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 Pennsylvania, the right to display political yard signs is protected under the First Amendment, which prohibits government interference with free speech. However, this does not directly restrict private entities like homeowners' associations (HOAs) from imposing their own rules. Pennsylvania law allows for reasonable regulations on the display of political signs by HOAs and local governments, but these entities cannot completely ban such signs. Regulations may include stipulations on the size, number, and duration of display for political signs, typically allowing them to be posted for a certain period before an election and requiring their removal shortly after. For non-political signs, such as those advertising businesses or warning against trespassing, HOAs and local governments may impose stricter regulations, which can include the need for permits or restrictions on the size and placement of the signs. It's important for residents to check with their local ordinances and HOA rules to understand the specific regulations that apply to their signs.