The following jurisdictions prohibit real estate signs on public property:

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1 Sign Ordinance Guidelines The following sign ordinance summaries can serve as a guide for REALTORS when selling homes in or near SILVAR s jurisdiction. For complete information on sign ordinances, please visit the government agency links at the end of each summary, or call the planning department in the government agency. When displaying any sign it is the responsibility of the individual REALTOR to get full and complete information and not rely solely on the information contained herein. For further information, you may contact SILVAR s Government Affairs Department at (408) Though we cannot advise you on whether you are in violation of a particular ordinance, we may be able to point you in the right direction for answering that question. All information is for residential property unless otherwise noted. General Public Property Sign Guidelines: For all posting on public property, do not: block the public right of way, such as sidewalks; place signs on the street or in bicycle lane, or medians; place signs on the grounds of public agencies; block the visibility of vehicles or pedestrians; in any way create a potential hazard with the sign; no placement of signs on State roads. The following jurisdictions prohibit real estate signs on public property: Town of Atherton City of Campbell City of East Palo Alto City of Menlo Park City of Mountain View City of Palo Alto City of Santa Clara Unincorporated Santa Clara County Town of Woodside Right-of-way of all County Expressways or State Roads The following jurisdictions permit real estate signs on public property with restrictions: City of Cupertino City of Monte Sereno City of Los Altos Town of Los Altos Hills Town of Los Gatos Town of Portola Valley Redwood City City of Saratoga

2 City of San Jose Unincorporated San Mateo County City of Sunnyvale Counties: The following information is for unincorporated areas of these counties. The county does not regulate sign ordinances within the borders of cities. For those, please see cities section below. San Mateo County: Unincorporated San Mateo County does not have detailed regulations but functions on a complaint basis. The County will make a determination on a case-by-case basis whether there are too many signs; the signs block public right-of-ways; the signs are displayed for too many days, etc. The County urges REALTORS to exercise reasonable judgment in placing signs in a way that is not likely to cause another to complain. If you are unsure that you are in compliance, you can call the County planning department at (650) and select planning and zoning questions. Signs are limited to six square feet (long-term signs may need a permit). Public property: It is permissible to have temporary and unobtrusive signs on public property, as long as they are not left overnight and not blocking the sidewalk. Further information: San Mateo County Zoning Regulations Please see Chapter 22, Article 1, Section 6400 (e)(1) (at approximately page 430 of the document). Santa Clara County: Illumination: Signs on the property for sale, rental, or lease may be illuminated with continuous (non-blinking) lighting. The only permissible forms of lighting are neon tube lighting, if fully contained within a cabinet covered with a clear glass or plastic face, or if comprised of individual pan channel letters covered with a clear glass or plastic face; external lighting; internal lighting; or halo lighting. Signs are limited to eight square feet. Public property: Only permitted by obtaining an encroachment permit For further information: Santa Clara County Zoning Ordinances aspx. Please see: Chapter 4.40, Sections and (at about page 218 of the document) Cities in San Mateo County: Atherton:

3 Only one real estate sign per property, unless special permission is granted by the city council Sign may not be more than nine square feet. Permit required: In order to post a real estate sign, the REALTOR must file a notice of erection of real estate sign with the city clerk prior to posting the sign. This notice must include a written consent and authorization from the owner of the property allowing for the placement and maintenance of the sign. The notice must be in writing, signed by the notifying party, and include the following: o A brief description of the property on which the sign is to be located, consisting of a legal description of the property, and assessor s parcel number or street address; o o A description of the sign, including dimensions; In addition, a statement as to whether there are any real estate signs presently on the property and the location of such signs in relations to the location of the proposed signs. Public property: Prohibited For further information: Atherton Municipal Code Please see Chapter East Palo Alto: Signs may not be placed on the roof of the building, overhang any street, sidewalk, or other public property, or create a hazard by blocking the view of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Every temporary sign must contain (either on the face or on the reverse side) a legibly printed identification of the name, address, and telephone number of the sign owner who is responsible for the posting and removal of the sign. Only one sign is allowed per property. Sign must not exceed six square feet in area, unless free standing, when it cannot exceed four feet in height. The placement of a sign must not last more than 12 months, unless the City grants a waiver. Public property: Prohibited For further information: East Palo Alto Zoning Ordinance Please see Sections and (at about page 133 of the document). Menlo Park: Signs many not exceed six square feet and pertain only to the prospective sale, rental, or lease of the premises. Public property: Prohibited For further information: Menlo Park Municipal Code Please see Chapters and

4 Portola Valley: Signs must not exceed four square feet. One sign per property No A-frame signs All signs must be appropriate for a rural environment, must harmonize with their surroundings in design and color, and be continually maintained to ensure an attractive appearance. Public property: Temporary directional signs permitted For further information: Portola Valley Town Code. Please see Chapters and Redwood City: Size and height: o Freestanding signs: Properties with four or more units: maximum of 32 square feet in area, 15 feet in height; Properties with less than four units: maximum of 12 square feet in area, six feet in height. o Portable signs: Maximum of nine square feet in area, three feet in width, three feet in height. o Wall signs or window signs: Maximum of four square feet in area, three feet in height for properties with four or more units; a maximum of 12 square feet in area for properties with less than four units. Number: o Freestanding and wall signs: a maximum of one of each type may be displayed per street frontage for four or more units. o One sign, either freestanding or wall sign, of either type is allowed for properties with less than four units. o Portable signs: a maximum of four signs total for both on-site and off-site locations. It is only permissible to display a portable sign when the property is currently for sale, lease, or exchange. Remove all signs within 10 days following the close of escrow on the sale or exchange of property, the execution of a lease, or the withdrawal of the property from the market. Signs must not constitute a traffic hazard or obstruction of drivers view. Public property: o Portable/temporary signs are allowed sunrise to sunset on Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays, or any additional days as designated by the Administrator. o Maximum size of six square feet, maximum height of three feet above grade o May be in the public right-of-way in locations where they will not interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicle traffic, and must not block the visibility of the triangle. o Do not place signs on the street median or blocking the view of other signs.

5 For further information: Redwood City Code of Ordinances Please see Chapter 3, Article II Advertising and Sign, Division 5 Exempt Signs Sections 3.84, 3.90, 3.92 and Division 10 General Requirements Section 3.117; Chapter 3, Article III Signs on Public Property, Division 6 Exemptions Section Woodside: Permit required: The REALTOR must obtain a renewable six-month permit, with an allowable six-month extension, from the Planning Director prior to placement. Sign may not exceed six square feet in area for each lot or parcel advertised. Signs advertising the sale or lease of more than one lot or parcel must not exceed a total of 50 square feet, with no individual sign being larger than 12 square feet. Illumination: Only allowable from a light source reflecting off the sign. The Planning Director must approve any illumination, including the intensity of it. No sign may have flashing lights or changes in light intensity, or have visible or simulated movements. Public property: Prohibited For further information: Woodside Municipal Code Please see Title XV Land Usage Chapter , Cities in Santa Clara County: Campbell: Signs may not be more than 12 square feet in aggregate total display. One sign per street frontage In addition, each lot is allowed to have one on-site open house sign, provided the total allowable sign area is not exceeded, and the sign is removed at the end of each day of the open house event. Off-site: It is permissible to have off-site open house directional signs on private property with the consent of the owner of that property. No more than one sign per parcel, which cannot exceed 12 square feet in total sign area, removed at the end of the open house event. For multi-family residential developments, the total display area for all signs for any complex cannot be greater than 80 square feet, and no sign can have a display surface greater than 40 square feet. Illumination: Permitted only with interior lights or reflectors concealed in shrubbery. Public property: Prohibited For further information: Campbell Municipal Code Please see Title 21 Zoning Article 3 Development and Operational Standards, Chapters Signs Sections

6 Cupertino: One freestanding sign per street frontage, two signs maximum Remove all signs from the property after completion of the sale, lease, or rental. The maximum area is four square feet and the maximum height is six feet. Off-site: Six off-site open house signs permitted. The signs must be on private property with the consent of the owner. All off-site signs can only be put out between sunrise and sunset; must be 18 inches from the curb/edge of street/bicycle or vehicle traffic; must not obstruct vision of any vehicle or pedestrian or block any directional or safety signs; and not overhang the sidewalk in a way that creates a narrower sidewalk width than 36 inches. Public property: Permitted as long as all previous rules are followed. For further information: Cupertino Municipal Code f=templates$fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:cupertino_ca. Please see Chapters and Los Altos: One real estate sign per lot, parcel or dwelling unit Sign may not exceed four square feet in area or six feet in height. Cumulative on and offsite signs cannot exceed 12 square feet. Public property: o Open house signs are permitted between 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Fridays and 11:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. o o o Signs may not be illuminated, digital, or have moving parts. May not exceed four square feet per display face (maximum two display faces per sign), plus two riders, each not more than one square foot, and not to exceed 32 inches in height. One open house sign is permitted on public property at an intersection and placed to minimize interference with pedestrian traffic. Beyond intersections, signs are not allowed on city street medians or right-of ways, or within Foothill Expressway medians or right-of-ways. For further information: Los Altos Municipal Code Please see Chapter and Los Altos Hills: Temporary directional signs indicating the location of improved or unimproved parcels of land for sale that are having an open house are permitted. These signs may be put out no more than

7 one hour before the beginning of the open house and taken down no later than one hour after the open house is over. No such sign may be left out overnight. A fine may be imposed for violating the ordinance. Illumination: Unshielded outdoor light sources which are directly visible from off-site are prohibited. For further information: Los Altos Hills Municipal Code Please see Title 6, Chapter 5, Section 6-501(l); Title 8, Chapter 6, Section (a)(1), (b). Los Gatos: One for sale, lease, or rental sign on each street frontage of the property Sign may not be larger than six square feet for residential zones. All or part of the property must currently be for the transaction advertised. Off-site unlimited temporary off-site directional open house signs permitted except: o One double-faced sign per corner of an intersection or zoning plot o May not be larger than one square foot per face, and not more than four feet tall o Must not contain any individual or company advertising. See graphic below. o If placed on private property, must obtain permission from the property owner. o Must be removed every day at the close of the open house. Public property: Permitted (following all off-site rules) For further information: Los Gatos Code of Ordinances Please see Chapter 29, Division 3, Section Monte Sereno: One for sale, lease, or rental sign on each street frontage of the property Sign may not be larger than six square feet for residential zones. All or part of the property must currently be for the transaction advertised. Off-site: unlimited temporary off site directional open house signs permitted except: o One double-faced sign per corner of an intersection or zoning plot o May not be larger than one square foot per face, and not more than four feet tall o Must not contain any individual or company advertising. See graphic under Los Gatos. o If placed on private property, must obtain permission from the property owner o Must be removed every day at the close of the open house Public property: Permitted (following all off-site rules) For further information: Monte Sereno Municipal Code

8 Please see Chapter (A), (B.). Mountain View: One real estate sign per occupancy frontage is permitted until the property is leased or sold. o Signs must be no larger than nine square feet. o Must be flat against the building wall or within a window o Vacant lot signs may be mounted signs on a freestanding monument, located outside of any sight visibility area, so no portion of the sign extends across the property line. One open house sign is permitted on the property that is for sale, lease or rent. o Sign must only be posted when the selling agent is present. o Sign must not be larger than three square feet. Undeveloped acreage: One non-illuminated real estate sign is permitted. o May not be larger than one quarter of one square foot for each linear foot of site frontage, to the maximum of 50 square feet, and no taller than six feet above the surface of the street Balloons and other adornments are prohibited. Off-site (including all public property): Prohibited For more information: Mountain View Municipal Code Please see Chapter 36, Article XII B, Section A Palo Alto: One sign for each frontage of property Signs can be no larger than six square feet in R-1, R-E, and R-2 districts. Off-site (including public property): Prohibited For more information: Palo Alto Municipal Code Please see Chapter 16.20, (f)(5). San Jose One attached or freestanding sign allowed on each residential parcel May not exceed eight square feet Must be removed within 10 days of the property being sold or leased Note: In the case of a residential and nonresidential use occurring on one parcel, the sign regulations governing the nonresidential use applies to the parcel, other than for roof and skyline signs, when residential regulations apply. Please see the San Jose Municipal Code for regulations regarding nonresidential property and/or the displaying of skyline and roof signs.

9 Public property: Corner parcels in residential zoning districts may display one temporary portable A-frame sign in the adjacent public right-of-way subject to the following conditions: o Signs may be displayed on the parkstrip adjacent to the parcel o Sign must be placed in the area between the end of the curb return and that point along the curb line that is 15 feet from the end of the curb return. o Sign shall not be placed in any curb return; in any bus stop zone; within two feet of any driveway or curbcut access ramp; within 18 inches of any curb where parking is allowed; and must not be attached in any manner to any other structure on the parkstrip, such as trees, lampposts, utility poles, etc. o Signs must not be larger than five square feet and not taller than three square feet. o May be displayed for six hours during daylight o If the parkstrip adjacent to the residential parcel is not wide enough to display the sign, if there is no parkstrip, such sign may be displayed on the residential parcel adjacent to the sidewalk. For more information: San Jose Municipal Code fn=default.htm$3.0$vid=amlegal:sanjose_ca. Please see Title 23, Chapter 23.04, Part 4; Title 23, Chapter Santa Clara Signs may be no more than four square feet. Sign must be exclusively for the sale, lease or rental of the property on which the sign is located. Illumination: If it creates a glare or nuisance, it is prohibited. Off-site (including public property): Prohibited For more information: Santa Clara Municipal Code Please see Title 18, Chapter Saratoga: One temporary on-site sign may be located on a property that is actively marketed for sale or lease. Sign may not be larger than four square feet in area and six feet in height. Letters on the sign must not be greater than 18 inches in dimension. No balloons, streamers, or other attention getting devices Off-site: any number of off-site signs are allowed, provided that: o No sign may exceed two square feet in area and three square feet in height. o No more than two identical signs per intersection may be displayed. o The sign must only be displayed between dawn and dusk. o The property owner must give permission prior to placement of the sign. Public property: In addition to the off-site rules, no sign can be located on any median, street, travel lane or on any sidewalk where it impedes pedestrian travel.

10 For more information: Saratoga Municipal Code Please see Article Sunnyvale: One sign per street frontage No larger than 40 square feet per sign face with a maximum height of 10) feet Sign must be removed within 10 days after the property is no longer for lease or sale. Off-site: An open house directional sign may be placed on private property provided that: o The sign is not more four square feet in area and three and one half feet tall. o The sign may only be displayed between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on the day of the open house. o Must have permission of the owner prior to placement of the sign. Public property: Along with the rules for off-site signs, no sign on public property can be placed on a traffic median, sidewalk, bicycle lane, or other travel way or path. For more information: Sunnyvale Municipal Code Please see Title 19, Article 4, Section (d)-(e), Note: If, at the time you view the ordinance, it has a yellow triangle with an exclamation point on it, this means that the text you will view has been superseded by a new statute. Please open a section of the text. At the top of the document there will be a box with the term Code Alert in it. Please select the link to All citations here are to the new statute you will find after selecting