How to make an open house sign (directional signs and local rules)

A good open house sign has one job: say “open house” and show which way to go. Use two huge words, one oversized arrow, high contrast and a short date and time line, then print it big and mount it on something rigid. Rules on temporary directional signs vary widely — where they can stand, how large they can be, what hours they may be out, whether you need a permit — so check your council, HOA and brokerage before you print.

An open house sign is read from a moving car, at a corner, in about a second. Everything about it should follow from that. It is not a flyer, it is not an ad: it has one job, to say open house and show which way to go.

What goes on the sign

Two big words: OPEN HOUSE.
One oversized arrow.
Optionally, a short date and time line, such as “Sat 1–3”.
Optionally, your name and phone, if your brokerage or local rules ask for them. Leave them off if not; every extra line makes the arrow smaller.

Contrast matters more than style. Dark on light, such as black on yellow, reads best from a distance. The free open house sign maker draws exactly this: pick the arrow direction, add the date and time, and print or download a PNG. It runs in your browser, and what you type is not sent or stored.

Arrow direction

Point the arrow the way someone should go from where the sign stands, as they look at it. Stand where the sign will go, look at the next turn, and choose left, right, straight ahead or back. Then walk or drive the route once from the main road: every turn needs a sign and every arrow needs to point the right way.

Size and materials

Choice	Practical note
Letter or A4	Suits a window or a small stake sign
A3 or Tabloid	Easier to read from a car
Paper	Heavy or bright paper gives better colour
Backing	Foam board or corrugated plastic keeps it rigid
Weather	Laminate or sleeve it if rain is possible

Print at 100% scale with margins off if the print dialog offers it. If your printer will not go big enough, save a PDF and take it to a print shop.

Where to put signs

One at each turn between the nearest busy road and the house, and one at the house.
Place each before the turn, not at it.
Face it towards oncoming traffic, clear of parked cars, bushes and glare.
Take them in when the open house ends. A sign for a finished event is the quickest way to annoy a neighbour.

Where the rules vary

This is the part to check, not guess. Rules on temporary directional signs vary widely between places. They can cover:

where signs may stand, and whether public land, medians and utility poles are off limits;
how large they may be and how many you may use;
the hours or days they may be out;
whether a permit is needed;
extra requirements from an HOA or brokerage, such as branding or licence details.

A sign maker makes artwork only; it cannot tell you what is allowed where you are. Ask your council, any HOA involved, and your brokerage before you print, and follow their answer over anything you read online, including here.

The sign is one part of the day

Signs bring people who are already nearby. People further away find the event online, which is what the poster and the invitation reel are for. The full run of the day, signs included, is in the open house checklist.

Common questions

What should an open house sign say?

As little as possible: “open house”, an arrow, and optionally the day and time. A driver gets a second or two to read it, so extra lines compete with the arrow. Your name and phone are optional on the sign; some brokerages require a name or licence details, so add what yours asks for.

Which way should the arrow point?

Point it the way someone should go from where the sign stands, as they look at it. Stand where the sign will go, look at the next turn, and pick left, right, straight ahead or back. Then walk or drive from the main road once to check every turn.

Where should open house signs go?

A common approach is one at each turn between the nearest busy road and the house, plus one at the house. Put each one before the turn so drivers have time to slow down, face it towards oncoming traffic and keep it clear of parked cars and bushes. Where you may legally place it is a local question.

Do I need a permit for open house signs?

It depends on where you are. Some councils, HOAs and states allow temporary directional signs without a permit; others limit them or require one, and many ban them on public land, medians or utility poles. This page cannot tell you which applies to you — ask your council, HOA and brokerage.