PLACEMENT AND REMOVAL OF POLITICAL SIGNS

It is expected that candidates will want to use campaign signs to promote their candidacy. The City asks that each candidate keep in mind the best interests of the community by complying with State and local codes regarding signs. It is important to maintain an aesthetically pleasing appearance in the City, while providing the opportunity for each of you to make voters aware of your candidacy.

Section 17.100.020 of the Fort Bragg Municipal Code defines political signs as follows: 

Political or Social Issue Sign. A sign that addresses:

1. The passage or defeat of a measure appearing on the ballot in any national, state, or local election;
2. The election or defeat of any candidate for any public office in any national, state, or local election; or 
3. An international, national, state, or local political or social issue. 

Political signs may be placed on private property with the consent of the owner. To determine whether your sign is located on property in the Coastal Zone or Inland Zone, see the City's Zoning Map. 

Political signs placed in commercial and industrial districts require a Political Sign Permit and a refundable deposit of $100 per the City of Fort Bragg Fee Schedule.

Political Signs are governed by Fort Bragg Municipal Code Sections 17.38.040(C)(4) for the Coastal Zone and 18.38.040(C)(4) for the Inland Zone.

Coastal Land Use & Development Code

17.38.040 –Sign Permit Requirements

C. Temporary signs.

4. Political signs. Political signs are allowed in compliance with the following requirements.

1. Prior to the placement of a political sign, the agent/candidate shall post with the City Clerk a plan for the removal of all signs placed in Commercial and Industrial districts and removal of all signs placed by the candidate or their agents in Residential districts. In the event that the signs are not removed in compliance with the plan for removal, the City shall provide notice and summary abatement. The removal plan shall also apply to signs located at campaign or party headquarters.
2. No political sign shall be erected prior to 60 days before the election to which the sign pertains.
3. In Commercial and Industrial zoning districts, each political sign and the total political signage on a parcel shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
4. In Residential districts, no political sign shall exceed four square feet in area.
5. No political sign shall be located in a public right-of-way.
6. All political signs shall be removed within 10 days after the election.

Inland Land Use & Development Code

18.38.040 –Sign Permit Requirements

C. Temporary signs.

4. Signs are allowed 90 days prior to an election and five days after an election so long as the sign is in compliance with the following requirements:

1. In Commercial and Industrial zoning districts, each temporary sign and the total temporary signage on a parcel shall not exceed 32 square feet in area.
2. In Residential districts, no temporary sign shall exceed four square feet in area.
3. No temporary sign shall be located in a public right-of-way

Submit completed applications and deposit checks payable to the City of Fort Bragg to:

June Lemos, MMC
City Clerk
City of Fort Bragg
416 N. Franklin Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437

If signs are removed within the timeframes noted above, candidates may request a refund of the $100 deposit from the City Clerk. If the signs are not timely removed, the City will retain the deposit to cover the cost of sign removal.