Garage sale signs are allowed on private property during the sale. Signs in public right-of-way, on utility poles, or street furniture are prohibited and can be removed by city crews.
The City of Santa Clara permits temporary garage sale signs on the property where the sale is held. Signs placed on public right-of-way, including medians, parkways, street trees, utility poles, traffic signs, or street furniture, are prohibited under the municipal code and California Streets and Highways Code. Signs in violation are subject to removal by Public Works crews without notice, and property owners or sponsors can be cited for illegal sign posting. On-property signs should not exceed approximately 6 square feet per side and must be posted no more than 24-48 hours before the sale. All signs, including any placed with neighbor permission on private lots, must be removed immediately after the sale concludes. Cloth or paper signs taped or stapled to utility poles are the most commonly cited violation and can trigger fines starting around 100 dollars per sign. Digital sale advertising on Nextdoor, Craigslist, or social media is increasingly the norm and avoids sign rules entirely.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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