San Mateo residents and candidates can start planting campaign signs in the ground Wednesday, August 5, kicking off the 90-day window before the November 3 election.

The city's Sign Ordinance carries strict rules on where, when, and how big those signs can be.

Violators risk having signs confiscated on the spot and paying $60 to get them back.

Size and spacing

According to the city's temporary sign placement page, no campaign sign may exceed 6 square feet in area, and the top of the sign cannot rise more than 36 inches above the ground. Signs placed along a straight line must be at least 50 feet apart, and no more than four signs may cluster within a 50-foot radius of any street corner.

Signs cannot be placed during hours of darkness, per the Municipal Code. They must leave at least 36 inches of clear path on any sidewalk. If a sidewalk already has less than 36 inches of clearance, no sign goes there at all.

Signs are also prohibited in curb cuts, ADA access ramps, and anywhere they would block driveways or emergency access.

Downtown is off-limits

The public right-of-way in downtown San Mateo is a no-go zone for campaign signs. The restricted area runs from Baldwin Avenue on the north to Fifth Avenue on the south, Railroad Avenue on the east to El Camino Real on the west.

Signs are banned on utility poles, streetlights, street furniture, fences, buildings, and other signs. Leaning a sign against a vehicle parked in the public right-of-way counts as a violation too, though signs inside or painted on a vehicle are fine.

Enforcement and fees

Signs placed illegally in the public right-of-way can be removed immediately without notice, according to Policy #118, approved by the City Council in March 2026 via Resolution No. 24. Code Enforcement coordinates with Public Works to haul away offending signs.

Impounded signs are held for at least 30 days. Owners get 10 days after notification to pay the $60 retrieval fee. After that, the city can dispose of the sign.

Enforcement is generally complaint-driven, though city staff may flag violations during routine duties. Residents can report sign violations through the My San Mateo Online Service Request Portal at sanmateoca.qscend.com/311.

Private property rules

Signs on private property require written consent from the property owner and must still comply with the Sign Ordinance's size and placement standards. The city notes the policy is content-neutral and does not restrict political speech on private property.

What's on the ballot

The November 3 election includes City Council races in Districts 1, 3, and 5. Candidate filing closes Friday, August 7.

All signs must come down by Friday, November 13. The City Clerk's Office handles sign-related questions at (650) 522-7040 or [email protected].