This guide covers the City of San Diego. Other cities and the unincorporated County have their own rules. It summarizes the San Diego Municipal Code and City and County pages as of November 8, 2026, in our own words; rules and contacts can change, so check the linked sources. It is general information, not legal advice.
What the City code says
- Numbers on the building. Municipal Code section 95.0209 says every building must show the number the City assigned it on the front, where it can be seen from the street, in Arabic numerals that contrast with the background: at least 4 inches tall on a home and 6 inches on a commercial building. The Fire Chief can ask for numbers in more places to help emergency crews.
- Numbers on the curb. The same section also says residential address numbers are to be added permanently to the side of the curb or to the sidewalk in front of the main building, to the Building Official's satisfaction. The duty to put up and maintain the numbers is the owner's or occupant's.
- Who may paint them. Section 62.0701 lets the occupant paint the number on the curb, or have it painted, at their own expense. Anyone else needs the occupant's permission first, and the City is never responsible for maintaining or replacing painted curb numbers.
Nothing in these sections has the City send painters, charge residents for curb numbers, or require you to buy the service from a particular company.
Door-to-door curb painters
Curb painting is a legal business, but the City regulates how it is sold. In a 2007 warning, the San Diego Police Department said fliers carrying a City logo and claiming police required painted curb numbers were not authorized by the City, that SDPD had no such requirement, and that some painters painted curbs without permission and then asked to be paid.
- The card. Under sections 33.1402 and 33.1411 and section 62.0701, a curb painter who solicits must register with SDPD and carry a special one-year registration card that states the maximum charge. When asking your permission, they must show you the card and point out that maximum price. Breaking the rule is a misdemeanor and grounds for taking the card away.
- Warning signs. A City or police logo on a flier, a claim that the City or SDPD sent them, a "deadline" to comply, a bill left for work you never agreed to, or no card when you ask for one.
- No Solicitors signs. Sections 33.1407 to 33.1409 let you post "No Solicitors" or similar wording in letters at least half an inch tall. A solicitor must look for the notice and leave, and knocking in defiance of it is unlawful. Any solicitor must leave as soon as you ask.
- Hours. Section 33.1410 bars door-to-door soliciting between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. unless you made an appointment.
Reporting a problem painter
- Painted without your permission, or pressure to pay. SDPD has advised residents not to pay for curb painting they did not arrange in advance. Call the police non-emergency line, 619-531-2000 (SDPD contact page), with a description of the people, any vehicle and plate, the time, and a photo of the work.
- No registration card. SDPD's Permits and Licensing unit oversees police-regulated businesses, including solicitors: 619-531-2250 or [email protected].
- Misleading fliers or a pattern of overcharging. The San Diego County District Attorney's Economic Crimes and Consumer Protection Division takes complaints about fraud, false advertising and unfair business practices through its consumer complaint form. Attach the flier, any receipt and photos.
- Threats or someone trying to get inside. Call 911.
Painting or fixing your own numbers
Section 62.0701 sets the specifications for numbers painted on a curb:
- Where and how big. Only on the vertical face of the curb in front of the home; black block numbers 4 inches tall with strokes at least half an inch wide.
- Colors and paint. A yellow background with at least a one-inch margin around the figures, using good-quality paint equal to the City's standard traffic paint.
- Faded numbers. Curb paint wears off, and the City does not repaint it. Keep the numbers on the house clear of plants and lit at night as well, since the building numbers are the ones section 95.0209 requires on every building.
Paint only the address. Section 62.0702 bars unauthorized painting, signs or ads on public streets, and red zones and other colored curbs are traffic markings set by the City: see our red curb and traffic safety guide. Paint or messages someone else put on the curb can be reported through our graffiti guide.
Who to call: quick reference
Someone painted your curb without asking and now wants to be paid
Responsible: San Diego Police
Contact: Non-emergency line 619-531-2000; note a description of the people and any vehicle.
A curb painter cannot show an SDPD registration card, or the card has no maximum price
Responsible: SDPD Permits and Licensing
Contact: 619-531-2250 or [email protected] (see the permits page).
A flier claims the City or the police require curb numbers and uses a City logo
Responsible: San Diego Police
Contact: Keep the flier and call 619-531-2000; the City's police permit unit is 619-531-2250.
You paid for work that was misrepresented, or a business keeps using the same pitch
Responsible: San Diego County District Attorney, Consumer Protection
Contact: The DA's consumer complaint form, with receipts, the flier and photos.
A solicitor will not leave, threatens you or tries to get inside
Responsible: Police
Contact: Call 911 if you feel unsafe.
You are not sure what your correct house number is
Responsible: City Development Services (Building Official)
Contact: Development Services assigns street numbers under Municipal Code Chapter 9, Article 5, Division 2.
Let your neighbors know
Report it to the police first. If curb painters with misleading fliers are working your street, sharing it on SaveSanDiego helps neighbors spot the same pitch. SaveSanDiego is an independent community platform, not a City service.
Frequently asked questions
Does the City of San Diego require address numbers on the curb?
The Municipal Code asks for more than one set of numbers. Section 95.0209 says every building must show its assigned number on the front, visible from the street (at least 4 inches tall for homes), and also says residential address numbers are to be added permanently to the side of the curb or the sidewalk in front of the main building, to the Building Official's satisfaction. The code puts the duty on the owner or occupant. It does not have the City paint curbs, and it does not require you to buy the service from anyone who knocks on your door.
Are door-to-door curb painters working for the City of San Diego?
Not according to the San Diego Police Department. In a 2007 warning, SDPD said fliers with a City logo claiming police required painted curb numbers were not authorized by the City, and that SDPD had no such requirement. The Municipal Code lets the occupant paint the numbers or hire someone of their choice; the City is not responsible for maintaining them.
Do curb painters need a permit in San Diego?
Yes. Under Municipal Code sections 62.0701 and 33.1411, anyone who solicits curb number painting must register with the San Diego Police Department and carry a special one-year registration card that states the maximum charge. They must show you the card and point out that maximum price when they ask for your permission. Breaking this rule is a misdemeanor and can cost them the card.
Do I have to pay if someone painted my curb without my permission?
Section 62.0701 says no one other than the occupant may paint street numbers on a curb without first getting the occupant's permission. SDPD has advised residents not to pay for curb painting they did not arrange in advance, and to describe the people to police. Call the non-emergency line, 619-531-2000, and keep any flier or invoice they left.
What color and size should curb address numbers be in San Diego?
Municipal Code section 62.0701 sets the specifications: numbers painted only on the vertical face of the curb in front of the home, black block numbers 4 inches tall with strokes at least half an inch wide, on a yellow background with at least a one-inch margin around the figures, using paint equal to City traffic paint.
Can I paint my own curb address numbers?
Yes. Section 62.0701 says the occupant may paint the street number on the curb at their own expense, or have it painted. Follow the size, color and placement rules in that section, and do not paint anything else on the curb: the next section of the code bars unauthorized painting or signs on public streets, and red zones and other colored curbs are traffic markings set by the City.
How do I stop curb painters and other solicitors from knocking on my door?
Post a notice such as "No Solicitors" or "No Solicitation" with letters at least half an inch tall. Under Municipal Code sections 33.1407 to 33.1409, a solicitor must look for that notice and leave, and knocking or ringing in defiance of it is unlawful. Solicitors also may not operate between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. unless you made an appointment, and must leave whenever you ask them to.
Sources
- San Diego Municipal Code, Chapter 6, Article 2, Division 7: Curb Painting (sections 62.0701, 62.0702)
- San Diego Municipal Code, Chapter 9, Article 5, Division 2: House Numbers (section 95.0209)
- San Diego Municipal Code, Chapter 3, Article 3, Division 14: Solicitors, Peddlers and Interviewers
- San Diego Police Department: news release on curb-painting fliers, March 1, 2007 (PDF)
- San Diego Police Department: Permits and Licensing
- San Diego Police Department: Contact
- San Diego County District Attorney: Consumer Protection
Last checked November 8, 2026. Rules and phone numbers change; the City and County pages linked above are the final word. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
Related guides: Signs and Flyers on Poles and Public Property in San Diego, Request Speed Humps, Stop Signs or Red Curb in San Diego, Graffiti in San Diego: Report It and Get It Removed.