Santa Paula Signage Rules Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Santa Paula's home occupation ordinance under Chapter 16.230 is explicit: no exterior signs of any kind may be displayed to indicate that a business is being conducted from a residential property. This prohibition covers all forms of exterior commercial identification including yard signs, window signs, door placards, banners, flags, and vehicles with business advertising parked in front of the residence in a manner that serves as a sign. The intent is to preserve the residential character of neighborhoods — a neighbor or passerby should not be able to identify the property as a place of business by looking at the exterior.

Santa Paula's sign regulations in Chapter 16.280 reinforce this prohibition. Residential zones are among the most sign-restricted areas in the code, and home-based businesses receive no special exception. Unlike some California cities that allow a single small nameplate sign (typically one square foot or less), Santa Paula does not permit even minimal signage for home occupations. Business operators who rely on walk-in or drive-by traffic should operate from a commercial location.

Code enforcement typically discovers sign violations through neighborhood complaints or officer observation during patrol. Upon identification, a Notice to Comply is issued directing the owner to remove the offending sign within a specified period — usually five to ten days. Failure to comply within that window results in an administrative citation. Continued violations can result in escalating fines and, in extreme cases, revocation of the Home Occupation Permit.