Many cities allow real estate agents or homeowners to post for sale signs without obtaining a sign permit. However, there are limits to the size, location, and content of these for sale signs. Each municipality has their own requirements, so be sure to check the local ordinances or codes.
Some cities are very detailed as to which real estate signs can be posted without a sign permit. Take the City of Santa Rosa for example. Santa Rosa City Code 20-38.040 allows :
One real estate for sale sign is allowed on any lot or parcel for each side with street exposure without a Sign Permit with the following provisions:
1. Each sign is entirely within the property to which it applies;
2. No sign is illuminated;
3. No sign on a lot zoned for single-family residential shall exceed six square feet in area and six feet in height;
4. A nonsingle-family residential lot that is 20,000 square feet or less shall be permitted a maximum of 12 square feet for each permitted freestanding or wall sign;
5. Nonsingle-family residential lots in excess of 20,000 square feet shall be allowed up to 24 square feet for each permitted freestanding of wall sign;
6. No free standing sign shall exceed nine feet in height; and
7. No wall sign shall exceed 20 feet in height.
This level of detail is in sharp contrast to the County of Marin with one ordinance reciting California Civil Code Section 713 and ordinance 22.69.040I defining “reasonable dimensions” as not exceeding four square feet in size.
