Yard signs—especially those endorsing or opposing a political candidate or issue—are sometimes the target of homeowners’ associations (HOAs), neighborhood organizations, local governments, and vandals.

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution only prohibits federal, state, or local government interference with free speech. But many states have enacted statutes that protect elections and political speech in yard and other signs—allowing HOAs, neighborhood organizations, and local governments to place some limits on political signs, but not to ban them. For example, signs may be required to be inoffensive, mounted in the ground, and only displayed for 45 or 90 days before an election and up to ten days following an election.

State statutes that permit political signs on private property may also permit political signs in an unpaved right-of-way (ROW)—a city-owned strip of land from the edge of a city street or county road.

Yard signs that are not political speech—such as those warning trespassers (No Trespassing) or advertising a business’s goods or services or that a property or home is for sale—are generally subject to restrictions by HOAs, neighborhood organizations, and local governments. For example, some municipalities may require a permit to display certain signs.

In Kansas, the regulation of yard signs, including those endorsing or opposing political candidates or issues, is influenced by both the First Amendment and state statutes. While the First Amendment protects against government interference with free speech, it does not directly restrict actions by private entities like homeowners' associations (HOAs). However, Kansas statutes provide some protections for political signs on private property. These laws typically allow HOAs and local governments to impose reasonable regulations on the display of political signs, such as size, number, and duration limitations (e.g., only allowing signs to be displayed for a certain period around an election), but they cannot completely prohibit them. For non-political signs, such as advertisements or No Trespassing notices, HOAs and local governments may have more leeway to enforce restrictions, and permits may be required for certain types of signs. It's important for residents to check the specific regulations in their local jurisdiction and any rules set by their HOA to ensure compliance.