# Sign Regulations in Hayward, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hayward, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/hayward
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Hayward/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=HAYWARD_MUNICIPAL_CODE_CH10PLZOSU_ART7SIRE)

## At a glance

Hayward, California regulates 33 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Portable Sign / A-Frame / Sandwich Boards in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 3 ft. (maximum 4 ft. with stand) tall, 6 sq. ft. per side (area not included in total permitted sign area), and 2 ft. wide, with a Must leave minimum 4 ft. clear on sidewalk for pedestrians setback (Sec. 10-7.300(20.ii), 10-7.501(h), 10-7.503e, 10-7.503f). Most commercial signs in Hayward require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (13 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 8 ft. minimum clearance from bottom to finished grade | 30% of first floor surface area, 20% of second floor (counts toward max per district) | — |
| Sign Corridor Overlay District | 2 | — | 200 sq. ft. | — |
| Downtown Entertainment District | 2 | 3 ft. (maximum height 4 ft. with stand) | 6 sq. ft. per side | — |
| RS, RNP, RO (Single-Family Residential and Residential Office) Districts | 2 | 10 ft. | 50 sq. ft. per face, 100 sq. ft. total (1 sign); 30 sq. ft. per face/60 sq. ft. total (2nd sign for large subdivision) | — |
| RM, RH (Multi-Family Residential), MH (Mobile Home), and AT-RM (Air Terminal Medium Density Residential) Districts | 3 | 10 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — |
| All Commercial Districts (Except CC-R, CC-C and CC-P), Including AT-AC, AT-C (Airport Commercial Zones) | 2 | 12 ft. (1 ft. lower for every ft. closer than 12 ft. to property line) | 36 sq. ft. per face | — |
| CC-R (Central City–Residential) District | 2 | 6 ft. | 36 sq. ft. per face | — |
| CC-C (Central City Commercial District) and CC-P (Central City Plaza) District | 5 | 8 ft. minimum clearance from bottom to grade | 40 sq. ft., 20 sq. ft. per face; double face counts as one sign | — |
| Form-Based Code Districts (MB-CN, MB-NN, MB-CC, MB-CS) | 5 | 8 ft. min clearance from bottom to grade | 100 sq. ft. max, 30 sq. ft. min | — |
| I (Industrial), AT-IP (Airport Terminal Industrial), and AT-R (Airport Terminal Recreational) Districts | 3 | No higher than building (wall); 50 ft. for freeway oriented signs | 1 sq. ft. per lineal foot of frontage or 25 sq. ft., whichever is greater (per face) | — |
| PD (Planned Development) District | 1 | — | — | — |
| A (Agricultural) and FP (Flood Plain) Districts | 1 | 10 ft. | 50 sq. ft. per establishment or parcel | — |
| New Districts | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 13 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not above roof or parapet | — | — | — | — | On exterior building walls | — | 10-7.200, 10-7.209, 10-7.501(j), 10-7.208, 10-7.503 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10-7.208(i), 10-7.200, 10-7.209 |
| Projecting Sign (Blade/Shingle) | 8 ft. minimum clearance from bottom to finished grade | 6 sq. ft. per face (exempt in listed districts) | — | 2.5 ft from curb line or as per zone | One per establishment | Frontage of establishment; not to block permitted sign of adjacent business; only on first floor; may extend maximum 3 ft. horizontally; not above parapet or cornice. | — | 10-7.300(19), 10-7.501(i), 10-7.503 |
| Awning Sign | Below roof/top level of wall/parapet | 30% of first floor surface area, 20% of second floor (counts toward max per district) | — | — | See zoning district (equivalent to wall sign) | On awning panels attached to building | — | 10-7.501(a), 10-7.208 |
| Portable Sign / A-Frame / Sandwich Board | 3 ft. (maximum 4 ft. with stand) | 6 sq. ft. per side (area not included in total permitted sign area) | 2 ft. | Must leave minimum 4 ft. clear on sidewalk for pedestrians | 1 per establishment (sidewalk display); 1 on-site and up to 4 directional for real estate open houses | Only as permitted e.g., Downtown Entertainment District, open house directional (sidewalks); see details per sign type | — | 10-7.300(20.ii), 10-7.501(h), 10-7.503e, 10-7.503f |

### CC-C (Central City Commercial District) and CC-P (Central City Plaza) District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (CC-C/CC-P) | No higher than cornice/parapet | 30 sq. ft. min, 100 sq. ft. max | — | — | 2 per frontage, 4 max | On building wall | — | 10-7.503(e) |
| Awning Sign (Ground Floor Only, CC-C/CC-P) | 8 ft. minimum clearance from bottom to grade | 20% of front awning skirt area | — | — | — | Awning valance/skirt | — | 10-7.503(e) |
| Projecting Sign (CC-C/CC-P) | No higher than cornice/parapet; 8 ft. min. clearance bottom to grade | 40 sq. ft., 20 sq. ft. per face; double face counts as one sign | — | — | Counts towards max signs per establishment | May project up to 3 ft. horizontally (5 ft. for Foothill & A); not within 2.5 ft. of curb | — | 10-7.503(e) |
| Window Sign (CC-C/CC-P) | — | 25% of total area of window | — | — | — | Interior or exterior face of window | — | 10-7.503(e) |
| Sidewalk Display (A-Frame/T-Frame) | — | 6 sq. ft. per side | — | 4 ft. min passageway | 1 | Only permitted in Downtown Entertainment District; must leave 4 ft. passageway | — | 10-7.503(e) |

### Form-Based Code Districts (MB-CN, MB-NN, MB-CC, MB-CS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Form-Based, Outside Overlay) | No higher than cornice/parapet | 100 sq. ft. max, 30 sq. ft. min | — | — | 2 per frontage, 4 max | Primary and secondary building frontage (see zone definition) | — | 10-7.503(f) |
| Wall Sign (Form-Based, Sign Corridor Overlay) | No higher than cornice/parapet | 100 sq. ft. max, 30 sq. ft. min | — | — | 2 per frontage, 4 max | Primary and secondary building frontage within overlay | — | 10-7.503(f), 10-7.211 |
| Awning Sign (Form-Based) | 8 ft. min clearance from bottom to grade | See general zone calculation above | — | — | — | Awning skirt | — | 10-7.503(f) |
| Projecting Sign (Form-Based) | No higher than cornice/parapet; 8 ft. min. clearance bottom to finish grade | 40 sq. ft., 20 sq. ft. per face | — | — | Counts towards total | See above | — | 10-7.503(f) |
| Window Sign (Form-Based) | — | 25% of window area (permanent window signs); 25% including temp window signs | — | — | — | On/behind window glass | — | 10-7.503(f) |

## Prohibited signs in Hayward

- No sign may be placed within the public right-of-way (including planter strips, tree wells, sound walls, fences, and street medians), except as specifically allowed by ordinance.
- No sign may be placed on any public property unless expressly allowed.
- No sign may be placed in any location which interferes with vehicular, bicycle, or pedestrian circulation safety.
- Roof signs (signs painted or erected on or above the roof or parapet of any building structure) are prohibited.
- A sign containing non-English language characters/words must also include sufficient English translation for public and first responder understanding.
- No sign may be erected without first obtaining a sign permit unless exempted under specific provisions.
- Commercial and advertising signs specified as prohibited in Section 10-7.400 are not permitted in any District, including but not limited to: signs on public property or right of way (unless allowed), advertising banners (except certain permitted events), bunting (except for specific events for auto dealerships), cabinet or 'can' signs (except legal non-conforming as described), changeable copy/electronic reader board signs (with listed exceptions), dilapidated signs, flashing signs, general advertising signs (off-premises), hazardous signs, home occupation signs, inflatables/aerial signs/Mylar balloons (excluding permitted cases), moving signs (permanent), signs attached to natural objects (trees, rocks), obsolete signs, pennants (except for permitted events), pole signs (except where specifically allowed), portable signs (except as specifically permitted), roof/wall/projecting signs that extend above roof line or parapet, searchlights (except for permitted events), signs that simulate/conflict with traffic control devices, streamers (except for permitted events), vehicle-mounted commercial signs not meeting ordinance definitions, signs erected without a permit, temporary signs without a permit.
- Plastic signs are prohibited in residential districts.
- Unshielded lighting, including incandescent bulbs hung or strung on poles, wires, etc. is prohibited except on a temporary basis for events approved under Administrative Use Permit.
- Internally illuminated cabinet signs are prohibited except for those with non-opaque material and punch-thru letters (only letters illuminated); legal non-conforming and service station price signs are exempt.
- Abandoned, dilapidated or unsafe signs are subject to removal.
- No sign, light, or advertising structure shall be located in such a manner as to constitute a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, or be confused with authorized traffic signs/devices.
- Signs erected without a permit, when required, are prohibited.
- Temporary signs displayed without a permit are prohibited.
- Home occupation signs are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hayward

- Flags of any nation or government.
- Gravestones.
- Barber poles.
- Religious symbols.
- Signs for state or federally regulated uses (e.g. public schools, state universities, United States Post Office).
- Official traffic or government signs.
- The content of signs (note: refers to regulation about content, not an exemption for content-only signs).
- Product dispensers and point-of-purchase displays not directly visible from a vehicular or pedestrian right-of-way.
- Scoreboards on athletic fields.
- Seasonal displays (unless otherwise regulated).
- Signs not intended to be viewed from a vehicular or pedestrian right-of-way as defined.
- Accessory Signs not exceeding six (6) square feet per sign.
- Address Signs (non-business) not exceeding two (2) square feet for single-family/duplex, four (4) square feet otherwise.
- Automatic Teller Machine signs not exceeding four (4) square feet per machine.
- Balloons not exceeding fourteen (14) inches in diameter and must be non-Mylar; no limit as to number.
- Bulletin Board (On-Site), one per non-state/federal facility, not exceeding thirty (30) square feet per face and six (6) feet in height.
- Change of copy on legally installed, conforming signs (structure not altered), and for other specific sign types as listed.
- Commemorative plaques, one per building, maximum ten (10) square feet.
- Community identification signs in accordance with branding guidelines.
- Construction signs, one per street frontage, maximum thirty-two (32) square feet per face, ten (10) feet in height—larger allowed by Director.
- Directional/Informational Signs up to six (6) square feet per sign; logos up to twenty percent of sign area.
- Flags (other than national/government), one per establishment, maximum six (6) feet in longest dimension.
- Garage/yard sale signs for residential properties, limited size, non-illuminated, further restrictions on placement and removal.
- Interior signs within the interior of any building/complex or that cannot be seen from defined right-of-way.
- Murals with no commercial message (Original Art Murals and City Mural Art Program murals).
- Official signs such as legal notices, identification, information, or directional signs from governmental bodies or utilities.
- Original Art Murals (no commercial message), but must be approved and registered with the City's Mural Program.
- Political/election signs up to thirty-two (32) square feet per face, temporary, to be removed within fourteen (14) days after election.
- Product identification signs not directly visible from a vehicular or pedestrian right-of-way.
- Projecting signs (blade/shingle), up to six (6) square feet per face in certain locations, may require encroachment permit if above public property.
- On-site real estate signs (see size limits by use), one per street frontage; must be removed after property is leased/sold.
- Open house directional signs for single family/subdivisions (up to four directional and one on-site), subject to specific placement rules.
- Service stations: certain state-authorized testing signs, price signs, and pump signs within stated size limits.
- Time and temperature devices with no advertising, in nonresidential districts only, max. twenty (20) sq. ft. per face.
- Towing Authorization-Private Property Signs per Police Department guidelines.
- Transit, bus shelter, or bench signs as authorized by public agency or under written agreement with city and agency.
- Under-canopy signs up to six (6) square feet.
- Vehicle signs—as defined in Section 10-7.800—up to two per vehicle or as allowed by State Vehicle Code.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Master Sign Program is required for any project that has five (5) or more business or office uses AND requires site plan review, an administrative or conditional use permit, variance, or is a planned development. No individual sign permit on such a site shall be issued until a Master Sign Program is approved.
- Owners of two (2) or more contiguous lots or a single lot with more than one building may voluntarily file a Master Sign Program.
- A Master Sign Program application must include a plot plan, sign computations, locations of all existing and proposed signs (whether or not requiring a permit), color scheme, lettering/graphics style, lighting details, materials, sign dimensions, provisions for leasing info, and window sign information.
- If a new or amended Master Sign Program is filed and existing signs do not conform, a schedule to bring them into conformance must be included.
- Once approved, all signs on the property must be in conformance with the Master Sign Program.
- A Master Sign Program may allow additional sign area and deviations if consistent with section 10-7.208 (Design).
- Master Sign Program is required for Regional Shopping Centers (see zoning district summaries).
- An approved Master Sign Program or other permit conditions (site plan, admin/conditional use permit, variance, planned development) may further regulate sign area, number, height, location, color, or design beyond standard code requirements.
- Any sign requiring a variance may be considered/administered by the Director, or referred to Planning Commission; variances are processed in accordance with Zoning Ordinance sections.
- A sign permit is not required for repair, maintenance or replacement of a lawful and conforming sign, for lawful non-conforming signs (unless removal is required), or for replacement of a destroyed sign (unless removal is required per specific sections); but a building permit may still be required depending on work performed.

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

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