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 Vermont, the regulation of yard signs, including those for political purposes, 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, Vermont law does provide some protections for political signs on private property. Vermont statutes allow for reasonable regulations on the time, place, and manner of political signs, but they cannot completely prohibit them. For instance, regulations may limit the size of the signs, the duration they can be displayed around election times, and their placement to ensure safety and compliance with local ordinances. Non-political signs, such as those advertising a business or warning against trespassing, are more heavily regulated and may be subject to local permits and HOA rules. These regulations can include restrictions on the size, number, and location of signs to maintain community aesthetics and property values.