# Sign Regulations in Livermore, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Livermore, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/livermore
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-10
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Livermore/?zoning/Lpzc03/lpzc0345.html)

## At a glance

Livermore, California regulates 34 sign types across 17 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Option 1 (Standard Parcel)s in the Central business (CB), General commercial (CG), Neighborhood commercial (CN) zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 20 sq ft, with a If within setback, must comply with 3-45-040(E). Monument-style required at ≤8 ft. setback (Sec. LPZC 3-45-190(B)(3)(a), (C); 3-45-040(D)(1), (E)). Most commercial signs in Livermore require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (17 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| Agricultural (A), Open space (OS) | 2 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per use (aggregate) | — |
| Central business (CB), General commercial (CG), Neighborhood commercial (CN) | 11 | 25 ft | Up to 150 sq ft (per formula) | — |
| Downtown specific plan (DSP) | 4 | — | 4 sq ft | — |
| Downtown commercial core (DCC) | 5 | 48 in | ≤50% of window area | — |
| Outer core area (OCA) | 5 | 48 in | ≤50% of window area | — |
| Commercial office (CO), Professional office (CP) | 6 | Sign copy height max 8 inches | Up to 50 sq ft (per formula) | — |
| Commercial service (CS) | 8 | 12 inches | Up to 150 sq ft (per formula) | — |
| Highway service commercial (CHS) | 9 | 50 ft (and ≤40 ft above freeway median) | 300 sq ft (overall); 100 sq ft max per user | — |
| Education and institutions (E) | 3 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft per use | — |
| Highway combining (H) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Industrial (I) | 5 | 48 in | ≤50% of window area | — |
| Research and development (I-1), Light industrial (I-2), Heavy industrial (I-3) | 6 | 25 ft | Up to 100 sq ft (per formula) | — |
| Planned development (PD) | 2 | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per use (aggregate total across signs) | — |
| Medium density residential (RM), Residential high (RH), Suburban multiple residential (RG) | 4 | 6 ft | 15 sq ft aggregate sign copy | — |
| Suburban residential (RS), Rural residential (R-R), Low density residential (RL), Duplex residential (R2) | 3 | — | 15 sq ft aggregate sign copy | — |
| Neighborhood mixed use (NM) | 4 | A-frame 48 in | Up to 50 sq ft (per formula) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 17 zones)

### Central business (CB), General commercial (CG), Neighborhood commercial (CN)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Aggregate Sign Area - Primary Building Frontage | — | Up to 150 sq ft (per formula) | — | — | — | On the chosen primary frontage | — | LPZC 3-45-190(A)(1), (C) |
| Awning Sign | Sign copy height max 8 inches | 32 sq ft | — | — | Single awning sign | On awning projecting from building | — | LPZC 3-45-190(B)(1), (C) |
| Canopy Sign | 12 inches | — | 4 ft length | — | Single canopy sign | Under an awning or arcade, perpendicular to pedestrian walkway | — | LPZC 3-45-190(B)(2); 3-45-020(8) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 1 (Standard Parcel) | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — | If within setback, must comply with 3-45-040(E). Monument-style required at ≤8 ft. | 1 per parcel under this option | On-site; may be perpendicular to street; may be within setback if landscaped and setback criteria met. | — | LPZC 3-45-190(B)(3)(a), (C); 3-45-040(D)(1), (E) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 2 (Commercial Complex > 5 acres) (Up to Two Frontages) | 8 ft | 25 sq ft per sign | — | If within setback, must comply with 3-45-040(E). Monument-style required at ≤8 ft. | Up to 2 signs (one per frontage selected) | On up to two frontages of the complex | — | LPZC 3-45-190(B)(3)(b)(i), (C) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 3 (Commercial Complex > 5 acres) (One Taller Sign) | 25 ft | 40 sq ft | — | If within setback, must comply with 3-45-040(E). | 1 sign under this option | On-site frontage | — | LPZC 3-45-190(B)(3)(b)(ii), (C) |
| Freestanding Sign - Option 4 (Commercial Complex > 10 acres; 3+ Street Accesses) | 8 ft | 30 sq ft per sign | — | If within setback, must comply with 3-45-040(E). Monument-style required at ≤8 ft. | Up to 3 signs (one per qualifying frontage) | On three separate public street frontages | — | LPZC 3-45-190(B)(3)(c), (C) |
| Motor Fuel Price Sign | 6 ft (if freestanding) | 20 sq ft per individual sign for sign copy | — | If freestanding within setback, must comply with 3-45-040(E). | — | On-site; may be freestanding | — | LPZC 3-45-190(B)(4); 3-45-320(A)-(D) |

### Commercial service (CS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Aggregate Sign Area - Primary Building Frontage | — | Up to 150 sq ft (per formula) | — | — | — | Primary frontage | — | LPZC 3-45-230(A)(1) |
| Aggregate Sign Area - Secondary Building Frontage | — | Up to 32 sq ft (per formula) | — | — | — | Secondary frontage | — | LPZC 3-45-230(A)(2) |
| Aggregate Bonus Area - Additional Uses | — | 10 sq ft per additional use | — | — | — | On-use frontage | — | LPZC 3-45-230(A)(3) |
| Awning Sign | Sign copy height max 8 inches | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On awning | — | LPZC 3-45-230(B)(1) |
| Canopy Sign | 12 inches | — | 4 ft length | — | Single canopy sign | Under awning/arcade, perpendicular to pedestrian walkway | — | LPZC 3-45-230(B)(2); 3-45-020(8) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | If within setback, comply with 3-45-040(E). | 1 (≤1 acre) or 2 (>1 acre and ≥300 ft frontage) | On-site frontage(s); may be within setback if landscaped and setback criteria met | — | LPZC 3-45-230(B)(3); 3-45-040(E), (G) |
| Motor Fuel Price Sign | 6 ft (freestanding) | 20 sq ft per individual sign for sign copy | — | If freestanding within setback, comply with 3-45-040(E). | — | On-site; may be freestanding | — | LPZC 3-45-230(B)(4); 3-45-320 |
| Wall Sign | — | Subject to aggregate area formula and exclusions | — | — | — | On building wall | — | LPZC 3-45-230(B)(5); 3-45-040(C) |

### Highway service commercial (CHS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Aggregate Sign Area - Primary Building Frontage | — | Up to 150 sq ft (per formula) | — | — | — | Primary frontage | — | LPZC 3-45-240(A)(1) |
| Aggregate Sign Area - Secondary Building Frontage | — | Up to 32 sq ft (per formula) | — | — | — | Secondary frontage | — | LPZC 3-45-240(A)(2) |
| Aggregate Bonus Area - Additional Uses | — | 10 sq ft per additional use | — | — | — | On-use frontage | — | LPZC 3-45-240(A)(3) |
| Awning Sign | Sign copy height max 8 inches | 32 sq ft | — | — | Single awning sign | On awning | — | LPZC 3-45-240(B)(1) |
| Canopy Sign | 12 inches | — | 4 ft length | — | Single canopy sign | Under awning/arcade, perpendicular to pedestrian walkway | — | LPZC 3-45-240(B)(2); 3-45-020(8) |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | 30 sq ft per sign | — | If within setback, comply with 3-45-040(E). | 1 (≤1 acre) or 2 (>1 acre and ≥300 ft frontage) | On-site frontage(s); may be within setback if landscaped and setback criteria met | — | LPZC 3-45-240(B)(3); 3-45-040(E), (G) |
| Motor Fuel Price Sign | 6 ft (freestanding) | 20 sq ft per individual sign for sign copy | — | If freestanding within setback, comply with 3-45-040(E). | — | On-site; may be freestanding | — | LPZC 3-45-240(B)(4); 3-45-320 |
| Freestanding Freeway Joint Use Sign | 50 ft (and ≤40 ft above freeway median) | 300 sq ft (overall); 100 sq ft max per user | — | — | 1 per quadrant | On-site within the same quadrant as participating uses; located within the quadrant of the site of one of the participating uses; within 1,500 ft radius defined by quadrant; optimally located for visibility from I-580 per photo studies. | — | LPZC 3-45-240(B)(6)(a)-(n); 3-45-140(A) |

## Prohibited signs in Livermore

- Any sign not expressly authorized pursuant to Chapter 3-45 is not permitted (3-45-030).
- No signs are allowed on public property, except as specifically allowed in 3-45-060 (3-45-060).
- Signs associated with a home occupation are prohibited in all zoning districts (3-45-070(A)).
- Flashing, moving, animated, blinking, or rotating signs whose illumination changes with time or simulates motion are prohibited in all zoning districts (3-45-070(B)).
- Signs constructed or located so as to create a traffic hazard (glare, obstruction of vision, interference with, or confusion with authorized traffic signs) are prohibited in all zoning districts (3-45-070(C)).
- Signs which include noise-making devices are prohibited in all zoning districts (3-45-070(D)).
- Billboard signs are prohibited in all zoning districts (3-45-070(E)).
- Roof signs are prohibited in all zoning districts (3-45-070(E)).
- Commercial sign copy must be located on-site; off-site commercial signs are prohibited except for signs authorized by Civil Code Section 713 for real estate sale/lease/exchange with directions and contact information (3-45-040(H)).
- Signage allowed on one building or frontage may not be transferred to another building or frontage (3-45-040(A)).
- Modification of a legal nonconforming sign (other than a change of copy or normal maintenance and repair) is not permitted unless the sign is brought into conformance with this chapter (3-45-100).

## Signs exempt from permit in Livermore

- Public notices or warnings required by federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance (3-45-050(A)).
- Nonelectrical nameplate displaying only the occupant’s name and/or address, one square foot or less (3-45-050(B)).
- Traffic control or directional signs on private property not exceeding four square feet (3-45-050(C)).
- A clock, thermometer, barbershop pole, or similar device where not part of a permanent sign (3-45-050(D)).
- A flag of any nation, state, or city if displayed in conformance with the U.S. Flag Code (36 U.S.C. § 173 et seq.) (3-45-050(E)).
- A display (indoor item or arrangement not attached to a window, door, or wall) (3-45-050(F)).
- A sculpture, statue, relief, mosaic, or mural that is a work of art or decorative and contains no commercial message or symbol (3-45-050(G)).
- Property address numbers consisting of numerals or letters 12 inches or less in height (3-45-050(H)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Owners of a commercial or industrial complex must submit a Master Sign Program for Planning Commission review and approval (3-45-140(A)).
- Owners of any joint freeway sign must submit a Master Sign Program for Planning Commission approval (3-45-140(A)).
- A Master Sign Program must include sign locations, sign types, colors, designs, faces, materials, restrictions, prohibitions, and other general criteria (3-45-140(B)).
- A sign consistent with an approved Master Sign Program is not subject to further design review (3-45-140(B)).
- Each permanent sign is subject to design review (3-45-130(A)).
- All signs in the Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) zoning district must be consistent with the sign standards and guidelines in the 2003 Downtown Specific Plan (3-45-130(B), 3-45-200).
- Temporary commercial signs in residential zoning districts: signs pursuant to a master sign program associated with a residential development are exempt from the temporary sign rules, but may not exceed 32 square feet and are limited to one per parcel (3-45-160(A)(2)(b)).
- A Conditional Use Permit is required for a freestanding freeway joint use sign in the CHS (Highway Service Commercial) district upon meeting specified criteria (3-45-240(B)(6)).
- A Conditional Use Permit is required for a single industrial park identification sign for parcels adjacent to I-580 consisting of 100 acres or more (3-45-270(B)(5)).

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/livermore