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 Spot something out of date?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
Calabasas allows one 3 sq ft open house sign at the listing while you're there, plus two small directional signs on private property, put up and taken down the same day. Nothing in the right-of-way.
For-sale sign on the listingAllowed6 sq ft on a home, 6 ft tall
Open house sign at the listingAllowedOne 3 sq ft sign while an agent is there
Directional signs on sidewalks & parkwaysNot allowedNo signs in the public right-of-way
Directional signs on other private propertyLimitedTwo 3 sq ft signs on private property, same day
City permit or stickerNot requiredExempt from permits
Applies to all of Calabasas. Gated communities such as The Oaks and Calabasas Park Estates may have stricter HOA rules on top of the city code. Code checked: Calabasas Municipal Code (CMC) Chapter 17.30, version July 30, 2026.
For-sale signs on the listing
- Single-family or duplex: one sign per street frontage, up to 6 sq ft, wall- or pole-mounted, pole up to 6 feet. Multi-family: 12 sq ft. No lighting. No permit. (CMC 17.30.030(K)(1))
- The sign may stay until the property is sold or leased. Paper or cardboard signs are limited to 60 days. (CMC 17.30.030(K)(1)(a)(iv); 17.30.060(F))
Open house signs
- On the listing: one temporary open house sign up to 3 sq ft, posted only while an owner or salesperson is present. (CMC 17.30.030(G))
- Off-site: up to two directional signs, each up to 3 sq ft, showing only the property address and the agent's name. Erect and remove them the day of the open house. Never in the public right-of-way. (CMC 17.30.030(G))
Public property and enforcement
- Signs on public property or in the right-of-way are prohibited, and so is attaching signs to trees, poles or street-name posts. The City can remove right-of-way signs immediately. (CMC 17.30.040(J), (K); 17.30.110(E))
- A posted sign is treated as evidence that the person or business named on it authorized it. (CMC 17.30.040(K))
- Balloons, pennants, streamers, flags and inflatables are prohibited for real estate. (CMC 17.30.040(F))
- Penalties can include misdemeanor charges (up to $1,000), infractions ($100, $200, $500) or civil penalties up to $25,000 per day. (CMC 1.16.020; 17.80.050)
HOAs
- Gated communities likely have their own CC&R sign rules, and none are published online. Under state law an HOA can't unreasonably restrict marketing your home, but its streets and gates are common area, so get HOA consent for open house signs there. (Cal. Civ. Code 712, 713, 4730)
Not in the code
The code doesn't answer these. Ask the city before relying on an answer:
- Riders.
- Whether "sold" means accepted offer or close of escrow.
- How to retrieve a removed sign.
City contact: Calabasas Planning / Code Enforcement.
We install signs in Calabasas.
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 |
