10/22/2026
'Tis the season for election signs. We've had a few people reach out to ask about the rules. As a reminder, here are the rules for political signs in St. Helens:
• Maximum size: 32 square feet.
• Maximum height: 8 feet.
• Time period allowed: 120 days before a public election or the time the election is called, whichever is earlier, to five days after the public election.
• Must be on private property (not allowed within a public right-of-way). You should obtain consent from the landowner before placing a sign on private property.
In addition to the regulations above, the following is prohibited:
• Illumination of political signs.
• Any political sign within a public right-of-way or on City owned property.
• Any political sign that may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or which hides a traffic control device from view.
• Any political sign that will obstruct access to any fire escape or other entrance/exit from a building or exit corridor.
• Any political sign that could impede vehicular or pedestrian traffic on any street, alley, sidewalk, bikeway or similar travel way.
• Any political sign attached to a tree or a plant, a fence or a utility pole.
• Any sign that violates clear vision rules (Chapter 17.76 St. Helens Municipal Code). Basically, this means blocking visibility at intersections (including driveways).
Political signs erected contrary to City regulations may be removed by the City with or without notice.
