Temporary garage sale signs are permitted on private property in Berkeley but cannot be posted on utility poles, street trees, or in the public right of way, and must be removed after the sale.
Berkeley's sign regulations in BMC Title 20 treat garage and yard sale signs as temporary non-commercial signs. They may be displayed on the sale property and on other private properties with the owner's permission, but they cannot be affixed to utility poles, traffic signs, street lights, street trees, or placed in the public right of way (sidewalks, medians, parkway strips). Public Works and Code Enforcement routinely remove illegally posted signs and can cite the person or event advertised. Signs must be dated or removed within 24 hours after the sale concludes. Size is typically limited to a few square feet and signs cannot obstruct pedestrian or vehicle sight lines. Violators can face administrative citations per sign.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
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