# Sign Regulations in Arroyo Grande, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Arroyo Grande, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/arroyo-grande
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Arroyo_Grande/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_TIT16DECO_CH16.60SI)

## At a glance

Arroyo Grande, California regulates 48 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Wall Sign (Single-family neighborhood identification)s in the Residential Uses zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 20 sq. ft. for each sign (Sec. Table 16.60.040-A, Residential Uses, Single-family neighborhood identification). Most commercial signs in Arroyo Grande require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Uses | 10 | 6 ft | 20 sq. ft. for each sign | — |
| Commercial Uses (Regional Commercial and All Mixed Use Zoning Districts, and within 300 feet of HWY 101 right-of-way) | 12 | 20 ft | 120 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial Uses (Regional Commercial and All Mixed Use Zoning Districts, more than 300 feet from HWY 101 right-of-way) | 5 | 8 ft | 70 sq. ft. per sign | — |
| Village Core and Village Mixed Use Districts | 1 | 6 ft | 36 sq. ft. | — |
| Other Mixed Use Districts | 1 | 6 ft | 36 sq. ft. | — |
| Office Uses (Mixed-Use Commercial/Complexes) | 6 | Below roof line or top of wall structure; 7′ clearance required | 70 sq. ft. | — |
| Industrial Uses | 9 | 8 ft | 70 sq. ft. per sign | — |
| Public and Quasi-Public Uses | 4 | Below roof line or top of wall structure; 7′ clearance required | 70 sq. ft. | — |
| Design Overlay District (D overlay districts, D-2.11—Traffic Way and Station Way) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Highway Mixed Use Zone | 1 | 20 ft (signs between 20 and 50 ft allowed by conditional use permit) | Each sign not to exceed 70 sq. ft.; total area for all signs shall not exceed 300 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 24 sq. ft. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### Residential Uses

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single-family neighborhood identification) | 6 ft | 20 sq. ft. for each sign | — | — | 2 wall or 1 ground per major entrance | At major entrances | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Residential Uses, Single-family neighborhood identification |
| Ground Sign (Single-family neighborhood identification) | 4 ft | 20 sq. ft. for each sign | — | — | 2 wall or 1 ground per major entrance | At major entrances | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Residential Uses, Single-family neighborhood identification |
| Wall Sign (Multiple-family complex identification) | 6 ft | 20 sq. ft. for each sign | — | — | 2 of the following: wall or ground sign | At major entrances | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Residential Uses, Multiple-family complex identification |
| Ground Sign (Multiple-family complex identification) | 4 ft | 20 sq. ft. for each sign | — | — | 2 of the following: wall or ground sign | At major entrances | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Residential Uses, Multiple-family complex identification |
| Wall Sign (Temporary model or leasing office) | Below roof line or top of wall structure | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 signs (wall or ground) per temporary use | At public street frontage with direct access to model | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Residential Uses, Temporary model or leasing office |
| Ground Sign (Temporary model or leasing office) | 4 ft | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 signs (wall or ground) per temporary use | At public street frontage with direct access to model | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Residential Uses, Temporary model or leasing office |
| Wall Sign (Mobilehome park identification) | 6 ft | 20 sq. ft. for each sign | — | — | 2 of the following: wall or ground sign | At major entrances | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Residential Uses, Mobilehome park identification |
| Ground Sign (Mobilehome park identification) | 4 ft | 20 sq. ft. for each sign | — | — | 2 of the following: wall or ground sign | At major entrances | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Residential Uses, Mobilehome park identification |

### Commercial Uses (Regional Commercial and All Mixed Use Zoning Districts, and within 300 feet of HWY 101 right-of-way)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Business not within complex) | 8 ft (20 ft for certain uses such as fast food restaurants, restaurants, motels, mini-marts, and automotive service stations; signs 20-50 ft by conditional use permit) | 70 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | 1 ground OR 1 projecting AND 1 wall, OR 2 of the following (wall, canopy/under-canopy) + 1 portable per public street frontage | Wall signs to be separated by 6 ft minimum; ground signs located in landscaped area at least twice sign area | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Commercial Uses, item 4 |
| Projecting Sign (Business not within complex) | Below roof line or top of wall; 7′ clearance required | See formula for ground sign | — | — | See above | Below roof line or top of wall structure; 7′ clearance required | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Commercial Uses, item 4 |
| Wall Sign (Business not within complex) | Below roof line or top of wall structure | 70 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | See above | At building frontage | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Commercial Uses, item 4 |
| Combination Canopy and Under-Canopy Sign (Business not within complex) | Below roof line or top of wall structure; 7′ clearance required | See formula for wall sign | — | — | See above | Below roof line or top of wall structure; 7′ clearance required | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Commercial Uses, item 4 |
| Ground Sign (Complex identification, 9+ tenants) | 20 ft | 120 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per public street frontage | Parking area or adjacent to access drive to parking area | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Commercial Uses, item 5 |
| Ground Sign (Complex identification, 2-8 tenants) | 20 ft | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per public street frontage | Parking area or adjacent to access drive to parking area | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Commercial Uses, item 6 |
| Wall Sign (Major tenant 20,000 SF+) | Below roof line or top of wall structure | 70 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building frontage | At building frontage | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Commercial Uses, item 9 |
| Ground Sign (Major tenant 20,000 SF+) | 8 ft | 70 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building frontage | At building frontage in landscaped area | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Commercial Uses, item 9 |

### Industrial Uses

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Business identification, single-tenant sites) | 8 ft | 70 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | 1 ground or 1 projecting and 1 wall, or 2 of (wall, canopy/under-canopy) per public street frontage | Wall signs to be separated by 6 ft minimum; ground signs in landscaped area double sign area | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Industrial Uses, item 1 |
| Projecting Sign (Business identification, single-tenant sites) | Below roof line or top of wall structure; 7′ clearance required | See formula for ground sign | — | — | See above | Below roof line or top of wall structure; 7′ clearance required | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Industrial Uses, item 1 |
| Wall Sign (Business identification, single-tenant sites) | Below roof line or top of wall structure | 70 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | See above | At building frontage | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Industrial Uses, item 1 |
| Combination Canopy and Under-Canopy Sign (Business identification, single-tenant sites) | Below roof line or top of wall structure; 7′ clearance required | See formula for wall sign | — | — | See above | Below roof line or top of wall structure; 7′ clearance required | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Industrial Uses, item 1 |
| Ground Sign (Complex identification, multiple-tenant sites) | 8 ft | 36 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per public street frontage | Parking area or adjacent to access drive to parking area | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Industrial Uses, item 2 |
| Wall Sign (Business identification, multiple-tenant sites) | Below roof line or top of wall structure | 70 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 wall or 1 combination/under-canopy or 1 projecting per public street frontage | At building frontage, or determined during sign program review | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Industrial Uses, item 3 |
| Combination Canopy and Under-Canopy Sign (Business identification, multiple-tenant sites) | Below roof line or top of wall; 7′ clearance required | See above | — | — | See above | — | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Industrial Uses, item 3 |
| Ground Sign (Business directory, multiple-tenant sites) | 5 ft | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per public street frontage | In pedestrian access area | — | Table 16.60.040-A, Industrial Uses, item 4 |

## Prohibited signs in Arroyo Grande

- Any sign not in compliance with the provisions of this code.
- Roof signs extending above the eave or parapet line, except when determined to be a complementary architectural feature by the architectural review committee (excluding integral roof signs).
- Flashing signs, except time and temperature signs specifically permitted through site development approval.
- Animated signs conveying the illusion of or actual motion.
- Revolving or rotating signs.
- Signs emitting audible sounds, odors or visible matter.
- Vehicle-mounted commercial signs when parked or stored on property or within the public right-of-way to identify a business or advertise a product.
- Portable signs not specifically permitted by the provisions of this chapter.
- Off-site signs not specifically permitted by the provisions of this chapter.
- Signs within the public right-of-way except those required by a governmental agency.
- Signs within the public right-of-way (including planted strips, tree wells, fences, and street medians), on public property or in any location which interferes with vehicular, bicycle, or pedestrian circulation or safety.
- Signs in proximity to utility lines that have less horizontal or vertical clearance than prescribed by applicable California law.
- Signs blocking door or window openings or fire escapes.
- Outdoor signs containing light bulb strings outside of the building, except for temporary uses subject to a temporary use permit.
- Sail or wing signs.
- Inflatable advertising devices, including hot air balloons, unless approved through the temporary use permit process.
- Statuary (statues or sculptures) advertising products or business logos located outside the structure housing the business.
- Electric reader board signs that are not exempt by virtue of being interior signs, and that are not otherwise specifically permitted.
- Signs that purport to be or resemble official traffic warning devices or that may confuse or disorient traffic.
- Signs in connection with a home occupation.
- Strobe or revolving lights used as an attention-getting device.
- Off-site commercial signs, including those in the public right-of-way, held or supported by a person.
- Abandoned signs (signs pertaining to a business or occupation no longer present, or a time/event that no longer applies).

## Signs exempt from permit in Arroyo Grande

- Temporary banners, decorations and searchlights in compliance with size, duration, and other specified limits.
- Permanent window signs limited to 20% of window area, not exceeding 24 square feet, only for street-facing windows.
- Real estate signs for sale, rent, or lease, subject to specified number, size, height, placement, and removal timing.
- Subdivision signs meeting specific number, size, placement, and duration restrictions.
- Architect, contractor, or construction signs on site, subject to specified number, size, height, and location limits.
- Future tenant identification signs on vacant or developing property, subject to specified number, size, height, placement, timing, and permit issuance.
- Multiple-family residential building identification signs limited to address and building number or letter, 1 per building frontage, limited size.
- Residential name plates for single-family or agricultural uses, 1 per parcel, limited size.
- Agricultural signs identifying products grown or raised on premises, limited to one per frontage, specified size, height, timing.
- Temporary noncommercial signs subject to number, size, height, location, duration, and placement requirements.
- Government and noncommercial flags (not for commercial promotion), up to specified size or as approved by the architectural review committee.
- Interior signs entirely within a building that are not visible or readable from off-site.
- Memorial tablets, plaques, or directional signs for community or cultural resources installed by or on behalf of the city.
- Official and legal notices issued by any court or public authority or required by law.
- Public utility signs indicating danger, aiding public safety, or showing locations of utilities or public telephones.
- Safety signs on construction sites.
- Public transportation vehicle signs (buses, taxi cabs, etc.).
- Signs on licensed commercial vehicles not used as portable signs and not otherwise prohibited.
- Change of copy within an approved planned or administrative sign program, conforming with the approved program.
- Holiday decorations for nationally recognized holidays and local celebrations.
- Vehicle-oriented convenience and directional signs solely for guiding traffic/parking on private property, no advertising, limited size.
- Directional, warning, or informational signs as required or authorized by law or by governmental authority and similar signs (e.g., No Trespassing, No Parking), limited size.
- Incidental signs for auto-related uses, motels and hotels showing notices of services/trade affiliations/credit cards, attached to an approved sign/structure/building, limited size.
- "Open" and "Closed" signs, 1 per entrance, limited size.
- Certain additional signs for automobile service stations (state-authorized testing, price, and pump signs), subject to specific size/location.
- City-sponsored civic signs for community entrance, identification, direction, or information.
- Banners in accordance with applicable design guidelines and standards.
- Any sign similar in use and size to the above, as determined by the community development director.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A planned sign program is required for: (a) multitenant developments of nine or more separate, permitted uses sharing a parcel/building and common access/parking; (b) projects or developments with aggregate sign area exceeding 150 square feet; (c) ground signs between 20 and 50 feet high.
- An administrative sign program is required for: (a) multitenant developments of two to eight separate, permitted uses sharing a parcel/building and common access/parking; (b) projects/developments with aggregate sign area exceeding 100 square feet but less than 150 square feet; (c) ground signs between eight and twenty feet high; (d) minor tenant signs in older multitenant developments without an established planned sign program.
- All signs not required to have a planned or administrative sign program must receive approval of an administrative sign permit, unless exempt in Section 16.60.050 (Exempt Signs).
- Planned sign program or administrative sign program review may be required based on sign area, tenant count, and type of signage, as detailed in Table 16.60.040-A.
- Revisions to existing signs must be processed through the planned sign program, administrative sign program, or administrative sign permit processes, depending on the site/tenant count and magnitude of proposed changes.
- If a mural contains advertising (name, logo, etc.), it is treated as a sign and requires review under one of the sign program/permitting processes.
- Any changes of copy within an approved planned sign program or administrative sign program are exempt, provided conforming with the approved sign program.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 11 zoning districts in Arroyo Grande — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Arroyo+Grande+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-arroyo-grande

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