# Sign Regulations in Folsom, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Folsom, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/folsom
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-02
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Folsom/#!/Folsom17/Folsom1759.html#17.59)

## At a glance

Folsom, California regulates 25 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Monument Sign - Multifamilys in the Neighborhood Apartment District (R-3), General Apartment District (R-4), Residential, Multifamily Dwelling District (R-M) zoning district are capped at 6 feet including 2 foot base tall and 32 square feet, with a 5 feet from property lines setback (Sec. 17.59.040 D.2). Most commercial signs in Folsom require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 100 square feet (200 square feet if primary building frontage >100 linear feet, additional 2 sq ft per linear foot over 100) | — |
| Single-Family Residence Districts (R-1-L, R-1-ML, R-1-M), Two-Family Residence District (R-2) | 5 | 6 feet | 10 square feet combined (additional 10 sq ft per sign for elections/events) | — |
| Neighborhood Apartment District (R-3), General Apartment District (R-4), Residential, Multifamily Dwelling District (R-M) | 4 | 6 feet including 2 foot base | 50 square feet | — |
| Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2, C-3, CH, CM) | 7 | 25 feet | 300 square feet | — |
| Business and Professional Office District (BP), Light Industrial District (M-1), General Industrial District (M-2), Limited Industrial District (M-L), Industrial Frontage District (MF) | 3 | 6 feet including 2 foot base | 50 square feet | — |
| Planned Development District (PD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Special Districts (A, B, F, P, H, CD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Historic District Zone | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Single-Family Residence Districts (R-1-L, R-1-ML, R-1-M), Two-Family Residence District (R-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate | — | less than 2 square feet | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | Attached to building identifying occupant of dwelling unit | — | 17.59.030 C.8 |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | less than 1 square foot | — | — | 1 | At the residence of permitted home occupation | — | 17.59.030 C.9 |
| Real Estate Sign - Residential | — | 6 square feet | — | 5 feet from ROW | 1 on-site + 5 open house | On private property, set back 5 feet from public right-of-way, out of clear vision triangle | — | 17.59.030 C.12.a |
| Noncommercial Sign - Residential | 6 feet | 10 square feet combined (additional 10 sq ft per sign for elections/events) | — | — | One or more | On private property, not in/over public right-of-way or roofline, outside clear vision triangle | — | 17.59.030 C.13.a |
| Garage/Yard Sale Sign | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 on-site | On-site, private property | — | 17.59.030 C.11 |

### Neighborhood Apartment District (R-3), General Apartment District (R-4), Residential, Multifamily Dwelling District (R-M)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Multifamily | — | 40 square feet | 75 percent of building frontage | — | 1 per multifamily use | On building frontage, not above roof line | — | 17.59.040 D.1 |
| Monument Sign - Multifamily | 6 feet including 2 foot base | 32 square feet | — | 5 feet from property lines | 1 per multifamily use | Set back 5 feet from property lines, in landscaped planting area, outside clear vision triangle; may attach to fence/soundwall | — | 17.59.040 D.2 |
| Wall Sign - Nonresidential Use | — | 50 square feet | 75 percent of building frontage | — | 1 per nonresidential use | On building, not above roof line | — | 17.59.040 C.1 |
| Monument Sign - Nonresidential Use | 6 feet including 2 foot base | 24 square feet | — | 5 feet from property lines | 1 per nonresidential use (individual or integrated) | Set back 5 feet from property lines, in landscaped area, outside clear vision; may attach to fence/soundwall | — | 17.59.040 C.2 |

### Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2, C-3, CH, CM)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign (Wall, Projecting, Canopy) - Commercial | — | 150 square feet | 75 percent of building frontage (for wall) | — | — | On building frontages facing street, public parking lot, or mall; not above roof line | — | 17.59.040 A.1 |
| Monument Sign - Individual Building Commercial | 6 feet including 2 foot base | 24 square feet | — | 5 feet from ROW | 1 per individual building | Set back 5 feet from public right-of-way, in landscaped area, outside clear vision triangle; may attach to fence/soundwall; may be in planter median with approval | — | 17.59.040 A.2.a |
| Monument Sign - Integrated Development Commercial | 15 feet | 60 square feet | — | 5 feet from ROW | 1 per integrated development | Set back 5 feet from public right-of-way, in landscaped area, outside clear vision; may attach to fence/soundwall; planter median with approval | — | 17.59.040 A.2.b |
| Wall Sign - Freeway Visible | — | 150 square feet | 75 percent of building frontage | — | 1 additional | On building frontage facing freeway, not above roof line | — | 17.59.040 E.1 |
| Monument Sign - Freeway | 18 feet from crown of adjacent highway | 300 square feet | — | 10 feet from property lines | 1 per integrated development | Set back min 10 feet from property lines, in landscaped, outside clear vision; attach to fence/soundwall ok; planter median ok | — | 17.59.040 E.2 |
| Off-Site Billboard Sign - Retail Commercial Center | 25 feet | 300 square feet (single side) | 20 feet | — | 1 per qualifying center | U.S. Highway 50 corridor | — | 17.59.040 E.3 |
| Animated Freestanding Sign - Freeway | Not higher than highest billboard removed | Not greater than largest billboard removed | — | — | 1 | Property abutting U.S. Highway 50 | — | 17.59.040 E.2.5 |

## Prohibited signs in Folsom

- Any nonexempt sign which is not authorized by a valid permit
- Abandoned signs
- Any sign located in a required clear-vision triangle
- Signs within the public right-of-way (except governmental or city-sponsored civic signs, or those complying with Section 17.59.030(D))
- Signs erected without the permission of the owner (or his/her agent) of the property on which the sign is located
- Billboard signs and off-site directional or off-site identification signs (except government, civic, real estate and other signage as provided in this chapter)
- Portable signs (except those approved in the historic district zone or as otherwise provided in this chapter)
- Vehicle signs where the primary purpose of the motor vehicle relates to its use as a sign
- Animated signs (unless a special event sign permit is granted by the planning director or as otherwise provided for in this chapter)
- Roof signs erected and constructed on and/or over the roof line of a building and supported by the roof structure
- Any sign which simulates or imitates in size, color, lettering or design any traffic sign or signal, or which makes use of words, symbols or characters in such a manner as to interfere with, mislead or confuse pedestrian or vehicular traffic

## Signs exempt from permit in Folsom

- Any public notice or warning required by a federal, state, or local law or regulation
- Governmental signs
- Flags (civic)
- Incidental signs
- City-sponsored civic signs for community entrance, identification, direction and information, located off-premises on private property or in the public right-of-way, with approval of an encroachment permit by the public works department; provided, that the sign(s) not exceed a 150 square foot sign area and a height limit of 15 feet
- Commemorative wall signs, wall signs indicating the historical significance of a site or building, and building markers, not exceeding 4 square feet
- House numbers identifying the address of a residence or building, less than 2 square feet
- Name plates identifying the occupants of dwelling units, less than 2 square feet
- Home occupation signs at the residence of currently permitted and licensed home occupations provided that the signage is less than 1 square foot
- Signs prohibiting trespassing and advertising, as well as neighborhood watch and alarm signs
- Garage/yard sale signs; provided, that there are no off-site signs, that only 1 sign shall be displayed on site with a maximum sign area of 6 square feet and a 4-foot height limit, and that such sign be displayed only during the time of the sale. Signs in the public right-of-way may be authorized pursuant to Section 17.59.030(D)
- Real estate signs for sale or lease of property; provided, that signs are located on private property, set back 5 feet from the public right-of-way unless authorized pursuant to Section 17.59.030(D), and out of any required clear vision triangle, with the following limitations: a. For residential property, 1 on-site sign with a maximum sign area of 6 square feet. Additionally, a maximum of 3 attached rider signs are permitted on each real estate sign identifying the agent, special feature and/or sales status. On weekends and holidays, open house signs as needed to direct traffic from major collector and arterial streets to the subject property. One sign may be placed for each change in direction to a maximum of 5 signs with a maximum sign area of 6 square feet. b. For commercial property, 1 on-site sign per street frontage with a maximum sign area of 32 square feet for parcels with less than 1 acre and 48 square feet for parcels larger than 1 acre with an 8-foot height limit.
- Noncommercial sign(s) on private property, not within or over a public right-of-way unless authorized pursuant to subsection D of this section, or over the roofline of any building and outside of any clear vision triangle as follows: a. For residential property, one or more signs are permitted on any one parcel of land with a maximum combined sign size of ten square feet and a maximum height of six feet. For noncommercial signs pertaining to an election to any public office or ballot measure or a noncommercial event or activity, one or more additional temporary signs which do not exceed a maximum sign size per sign of ten square feet and a maximum height of six feet are permitted, provided the signs are posted so that clear vision triangles or other lines of sight for pedestrians and vehicles are not impeded and the signs are posted during the durational period provided in this section; b. For commercial property, one or more signs are permitted on any one parcel of land provided all such signs do not exceed a maximum combined sign size of thirty-two square feet and a maximum height of ten feet. For noncommercial signs pertaining to an election to any public office or ballot measure or a noncommercial event or activity, one or more additional temporary signs are permitted with a maximum sign size per sign of thirty-two square feet, provided the signs are posted so that clear vision triangles or other lines of sight for pedestrians and vehicles are not impeded and the signs are posted during the durational period provided in this section; c. Noncommercial signs pertaining to an election to any public office or ballot measure or a noncommercial event or activity may be erected not earlier than sixty days prior to the election or noncommercial event or activity, and shall be removed within seven days following said election or noncommercial event or activity; d. For purposes of this section, measurement of sign size is the actual sign dimension. When both sides of the sign are printed upon, or when the sign is configured in a “V” or triangle shape, then such sign shall be counted as one sign and shall be permitted
- Signs that are displayed during the course of and at the site of a political event or demonstration
- Construction Signs. One on-site temporary sign identifying the names of individuals and/or firms connected with the construction of a project. The maximum sign area is 40 square feet and shall not exceed 10 feet in height, removed prior to issuance of occupancy permit
- Project identification signs of current and pending development applications with a sign area of 40 square feet sign and a 10-foot height limit
- Holiday decorations that do not contain any commercial message. Such noncommercial signage must be removed within 7 days following the holiday or event
- Temporary community activity signs in designated banner sign locations throughout the city or as approved by the planning director, for a period not exceeding 30 days in duration
- Vehicle signs attached to and an integral part of a motorized vehicle or bicycle which is used directly for the purpose of a particular business. This exemption includes authorized commercial signage on public transit vehicles such as buses and light rail cars as determined by the public works director. The total amount of signage shall not exceed 30 square feet on any 1 side of a vehicle and shall not exceed 12 square feet on the rear of a vehicle. Signage shall be located within designated areas as determined by the public works director
- One under-canopy sign for each commercial business with a maximum sign area of 4 square feet, located perpendicular to the building face with an 8-foot vertical clearance above sidewalks and walkways. An encroachment permit issued by the public works department may be necessary if a sign projects into a public right-of-way
- Window signs; provided, that all such commercial and incidental signs (both temporary and permanent) do not exceed a combined maximum of 25 percent of the total window area for each window. Total signage placed on any window may not include unused signage amounts allowable for other windows
- Signs located in the interior of a building, mall, court, stadium, or enclosed lobby intended for interior viewing only
- Directory signs internal to the site within an integrated development for commercial, business or industrial uses with a maximum sign area of 24 square feet and a 6-foot height limit
- Time and temperature signs in nonresidential zones, not to exceed a maximum sign area of 12 square feet
- Barber poles in nonresidential zones
- Two menu/order board signs for each drive-through business; provided, that each sign not exceed a maximum 40 square foot sign area and an 8-foot height limit and be located adjacent to the drive
- One on-site directional sign which does not promote or advertise a business, property or product is permitted for each one-way drive, drive aisle, and service or delivery entrance, located so as not to impair vehicular or pedestrian traffic. The area of each sign shall not exceed 4 square feet. The height of the sign including the pole or base shall not exceed 4 feet from grade to the top of sign. If the sign(s) contain a corporate logo or identification, the signs are calculated into the total allowable sign area for the use
- Sign copy changes
- Authorized commercial signs located on permanent structures (e.g., shelters and kiosks, excluding benches) at officially designated transit stops/stations as determined by the public works director. The total amount of signage within a shelter or kiosk shall not exceed 50 square feet and be located within a designated area as determined by the public works director
- Noncommercial signs inside a vehicle or painted on a vehicle, provided the sign does not obstruct view or other requirements in the California Vehicle Code

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permit required for any sign placed, constructed, erected or modified on a lot or parcel unless otherwise exempt, including submission of sign plans illustrating all permanent attached and freestanding signage proposed
- Uniform Signage Program (USP) required for each integrated development with multiple tenants, including sign criteria for building-attached and freestanding signs, approved by the planning director prior to tenant sign permits
- Variance required for exempt signs exceeding numerical or square footage standards, approved by the planning commission with findings of special circumstances
- Sign permit application must include sign plans showing compliance with Uniform Signage Program if applicable
- For planned development permit or use permit, the planning commission specifies size, location, number and conditions of signs, consistent with sign permit requirements
- Temporary sign permit required for temporary signs not otherwise exempt, including explanation of number, location, size and promotional period
- Special event sign permit required for short-term use of temporary animated signs not otherwise permitted, limited to 14 consecutive days and no more than 2 per year per entity or integrated development

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

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