Sign Regulations in Monterey County, CA (2026)
3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Monterey County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Monterey County Code Chapter 16.24 lets political signs go up no earlier than sixty days before an election and requires them removed within ten days after it, backed by a written statement of responsibility filed with the Director of Planning. Signs on another person's property need the owner's or tenant's written permission, and signs cannot exceed the size limit set for their zoning district.
Monterey County Political Sign Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 16.24.020
A.No political sign shall be erected earlier than sixty (60) days before the election to which it relates.B.No political sign or any part thereof shall be supplied with electrical power for lighting, movement, or any other purpose unless a building permit is first obtained from the County Building Services Department.C.No political sign shall be erected in such a manner that it will, or reasona...
Digital Billboards
Monterey County Code § 20.60.100(B) prohibits any sign 'with flashing, moving, or animated illumination' in every unincorporated zoning district, which bars true digital or electronic message billboards outright. Off-site advertising signs generally, including any billboard-style structure, are separately confined to industrial or commercial zoning districts under § 20.60.060(D)(3).
Monterey County Ban on Flashing Digital Signs
Heavy RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 20.60.100(A)-(D)
The following signs are prohibited in all zoning districts: A.Moving or rotating signs, flags, pennants, banners;B.Signs with flashing, moving, or animated illumination;C.Advertising signs that include the words, "Stop, Look, Listen" or any other word, phrase, symbol, lights, motion, sound, fumes, mist, or other effluent that may interfere with, mislead, or confuse the driving public;D.Portable...
Freeway-Facing Signs
In Monterey County's Coastal Zone, community information and directional signs are allowed only on property adjacent to freeways leading to or through cities and communities, capped at 400 square feet, barred from naming any specific business except a nonprofit, and require a discretionary Coastal Development Permit.
Monterey County Freeway-Facing Sign Rules
Significant RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 20.60.060(D)(1)
1.Community information and directional signs subject to the following criteria.a.Such signs shall be permitted only on property adjacent to freeways approaching, passing through or going near cities or communities.b.No one sign shall exceed a maximum area of four hundred (400) square feet.c.The sign shall not identify any specific business, person, entity or organization, except a non profit o...
Sign Regulations by City in Monterey County
1 cities in Monterey County have their own sign regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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