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 Spot something out of date?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
In unincorporated County areas, for-sale signs are allowed in every zone with size and setback limits, but there's no open house exemption and no signs in the street right-of-way.
For-sale sign on the listingAllowed6 sq ft per face on typical lots, 8 ft tall
Open house sign at the listingLimitedNo open house exemption
Directional signs on sidewalks & parkwaysNot allowedStreets, sidewalks and parkways are off-limits
Directional signs on other private propertyLimitedOnly in A-1, A-2, O-S, R-R and W zones
City permit or stickerNot requiredNo separate application
Applies to unincorporated communities (areas outside any city), such as Altadena, Topanga and Marina del Rey. If a listing isn't inside a city, County rules apply. Code checked: Los Angeles County Code Title 22 Chapter 22.114 and Title 16.
For-sale signs on the listing
- One sign per street frontage. Single-family and agricultural zones (R-1, R-2, R-A, A-1, A-2 and others): 6 sq ft per face (12 sq ft total) on frontage of 100 feet or less; 32 sq ft (64 total) on longer frontage. Multi-family zones allow more. (LACC 22.114.170)
- Freestanding signs: up to 8 feet tall in residential zones, at least 10 feet from the highway line and 10 feet from other lot lines. Unlit in residential zones. (LACC 22.114.170)
- Remove within 30 days after the sale, lease or rental. (LACC 22.114.170)
Open house and directional signs
- Chapter 22.114 has no open house sign provision. (LACC Ch. 22.114)
- Off-site directional signs are allowed only in A-1, A-2, O-S, R-R and W zones; elsewhere they must be on-site. (LACC 22.114.190)
- Signs on any street, right-of-way, sidewalk, curb, lamppost, hydrant, tree or pole are prohibited. Putting a post in a County road right-of-way is also an encroachment that needs a Public Works permit. (LACC 22.114.040(E); 16.06.010)
Not in the code
The code doesn't answer these. Ask the city before relying on an answer:
- Community Standards Districts may add stricter rules.
City contact: LA County Public Works / Regional Planning.
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 |
