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 Spot something out of date?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
Keep everything on the listing lot. LA has no weekend open house sign allowance, and the agent named on a sign posted on public property is presumed responsible for the fine.
For-sale sign on the listingAllowedUp to 12 sq ft total in residential zones
Open house sign at the listingLimitedOnly on the listing lot, within the 12 sq ft total
Directional signs on sidewalks & parkwaysNot allowedSidewalks, curbs, parkways, poles and trees are off-limits
Directional signs on other private propertyGray areaOff-site signs are banned in the zoning code; state law protects consented signs. Gray area
City permit or stickerNot requiredNo real estate sign permit or sticker program
Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Woodland Hills, Chatsworth, Northridge and most of the San Fernando Valley (Van Nuys, Reseda and more) are neighborhoods of the City of Los Angeles, so the LA Municipal Code (LAMC) applies. Code checked: Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC), 2026 Rev. 9.
For-sale signs on the listing
- One or more unlighted signs about the sale or rental are allowed, but their combined area can't exceed 12 sq ft in an R (residential) zone or 20 sq ft in an A (agricultural) zone. (LAMC 12.21 A.7(f))
- Signs on a residential lot must relate to that lot and be on that same lot. (LAMC 12.21 A.7(a))
- The code doesn't say whether riders count toward the 12 sq ft. Assume they do.
- LADBS's sign manual lists a 2-foot minimum clearance from the curb or roadway edge for signs. (LAMC 14.4.4 C.4; LADBS P/BC 2023-078)
Open house signs
- The LAMC has no open house sign allowance: no weekend window and no hours exception. (LAMC Ch. I Art. 4.4 (no provision))
- An "Open House" rider or sign on the listing lot itself fits within the 12 sq ft total for sale signs. That's our reading; the code doesn't name open house signs. (LAMC 12.21 A.7(f))
Directional signs off the listing
- Off-site signs are not allowed in any zone unless a specific plan, supplemental use district or development agreement permits them. (LAMC 12.21 A.7(l); LAMC 14.4.2 (definition))
- California Civil Code 713 separately lets an owner or agent place reasonable sale and directional signs on someone else's private property with their consent. How that squares with LA's off-site ban hasn't been settled by the city. If you use a neighbor's lawn, get written consent and keep the sign small and safe. (Cal. Civ. Code 713(a))
- The only directional-sign permit in the code is for new subdivisions and needs Zoning Administrator approval. It doesn't cover resale listings. (LAMC 12.21 A.7(k))
Sidewalks, parkways, poles and trees
- No one may post or attach a sign to a sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, street lamp post, hydrant, tree, shrub, or utility or traffic pole. (LAMC 28.04(a))
- Placing any obstacle on a street, sidewalk or parkway is prohibited. (LAMC 56.08(e)(1))
- The agent or broker whose name or phone number is on the sign is presumed responsible. Penalties: up to $100 for the first violation in a calendar year, $250 for the second, $500 for the third, plus removal costs. After that, it's a misdemeanor. You can rebut the presumption by sworn declaration or appeal to the Board of Public Works. (LAMC 28.04(c))
Flags, balloons and banners
- Pennants, banners, ribbons, streamers and spinners are prohibited unless allowed as a permitted temporary sign (30 days per installation, 90 days per year). (LAMC 14.4.4 B.2; 14.4.16)
- Inflatable devices are prohibited unless a specific plan or similar approval allows them. (LAMC 14.4.4 B.12)
What's changing
- The long-pending Citywide Sign Ordinance (Council File 11-1705) was reactivated by Council in August–September 2026 but has not been adopted. Current rules still apply. (CF 11-1705)
- The new Chapter 1A Zoning Code currently applies only Downtown. Valley community plan updates (Encino-Tarzana, Sherman Oaks-Studio City, Canoga Park-Woodland Hills and others) will move those areas to Chapter 1A later, which could change sign rules there. (LA City Planning, New Zoning Code)
Not in the code
The code doesn't answer these. Ask the city before relying on an answer:
- How to retrieve a sign removed from the public right-of-way (no official procedure found; contact StreetsLA).
- Whether a listing sign needs an LADBS temporary-sign permit. Small unlit ground signs under 20 sq ft and 6'6" are exempt from building permits, but the temporary-sign section isn't reconciled with that.
- Maximum height for on-lot sale signs.
City contact: StreetsLA (Bureau of Street Services) for signs removed from the right-of-way; LADBS for sign permits.
We install signs in San Fernando Valley, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, Chatsworth, Northridge.
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
- LAMC 28.04 Hand-Bills, Signs: Public Places and Objects
- LAMC 12.21 (A.7 Signs)
- LAMC 14.4.4 General Provisions (signs)
- LAMC 14.4.16 Temporary Signs
- LAMC 56.08 Sidewalks, Streets, Obstructions
- LADBS Information Bulletin P/BC 2023-078, Sign Manual
- Council File 11-1705, Citywide Sign Regulations
- LA City Planning, New Zoning Code
