# Sign Regulations in Lodi, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lodi, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/lodi
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Lodi/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17DECO_ART3SIPLGEDEST_CH17.34SI)

## At a glance

Lodi, California regulates 28 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Identification Sign (Apartment/Institutional Use)s in the Residential Zoning Districts zoning district are capped at 20 ft (building mounted); 8 ft (freestanding) tall and 48 sq ft, with a Minimum 10 ft from all property lines setback (Sec. 17.34.060(A)(1)(b), (A)(3)). Most commercial signs in Lodi require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zoning Districts | 8 | 20 ft (building mounted); 8 ft (freestanding) | 100 sq ft | — |
| CC District | 6 | No larger than 75% of fascia height; shall not extend above eave line/parapet | Tenant identification: 720 sq ft; Shopping center identity: 32 sq ft | — |
| GC District, Industrial Zoning Districts | 3 | — | 32 sq ft per sign face | — |
| DMU (Downtown Mixed Use), MCE (Mixed Use Center) | 7 | — | Lettering/graphics max 50% of vertical surface area | — |
| MCO (Mixed Use Corridor) | 4 | 12 ft | Tenant identification: 84 sq ft; Shopping center identity: 8 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | Per underlying zoning district | Lettering/graphics: max 50% of vertical surface area | — |

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

### Residential Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nameplate | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel | On residence | — | 17.34.060(A)(1)(a) |
| Identification Sign (Apartment/Institutional Use) | 20 ft (building mounted); 8 ft (freestanding) | 48 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from all property lines | 1 per parcel | — | — | 17.34.060(A)(1)(b), (A)(3) |
| Real Estate Sign (Sale/Rental) | — | 6 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from all property lines | 1 per parcel | On site | — | 17.34.060(A)(1)(c) |
| Bulletin Board | — | 20 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from all property lines | 1 per parcel | — | — | 17.34.060(A)(1)(d) |
| Construction/Subdivision Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from all property lines | 1 per site | On site | — | 17.34.060(A)(1)(e) |
| Noncommercial Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from all property lines | 1 per parcel | — | — | 17.34.060(A)(1)(f) |
| Warning/No Trespassing Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | Minimum 10 ft from all property lines | — | — | — | 17.34.060(A)(1)(g) |
| Temporary Signs (Residential On-site) | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | Maximum 4 per parcel | On-site | — | 17.34.070(D)(1) |

### CC District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | No larger than 75% of fascia height; shall not extend above eave line/parapet | — | No wider than 75% of tenant's frontage | — | 1 per business frontage (front/rear/side), end-caps may have signage on side elevation | On building fascia (front, rear, side elevations facing street/plaza/parking as applicable) | — | 17.34.060(B)(1)(c); (B)(1)(a)(vi)-(xv) |
| Thematic Painted Wall Graphics/Murals | — | — | — | — | — | On building (thematic locations) | — | 17.34.060(B)(1)(a)(vii) |
| Freestanding Signs - Freeway Information Area Pylon | 65 ft | Tenant identification: 720 sq ft; Shopping center identity: 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 allowed | Along freeway frontage | — | 17.34.060(B)(1)(b)(i) |
| Freestanding Signs - Center Identification Monument | 8 ft | — | — | — | 1 | At entrance to center | — | 17.34.060(B)(1)(b)(ii) |
| Freestanding Signs - Multi-Tenant Monument | 12 ft | Tenant identification: 84 sq ft; Shopping center identity: 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 (2 if shopping center >10 acres) | — | — | 17.34.060(B)(1)(b)(iii) |
| Temporary Signs (Commercial/Industrial On-Site) | — | 32 sq ft per sign face | — | — | Minimum 4 per parcel, max 4 per tenant | On-site | — | 17.34.070(D)(2) |

### DMU (Downtown Mixed Use), MCE (Mixed Use Center)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Flush-Mounted or Painted Wall Sign | — | — | Maximum sign length: 75% of tenant space frontage | — | — | On building facade, aligned with architectural elements, below cornice/eave line | — | 17.34.060(C)(1)(a)(i), (b)(i), (f)(i) |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On facade (below cornice/eave), not above first floor | — | 17.34.060(C)(1)(a)(ii), (b)(i), (f)(ii) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | Lettering/graphics max 50% of vertical surface area | — | — | — | On awnings/canopies (ground and second story only) | — | 17.34.060(C)(1)(a)(iii), 17.34.070(A) |
| Window Signs | — | 20% of window area | — | — | — | On ground level or second story windows | — | 17.34.060(C)(1)(c)(B); 17.34.070(E) |
| Freestanding Signs - Directory/Kiosk | — | Per city review | — | — | — | On sidewalks (city reviewed/with encroachment permit as needed) | — | 17.34.060(C)(1)(a)(iv)(A) |
| Portable Sign (Menu Board/etc) | — | — | — | — | — | Sidewalk/public right-of-way (encroachment permit may be required) | — | 17.34.060(C)(1)(a)(iv)(B) |
| Temporary Signs (DMU/MCE On-site) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17.34.060(C)(1)(c)(i) |

## Prohibited signs in Lodi

- Signs in conjunction with a home occupation permit.
- Abandoned signs.
- Animated signs, including electronic message display signs, and variable intensity, blinking, or flashing signs, except time and temp signs (except in accordance with Section 17.34.070(F), Programmable Electronic Signs).
- Balloons and other inflatable devices.
- Moving signs.
- Permanent off-site signs.
- Pennants, except as allowed for temporary periods by Section 17.34.070.
- Roof signs.
- Signs that simulate in color, size, or design, any traffic control sign or signal, or that make use of words, symbols, or characters in a manner that interferes with, misleads or confuses pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- Signs attached to or suspended from a vehicle parked within a public right-of-way, or in a location on private property that is visible from a public right-of-way, except a sign painted directly upon, magnetically affixed to, or permanently affixed to the body or other integral part of the vehicle.
- Temporary and portable signs, except as allowed by Section 17.34.070.
- Poorly maintained signs.
- Signs in public right-of-way or affixed to city property.
- Signs which advertise activities illegal under federal, state, or local laws, rules, or regulations.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lodi

- Signs less than 33% of a window surface (do not require a permit).
- Nonstructural modifications or replacement to the face of a cabinet sign.
- Nonstructural modifications of the face, design, or color of an existing sign, provided modifications comply with any applicable master sign program.
- Normal maintenance of signs.
- Temporary signs in compliance with Section 17.34.070(D) (no permit required).
- Signs on public property placed by or on behalf of the city or other public entity to post legal notices, identify public property, convey public information, or direct or regulate pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- Informational signs of a public utility or transit company regarding its poles, lines, pipes, facilities, or routes.
- Emergency warning signs by public agencies/utility/contractor.
- Signs constructed by the city to direct persons to specific districts, regions, or public facilities.
- Banner signs on city property (e.g., light poles).
- Advertising signs on transit, police, parks, and other city property (e.g., city facilities, transit shelters, buses, park facilities, etc.).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for any sign installation, construction, or alteration, unless specifically exempted.
- Applications for sign permits require submission of architectural elevations and plans of all proposed signs drawn to scale, with all dimensions noted.
- The director may refer sign permit applications to SPARC (Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee) for action, either on the individual sign permit or as part of a development project that is otherwise subject to SPARC review.
- A master sign program is required before issuance of a sign permit for any new nonresidential project with four or more tenants, or major rehabilitation work on an existing nonresidential project with four or more tenants involving either more than 50% increase in floor area or exterior redesign of more than 50% of any facade.
- All signs installed or replaced within a nonresidential project subject to a master sign program must comply with the approved program.
- Revisions to a master sign program may be approved by the director for minor changes, but a new sign permit is needed for revisions that substantially deviate from the original approval.
- Signs or sign changes allowed without a sign permit must still comply with Section 17.34.050 (General Requirements for All Signs) and obtain a building permit if required.

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

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