Yard Sign Placement Guide

Practical Details for Minnesota Yards

Placement is about more than picking a busy corner. A few practical details make the difference between a sign that lasts the whole campaign and one that ends up face-down in a snowbank.

Mind the right-of-way

In many Minneapolis neighborhoods, the strip of grass between the sidewalk and the curb, often called the boulevard, is public right-of-way rather than private yard. Rules for signs in that space can differ from the rules for your own lawn, so check with the city before using it. Keep signs well back from corners where they could block a driver's view of pedestrians, cyclists or cross traffic. A sign that creates a safety problem does the campaign no favours.

Call before you stake

Most wire stakes go only a few inches deep, but if you are using longer posts, contact Minnesota's one-call utility locating service first. It is free and helps you avoid gas, electric and fiber lines running under the yard.

Plan for the weather

• Wind: Push stakes in fully and at a slight angle into the prevailing wind. Signs on open corner lots catch the most gusts.
• Frozen ground: Late-season ground can harden quickly. Placing signs before a hard freeze, or loosening the soil with warm water, saves bent stakes.
• Snow: Set signs where plows and shovelled snow will not bury them, and lift them a little higher if drifts are likely.

Angle and height

Turn the sign so it faces oncoming traffic at a slight angle rather than parallel to the street. Drivers then have a few extra seconds to read it. Eye level for a seated driver is lower than many people expect, so a sign at the edge of a low lawn often reads better than one tucked up against the house.

Respect your neighbors

Only place signs on property where you have permission. If you rent, ask your landlord first. If a sign goes missing or is damaged, replace it calmly rather than confronting anyone. Civility is part of the message too.

After the election

Take signs down promptly once voting ends. Many municipalities set removal deadlines. Wire stakes and corrugated plastic can often be stored for future use or recycled where facilities accept them.

Want to help beyond your own yard? Our volunteer page lists ways to get involved, and the events calendar shows where supporters gather.