San Mateo's Temporary Sign Enforcement Policy

San Mateo Municipal Code Title 25 (Signs), also called the Sign Ordinance, governs the placement, size, location, and manner in which signs are displayed in the City. This includes campaign signs. To ensure signs are placed with respect to property, public safety, and community aesthetics, the City enforces these regulations per our Temporary Sign Placement Enforcement During Elections Policy.

Report a Potential Sign Issue
If you see a sign that may not follow the rules, you can report it here: My San Mateo Online Service Request Portal

Key Regulations

Temporary campaign signs may be placed no sooner than 90 days before the scheduled election and must be removed within 10 days after the election. For the November 3, 2026 election, the 90-day period begins on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, and must be removed no later than Friday, November 13, 2026.

The diagram below illustrates where temporary signs are and are not allowed. View the Campaign Sign Placement Map in full-screen. Regulations include, but are not limited to the following:

• Top of sign shall not exceed 36 inches above the ground
• No sign shall exceed 6 square feet in area
• No sign shall be placed within the median of any public street
• No sign shall obstruct path of travel on any sidewalk to less than 36 inches
• Sign placement is limited to 4 signs total within a 50' radius from a street corner
• Sign placement along a straight line must be 50' apart

See the Temporary Sign Placement Enforcement During Elections Policy for additional regulations.

Downtown San Mateo Sign Placement Restrictions

The Sign Ordinance places additional sign placement restrictions within the Downtown San Mateo area. View the Campaign Sign Restriction Map in full-screen.

Temporary signs are prohibited in the public right-of-way, specifically within the areas bounded by Baldwin Avenue to the north, Railroad Avenue to the east, Fifth Avenue to the south, and El Camino Real to the west. This map illustrates these boundaries.

Public Property & Right of Way (ROW) Restrictions

• Signage on private property can only be displayed with permission of the property owner and must follow Sign Ordinance regulations
• Signs are prohibited in the roadway (only allowed on sidewalks with restrictions)
• Signs are prohibited in curb cuts or ADA access ramps
• Signs cannot block driveways or emergency access
• Signs are prohibited on sidewalks (must leave at least 36 inches clear)
• Signs are prohibited outside designated sidewalk areas (unless in an unimproved ROW, with permission)

Prohibited Sign Locations

• Utility poles or boxes
• Streetlights
• Street furniture
• Fences or buildings
• Other signs

Enforcement of Violations

When a temporary sign does not comply with the Sign Ordinance, the City may take the following actions:

Violations on Private Property

• If a violation is confirmed and not corrected by the property owner or responsible party, Code Enforcement may issue a formal Notice of Violation.

Violations on Public Property or in the Public Right-of-Way

Immediate Removal

• In accordance with San Mateo Municipal Code Section 25.08.010(d)(2), signs placed on public property or within the public right-of-way in violation of the Sign Ordinance may be removed without prior notice.
• Code Enforcement, in coordination with Public Works, will remove and transport the sign to a designated storage location.

Impound and Retrieval

• Removed signs will be held for a minimum of 30 days.
• The City will make reasonable efforts to notify the sign owner or responsible party, if identifiable.
• After notice is provided, the owner has 10 days to retrieve the sign and pay any applicable retrieval and storage fees set by the City Council. Currently, the City's Sign Collection Fee is $60 per pickup.
• If the sign is not retrieved within this timeframe, the City may dispose of the sign at its discretion.