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 Spot something out of date?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
Burbank is one of only two cities we serve that allow open house signs on sidewalks and parkways, but only with an annual Public Works permit, $1 million liability insurance and a City decal on every sign.
For-sale sign on the listingAllowedOne sign, 7 sq ft including riders
Open house sign at the listingLimitedRight-of-way signs with an annual city permit
Directional signs on sidewalks & parkwaysLimitedPermit, insurance and decals; weekends, holidays and Thursdays
Directional signs on other private propertyGray areaNot addressed beyond the permit program
City permit or stickerRequiredAnnual Public Works permit for open house signs
Applies to all of Burbank. Code checked: Burbank Municipal Code (BMC) Title 10 Art. 10 and Title 5 Ch. 3, through Ord. 26-4,038 (Feb. 2026).
For-sale signs on the listing
- Residential: one sign on one support, double-faced allowed, with up to two riders. Total area, riders included, max 7 sq ft. No banners, paper or cardboard. No permit needed. (BMC 10-1-1011(C); 10-1-1003(B)(1))
- Allowed only while the property is actually for sale or rent. (BMC 10-1-1011(C))
Open house signs on sidewalks and parkways
- Allowed only with an "open house" real estate sign permit from Public Works, issued for July 1 to June 30. (BMC 5-3-402.2)
- Permit requirements: $1,000,000 liability insurance naming the City, a signed indemnification, and City decals on each sign. The current application lists $29 per sign. Confirm the fee with Public Works. (BMC 5-3-402.2; Burbank Open House Sign Permit Application)
- Hours: only during the open house, on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 8 a.m. until dusk or 6 p.m. (whichever is earlier), and on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (BMC 5-3-402.2)
- Up to four signs per listing, each up to 24 x 24 inches and 3 feet tall, on stakes or an A-frame. Put your name, address and phone on each sign in an area no larger than 2 x 3 inches. The listing must be a home in Burbank. (BMC 5-3-402.2)
- Not on trees, poles or traffic signs; not in a roadway or median; not within 18 inches of the curb face; not within 5 feet of a driveway, signal, traffic sign, bus stop, bench or the start of a curb return; and never narrowing the sidewalk below ADA width. No balloons or flags attached. (BMC 5-3-402.2)
On the listing itself
- The code text also allows one extra on-site open house sign and up to four pennants on weekends, holidays and Thursdays, but that paragraph says it "shall sunset on July 17, 2010." Confirm with Burbank Planning before relying on it. (BMC 10-1-1011(C))
Enforcement and confiscated signs
- Signs placed without a permit can be removed and stored; signs worth under $50 may be discarded immediately. For others, claim within 30 days and pay removal and storage costs. (BMC 5-3-207.5)
- Violations can be misdemeanors (up to $1,000 and/or 6 months) or infractions; administrative citations are $100, $200, $500 within 12 months. (BMC 1-1-105; 1-1-108.1)
- Balloon and inflatable signs are banned citywide. (BMC 10-1-1004(A))
Not in the code
The code doesn't answer these. Ask the city before relying on an answer:
- Off-site directional signs on private property.
- Height of the for-sale sign.
- Removal deadline after the sale (the code only says while it's for sale).
City contact: Burbank Public Works counter, 150 N. Third St., (818) 238-3950, pwonlinecounter@burbankca.gov.
We install signs in Burbank.
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 |
