Sign Regulations in Lake County, CA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Lake County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
In unincorporated Lake County, temporary political signs are permitted in all zoning districts under Section 45.3(x) of the Zoning Ordinance. No political sign may be erected earlier than 90 days before the election, and all must be removed within 10 days of the close of the campaign. Signs for a candidate who wins the primary may be retained for the general election.
Lake County Political Sign Rules
Some RestrictionsLake County Zoning Ordinance, Article 45, Sec. 45.3(x)
1. No political signs shall be erected earlier than ninety (90) days prior to the election in which the candidate or measure will be voted upon. 2. All political signs shall be removed within ten (10) days of the close of the campaign. Signs on behalf of a political candidate who is successful in the primary election may be retained for the general election. 3. The maintenance and removal...
Garage Sale Signs
Unincorporated Lake County has no sign category specifically named 'garage sale signs.' Garage and yard sales are addressed as 'rummage sales' in the Zoning Ordinance, which limits a private individual to two non-illuminated signs of two square feet each, displayed only during the sale. Frequent sales (more than six days a year) require a zoning permit.
Lake County Garage Sale and Temporary Sign Rules
Some RestrictionsLake County Zoning Ordinance, Article 27, Sec. 27.3(n)(5)
Two (2) signs shall be permitted for individuals limited to two (2) square feet in area each, non-illuminated, and in-place only during the sale; signs for non-profit organizations shall be limited to thirty-two (32) square feet in area, non-illuminated, and in-place only during the sale. 6. Applicants shall provide a parking plan which provides for sufficient numbers of parking spaces, adequa...
Holiday Displays
Holiday lighting and decorations that do not name a business or product are a permitted special-purpose sign in every unincorporated Lake County zoning district under Zoning Ordinance Section 21-45.3(j). No sign permit, size limit, or seasonal removal date applies as long as the display stays purely decorative and skips commercial branding.
Lake County Holiday Display Sign Rules
Few RestrictionsLake County Zoning Ordinance, Art. 45 § 45.3(j) (Sec. 21-45.3)
45.3 Special purpose signs - permitted: The following special purpose signs are permitted uses in all zoning districts, except as provided for in Section 45.23: ... (j) Holiday decorations, not identifying a business name or product.
Digital Billboards
Off-site billboards in unincorporated Lake County are capped at 400 square feet per face, one per lot, and 12 feet tall from grade to the sign's bottom under Zoning Ordinance Section 21-45.22. The county requires every billboard to be non-illuminated or lit only by indirect lighting, which rules out internally lit digital or electronic message boards outright.
Lake County Digital Billboard Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsLake County Zoning Ordinance, Art. 45 § 45.22(a)-(f) (Sec. 21-45.22)
45.22 Off-site outdoor advertising (billboard) signs may be permitted in the "C3", "M1", "M2" and "PDC" districts subject to first obtaining a major use permit in each case; and subject to the following regulations: (a) No more than four hundred (400) square feet in area per face. (b) One (1) sign per lot maximum. (c) Maximum sign height from ground level to bottom of sign: twelve (12) feet, un...
Window Signs
Temporary sale signs painted on or taped to the inside of a storefront window are a permitted special-purpose sign under Lake County Zoning Ordinance Section 21-45.3(r), exempt from the sign permits and area limits that apply to permanent signage in the county's commercial districts.
Lake County Temporary Window Sign Rules
Few RestrictionsLake County Zoning Ordinance, Art. 45 § 45.3(r) (Sec. 21-45.3)
45.3 Special purpose signs - permitted: The following special purpose signs are permitted uses in all zoning districts, except as provided for in Section 45.23: ... (r) Temporary window signs painted directly onto the window or constructed of paper, cloth or similar expendable material that are affixed only to the interior window surface or painted onto the window surface for a short period of ...
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