Monterey County, CA Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)

Subsection C of Monterey County Code Section 20.64.090 (and the inland equivalent Section 21.64.090) states that there shall be no advertising for the home occupation allowed on the property. This no-advertising rule applies in every zoning district where home occupations are permitted, including all residential and farmland districts. The County's residential sign regulations in Chapter 21.60 (inland) and Chapter 20.60 (coastal) generally limit residential signs to nameplate and street-address signs, plus narrowly defined real-estate and construction signs. Because the nameplate allowance is for property identification rather than commercial advertising, an operator may not use it to display a business name, logo, phone number, hours or services. Yard signs, A-frames, banners, window decals and vehicle lettering parked for display that advertise the home occupation are all prohibited. In the coastal zone, modification of the no-advertising standard is available only through a Coastal Administrative Permit under Section 20.64.090(D). The general sign chapters also bar moving, flashing, portable (non-real-estate), inflatable, roof-mounted and wind-activated signs in residential areas.