2026 General Election

Mayor, Council Members & Treasurer

A Consolidated General Election will be held in the City of Atascadero on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the following:

• One (1) Mayor for a full term of two (2) years
• Two (2) Members of the City Council for full terms of four (4) years
• One (1) Treasurer for a full term of four (4) years

Mayor & Council Member Election

These individuals are elected by, and from among, the registered voters of the City of Atascadero, to represent the interests of the City as a whole. Information about the Council's role and current members is available on the City’s website.

Resolutions & Notices

Resolution 2026-034 (calling for the election)

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Campaign Signs

The Atascadero Municipal Code regulates when candidates may post campaign signs and when they must remove them under the regulations for temporary non-commercial signs.

Legal decisions in California concerning campaign signs have concluded that requiring a pre-election limitation on campaign signs violates the First Amendment. In essence, the courts are finding that such signs are an inexpensive and effective method for candidates, particularly unknown, non-incumbent candidates, to get out a message and establish name recognition. Placing a time limit on a sign, based on the sign’s content, is viewed as severely restricting such free speech, and this restriction outweighs the City’s aesthetic interests.

This reasoning also applies to the issue of a post-election removal period. A few courts have held that regulations requiring the removal of signs following an election are permissible. However, the City’s current regulations treat all temporary non-commercial signs equally, regardless of content, and place a 9-month restriction on the placement of signs and requires that signs must be removed a minimum of 90 days before any new non-commercial signage may be placed. While some California cities may still impose limits similar to our former requirements, many, like Atascadero, have repealed them.

As a result, Candidates may place their campaign signs when they wish. However, the City asks all candidates to be cautious about when campaign signs are placed, as many community members still feel strongly about not having elections signs placed for an extended period of time. The City also asks that Candidates please remove signs, at the earliest possible convenience, following the election as a courtesy to neighbors and community members.

If you become aware of any campaign sign violations, please call the candidate and/or campaign committee and report the violation. If the violation is not resolved in a timely manner, please contact the Atascadero City Clerk.

Signs in City Right-of-Way

Campaign signs are not permitted in City right-of-way or on City property. Signs placed in City right-of-way or on City property are subject to removal. An exception would be temporary signs during a specific event such as at the Lake Park.

The City encourages Candidates to make certain they have the appropriate permission before placing signs on private property (including the right of way/roadway in front of private property). If an illegal sign is placed in the City, the City will contact the Candidate with a seventy-two (72) hour notice to correct the violation. Failure to correct the violation will result in a citation.

Signs in Caltrans (State) Right-of-Way

Please contact CalTrans at (916) 654-6473 for information about its outdoor advertising program (for placement of signs within state highway right-of-way).

If you have concerns regarding signs in the CalTrans right-of-way, please submit a Customer Service Request directly to CalTrans using the following link: https://csr.dot.ca.gov/. You can also contact the local CalTrans office by calling (805) 434-1812.

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