signs, windblown signs, and suspended signs are usually prohibited in most zoning districts.

"Generally" Signs for Which No Permit is Required - The following signs are allowed to be erected or displayed in any district without a permit, provided the uses of the premises upon which such signs are erected or displayed are in compliance with all other zoning regulations: a) any sign containing less than two (2) square feet; b) incidental signs, provided that the number and location of such signs are in conformance with the County/City zoning authority, and that the number of signs is no greater than reasonably necessary ) political signs, provided no political sign shall be erected earlier than the established filing date for an election nor allowed to remain longer than fifteen (15) days after the election.



Please Remember: Voters, Candidates (and campaign signs) are all "guests" at the statewide polling places (the vast majority of which are Churches), as such candidates should treat our "hosts" with the utmost respect to remain welcome. Candidates should make sure that their campaign committee arranges to clear the polling places and surrounding premises of all election materials as soon as the polls close on election night.

Campaign sign cleanup is NOT the responsibility of the State, County, City, or poll workers. ALL signs should be immediately removed, especially if they are not on personal private property and in public view. Although, in most instances, campaign yard signs are prohibited from public highway right-of-way, parks, and privately owned commercial property frontage,...we have all seen these postings and lamented what an eye-sore they are after the election has taken place!