Malibu Real Estate Sign Rules & Sign Ordinance
Malibu Real Estate Sign Rules & Sign Ordinance
🏠 'For Sale' Sign Rules
| Maximum size | 6 sq ft (one unilluminated, double-faced sign) |
|---|---|
| Maximum height | 6 ft |
| Number allowed | 1 |
| Illumination | Prohibited (unilluminated) |
| When to remove | Removed within 7 days after sale/rental or withdrawal; set back ≥5 ft from the sidewalk |
📍 Open House & Directional Sign Rules
| Allowed? | Yes — on-site and off-site directional (private property only) |
|---|---|
| Maximum size | On-site 3 sq ft; off-site directional 3 sq ft each |
| Maximum height | On-site stake ≤4 ft; off-site pole flags ≤2 sq ft / 5 ft |
| Number allowed | On-site one (while a salesperson is present); off-site limited to private-property placements |
| Permitted hours | Off-site directional during daylight hours only; on-site only while offered and a salesperson is present |
| Placement rules | Off-site directional on private property only (not the public ROW), set back ≥5 ft from the sidewalk |
Permits & enforcement
Permit: Real estate and open house signs are exempt from the sign permit requirement
If a sign is removed: For-sale signs removed within 7 days of sale/rental/withdrawal; Code Enforcement handles violations
City contact: Malibu Planning Department / Code Enforcement (310) 456-2489
Coastal city with its own certified Local Coastal Program; temporary real estate/open house signs are permit-exempt and generally don't trigger a Coastal Development Permit, but larger/permanent signage in the coastal zone can. Malibu DOES allow off-site open house directional signs (unlike Santa Monica or Beverly Hills) but restricts them to private property and daylight hours — a parkway/right-of-way placement is a violation.
Official source:Malibu Municipal Code Title 17 (Zoning), Chapter 17.52 (Signs); real estate & open house exemptions § 17.52.050(D)(2)(c)-(d)
Ordinance reference: Current codified Ch. 17.52 (through Ord. 533, 2026)
Frequently asked questions
Can I put an open house sign in Malibu?
In Malibu, open house signs are Yes — on-site and off-site directional (private property only): max size On-site 3 sq ft; off-site directional 3 sq ft each, max height On-site stake ≤4 ft; off-site pole flags ≤2 sq ft / 5 ft, On-site one (while a salesperson is present); off-site limited to private-property placements. Hours: Off-site directional during daylight hours only; on-site only while offered and a salesperson is present. Placement: Off-site directional on private property only (not the public ROW), set back ≥5 ft from the sidewalk.
How big can a 'For Sale' sign be in Malibu?
A residential for-sale sign in Malibu may be up to 6 sq ft (one unilluminated, double-faced sign), with a maximum height of 6 ft. You may post 1. Illumination: Prohibited (unilluminated). Removal: Removed within 7 days after sale/rental or withdrawal; set back ≥5 ft from the sidewalk.
Do I need a permit for a real estate sign in Malibu?
Real estate and open house signs are exempt from the sign permit requirement. The governing rule is Malibu Municipal Code Title 17 (Zoning), Chapter 17.52 (Signs); real estate & open house exemptions § 17.52.050(D)(2)(c)-(d).
What happens if my sign is removed in Malibu?
For-sale signs removed within 7 days of sale/rental/withdrawal; Code Enforcement handles violations. For questions, contact Malibu Planning Department / Code Enforcement (310) 456-2489.
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