Garage Sale Signs: El Monte vs Los Angeles
How do garage sale signs rules compare between El Monte, CA and Los Angeles, CA?
El Monte and Los Angeles have similar restriction levels.
El Monte, CA
Los Angeles County
EMMC §17.80.030(E) exempts garage- and yard-sale signs from sign-permit requirements, but the underlying sale itself is governed by EMMC Chapter 5.44 (Garage Sales) — and signs in the public right-of-way (poles, sidewalks, medians) are prohibited and may be removed without notice.
View full El Monte rules →Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles County
Temporary garage sale signs on private property are generally permitted without a permit if under 6 sq ft and under 6.5 feet tall with no electrical components. Signs may not be placed on public property including sidewalks, utility poles, or street signs per LAMC 67.02. Violations of the public property sign ban can result in misdemeanor charges with fines up to $1,000.
View full Los Angeles rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | El Monte | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Code sections | EMMC §17.80.030(E) (exemption) and Chapter 5.44 (Garage Sales) | - |
| Sign permit required | No | - |
| Allowed on private property | Yes, while sale is in progress | - |
| Right-of-way / utility poles | Prohibited (§17.80.040(L)) | - |
| Illumination | Prohibited on temporary signs (§17.80.110(D)) | - |
| Enforcement | Misdemeanor + administrative citation; summary removal in ROW | - |
| Private Property | - | Under 6 sq ft, no permit needed |
| Public Property | - | Prohibited (LAMC 67.02) |
| Height Limit | - | 6.5 ft max |
| Penalty | - | Up to $1,000 fine for public property signs |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
El Monte FAQ
Do I need a permit to put up a garage-sale sign in El Monte?
No. EMMC §17.80.030(E) exempts garage- and yard-sale signs from the sign-permit and temporary-sign-permit requirements in §17.80.050(B), as long as the underlying sale itself complies with EMMC Chapter 5.44.
Can I staple a sale sign to a power pole or stake one in the parkway strip?
No. EMMC §17.80.040(L) prohibits signs in the public right-of-way — including sidewalks, medians, utility poles, traffic signs, street lighting, trees, bridges and benches. Code Enforcement may remove these signs without notice under §17.80.130(D)(2)(a), and you can be billed for the removal cost under §17.80.130(E).
Can I leave the sign up after the sale is over?
No. The §17.80.030(E) exemption is tied to an active Chapter 5.44 garage sale. A sign left up after the sale ends becomes a 'sign not expressly permitted' under §17.80.040(A), enforceable as a misdemeanor under §17.80.130(B) with each day a separate violation.
Los Angeles FAQ
Can I put garage sale signs on the street corner?
It depends on Los Angeles rules. Some allow temporary signs in the right-of-way during the sale, others prohibit it. Never attach signs to utility poles or public property.
How many signs can I put up?
Typically 3 to 5 directional signs plus a sign at the sale location. Check Los Angeles code for exact limits.
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