Garage Sale Signs: Chino vs Fontana
How do garage sale signs rules compare between Chino, CA and Fontana, CA?
Chino and Fontana have similar restriction levels.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Garage sale signs in Chino are temporary signs regulated under Title 17 (Signs) of the Chino Municipal Code (codified through Supp. 37, Ord. 2025-002, March 18, 2025). On private residential property where the sale is held, a small temporary sign is generally permitted without a separate sign permit. Posting garage sale signs on public property — including utility poles, traffic signs, street trees, parkway strips, medians, and the public right-of-way — is prohibited under Cal. Penal Code §556 (misdemeanor) and may be removed without notice. Off-premises (directional) signs placed on other private property without owner consent and on state-highway right-of-way (SR-71, SR-83, SR-60) are also prohibited under Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code §5405. Signs must be removed promptly at the close of the sale.
View full Chino rules →Fontana, CA
San Bernardino County
Fontana permits small temporary garage sale signs on private property during the sale only. Signs on utility poles, streetlights, and medians are prohibited and removed by Public Works.
View full Fontana rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| City sign code | Chino Municipal Code Title 17 (Signs) | - |
| Codified through | Supp. 37 — Ord. 2025-002 (March 18, 2025) | - |
| Permitted location | On-site at the residence where the sale is held (private property) | - |
| Off-premises directional signs | Prohibited on public property (Cal. Penal Code §556); require consent on private property | - |
| Removal | Promptly at close of sale | - |
| Highway buffer | 660 ft from SR-71/SR-83/SR-60 ROW (Cal. BPC §5405) | - |
| Enforcement | City code enforcement; Caltrans for state-highway violations | - |
| Maximum sign size | - | About 4 to 6 square feet |
| Placement | - | Private property only |
| Public poles and trees | - | Prohibited |
| Removal deadline | - | Shortly after sale |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
Can I post garage sale signs on telephone poles in Chino?
No. Cal. Penal Code §556 makes it a misdemeanor to attach signs to public property — utility poles in the right-of-way, traffic signs, street trees, and medians are all covered. The city can remove these signs without notice. Off-premises directional signs cause most garage-sale sign violations in California cities.
Do I need a permit for a garage sale sign on my own front yard?
A temporary on-site garage sale sign at the residence where the sale is held generally does not require a separate sign permit under Chino's Title 17 sign code, but it must comply with the city's temporary-sign size, placement, and duration rules. Confirm current standards with Chino Development Services before posting.
When do I have to take the signs down?
Promptly at the close of the sale. Cities cite stale temporary signs as code-enforcement priorities, and signs left in the public right-of-way are removed by Public Works without notice. Removing the signs the same day prevents both citations and the loss of your signs.
Fontana FAQ
Can I staple a sign to a telephone pole to direct traffic?
No. That violates both city code and California Public Utilities Code. The sign will be removed and you may be cited.
Do I need a separate permit for the signs?
No, signs are covered by your garage sale permit, but they must follow size, placement, and removal rules.
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