Jacksonville Clarifies Rules for Political Signs Ahead of Elections

Jacksonville city staff published an informational clarification on November 17, 2025 to explain local rules for political signage following questions from the community. The notice, issued by the Community Development Department, restated the primacy of state law in protecting political signs while outlining the limited authority the city retains over signs located on public property.

The notice makes several key points. Residents may place political signs on their private residential property year round without needing municipal approval. Signs placed on public property however require a city permit, and there are defined exemptions for certain categories of signs. Exempt signs include business window signs and a narrowly defined set of temporary signs. For that temporary exemption, the guidance specifies one sign per candidate or issue, a height limit of four feet when staked in the ground or ten feet when not staked in the ground, and spacing requirements between signs.

The city also reminded the public that municipalities must respect the hundred foot campaign free zone around polling places on Election Day. Within that zone no electioneering or signage is permitted. That rule is designed to ensure voters can access polling places free from campaign influence and to keep election sites orderly on the day of voting.

Community Development Director Brian Nyberg provided the clarification as an informational item intended to reduce confusion and help residents, campaign volunteers, and local organizations comply with both state law and municipal rules. The guidance is presented as a clarification rather than a change in policy, underlining that state protections for political speech limit how and where local governments may regulate private property signage.

For Morgan County residents the guidance has practical implications on several fronts. Homeowners now have reassurance that political signs on private residential property remain a protected form of expression year round. Campaigns and volunteers should plan placements with the permit requirement for public property in mind, and they must observe height and spacing rules for temporary exempt signs. On Election Day all residents and campaign teams must respect the campaign free zone around polling sites to avoid enforcement issues.

The city notice aligns Jacksonville with common practice in other jurisdictions that seek to balance free expression with the management of public spaces and the integrity of election day access. By spelling out permit requirements and exemptions, the clarification aims to reduce disputes and help residents navigate the intersection of state law and municipal regulation ahead of future elections.