Ojai Signage Rules Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Ojai's home occupation regulations, contained within the zoning provisions of Title 11 of the Municipal Code, are unambiguous on the subject of signage: no exterior sign of any type may be displayed to indicate that a business is being conducted from a residential property. This prohibition extends to all forms of commercial identification including yard signs, window signs, door placards, banners, flags, A-frame or sandwich-board signs, illuminated displays, and any visual device that communicates the existence of a business to persons outside the home. The intent is categorical — a person walking or driving past the property should have no visual indication that a commercial enterprise operates at the address.

Ojai's overall approach to signage is among the most restrictive of any city in Ventura County. The community has a long history of protecting its visual character, dating back to the 1917 master plan by architect Richard Requa that established the city's iconic Spanish Colonial Revival downtown. The sign code reflects a community-wide philosophy that commercial visual clutter — including even modest business identification — undermines the quiet, artistic, and rural quality of life that defines Ojai. Many of the city's most successful home-based artists, craftspeople, and practitioners rely exclusively on online presence, gallery representation, word-of-mouth referrals, and participation in Ojai's numerous art fairs and cultural events rather than on-premises signage.

Code enforcement discovery of signage violations typically occurs through neighbor complaints or officer observation during patrol. Upon identification, a Notice to Comply is issued directing the property owner to remove the offending sign within five to ten days. Failure to comply within the specified period results in an administrative citation with escalating fines. Repeated or willful violations can lead to revocation of the Home Occupation Permit, which would require the operator to cease the business activity entirely or relocate to a commercially zoned property. Operators who feel they need exterior identification to attract customers should explore Ojai's small commercial zones, where signage — though still tightly regulated — is permitted within defined parameters.