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 Spot something out of date?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 Pasadena everything stays on the listing. Use an "Open House" rider on the one for-sale sign. Corner A-frames and signs on a neighbor's lawn aren't allowed, even with permission.
For-sale sign on the listingAllowed3 sq ft sign + two 1 sq ft riders, 4 ft tall
Open house sign at the listingLimitedOnly as a rider on the listing's sign
Directional signs on sidewalks & parkwaysNot allowedStreets, sidewalks, curbs and poles are off-limits
Directional signs on other private propertyNot allowedOff-site and A-frame signs are not allowed
City permit or stickerNot requiredNo permit for real estate signs
Applies to all of Pasadena, including landmark districts such as Bungalow Heaven. Code checked: Pasadena Municipal Code (PMC) Chapter 17.48 and Chapter 12.15, version Sept. 2, 2026.
For-sale signs on the listing
- Homes and vacant land: one sign per street frontage, up to 3 sq ft (a standard 18 x 24 panel is exactly 3 sq ft) and 4 feet tall, with up to two riders of 1 sq ft each. Commercial property: 16 sq ft and 6 feet. (PMC 17.48.120, Table 4-22)
- Signs are allowed on private property only, can't be lit, and must be durable, rigid material. (PMC 17.48.120 D-F)
- Remove the sign at the end of the listing or on sale or lease. (PMC Table 4-22)
- On corner lots, nothing taller than 2'6" may sit in the 25-foot visibility triangle. (PMC 12.12.020)
Open house and directional signs
- There's no separate open house sign. The definition of a rider lists "open house" as rider content, so show it on the listing's sign. (PMC 17.48.170)
- Temporary signs can't be placed in the public right-of-way or at off-site locations. That rules out directional signs on other properties, even with the owner's consent. (PMC 17.48.120 D.1)
- Portable and folding signs (A-frames) are prohibited except as Title 12 allows; we found no Title 12 allowance for real estate signs. (PMC 17.48.130 K)
Public property
- Signs on any street, sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, lamppost, hydrant, tree, alley or telephone pole are prohibited. (PMC 17.48.130 N; 12.15.010)
- The City may remove signs from the right-of-way and hold them 45 days. Recover a sign by paying removal and storage costs; after 45 days it becomes City property, and unpaid costs can become a lien. (PMC 17.48.160 B)
Balloons and flags
- Balloons, inflatables, banners, pennants and streamers are prohibited without a Temporary Sign Permit. A flag with an "Open House" message doesn't qualify for the decorative-flag exemption. (PMC 17.48.130 I-J; 17.48.040 C)
Not in the code
The code doesn't answer these. Ask the city before relying on an answer:
- Open house days and hours.
- A numeric setback for real estate signs.
- Where to pick up removed signs.
City contact: Pasadena Planning & Community Development.
We install signs in Pasadena.
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 |
