San Bernardino Campaign Sign Time Limits

Signs and Advertising California 3 Minutes Read · published February 10, 2026 Flag of California

San Bernardino, California regulates placement and duration of campaign signs through local sign rules and enforcement by city departments. This guide summarizes what the municipal code and city departments say about how long political signs may remain on private and public property, who enforces removals, and the practical steps residents and campaigns should follow to comply.

Scope and where rules come from

Campaign signage can be regulated by the city sign code for private property, by city rules for signs in the public right-of-way, and by the City Clerk or elections office for election‑day restrictions. See local sign ordinances and the Planning and Code Enforcement pages for the controlling instruments and permit requirements[1][2]. If the city cites state election statutes for placement on public property, those state pages may apply as well[3].

Penalties & Enforcement

The municipal code and city enforcement pages are the primary sources for fines and sanctions. Where specific dollar amounts or escalations are not stated on the cited pages, this text notes that fact and points to the enforcing office for clarification.

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page; consult the municipal code chapter on signs and Code Enforcement for exact amounts[1].
  • Escalation: the cited municipal pages do not list first/repeat/continuing offence ranges; see the enforcement office for escalation policy[2].
  • Non‑monetary sanctions: removal orders, required compliance within a set period, administrative abatement, and referral to collections or court may apply; exact remedies are controlled by municipal code and enforcement procedures[1].
  • Enforcer and complaints: Code Enforcement and the Planning Division administer sign rules; complaints are submitted to the City Code Enforcement office or via the city's online complaint page[2].
  • Appeals and review: the cited pages do not publish a specific appeal deadline or internal review timeline; appeals typically follow administrative hearing or permit-appeal procedures in the municipal code[1].
Removal orders often include a short compliance deadline, so act quickly.

Applications & Forms

The Planning Division publishes sign permit and temporary sign information; the specific form numbers and fees are not specified on the cited planning page and may require contacting the Planning Division or Code Enforcement directly to obtain current application forms and fee schedules[2].

Common violations

  • Posting signs on public property or within the public right-of-way without authorization.
  • Failing to remove campaign signs within the city’s required time after an election.
  • Exceeding size, height, or lighting limits set by the sign code.
When in doubt, request a written determination from Planning before placing large or long‑duration signage.

Action steps

  • Check the municipal sign regulations and any temporary sign permit rules before installing signs[1].
  • If you receive a removal notice, follow the instructions and document compliance.
  • To contest a notice or fine, contact Code Enforcement about appeal procedures and deadlines[2].

FAQ

How long can a campaign sign stay up after an election?
Not specified on the cited page; check the municipal sign code and contact Code Enforcement for the city's required removal period[1].
Can I put signs on public sidewalks or medians?
Signs in the public right-of-way usually require permission; posting on sidewalks or medians without authorization is commonly prohibited and enforceable by Code Enforcement[2].
Is a permit required for temporary campaign signs?
The Planning Division page provides guidance on temporary signs but does not list a specific permit form number on the cited page; contact Planning to confirm whether a temporary sign permit is required for your situation[2].

How-To

  1. Review the municipal sign regulations on the city code site to determine size and location limits[1].
  2. If a permit is indicated, download or request the temporary sign permit form from Planning and submit with any fee[2].
  3. If you receive a notice, document the date and photo evidence, then contact Code Enforcement to confirm the compliance deadline[2].
  4. If fined or ordered, follow the appeal instructions on the notice and request a hearing within the stated timeframe or as directed by Code Enforcement.

Key Takeaways

  • Local sign rules and Code Enforcement control campaign sign time limits.
  • Contact Planning or Code Enforcement early for permits or clarifications.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of San Bernardino municipal code (signs)
  2. [2] City of San Bernardino Planning Division - signs & permits
  3. [3] City of San Bernardino Code Enforcement

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