Over the past month, multiple El Cerrito residents have reported that yard signs opposing the El Cerrito parcel tax have been taken—quietly removed, without notice, and without explanation. Most recently, a sign near the curb was removed, while another on the same property—closer to the house—remained untouched.
That inconsistency matters.
Most residents understand the City’s long-standing position that yard signs are not allowed on public property or in medians.
The city manager reminded us in her monthly newsletter signaling that some signs were removed by city staff.
Most people try to comply in good faith, carefully and respectfully placing signs. What residents are seeing now, however, looks less like neutral enforcement and more like selective application of the rules.
When Enforcement Depends on the Message
Residents have raised consistent concerns:
- Signs opposing the El Cerrito parcel tax are being removed from curb-adjacent areas, while other nearby signs remain.
- Numerous signs placed in median strips near businesses remain untouched.
- In past election cycles, City Council campaign signs were posted in similar locations + median strips without enforcement.
- No clear explanation has been offered for why some signs are removed and others are not.
If signs are prohibited in certain areas, enforcement should be consistent, transparent, and content-neutral. Anything less undermines public trust.
This Doesn’t Feel Like Routine Enforcement
When residents wake up to find a sign gone, the response isn’t clarity—it’s confusion. People are left wondering whether the removal was lawful, whether it was done by City staff, or whether someone took matters into their own hands.
Removing a sign from someone’s property—especially without notice—does not feel like routine code enforcement. It feels like suppression of speech.
The Community Is Paying Attention
And regardless of intent, these actions won’t change the underlying reality: more residents are taking a closer look at the El Cerrito parcel tax and concluding it’s a bad deal for the community.
What’s different now is awareness.
Residents are watching what gets enforced and what gets ignored.
They are watching where signs are allowed to stay—and which ones disappear.
They are watching whether the rules are applied equally to everyone.
El Cerrito residents care about fairness, transparency, and equal treatment. Selective enforcement—real or perceived—erodes trust and deepens skepticism.
Call to Action: Speak Up, Stay Visible
If a sign opposing the El Cerrito parcel tax was removed from your property, say something. Let your neighbors know. Document it. Ask questions.
If you see selective enforcement, call it out—politely, publicly, and persistently.
And most importantly, don’t be intimidated into silence. Replacements are available for anyone whose sign was taken.
Removing signs won’t stop or deter this conversation.
It only signals how important the conversation has become.
If you want a yard sign or need a replacement, you can get one here:
https://nomoreforevertax.org/
Stay visible. Stay engaged. And when it comes time to vote, make your voice count.
El Cerrito Committee for Responsible Government (ECCRG) 