Garage Sale Signs: Daly City vs Redwood City
How do garage sale signs rules compare between Daly City, CA and Redwood City, CA?
Redwood City has fewer restrictions than Daly City.
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Daly City regulates garage sales under Municipal Code Chapter 8.44 (Title 8, Health and Sanitation), which includes a dedicated signs section at DCMC 8.44.060. A garage sale permit is required (the application is available from the City Clerk), and signs are restricted as to size, placement, and removal. Sign placement on utility poles, street trees, and public right-of-way is also prohibited by the general sign code at DCMC 17.32.160.
View full Daly City rules →Redwood City, CA
San Mateo County
Unincorporated San Mateo County's Development Code has no separate garage-sale-sign ordinance; signs are addressed through district sign standards that prohibit off-premises and abandoned signs. Signs may not be placed in the public right-of-way, and temporary signs should be removed promptly after the sale.
View full Redwood City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | Redwood City |
|---|---|---|
| Permit required | Garage Sale Permit from Daly City City Clerk — application on dalycity.org | - |
| Local code | DCMC Chapter 8.44 GARAGE SALES; sign provisions in DCMC 8.44.060 | - |
| Sign placement | On the sale property only; no public right-of-way, no utility poles, no street trees, no traffic signs (DCMC 17.32.160) | - |
| Off-premises directional signs | Generally not permitted in the public right-of-way under DCMC 17.32.160 | - |
| Removal | Signs must come down at close of sale (DCMC 8.44.060) | - |
| State backstop | Cal. Veh. Code §21464 (no signs on traffic devices); Sts. & Hwys. Code §1450 (no unauthorized right-of-way encroachments) | - |
| County Garage-Sale Sign Ordinance | - | None as separate category |
| Governed By | - | District sign standards (Development Code) |
| Off-Premises Signs | - | Prohibited |
| Abandoned Signs | - | Prohibited |
| Public Right-of-Way | - | No signs |
| Best Practice | - | On-property, remove after sale |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
Do I need a permit for a garage sale in Daly City?
Yes. Daly City Municipal Code Chapter 8.44 requires a Garage Sale Permit. The application is on the city website and is processed by the City Clerk. Check the application for current fee and quantity-per-year limits.
Can I put garage sale arrow signs at the corner of my street?
Not in the public right-of-way. Daly City Municipal Code 17.32.160 prohibits signs on utility poles, street trees, traffic signs, and on the sidewalk, parkway, or median. You may post a sign on your own property and at the property of any neighbor who gives you written permission, as long as it is on the private lot — not the sidewalk or parking strip.
How long can my garage sale sign stay up?
Daly City Municipal Code 8.44.060 requires garage sale signs to be removed at the close of the sale. Signs left up after the sale are a code violation and are subject to removal by city staff.
Can I staple a sign to a telephone pole?
No. Daly City Municipal Code 17.32.160 and California Vehicle Code 21464 prohibit attaching signs to utility poles, traffic devices, and other public fixtures. PG&E and Caltrans also remove such signs and can pursue trespass and right-of-way violations.
Redwood City FAQ
Can I put garage sale signs on telephone poles in unincorporated San Mateo County?
No. Off-premises signs and signs in the public right-of-way are prohibited under the County's district sign standards and may be removed by code enforcement.
Does the County require a permit for a garage sale sign?
The reviewed County Development Code has no separate garage-sale-sign permit. Keep signs on your own property, temporary, and away from the public right-of-way, and remove them after the sale.
How long can a garage sale sign stay up?
A sign left up after the sale becomes an abandoned sign, which is prohibited. Remove garage-sale signs promptly once the sale ends.
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