# Sign Regulations in Grass Valley, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Grass Valley, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/grass-valley
- **Data last verified:** 2025-08-15
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Grass_Valley/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17DECO_ART3SIPLPRDEST_CH17.38SI)

## At a glance

Grass Valley, California regulates 18 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Wall Signs in the Town Core (TC) zoning district are capped at Below roof; not above top of wall, 2nd floor sill, or 20 ft above grade, whichever is less tall and 100 sf (primary), 50 sf (secondary), with a Shall not project more than 12 in from wall. Cannot exceed face of structure. setback (Sec. 17.38.070.B, 17.38.080.L, Table 3-11). Most commercial signs in Grass Valley require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Town Core (TC) | 8 | Top not to exceed 14 ft, eave height, parapet height, or 2nd floor sill; minimum clearance 8 ft above grade | 100 sf (primary), 50 sf (secondary) | — |
| Neighborhood Center (NC) | 8 | 14 ft or eave/parapet/2nd floor sill, whichever less; min clearance 8 ft | 100 sf (primary), 50 sf (secondary) | — |
| Neighborhood Center-Flex (NC-Flex) | 8 | 6 ft (8 ft avg. on sloped sites) | 100 sf (primary), 50 sf (secondary) | — |
| Community Business District (C-1), Central Business District (C-2), Heavy Commercial (C-3), Office Professional (OP), Corporate Business Park (CBP), Light Industrial (M-1), General Industrial (M-2) | 7 | 14 ft or eave/parapet/sill | 100 sf (primary), 50 sf (secondary) | — |
| Residential Estate (RE), Single Residential (R-1), Two-Family Residential (R-2), Medium Density Residential (R-2A), Multiple Dwelling Residential (R-3) | 5 | 6 ft (8 ft avg. on sloped) | 24 sf | — |
| Open Space (OS), Recreation (REC), Public (P), Specific Plan (SP), Design Combining Zone (-D), Historical Combining Zone (-H), Mobile Home and Mobile Home Park Combining Zone (-MH), Mining and Reclamation Combining Zone (-MR), Hills Flat Business District Combining Zone (HFBD), Southeast Industrial District Combining Zone (SEID), General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 4 ft | Per 17.38.040; banners 24 sf; subdivision signs 32 sf | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Town Core (TC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Below roof; not above top of wall, 2nd floor sill, or 20 ft above grade, whichever is less | 100 sf (primary), 50 sf (secondary) | — | Shall not project more than 12 in from wall. Cannot exceed face of structure. | 1 per frontage (primary and secondary) | Building facade, 1 per primary and 1 per secondary frontage | — | 17.38.070.B, 17.38.080.L, Table 3-11 |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 6 ft (8 ft average on slope) | Included in 1 sf per linear foot of frontage; not to exceed 100 sf primary, 50 sf secondary | — | 5 ft from street or interior property line, 10 ft from drive | 3 maximum of any combination of sign types per tenant frontage; 1 per allowed sign type for secondary tenant frontage | At least 5 ft from street or interior property line, 10 ft from driveways, outside visibility triangle | — | 17.38.070.B, 17.38.080.B, Table 3-11 |
| Awning Sign | Below roof (at least 1 ft below parapet, 2nd floor sill, or lowest cornice/overhang) | Included in facade formula | — | — | Included within total number of 3 per frontage | Awning over door/window within frontage area | — | 17.38.080.A, Table 3-11 |
| Projecting, Overhead, or Suspended Sign | Top not to exceed 14 ft, eave height, parapet height, or 2nd floor sill; minimum clearance 8 ft above grade | 8 sf per face | — | — | Included within max of 3 per frontage | Building face, projecting over sidewalk as allowed | — | 17.38.080.H, Table 3-11 |
| Suspended Sign | Below eave/canopy; at least 8 ft above walking surface | To be included as part of total sign area, subject to 1 sf per linear foot formula | — | — | Included within max number for tenant frontage | Under canopy/soffit | — | Table 3-11 |
| Window Sign | — | Permanent window signs: not more than 15% of total window area | — | — | Included in number per tenant | Ground level or 2nd story window | — | 17.38.080.M, 17.38.040.C.3 |
| A-Board or Pedestal Sign | 4 ft | 6 sf per side | — | — | 1 per tenant | Within 10 ft of main entrance, in public ROW only | — | 17.38.080.N |
| Temporary Sign | Same as permanent sign | Banner: 24 sf; other temp: up to zone max per Table 3-11 | — | — | 1 per premise at a time | Subject to placement/height restrictions of permanent sign type | — | 17.38.040.C, 17.38.080.J |

### Neighborhood Center (NC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Below roof; not above top of wall, 2nd floor sill, or 20 ft above grade | 100 sf (primary), 50 sf (secondary) | — | Shall not project >12 in from wall | 1 per frontage | Building facade; 1 per primary and 1 per secondary frontage | — | 17.38.070.B, 17.38.080.L, Table 3-11 |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 6 ft (8 ft on slopes avg.) | Included in max total sign area per tenant | — | 5 ft street/int. line, 10 ft driveway | Up to 3 of any allowed sign types/tenant frontage; 1 for secondary | At least 5 ft from street or interior property line; 10 ft from driveways | — | 17.38.080.B; Table 3-11 |
| Awning Sign | Below roof (at least 1 ft below top of parapet/2nd floor sill/lowest cornice/overhang) | Included in frontage total | — | — | Included in max | Awning within primary/secondary frontage area | — | 17.38.080.A, Table 3-11 |
| Projecting/Overhead/Suspended Sign | 14 ft or eave/parapet/2nd floor sill, whichever less; min clearance 8 ft | 8 sf per face | — | — | Included in 3 sign max per tenant frontage | Projecting from face of building, over sidewalk as allowed. | — | 17.38.080.H, Table 3-11 |
| Suspended Sign | Below eave/canopy, 8 ft min above walking surface | Counts toward allowed sign area | — | — | Included | Under canopy/soffit | — | Table 3-11 |
| Window Sign | — | Permanent: not more than 15% of total window area | — | — | Included | Window on ground or 2nd floor | — | 17.38.080.M, 17.38.040.C.3 |
| A-Board or Pedestal Sign | 4 ft | 6 sf per side | — | — | 1 per tenant | Within 10 ft of main entrance, in ROW | — | 17.38.080.N |
| Temporary Sign | As for permanent sign | Banner: 24 sf max; all temp not to exceed zone's max for non-corner lot | — | — | 1 per premise at a time | — | — | 17.38.080.J, 17.38.040.C |

### Neighborhood Center-Flex (NC-Flex)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Below roof/top of wall/2nd floor sill or 20 ft max | 100 sf (primary), 50 sf (secondary) | — | Not project more than 12 in | 1 per frontage | Building face, 1 per frontage | — | 17.38.070.B, 17.38.080.L, Table 3-11 |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 6 ft (8 ft avg. on sloped sites) | Included in overall tenant sign area (formula above) | — | 5 ft from property line, 10 ft from drive | Up to 3 of any combination per frontage; 1 for secondary | 5 ft or more from property line, 10 ft from driveway | — | 17.38.080.B, Table 3-11 |
| Freestanding Pole Sign | 5 ft | 12 sf | — | 5 ft from sidewalk rear | Not specified | At least 5 ft from rear of sidewalk | — | 17.38.080.C |
| Awning Sign | Below roof/1 ft below parapet, 2nd floor sill, cornice/overhang | Included in formula total | — | — | Included in max | On awning on primary/secondary building face | — | 17.38.080.A, Table 3-11 |
| Projecting/Overhead/Suspended Sign | Up to eave, parapet, 2nd floor sill, or 14 ft; min 8 ft above grade | 8 sf | — | — | Included in 3 sign max | Projecting from wall; overhead, under canopy/soffit | — | 17.38.080.H, Table 3-11 |
| Window Sign | — | Permanent: 15% of total window area | — | — | Included | Ground or 2nd story window | — | 17.38.080.M, 17.38.040.C.3 |
| A-Board or Pedestal Sign | 4 ft | 6 sf per side | — | — | 1 per tenant | Within 10 ft of main entrance, in ROW | — | 17.38.080.N |
| Temporary Sign | Same as permanent sign | Banner: 24 sf; other temp: not more than zone max sign area | — | — | 1 at a time | As per permanent sign type | — | 17.38.080.J, 17.38.040.C |

## Prohibited signs in Grass Valley

- All signs not expressly allowed by Chapter 17.38 (Signs) are prohibited.
- Board and other portable sidewalk signs within the public right-of-way (except A-Board and pedestal signage in compliance with Subsection 17.38.080.N) are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Animated signs, including electronic message display signs, variable intensity, blinking, or flashing signs, or signs that emit a varying intensity of light or color are prohibited.
- Billboards and any other off-premises signs, except as allowed by Civil Code Section 713, are prohibited.
- Digital monument signs and internally illuminated canopy signs in the Historical Combining Zone (H) are prohibited.
- Flags are prohibited except as specifically allowed by 17.38.040.E.2 (official flags).
- Freeway oriented signs are prohibited unless the sign meets criteria listed in Subsection 17.38.080.D.
- Illegal signs are prohibited.
- Inflatable or tethered signs or devices are prohibited.
- Internally illuminated signs are prohibited except where authorized by a sign exception permit and determined by the review authority.
- Moving signs, and similar signs that contain moving parts, are prohibited.
- Obscene signs are prohibited.
- Pennants and streamers are prohibited except in conjunction with an athletic event, carnival, circus, fair, or as allowed in Subsection 17.38.080.H.
- Pole signs are prohibited unless the sign meets criteria listed in Subsection 17.38.080.C.
- Reader board signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs that simulate in color, size, or design, any traffic control sign or signal, or use characters, symbols, or words in a manner that interferes with, misleads, or confuses traffic are prohibited.
- Second story or higher awning and window signs are prohibited.
- Signs in the form or shape of a directional arrow, or otherwise displaying a directional arrow, are prohibited except as approved by the review authority or required for safety.
- Signs attached to or suspended from boats, floats, vehicles, or movable objects parked within a public right-of-way or visible from such, except signs painted on or permanently affixed to the vehicle, are prohibited.
- Signs burned, cut, or otherwise marked on or affixed to a hillside or tree are prohibited.
- Signs with reflective material are prohibited.
- Signs within the public right-of-way are prohibited, except as installed/maintained by a government agency for traffic safety or as permitted for A-Board or pedestal signage.
- Signs in residential zones are prohibited except as specifically allowed in Chapter 17.38.
- Signs held or supported by human beings are prohibited; except for noncommercial signs.
- Signs in storage or in the process of assembly or repair, located outside on premises other than that advertised on the signs and visible from a public right-of-way, are prohibited.
- Temporary and portable signs are prohibited except as specifically allowed by Subsection 17.38.080.M.
- No sign shall project over public property or into the public right-of-way, except with a city encroachment permit.
- No sign shall be placed so as to interfere with the operation of a door, fire escape, or window.
- No sign shall be constructed, installed, or modified without first obtaining a sign permit, unless the sign is allowed without a sign permit by Section 17.38.040.

## Signs exempt from permit in Grass Valley

- Modifications to sign copy on conforming signs, or changes to the face or copy of conforming changeable copy signs, do not require a sign permit.
- Normal maintenance of conforming signs does not require a sign permit, except as identified in 17.38.060.I.
- Street identification and house identification signs not exceeding two square feet do not require a sign permit.
- Temporary real estate signs are allowed without a sign permit, subject to specified requirements.
- Temporary political signs are allowed without a sign permit, subject to specified requirements.
- Temporary window signs are allowed without a sign permit and the area is not counted towards maximum allowable sign area.
- Governmental signs installed by the city, county, or a federal or state agency (including emergency, safety, traffic, legal notices, location of public facilities, and any sign required for public health and safety) are exempt.
- Address numbers not exceeding twelve inches in height do not require a sign permit.
- Directional signs less than four square feet in size do not require a sign permit.
- Official flags of national, state, or local governments, or nationally recognized fraternal, public service, or religious organizations, provided the flag length does not exceed one-fourth the flag pole height and is not used for commercial advertising, do not require a sign permit.
- Illumination, patterns, pictures, or symbols approved as architectural ornamentation or decoration by the review authority are exempt.
- Historical plaques, memorials, building cornerstones, and date-constructed stones not exceeding four square feet are exempt.
- Service station price signs required by state law, not exceeding number and area required by law and not internally illuminated, are exempt.
- Signs or displays located entirely inside a structure and not clearly visible from public view are exempt.
- Signs created by landscaping (letters/symbols made entirely of landscaping) are exempt.
- Small, temporary signs, in compliance with chapter requirements, that address noncommercial issues are exempt.
- Nonconforming signs covered by a previously approved master sign program, or within a shopping center previously approved by the city or county (except pole signs and shopping center identification signs exceeding code allowances), are exempt from nonconforming sign removal requirements.
- Historic signs granted historic sign status are exempt from certain requirements and removal.
- Certain sign copy and face changes, non-structural modifications, and non-structural maintenance are allowed without a sign permit up to a maximum of 50% of replacement cost, as determined by the building official.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign program is required for any site with two or more tenants or five or more total signs. The master sign program must be reviewed and recommended by the development review committee and approved by the planning commission.
- As part of a master sign program approval, the commission may grant exceptions to the standards of the sign code for the maximum number and size of signs, based on design features including architectural style, mass, landscaping, and visibility.
- Sign permit applications associated with a proposed development must be submitted and reviewed concurrently with development permit applications.
- For signs within the Historic Combining Zone (H), review and approval by the director/historic commission is required; the development review committee (DRC) may allow types of signs as part of a unified plan furthering the historical purpose.
- For all signs in the Design (D) combining zone, commission approval of plans is required prior to building permit issuance, including considerations for sign type, size, and location.
- For the P (Public) and OS (Open Space) zones, plans including site layout, sign locations, and sign drawings are required as part of site plan submittals before development.
- For the SP (Specific Plan) zone, a development map is required before issuance of construction or building permits. The map and associated standards may address signage as part of the approval.
- Murals and sign exceptions require review by the DRC and approval by the planning commission; murals in historic districts require historic commission review.
- Any sign exception permit (for exceeding sign standards) is decided by the planning commission.
- Sign permits must be in compliance with the adopted city design guidelines where applicable.

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

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