Checked October 19, 2026 against the official city and county codes. This is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Codes change, so confirm anything critical with the city before you rely on it. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we'll update it.
At a glance
Beverly Hills is the strictest city we serve. Open house signs are illegal, every for-sale sign needs a city sticker, and on a single-family home the whole sign, riders included, is capped at 150 square inches. A standard 18 x 24 panel (432 sq in) is too big.
For-sale sign on the listingLimited150 sq in max on single-family homes, with a $33 city sticker
Open house sign at the listingNot allowedOpen house signs are illegal
Directional signs on sidewalks & parkwaysNot allowedCurbs, parkways, medians and driveway approaches are off-limits
Directional signs on other private propertyNot allowedNo legal category for directional signs
City permit or stickerRequiredAnnual city sticker on every sign, $33 each
Applies to all of Beverly Hills, including Trousdale Estates and the flats. Code checked: Beverly Hills Municipal Code (BHMC) Title 10, Chapter 4, 2026 S-20.
For-sale signs on the listing
- Single-family zones: one sign, max 150 square inches including all riders (about 10 x 15 inches). Multi-family: 500 square inches. Nonresidential: 12 sq ft per street frontage. (BHMC 10-4-402, 10-4-502, 10-4-602)
- One sign per site, or one per street frontage on a corner lot. Signs may have only one face. (BHMC 10-4-406, 10-4-506, 10-4-402)
- Single-family: keep the sign at least 10 feet from the street line. If a wall, hedge, slope or shrubs sit closer than that, place the sign in front of and against them. Multi-family: 5 feet. (BHMC 10-4-409, 10-4-509)
- Content is limited to a description of the property and the owner's or broker's name, address and phone, "and no more." A Sold, Leased or Rented rider may be added for one period of up to 30 days. (BHMC 10-4-104)
The city sticker
- Every real estate sign needs an annual self-adhesive sticker from the City, displayed on the front of the sign. (BHMC 10-4-316(A))
- The fee is $33 per sign for fiscal year 2026–27. (City of Beverly Hills Schedule of Taxes, Fees and Charges FY 2026-27)
- Buy stickers in person at City Hall, 455 N. Rexford Dr., 1st floor Finance cashiers. Hours: Monday to Thursday 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Purchases are non-refundable. (City handout, Real Estate Signs and Stickers)
- A sign put up without a permit can draw an investigation fee of five times the permit fee, up to $500. (BHMC 10-4-208(C))
Open house and directional signs
- The City lists open house signs, flags, banners and pennants as illegal real estate signs that may be confiscated, with an administrative citation or other legal action. (beverlyhills.org Real Estate Signs; City handout)
- The code has no category for off-site directional signs, and a real estate sign must be on the property being offered. (BHMC 10-4-104)
- Realtors campaigned in 2015 to change the open house sign ban. The code sections are unchanged and the City still calls open house signs illegal. (Inman, July 21, 2015 (secondary); BHMC history)
Public property
- No real estate sign may be posted on any public property or right-of-way, including curbs, parkways, medians, City trees and poles, and driveway approaches. (BHMC 10-4-302(A); City handout)
- Posting any sign on private property requires the written consent of the owner, agent or occupant. (BHMC 10-4-302(B))
Enforcement
- Administrative citations are $100 for the first, $200 for the second and $500 for the third and later, plus confiscation of the sign. (BHMC 1-3-309; FY 2026-27 fee schedule)
- Report illegal signs or ask questions through Community Preservation: 310-285-1000, BHCP@beverlyhills.org. (City of Beverly Hills)
Not in the code
The code doesn't answer these. Ask the city before relying on an answer:
- How to get a confiscated sign back. Call Community Preservation at 310-285-1000.
- Maximum height of the for-sale sign.
- The sticker's validity period: the handout mentions both a July–June fee year and "the calendar year printed on the sticker." Confirm with Finance.
City contact: Community Preservation, 310-285-1000, BHCP@beverlyhills.org. Stickers: Finance cashiers, City Hall, 455 N. Rexford Dr.
We install signs in Beverly Hills.
Compare with nearby cities
| 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 |
Sources
- City of Beverly Hills, Real Estate Signs
- City handout: Real Estate Signs and Stickers
- BHMC 10-4-104 Definitions
- BHMC 10-4-302 Unlawful Signs
- BHMC 10-4-316 Identification (sticker)
- BHMC 10-4-402 Real Estate Signs (single-family)
- BHMC 10-4-409 Prohibited Locations
- Beverly Hills FY 2026-27 Taxes, Fees and Charges
