# Sign Regulations in Citrus Heights, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Citrus Heights, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/citrus-heights
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Citrus_Heights/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH106ZO_CH106.38SI)

## At a glance

Citrus Heights, California regulates 25 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Noncommercial Signs in the Any zoning district zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 50 sf cumulative per lot, with a 5 ft from property line setback (Sec. 106.38.035.D.3). Most commercial signs in Citrus Heights require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 48 in. | May not exceed 25% of combined ground/second floor window area. | — |
| Residential zoning districts, Residential SPA | 4 | 6 ft (may be increased by 1 ft per extra setback up to 10 ft) | 100 sf for combined freestanding signs | — |
| Commercial zoning districts, Industrial zoning districts, Nonresidential SPA | 7 | AC Zone: 30 ft with 10 ft setback; BP/GC/LC/MP/SC: 5 ft (may be up to 25 ft with extra setback) | Min 25 sf. Max area includes all wall/awning/projecting/suspended/window signs per tenant. See wall sign notes. | — |
| AC zone, BP zone, GC zone, LC zone, MP zone, SC zone | 2 | 30 ft | — | — |
| Sunrise Boulevard/Greenback Lane Special Sign District | 3 | 10 ft (may be increased by 1 ft per extra setback to max of 12 ft) | 100 sf | — |
| Any zoning district | 6 | 8 ft | 50 sf cumulative per lot | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | May be located on any primary or secondary structure frontage. Cannot project more than 18 inches from the surface to which attached. Not to interfere with doors or windows, nor cover prominent architectural features. | — | 106.38.050, 106.38.070.L |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | Minimum 5 ft from public right-of-way, plus 1 ft per foot of height over 5 ft, up to 25 ft, unless zone otherwise specifies. | 1 per street frontage <300 ft; plus 1 per additional 300 ft frontage or fraction thereof | On the same site as the subject; cannot project over public property or obstruct traffic sight lines. | — | 106.38.070.E |
| Projecting Sign | Top no higher than lowest of: 14 ft, eave, parapet, or sill of 2nd floor window. Min. 8 ft from bottom to grade. | 9 sf per face | — | — | — | No more than 36 in. projection over sidewalk; larger projections over private property may be approved. Requires Encroachment Permit for public ROW projection. | — | 106.38.070.I |
| Awning Sign | Ground/second floor only. At least 1 foot below top of parapet, sill of 2nd floor window, and lowest cornice/roof. | — | — | — | — | Ground level or second floor facade awnings. | — | 106.38.070.B |
| Window Sign | — | May not exceed 25% of combined ground/second floor window area. | — | — | — | On ground or 2nd floor window; not higher. | — | 106.38.070.M |
| A-board/Portable Sidewalk Sign | 48 in. | — | 30 in. | — | 1 per street frontage | Private property inside business street frontage within commercial/industrial zones only where owner has used all permanent sign allowances and entry is 150 ft+ from primary street. | — | 106.38.070.A |
| Directional/Directory Sign | — | 10 sf (Director may approve more for special sites) | — | 5 ft from ROW, plus 1 ft per foot over 5 ft, up to 25 ft. | See additional requirements | Setback min. 5 ft from public right-of-way, plus 1 ft per ft of height over 5 ft (max 25 ft). Cannot project over public property or block traffic sight. | — | 106.38.070.C |

### Commercial zoning districts, Industrial zoning districts, Nonresidential SPA

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | Max: At least 1 foot below top of parapet, sill of 2nd floor window, and/or lowest cornice/roof overhang | Min 25 sf. Max area includes all wall/awning/projecting/suspended/window signs per tenant. See wall sign notes. | — | — | — | Ground or 2nd floor building facade only. | — | 106.38.060.C (Table 3-12), 106.38.070.B |
| Freestanding Sign | AC Zone: 30 ft with 10 ft setback; BP/GC/LC/MP/SC: 5 ft (may be up to 25 ft with extra setback) | — | — | See above; 5 ft (may go larger with setback), AC is 10 ft for 30 ft height. | — | On parcel; see setbacks | — | 106.38.060.C (Table 3-12), Section Notes |
| Wall Sign | At least 1 ft below top of parapet, 2nd floor window sill, or lowest cornice/roof overhang. | — | — | — | — | On primary or secondary structure frontage. | — | 106.38.060.C (Table 3-12) |
| Projecting or Suspended Sign | Below eave/canopy, 8 ft min clearance for suspended. Projecting: Top not above lowest of 14 ft, eave, 2nd floor sill, parapet. | — | — | — | — | May project up to 36 in over sidewalk; suspended below eave/canopy. | — | 106.38.060.C (Table 3-12), 106.38.070.I |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of ground/second floor window area | — | — | — | Ground or second floor windows. | — | 106.38.070.M |
| Temporary/Portable Sign | — | — | — | — | — | See 106.38.070.I & 106.38.070.K for specifics. | — | 106.38.060.C Table 3-12, 106.38.070.K |
| Directory Sign | — | For sites with 4+ tenants, extra freestanding identification sign of 0.25 sf per linear ft of total primary structure frontage up to 100 sf max. | — | — | 1 extra for sites with 4+ tenants | Freestanding sign on site with 4+ tenants. | — | 106.38.060.C Table 3-12 |

### Any zoning district

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Developed/Improved Property, Commercial, Industrial, Multi-Family, Residential or Nonresidential SPA) | — | 16 sf (10 ft setback); 24 sf (15 ft setback); 32 sf (25 ft setback) | — | See sign area/setback table | — | On developed/improved property, not in public or private ROW. | — | 106.38.035.D.1 |
| Real Estate Sign (Undeveloped/Unimproved Property) | — | 24 sf | — | 25 ft minimum setback from right-of-way | — | On undeveloped/unimproved property | — | 106.38.035.D.1 |
| Construction Sign | 8 ft | 32 sf | — | — | 1 per site | On site only, not allowed if on-site subdivision sign is approved | — | 106.38.035.D.2 |
| Noncommercial Sign | 6 ft | 50 sf cumulative per lot | — | 5 ft from property line | — | On private property with owner's consent, not within 5 ft of property line, not within 15 ft of hydrants/signals, not in ROW. | — | 106.38.035.D.3 |
| Directional/Directory Sign (On-site) | — | 10 sf (Director may approve more) | — | 5 ft from ROW, plus 1 ft per foot of height over 5 ft (max 25 ft) | See requirements | On-site, setbacks per 106.38.070.C | — | 106.38.070.C |
| Electronic Message Display Sign | — | Up to 50% of monument sign area | — | — | 1 per site | Freestanding sign in commercial or residential zones. Residential require 100 ft min from nearest residential building. | — | 106.38.070.D |

## Prohibited signs in Citrus Heights

- All signs not expressly allowed by this Chapter are prohibited unless allowed through an Exception to Sign Regulations application.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Animated, moving, variable intensity, blinking, or flashing signs, or signs that emit a varying intensity of light or color are prohibited, except for specific allowable electronic message displays for time and temperature, barber poles, and electronic message boards when permitted.
- Off-site signs (such as billboards and signs on vehicles parked for longer than necessary for delivery/pick-up), except as specifically allowed, are prohibited.
- Obscene signs as defined by State law are prohibited.
- Pole signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs that simulate, in color, size, or design, any traffic control sign or signal, or that use words/symbols/characters to interfere with, mislead, or confuse pedestrian or vehicular traffic are prohibited.
- Signs in the form or shape of a directional arrow, or displaying a directional arrow, except as approved or required for safety and convenience, are prohibited.
- Signs painted on, attached to, or suspended from vehicles or movable objects parked or located to be visible from the public right-of-way longer than necessary for legitimate delivery/pick-up are prohibited, except for signs that are smaller than a single door panel affixed to vehicles.
- Signs marked on or affixed to rocks, trees, or other natural features are prohibited.
- Signs placed within a public right-of-way are prohibited, except as specifically provided.
- Temporary and portable signs are prohibited, except as specifically allowed. This includes balloons, other inflatable devices, flags (except official flags), and pennants/streamers (except as allowed for events or specifically permitted types).
- Individual letters mounted on an exposed electrical raceway (not directly on a building wall), unless the raceway is an integral design component determined by the Director, are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Citrus Heights

- Modifications to sign copy on conforming signs, or changes to the face or copy of a conforming changeable copy sign.
- Nonstructural modifications to the face or copy of an existing conforming sign installed in compliance with a master sign plan, provided modifications are consistent with the plan.
- Normal maintenance of conforming signs.
- Street identification and house identification signs not exceeding one square foot.
- Open, closed, and hours of operation signs not exceeding two square feet.
- Real estate signs in compliance with requirements and state law.
- Construction identification signs meeting specified limitations.
- Noncommercial signs meeting area, height, illumination, setback, and other requirements.
- Governmental signs installed by Federal, State, City, County, or local agencies (emergency, safety, traffic, legal notices, public facility location, official communications, etc.).
- Street address numbers not exceeding 12 inches in height.
- Flags of national, State, or local governments, or recognized religious, fraternal, or public service agencies meeting size and placement restrictions.
- Symbols, pictures, patterns, and illumination approved by the City as architectural ornamentation or decoration.
- Artistic banners without advertising, as approved by the Director.
- Historical markers, memorials, building cornerstones, and date-constructed stones placed by non-profit organizations.
- Service station price signs required by State law, provided the signs are monument type (structure requires a building permit).
- Window signs in compliance with the City's window sign section.
- Traffic control signs on private property as required by the City or approved by the City Engineer.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign shall be constructed, installed, or modified unless a building permit and, where applicable, a master sign plan approval is first obtained in compliance with this Chapter, or the sign is allowed without sign permit by exemption.
- A master sign plan is required for new nonresidential projects with four or more tenants.
- A master sign plan is required for major rehabilitation of existing nonresidential projects with four or more tenants (including remodeling or modification to 50% or more of existing signs within 12 months, or significant increases in floor area/facade redesign).
- A master sign plan is required for nonresidential projects requesting an exception to sign regulations.
- The Director may refer any sign permit or master sign plan application to the Commission for review/decision, or may require conditions of approval.
- Approval of a sign permit or master sign plan requires specific findings of compliance with sign standards, design criteria, placement, safety, and compatibility.
- Permit or plan for a sign cannot be approved unless the sign complies with all requirements of the chapter.
- Revisions to a master sign plan may be approved by the Director.
- Signs not in compliance with the approved sign permit/plan may be subject to enforcement.
- Sign permits or master sign plan denials are appealable.
- Certain sign types (e.g., murals, freeway-oriented, electronic message displays, temporary subdivision signs) require special review, findings, or permits beyond a master sign plan.

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

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