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

Garage sale signs in Richmond fall under the temporary sign provisions of RMC Chapter 15.06 and the Garage Sale regulations in Chapter 6.42. Signs may be posted on private property (the sale site and, with permission, on other private property) during the garage sale and must be removed within 24 hours after the sale ends. Sign size typically limited to 6 sq ft. The following are prohibited: signs stapled or taped to utility poles (a PG&E and city safety concern — staples damage climbing belts), signs on traffic sign poles or signal controllers, signs in medians or planted parkway strips, signs on city trees, and signs affixed with nails or hardware that damage surfaces. Richmond Public Works and Code Enforcement actively remove right-of-way signs — they are treated as litter. Repeated violations by the same garage sale host can trigger administrative citations of $100 first offense, $200 second, $500 third under the general sign ordinance. Contributors to the problem include professional garage sale operators and estate sale companies; they can be cited for commercial signage violations. Signs on private property (including with permission of the neighbor) must still avoid the vision triangle at corners and driveways. Some Richmond neighborhoods organize community-wide garage sale days (often coordinated by the Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council) which get broader signage latitude through a special event permit.