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Alameda · Building on your lot

Signs on homes in Alameda

Alameda's own rules on signs on homes, with the code text for every value.

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Each rule below links to the section of the Alameda Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Alameda's code says

Alameda code What Alameda's code adds
Election and other noncommercial signs
  • Remove signs no later than 2 days after the election.
    Applies: Temporary signs for candidates for public office and for or against ballot measures.
    § 30-6.8 · code text
    Temporary signs on behalf of candidates for public office and for or against ballot measures, to be removed no later than two (2) days after the election.
Signs that need no permit
  • A street number and street name sign needs no permit if it is at most 2 square feet per unit.
    Applies: Single family or duplex unit.
    § 30-6.7 · code text
    Street number and street name not exceeding two (2) square feet in area per single family or duplex unit, and four (4) square feet in area for all other uses.
  • Signs with only noncommercial, political, religious or public service messages need no permit.
    Applies: Signs used only for those messages and meeting the applicable advertising structure controls.
    § 30-6.7 · code text
    Signs containing noncommercial, political, religious or public service messages provided that these signs are used exclusively to display such messages and comply with the applicable advertising structure controls in subsection 6-3 of Chapter VI of this Code.
For-sale and open-house signs
  • 1 sign, at most 4 square feet.
    Applies: On-premises sign for a single family dwelling or duplex while the property is available for sale or rent.
    § 30-6.8 · code text
    One (1) on-premises sign is permitted for the time period that the indicated property is available for sale or rent. For single family dwellings or duplexes, the sign area shall not exceed four (4) square feet in area.
  • 1 sign, at most 4 square feet; put up no more than 2 hours before the open house, remove within 2 hours after.
    Applies: On-premises open-for-inspection sign.
    § 30-6.8 · code text
    In addition, one (1) on-premises sign indicating the property is open for inspection not exceeding four (4) square feet in area. This sign may not be placed more than two (2) hours prior to the open house and must be removed within two (2) hours after the open house.
Other temporary signs
  • 1 sign per parcel, at most 4 square feet, up to 30 days, removed within 2 days after the event.
    Applies: Fundraising event sign on a parcel zoned for residential use.
    § 30-6.8 · code text
    One (1) sign not exceeding four (4) square feet in area per parcel or business for all parcels zoned for residential use, and sixteen (16) square feet in all other zoning districts; located on private property, with the owner's permission, for a maximum of thirty (30) days and removed within two (2) days after the event.
  • Signs go up no more than 2 days before the sale and come down within 1 day after.
    Applies: On-premises garage-sale signs and directional off-premises signs.
    § 30-6.8 · code text
    On-premises signs and directional off-premises signs, for not more than two (2) days prior to and removed within one (1) day after the sale.
  • Display no more than 45 days before a holiday. Remove no more than 7 days after.
    Applies: Seasonal decorations.
    § 30-6.8 · code text
    Seasonal decorations are permitted, providing that they are not installed more than forty-five (45) days prior to, and removed not more than seven (7) days after a holiday.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What signs may I put up at my home in Alameda?

Alameda's code: Remove signs no later than 2 days after the election. (Temporary signs for candidates for public office and for or against ballot measures.) (§ 30-6.8); A street number and street name sign needs no permit if it is at most 2 square feet per unit. (Single family or duplex unit.) (§ 30-6.7).

General information, not legal advice.

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Alameda Municipal Code — full text