Is it a crime in Arizona to remove or alter political signs in public areas?

It is a misdemeanor for an individual to remove or change a political sign in Arizona in the months leading up to and immediately following an election. Only the candidate or committee responsible for a sign can alter or discard it, even when the sign is on public property. 

State law generally bans the alteration or removal of legitimate political signs by town, city or county officials unless they are a public safety hazard, obstruct clear vision or fail to include the name and contact information of the candidate or campaign committee. If a sign violates these standards and its placement is deemed an emergency, officials can move it, but they must alert the campaign afterward. Absent an emergency, officials must give the campaign 24 hours to remove or relocate the sign.  

Some cities, towns and counties have implemented additional regulations. Phoenix, for example, requires individuals and organizations who erect political signs to file notice with the city’s Planning and Development Department.

This fact brief responds to conversations such as this one. 

The Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs, or quick-response fact checks, about trending claims relating to Arizona.