Research checked September 5, 2026. This guide highlights selected political yard sign rules and links to official sources for all 50 states. It is a starting point, not comprehensive legal advice or a guarantee of compliance. Confirm current state and local requirements, property permission and any HOA restrictions before printing or placing signs. For federal candidates, check Federal Election Commission (FEC) requirements separately.
Why Political Yard Sign Laws Matter
Political signs let candidates, campaigns and voters share their views. Requirements can address disclosure, road safety, property use and voting locations. The sources below help identify which authority to contact about your sign.
General Rules for Political Yard Signs
Before ordering or installing signs, check these separate issues:
- Disclaimers: Many states require a clear statement identifying who paid for the sign.
- Placement Restrictions: Signs are often prohibited on public land, utility poles, and medians.
- Time Limits: Some states restrict how early and how long signs can be displayed before and after an election.
- Size Regulations: Maximum dimensions may be enforced, particularly in residential areas.
- Homeowners Association (HOA) Rules: Some HOAs impose additional restrictions on political signage.
State-by-State Political Yard Sign Laws
Each state section highlights selected rules from official sources checked for this update. These sources are not all newly enacted in 2026, and the summaries do not cover every exception or local ordinance.
Alabama
Alabama's Secretary of State says printed campaign advertisements must clearly identify the entity that directly paid for them. Its guidance calls for the payer's full name and complete address; phrases such as “Paid for by” can satisfy the paid-advertisement wording. Confirm the applicable disclosure and your proposed location before printing or installing signs. Alabama campaign advertising guidelines
Alaska
Alaska DOT&PF prohibits campaign signs inside state highway rights-of-way and removes signs that threaten visibility or safe travel. Its June 2026 guidance says the prohibition does not extend to small, temporary signs under 32 square feet on private property when the owner or occupant authorizes them without compensation. Confirm the right-of-way boundary before installing a roadside sign. Alaska DOT&PF campaign-sign guidance
Arizona
Arizona treats local road rights-of-way differently from state highways. A.R.S. §16-1019 protects qualifying political signs in city, town or county rights-of-way during its election window, subject to safety, accessibility, size, contact-information and designated-zone conditions. That protection does not apply to state highways or their overpasses. Ask the road authority which rules cover your exact site. Arizona political-sign statute
Arkansas
Arkansas requires covered printed campaign materials sponsored by candidates, their campaigns, PACs or independent-expenditure committees to identify the payer with “Paid for by” followed by the payer's name. On two-sided signs, the disclosure belongs on both sides. Keep campaign signs out of highway rights-of-way; ARDOT removes unauthorized signs there. Arkansas disclaimer rule, ARDOT placement guidance
California
California's highway-advertising rules prohibit political signs within highway rights-of-way. The temporary-political-sign exception in Business and Professions Code §5405.3 has specific location, size, filing and timing conditions, including a 90-day pre-election window and removal within 10 days afterward. Those highway rules are not a blanket timetable for every private yard; check local rules and the FPPC disclosure chart for your committee and advertisement type. California §5405.3
Colorado
Colorado DOT's July 2026 guidance prohibits campaign signs in state and U.S. highway rights-of-way, including interstates. Signs may be placed on private property outside that right-of-way with the owner's approval, and CDOT directs campaigns to remove them promptly after the election. Check local placement rules separately. Colorado DOT campaign-sign guidance
Connecticut
Connecticut DOT warns against posting campaign signs on state-owned highways, roadways, railways and transit facilities. Its maintenance crews remove illegally placed signs without first calling the candidate and hold them at the nearest maintenance facility. Confirm that your site is outside state property and check municipal placement requirements before installation. Connecticut DOT notice hosted by the Town of Warren
Delaware
Delaware generally removes unauthorized signs from state rights-of-way, but DelDOT permits election-season signs outside the clear zone during the 30 days before and after an approved election. Its guidance requires at least 10 feet of separation from the road; medians and other clear-zone locations remain off-limits. Confirm the boundary and applicable local rules with DelDOT before placing signs. DelDOT roadside sign rules
Florida
Florida §106.1435 prohibits campaign advertisements on or above state or county road rights-of-way. It requires candidates to make a good-faith effort to remove covered advertisements within 30 days after withdrawal, elimination or election, with specified exceptions. Municipalities may impose stricter usage and removal rules, so check the local deadline as well. 2026 Florida statute §106.1435
Georgia
Georgia DOT tells campaigns not to place signs in road rights-of-way and removes signs found there. Right-of-way widths vary, so contact the local GDOT office if the boundary is unclear rather than relying on the pavement edge. Obtain permission for private-property placement and confirm any applicable local requirements. Georgia DOT right-of-way guidance
Hawaii
Hawaii's Office of Elections directs campaigns to state sign laws and county ordinances; its guidance explains that the former statewide 45-day pre-election posting restriction was removed. Highway restrictions still apply, and HDOT warns against attaching campaign signs to highway overpasses, fences, signposts and poles. Check both county rules and highway guidance for your proposed display. Hawaii Elections sign regulations, HDOT installation warning
Idaho
Idaho Transportation Department advises keeping temporary and political signs outside highway rights-of-way, including highway fences and bridges. Get the property owner's permission before placing a sign on private land, and do not obstruct sightlines or maintenance access. Ask ITD to confirm uncertain boundaries and consult the Secretary of State for campaign-disclosure requirements. Idaho temporary-sign guidance
Illinois
Illinois law limits municipal restrictions on political signs at residences: apart from reasonable size restrictions, municipalities cannot prohibit their display on residential property during any period of time. This protection does not authorize placing signs in a road right-of-way or override separate election-site rules. Confirm the property boundary and applicable campaign disclosure before ordering. Illinois Municipal Code §11-13-1
Indiana
Indiana's 2026 election guidance says disclaimers apply to material clearly identifying and expressly advocating for or against state, local or school-board candidates, regardless of whether the publisher files campaign-finance reports. The wording depends on who pays and authorizes it. Get permission for placement; the state does not set one universal start date for yard signs, and local size/number powers have an election-period limitation. Indiana 2026 disclaimer and sign guide
Iowa
Iowa Code §68A.406 allows campaign signs on specified private-property types with owner or lessee permission and prohibits them on government property and public rights-of-way. Ordinary yard signs of 32 square feet or less are exempt from attribution statements; signs attached to buildings or vehicles have different rules. Polling-place restrictions also contain a private-property exception, so check the statute for your precise location. Iowa Code §68A.406, 2026
Kansas
Kansas law prevents restrictive covenants from banning political yard signs smaller than six square feet during the period from 45 days before an election through two days afterward. This is protection against covenant restrictions, not blanket permission to use highway rights-of-way or disregard polling-place rules. Confirm the location and applicable disclosure requirements before printing. Kansas §58-3820, 2026 statutes
Kentucky
Kentucky's polling-place electioneering rule uses a 100-foot buffer at specified voting entrances, with an exception for political signs displayed by owners or lessees on private property that is not itself leased as the polling location. Planned-community rules must also respect statutory political-sign protections. Check those separate provisions rather than assuming one statewide posting or removal deadline. Kentucky §117.235, Kentucky §381.800
Louisiana
Louisiana generally prohibits campaign signs on publicly owned property, rights-of-way and public utility poles. Current law contains a limited exception for paid campaign signs at public-school athletic fields or gymnasiums, subject to school-board policy; voting-place restrictions still apply. Do not treat that exception as general permission for public-road signs. Louisiana R.S.18:1470
Maine
Maine allows qualifying temporary signs in public rights-of-way under detailed limits: no more than six weeks in each half of the calendar year, maximum dimensions of four by eight feet, spacing requirements and identification of the placer plus installation date. Other restrictions exclude locations such as utility poles, rotary islands, narrow medians and controlled-access areas. Check the full placement rules before installation. Maine Title23 §1913-A
Maryland
Maryland campaign materials generally need an authority line; for a political committee, the State Board of Elections identifies the committee and treasurer as required information. Maryland SHA does not allow campaign signs on state highway rights-of-way or state property and advises checking both its district office and local government for signs near state routes. Maryland authority-line guide, Maryland SHA sign guidance
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries explain that private-property political signs must meet municipal public-safety requirements. Signs in public spaces such as parks, sidewalks, utility poles and medians are generally off-limits unless local law permits them. Ask the city or town about the exact site and consult campaign-finance guidance separately for any disclosure obligation. Massachusetts public/private political-sign guidance
Michigan
Michigan DOT's sign-placement rules apply to state roads marked I, M and U.S., not every local road. They require adjacent-owner approval, specified setbacks, unobstructed sightlines and removal within 10 days after an election; signs are prohibited in limited-access freeway rights-of-way. Check MDOT's site-specific rules and the separate requirements for local roads before installation. Michigan DOT political-sign rules
Minnesota
Minnesota's Secretary of State says local sign size and number restrictions cannot be enforced during the protected 2026 period, June 26 through November 13. This does not authorize signs inside highway limits or on utility poles, and other placement rules still matter. Check the local ordinance and road boundary instead of treating the protected period as a universal removal deadline. Minnesota 2026 campaign-sign guidance, MnDOT right-of-way guidance
Mississippi
Mississippi's Secretary of State says campaign-material identification depends on whether the candidate approved the message and who paid for or produced it. Use the state's political-signage guidance to select the correct disclosure rather than a generic funding line. MDOT prohibits campaign signs within state-highway rights-of-way, whose width can extend well beyond the pavement. Mississippi political-signage guide, MDOT placement warning
Missouri
Missouri DOT prohibits unauthorized signs and other objects on state-owned highway rights-of-way because they can block visibility and interfere with maintenance. Removed signs are held for 30 days at a local maintenance facility for retrieval; that storage period is not a statewide post-election display deadline. Confirm the property boundary and local rules before placing campaign signs. Missouri DOT sign-placement guidance
Montana
Montana DOT says signs promoting political candidates or issues belong on private property with the owner's permission. Check the highway boundary before installing a roadside sign; the department lists these political signs among exemptions from its outdoor-advertising control program. Montana official source 1
Nebraska
Do not put campaign signs in Nebraska state-highway or interstate rights-of-way, including medians, ramps, sidewalks and roadside ditches. Nebraska's political-material statute specifically directs that yard signs be exempted from its disclaimer requirement, so the old claim that every yard sign needs a funding disclaimer is incorrect. Check county or municipal placement rules as well. Nebraska official source 1, Nebraska official source 2
Nevada
Nevada DOT prohibits political signs inside state-highway rights-of-way. Its guidance for signs on private property adjacent to state highways allows installation no more than 60 days before a primary and requires removal within 30 days afterward; signs for candidates or questions continuing to the general election may remain until 30 days after that election. Additional restrictions and permit requirements can apply near National Highway System routes. Nevada official source 1
New Hampshire
New Hampshire RSA 664:17 requires property-owner consent and prohibits attaching political signs to utility poles or highway signs. It allows a state-right-of-way placement only with consent of the owner of the underlying land and without obstructing safe traffic flow. Candidates must remove advertising by the second Friday after the election, except advertising for a candidate who won the primary. New Hampshire official source 1
New Jersey
Keep campaign signs out of New Jersey's 100-foot electioneering-restricted areas at polling places, early-voting locations and ballot drop boxes. Before choosing a sign location, check the local placement rules and use the Election Law Enforcement Commission's political-identification requirements to determine the statement your campaign material needs. New Jersey official source 1, New Jersey official source 2
New Mexico
New Mexico DOT prohibits unauthorized campaign signs on state-maintained rights-of-way. That includes signs encroaching on the roadside and signs attached to right-of-way fencing or traffic-sign supports; the department may remove them without notice. Confirm the right-of-way boundary with the relevant district before placing a sign near a state road. New Mexico official source 1
New York
While New York polls are open, Election Law 8-104 prohibits political banners, posters and placards at the polling place and within a 100-foot radius of its designated entrances. This is an electioneering boundary, not a statewide yard-sign display calendar. Ask the municipality about the rules for the particular property where a sign will stand. New York official source 1
North Carolina
North Carolina permits qualifying political signs along state-maintained roads during the statutory window, rather than banning them from all rights-of-way. NCDOT's 2026 guidance says signs need adjacent-owner permission, at least three feet of clearance from the pavement, a maximum height of 42 inches and unobstructed intersection views. The window begins 30 days before early voting, and signs must come down within 10 days after Election Day. North Carolina official source 1, North Carolina official source 2
North Dakota
North Dakota's 2026 Campaign Practices Manual includes signs among political advertisements requiring sponsor identification and provides examples of the required statements. Do not erect signs within or extending over state-highway rights-of-way. Check local requirements before using a boulevard or other roadside location. North Dakota official source 1, North Dakota official source 2
Ohio
Ohio's paid-for identification rules apply to covered printed political communications, including campaign signs. When a candidate, legislative campaign fund or campaign committee pays, the statute calls for the payer's name with a paid-for statement; simply labeling a sign a paid political advertisement is insufficient. Review the Secretary of State's rules before printing rather than assuming a sign qualifies for a small-item exemption. Ohio official source 1, Ohio official source 2
Oklahoma
Oklahoma DOT's 2026 reminder prohibits temporary campaign signs in state-highway and interstate rights-of-way, including state-maintained overpasses and bridges inside city limits. City-street and county-road rules are handled locally, so confirm the location with the relevant government before installation. Oklahoma official source 1
Oregon
Oregon's state political-communication disclosure guidance exempts lawn signs up to six square feet as items of minimal value; larger signs and nonexempt communications have different disclosure requirements. Federal or local rules can still apply. Oregon DOT separately prohibits signs, including temporary signs, inside state-highway rights-of-way. Oregon official source 1, Oregon official source 2
Pennsylvania
PennDOT prohibits campaign signs within its rights-of-way along state roads, interstates and other limited-access highways. Signs also cannot be attached to PennDOT traffic-control devices, light or signal posts, or guardrails. Confirm property boundaries and local placement requirements before installing a roadside campaign sign. Pennsylvania official source 1
Rhode Island
Rhode Island DOT's campaign-sign guidance says political signs cannot be placed on state property along roads and may be removed by highway-maintenance crews. Ask RIDOT to confirm a proposed roadside location if the boundary is unclear, and check municipal rules for other locations. Rhode Island official source 1
South Carolina
South Carolina Code 57-25-10 prohibits placing signs within highway rights-of-way when visible from the main traveled roadway. Keep campaign signs outside that area and check the applicable local ordinance for the intended property. The highway rule is separate from any campaign-disclosure obligations. South Carolina official source 1
South Dakota
South Dakota's municipal-sign statute protects qualifying campaign signs on private property beside a transportation right-of-way beginning no later than 10 days before absentee voting starts and continuing through Election Day. Signs displayed under that provision must be removed within seven days after the election. This does not authorize signs inside state-highway rights-of-way, which remain prohibited. South Dakota official source 1
Tennessee
Tennessee's disclaimer law covers paid communications that expressly advocate a clearly identified candidate's election or defeat, or solicit contributions, including yard signs. The statement must identify who paid and, where required, who authorized the communication. Obtain local placement guidance separately; printing the correct disclaimer does not establish permission to install a sign. Tennessee official source 1
Texas
Texas political advertising containing express advocacy generally needs a disclosure statement; the Ethics Commission explains the payer identification and placement rules. Political advertising signs designed to be seen from a road also need the statutory highway-right-of-way notice, which may appear on the back. These printing requirements do not give permission to place a sign in a highway right-of-way or settle city, county or HOA display rules. Texas official source 1
Utah
For the 2026 election cycle, Utah Code 20A-11-901(3) exempts lawn signs measuring four by eight feet or smaller from that section's political-advertisement disclaimer requirements. Larger or otherwise covered advertisements have payer and authorization requirements. Review location rules separately before installation, and recheck the statute for elections after 2026 because this published version is superseded January 1, 2027. Utah official source 1
Vermont
Vermont's campaign-finance guidance says lawn signs must identify the payer by name and mailing address. Its 2026 guide says to obtain owner permission and keep signs off utility poles and out of state-highway rights-of-way. Town-highway and municipal-property rules differ, so check with the town rather than assuming the same rule applies to every public location. Vermont official source 1, Vermont official source 2
Virginia
Virginia DOT says signs cannot sit on or overhang state-maintained rights-of-way. There is no single right-of-way width for every road, so verify the boundary before installation. A violation can lead to removal and a separate $100 civil penalty for each sign under Code 33.2-1224. Virginia official source 1
Washington
Washington's former small-yard-sign sponsor-ID exemption no longer applies. The Public Disclosure Commission says all yard signs, including older signs reused in 2026, need sponsor identification, and double-sided signs need it on both sides. The sponsor text must be at least 10-point type or 10 percent of the largest type on the sign, whichever is larger. Washington official source 1
West Virginia
West Virginia DOT prohibits campaign signs in state rights-of-way and directs highway crews to remove them. Removed signs may be stored temporarily at county highway offices for pickup by candidates or their representatives. Confirm the boundary before placing a sign near a state road. West Virginia official source 1
Wisconsin
Wisconsin's attribution rules depend on the communication and its payer, not merely whether it is a yard sign. The Ethics Commission requires attribution for committee-funded express advocacy and for express advocacy funded by a noncommittee person when the cost exceeds $2,500, with additional rules for certain independent communications. Use its guidance to select the correct payer statement and readable type size before printing. Wisconsin official source 1
Wyoming
Wyoming's 2026 Campaign Guide reproduces an exemption from its campaign-advertising disclosure definition for yard signs displaying the candidate's name or office sought. Public-property placement is separately restricted, with specific exceptions including municipally regulated rights-of-way; that right-of-way allowance does not extend to interstates. Check the guide and local rules before treating a roadside location as available. Wyoming official source 1
