City of Bowling Green, Kentucky

Campaign Signs

Many voters express their support for a political candidate by placing signs in their yard, but it’s important to follow election sign rules to keep our city a safe and beautiful place to live, work, and play.

What You Need to Know

• It is prohibited to place any campaign signs on or within any rights-of-way or utility easements. This includes posting signs on trees, shrubs, telephone poles, traffic signs, and other objects on the right-of-way.
• No sign shall obstruct a motorist's view. There should be free and clear vision of an intersection and/or all traffic signals at all times.
• Campaign signs can be placed on private property with the owner’s permission, but must be away from streets and roads.
• Signs erected on public property are prohibited.
• Signs should contain no flashing lights or moving parts.
• Any use of light to illuminate a sign must be oriented to reflect light away from nearby residential properties and away from the vision of passing motorists and pedestrians.
• Campaign signs may be posted immediately following the filing for an election and must be removed within 30 days after the election.

Number and Size

• Residential properties can display no more than 10 temporary signs at any time – residences on less than 2 acres can display signs up to 8 square feet in size, properties over two acres can display signs up to 16 square feet.
• Commercial properties can display no more than 4 temporary signs at any time – businesses on less than 5 acres can display signs up to 16 square feet in size, properties over five acres can display signs up to 32 square feet.
• Larger signs may not be cut into smaller sections and then bound together.

For full details, please view Article 4 of the Zoning Ordinance:

A printable version of these rules and policies is available for download as well:

Campaign Sign Regulations (PDF)

Contact Us

For further information or questions about the rules governing campaign signs, please call 270-393-3102 or visit www.bgky.org/ncs/code-compliance-animal-protection