# Sign Regulations in Los Altos, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Los Altos, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/los-altos
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Los_Altos/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT9STSIPUPL_CH9.26SIPR)

## At a glance

Los Altos, California regulates 25 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Blade Signs in the Commercial Districts (CN, CD, CD/R3, CRS, CRS/OAD, CT) zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall and 240 sq in (1.67 sq ft), with a 8 ft min. clearance over walkway setback (Sec. 14.68.100.E.3). Most commercial signs in Los Altos require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | Pole height limited by Section 14.66.240 A | 50 sq ft (measured one side only) | — |
| Commercial Districts (CN, CD, CD/R3, CRS, CRS/OAD, CT) | 6 | 30 ft (shopping center); 10 ft in all other cases | 240 sq in (1.67 sq ft) | — |
| CT Commercial Districts (CT) | 2 | 10 ft (30 ft shopping center) | 100 sq ft | — |
| Office Districts (OA, OAD, OA-1, OA-4.5) | 4 | 10 ft | 40 sq ft per parcel | — |
| Residential Districts (R1-10, R1-H, R1-20, R1-40, R3-4.5, R3-5, R3-3, R3-1.8, R3-1, CD-R3, PC, PUD) | 5 | 10 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Public and Community Facilities Districts (PCF) | 1 | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — |
| Residential Uses in Mixed Use Districts | 2 | 6 ft | 12 sq ft per dwelling unit | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | — | 2 sq ft cumulative per lot | — | — | — | — | — | 14.68.060.A |
| Name Plate | — | 2 sq ft cumulative per lot | — | — | — | — | — | 14.68.060.A |
| Information Sign | — | 4 sq ft cumulative per nonresidential lot | — | — | — | Nonresidential lot | — | 14.68.060.B |
| Traffic Directional Sign | — | 4 sq ft cumulative per lot | — | — | — | Nonresidential lot | — | 14.68.060.C |
| Directory Sign | — | 10 sq ft cumulative per lot (multi-tenant nonresidential uses) | — | — | — | Multi-tenant nonresidential lot | — | 14.68.060.F |
| Flag | Pole height limited by Section 14.66.240 A | 50 sq ft (measured one side only) | — | — | — | — | — | 14.68.060.J |
| Construction Site Sign | 10 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | Site of construction/remodeling project | — | 14.68.140.C (comm/office); 14.68.150.B (residential/PCF/mixed use residential) |
| Real Estate Sign | 10 ft (comm/office); 6 ft (residential districts) | 6 sq ft (comm/office); 4 sq ft (residential districts) | — | — | 1 | On property being advertised | — | 14.68.140.D (comm/office); 14.68.150.A.2 (residential/PCF/mixed use residential) |

### Commercial Districts (CN, CD, CD/R3, CRS, CRS/OAD, CT)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | May not project above roof/parapet | 25 sq ft (≤25' frontage); up to 100 sq ft (>25' frontage) | — | — | — | Building wall; not above roof unless no other reasonable location, then not to exceed roof line | — | 14.68.100.A, 14.68.090.B |
| Wall Sign (Multiple Occupant Parcels) | May not project above roof/parapet | 25 sq ft (per establishment, ≤50' frontage); variable up to 100 sq ft per parcel (>50' frontage) | — | — | — | Building wall; criteria as single occupant parcel | — | 14.68.100.B |
| Freestanding Sign | 30 ft (shopping center); 10 ft in all other cases | 150 sq ft (shopping center primary); 75 sq ft (shopping center secondary); 10 ft in all other cases | — | — | 1 per frontage | On property | — | 14.68.100.C.1, 14.68.100.D, 14.68.090.B |
| Under-Canopy Sign (Shopping Center) | — | 4 sq ft | — | Min. 8 ft clearance over walkway | 1 per tenant | Suspended below canopy, per tenant | — | 14.68.100.C.3 |
| Window Sign (Shopping Center) | — | Max 40% of window area (permanent + temporary) | — | — | — | Window area | — | 14.68.100.C.4, 14.68.140.A |
| Blade Sign | 10 ft | 240 sq in (1.67 sq ft) | — | 8 ft min. clearance over walkway | — | Projection from building over public sidewalk | — | 14.68.100.E.3 |

### Residential Districts (R1-10, R1-H, R1-20, R1-40, R3-4.5, R3-5, R3-3, R3-1.8, R3-1, CD-R3, PC, PUD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Display Area (General) | — | 12 sq ft per dwelling unit | — | — | — | Freestanding or attached to walls, windows, doors or fences | — | 14.68.150.A |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On property being advertised | — | 14.68.150.A.2 |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 14.68.150.A.3 |
| Construction Site Sign (Residential) | 10 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | — | On site (after permit issued) | — | 14.68.150.B |
| Master Unit Sign (R3 districts) | 6 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Office/master unit of multi-family residential uses | — | 14.68.150.C |

## Prohibited signs in Los Altos

- Any sign which, by color, shape, location or other means, resembles or conflicts with any traffic control sign or device.
- Signs located so as to be a traffic visibility obstruction.
- Signs greater than three feet in height when located within a visibility triangle, or signs that otherwise create a hazard by obstructing clear views of pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
- Signs attached to any tree, utility pole, city street lamp/light pole, traffic sign post, traffic signal, historical marker, or traffic control device, and signs placed on city property, including city streets, roads, parking areas and public right-of-ways, except as authorized by Chapter 9.26, or the city's 'Downtown Outdoor Display Permit Guidelines.'
- Any sign which presents an immediate and significant public safety threat, due to its dangerous construction, manner of display, or location.
- Animated signs.
- Signs which emit sounds, except in connection with establishments offering drive-up service.
- Signs releasing smoke, fumes, steam, fog, etc.
- Signs promoting home based occupations, including daycare and group home facilities, on residences located in residential neighborhoods; in mixed-use districts, this prohibition applies only to residential uses.
- On second or higher floors, window signs, unless no other reasonable location is available to display signage for an establishment located entirely above the ground floor.
- Search lights when used for commercial advertising purposes.
- Mobile billboards, sign trucks, and other motor vehicles used for general advertising for hire; prohibition also applies when a motor vehicle traverses a public street for the primary purpose of displaying a sign or visual message, unless for transportation purposes with images relating to the establishment as instrument and making routine stops.
- Signs on vehicles parked or waiting on a public street for the primary purpose of displaying a message, whether commercial or noncommercial in nature (does not apply to vehicles making routine calls, deliveries or pick-ups).
- Streamers, balloons, pennants, and similar devices, when used for commercial advertising purposes, unless specifically authorized by this chapter.
- Advertising balloons, blimps, and devices which float or wave in the air as a result of being filled with a lighter than air gas, or activated by wind or accelerated air or gas.
- Commercial mascots, sign twirlers, sign spinners, sign clowns, etc., when used for commercial advertising purposes.
- A-frame type and other portable signs are prohibited in the public right-of-ways, unless otherwise permitted pursuant to Chapter 9.26, or the city's 'Downtown Outdoor Display Permit Guidelines.'
- Billboards and mobile billboards.
- Except as specifically allowed in certain downtown window circumstances, digital signs or 'digital displays'.

## Signs exempt from permit in Los Altos

- Address signs and name plates which do not exceed two square feet cumulative per lot.
- Information signs not exceeding four square feet cumulative per nonresidential lot.
- Traffic directional signs on nonresidential property, not exceeding four square feet cumulative per lot (over four square feet requires permit, but does not count toward total area).
- Changes of copy on changeable image signs, not including digital signs.
- Change of display face on permanent signs when there is no accompanying change in the sign's structure.
- Directory signs on multi-tenant nonresidential uses, not exceeding ten square feet cumulative per lot.
- Public utility signs.
- Signs prescribed, required or authorized by law or any notice posted by a public official in performance of their official duties or pursuant to a valid court order.
- Motor fuel price signs, as required by state law, limited in size to the minimum necessary to satisfy state law.
- Flags, provided total area does not exceed fifty square feet, pole height does not exceed the stated limit, and no commercial messages are displayed on flags for residential uses or in residential districts.
- Certain 'not-a-sign' items per definition, including: architectural features, foundation stones, holiday decorations (no commercial content), interior graphics not visible from outside, manufacturers' marks, mass transit vehicle graphics, newsracks, personal appearance items (excluding commercial mascots), ribbons on city trees (must be message-free), search lights in emergency (not commercial), shopping/golf carts (where not vehicle signs), symbols embedded in architecture, vehicle insignias and allowable on-vehicle business messages (limited area), vending machines without off-site/general advertising, window displays of merchandise.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all permanent signs unless expressly exempted; exempted sign types are explicitly listed.
- Permit applications for master sign programs must include all sign permit information plus graphical samples of the visual theme relating individual signs.
- A master sign program is required for all shopping centers (defined as eight or more ground floor retail/service establishments occupying a minimum of 50,000 square feet on the same parcel and sharing parking).
- A master sign program is required for all multiple tenant, nonresidential projects and buildings; after approval, all signs must conform to the program.
- For pre-existing multiple-occupant projects, a master sign program must be established upon the first modification (other than face change) of an existing sign requiring replacement or alteration.
- Proposals for development that include signs must have the sign aspects reviewed for compliance with this chapter, possibly by an architectural and site review committee.
- Sign permits must be denied if there is an outstanding illegal sign or other code violation on the site, unless the nonconformity is proposed to be remedied.
- Sign variances require review/approval by the board of adjustments.
- Signs qualifying as 'structures' under the building code require building permits in addition to sign permits.
- Master sign program amendments or new master sign programs may be filed as needed.
- In the CT zone, for shopping centers, a master sign program is required per reference to general shopping center rule.
- Master sign programs must be used to distribute sign area allowances in shopping centers, overriding certain chapter-specified area rules.
- All permanent signs attached to real property have rights and duties that 'run with the land.'

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

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