Signs on homes in Monterey County: the local rules

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

What Monterey County's code says

Monterey County code What Monterey County's code adds
Election and other noncommercial signs	Not earlier than 60 days before the election Applies: Political signs on private property § 20.60.080 · code text No political sign shall be erected earlier than sixty (60) days before the election to which it relates. Remove within 10 days after the election Applies: Political signs on private property § 20.60.080 · code text Political signs shall be removed within ten (10) days after the election to which they relate.
Signs that need no permit	Nameplates and street address signs: at most 4 square feet in total per parcel, or per residential unit Applies: Residential zoning districts § 21.60.070 · code text Nameplates and street address signs not exceeding, in the aggregate per parcel, or per residential unit when attached to or freestanding adjacent to the residential unit, four square feet. One nameplate or street address sign per street frontage Applies: Residential zoning districts § 21.60.070 · code text One such sign is allowed per street frontage.
For-sale and open-house signs	At most 7 square feet in total Applies: Residential zoning districts; on-site sign § 21.60.070 · code text The sign area, in the aggregate, may not exceed seven square feet. At most 6 feet high if freestanding Applies: Residential zoning districts; on-site sign; if attached to a structure, no higher than the roof line or parapet of the wall § 21.60.070 · code text The height may not exceed six feet if freestanding, or if attached to a structure, the sign may not be higher than the roof line or parapet of the wall. At most 7 square feet in total and 6 feet high Applies: Coastal residential zoning districts; advertising the sale or lease of the property § 20.60.030 · code text Real Estate signs including open house signs not exceeding in the aggregate seven square feet and six feet in height advertising the sale or lease of that property, provided that the sign is removed ten (10) days after the close of escrow. Remove the sign 10 days after the close of escrow Applies: Coastal residential zoning districts; advertising the sale or lease of the property § 20.60.030 · code text Real Estate signs including open house signs not exceeding in the aggregate seven square feet and six feet in height advertising the sale or lease of that property, provided that the sign is removed ten (10) days after the close of escrow.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What signs may I put up at my home in Monterey County?

Monterey County's code: Not earlier than 60 days before the election (Political signs on private property) (§ 20.60.080); Remove within 10 days after the election (Political signs on private property) (§ 20.60.080).

Signs on homes in Monterey County

What Monterey County's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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