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 South Carolina, the regulation of yard signs, including those endorsing or opposing political candidates or issues, is influenced by both state statutes and the First Amendment's protection of free speech. While the First Amendment restricts government interference with free speech, homeowners' associations (HOAs), neighborhood organizations, and local governments may impose certain regulations on the display of political signs. These entities can set guidelines regarding the size, number, and duration for which political signs may be displayed, typically allowing them to be put up a certain number of days before an election and requiring their removal shortly after. However, they cannot completely ban political signs due to the protections of political speech. For non-political yard signs, such as advertisements or trespassing warnings, HOAs and local governments have more leeway to enforce restrictions, which may include the need for permits or adherence to specific community standards. It's important for residents to check with their local ordinances and HOA rules to understand the specific regulations that apply to their signs.