# Sign Regulations in Cupertino, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cupertino, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/cupertino
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-13
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://codehub.gridics.com/us/ca/cupertino#/d3ef8742-594e-4e92-bb0d-0fbb09d855bd/962c7204-bd6a-413e-a2ae-b96987bcaf64)

## At a glance

Cupertino, California regulates 38 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Portable Signs/Displays (A-frame/Sandwich Board)s in the General Commercial Zone (CG) zoning district are capped at 3–4 ft tall, 8 sq ft, and 2 ft wide, with a 2 ft from curb; maintain 5 ft walkway; 15 ft from bus stops; 4 ft from disabled parking setback (Sec. CMC 19.104.270(F)). Most commercial signs in Cupertino require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 6 ft | Combined area up to 64 sq ft (two signs or banners combined) | — |
| Residential Districts (RHS, R1C, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4) | 8 | Up to 20 ft above ground | 32 sq ft | — |
| General Commercial Zone (CG) | 13 | Tethered balloons ≤25 ft above building | 200 sq ft | — |
| Administrative and Professional Office District (O-A); Planned Office (OP) | 7 | Balloons ≤25 ft above building | 100 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial Zone (ML); Industrial Park (MP) | 7 | Balloons ≤25 ft above building | 200 sq ft | — |
| Institutional Districts (BA, BQ) | 6 | Balloons ≤25 ft above building | 100 sq ft | — |
| All non-residential areas | 6 | 8 ft (overall height measured from closest curb) | 100 sq ft | — |
| All except residential districts | 4 | 8–12 ft above pedestrian walkway | Up to 10 sq ft (each permitted sign) | — |
| Special Planning Districts (Monta Vista Design Guidelines) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Heart of the City (Specific Plan District) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### Residential Districts (RHS, R1C, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plates, Street or Unit Numbers | — | Up to 2 sq ft | — | — | One or more | Residential properties | — | CMC Table 19.104.190(B); 19.104.100(J) |
| Development Identification Sign (Interior Lot) | 5 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | At major entry for interior lots | — | CMC Table 19.104.190(C) |
| Development Identification Signs (Corner Development) | 5 ft | 32 sq ft (each) | — | — | 2 | One on each street front for corner developments | — | CMC Table 19.104.190(C) |
| Residential Real Estate – On-site Freestanding | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | Per 19.104.240 for any placement in/near ROW | 1 per frontage (max 2) | On the residential property for sale/lease/rent | — | CMC Table 19.104.260(A) & 19.104.100(H) |
| Residential Real Estate – Building Mounted Banner (In lieu of one freestanding) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 (in lieu of freestanding) | Building-mounted on the residential property | — | CMC Table 19.104.260(A)(2) |
| Residential Real Estate – Off-site For Sale/Rent Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | Per 19.104.240 | 1 | Off-site within public ROW or on private property with consent, subject to 19.104.240 | — | CMC Table 19.104.260(A)(3); 19.104.240 |
| Garage Sale Signs (Temporary) | 6 ft | 8 sq ft | — | Per 19.104.240 for public ROW | Up to 4 total (1 on-site, 3 off-site) | On-site and off-site as allowed | — | CMC Table 19.104.250(B); 19.104.240 |
| Flags – Residential Model Homes (Temporary) | Up to 20 ft above ground | 4 sq ft (per flag; no more than 2 sides) | — | — | Two flag poles per model home | At model homes in new residential developments | — | CMC Table 19.104.250(A) |

### General Commercial Zone (CG)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Commercial & Industrial) | — | 200 sq ft | — | Projection into public ROW ≤12 inches with required clearances | 1 per frontage; +1 additional under listed conditions | Building-mounted; shall not project above roof or top of parapet unless integral to face of architectural projection; any projecting portion may extend ≤12 in. into public ROW with clearance ≥15 ft over vehicular areas and ≥8 ft over pedestrian areas | — | CMC Table 19.104.140 (Commercial & Industrial) |
| Permanent Window Signs | — | Up to 25% of each storefront bay; neon window sign up to 4 sq ft; 1 OPEN sign up to 2 sq ft exempt | — | — | One or more | In windows of storefront bays | — | CMC Table 19.104.150(A); 19.104.280 |
| Electronic Readerboard Sign (Ground Sign for qualified centers) | Per Ground Sign limit (up to 8 ft) | Per Ground Sign limits (up to 100 sq ft total sign area; see ground sign rules) | — | Same as Ground Signs (e.g., ≥1 ft from ROW; spacing from other ground signs; sight triangles) | 1 per eligible center | Ground sign location, not closer than 500 ft from any residential district on the same street; must also meet ground sign location criteria | — | CMC Table 19.104.180(A) |
| Changeable Copy (within Wall Sign Area) | — | Included within allowed wall sign area | — | — | N/A (component of wall sign) | On building as part of wall sign | — | CMC Table 19.104.180(B) |
| Gasoline Station – Ground Sign | Per 19.104.160 (8 ft) | Per 19.104.160 (counts include price panel if integrated) | — | Per 19.104.160 | 1 | On-site per ground sign location rules | — | CMC Table 19.104.170(B) |
| Gasoline Station – Fuel Price Ground Sign (integrated) | Per ground sign | Included in max area of ground sign | — | Per ground sign | As part of ground sign | Integrated into ground sign | — | CMC Table 19.104.170(C) |
| Promotional Devices (Temporary) | Tethered balloons ≤25 ft above building | — | — | Must not be in required landscape front setback | Per permit limits | On-site; may be allowed in public ROW with Director & Public Works approval based on traffic/environment impact | — | CMC 19.104.270(D) |
| Portable Signs/Displays (A-frame/Sandwich Board) | 3–4 ft | 8 sq ft | 2 ft | 2 ft from curb; maintain 5 ft walkway; 15 ft from bus stops; 4 ft from disabled parking | 1 per business location (per permit) | On private property or public ROW where approved; must not be in areas used by public for vehicular/pedestrian traffic or create safety issues; must maintain minimum pedestrian walkway clearances | — | CMC 19.104.270(F) |

### Administrative and Professional Office District (O-A); Planned Office (OP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Office & Institutional) | — | 40 sq ft | — | Projection into public ROW ≤12 inches with required clearances | 1 per frontage; +1 additional under listed conditions | Building-mounted; shall not project above roof or top of parapet unless integral to architectural projection; any projecting portion may extend ≤12 in. into public ROW with clearance ≥15 ft over vehicular and ≥8 ft over pedestrian areas | — | CMC Table 19.104.140 (Office & Institutional) |
| Ground Sign | 8 ft (overall, measured from closest curb) | 100 sq ft | — | ≥1 ft from public ROW; not within corner/sidewalk sight triangle | 1 if ≥100 ft frontage; 2 if ≥500 ft frontage | Wholly on the property where the use is located. Corner properties: locate on street frontage with site address. Interior lots <200 ft frontage: within center 50% of frontage; interior lots ≥200 ft: ≥50 ft from side property line. | — | CMC Table 19.104.160; Appendix A; 19.104.190(A) |
| Blade Sign | Mounted between 8 ft and 12 ft above pedestrian walkway | 6.5 sq ft | — | — | Max 2 (one per frontage) | Projecting over pedestrian walkway | — | CMC Table 19.104.150(B); 19.104.100(P) |
| Logos, Symbols or Insignia | — | 9 sq ft | — | — | Per 19.104.140 allowances | Same as wall sign rules | — | CMC Table 19.104.150(C); 19.104.190 |
| Freeway Orientation – Wall Sign (within 660 ft of landscaped freeway) | — | Per 19.104.140 | — | — | Max 2 | Building-mounted; oriented to street system unless freeway orientation approved | — | CMC Table 19.104.200(A),(C) |
| Portable Signs/Displays (A-frame/Sandwich Board) | 3–4 ft | 8 sq ft | 2 ft | As listed | 1 per business location (per permit) | On-site, in safe locations maintaining pedestrian clearance | — | CMC 19.104.270(F) |
| Temporary Special Event Banner and Promotional Devices | Balloons ≤25 ft above building | Banner: ≤100 sq ft; devices per Director determination | — | Do not place devices in required landscaped front setback | Per permit limits | Building-mounted banners; on-site promotional devices; limited potential placement in public ROW with approvals | — | CMC 19.104.270(C)–(E) |

## Prohibited signs in Cupertino

- No sign may be erected, relocated, or maintained so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, fire escape, driveway, sidewalk, or bike path (19.104.080).
- Advertising statuary is prohibited (19.104.110.A).
- Animated signs are prohibited, except for temporary banners, flags, pennants and balloons permitted under temporary sign rules, and electronic readerboard signs where specifically allowed (19.104.110.B, 19.104.180).
- Audible signs or advertising displays that emit sound, odor, or visible matter are prohibited (19.104.110.C).
- Off-site signs are prohibited except where expressly allowed for certain temporary/political/subdivision/real estate signs (19.104.110.D; 19.104.240, 19.104.250, 19.104.260).
- Portable signs are prohibited except as allowed under the temporary portable sign permit process (19.104.110.E; 19.104.270.F).
- Permanent roof signs are prohibited (19.104.110.F).
- Signs that resemble or conflict with traffic-control devices or the safe and efficient flow of traffic are prohibited (19.104.110.G).
- Use of vehicles/trailers as signs to attract or direct customers is prohibited when parked and visible from a public right-of-way, except standard advertising on business vehicles actively in use and not in violation of parking rules (19.104.110.H).
- Guy wires or cable supports used to brace a sign shall not be visible (19.104.090.D).
- No sign shall be suspended by chains or other devices that allow the sign to swing (19.104.090.E).
- Internally illuminated signs shall not have a directly visible light source (19.104.220.F).
- Sign color and illumination shall not produce distraction to motorists or nearby residents (19.104.220.G).
- All exterior lighting must be placed so the light source is not visible from off-site (19.104.230.D).
- Illuminated signs not part of a security lighting system must be turned off at 11:00 p.m. or within two hours after the business closes, whichever is later (19.104.230.C).
- Abandoned or discontinued signs (relating to a business, occupation, or time no longer applicable) are prohibited and must be removed or blanked out within 30 days (19.104.320).
- Temporary signs are prohibited on public property and in the public right-of-way except as expressly allowed and subject to location/time/size restrictions (19.104.240.A–C).

## Signs exempt from permit in Cupertino

- Directory signs located within the interior of a project and not oriented to a public street (19.104.100.A).
- Garage sale signs compliant with Section 19.104.250 and Chapter 5.16 (19.104.100.B).
- Governmental/regulatory signs (traffic control, street signs, danger signs, public service company safety signs) (19.104.100.C).
- Non-illuminated identification signs for a business/profession under 2 sq. ft., located on a building, mall, or office complex (19.104.100.D).
- On-site informational/directional signs under 4 sq. ft. with no more than 33% of the sign devoted to business identification (19.104.100.E).
- Political signs per Section 19.104.250 (19.104.100.F).
- Public notices/posters legally required by a government agency (19.104.100.G).
- Residential real estate for sale/lease/rent signs per Section 19.104.260 (19.104.100.H).
- Non-residential real estate for sale/lease/rent signs per Section 19.104.260 (19.104.100.I).
- Street address numbers in all districts when not used as advertising (19.104.100.J).
- Logos, symbols, insignias, commemorative plaques, and identification emblems of religious orders or historical agencies that are placed on or cut into the structure, are not internally illuminated, and do not exceed 9 sq. ft. (19.104.100.K).
- Window signs subject to Sections 19.104.150 and 19.104.280; one OPEN sign up to 2 sq. ft. is exempt from window coverage limits (19.104.100.L).
- Bus shelter signs installed in Santa Clara County Transit Agency shelters (19.104.100.M).
- Civic/City‑sponsored event signs on City property (19.104.100.N).
- State/federal mandated signs (including State lottery and certified smog station signs) (19.104.100.O).
- Pedestrian‑oriented blade signs that are not internally illuminated, less than 6.5 sq. ft., and installed 8–12 ft. above pedestrian walkways (19.104.100.P).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A comprehensive Sign Program is required for any development in commercial, office, industrial, institutional, or residential districts with four or more tenant spaces on the same parcel (19.104.130.A.1).
- A Sign Program must be adopted at initial construction of a new project; existing developments without a program must adopt one when the first tenant requests a change of face; all subsequent changes of face must conform to the adopted program (19.104.130.A.2).
- Sign Program application must include: accurate site plan; computations of proposed/allowed maximum total sign area, maximum area per sign, sign height, and number of freestanding signs; and specifications on sign type, lighting, locations, materials, proportions, and other Director‑required information (19.104.130.B).
- Director may approve a Sign Program upon findings that it complies with chapter purpose, proposes creative/harmonious signs, and accommodates future revisions (19.104.130.C).
- Minor modifications to sign standards may be approved through a Sign Program if unique site/building circumstances exist, the design is uniquely high quality, and it provides high quality graphic character (19.104.130.D).
- Businesses in Special Planning Districts (e.g., Monta Vista Design Guidelines, Heart of the City Specific Plan, or other Specific Plans) are subject to the sign regulations of those plans; for items not addressed in those plans, this chapter applies (19.104.120).
- An exception (variance‑like relief) to sign regulations may be granted by the Approval Body if strict enforcement is inconsistent with the intent, the exception is not detrimental to public health/safety/welfare, and it is the minimum necessary (19.104.290).

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

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