Signs on homes in Santa Monica: the local rules

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

What Santa Monica's code says

Santa Monica code What Santa Monica's code adds
Signs that need no permit	Noncommercial signs, unless they are temporary signs or prohibited signs. § 9.61.140 · code text Noncommercial signs provided that they are neither: (1) temporary signs under Section 9.61.160; nor (2) signs prohibited by Section 9.61.180A.1 through A.4 and A.9 through A.12 or by Section 9.61.230;
Other temporary signs	Up to 2 signs of 8 square feet, or 1 of 16 plus a window sign of at most 4. Applies: At any time, in any residential zone. § 9.61.160 · code text At any time, up to two temporary signs of up to eight square feet in sign area or one temporary sign of up to 16 square feet in sign area and one window sign of no more than four square feet in sign area; Up to 120 days a year; up to 2 extra signs of 8 square feet or 1 of 16. Applies: In any residential zone. § 9.61.160 · code text Up to 120 days (consecutive or nonconsecutive) per calendar year, up to two additional signs of up to eight additional square feet of sign area or one sign of up to 16 square feet in sign area;

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What signs may I put up at my home in Santa Monica?

Santa Monica's code: Noncommercial signs, unless they are temporary signs or prohibited signs. (§ 9.61.140); Up to 2 signs of 8 square feet, or 1 of 16 plus a window sign of at most 4. (At any time, in any residential zone.) (§ 9.61.160).

Signs on homes in Santa Monica

What Santa Monica's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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