City of Riverside Municipal Code - Political Signs
Riverside Municipal Code Section 19.625.030 makes it unlawful for any person to place or maintain any sign in the public street right-of-way. This section prohibits the placement of campaign signs anywhere in the street right-of-way including, but not limited to, the parkway, median, street trees, utility poles, guy wires, and traffic signals.
Riverside Municipal Code Section 19.625.050 allows non-commercial message signs (political signs) in areas qualifying as traditional public places, such as streets, parks and sidewalks, provided that:
A. The signs must be personally held by a person, or personally attended by one or more persons. "Personally attended" means that a person is physically present within fifteen (15) feet of the sign at all times.
B. The maximum aggregate size of all signs held by a single person is twelve (12) square feet.
C. The maximum size of any one sign which is personally attended by two or more persons is fifty (50) square feet.
D. The displayed signs may not be inflatable or air-activated.
E. In order to serve the City's interests in traffic flow and safety, persons displaying signs under this section may not stand in any vehicular traffic lane when a roadway is open for use by vehicles, and persons displaying signs on public sidewalks must give clearance for pedestrians to pass by.
Riverside Municipal Code Section 19.620.090 B.5 and 6 sets forth the regulations and limitations on the placement of temporary non-commercial message signs on residential, commercial, business, industrial, and manufacturing property.
Please also be advised that the City of Riverside has an active removal program for any illegal sign placed in the street right-of-way. Administrative citations will be issued for each and every illegal sign. An administrative fine of Oner Hundred Dollars ($100) will be imposed for the first offense, Two Hundred Dollars ($200) for the second offense, and Five Hundred Dollars ($500) for every offense thereafter.
If you have any questions concerning the legal placement of signs, please call the City ‘s Code Enforcement Division at (951) 826-5633.
Department of Transportation - Political Signs
Section 5405.3 of the State Outdoor Advertising Act exempts the placing of temporary political signs from normal outdoor advertising display requirements.
Temporary political signs must meet the following criteria:
A. Encourages a particular vote in a scheduled election.
B. Is placed not sooner than 90 days prior to the scheduled election and is removed within 10 days after that election.
C. Is no larger than 32 square feet.
D. Has filed a Statement of Responsibility certifying a person who will be responsible for removing the sign.
Temporary political signs shall not be placed within the right-of-way of any highway, or within 660 feet of the edge of, and visible from the right-of-way of a classified landscaped freeway.
State law directs the Department of Transportation to remove unauthorized temporary political signs and bill the responsible party for their removal.
Department of Transportation Resources
• Classified Landscaped Freeways List
• Postmile Services Query Tool
Submit a completed Statement of Responsibility (PDF) to:
Department of Transportation
Division of Traffic Operations
Outdoor Advertising
P.O. Box 942874, MS-36
Sacramento, CA 94274-0001