20.100 Political and Campaign Signs.

No political or campaign signs shall be permitted except in conformity with the following regulations:

A. R (Residential District). In residential districts, there are permitted stationary, unlighted, temporary signs on behalf of candidates for public office or measures on an election ballot, provided that:

1. Any such sign shall be erected not earlier than ninety (90) days prior to the election and shall be removed within fifteen (15) days after such election.

2. Any such sign shall not be more than twenty (20) square feet in area and, if detached, not more than six (6) feet in height.

3. No such sign shall be located closer than five (5) feet to any property line.

4. No such sign shall be a roof sign.

The Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance is current through Ordinance 2907, passed September 8, 2025.

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Ch. 20 Signs and Sign Structures | Petaluma Implementing Zoning Ordinance

B. AG (Agricultural), C (Commercial), MU (Mixed Use), BP (Business Park), and I (Industrial) Districts. In any AG, C, MU, BP or I Districts, there are permitted one (1) or more political or campaign signs on a parcel of land on behalf of candidates for public office or measures on an election ballot, provided that:

1. Any such sign shall be erected not earlier than ninety (90) days prior to the election and removed within fifteen (15) days after such election.

2. The total area of such sign, or signs, on any one (1) parcel shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet, except that larger signs may be placed upon any legally existing sign structure.

3. No such sign shall be a roof sign except upon a legally existing sign structure.

4. Signs on behalf of political candidates who are successful in primary elections may be retained for general election purposes until fifteen (15) days following the date of such general election; provided that they are maintained in good condition and are removed at such time.

C. Removal of signs. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to remove the political sign within fifteen (15) days after the sign has served its purpose. If such signs are not removed within fifteen (15) days, they may be abated by the City. It is unlawful to erect a sign in conflict with this Chapter.

D. Prohibited on public property. Political or campaign signs may not be erected or installed upon public property, or upon public utility property, and may be abated by the City without notice.