Some campaign signs might carry simplistic messages, but rules for people placing them aren’t so elementary.
Officials with the county elections office provided a breakdown of the rules for candidates so they can avoid breaking the law.
The state has a set of rules, but then the City of Hollister has its own sign ordinance as well.
At the state level, political signs are allowed no sooner than 90 days before a scheduled election and must be removed within 10 days of the final vote. The state also limits signs to 32 square feet.
Perhaps most relevant to San Benito County, where candidates often violate this rule: Political signs “shall not be placed within the right-of-way of any highway, or be visible within 660 feet from the edge of the right-of-way of a classified ‘Landscaped freeway,’ according to the state. Sign posters must have permission of private property owners as well.
Bilingual Senior Deputy County Clerk Francisco Diaz added how every person putting out signs must complete a form and submit it to the state for records of who’s doing what. It’s up to Caltrans to go around and take down the inappropriately placed signs, but that can sometimes take a while.
“I know our local planning department, they can also get involved, too,” Diaz said.
Municipalities are allowed to amend the rules through local ordinances, like the one in Hollister. The city ordinance allows candidates who posted signs during a primary election to keep those signs up through the final election in November.
To report a sign violation, call the county planning department at (831) 637-5313, the city code enforcement division at 636-4356 or Caltrans at (916) 654-2852.
