Election season is here and new rules are now in effect for where temporary political campaign signs are allowed. Here is a summary of what’s allowed in Carlsbad under the new rules approved by the City Council in March 2022.
What are the new rules?
- Temporary political and other non-commercial signs are not allowed on public property or on streets in the public right-of-way (like along sidewalks and street medians).
- Signs are allowed on residential and non-residential private property with the permission of the property owner.
- The maximum allowable size of signs during campaign periods (30 days prior and five days following an election) are 10 square feet total signage per residential unit or non-residential private property.
- No more than 3.5 feet in height above ground if located in a front yard and no more than 6 feet above ground if located elsewhere.
- Signs are allowed in traditional public forum areas (e.g., a person holding a sign in a public park) as long as a person is holding the signs or within 5 feet of the signs.
Why the change?
- Since 2008, the city allowed political signs to be placed in the public right-of-way (like along sidewalks and street medians) on major streets in commercial and industrial areas during campaign season, with certain restrictions.
- Enforcing the rules became increasingly time consuming and expensive.
- Safety concerns came up, such as people stopping on a busy street to put up a sign and signs blocking views for drivers.
- Complaints about the visual clutter of campaign signs also increased, along with complaints about sign theft and vandalism among competing campaigns.
- Candidates have access to many more ways to promote themselves these days, such as social media, making signs less important than they used to be.
This move puts Carlsbad in alignment with 14 other cities in San Diego County, with only Oceanside, Santee and Vista still allowing temporary political signs and other non-commercial signs on public property.
More information
Campaign sign fact sheet
Election information
Jeff Murphy, 442-339-2783, jeff.murphy@carlsbadca.gov
