Alhambra, CA Sign Regulations: Garage Sale Signs (2026)

The City of Alhambra regulates garage and yard sales through the temporary-use provisions of its Zoning Code (Title 23). Per the code, a yard or garage sale is the sale of personal property conducted by a resident of the premises, with a maximum term of three consecutive days, occurring no more than four times a year. All items for sale, as well as any signs and temporary structures used for the sale, must be removed within ten days after the end of the sale, and the appearance of the site must be returned to its original state. Garage-sale signs themselves are temporary signs; under Alhambra's sign regulations (Chapter 23.21), temporary off-site signage in the public right-of-way - on sidewalks, parkways, utility poles, and street medians - is generally not permitted and may be removed by the City. As a practical matter, residents should keep garage-sale signs on their own property, post them only for the duration of the sale, and take them down promptly afterward. Because the City limits both the frequency (four per year) and duration (three consecutive days) of the sales, repeated or continuous sales that effectively operate as a business are not allowed in residential zones. Owners with specific questions about sign placement should contact the Planning Division (626-570-5034).