Monterey, CA Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)

Subsection C(5) of Monterey County Code § 20.64.090 states: 'There shall be no advertising for the home occupation allowed on the property.' This rule applies in every zoning district where home occupations are permitted, including all residential and farmland districts. The County's general residential sign regulations (Chapter 20.60 for the Coastal Zone, Chapter 21.60 inland) only permit nameplate and street-address signs not exceeding four (4) square feet in the aggregate per parcel or residential unit, plus narrowly-defined real-estate, construction-project and residential-development identification signs. Because the nameplate exception is for property identification rather than commercial advertising, an operator may not use it to display a business name, logo, phone number, or hours. Window signs, A-frames, banners, vehicle lettering parked for display, and yard signs advertising the business are all prohibited under § 20.64.090(C)(5). Inside the Coastal Zone, § 20.64.090(D) allows modification of the no-advertising rule only through a Coastal Administrative Permit. Sign-related violations are also enforceable under the general sign-chapter prohibitions (§ 20.60.100 / § 21.60.100), which separately bar moving signs, flashing illumination, portable signs (other than temporary real-estate), inflatable devices, roof-mounted and wind-activated signs.