Campaign Signs and Materials

The City of Fort Collins regulates campaign signs and political materials through temporary sign rules and City Code. Learn about placement requirements, disposal options and legal obligations for election-related communications.

Temporary Sign Requirements

Temporary signs must be placed on private property with the owner's permission and at least 2 feet from all property lines. Signs are prohibited in public spaces including parks, medians, sidewalks, rights-of-way and in front of City buildings. Signs cannot block traffic sightlines or create visibility issues.

The amount of time a temporary sign may be displayed varies and depends on the material it is made of and the sign type. For example, a yard sign made of laminated paper may only be displayed for 45 days and a yard sign made of inflexible vinyl may be displayed for no more than 60 days. Additionally, there is a maximum amount of posting days per year based on the type of sign. The City regulates temporary signs in Land Use Code Section 5.16.3.

Sign Disposal Options

When your campaign is over, dispose of signs responsibly:

Important: Placing election signs constitutes an announcement of candidacy and triggers the requirement to file a Candidate Affidavit.

"Paid For By" Requirements

When candidates or candidate committees pay for communications that support or oppose election results, or solicit contributions through media, newspapers, outdoor ads, direct mail or other public political advertising, they must clearly state who paid for the communication per City Code Section 7-140.

These "Paid For By" statement requirements apply to ALL candidates, committees and independent expenditures.

Signs with a candidate's name will be considered support for that candidate, unless the sign is clearly for another purpose such as advertising a house sale where the candidate is the real estate agent.

Signs with a candidate's name that include words or symbols suggesting voters should not vote for the candidate will be considered opposition to that candidate. For example, a candidate's name with a red circle and diagonal line through it meaning "NO."

This rule applies to candidate websites or social media channels that are available to the public and that cost money to create, as well as and paid ads on other websites or social media. The "Paid For By" statement must be clear and easy to see.

Exemptions

You don't need payment statements on:

• Small items like bumper stickers, pins, buttons or pens where you can't easily print the disclaimer
• Skywriting, water towers, clothing or other displays where adding the statement would be impractical
• Checks, receipts or similar administrative items with no political message

Door-to-Door Solicitation

Political solicitation is allowed door-to-door, except at homes with "No Solicitation" or "No Trespassing" signs near the entrance. These signs prohibit all solicitation at that residence.

Find complete door-to-door solicitation rules at City Code Chapter 15, Article IV, Division 1.

Anti-Littering Requirements

Campaign materials must follow anti-littering rules. Secure all materials so wind cannot blow them around. You cannot place campaign materials on vehicles without the owner's permission.

Penalties

Breaking City Code and Land Use Code rules for door-to-door solicitation and temporary signs is a misdemeanor. Penalties include fines up to $3,000, jail time up to 180 days or both.