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Earlier editions: 2026-09

Title 8 — HEALTH AND SAFETY

Sacramento Municipal Code Ch. 8.56 Handbills and Other Advertising Matter

Sacramento Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Sacramento

Cite as: Sacramento Municipal Code Chapter 8.56 · Text as of 2026-10-04

8.56.010 "Advertising matter" defined.

For the purpose of this chapter, "advertising matter" is defined to mean all signs, bills, posters, pictures, lithographs, samples, maps, plats, pamphlets of other devices or advertisements of any kind whatsoever. (Prior code § 3.01.001)

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8.56.020 Distribution upon streets to pedestrians or upon vehicles prohibited-Exceptions.

It is unlawful to distribute any advertising matter by placing the same in or upon vehicles upon the streets or alleys of the city, or by handing or passing the same to pedestrians along such streets or alleys; provided, that this section shall not apply when distribution is to one willing to receive such advertising matter or when the owner or occupant of a vehicle shall consent. (Prior code § 3.01.002)

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8.56.030 Throwing on streets or other public places prohibited.

It is unlawful to throw, deposit or distribute any advertising matter in or on any street, alley, gutter, highway, park or vacant lot. (Prior code § 3.01.003)

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8.56.040 Leaving on lawns or in apartment house hallways.

It is unlawful to leave advertising matter in the yards or on the lawns in the residential districts or in the hallways of apartment houses or in any hall, except when such piece so distributed shall be separately placed so that the wind shall not carry the same onto the lawn or into the streets or alleys; provided, however, that this section shall not apply when such handling, passing, leaving or distributing is to one willing to receive such advertising matter or when the owner or occupant, if any, of such yards, lawns, hallways or hall shall consent to the same. (Prior code § 3.01.004)

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8.56.050 Leaving in mailboxes prohibited.

It is unlawful to place in any private letter box, which is so marked or designated as to show that it is intended as a place of deposit for United States mail, any advertising matter which has not been regularly sent through the United States mail. (Prior code § 3.01.005)

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8.56.060 Distribution of sample medicines to minors prohibited.

It is unlawful for any person to give away or otherwise distribute free of charge, except when placed in the hands of adult persons, within the city, any sample package, parcel, bottle, box or any other quantity of any remedy, nostrum, proprietary medicines or other materials of alleged medical character, or purporting to be a curative agency; or, to throw, place, deposit or leave the same, or cause the same to be thrown, placed, deposited or left in any house, hallway, entranceway, area, yard or lot on any doorstep or porch or in any street, alley, court, square or public place, except with an adult person. (Prior code § 3.01.006)

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8.56.070 Distribution to pedestrians or upon vehicles prohibited in city-owned or…

It is unlawful to distribute any advertising matter by placing the same in or upon vehicles parked in any city owned or operated off-street parking facility; or by handing or passing the same to pedestrians in any city owned or operated off-street parking facility; provided that this section shall not apply when distribution is to one willing to receive such advertising matter, or when the owner or occupant of a vehicle shall consent. (Prior code § 3.01.008)

8.56.080 Violation-Penalty.

Any person violating any provision of this chapter is guilty of an infraction. (Prior code § 3.01.007)

Exceptions & meaning →

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