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 Spot something out of date?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
Malibu allows open house directional signs, but only on private property, in daylight, up to 3 sq ft each, set back 5 feet. Nothing may go anywhere in the Pacific Coast Highway right-of-way, including the dirt shoulder.
For-sale sign on the listingAllowedOne sign, 6 sq ft, 6 ft tall, 5 ft back
Open house sign at the listingAllowed3 sq ft, only while an agent is present
Directional signs on sidewalks & parkwaysNot allowedStreets, sidewalks and all of PCH are off-limits
Directional signs on other private propertyLimitedPrivate property, daylight hours, 3 sq ft
City permit or stickerNot requiredNo permit for residential signs
Applies to all of Malibu. Pacific Coast Highway is a state highway (State Route 1), so Caltrans rules apply to its right-of-way. Code checked: Malibu Municipal Code (MMC) Chapter 17.52 and Local Coastal Program LIP 3.13.
For-sale signs on the listing
- One unlit sign, double-faced allowed, up to 6 sq ft and 6 feet tall. No permit in residential zones. (MMC 17.52.050(D)(2)(c))
- Keep it at least 5 feet from the inside line of the sidewalk, or from the property line if there's no sidewalk. (MMC 17.52.050(D)(2)(c))
- Remove it within 7 days after the property sells or rents or the listing ends. (MMC 17.52.050(D)(2)(c))
- Condos and multifamily: one sign per unit offered, up to 6 sq ft and 6 feet tall; a property counts as sold at close of escrow. (MMC 17.52.050(D)(3)(e))
Open house signs
- On the listing: one sign up to 3 sq ft, only while a salesperson is physically present. On a stake, no part higher than 4 feet. (MMC 17.52.050(D)(2)(d))
- Off-site directional signs for an open house: private property only, daylight hours only, up to 3 sq ft each, at least 5 feet back from the sidewalk or property line. (MMC 17.52.050(D)(2)(d)(i)-(v))
- Up to two pole flags are allowed with the directional signs, each up to 2 sq ft and 5 feet tall. No other balloons, streamers or banners. (MMC 17.52.050(D)(2)(d)(ii); 17.52.040(K))
- The code sets no limit on the number of directional signs. Get the property owner's consent for each one. (Cal. Civ. Code 713(a))
Pacific Coast Highway
- PCH is State Route 1. Advertising displays are banned within any highway right-of-way, and the real estate exemption in the Outdoor Advertising Act doesn't override that. (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 5272(a), 5403(a))
- Caltrans says on-premise advertising is strictly prohibited within state highway right-of-way. Its crews can remove signs on sight and hold them about 30 days at the nearest maintenance yard. (Caltrans Encroachment Permits Manual 501.3A; Maintenance Manual Ch. 9)
- Placing a sign in a state highway without a Caltrans permit is a misdemeanor. (Cal. Sts. & High. Code 670(b))
City enforcement
- Signs on any public street, walkway, curb, pole, tree or right-of-way are prohibited, and the City removes them. (MMC 17.52.040(F), (I); 17.52.080(F))
- Removed signs are held at City Hall (23825 Stuart Ranch Road). Claim them within 10 days of the written notice or they may be destroyed. (MMC 17.52.080(F))
- Violations are misdemeanors (up to $1,000) or infractions ($100, $200, $500 within a year); each day is a separate offense. (MMC 1.16.010)
Not in the code
The code doesn't answer these. Ask the city before relying on an answer:
- Riders and whether they count toward 6 sq ft.
- The number of on-site open house signs (the code says "a sign").
City contact: Malibu Code Enforcement, 310-456-2489 ext. 484, Code@malibucity.org.
We install signs in Malibu.
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 |
