Sign Ordinances

Sign Ordinances

Please review the County and City ordinances below before placing signs. Remember, signs are never allowed in public right of ways, sidewalks, streets, gutters, alleys. Never obstruct any type of traffic. Never allow a sign to be a safety hazard!

County

  • For Sale Sign on the property offered is allowed
  • No Directional signs are allowed
  • Open House signs during the day of open house, or weekend of the open house are allowed (leave up no more than 72 hours)
  • No Open House signs allowed in roundabouts or center medians of County maintained roads.
  • Pick up confiscated signs at County Maintenance Yard at 2700 Brommer.
  • Redemption fees for misplaced signs: $45.
  • Questions regarding signs confiscated and reporting violations call (831) 477-3999. Questions about policy, call Joel La Cagnin at (831) 454-2160.

Capitola

  • For Sale Sign on property offered is allowed
  • One Open House sign placed either on the property for sale, OR placed on other private property with consent of owner
  • No directional signs
  • Signs can be picked up at the corporation yard: 430 Kennedy Dr. You may have to pay a fee. Misplaced signs are picked up by Capitola Police when spotted.
  • Questions for Capitola: (831) 475-7300

Pajaro Dunes

  • Only 1 for sale sign is permitted on each property. (CC&R Section 3.2.11)
  • Signs may not be larger than 3 square feet. (CC&R Section 3.2.11)
  • Signs may not be visible from the beach. (CC&R Section 3.2.11)
  • Signs should be placed in a window. For single family homes the sign may be attached to the building. In Pelican and Cypress units, the sign may not be attached directly to the building. If a Pelican unit does not have a window that does not face the ocean, ask the Manager for guidance before placing a sign.
  • For further details, information on open house signs and flyer/brochures click here.

Scotts Valley

  • One For Sale Sign on the property offered
  • Up to 4 Open House/Directional signs on weekends, holidays, and open house caravan days (Thursdays), while the property is available for viewing. View Scotts Valley Municipal Code Section 17.56.080B.2.a. for details
  • Signs can be redeemed by paying $36 per sign at SV Public Works Dept. located at 701 Lundy Lane. They are destroyed after 15 days.
  • 2016 Notification of Sign Ordinance Enforcement
  • Misplaced signs are picked by police or public works staff when complaints are received, and occasionally staff will make a sweep of the area and pick up signs when the rules are ignored.
  • Questions/complaints: 831-440-5630 (the Planning Dept.)

Santa Cruz

  • One For Sale Sign on the property offered
  • Up to 3 Open House signs, offsite only on private property with consent of owner
  • When a complaint is received misplaced signs are confiscated; after one warning fees may be assessed. Pick up signs at SC City Corporate Yard, 1125 River Street.
  • Questions – Planning Dept. Eastside: (831) 420-5111; Westside: (831) 420-5258

Watsonville

  • For sale sign on property offered is allowed
  • No Directional signs are allowed
  • Open House signs are not permitted, however current practice is to allow up to four open house signs for less than 24hrs, and placed on private property with consent of owner
  • To recover signs collected by the city bring $76.27 per sign to 320 Harvest Drive in Watsonville. Cash, check, credit cards accepted. Signs are destroyed after 30 days. Call (831) 768-3133 for questions.
  • Signs not in compliance are reported to 768-3133. City staff picks up violations on a regular basis.

CalTrans

  • No signs in their jurisdiction allowed. Signs picked up go to 195 Capitola Rd. Ext., and are destroyed after 30 days. They can charge $350 per day, but do not charge at this time.
    (831) 476-1351