# Sign Regulations in Dublin, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Dublin, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/dublin
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-06
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Dublin/#!/Dublin08/Dublin0884.html#8.84)

## At a glance

Dublin, California regulates 27 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (≤20 ft height)s in the Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District (C-N) zoning district are capped at 10 ft at property line; up to 20 ft with increased setback tall and 15 sq ft/side at property line; up to 150 sq ft/side with increased setback, with a Height/area bonuses based on setback from nearest street frontage property line setback (Sec. Matrix A Freestanding ≤20' (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.120 (A–K); Matrix B Freestanding (8.84.040)). Most commercial signs in Dublin require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft/side with ZC; 36 sq ft/side with SDR | — |
| Agricultural Zoning District (A) | 3 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft/side (ZC); 36 sq ft/side (SDR) | — |
| Single Family Residential Zoning District (R-1), Two Family Residential Zoning District (R-2) | 4 | 10 ft at property line; up to 20 ft with increased setback; up to 35 ft with SDR | 150 sq ft (250 sq ft with SDR) | — |
| Multi-Family Residential Zoning District (R-M) | 5 | 10 ft at property line; up to 20 ft with increased setback; up to 35 ft with SDR | 150 sq ft (250 sq ft with SDR) | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District (C-N) | 17 | Up to 35 ft with SDR; above 35 ft per Master Sign Program | 150 sq ft (250 sq ft with SDR); +25% area bonus if set back ≥100 ft | — |
| Commercial Office Zoning District (C-O) | 11 | 4 ft | 150 sq ft (250 sq ft with SDR); +25% area bonus if set back ≥100 ft | — |
| Retail Commercial Zoning District (C-1), General Commercial Zoning District (C-2), Downtown Dublin Zoning District (DDZD), Industrial Park Zoning District (M-P), Light Industrial Zoning District (M-1), Heavy Industrial Zoning District (M-2) | 16 | Up to 35 ft with SDR; above 35 ft with Master Sign Program | 150 sq ft (250 sq ft with SDR); +25% if set back ≥100 ft | — |
| Planned Development Zoning District (PD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Scarlett Court Overlay Zoning District | 1 | Per Master Sign Program/Site Development Review approval | Per Master Sign Program/Site Development Review approval | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District (C-N)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | 2 ft 6 in | 150 sq ft (250 sq ft with SDR); +25% area bonus if set back ≥100 ft | Max sign length 24 ft | — | 1 per business or tenant frontage; max 3 frontages | Same locations as wall signs; 1 per tenant frontage; max of 3 frontages. | — | DMC 8.84.050.A; Matrix A Awning (8.84.030); Matrix B Awning (8.84.040); 8.84.110 |
| Wall Sign | 2 ft 6 in (up to 3 ft on building faces ≥18 ft; or up to 4 ft high if ≤4 ft wide) | 150 sq ft (250 sq ft with SDR); +25% area bonus if set back ≥100 ft | Max sign length 24 ft (may increase with SDR) | — | 1 per tenant frontage; max 3 frontages | 1 per tenant frontage; maximum of 3 frontages. | — | Matrix A Wall (8.84.030); Matrix B Wall (8.84.040); DMC 8.84.110 |
| Freestanding Sign (≤20 ft height) | 10 ft at property line; up to 20 ft with increased setback | 15 sq ft/side at property line; up to 150 sq ft/side with increased setback | — | Height/area bonuses based on setback from nearest street frontage property line | 1 per parcel; 2 or more with Master Sign Program | In a landscape planter; not closer than 50 ft to Interstate freeway right-of-way; permitted within required yards; may be at main entrances with a Master Sign Program. | — | Matrix A Freestanding ≤20' (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.120 (A–K); Matrix B Freestanding (8.84.040) |
| Special Easement Sign | 4 ft | 24 sq ft/side | 6 ft max length | — | 1 | Within immediate vicinity of the business; on parcel without direct access/frontage; parcels must be connected by non-revocable recorded vehicular access easement. | — | Matrix A Special Easement (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.050.N; Matrix B Special Easement (8.84.040) |
| Reader Board Sign - Electronic (Wall-Mounted) | Per wall sign limits | Per wall sign limits (e.g., up to 150 sq ft; 250 sq ft with SDR). | Per wall sign limits | — | Per underlying wall sign allowances | Per wall sign location limits. | — | Matrix A Reader Board, Electronic (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.050.I; 8.84.110 |
| Reader Board Sign - Electronic (Freestanding) | Per freestanding sign limits (up to 20 ft by setback formula; up to 35 ft with SDR). | Per freestanding sign limits (area scales with setback; up to 150 sq ft/side unless MSP allows more). | — | Per 8.84.120 | Per underlying freestanding sign allowances | Per freestanding sign location limits. | — | Matrix A Reader Board, Electronic (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.050.I; 8.84.120 |
| Reader Board Sign - Manual (Wall-Mounted) | Per wall sign limits. | Per wall sign limits. | Per wall sign limits. | — | Per underlying wall sign allowances | Per wall sign location limits. | — | Matrix A Reader Board, Manual (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.050.I; 8.84.110 |
| Reader Board Sign - Manual (Freestanding) | Per freestanding sign limits. | Per freestanding sign limits (up to 150 sq ft/side, scales with setback). | — | Per 8.84.120 | Per underlying freestanding sign allowances | Per freestanding sign location limits. | — | Matrix A Reader Board, Manual (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.050.I; 8.84.120 |

### Commercial Office Zoning District (C-O)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | 2 ft 6 in | 150 sq ft (250 sq ft with SDR); +25% area bonus if set back ≥100 ft | Max sign length 24 ft | — | 1 per tenant frontage; max 3 frontages | Same as wall signs; 1 per tenant frontage; max 3 frontages. | — | DMC 8.84.050.A; Matrix A Awning (8.84.030); Matrix B Awning (8.84.040); 8.84.110 |
| Wall Sign | 2 ft 6 in (up to 3 ft on building faces ≥18 ft; or up to 4 ft high if ≤4 ft wide) | 150 sq ft (250 sq ft with SDR); +25% area bonus if set back ≥100 ft | Max sign length 24 ft (may increase with SDR) | — | 1 per tenant frontage; max 3 frontages | 1 per tenant frontage; maximum of 3 frontages. | — | Matrix A Wall (8.84.030); Matrix B Wall (8.84.040); DMC 8.84.110 |
| Projecting Sign | 2 ft 6 in (may be increased via SDR) | 16 sq ft/side (may be increased via SDR) | — | — | 1 per business | Middle one-third of front wall (modifiable with SDR). | — | Matrix A Projecting (8.84.030); Matrix B Projecting (8.84.040); DMC 8.84.110.C |
| Pedestrian/Shingle Sign | — | 5 sq ft/side | — | — | 1 per elevation (max 2 for corner suites) | Suspended from canopy over sidewalk directly in front of the business door. | — | Matrix A Pedestrian/Shingle (8.84.030); Matrix B Pedestrian/Shingle (8.84.040); DMC 8.84.050.G |
| Special Easement Sign | 4 ft | 24 sq ft/side | 6 ft max length | — | 1 | Within immediate vicinity of the business; on parcel without direct access/frontage; parcels must be connected by non-revocable recorded vehicular access easement. | — | Matrix A Special Easement (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.050.N; Matrix B Special Easement (8.84.040) |
| Reader Board Sign - Electronic (Wall-Mounted) | Per wall sign limits. | Per wall sign limits. | Per wall sign limits. | — | Per underlying wall sign allowances | Per wall sign limits. | — | Matrix A Reader Board, Electronic (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.050.I; 8.84.110 |
| Reader Board Sign - Manual (Wall-Mounted) | Per wall sign limits. | Per wall sign limits. | Per wall sign limits. | — | Per underlying wall sign allowances | Per wall sign limits. | — | Matrix A Reader Board, Manual (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.050.I; 8.84.110 |
| Banner Sign (Temporary) | Not higher than the eave of the structure | 60 sq ft | — | — | Up to 2 per permit | 1 on tenant frontage and 1 on street frontage (or up to two street frontages if ≥200 ft apart, in lieu of building frontage). | — | Matrix A Banner (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.050.O.2 |

### Retail Commercial Zoning District (C-1), General Commercial Zoning District (C-2), Downtown Dublin Zoning District (DDZD), Industrial Park Zoning District (M-P), Light Industrial Zoning District (M-1), Heavy Industrial Zoning District (M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | 2 ft 6 in | 150 sq ft (250 sq ft with SDR); +25% if set back ≥100 ft | Max sign length 24 ft | — | 1 per tenant frontage; max 3 frontages | Same as wall signs; 1 per tenant frontage; max 3 frontages. | — | DMC 8.84.050.A; Matrix A Awning (8.84.030); Matrix B Awning (8.84.040); 8.84.110 |
| Wall Sign | 2 ft 6 in (up to 3 ft on building faces ≥18 ft; or up to 4 ft high if ≤4 ft wide) | 150 sq ft (250 sq ft with SDR); +25% if set back ≥100 ft | Max sign length 24 ft (may increase with SDR) | — | 1 per tenant frontage; max 3 frontages | 1 per tenant frontage; maximum of 3 frontages. | — | Matrix A Wall (8.84.030); Matrix B Wall (8.84.040); DMC 8.84.110 |
| Freestanding Sign (≤20 ft height) | 10 ft at property line; up to 20 ft with increased setback | 15 sq ft/side at property line; up to 150 sq ft/side with increased setback | — | Height/area bonuses based on setback from nearest street frontage property line | 1 per parcel; 2 or more with Master Sign Program | In a landscape planter; not closer than 50 ft to Interstate freeway right-of-way; permitted within required yards; may be at main entrances with a Master Sign Program. | — | Matrix A Freestanding ≤20' (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.120 (A–K); Matrix B Freestanding (8.84.040) |
| Freestanding Sign (>20 ft height) | Up to 35 ft with SDR; above 35 ft with Master Sign Program | Per 8.84.120 (generally up to 150 sq ft/side unless MSP allows more) | — | Per 8.84.120 | 1 per parcel; more with Master Sign Program | Same as freestanding signs. | — | Matrix A Freestanding >20' (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.120(I); Matrix B Freestanding (8.84.040) |
| Special Easement Sign | 4 ft | 24 sq ft/side | 6 ft max length | — | 1 | Within immediate vicinity of the business; on parcel without direct access/frontage; parcels must be connected by non-revocable recorded vehicular access easement. | — | Matrix A Special Easement (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.050.N; Matrix B Special Easement (8.84.040) |
| Reader Board Sign - Electronic (Wall-Mounted) | Per wall sign limits. | Per wall sign limits. | Per wall sign limits. | — | Per underlying wall sign allowances | Per wall sign limits. | — | Matrix A Reader Board, Electronic (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.050.I; 8.84.110 |
| Reader Board Sign - Electronic (Freestanding) | Per freestanding sign limits. | Per freestanding sign limits. | — | Per 8.84.120 | Per underlying freestanding sign allowances | Per freestanding sign limits. | — | Matrix A Reader Board, Electronic (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.050.I; 8.84.120 |
| Reader Board Sign - Manual (Wall-Mounted) | Per wall sign limits. | Per wall sign limits. | Per wall sign limits. | — | Per underlying wall sign allowances | Per wall sign limits. | — | Matrix A Reader Board, Manual (8.84.030); DMC 8.84.050.I; 8.84.110 |

## Prohibited signs in Dublin

- Signs with blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights or any illuminating device with changing light intensity, brightness, or color are prohibited.
- Obscene signs are prohibited.
- Signs located within the public right-of-way or on public property are prohibited, except official public signs, certain utility/transit informational signs, and emergency warning signs.
- Pennants attached directly or indirectly to any structure or pole are prohibited.
- Privately owned signs that resemble public directional signs or traffic control devices are prohibited.
- Signs using reflective colors are prohibited.
- Commercial signs that rotate, move, contain moving parts, depict animation, or are held by a human being are prohibited.
- Any sign extending above the roof ridge line or parapet is prohibited.
- Streamers attached directly or indirectly to any structure or pole are prohibited.
- Signs that create a traffic hazard or obstruct/interfere with a motorist’s vision of traffic signals are prohibited.
- Signs mounted on a sloping roof with visible support brackets are prohibited.
- Signs designed to emit sound, odor, or visible matter are prohibited.
- Vehicular signs that exceed nine (9) square feet per panel/side or are displayed longer than twenty-four (24) consecutive hours or eighty-four (84) hours in any seven (7) day period are prohibited.
- External illumination is prohibited unless installed on private property and hooded or shielded so the light source is not visible from public streets, alleys, highways, or adjoining properties.
- Plastic-faced signs with white internally illuminated backgrounds are not permitted except pursuant to a Zoning Clearance.
- Neon, bare fluorescent tubes, or incandescent bulbs are not permitted except pursuant to a Site Development Review Permit.
- Signs shall not obstruct pedestrian circulation.
- Signs shall not project into a public right-of-way.

## Signs exempt from permit in Dublin

- A-Frame signs meeting quantity, size, height, materials, location, stabilization, copy, and daily removal standards are exempt from permit.
- Direction/Warning signs for public safety (including pedestrian and vehicular traffic), up to eight (8) square feet per sign, and pavement marking signs are exempt from permit.
- Flags that do not contain commercial messages are exempt from permit.
- House numbers, name plates, mailbox identification, street names, no-trespass signs, and other warning signs (with specified size limits) are exempt from permit.
- California State Lottery signs approved by the Lottery Commission are exempt from permit.
- Murals without commercial messages are exempt from permit.
- Official public signs erected by or on the order of a public official or agency are exempt from permit.
- Real Estate Directional (open house) signs are exempt from permit when meeting quantity, placement, attachment, proximity, intersection, tag/attachment, size/height, display time, authorization, and enforcement standards.
- Real Estate signs for sale/lease/rent are exempt from permit when meeting size, number, height, material, and location standards.
- Seasonal lights and seasonal decorations may be displayed for up to sixty (60) consecutive days without a permit; seasonal balloons used in conjunction with a seasonal event are exempt in Residential Zoning Districts.
- Temporary Non-Commercial signs are exempt from permit when meeting duration, removal, private property permission, individual and aggregate area, and interstate/right-of-way placement standards.
- Vehicular signs under nine (9) square feet per panel/side that meet on-site location and time limits and are not used solely as sign platforms are exempt from permit.
- Window signs that do not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the contiguous window area are exempt from permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Master Sign Program/Site Development Review Permit is required for signs for a new retail, office, or industrial complex on four (4) or more acres with 40,000 square feet or more of gross floor area; a new automobile dealership; or any buildings more than two (2) stories high.
- In a Planned Development (PD) Zoning District, signage must be established through a Master Sign Program in the PD ordinance; modifications to the adopted Master Sign Program may be approved via a Site Development Review Permit.
- Freestanding signs: more than one per parcel, signage at two or more main entrances, heights above thirty-five (35) feet, and areas greater than one hundred fifty (150) square feet per side may be allowed only through a Master Sign Program.
- Wall sign area allowances may be exceeded through approval of a Master Sign Program.
- Off-Site Advertising signs are permitted only in the M-1 zoning district within the Scarlett Court Overlay and require approval of an MSP/SDR (Master Sign Program/Site Development Review); they are not permitted elsewhere.
- Real Estate Residential Development Directional signs require a standardized Sign Plan approved via Site Development Review; the plan must show locations of each sign and any design modifications require a Site Development Review Waiver.
- A Sign Exception to any regulation in the chapter may be applied for and is processed as a Variance (Chapter 8.112) subject to specific findings.
- A Master Sign Program must include indications of quantity, locations, dimensions, colors, design, method of illumination, and sign types of all signs on a developed site.

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

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