# Sign Regulations in Anderson, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Anderson, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/anderson
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Anderson/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.44COSIOR)

## At a glance

Anderson, California regulates 21 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Roof Signs in the Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3), Industrial Districts (M-1, M-2) zoning district are capped at May not extend higher than ridge line tall and Up to 40% of selected wall area or area allowable for wall sign (Sec. 17.44.050.C). Most commercial signs in Anderson require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3), Industrial Districts (M-1, M-2) | 12 | 35 ft (up to 100 ft with use permit) | 325 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 6 | 15 ft | 80 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | Flagpole max 40 ft | 60 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Commercial District (C-1, C-2, C-3), Industrial Districts (M-1, M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Commercial District) | 20 ft | 75 sq ft | — | — | — | On site; placed in landscaped planter equal to max sign area; not within 150 ft of another ground sign on same site. | — | 17.44.050.B.1-3 |
| Ground Sign (Industrial Districts) | 20 ft | 75 sq ft | — | — | — | On site; in landscaped planter equal to max sign area | — | 17.44.050.B.1.c |
| Ground Sign (Freeway Oriented) | 35 ft (up to 100 ft with use permit) | 325 sq ft | — | — | — | Within 300 ft of a freeway | — | 17.44.050.B.2.a, c |
| Ground Sign (Highway 273 Oriented) | 30 ft | 133 sq ft | — | — | — | Within 150 ft of Highway 273 | — | 17.44.050.B.2.b |
| Roof Sign | May not extend higher than ridge line | Up to 40% of selected wall area or area allowable for wall sign | — | — | 1 per building front | One per building front abutting public street or parking area with access. | — | 17.44.050.C |
| Wall or Window Sign (General Frontage) | — | 40% of signable area (wall or window) | — | — | 2 per activity per building front | On wall or window of public street/parking area frontage | — | 17.44.050.D.1,3 |
| Wall Sign (No Street Frontage, Access via Driveway/Sidewalk) | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On wall with driveway or private sidewalk access | — | 17.44.050.D.2 |
| Awning Sign | Hanging sign: max 18 in height, 60 in length; bottom at least 9 ft from sidewalk | — | 60 in (for hanging signs) | — | — | On the valance or suspended beneath an awning | — | 17.44.050.E |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | At dwelling unit | — | 17.44.070.A.1 |
| Neighborhood Identification Sign | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | — | At neighborhood entrance/area | — | 17.44.070.A.2 |
| Complex Identification Sign | — | 32 sq ft (max); 1 sq ft per unit | — | — | 1 per street frontage | One per street frontage | — | 17.44.070.A.3 |
| Tract Sign (Temporary) | 15 ft | 80 sq ft | — | — | — | Within tract boundaries | — | 17.44.070.B.1 |
| Real Estate Sign | — | Max face: 36 in x 24 in (=6 sq ft); "Open House" sign: 1 ft x 3 ft (=3 sq ft); up to three directional signs 18x24 in (=3 sq ft each). | 36 in (face) / 24 in (face) | — | 1 per lot; up to 3 directional signs | On lot for sale/lease/rent | — | 17.44.070.B.2 |
| Vacancy Sign (Apartment Development) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | 17.44.070.B.3 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempted Signs (Nonilluminated) | — | 6 sq ft (posters/window signs, etc.) | — | — | — | Varies; see below | — | 17.44.040.C |
| Flag (U.S. and CA & Patriotic in Residential Zones) | Flagpole max 30 ft | 24 sq ft (residential); flagpole max 30 ft height | — | — | — | On property | — | 17.44.040.C.9 |
| Flag (Commercial/Industrial Areas) | Flagpole max 40 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | — | On property | — | 17.44.040.C.9 |

## Prohibited signs in Anderson

- Signs which incorporate in any manner any flashing, moving or intermittent lighting or resemble movement or animation, except public service signs such as time and temperature units, and traditional barber pole signs.
- Signs which by color, wording, design, location, or illumination resemble or conflict with any traffic-control device or with safe and efficient flow of traffic.
- Signs that create a safety hazard by obstructing clear view of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
- Flags, banners, and pennants, except as authorized in ordinance section 17.44.040 D and E.
- Any ground or roof sign if the proposed sign would adversely affect conforming residential development.
- Portable signs, except where otherwise noted.
- A sign advertising tobacco products which is prohibited under Section 8.60.030.
- Above-roof signs (signs attached to the roof, any part of which extends above the ridge line).
- Signs pertaining to inoperative activities—must be removed within thirty days of activity closure.
- Any sign erected or maintained in violation of this code may be ordered removed by the building official with notice. Immediate removal without notice may occur if the sign presents an immediate threat to public safety.
- Abandoned signs: must be removed by the owner or lessee when the business is no longer conducted.
- Illegal signs: must be removed after notification by the building official; failure to do so allows removal by the city.
- No sign or lighting which produces glare or light spillage or is unreasonably distracting to properly illuminate the sign shall be permitted.
- Off-premises signs are generally prohibited except political signs and civic event signs.
- All signs must be maintained in a state of good repair and safe condition, free from deterioration, rot, rust, and loosening.
- No permit shall be issued for any sign with less clearance from power or communication lines than required by state law.
- No activity with nonconforming signing may be authorized additional signing except as a replacement with conforming signs.
- A nonconforming sign may not be changed to another nonconforming sign, structurally altered to extend its useful life, expanded, reestablished after removal, discontinuance of use or substantial damage.
- All illegal signs must be removed or brought into compliance.
- Violations of any section or provision of this chapter shall be an infraction.

## Signs exempt from permit in Anderson

- Nonilluminated religious, charitable, educational or cultural posters not exceeding six square feet in area and temporary (thirty days) in nature.
- Nonilluminated governmental or legally required posters, notices or signs.
- Nonilluminated temporary political signs.
- Nonilluminated temporary window signs (not to exceed thirty days duration, six times a year or one hundred eighty days total per year).
- Nonilluminated public service directional signs erected by the city.
- Nonilluminated residential identification signs and street numbers.
- Nonilluminated signs relating to the sale of agricultural products.
- Electronic 'Open/Close' sign larger than two square feet used as a window sign or if located on the exterior of a structure.
- Nonilluminated patriotic symbols (flags): U.S. flags in residential zones (max 24 sq ft, max height 30 ft), U.S. flags in commercial (max 60 sq ft, max height 40 ft) flown in accordance with federal protocol; all other flags require an administrative use permit, may not exceed 60 sq ft or 30 ft in height.
- Change of copy on attraction boards, reader boards, or digital display signs does not require a permit.
- Permit is not required to change removable lettering of an existing approved sign.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit must be obtained prior to placing, erecting, moving, or displaying any sign, including painted wall signs, unless the sign is specifically exempted under Section 17.44.040.
- A permit is also required prior to reconstruction or alteration of existing signs unless changing removable lettering.
- Application for sign permits must be accompanied by sign elevations, lighting details, a site plan showing all existing and proposed signs, building elevations with signs depicted, and any other information required by the planning director.
- For certain activities (e.g. movie theaters), attraction boards may be utilized as part of an approved signing program under this section.
- Neighborhood identification signs for residential areas require planning commission approval before installation.
- Temporary tract signs for subdivisions require a tract sign permit and a cash deposit or other security to ensure removal upon expiration.
- Nonconforming signs may not be replaced or altered except to bring into conformance.
- Variances are processed under Chapter 17.48.
- Appeals from sign permit decisions may be heard by the planning commission and, further, by the city council.

## Full detail

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

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