# Sign Regulations in Atascadero, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Atascadero, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/atascadero
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-10
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://ecode360.com/43101155#43101155)

## At a glance

Atascadero, California regulates 22 sign types across 6 zoning districts. A-Frames in the Nonresidential Zones (CS, CN, CR, CPK, CT, IP, I) zoning district are capped at 5 ft. tall and 10 sf (Sec. Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a)). Most commercial signs in Atascadero require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ag Zone | 12 | 6 ft. | 60 sf | — |
| Residential Zones | 7 | 6 ft. | 36 sf | — |
| Nonresidential Zones (CS, CN, CR, CPK, CT, IP, I) | 20 | 50 ft. | 150 sf | — |
| Downtown Zones (DC, DO) | 17 | 12 ft. | 60 sf | — |
| Public Zones (P, OS, L, LS) | 17 | 12 ft. | 60 sf | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 6 ft. | 20 sf | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Nonresidential Zones (CS, CN, CR, CPK, CT, IP, I)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame | 5 ft. | 10 sf | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Must be located outside of right-of-way on business property, except as allowed by encroachment permit in the East Mall and West Mall parkway area. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Banner | N/A | 40 sf | — | — | 1 per public street frontage | Banners must be secured flat against a building or secure structure placed in the ground. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Freeway Facing | 50 ft. | 150 sf | — | — | N/A | Businesses located on freeway frontage of Highway 101. | — | § 9-15.009(a) |
| Private Light Pole | Based on light pole height | 6 sf for each pole | — | — | 25% of the total number of light poles | Light pole located on private property. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Ground Monument Sign | 6 ft. | 60 sf | — | — | 1 per 200 lineal foot | Bases shall be located in a landscape planter. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Multi-Tenant Freestanding | 12 ft. | Max. 100 sf | — | — | 1 per property | Bases shall be located in a landscape planter and set back 5 ft from the back of sidewalk. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Projecting | N/A | 15 sf | — | — | 1 per business | May encroach up to 5 ft. within the public right-of-way with issuance of an encroachment permit. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Projected Image | N/A | N/A | — | — | 1 per business/ residence | Laser lights or projected image signs used to project an image, logo, or other graphic in a building, structure, sidewalk or other surface. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |

### Downtown Zones (DC, DO)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame | 5 ft. | 10 sf | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Must be located outside of right-of-way on business property, except as allowed by encroachment permit in the East Mall and West Mall parkway area. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Banner | N/A | 40 sf | — | — | 1 per public street frontage | Banners must be secured flat against a building or secure structure placed in the ground. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Private Light Pole | Based on light pole height | 6 sf for each pole | — | — | 25% of the total number of light poles | Light pole located on private property. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Ground Monument Sign | 6 ft. | 40 sf | — | — | 1 per 200 lineal foot | Bases shall be located in a landscape planter and set back 3 ft. from the back of sidewalk in the DO/DC zone. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Projecting | N/A | 15 sf | — | — | 1 per business | May encroach up to 5 ft. within the public right-of-way with issuance of an encroachment permit. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Projected Image | N/A | N/A | — | — | 1 per business/ residence | Laser lights or projected image signs used to project an image, logo, or other graphic in a building, structure, sidewalk or other surface. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Single Tenant Freestanding Sign | 6 ft. | 60 sf | — | — | 1 per property | Bases shall be located in a landscape planter and set back a minimum of 2 ft from the back of sidewalk. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Temporary Noncommercial | 5 ft. | 6 sf for yard sign | — | — | 1 per property | Prohibited in the public right-of-way. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |

### Public Zones (P, OS, L, LS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame | 5 ft. | 10 sf | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Must be located outside of right-of-way on business property, except as allowed by encroachment permit in the East Mall and West Mall parkway area. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Banner | N/A | 40 sf | — | — | 1 per public street frontage | Banners must be secured flat against a building or secure structure placed in the ground. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Private Light Pole | Based on light pole height | 6 sf for each pole | — | — | 25% of the total number of light poles | Light pole located on private property. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Ground Monument Sign | 6 ft. | 50 sf | — | — | 1 per 200 lineal foot | Bases shall be located in a landscape planter. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Projecting | N/A | 15 sf | — | — | 1 per business | May encroach up to 5 ft. within the public right-of-way with issuance of an encroachment permit. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Projected Image | N/A | N/A | — | — | 1 per business/ residence | Laser lights or projected image signs used to project an image, logo, or other graphic in a building, structure, sidewalk or other surface. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Single Tenant Freestanding Sign | 6 ft. | 60 sf | — | — | 1 per property | Bases shall be located in a landscape planter and set back a minimum of 2 ft from the back of sidewalk. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |
| Temporary Noncommercial | 5 ft. | 6 sf for yard sign | — | — | 1 per property | Prohibited in the public right-of-way. | — | Table 15.2 – Allowed Signage Types, § 9-15.008(a) |

## Prohibited signs in Atascadero

- Off-site signs, except as approved through agreement with the Redevelopment Agency, or its successor agency and except as noted below for off-site subdivision signage.
- Abandoned signs.
- Signs that simulate in color or design any traffic sign or signal, or which makes use of words, symbols, or characters in such a manner to interfere with, mislead, or confuse pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- Digital display/LED messaging signs including animated, moving, flashing, blinking, reflecting, glaring, or revolving, or any other similar sign, except electronic message boards displaying time, temperature, or required prices of gasoline or similar fuels, or the display of noncommercial notices or messages.
- Roof signs.
- Snipe signs or any other sign attached to a tree, utility pole, fence post, etc.
- Mobile signs.
- Inflatable signs.
- Wall-mounted cabinet signage where the frame or external structure is a box, either in rectangular, square, or similar box like appearance, and the sign face is flat and/or the background is light colored and non-decorative in nature, with little or no articulation and comprised of plastic, or other similar type of material.
- Feather flag signs.
- Signs, including non-commercial signs that are placed or encroach into the right-of-way without a valid encroachment permit or prior approval of the City Engineer or the Engineer's designee.
- Signs emitting audible sounds, odors or particulate matter.

## Signs exempt from permit in Atascadero

- Signs on Properties Under Construction.
- Directory Signs.
- Non-Illuminated Decorations.
- Hazard Signs.
- Residential Signs and Home Occupations.
- Window Signs and Lettering.
- Official Government Flags.
- Landscaped Signs.
- Official Safety and Directional Signs.
- Temporary signage in accordance with Table 15.1 and Table 15.2.
- Vehicle Signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign program must be provided for locations with five or more tenants or businesses. Such programs shall be approved by an AUP or concurrently with a CUP for the development.

## 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 6 zoning districts in Atascadero — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Atascadero+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-atascadero

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