# Sign Regulations in Goleta, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Goleta, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/goleta
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-20
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/44356974)

## At a glance

Goleta, California regulates 15 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 4 feet (up to 6 feet with approved Overall Sign Plan) tall and 100 square feet (if two signs on structure, lower sign ≤20 square feet, total ≤100 square feet), with a ≥5 feet from public right-of-way edge; building ≥20 feet from lot line setback (Sec. §17.40.080(C)). Most commercial signs in Goleta 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 | 6 | 15 feet (from grade to top of sign) | 100 square feet (if two signs on structure, lower sign ≤20 square feet, total ≤100 square feet) | — |
| Residential District (RS, RP, RM, RH, RMHP) | 3 | 12 feet above grade | 40 square feet | — |
| Commercial District (CR, CC, OT, VS, CI, CG) | 9 | 15 feet (from grade to top of sign) | 150 square feet | — |
| Office District (BP, OI) | 6 | 15 feet (from grade to top of sign) | 100 square feet (if two signs on structure, lower sign ≤20 square feet, total ≤100 square feet) | — |
| Industrial District (IS, IG) | 6 | 15 feet (from grade to top of sign) | 100 square feet (if two signs on structure, lower sign ≤20 square feet, total ≤100 square feet) | — |
| Public and Quasi-Public District (PQ) | 7 | 15 feet (from grade to top of sign) | 100 square feet (if two signs on structure, lower sign ≤20 square feet, total ≤100 square feet) | — |
| Open Space Districts (OSAR, OSPR) | 1 | — | 25 square feet | — |
| Agricultural District (AG) | 1 | — | 25 square feet | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning and Canopy Sign | 14 feet (awning height) | 6 square feet | — | — | One per establishment per street frontage | Attached to or painted on vertical edges or valance of awnings, canopies, arcades, or similar structures near entrances | — | §17.40.080(B) |
| Freestanding Sign | 4 feet (up to 6 feet with approved Overall Sign Plan) | 100 square feet (if two signs on structure, lower sign ≤20 square feet, total ≤100 square feet) | — | ≥5 feet from public right-of-way edge; building ≥20 feet from lot line | One per street frontage (up to two on structure for flag lots) | On parcels with ≥125 feet continuous street frontage; main building set back ≥20 feet from lot line | — | §17.40.080(C) |
| Menu Board | 8 feet (freestanding) or height of eave of roof (wall-mounted) | 20 square feet | — | — | One | Adjacent to vehicle queuing lane for drive-through service point | — | §17.40.080(D) |
| Projecting Sign | 15 feet (from grade to top of sign) | 3 square feet | — | — | One per building or tenant space, whichever greater | Projecting horizontally from exterior wall or suspended beneath marquee, covered walkway, canopy, or awning | — | §17.40.080(E) |
| Wall Sign | Height of the wall to which attached | 100 square feet | — | — | One per street frontage or per tenant space, whichever greater | Attached to exterior wall of building | — | §17.40.080(F) |
| Window Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | — | — | Mounted in or on windows | — | §17.40.080(G) |

### Commercial District (CR, CC, OT, VS, CI, CG)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-Frame Sign | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | One per establishment | On private property directly in front of the business | — | §17.40.080(A) |
| Awning and Canopy Sign | 14 feet (awning height) | 6 square feet | — | — | One per establishment per street frontage | Attached to or painted on vertical edges or valance of awnings, canopies, arcades, or similar structures near entrances | — | §17.40.080(B) |
| Freestanding Sign | 4 feet (up to 6 feet with approved Overall Sign Plan) | 100 square feet (if two signs on structure, lower sign ≤20 square feet, total ≤100 square feet) | — | ≥5 feet from public right-of-way edge; building ≥20 feet from lot line | One per street frontage (up to two on structure for flag lots) | On parcels with ≥125 feet continuous street frontage; main building set back ≥20 feet from lot line | — | §17.40.080(C) |
| Menu Board | 8 feet (freestanding) or height of eave of roof (wall-mounted) | 20 square feet | — | — | One | Adjacent to vehicle queuing lane for drive-through service point | — | §17.40.080(D) |
| Projecting Sign | 15 feet (from grade to top of sign) | 3 square feet | — | — | One per building or tenant space, whichever greater | Projecting horizontally from exterior wall or suspended beneath marquee, covered walkway, canopy, or awning | — | §17.40.080(E) |
| Wall Sign | Height of the wall to which attached | 100 square feet | — | — | One per street frontage or per tenant space, whichever greater | Attached to exterior wall of building | — | §17.40.080(F) |
| Window Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | — | — | Mounted in or on windows | — | §17.40.080(G) |
| Canopy Sign - Service and Gas Stations | — | 25 square feet per side | — | — | — | On service and gas station canopies | — | §17.40.070(E)(1) |

### Public and Quasi-Public District (PQ)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning and Canopy Sign | 14 feet (awning height) | 6 square feet | — | — | One per establishment per street frontage | Attached to or painted on vertical edges or valance of awnings, canopies, arcades, or similar structures near entrances | — | §17.40.080(B) |
| Freestanding Sign | 4 feet (up to 6 feet with approved Overall Sign Plan) | 100 square feet (if two signs on structure, lower sign ≤20 square feet, total ≤100 square feet) | — | ≥5 feet from public right-of-way edge; building ≥20 feet from lot line | One per street frontage (up to two on structure for flag lots) | On parcels with ≥125 feet continuous street frontage; main building set back ≥20 feet from lot line | — | §17.40.080(C) |
| Menu Board | 8 feet (freestanding) or height of eave of roof (wall-mounted) | 20 square feet | — | — | One | Adjacent to vehicle queuing lane for drive-through service point | — | §17.40.080(D) |
| Projecting Sign | 15 feet (from grade to top of sign) | 3 square feet | — | — | One per building or tenant space, whichever greater | Projecting horizontally from exterior wall or suspended beneath marquee, covered walkway, canopy, or awning | — | §17.40.080(E) |
| Wall Sign | Height of the wall to which attached | 100 square feet | — | — | One per street frontage or per tenant space, whichever greater | Attached to exterior wall of building | — | §17.40.080(F) |
| Window Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | — | — | Mounted in or on windows | — | §17.40.080(G) |
| Sign - Public/Quasi-Public Uses (≥400 ft frontage) | 10 feet | — | — | — | One per legal lot or permitted use | On-site | — | §17.40.060(I)(1)(b)(iii) and §17.40.070 |

## Prohibited signs in Goleta

- Animated Signs: Signs that blink, flash, shimmer, glitter, rotate, oscillate, move, or which give the appearance of blinking, flashing, shimmering, glittering, rotating, or oscillating.
- Cabinet or Can Signs: Internally lit cabinet and can signs.
- General Advertising for Hire: Permanent or temporary billboards or signage that publicize or promote other off-site businesses or causes using methods of advertising (in contrast to self-promotion, on-site sales, or on-site advertising).
- Human Directional Signs: Sign holders, spinners, twirlers or other forms of advertising using human billboards.
- Mobile Billboards: Any sign carried or conveyed by a vehicle for the primary purpose of general advertising for hire, excluding signs on taxis and buses.
- Portable Signs: Portable signs are prohibited in all City rights-of-way unless issued an Encroachment Permit.
- Pole Signs: A sign that is mounted on a freestanding pole or other support structure placed on or anchored to the ground that is independent from any building or other structure.
- Roof Signs: Signs that extend above the roofline or parapet (whichever is higher) of a building with a flat roof, including signs affixed to roof-top mechanical equipment; Signs that extend above the deck line of a mansard roof; Signs on roof-tops that are only visible from above.
- Signs Located in the Public Right-of-Way or on Public Property: Other than official government signs or warning signs required by law, no inanimate sign can be placed in public right-of-way, on any public utility pole or fire hydrant, or on public property unless authorized by a City Encroachment Permit.
- Signs Affixed to Trees: No sign may be affixed to or cut into any public or private tree or other living vegetation.
- Signs on Terrain: No sign may be cut, burned, marked, or displayed in any manner on a street, sidewalk, rock, outcropping, cliff, or hillside.
- Search Lights and Klieg Lights: When used as attention-attracting devices for commercial sales or special events.
- Signs Creating Traffic Hazards or Affecting Pedestrian Safety: No signs may be placed, located, or situated in such a manner as to constitute a safety hazard or to impede the public use of the public right-of-way, including obstructions to doors, windows, fire escapes; blocking pedestrian sidewalks (minimum 4 feet unobstructed); obstructing traffic views, fire hydrants, or signals; creating confusion with traffic signs; or distracting at intersections within visibility triangles.
- Signs for Prohibited Uses: A sign displaying a commercial message promoting a business that is either a prohibited use or has not been established as a legally permitted use.
- Signs that Produce Noise or Emissions: Signs that produce visible smoke, vapor, particles, odor, noise, or sounds that can be heard at the property line, excluding voice units at menu board signs and devices for servicing customers from their vehicles, such as drive-up windows at banks.
- Wind Movement Devices: Balloons, inflatable signs, streamers, banners, pennants, and other attention-getting devices, made of plastic, light-weight fabric, or similar material, designed to rotate or move with the wind. Such devices are prohibited unless permitted by the City as a Temporary Use, pursuant to Section 17.41.260, Standards for Specific Uses and Activities—Temporary Uses.

## Signs exempt from permit in Goleta

- Address Signs: Address identification and signage in conformance with all applicable Fire Department and Building Code requirements.
- Change of Business Signs: A temporary attachment or covering of wood, plastic, or canvas over a permitted permanent sign indicating a change of ownership or activity. The temporary sign may be displayed for no longer than 60 days following the change of ownership or activity for which the sign is intended. The temporary sign must be no larger than the previously permitted permanent sign.
- Commemorative Signs: Plaques, memorial signs or tablets, or other form of signage commemorating the site of a historical event, the residence or workplace of a historical figure, or a building whose architectural or historical character is recognized by the City as part of the City's cultural heritage. The signs may indicate the names of buildings or dates of building erection and may either be attached to or cut into the surfaces of buildings, provided that the signage does not exceed three square feet.
- Construction Signs: A temporary on-site construction sign may be erected for the duration of construction activities, provided it is immediately removed after issuance of Final Inspection Clearance for the project or if the construction is ceased and work on the site is abandoned. A temporary construction sign may not exceed 20 square feet and six feet in height within non-residential zones or eight square feet and four feet in height within residential zones unless a larger area is approved as part of the project's Development Plan approval.
- Directional Signs: Directional signs that do not exceed two square feet.
- Directional Signs for Open Houses: Off-site signs directing the public to 'open house' events, for housing units that are listed for sale or for lease, provided they comply with standards including up to three signs per individual lot or six for multiple lots, no larger than five square feet per side and three feet in height, displayed no more than two hours before/after the event, and not in public right-of-way or impeding pedestrian access.
- Door Signs: Signs displaying a business as open or closed and do not exceed one square foot; Stickers or decals indicating accepted payment types (i.e., credit/debit cards) and do not exceed one square foot; Stickers, decals, or etching on glass that display store hours and do not exceed two square feet.
- Flags: Noncommercial flags may be erected and located on a property only in accordance with standards including maximum flagpole height of 30 feet or distance to property line plus 10 feet (whichever less), and maximum size of 24 square feet in Residential Zone Districts and 32 square feet in all other Zone Districts.
- Government Signs: Official notices issued by a court, public body, or office and posted in the performance of a public duty; informational signs posted by the City, notices posted by a utility or other quasi-public agency; signs erected by a governmental body to direct or regulate pedestrian or vehicular traffic; non-commercial bus stop signs erected by a public transit agency, or other signs required or authorized by law.
- Interior Signs: Signs that are located within interior areas of a building, not intended to attract outside attention, and are at least three feet from a window, door, or other exterior wall opening.
- Menu Displays: Menu displays, not exceeding a total of two square feet in cumulative area, mounted on a wall or in a window near the main entrance of establishments serving food to customers who eat on the premises.
- Murals: Murals that do not contain any advertising copy or function as advertising.
- One-Time Event Sign: One-time event signs with a maximum area of 40 square feet, one per street frontage, posted no more than seven days prior to the special event, and removed within 24 hours of completion of the event.
- On-Site Real Estate Signs: Signs conveying information about the sale, rental, or lease of the subject lot, premises, dwelling, or structure, provided not illuminated, removed within seven days after sale/lease/rental, with freestanding limits of one per street frontage, max 32 sq ft non-residential or 8 sq ft residential, 6 ft height; wall signs one per frontage, max 6 sq ft, 12 ft height.
- Subdivision Signs: A maximum of three, unlighted, double-faced temporary subdivision signs, not exceeding 40 square feet in area per display face and 15 feet in overall height, may be erected and maintained with a subdivision during sale of the lots. Such signs must be located within the subdivision and also be a minimum distance of 300 feet apart from each other. All subdivision signs must be removed at the close of escrow of the model complex houses.
- Sponsorship Signs: One temporary commercial sponsorship sign for each sponsor or one sign for all sponsors, who support and/or contribute to activities occurring on a premises open to the public. The signs must not exceed an area of 36 square feet per site and may remain on the premises for a period determined by the host agency or owner not to exceed three months preceding the activity or event and removed within 15 days after the event or activity.
- Vehicle and Vessel Insignia: On properly licensed vehicles and watercraft: license plates and frames, registration stickers and insignia, and messages relating to the proposed sale, lease, or exchange of the vehicle or vessel.
- Window Signs: Window Signs in 'R' zone districts and on residential uses, whether permanent or temporary, one non-illuminated window sign not exceeding three square feet on any building façade when not used to advertise a home occupation.
- Protected Non-Commercial Speech Signs: Non-illuminated temporary signs displaying protected non-commercial messages that are no more than four feet in height and no more than six square feet in area may be displayed at any time. However, during the period of time beginning 60 days before a general, special, primary or runoff election, and ending 15 days after such election, the amount of display area may be doubled. All signage displayed under this section must be removed 15 days after the corresponding election.
- Public Transportation Passenger Terminals: Signs for publicly-operated transportation passenger terminals that are limited to traveler information such as arrival and departure times, including electronic changeable copy signs notwithstanding Section 17.40.060(I) and the limitations therein.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An Overall Sign Plan is required for new development in commercial, office, and industrial zoning districts with four or more occupancies in commercial or office developments, including mixed-use projects.
- An Overall Sign Plan is required for all construction and renovation projects involving more than 40,000 square feet of land area where a previous Overall Sign Plan was not approved.
- Overall Sign Plans are subject to Design Review approval by the Design Review Board prior to any subsequent ministerial review by the Director for individual signs.
- Subsequent individual signs on an approved Overall Sign Plan are subject to Administrative Design Review and Zoning Clearance for conformance, without further Design Review Board approval unless specified in the Plan.
- Applications for individual signs not conforming to an approved Overall Sign Plan require review and approval of a new or revised Overall Sign Plan by the Design Review Board.
- The total aggregate area of signs permitted by an Overall Sign Plan may be up to 10 percent larger than the total aggregate areas otherwise permitted by the chapter.
- Increased height allowance for freestanding signs (up to six feet) may be approved as part of an Overall Sign Plan.

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

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