Mountain View vs Santa Clara
How do signage rules rules compare between Mountain View, CA and Santa Clara, CA?
Mountain View and Santa Clara have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
Home Occupations in Mountain View may not display exterior business signage. The residence must retain its residential appearance from the street.
View full Mountain View rules →Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara County
Home-based businesses in Santa Clara generally may not display commercial signage identifying the business. Residential sign rules allow only small non-commercial and address signs.
View full Santa Clara rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | Santa Clara |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior sign | Not allowed | - |
| Window sign | Not allowed | Prohibited for business |
| Yard sign | Not allowed | - |
| Appearance | Must look residential | - |
| Penalty | Permit loss and fines | - |
| Exterior business sign | - | Not allowed at home |
| Allowed residential | - | Address, security, political |
| Garage sale signs | - | Time/size limited |
| Vehicle wraps | - | OK in normal use only |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Can I put my logo on my mailbox?
No. Home Occupations may not display any business identification on the exterior of the residence including mailboxes, doors, or windows.
What about a magnetic sign on my work truck?
Magnetic signs are typically allowed while driving, but parked commercial vehicles and display intent on residential streets can draw code enforcement attention.
Santa Clara FAQ
Can I put up a small sign for my in-home salon?
No. Home occupations in Santa Clara are expected to be invisible from the street; business signage is not permitted in residential zones.
Is a sandwich board on trash day OK?
Temporary advertising signs placed in the right-of-way are generally prohibited and may be removed by code enforcement.
Compare other topics
See how Mountain View and Santa Clara compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool