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 Spot something out of date?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
Santa Monica has no real-estate-specific sign rule. Listing signs count as ordinary temporary signs on the property, nothing may sit on or over public property, and corner directional signs effectively aren't allowed.
For-sale sign on the listingAllowedTreated as general temporary signs, no permit
Open house sign at the listingLimitedOn the listing only, within the temporary-sign allowance
Directional signs on sidewalks & parkwaysNot allowedSigns must stay fully on private property
Directional signs on other private propertyNot allowedOff-premises signs are prohibited (our reading)
City permit or stickerNot requiredNo permit for compliant temporary signs
Applies to all of Santa Monica. Code checked: Santa Monica Municipal Code (SMMC) Chapter 9.61, through Ord. 2862CCS (July 2026).
Signs on the listing
- In residential zones, each parcel may have, at any time and with no permit: two temporary signs up to 8 sq ft each, or one up to 16 sq ft, plus one window sign up to 4 sq ft. These limits cover every temporary sign on the parcel, not just real estate signs. (SMMC 9.61.160(B))
- For up to 120 days per calendar year, a parcel may add two more 8 sq ft signs (or one 16 sq ft sign). (SMMC 9.61.160(B))
- Temporary signs can't be lit, can't be attached to trees, shrubs, utility poles or traffic devices, and must be kept in good repair. (SMMC 9.61.160(A))
- The code has no height limit, no rider rule and no deadline to remove a sign after a sale.
Open house and directional signs
- The sign chapter never mentions open house or directional signs. An open house sign on the listing counts against the parcel's temporary-sign allowance. (SMMC 9.61.160)
- "Off-premises signs" (commercial signs pointing to an activity on another property) are prohibited, as are most portable signs. Open house arrows on other parcels fit that definition. That's our reading; the city doesn't address it directly. (SMMC 9.61.180(A)(6), (A)(8); 9.61.030)
- Posting any sign requires the written consent of the property owner. (SMMC 9.61.220)
Public property
- No temporary sign may extend into, on or over a street, alley or other public property. (SMMC 9.61.160(A)(2)(a); 9.61.230)
- No sign may be fastened to a curbstone, lamp post, pole, hydrant, bridge or tree on a public street. (SMMC 4.08.480)
- The City may collect unauthorized temporary signs from the right-of-way. (SMMC 9.61.160(A)(6))
Flags, balloons and banners
- Balloon signs and streamers are prohibited. (SMMC 9.61.180(A)(2), (A)(7))
- Flags or banners that advertise the listing count as temporary signs within the parcel's allowance. (SMMC 9.61.150(F); 9.61.160)
Enforcement and confiscated signs
- A removed sign is held for at least 30 days. You can recover it by paying removal and storage costs; after that it may be sold. (SMMC 9.61.280)
- Violations are misdemeanors by default, up to $500 and/or 6 months, with each day a separate offense. Administrative citations are also available. (SMMC 1.08.010; 1.09.040)
Not in the code
The code doesn't answer these. Ask the city before relying on an answer:
- Open house days and hours.
- Sign height and riders.
- Removal deadline after a sale.
City contact: Santa Monica Planning (City sign guide lists 310-458-8341).
We install signs in Santa Monica.
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 |
