# Sign Regulations in Alturas, California

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Alturas, California, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Alturas, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/alturas
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Alturas/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH28ZO_ARTIVSIPLDEST_DIV7SIST)

## At a glance

Alturas, California regulates 11 sign types across 1 zoning district. Free-Standing Sign - Monument Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 feet tall and 50 square feet per side (Sec. 28.46.020.D.1.a). Most commercial signs in Alturas require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (1 zone)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 11 | 42 inches | 250 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Advertising Sign (Small) | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 2 | On property available for purchase | — | 28.46.020.A.1.a |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 42 inches | — | 30 inches | — | 1 per business | Sidewalk (minimum 60 inches of sidewalk clearance must be maintained) | — | 28.46.020.A.2 |
| Vehicle Sign (Small) | — | 12 square feet | — | — | 3 per vehicle | Affixed to vehicle | — | 28.46.020.A.3.a |
| Free-Standing Sign - Monument Sign | 8 feet | 50 square feet per side | — | — | 1 (additional possible by Use Permit) | On lot | — | 28.46.020.D.1.a |
| Free-Standing Sign - Pole Sign | 20 feet | 50 square feet per side | — | — | 1 (additional possible by Use Permit) | On lot. No projection over ROW/sidewalk. | — | 28.46.020.D.1.b |
| Projecting or Blade Sign | — | 4 square feet per side | — | — | — | Perpendicular to building frontage, not above roof eaves or flat roof highest point | — | 28.46.020.D.2.a |
| Roof Sign | — | 60 square feet | — | — | — | Only on buildings with insufficient area/visibility for other sign types; not on sloped or mansard roofs unless sign is parallel and screened in back | — | 28.46.020.D.2.b |
| Wall Sign | — | 60 square feet (plus 20 square feet per business above 3); up to two 60-square-foot wall signs if no freestanding sign and signs are at least 90 degrees apart | — | — | — | On wall of building | — | 28.46.020.D.2.c |

## Prohibited signs in Alturas

- No sign shall be authorized, constructed, placed, maintained, altered or moved except in conformity with this section.
- All Permanent Signs must conform to general design, placement and maintenance criteria unless waived through the Use Permit process.
- Signs operated by electricity that are intended to attract attention by flashing on and off, or simulating any motion through a series of rapid light or content changes, are not permitted unless they are emergency or roadway signs utilized by public works or emergency personnel, or are window signs of not more than four square feet in total area per business.
- Permanent Signs that advertise a use, product or service that is conducted or available at a location other than the Lot on which the sign is located, or otherwise conveys information unrelated to an authorized activity on the Lot on which the sign is located, are prohibited except as approved through a Use Permit.
- No Pole Sign shall project over the public right-of-way or sidewalk.
- Signs must not cause glare upon the street or adjacent private property or cause sky reflected glare.
- Temporary Signs have no grandfathering rights and are required to conform to the current ordinance.
- Signs erected in violation of this section shall be cited, removed at the expense of the property owner, and the cost may become a lien on the property if unpaid.

## Signs exempt from permit in Alturas

- Directional signs that do not mention a business name or contain a business logo.
- Emergency or roadway signs intended to provide drivers with information relating to traffic conditions and safety concerns while driving.
- Portable Vehicle Signs affixed to a vehicle that is not parked in a location visible from a public right-of-way for more than two hours a day, or is being driven through town.
- Window Signs, the combined total of which do not exceed ten percent of the total window area (including windows in doors) facing dedicated right-of-ways.
- Historic markers, not exceeding three square feet in area, placed flat against the side of a building and made of incombustible material, that identify the name and history of a building or an historic event that occurred in the near vicinity.
- Federal, State and City flags, as well as official flags of clubs and other civic organizations.
- Holiday and Special Event Signage and Decorations placed in use no more than 60 days before the event and removed no more than 30 days after.
- Political Signs that are placed no more than 90 days before the election and removed within 10 days after the election.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All permanent signs require the approval of a Sign Permit and must meet the specified standards, unless a Use Permit or Variance is approved.
- Temporary and portable signs require a Sign Permit if displayed for more than three days in any given month or if they encroach into a public right-of-way.
- Sandwich Board Signs require Sign Permit approval.
- Large Vehicle Signs require a Sign Permit unless meeting certain exemptions.
- Additional Free-Standing signs may be approved by Use Permit.
- Sign Permit conditions may include maintenance, duration, location, and removal requirements.
- LED signs designed to provide changing content with a high resolution screen must be approved by Use Permit.
- Any waiver of general design, placement, and maintenance requirements for permanent signs must be processed through the Use Permit process.
- Administrative Permits can allow retention of obsolete sign structures if certain criteria are met.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Alturas, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Alturas+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-alturas

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