# Sign Regulations in Ceres, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ceres, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/ceres
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Ceres/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=TIT18ZO_CH38SUTRSAOFSIFLTECOJOSITR)

## At a glance

Ceres, California regulates 44 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Retail/commercial, Commercial zones, Professional zones, CC, C-2, RC, HC zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 32 sq ft (retail/commercial); 30 sq ft (industrial), with a In front setback, landscaped area. setback (Sec. 18.26.100.C.3, E.3). Most commercial signs in Ceres require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential zones, Single-family residential | 3 | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — |
| Multiple-family residential | 4 | 6 ft | 20 sq ft (for 5-29 units); 30 sq ft (for 30+ units) | — |
| Retail/commercial, Commercial zones, Professional zones, CC, C-2, RC, HC | 8 | 25 ft (general); 35 ft (within 750 ft of Hwy 99, >5 acre sites); 85 ft (commercial, special approval, highway oriented, >5 acre sites, >750 ft Hwy 99) | 150 sq ft per side (commercial, <750 ft of Hwy 99); 500 sq ft per side (commercial, >750 ft of Hwy 99, >5 acres); 150 sq ft per side (industrial >5 acres w/in 750 ft of Hwy 99) | — |
| Industrial zones, Industrial | 3 | 6 ft | 100 sq ft per sign (maximum) | — |
| Business centers | 3 | 25 ft general; 35 ft if within 750 ft of Hwy 99, >5 acre sites, or as approved for highway-oriented | 150 sq ft per side (commercial); 500 sq ft per side (retail, >750 ft from Hwy 99, >5 acre sites); 85 ft height (commercial uses, special approval, >750 ft of Hwy 99, >5 acres) | — |
| Hospitals | 2 | 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Highway oriented uses | 1 | 20 ft (general); 35 ft (hotel/motel/restaurant/service station within 200 ft of Hwy 99); 85 ft (special approval, center ID sign) | 50 sq ft per side (general); 150 sq ft per side (hotel/motel/restaurant/service station); 500 sq ft per side (shopping center, >750 ft from Hwy 99); 85 ft for special approval (freestanding center ID sign) | — |
| Theaters | 1 | — | — | — |
| Gas stations | 3 | 6 ft (unless taller mandated by state law) | 30 sq ft (unless larger required by state law) | — |
| Auto/motor vehicle sales | 11 | 18 in above vehicle roof | 72 sq ft per banner | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 8 ft | 72 sq ft per banner per street frontage | — |

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

### Retail/commercial, Commercial zones, Professional zones, CC, C-2, RC, HC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Parallel Attached Sign | — | — | — | — | Unlimited, but aggregate area limited per calculation | Building elevation facing street, parking lot or walkway with primary entrance | — | 18.26.100.C.1, F.2, F.2.f |
| Awning/Canopy/Marquee Sign | — | — | — | Min. 8 ft above sidewalk, 2 ft from face of curb. | — | On building awnings/canopies/marquees; may project over right-of-way. | — | 18.26.100.C.2, E.2 |
| Ground Sign | 6 ft | 32 sq ft (retail/commercial); 30 sq ft (industrial) | — | In front setback, landscaped area. | One per site | Landscaped portion of front setback | — | 18.26.100.C.3, E.3 |
| Freestanding Center Identification Sign (Business Centers > 1 acre) | 25 ft (general); 35 ft (within 750 ft of Hwy 99, >5 acre sites); 85 ft (commercial, special approval, highway oriented, >5 acre sites, >750 ft Hwy 99) | 150 sq ft per side (commercial, <750 ft of Hwy 99); 500 sq ft per side (commercial, >750 ft of Hwy 99, >5 acres); 150 sq ft per side (industrial >5 acres w/in 750 ft of Hwy 99) | — | Front setback, landscaped | 1–2 per business center, depending on frontage | Landscaped portion of front setback (not allowed for pad/properties separate from main building, except as highway oriented) | — | 18.26.100.F.1, F.1.b, H.3 |
| Reader Board | Not above ground or freestanding sign limits | Not above ground or freestanding sign limits | — | — | One | Integrated with ground/freestanding sign | — | 18.26.100.C.4, F.4 |
| Menu Board (Drive-Thru Uses) | 6 ft | 30 sq ft (combined per lane) | — | Not desirable in front setback, not allowed in required setback | Up to 2 per drive-thru lane | Not in required setback; not oriented to primary street frontage | — | 18.26.100.C.5 |
| Project Identification Monument Sign (Business Center) | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | One per business center | Adjacent to main entrance in landscaped front setback | — | 18.26.100.F.3 |
| Electronic Changeable Copy Sign | Lesser of maximum allowed sign height or 16 ft | 32 sq ft (part of ground sign) | — | — | One per site/business center | Ground sign in permitted locations | — | 18.26.110 |

### Auto/motor vehicle sales

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Pole Banner | — | 60 sq ft | — | — | One/two per permanent light standard or pole | Mounted at top and bottom on permanent light standards or poles | — | 18.26.100.K.1.a |
| Sno-cone/Fan Display Pole Banner | 12 ft | 8 ft width | 8 ft | — | One per permanent light standard/pole | Same as above | — | 18.26.100.K.1.b |
| Car Topper Sign | 18 in above vehicle roof | — | — | — | One per vehicle | Magnetically attached to vehicle top/hood | — | 18.26.100.K.1.c |
| Window Stickers | — | Unlimited | — | — | Unlimited | Vehicle windows | — | 18.26.100.K.1.e |
| Display Racks/Ramps | 6 ft above grade | — | — | Not in any setback | One per 100 ft of frontage | — | — | 18.26.100.K.1.f |
| Antenna (Slip-on) Pennant | May not project above antenna when fully extended | — | — | — | One per vehicle | Slip-on over antenna | — | 18.26.100.K.1.h |
| Banner (Auto Dealers) | — | 72 sq ft per banner | — | — | One per street frontage | Anywhere permanent sign permitted on property | — | 18.26.100.K.1.k |
| Tent/Awning Sign | 15 ft | 20 ft by 40 ft | 40 ft | — | One per site | — | — | 18.26.100.K.1.l |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Official Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As required by government function | — | 18.26.060.A |
| Interior Sign | — | — | — | — | — | In enclosed lobby/court and not visible from public right-of-way | — | 18.26.060.B |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of window area; painted holiday window signs: 50% of window area | — | — | — | Within or attached to window; facing outward | — | 18.26.060.C |
| Informational Sign | — | 2 sq ft per sign (unless state/federal law requires larger) | — | — | — | — | — | 18.26.060.D |
| Bulletin Board | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | For public, charitable or religious institutions on their premises | — | 18.26.060.L |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 8 ft | 40 sq ft | — | Min 10 ft from right-of-way | One per site | Min 10 ft from street right-of-way | — | 18.26.080.D |
| Freestanding Directional Sign | 6 ft | 12 sq ft per side; business identification cannot exceed half of sign area per face | — | — | At Director discretion | As determined appropriate by Director in multiple-family, professional, commercial or industrial zones | — | 18.26.090 |
| Temporary Banner (Special Event/Promo/Grand Opening) | — | 72 sq ft per banner per street frontage | — | Not above roofline or light standard/pole | One per street frontage/time | Front end of building/event or elsewhere on property where permanent sign permitted; not above roof or top of light standard/pole. | — | 18.26.080.A, B |

## Prohibited signs in Ceres

- No sign may be erected, placed, established, painted, created or maintained in the City except in conformance with the standards, procedures, exemptions, and other requirements of this chapter.
- Signs constituting a potential traffic hazard by being placed in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision of pedestrian traffic, or which simulate in size, color, lettering or design any traffic sign or signal.
- Signs within the public right-of-way, including those on street trees, utility poles, street signals, streetlights, street name signs, traffic warning signs or sidewalks, fences/walls, except official signs or other signs specifically permitted by section 18.26.060.
- Signs consisting of any moving, swinging, rotating, flashing, blinking or otherwise animated components, except barber poles, clocks, thermometers, or electronic changeable copy signs unless otherwise approved pursuant to section 18.26.110.
- Windblown devices and signs whose movement is designed to attract attention, such as feather flags/feather banners, pennants, flags, inflatable signs or balloons, inflatable animals (except those permitted by a temporary use permit) or similar signs, or reflective attachments to sign faces, unless otherwise specifically permitted or exempted.
- Vehicle signs or signs on or affixed to trucks, vans, automobiles, trailers or other vehicles which advertise, or provide direction to, a use or activity not related to the lawful making of deliveries or sales of merchandise or rendering of service from such vehicle.
- Portable signs or freestanding signs not permanently affixed, anchored or secured to the ground or structure on the lot they occupy, including A-frame signs, unless specifically allowed.
- Obstructing signs or signs erected in such a manner that any portion of their surface or supports will interfere in any way with the free use of any fire escape, exit or standpipe or obstruct any required stairway, door ventilator or window.
- Roof signs or any signs erected, constructed and maintained upon or over the roofline of any building.
- Any sign located on vacant or unoccupied property that was erected for a business which has since vacated.
- Permanent signs containing fluorescent colors as all or part of their copy.
- Off-site advertising or billboards are prohibited in all zones.
- Signs not maintained in good condition or which are dilapidated, unsafe, or hazardous to the public safety or welfare shall be repaired or removed.
- Any sign not constructed, installed, or maintained in accordance with the approved application shall be considered illegal.
- Any sign not legally erected or erected without a sign approval after the effective date of this chapter shall be considered illegal.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ceres

- Official signs posted pursuant to and in the discharge of any governmental function by public officials in the performance of their duties (including traffic and street name signs, as well as notices, emblems or other forms of identification and signs required by law).
- Sign groupings for the display of logos of nonprofit service organizations, where approved by the City Council, considered as official signs.
- Interior signs located in the enclosed lobby or court of any building or group of buildings, not visible from any public right-of-way.
- Window signs in windows not exceeding 25 percent of the window area.
- Painted window signs that celebrate recognized holidays, and are not commercial advertisements or sales, not exceeding 50 percent of the window area.
- Informational signs for the safety and convenience of the public such as 'restrooms,' 'danger,' up to two square feet per sign, unless a larger sign is otherwise required by State or Federal law.
- Nonilluminated and noncommercial yard signs in any number (subject to size, time, and location limits).
- Street addresses and nameplates not exceeding two square feet in area for single-family or two-family dwellings, and four square feet per sign for other uses; building directories of up to nine square feet.
- Seasonal decorations such as holiday greetings, decorations, and displays, excluding advertising signs disguised as seasonal decorations.
- Solid metal plaques or cut inscriptions (by recognized historical agencies or showing building name/date) not exceeding four square feet in area.
- Replacement of sign copy without increasing or decreasing the area of the sign, so long as the sign container and structure remain unchanged.
- Flags of any country, state, school or duly constituted governmental body, or charitable, civic or nonprofit organization, when not intended for advertising purposes.
- Sculpture, display, or decoration clearly intended to be a work of art rather than related to the use of the property, as determined by the Director of Community Development.
- Bulletin boards not over 24 square feet in area for public, charitable or religious institutions when on the same premises.
- One nonilluminated real estate sign per street frontage for sale/lease/rent/build to suit on the premises, within specified area/height limits.
- Three nonilluminated open house directional signs, each not exceeding three square feet per area and 42 inches in height, during daylight hours only, with content and location restrictions.
- One garage sale sign displayed only at the sale, during the sale's hours/dates, not to exceed six square feet and six feet in height, with a required garage sale permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign approval shall be obtained from the Planning Division before erection or display of any signs, except as provided by section 18.26.060 (exempt signs).
- A building permit is generally required for most types of new signs made of permanent materials, and must be obtained concurrent with or immediately following any sign approval required.
- A sign program approved by the Planning Commission in conjunction with any discretionary permit or approval is required for all new commercial and industrial centers consisting of four or more tenant spaces.
- The purpose of a sign program is to integrate signs with building and landscaping design to form a unified architectural statement, using criteria provided in the ordinance.
- Conditional Use Permit approval is required for electronic changeable copy signs (Section 18.26.110).
- For certain sign types or deviations (e.g., larger/illuminated monument signs in residential or business centers; theaters; freestanding signs over certain heights), approval of a conditional use permit or other discretionary permit by the Planning Commission is required.

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

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