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 North Carolina, the regulation of yard signs, including those for political purposes, is influenced by both state statutes and the First Amendment, which protects free speech from government interference. While homeowners' associations (HOAs), neighborhood organizations, and local governments can impose certain restrictions on political yard signs, they cannot completely ban them. These entities may regulate the size, number, and duration of sign display, often allowing signs to be posted for a specific period before an election and requiring their removal shortly after. For instance, signs might be permitted for 45 to 90 days before an election and up to 10 days following it. Additionally, North Carolina law may allow for political signs to be placed in an unpaved right-of-way (ROW), subject to local regulations. Non-political yard signs, such as those advertising businesses or warning against trespassing, are generally subject to more stringent regulations by HOAs, neighborhood organizations, and local governments, which may include the need for permits or adherence to specific guidelines regarding the display of such signs.