Huntington Beach Signage Rules Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

The Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance (HBZSO) Chapter 230 requires that home occupations produce no visible evidence of commercial activity from outside the residence. This standard results in a complete prohibition on all forms of exterior signage for home-based businesses — one of the stricter sign restrictions among Orange County cities for home occupations.

No sign of any type may be placed on the residence, in a window visible from outside, on the front door, in the yard, on a mailbox, or along the driveway or sidewalk to advertise, identify, or promote a home-based business. This prohibition encompasses professionally manufactured signs, hand-lettered signs, temporary banners, A-frame or sandwich board signs, flags and pennants, illuminated or neon signs, and any other device intended to attract attention to the business. Even a small nameplate or professional plaque on the door is not permitted under the current home occupation standards.

The restriction also extends to vehicles: commercial vehicles bearing prominent business signage, logos, or advertising wraps may not be regularly parked in the driveway, on the street in front of the residence, or elsewhere on the property in a manner that effectively serves as a business advertisement. While the city does not prohibit all commercial vehicles from residential streets, a pattern of parking a prominently branded vehicle at the home occupation address constitutes visible evidence of commercial activity and may be cited as a violation.

Huntington Beach's strict signage prohibition reflects the city's priority of maintaining the visual character and property values of its residential neighborhoods, many of which are located in the desirable coastal zone. The city's Sign Code separately regulates commercial signage throughout the city and does not provide any category or permit pathway for commercial signs in residential zones.

Home occupation operators may market their businesses through all other channels without restriction: websites, social media, online directories, business cards, printed marketing materials, vehicle signage on vehicles stored off-site, and any other off-premises advertising method. The prohibition applies solely to physical signage at or visible from the residential location where the home occupation is conducted.

Violations of the signage prohibition are treated as non-compliance with home occupation standards and may result in enforcement action by the Code Enforcement Division, including administrative citations and potential revocation of the home occupation business license. Contact the Business License Division at (714) 536-5267 or the Community Development Department at (714) 536-5271 with questions about signage rules for home-based businesses.