# Sign Regulations in Gilroy, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Gilroy, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/gilroy
- **Data last verified:** 2025-06-11
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Gilroy/#!/Gilroy30/Gilroy3037.html)

## At a glance

Gilroy, California regulates 31 sign types across 10 zoning districts. House Number or Apartment Building Identification Sign (Freestanding)s in the A1 Agriculture District, RR Rural Residential District, R1 Single-Family Residential District, R2 Two (2) Family Residential District, R3 Medium Density Residential District, R4 High Density Residential District, RH Residential Hillside District, ND Neighborhood District zoning district are capped at 4 ft (5-30 units); 6 ft (>30 units) tall and 12 sq ft (buildings/parks with 5-30 units); 24 sq ft (buildings/parks with >30 units), with a 10 ft from front property line setback (Sec. 30.37.40(a)(1)-(2)). Most commercial signs in Gilroy 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 | 10 | 11 ft | 25% of window surface | — |
| A1 Agriculture District, RR Rural Residential District, R1 Single-Family Residential District, R2 Two (2) Family Residential District, R3 Medium Density Residential District, R4 High Density Residential District, RH Residential Hillside District, ND Neighborhood District | 7 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — |
| PO Professional Office District | 4 | 7 ft | 90 sq ft | — |
| C1 Neighborhood Commercial District, C3 Shopping Center Commercial District, HC Highway Commercial District, CM Commercial Industrial District, Gateway District (GD) | 10 | 60 ft (or up to 75 ft if set back from highway 44 ft per 1 ft over 60) | 200 sq ft | — |
| DHD Downtown Historic District, DED Downtown Expansion District | 4 | 14 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| CCA Civic/Cultural Arts District, Transitional District (TD), Cannery District (CD) | 3 | 7 ft | CCA: 90 sq ft; TD/CD: 90 sq ft | — |
| M1 Limited Industrial District, M2 General Industrial District, CI Campus Industrial District | 5 | 7 ft | 150 sq ft | — |

_3 additional zoning districts are covered in PermitPal (free account)._

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business or occupant in any zone | Adjacent to one entryway for each business or occupant | — | 30.37.20(d)(1) |
| Memorial Signs/Tablets | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | Cut into masonry or constructed of bronze/noncombustible material | — | 30.37.20(d)(2) |
| Temporary Civic/Charitable/Education/Municipal Banner | — | — | — | — | Max 3 per business at a time | — | — | 30.37.20(d)(5), (6), (c) |
| Temporary Window Sign (Commercial) | — | 25% of window surface | — | — | — | On windows of commercial buildings | — | 30.37.20(d)(7) |
| Service Club Sign (Composite Structure) | — | — | — | — | 1 of each per entrance | Each main entrance to city | — | 30.37.20(d)(8) |
| On-site Directional Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 4, 8, or 12 per project size | On-site | — | 30.37.20(d)(14) |
| Temporary Garage/Yard/Patio Sale Signs | — | 16 sq ft total (max 4 signs) | — | — | Max 4 | — | — | 30.37.20(d)(15) |
| Feather Banner | 11 ft | — | 2 ft 6 in | — | 1 per 25 lineal feet | Not on vacant property, public property/ROW; not attached to utility poles/lights; only on private property of an active business | — | 30.37.20(d)(20) |

### A1 Agriculture District, RR Rural Residential District, R1 Single-Family Residential District, R2 Two (2) Family Residential District, R3 Medium Density Residential District, R4 High Density Residential District, RH Residential Hillside District, ND Neighborhood District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| House Number or Apartment Building Identification Sign (Freestanding) | 4 ft (5-30 units); 6 ft (>30 units) | 12 sq ft (buildings/parks with 5-30 units); 24 sq ft (buildings/parks with >30 units) | — | 10 ft from front property line | 1 per complex or street frontage | On premises, setback at least 10 ft from front property line | — | 30.37.40(a)(1)-(2) |
| House Number or Apartment Building Identification Sign (Wall) | — | 12 sq ft (buildings/parks with 5-30 units); 24 sq ft (buildings/parks with >30 units) | — | — | 1 per complex or street frontage | Flat against wall, not projecting above cornice/roof line | — | 30.37.40(a)(1)-(2) |
| On-site Construction or Off-site Directional Sign (New Resident. Dev.) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 on-site sign; Max 3 off-site directionals | On-site or on private property within the city (directional) | — | 30.37.40(a)(3) |
| Bed and Breakfast Sign | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 | See 30.37.20(d)(1) (Name Plate) | — | 30.37.40(a)(4) |
| Religious/Commercial/Other Use (Sign in Residential District) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 30.37.40(a)(5) |
| Farm Products for Sale Sign (A1, RR) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On-site advertising sale of farm products grown and sold on site | — | 30.37.40(b)(1) |
| Other Allowed Use Sign (A1, RR, OS) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 30.37.40(b)(2) |

### C1 Neighborhood Commercial District, C3 Shopping Center Commercial District, HC Highway Commercial District, CM Commercial Industrial District, Gateway District (GD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | C1/TD/CD: 75 sq ft, C3/HC/CM/GD: 150 sq ft, M1/M2: 350 sq ft | — | — | None specified (as area limit applies) | Any side of building except none facing a freeway | — | 30.37.50(b), Table; 30.37.50 |
| Freestanding Sign | 7 ft | Included in total sign area; see wall sign formula | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | 30.37.50(c) |
| Banner | — | see above - per zone | — | — | Max 3 at a time/business | On any side except not facing freeway | — | 30.37.20(d)(6), (c) |
| Master Shopping Center Sign | 14 ft | 200 sq ft | — | 75% area allowed at prop. line, increases with further setback | 1 | Freestanding or wall-mounted within property | — | 30.37.52 |
| Freeway-Oriented Sign (HC only) | 60 ft (or up to 75 ft if set back from highway 44 ft per 1 ft over 60) | 100 sq ft (150 sq ft if monument sign is 36 sq ft max) | — | See height adjustment for extra setback | 1 | Within 660 ft of US 101; on-site only | — | 30.37.51 |
| Regional-Serving Commercial Freeway-Oriented Sign (C3 reg. dev.) | 60 ft (incr 1 ft per 44 ft setback max 75 ft) | 200 sq ft (1 business); 330 sq ft (multi-business) | — | 1 ft added per 44 ft set back | 1 | On-site along highway | — | 30.37.58(b) |
| Industrial Group Entryway Sign (Industrial parks >100 acres) | 6 ft | 100 sq ft per entrance pair | — | — | 2 pairs per park | At industrial park entrances | — | 30.37.54 |
| Freestanding Real Estate Sign (Commercial/Industrial) | 6 ft (<20 ac.); 10 ft (>20 ac.) | 8 sq ft (<1 acre); 32 sq ft (1–20 ac.); 75 sq ft (>20 ac.) | — | 10 ft min from property line | Varies by frontage | 10 ft min from property line | — | 30.37.56 |

## Prohibited signs in Gilroy

- Signs on or above the roof or projecting above the roof eave or canopy of a structure.
- Signs projecting more than thirty-six (36) inches above the lowest edge of the eave of a gable or mansard type roof, unless on a surface specifically approved by the planning director.
- Flags, pennants, balloons, streamers, and objects designed to move with the wind, except for flags of the United States and California on a flagpole and certain exemptions for feather banners and new vehicle sales establishments.
- Lighted signs that flash on and off (except time and weather signs changing less than six (6) times per minute) and signs with scrolling/moving text or images.
- Any sign feature which moves or is designed to move, except signs which rotate at less than six (6) revolutions per minute.
- Lighted signs whose surface brightness is a detriment to surrounding property, prevents peaceful enjoyment, or presents a conflict with safe traffic movement; or advertising displays emitting sound, odor, or visible matter.
- Signs with design, lighting, or location that could be mistaken for official traffic signs/signals.
- Signs located to obstruct vision or view of any authorized traffic sign or device.
- Any sign that prevents safe ingress/egress, or obstructs outward views from living areas.
- Signs attached to a standpipe or fire escape.
- Signs projecting into a public street, alley, or pedestrian way more than twelve (12) inches (except certain awnings).
- Signs projecting into a public right-of-way with less than eight (8) feet clearance above sidewalk, or less than fifteen (15) feet above driveways/streets.
- New signs or repainted signs painted directly on any building or structure unless conforming to requirements.
- Off-site advertising signs, including billboards, in any district except as specifically exempted (see exemptions for portable freestanding real estate signs and A-frames).
- Placards, posters, announcements or similar signs attached to any fence, pole, tree, or object along a public right-of-way, except those officially authorized.
- Portable signs, except as otherwise permitted for open house real estate signs and A-frames.
- Signs over three (3) sq ft affixed to vehicles.
- Any sign conflicting with CPUC rules for public utility facilities.
- Signs advertising incidental or minor products combined with business identification signs.
- Improperly placed or designed signs on awnings (exceeding 20% of surface, not vertical or not integral with awning fabric, or not parallel to front of building).
- Signs higher than three (3) feet above sidewalk or with a solid face less than seven (7) feet above sidewalk on corners within the defined sight triangle.
- Signs higher than three (3) feet above sidewalk or with a solid face less than seven (7) feet above sidewalk within five (5) feet of the intersection of any access drive and sidewalk.
- Abandoned signs or ones that no longer identify a bona fide business entity.
- Signs, graphics, or window displays/materials on news racks that expose photographs/illustrations of specified sexual activities or anatomical areas to public view.
- Signs with exposed bracing, guy wires, or cables.
- Crudely painted, chalked, or improvised lettering.
- Signs placed on any portion of a street, sidewalk, or public right-of-way, excluding legal newspaper vending machines and permitted portable signs.
- Signs located on exterior raceways, unless excepted by planning manager.
- Signs within 660 feet of Santa Teresa Blvd except for business/neighborhood identification or allowed open house real estate signs.
- Business identification signs located on fences.
- Any sign held by, or attached to, any person for purposes of commercial advertising, except mascots/characters within 15 feet of the business front door and not using a handheld sign.
- Signs not maintained in proper repair, with faded, tattered, or dirty surfaces.

## Signs exempt from permit in Gilroy

- One name plate, less than three (3) sq ft, located adjacent to one entryway, for each business or occupant in any zone (including under canopy signs on private property).
- Memorial signs/tablets, building names, and date of erection, cut into masonry or in bronze/noncombustible material up to four (4) sq ft.
- Traffic or municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger/temporary/emergency nonadvertising signs.
- Temporary signs of a directional nature when used for less than twenty-four (24) hours.
- Temporary signs/banners of a civic, charitable, educational or municipal nature (up to 30 days), subject to approval and not containing advertising.
- Temporary banners over private property during ten (10) specified holiday/event periods per year (up to 10 consecutive days each), as listed in ordinance, without permit.
- Other temporary banners (outside above periods), up to four (4) periods per calendar year, with banner permit; each up to ten (10), twenty (20), thirty (30), or forty (40) consecutive days, not exceeding total of 40 days/year.
- Limit of three (3) temporary banners per business at a time; size restrictions apply based on district.
- Temporary signs on windows of commercial buildings, provided no more than 25% of window surface is covered.
- Service club signs (one composite per each main city entrance), approved by planning commission.
- Signs identifying the existence/location of public utility facilities.
- One identification sign or bulletin board for public/charitable/religious institutions (not exceeding 32 sq ft, 6 feet high not illuminated, at least ten (10) feet from property line).
- One on-site construction sign (not exceeding 6 feet high), up to 32 sq ft in commercial/industrial, up to 16 sq ft in residential; to be removed upon completion of project.
- One on-site real estate sign pertaining to sale/lease/rent or display of a structure or land (up to 4 sq ft).
- Temporary signs by physical nature (not suitable for long-term display), such as lightweight/flexible materials; not allowed on streets/sidewalks/right-of-way.
- On-site directional signs (4 sq ft, max 4 feet height); quantity allowed varies by lot size.
- Up to four (4) on-site temporary garage/yard/patio sale signs (max total 16 sq ft).
- Holiday decorations for no more than 45 days per holiday.
- Signs (up to 16 sq ft) affixed to a mobile vendor or temporary business establishment in commercial district.
- Projecting/under canopy signs up to 4 sq ft, not projecting more than three (3) feet into public right-of-way, at least 7 feet clearance above sidewalks (15 feet above alleys), built of compatible materials.
- New vehicle sales establishments within 1200 feet east/west of Hwy 101 may have pennants, balloons, streamers, objects designed to move with wind.
- Feather banners (vertical signs resembling feathers) subject to restrictions: not on vacant/public property, not attached to utilities, must not protrude into right-of-way; max height 11 feet, max width 2.5 feet; certain spacing and number limits.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs require a sign permit except those specifically exempted in ordinance Section 30.37.20(d).
- Sign permits require submission of sketches/diagrams showing design, placement, dimensions, structure, and appearance; explicit design attention should be given to harmony with property architecture/landscape.
- Signs are subject to design review according to Section 30.50.40 (Architectural and Site Review) but are not charged for design review.
- For commercial/industrial developments (≥20,000 sq ft floor area, ≥5 acres land, ≥4 uses), a special sign permit may be issued by the planning director for a voluntary comprehensive sign program—findings required: coordinated sign design/materials, architectural/street context, proportionality, integration, overall area, and aesthetic superiority compared to standard ordinance.
- Master shopping center signs may be allowed for centers with at least five (5) business occupants and/or 20,000 sq ft floor area; allowed in addition to maximum sign area and may be freestanding or wall-mounted.
- Professional office group signs (for office complexes with ≥5 tenants) may be permitted in addition to maximum area/height (not exceeding 24 sq ft, max 7 ft high if freestanding) as group identification.
- Industrial parks (>100 acres) may allow industrial group entryway signs at maximum 6 ft height/100 sq ft per entry.
- In all districts, signs are required to be constructed and maintained in accordance with the approved sign permit—maintenance and appearance are reviewed and required.
- Portable freestanding open house real estate signs and A-frame signs are allowed in all districts per Section 30.37.90, subject to placement/size/duration/use limitations.
- Plans for all buildings, parking, landscape, and sign plans must be submitted and approved by the planning director prior to issuance of building permits for any use within any zoning district.
- For large commercial or industrial developments where coordinated signage is desired or where exceptions to standard area/height/location requirements may be necessary, preparation and approval of a comprehensive signage program (i.e., a 'Master Sign Plan' or special sign permit) is anticipated—approval is discretionary.
- Alterations, relocations, or additions to existing signs after permit issuance must conform to and be approved in the same manner as the original sign application.
- Applications for sign permits require explicit attention to compliance with property architecture and landscaping, demonstrating a harmonious relationship.

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

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