Signs on homes in Kern County: the local rules

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

What Kern County's code says

Kern County code What Kern County's code adds
Election and other noncommercial signs	May be up for no more than 90 days. Applies: Temporary political, religious and civic campaign signs. § 19.84.100 · code text Temporary political, religious and civic campaign signs may be erected for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days Remove within 15 days after the campaign ends. Applies: Temporary political, religious and civic campaign signs. § 19.84.100 · code text The signs shall be removed within fifteen (15) days following the conclusion of the campaign. Up to 6 square feet per sign. Applies: Residential districts; temporary political, religious and civic campaign signs. § 19.84.100 · code text In residential districts, each sign shall not exceed six (6) square feet in area Up to 4 feet high. Applies: Residential districts; temporary political, religious and civic campaign signs. § 19.84.100 · code text or a height of four (4) feet.
Signs that need no permit	No-trespassing and no-hunting signs up to 2 square feet are exempt from the sign chapter. § 19.84.140 · code text Signs prohibiting trespassing and hunting, provided that they do not exceed two (2) square feet in area; Residential name and address signs up to 2 square feet are exempt from the sign chapter. § 19.84.140 · code text Residential name and address signs not exceeding two (2) square feet in area.
For-sale and open-house signs	One temporary real estate sign per lot. A rider sign on the same support is allowed. Applies: Sign advertising the property it stands on; not lit; at least 10 feet from any adjacent street and property line. § 19.84.060 · code text Not more than one (1) temporary real estate sign shall be placed on the lot One sign with a rider along each street frontage. Applies: Lots bounded by more than one street. § 19.84.060 · code text where the lot is bounded by more than one street, one (1) sign with an auxiliary rider sign shall be allowed along each adjacent street frontage. Up to 8 feet high. Applies: Freestanding temporary real estate sign. § 19.84.060 · code text If freestanding, the sign shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height. Up to 9 square feet, including support. Applies: Portable off-site directional signs used for an open house. § 19.84.060 · code text each portable directional sign does not exceed an overall size of nine (9) square feet, including support Up to 2½ feet high Applies: Portable off-site directional signs used for an open house § 19.84.060 · code text does not exceed a height of two and one-half (2½) feet Display only while the property is open for inspection. Applies: Portable off-site directional signs used for an open house. § 19.84.060 · code text Signs shall be on display only when property is open for inspection. Remove within 10 days after sale, or immediately when leased. Applies: Temporary real estate signs. § 19.84.060 · code text Real estate signs shall be removed within ten (10) days after sale of the property or immediately upon being leased.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Kern County's code: May be up for no more than 90 days. (Temporary political, religious and civic campaign signs.) (§ 19.84.100); Remove within 15 days after the campaign ends. (Temporary political, religious and civic campaign signs.) (§ 19.84.100).

Signs on homes in Kern County

What Kern County's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

Ask about a specific Kern County property

More on building on your lot in Kern County