# Sign Regulations in Elk Grove, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Elk Grove, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/elk-grove
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-11
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/ElkGrove/#!/ElkGrove23/ElkGrove2362.html#23.62.020)

## At a glance

Elk Grove, California regulates 67 sign types across 29 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - General Standards in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Per Table 23.62-2 by district; see zone-specific entries tall and Per Table 23.62-2 by district; see zone-specific entries, with a Minimum 10 ft from back of public ROW; further from ultimate ROW if not yet improved; encroachment permit may allow placement pending future relocation setback (Sec. EGMC 23.62.110(D)(1)-(6); 23.62.120(C)(4)). Most commercial signs in Elk Grove require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (29 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 37 | 30 ft | Max area of all flags: 120 sq ft; no single flag > 40 sq ft | — |
| Agricultural (AG-20, AG-80) | 3 | 10 ft | 20 sq ft each | — |
| Agricultural Residential (AR-1, AR-2, AR-5, AR-10) | 4 | 10 ft | 24 sq ft each | — |
| Very Low Density Residential (RD-1, RD-2, RD-3) | 2 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft each | — |
| Low Density Residential (RD-4, RD-5, RD-6, RD-7) | 2 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft each | — |
| Medium Density Residential (RD-8, RD-10, RD-12, RD-15) | 4 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft each | — |
| Medium-High Density Residential (RD-18) | 2 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft each | — |
| High Density Residential (RD-20, RD-25, RD-30, RD-40) | 2 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft each | — |
| Limited Commercial (LC), General Commercial (GC), Shopping Center (SC), Auto Commercial (AC), Commercial Recreation (C-O) | 4 | 20 ft | 250 sq ft total (building signs) | — |
| Village Center Mixed-Use (VCMU) | 2 | Building: roofline; Freestanding: 10 ft (individual) or 20 ft (integrated) | Residential dwellings: 2 sq ft; Multifamily complex: 6 sq ft; Subdivision entry monuments: 24 sq ft each | — |
| Residential Mixed-Use (RMU) | 2 | Building: roofline; Freestanding: 10 ft (individual) or 20 ft (integrated) | Residential dwellings: 2 sq ft; Multifamily complex: 6 sq ft; Subdivision entry monuments: 24 sq ft each | — |
| Business and Professional Office (BP) | 3 | 10 ft | 150 sq ft total | — |
| Industrial-Office Park (MP), Light Industrial (LI), Light Industrial/Flex (LI/FX), Heavy Industrial (HI) | 3 | 10 ft | 150 sq ft total | — |
| Park and Recreation (PR) | 3 | 5 ft | 5 sq ft total | — |
| Public Services (PS) | 3 | 5 ft | 5 sq ft total | — |
| Open Space Land Use (O) | 2 | 10 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Specific Plan (SP) | 1 | Per applicable base zone standards | Per applicable base zone standards | — |
| Special Planning Area (SPA) | 1 | Per applicable base zone standards | Per applicable base zone standards | — |
| Mobile Home (RM-1) | 2 | 6 ft | 24 sq ft each | — |
| Multifamily Overlay District (MF) | 2 | 6 ft | 25 sq ft each | — |
| Flood Combining District (F) | 1 | Per underlying base zone | Per underlying base zone | — |
| Mobile Home Park Combining District (MHP) | 1 | Roofline of dwelling | 2 sq ft per dwelling | — |
| Rural Commercial Combining Zone (RUC) | 1 | Per underlying standards | Per underlying LC/GC/LI standards (commercial or industrial as applicable) | — |
| Surface Mining Combining District (SM) | 1 | Per underlying base zone | Per underlying base zone | — |
| Business Center District Sign Overlay Zone (BCS) | 1 | Per underlying base zone unless modified by BCS | Per underlying base zone unless modified by BCS | — |
| East Franklin (EF) Overlay District | 1 | Per underlying base zone | Per underlying base zone | — |
| East Elk Grove (EEG) Overlay District | 1 | Per underlying base zone | Per underlying base zone | — |
| Calvine Road/Highway 99 (CR-99) Overlay District | 1 | Per underlying base zone | Per underlying base zone | — |
| Elk Grove triangle Special Planning Area (SPA) | 1 | Per approved SPA/base zone | Per approved SPA/base zone | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 29 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - General Standards | Per Table 23.62-2 by district; see zone-specific entries | Per Table 23.62-2 by district; see zone-specific entries | — | Minimum 10 ft from back of public ROW; further from ultimate ROW if not yet improved; encroachment permit may allow placement pending future relocation | Per zone-specific limits (e.g., 1 per project entrance) | Along a site frontage adjoining a public street; not within clear-vision triangle | — | EGMC 23.62.110(D)(1)-(6); 23.62.120(C)(4) |
| Readerboard Sign - Manual | Per applicable freestanding/building sign standards | Counts toward zone maximum sign area | — | If freestanding, follow 10 ft setback and clear-vision triangle prohibition | Counts within overall zone max | On-site | — | EGMC 23.62.110(E)(1) |
| Time/Temperature Sign | Per Table 23.62-2 height for applicable sign type | 10 sq ft | — | If freestanding, 10 ft | Does not count toward limits as to number | On building or freestanding per applicable standards | — | EGMC 23.62.110(F)(1)-(2); 23.62.120(A)(5) |
| Flag - Commercial/Office/Industrial Zones | Up to tallest building on site; if all on-site buildings <25 ft tall, pole ≤ 25 ft | Max area of all flags: 120 sq ft; no single flag > 40 sq ft | — | Setback from ROW equal to pole height; min 10 ft | Max number of poles: 3; flags: not limited | On-site within commercial/office/industrial zones | — | EGMC 23.62.090(B)(4) Table 23.62-1 |
| Flag - Residential | 20 ft | Max area of all flags: 15 sq ft; no single flag > 40 sq ft | — | 10 ft minimum | Max number of poles: 1; flags: not limited | Residential properties | — | EGMC 23.62.090(B)(4) Table 23.62-1 |
| Flag - Residential Subdivision Entryway | 30 ft | Max area of all flags: 40 sq ft; no single flag > 40 sq ft | — | 10 ft minimum | Max number of poles: 1; flags: not limited | Common area at subdivision entry adjacent to a 4-lane public road or wider | — | EGMC 23.62.090(B)(4) Table 23.62-1 notes 6 |
| Flag - Agricultural & Agricultural Residential Zones | 25 ft | Max area of all flags: 24 sq ft; no single flag > 40 sq ft | — | 10 ft minimum | Max number of poles: 1; flags: not limited | AG and AR zones | — | EGMC 23.62.090(B)(4) Table 23.62-1 |
| Flag - Municipal Facilities | Not limited | Not limited | — | 10 ft minimum | Number of poles and flags: not limited | Municipal facilities | — | EGMC 23.62.090(B)(4) Table 23.62-1 |

### Agricultural Residential (AR-1, AR-2, AR-5, AR-10)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign (Residential Dwellings/Uses) | Roofline | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per home | At each dwelling (home) | — | EGMC 23.62.130 Table 23.62-2 Residential Dwellings/Uses (1. Building signs); Notes 1-2 |
| Freestanding Sign - Entry Monument (Single-Family Subdivisions) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft each | — | 10 ft minimum from ROW | 1 per project entrance | At project entrances; not within clear-vision triangle | — | EGMC 23.62.130 Table 23.62-2 Single-Family Subdivisions (1. Freestanding signs: entry monument); Notes 3 |
| Freestanding Sign (Permitted Nonresidential Uses in Agricultural/Residential Zones) | 10 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 10 ft minimum from ROW | 1 per establishment | For permitted nonresidential uses located in AR zones | — | EGMC 23.62.130 Table 23.62-2 Permitted Nonresidential Uses in Agricultural and Residential Zoning Districts (2. Freestanding signs) |
| Building/Freestanding Signs (Agricultural Uses within AR Districts) | Building: 6 ft; Freestanding: 8 ft | Building: 20 sq ft; Freestanding: 20 sq ft | — | Freestanding: 10 ft minimum from ROW | 1 building sign and 1 freestanding sign per establishment | For agricultural establishments permitted within AR districts | — | EGMC 23.62.130 Table 23.62-2 Agricultural Uses |

### Medium Density Residential (RD-8, RD-10, RD-12, RD-15)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign (Residential Dwellings/Uses) | Roofline | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per home | At each dwelling | — | EGMC 23.62.130 Table 23.62-2 Residential Dwellings/Uses; Notes 1-2 |
| Freestanding Sign - Entry Monument (Single-Family Subdivisions) | 6 ft | 24 sq ft each | — | 10 ft minimum from ROW | 1 per project entrance | At subdivision project entrances | — | EGMC 23.62.130 Table 23.62-2 Single-Family Subdivisions (Entry monument); Note 3 |
| Building Sign (Multifamily Dwellings/Complexes) | Roofline | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per complex | At multifamily complex | — | EGMC 23.62.130 Table 23.62-2 Multifamily Dwellings and Complexes (1. Building signs); Note 4 |
| Freestanding Sign (Multifamily Dwellings/Complexes) | 6 ft | 25 sq ft each | — | 10 ft minimum from ROW | 1 per vehicle entrance | At vehicle entrances to complex | — | EGMC 23.62.130 Table 23.62-2 Multifamily Dwellings and Complexes (2. Freestanding signs); Note 4 |

## Prohibited signs in Elk Grove

- New billboards are prohibited citywide except as specifically allowed in the Business Center District Sign Overlay Zone (EGMC 23.42.080) or through relocation of existing billboards under EGMC 23.62.180; no permits shall be issued for prohibited billboards and violations are subject to enforcement/abatement.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Animated, moving, flashing, blinking, fluctuating, reflecting, revolving, or similar signs are prohibited.
- Inflated signs, balloons, and figures are prohibited (short-term inflatable party devices intended for short-term use are excluded).
- Pole signs are prohibited (ground-mounted monument signs are allowed; poles may be used only as substructure if fully clad with architectural coverings).
- Electronic readerboard signs are prohibited except for time/temperature signs; the City Council may consider on-site electronic readerboard signs case-by-case as part of a specific plan or special planning area (SPA) process, with a minimum 3,500-foot separation between such signs; electronic readerboard billboards may only be authorized pursuant to EGMC 23.62.180 (relocated billboards).
- Roof signs erected on and/or above the roofline are prohibited.
- Signs affixed to trees or utility poles are prohibited.
- Signs emitting audible sounds, smoke, fumes, odors, or visible matter are prohibited (menu/order board sounds are allowed only as part of their primary function).
- Signs erected so that any portion interferes with fire escapes, standpipes, or emergency exits are prohibited.
- Signs that imitate or resemble official traffic warning devices or signs, or that by color, location, content, or lighting may confuse or disorient vehicular or pedestrian traffic, are prohibited (excluding on-site directional signs allowed elsewhere in the code).
- Vehicle signs where the primary purpose of the vehicle is general advertising are prohibited (incidental advertising on vehicles used for their primary purpose is allowed).
- Placing any sign on private property without the consent of the property owner or lawful possessor is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Elk Grove

- Devices excluded from the definition of a 'sign' are exempt from sign permits.
- Official or legal notices required by a court or government agency (government/civic signs) are exempt.
- Signs erected/maintained in compliance with a government function or required by law or regulation, including public utility signs, are exempt.
- Signs on licensed commercial vehicles (including trailers) are exempt when not used as parked or stationary outdoor display signs and not used to display off-site commercial messages.
- Change of copy that does not alter a sign’s size, location, or illumination is exempt (subject to message substitution rules).
- Construction signs: one per street frontage; max 20 sq ft (or 32 sq ft if combined with a future tenant sign); not illuminated; must be removed at final inspection, certificate of occupancy, or opening for business, whichever occurs first.
- Directional signs guiding on-site traffic, parking, and loading with no advertising: max area 24 sq ft in residential districts and 36 sq ft in nonresidential districts; max freestanding height 6 ft (Director may allow more for visibility); do not count toward total sign area.
- Directory signs solely oriented to pedestrians that list names/locations of tenants at a multi-tenant site are exempt.
- Flags are exempt subject to Table 23.62-1 limits (site-specific maximum poles, height, number, and total area; image types; illumination limits; setbacks; no placement within the clear-vision triangle).
- Future tenant signs for projects under construction: one per street frontage (one per establishment in integrated developments); max 32 sq ft; max height 6 ft; not illuminated; remove upon occupancy.
- Gas pricing signs required by State law up to 3 sq ft are exempt.
- Garage/yard/estate/other home-based sale signs advertising a one-day sale are exempt.
- Incidental signs up to 2 sq ft per sign are exempt and do not count toward total sign area.
- Menu/order board signs: up to two per drive-in/drive-through business; each up to 40 sq ft; max height 8 ft; do not count toward total sign area; illumination limited to internal with opaque background.
- Name plates are exempt with limits: residential individual unit up to 2 sq ft; multifamily site/building identification up to 15 sq ft; nonresidential up to 2 sq ft (limited to business identification, hours, address, emergency info); limited lighting types only.
- Noncommercial signs are exempt up to 6 sq ft per sign; during the period starting 90 days before and ending 21 days after an election, an additional 42 sq ft of noncommercial sign area is allowed; must not be in/over the public right-of-way (unless authorized under EGMC 23.61), not over the roofline, and outside clear-vision triangles.
- Public notices or warnings required by federal, state, or local law or regulation are exempt.
- Real estate signs are exempt with limits: residential—one on-site sign up to 6 sq ft (each side) plus up to three riders; on weekends/holidays, up to five off-site directional signs (each 6 sq ft) to guide traffic; commercial—one on-site sign per frontage up to 32 sq ft (parcels <1 acre) or 48 sq ft (parcels ≥1 acre), max height 8 ft; all set back 5 ft from ROW and outside clear-vision triangles; remove by close of the transaction.
- Window signage: temporary window signs (less than 3 months) per Temporary Sign Standards; permanent window signs are allowed within the facade’s permitted sign area; both are exempt from a sign permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all permanent signs (building-attached or freestanding) before erection, relocation, alteration, or replacement, unless the sign is exempt; general maintenance and replacement of a sign face (with no area change and no building permit required) do not require a sign permit; temporary signs do not require a sign permit but must meet standards and time limits.
- A Uniform Sign Program (USP) is required for all new multi-tenant shopping centers, office parks, and other multi-tenant, mixed-use, or integrated developments with three or more separate tenants/uses that share buildings, public spaces, landscaping, or parking.
- Minor Uniform Sign Program: does not allow deviations from the code’s signage standards.
- Major Uniform Sign Program: may allow creatively designed signs and permit signs that are larger, taller, and/or more numerous than otherwise allowed, subject to approval criteria in EGMC 23.16.027.
- Graphic design may be evaluated only under a Uniform Sign Program, and only for commercial message signs; otherwise, discretionary approvals are limited to noncommunicative aspects (size, height, orientation, location, setback, illumination, spacing, scale, massing).
- Applications for minor deviations from the sign code are reviewed by the Community Development Director (EGMC 23.16.030); variances are reviewed by the Planning Commission (EGMC 23.16.040).
- Application and review procedures for sign permits and Uniform Sign Programs follow EGMC Chapter 23.14 and 23.16; fees are set by City Council resolution.
- Zoning clearance (administrative plan check) is required to determine compliance for permitted signs (EGMC 23.62.130).
- Buildings larger than 75,000 square feet may exceed maximum signage totals through a major design review approval under EGMC Chapter 23.16 (see Table 23.62-2 Note 7).
- Electronic readerboard signs are generally prohibited; the City Council may consider them case-by-case only as part of a specific plan or special planning area application or amendment, limited to on-site commercial messages with a minimum 3,500-foot separation; new electronic readerboard billboards may be authorized only via the relocated billboard provisions of EGMC 23.62.180.
- Relocated billboards require City Council approval of a relocation agreement among the operator, property owner(s), and the City, plus a sign permit; they are allowed only in commercial, office, or industrial zoning districts; the relocation agreement governs development, maintenance, and removal and controls over conflicting code provisions (EGMC 23.62.180).
- Encroachment permits are required for any sign that encroaches into or above the public right-of-way or City property (e.g., blade/bracket signs); where the ROW is not at its ultimate width, an encroachment permit may allow a freestanding sign within the ultimate ROW subject to removal/relocation at the owner’s cost when the ROW is improved; such permits may be revoked with 30 days’ written notice.
- Special event sign types not otherwise permitted in Chapter 23.62 (e.g., beacons, pennants, freestanding banners, inflatable signs) are regulated under the City’s public assembly, parades, and street closure provisions, not by the sign chapter.

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

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