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 Spot something out of date?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
West Hollywood spells out real estate and open house signs in detail. Directional signs are allowed only on private property and only Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Never on the sidewalk or parkway, even right in front of the listing.
For-sale sign on the listingAllowed432 sq in sign + two riders; condos 150 sq in
Open house sign at the listingAllowed1 sign + 4 flags, open house day only
Directional signs on sidewalks & parkwaysNot allowedSidewalks, parkways and streets are off-limits
Directional signs on other private propertyLimitedPrivate property, Sat/Sun/Tue 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
City permit or stickerNot requiredNo permit for signs that follow the table
Applies to all of West Hollywood, including condos and apartment buildings. Code checked: West Hollywood Municipal Code (WHMC) Chapter 19.34, through Ord. 26-11 (June 2026).
For-sale signs on the listing
- Existing homes and vacant lots: one sign per street frontage, up to 432 sq in (exactly an 18 x 24 panel) and 42 inches tall (6 ft on vacant land), plus up to two riders of 76 sq in each. (WHMC 19.34.050(F), Table 3-13)
- Condos (common interest developments): one sign per unit, up to 150 sq in and 42 inches tall, plus two riders of 30 sq in each. Buildings of 50+ units must combine unit signs on one common sign, which needs a sign permit. (WHMC Table 3-13; Table 3-11)
- Residential listing signs can't go in windows. Place them in the front or side setback only, on private property. (WHMC Table 3-13 Note (1))
- Remove the sign at the end of the listing or on sale or lease, whichever comes first. (WHMC Table 3-13)
Open house signs
- On the listing: one sign and four flags per open house. Install no earlier than 8:00 a.m. on the day and remove immediately after. (WHMC Table 3-13)
- The City treats a sign on the sidewalk, street or parkway as off-site, even if it's directly in front of the address. (weho.org Real Estate Signs)
Off-site directional signs
- Allowed on private property only, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (WHMC Table 3-13)
- One per corner, maximum four per intersection. 18 x 24 inch face, 42 inches tall on a stake or 36 inches as an A-frame. Double-faced, one attached flag, no riders. (WHMC Table 3-13)
- Text is limited to "open house" with an arrow toward the property, the address, and the brokerage and/or agent name. (WHMC Table 3-13)
Public property
- No sign may encroach into the public right-of-way, and nothing may be posted on streets, sidewalks, utility poles or trees. (WHMC 19.34.040(A); 19.34.090(A)(2))
- Signs removed from the right-of-way are stored 30 days and released after removal and storage costs are paid; after 30 days the City keeps them. (WHMC 19.34.130(B)-(C))
Balloons and enforcement
- Inflated signs, balloons and figures are prohibited. (WHMC 19.34.090(A)(12))
- Violations fall under the City's general penalties. If treated as infractions: $100, $200, then $500 within a year. (WHMC 19.34.130(A); 1.08.010)
- The City is reviewing its sign standards, with hearings expected in winter 2027, so these rules may change. (engage.weho.org/signage)
Not in the code
The code doesn't answer these. Ask the city before relying on an answer:
- Owner permission for open house directional signs. The code's owner-consent note covers commercial signs only, but get consent anyway.
- Where to pick up a removed sign.
City contact: West Hollywood Code Enforcement.
We install signs in West Hollywood.
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 |
