The rules at a glance
Tap a city for the full rules, code sections and contacts. "Gray area" means the city's code and state law point different ways, or the code doesn't say.
| City | For-sale sign on the listing | Open house sign at the listing | Directional signs on sidewalks & parkways | Directional signs on other private property | City permit or sticker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | AllowedUp to 12 sq ft total in residential zones | LimitedOnly on the listing lot, within the 12 sq ft total | Not allowedSidewalks, curbs, parkways, poles and trees are off-limits | Gray areaOff-site signs are banned in the zoning code; state law protects consented signs. Gray area | Not requiredNo real estate sign permit or sticker program |
| Beverly Hills | Limited150 sq in max on single-family homes, with a $33 city sticker | Not allowedOpen house signs are illegal | Not allowedCurbs, parkways, medians and driveway approaches are off-limits | Not allowedNo legal category for directional signs | RequiredAnnual city sticker on every sign, $33 each |
| Santa Monica | AllowedTreated as general temporary signs, no permit | LimitedOn the listing only, within the temporary-sign allowance | Not allowedSigns must stay fully on private property | Not allowedOff-premises signs are prohibited (our reading) | Not requiredNo permit for compliant temporary signs |
| West Hollywood | Allowed432 sq in sign + two riders; condos 150 sq in | Allowed1 sign + 4 flags, open house day only | Not allowedSidewalks, parkways and streets are off-limits | LimitedPrivate property, Sat/Sun/Tue 11 a.m.–7 p.m. | Not requiredNo permit for signs that follow the table |
| Malibu | AllowedOne sign, 6 sq ft, 6 ft tall, 5 ft back | Allowed3 sq ft, only while an agent is present | Not allowedStreets, sidewalks and all of PCH are off-limits | LimitedPrivate property, daylight hours, 3 sq ft | Not requiredNo permit for residential signs |
| Pasadena | Allowed3 sq ft sign + two 1 sq ft riders, 4 ft tall | LimitedOnly as a rider on the listing's sign | Not allowedStreets, sidewalks, curbs and poles are off-limits | Not allowedOff-site and A-frame signs are not allowed | Not requiredNo permit for real estate signs |
| Burbank | AllowedOne sign, 7 sq ft including riders | LimitedRight-of-way signs with an annual city permit | LimitedPermit, insurance and decals; weekends, holidays and Thursdays | Gray areaNot addressed beyond the permit program | RequiredAnnual Public Works permit for open house signs |
| Glendale | Allowed6 sq ft including riders, 6 ft tall | AllowedWeekends 8 a.m.–7 p.m. in the right-of-way | LimitedUp to 6 stake signs, Sat & Sun only | Not allowedOff-premises signs on private property aren't allowed | Not requiredNo permit for real estate signs |
| Calabasas | Allowed6 sq ft on a home, 6 ft tall | AllowedOne 3 sq ft sign while an agent is there | Not allowedNo signs in the public right-of-way | LimitedTwo 3 sq ft signs on private property, same day | Not requiredExempt from permits |
| Unincorporated LA County | Allowed6 sq ft per face on typical lots, 8 ft tall | LimitedNo open house exemption | Not allowedStreets, sidewalks and parkways are off-limits | LimitedOnly in A-1, A-2, O-S, R-R and W zones | Not requiredNo separate application |
What this means for your open house
- Corners and sidewalks are mostly off-limits. Only Glendale (weekends) and Burbank (with a permit) allow directional signs in the public right-of-way.
- Private property needs consent, and some cities still say no. West Hollywood, Malibu and Calabasas allow off-site directional signs on private property with conditions. Pasadena and Santa Monica don't allow off-site signs at all.
- Beverly Hills is its own world. No open house signs, a city sticker on every for-sale sign, and a 150 sq in size cap on single-family homes.
- Your name is on the hook. In LA, the agent named on an illegal sign is presumed responsible for the fine.
- The listing is your safest canvas. Every city allows a for-sale sign on the listing, and most allow an "Open House" rider or sign there.
California rules that apply everywhere
Your right to a for-sale sign (Civil Code 712 & 713)
State law protects reasonable for-sale and directional signs on the owner's property, and on someone else's property with their consent, as long as they're reasonably located, in plain view, of reasonable size and design, and don't hurt traffic safety. Cities can still set size, design and placement rules, and the protection stops at the public right-of-way: 713(b) leaves streets, sidewalks and parkways fully under local control. Deed or CC&R clauses that ban such signs are void under 712.
Sources: Cal. Civ. Code 713, Cal. Civ. Code 712
HOAs and gated communities (Civil Code 4730)
An HOA rule that arbitrarily or unreasonably restricts an owner's ability to market their home is void. For-sale signs fall under 712 and 713, not 4710 (which covers noncommercial signs). Streets, gates and entry areas in a gated community are usually HOA common area, so get HOA consent before placing open house signs there.
Sources: Cal. Civ. Code 4730, Cal. Civ. Code 4710
Public property and other people's lawns (Penal Code 556 & 556.1)
Placing a sign on state, city or county property without lawful permission is a misdemeanor. So is placing a sign on private property without the owner's or occupant's consent before it goes up. Such signs are public nuisances that can be removed.
Sources: Cal. Penal Code 556, Cal. Penal Code 556.1, Cal. Penal Code 556.3
State highways and freeway ramps
No advertising display may be placed within a highway right-of-way, and signs may not imitate traffic signs or use words like "Stop" or "Slow." Caltrans prohibits on-premise advertising in state highway right-of-way (PCH, state-route boulevards, freeway ramps) and removes it as a nuisance; placing it without a permit is a misdemeanor.
Sources: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 5403, Cal. Sts. & High. Code 670, Caltrans Encroachment Permits Manual Ch. 500
Put your license number on the sign
Under California advertising rules, signs that show a licensee's name (for sale, open house and directional signs included) must also show the licensee's DRE license number and the responsible broker's identity.
Sources: C.A.R. Quick Guide: Advertising Rules
Seller consent
The REALTOR Code of Ethics says signs giving notice of property for sale or lease may not be placed on a property without the seller's or landlord's consent.
Sources: NAR Code of Ethics, Article 16 (SOP 16-19)
Which rules apply to my listing?
Many LA neighborhoods are part of the City of Los Angeles, not separate cities. If you're not sure, check the address on the LA County assessor's or city's site. Listings outside any city follow LA County rules.
- Beverly Hills → Beverly Hills rules
- Santa Monica → Santa Monica rules
- West Hollywood → West Hollywood rules
- Pasadena → Pasadena rules
- Burbank → Burbank rules
- Glendale → Glendale rules
- San Fernando Valley → Los Angeles rules
- Silver Lake → Los Angeles rules
- Los Feliz → Los Angeles rules
- Woodland Hills → Los Angeles rules
- Sherman Oaks → Los Angeles rules
- Studio City → Los Angeles rules
- Encino → Los Angeles rules
- Chatsworth → Los Angeles rules
- Northridge → Los Angeles rules
- Calabasas → Calabasas rules
- Malibu → Malibu rules
If the city takes your signs
| City | How to get them back | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | No official procedure published. Removal costs are billed with the fine. Contact StreetsLA. | LAMC 28.04(c) |
| Beverly Hills | Not published. Call Community Preservation, 310-285-1000. | City handout |
| Santa Monica | Held at least 30 days; pay removal and storage costs to recover; then it may be sold. | SMMC 9.61.280 |
| West Hollywood | Held 30 days; pay removal and storage costs; after 30 days the City keeps it. | WHMC 19.34.130(C) |
| Malibu | Held at City Hall; claim within 10 days of the written notice. On PCH, Caltrans holds signs about 30 days at a maintenance yard. | MMC 17.52.080(F); Caltrans Maintenance Manual Ch. 9 |
| Pasadena | Held 45 days; pay removal and storage costs; then it becomes City property. | PMC 17.48.160(B) |
| Burbank | Signs worth under $50 may be discarded right away; others held 30 days, recovered by paying removal and storage costs. | BMC 5-3-207.5 |
| Glendale | No procedure in the code for real estate signs. | GMC 30.33.110 |
| Calabasas | No procedure in the code for right-of-way removals. | CMC 17.30.110 |
More detail in what to do when the city takes your signs.
Questions agents ask
Can I put open house signs on the sidewalk in Los Angeles?
Not in the City of LA, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Malibu, Pasadena or Calabasas. Glendale allows up to six stake signs in the right-of-way on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Burbank allows up to four with an annual Public Works permit.
Are open house signs allowed in Beverly Hills?
No. The City of Beverly Hills lists open house signs as illegal, and every for-sale sign needs a $33 city sticker (FY 2026-27).
Who gets fined for an illegal open house sign in LA?
In the City of Los Angeles, the agent or broker whose name or phone number is on the sign is presumed responsible: up to $100, $250 and $500 for the first three violations in a calendar year, plus removal costs (LAMC 28.04).
Can I put a directional sign on a neighbor's lawn?
State law (Civil Code 713) protects reasonable directional signs on private property with the owner's consent, and placing one without consent is a misdemeanor (Penal Code 556.1). Some cities, such as Pasadena and Santa Monica, don't allow off-site signs at all, so check the city first.
Do I need a permit for a for-sale sign?
Only in Beverly Hills (annual sticker, $33 per sign). Burbank requires a permit for open house signs in the right-of-way. The other cities we cover don't require a permit for a compliant for-sale sign.
