# Sign Regulations in Capitola, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Capitola, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/capitola
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-16
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Capitola/#!/Capitola17/Capitola1780.html#17.80)

## At a glance

Capitola, California regulates 26 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Sidewalk Signs in the Mixed Use, Village (MU-V) zoning district are capped at Entire sign: 58 in (measured from sidewalk) tall, Sign face: 3.75 sq ft (max 18 in width x 32 in height), and 18 in (sign face) wide, with a Maintain ≥48 in level clear path; sidewalk width ≥78 in at location; ≥30 ft separation from other sidewalk signs setback (Sec. CMC 17.80.080(K)(1)-(10) and Table 17.80-9; Figure 17.80-3). Most commercial signs in Capitola require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Mixed Use, Village (MU-V) | 11 | Entire sign: 58 in (measured from sidewalk) | Up to 75% of valance area | — |
| Mixed Use, Neighborhood (MU-N) | 10 | 4 ft | Up to 75% of valance area | — |
| Commercial, Regional (C-R) | 11 | 8 ft | Up to 75% of valance area | — |
| Commercial, Community (C-C) | 10 | 8 ft | Up to 75% of valance area | — |
| Industrial (I) | 10 | 4 ft | Up to 75% of valance area | — |
| Community Facility (CF) | 8 | — | Determined through sign permit | — |
| Parks and Open Space (P/OS) | 8 | — | Determined through sign permit | — |
| Planned Development (PD) | 9 | Per development plan | As determined through the development plan | — |
| Visitor Serving (-VS) | 8 | — | Per base zoning district maximum | — |
| Coastal Zone (-CZ) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | 10 ft | 40 sq ft (12 sq ft in MU-V) | — |

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

### Mixed Use, Village (MU-V)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign - Awning Face | — | — | — | — | 1 per awning (either face or valance) | On awning above display window or entrance to the business; minimum 8 ft clearance over public walkway if projecting over it. | — | CMC 17.80.080(B) Table 17.80-2; CMC 17.80.030(B)(1); CMC 17.80.070(D)(4); CMC 17.80.090(A) |
| Awning Sign - Awning Valance | — | Up to 75% of valance area | — | — | 1 per awning (either face or valance) | On the valance of an awning; minimum 8 ft clearance if over public walkway. | — | CMC 17.80.080(B) Table 17.80-2; CMC 17.80.030(B)(1); CMC 17.80.070(D)(4); CMC 17.80.090(A) |
| Monument Sign (Up to 4 Tenants) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft behind sidewalk or property line; ≥5 ft from any driveway; ≥200 ft from intersection corner if two signs present | 1 per property | On the property of the business it serves. | — | CMC 17.80.080(C) Table 17.80-3 and (C)(2)-(9); CMC 17.80.030(B)(1); CMC 17.80.070(D)(4) |
| Monument Sign (More than 4 Tenants) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft behind sidewalk or property line; ≥5 ft from any driveway; ≥200 ft from intersection corner if two signs present | 1 per property | On the property of the business it serves. | — | CMC 17.80.080(C)(1) Table 17.80-3; 17.80.080(C)(4)-(9); 17.80.070(D)(4) |
| Directory Sign | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises for the building/complex. | — | CMC 17.80.080(E) Table 17.80-5 and (E)(2)-(3); 17.80.030(B)(1); 17.80.070(D)(4) |
| Wall Sign | — | 36 sq ft maximum | — | — | 1 per shopfront (1 per street frontage on corner lots) | On exterior wall of the business; one per shopfront; on corner lot, one per street frontage. | — | CMC 17.80.080(F) Table 17.80-6 and (F)(2)-(6); 17.80.030(B)(1); 17.80.070(D)(4); 17.80.090(A) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | ≥2 ft horizontal clearance from driveway or street curb | 1 per business entryway or storefront | Attached to ground-floor exterior wall of the business; may project over public right-of-way with encroachment permit. | — | CMC 17.80.080(G) Table 17.80-7 and (G)(2)-(5); 17.80.030(B)(1); 17.80.070(D)(4); 17.80.070(G)(1)(b) |
| Sidewalk Sign | Entire sign: 58 in (measured from sidewalk) | Sign face: 3.75 sq ft (max 18 in width x 32 in height) | 18 in (sign face) | Maintain ≥48 in level clear path; sidewalk width ≥78 in at location; ≥30 ft separation from other sidewalk signs | 1 per business; 1 per common exterior public entrance for multi-tenant developments | On public sidewalk in front of the business in MU-V only; must maintain a 48-inch clear path of travel; sidewalk width in front of business must be at least 78 inches. | — | CMC 17.80.080(K)(1)-(10) and Table 17.80-9; Figure 17.80-3 |

### Commercial, Regional (C-R)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign - Awning Face | — | Up to 30% of awning face | — | — | 1 per awning (either face or valance) | On awning above display window or entrance; minimum 8 ft clearance if projecting over public walkway. | — | CMC 17.80.080(B) Table 17.80-2; 17.80.070(D) |
| Awning Sign - Awning Valance | — | Up to 75% of valance area | — | — | 1 per awning (either face or valance) | On the valance of an awning; minimum 8 ft clearance if over public walkway. | — | CMC 17.80.080(B) Table 17.80-2; 17.80.070(D) |
| Monument Sign (Up to 4 Tenants) | 8 ft | 60 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft behind sidewalk or property line; ≥5 ft from any driveway; ≥200 ft from intersection corner if two signs present | 1 per building frontage | On the property of the business it serves; 1 per building frontage. | — | CMC 17.80.080(C) Table 17.80-3 and (C)(2)-(9) |
| Monument Sign (More than 4 Tenants) | 8 ft | 60 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft behind sidewalk or property line; ≥5 ft from any driveway; ≥200 ft from intersection corner if two signs present | 1 per building frontage | On the property of the business it serves; 1 per building frontage. | — | CMC 17.80.080(C)(1), (C)(4)-(9); Table 17.80-3 |
| Center Identification Sign | 5 ft | 60 sq ft | — | — | 1 per shopping center | Freestanding sign at shopping center frontage. | — | CMC 17.80.080(D) Table 17.80-4 and (D)(2)-(3) |
| Directory Sign | 5 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | On-premises for the building/complex. | — | CMC 17.80.080(E) Table 17.80-5 and (E)(2)-(3) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | ≥2 ft horizontal clearance from driveway or street curb | 1 per business entryway or storefront | Attached to ground-floor exterior wall of the business; may project over public right-of-way with encroachment permit. | — | CMC 17.80.080(G) Table 17.80-7 and (G)(2)-(5); 17.80.070(G)(1)(b) |
| Auto Dealership Signs - Special | At or below roof line for special dealership signs; shared entry sign may extend into/above ROW as approved | — | — | ≥10 ft from property line abutting public right-of-way | As approved by Planning Commission | On or adjacent to an auto dealership land use; 10 ft minimum setback from property line abutting the public right-of-way; shared sign at entry to Auto Plaza Drive may extend into/above public right-of-way. | — | CMC 17.80.080(A)(1)(a)-(e) and last paragraph |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Gas and Service Station Signs | 6 ft for price/credit/services monument sign (per street frontage) | — | — | — | Monument: 1 per street frontage; Pump island: up to 2 per island; Ancillary: 2 per site | On gas/service station site; 6-ft-high monument sign on each street frontage displaying prices/services; pump island signage as specified. | — | CMC 17.80.080(H)(1)-(5) |
| Temporary Sign - Construction Site (Residential) | 5 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per 500 ft of frontage; 2 maximum | On residential construction site. | — | CMC 17.80.110 Table 17.80-10 (Construction Site Signs – Residential) |
| Temporary Sign - Construction Site (Nonresidential) | 8 ft (4 ft in MU-V) | 40 sq ft (12 sq ft in MU-V) | — | — | 1 per 500 ft of frontage; 2 maximum | On nonresidential construction site. | — | CMC 17.80.110 Table 17.80-10 (Construction Site Signs – Nonresidential) |
| Temporary Sign - For Sale/Lease/Rent (Nonresidential) | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On property offered for sale/lease/rent. | — | CMC 17.80.110 Table 17.80-10 (For Sale, Lease, and Rent Signs, Nonresidential) |
| Temporary Sign - For Sale/Lease/Rent (Residential) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On residential property offered for sale/lease/rent. | — | CMC 17.80.110 Table 17.80-10 (For Sale, Lease, and Rent Signs, Residential) |
| Temporary Sign - Open House/Model Home | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 on subject property and 1 on another property with consent | On property and on one other property with owner consent. | — | CMC 17.80.110 Table 17.80-10 (Open House or Model Home) |
| Temporary Sign - Special Event | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 on subject property and 1 on another property with consent | On property and on one other property with owner consent. | — | CMC 17.80.110 Table 17.80-10 (Special Event) |
| Temporary Sign - Residential Subdivision | 10 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per subdivision | At subdivision site. | — | CMC 17.80.110 Table 17.80-10 (Residential Subdivision) |

## Prohibited signs in Capitola

- Signs or sign structures that are inadequately maintained, dilapidated, abandoned, or constitute a hazard or public nuisance.
- Portable signs placed on the ground, except sidewalk signs permitted in the MU-V district consistent with sidewalk sign standards.
- Roof signs.
- Signs emitting odors, gases, or fluids.
- Wind-activated devices such as flags, pennants, whirligigs, or any device designed to wave, flutter, rotate, or move under wind influence, excluding flags/insignia of any government.
- Digital display or electronic readerboard signs with changeable images, except digital gasoline price signs and parking garage space-count signs as specifically allowed.
- Animated signs, except clocks and barber poles.
- Signs that emit sound.
- Signs that simulate traffic control signs or signals in size, color, lettering, or design.
- Signs that flash, blink, change color, or change intensity.
- Beacons.
- Signs mounted on or attached to a vehicle parked for the purpose of advertising.
- Abandoned signs or signs advertising a use that has ceased for 90 days or more.
- Signs that adversely affect traffic control or safety.
- Signs with exposed raceways.
- Signs attached to trees.
- Signs installed or maintained with less horizontal or vertical clearance from overhead utilities than required by state agencies.
- Signs erected primarily to be seen by travelers on a freeway, except certain auto dealership signs as allowed.
- Inflatable signs and balloons larger than 15 inches in diameter, except temporary auto dealership signs.
- Signs on or affecting public property not placed by the public entity with the possessory interest in the property.
- Any sign not specifically permitted by or exempted from the requirements of the chapter.
- Prohibited sign content: obscene or indecent; advertising unlawful activity; defamation, incitement to imminent lawless action, or true threats; content that creates a clear and present danger due to potential confusion with public safety signs (e.g., using 'Caution' or 'Danger' to imply a non-existent hazard).
- No signs in the public right-of-way, except government-installed/required signs, qualifying building-attached signs that meet standards, sidewalk signs in MU-V, and shared auto dealership signs; illegally placed signs in the right-of-way are subject to removal and cost recovery.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited: all signs must be located on the same parcel as the business or use they serve unless otherwise allowed by the chapter.
- Signs may not obstruct ingress/egress from doors, windows, fire escapes, or other required accessways, and may not interfere with visibility at intersections, rights-of-way, driveways, or other points of ingress/egress.
- Exposed light bulbs on signs are not permitted.
- Internally illuminated box signs are prohibited; only the lettering, registered trademark, or logo portions may appear illuminated on internally illuminated signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Capitola

- On-site directional signs with noncommercial messages, not exceeding 3 feet in height and 6 square feet in area.
- Informational noncommercial signs for public safety and convenience (e.g., 'restrooms', 'danger', 'impaired clearance', 'no smoking', 'parking in rear', 'coastal access').
- Flags bearing noncommercial messages or graphic symbols.
- One commemorative plaque identifying a building name, date of construction, or similar information, made of durable permanent material.
- One bulletin board on a parcel occupied by a noncommercial organization, maximum 12 square feet.
- Political signs during an election period located outside public streets/paths/rights-of-way (subject to state/federal law), not exceeding 6 feet in height and 32 square feet per unit.
- Constitutionally protected noncommercial message signs not exceeding 3 feet in height and 6 square feet per unit (and 6 square feet per nonresidential property).
- Signs within a building or on the premises that are not visible from the public right-of-way and intended for interior viewing.
- Exterior murals that do not advertise a product, business, or service.
- Official or legal notices required by a court or governmental agency.
- Signs installed by a governmental agency within the public right-of-way.
- Signs, postings, or notices required by a governmental agency to carry out its responsibility to protect public health, safety, and general welfare.
- Restaurant menu signs attached to a building, maximum 3 square feet.
- Real estate listings posted in the window of a real estate office, up to 25% of total window area.
- Residential signs not requiring a building permit as specified for multi-unit properties.
- Temporary signs allowed without a permit as provided in the temporary sign standards.
- Vacation rental signs up to 12 inches by 12 inches.
- Garage sale signs limited to the day of the sale.
- City-installed signs in all zoning districts do not require a permit.
- Other government-installed signs to carry out public health, safety, and welfare do not require a permit.
- Message substitution on any legally established sign (with property owner consent) is allowed by right without a permit, provided it does not increase total signage, change the physical structure or mounting, establish a prohibited sign, or violate any applicable agreements.
- Changes to a sign face that do not structurally alter or enlarge a legally established sign and use similar materials do not require a planning permit.
- Painting, cleaning, repair, and normal maintenance of a legally established sign do not require a planning permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An administrative sign permit is required to install, construct, or enlarge a sign unless the sign is exempt or specifically requires planning commission approval.
- Planning commission approval of a sign permit is required for: new signs in the MU-V district; exterior neon signs; monument signs listing more than four tenants; auto dealership signs in the C-R district not otherwise allowed administratively; adjustments to sign standards for low-visibility commercial properties; signs that do not conform to the standards for specific sign types; and all master sign programs.
- A master sign program is required for multifamily properties with more than one permanent sign proposed and for any nonresidential development with four or more tenants; it requires planning commission approval of a sign permit and governs subsequent sign approvals.
- Master sign programs may deviate from sign height, number, area, and type, but may not allow prohibited signs; all future signs must comply with the approved program, and signs consistent with the program are processed with an administrative sign permit.
- For multi-unit residential properties, master signs are allowed only after a master sign program is approved; each master sign requires an administrative sign permit.
- Adjustments to sign standards require planning commission approval of a sign permit; permitted adjustments include sign type in nonresidential districts, temporary sign requirements, and up to a 25% increase in area or height; adjustments cannot approve prohibited signs, most general standards (except maximum area), maximum number of signs, or residential sign standards.
- Additional adjustments for low-visibility properties in C-R and C-C require planning commission approval of a sign permit, may address sign type, height, size, placement, and number (not prohibited signs or monument signs), and require special findings.
- In the -VS, CF, and P/OS zoning districts, standards for awning, monument, directory, wall, projecting, and window signs are established by the planning commission through a sign permit (i.e., sign permit review sets the standards).
- In the PD zoning district, sign standards (including for awning, monument, directory, wall, projecting, window, and center identification signs) are established by the city council in the development plan.
- Sidewalk signs (MU-V only) require an over-the-counter sign permit from the community development director and an encroachment permit, plus a hold harmless waiver and liability insurance.
- Special auto dealership signs in the C-R district (including a shared sign at Auto Plaza Drive) may be approved by the planning commission with a sign permit.
- Special gas and service station signs may be approved by the planning commission with a sign permit.
- The planning commission may allow other types of temporary signs or temporary signs that do not meet the standard temporary sign criteria with approval of a sign permit.
- Projecting signs over a public right-of-way require an encroachment permit in addition to sign approvals.
- Sign area standards in some districts (e.g., -VS, CF, P/OS) are set 'as determined through sign permit', indicating planning commission sign permit review establishes allowable area.

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

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