# Sign Regulations in Martinez, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Martinez, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/martinez
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Martinez/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_TIT16SI)

## At a glance

Martinez, California regulates 33 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Portable Free-Standing A-Frame Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 3 ft tall, 6 sq ft (3 ft high x 2 ft wide), and 2 ft wide, with a At least 14 ft from the street corner, or as approved setback (Sec. 16.32.045). Most commercial signs in Martinez 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 | 9 | 25 ft from finished grade to highest elevation (can be increased by Board of Adjustments for good design, full occupancy, and architectural improvement) | 200 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts | 8 | Not projecting above cornice or roof | As per 16.56.010; typically up to 32 sq ft on-site; off-site 8 sq ft each | — |
| Professional Administrative Office District | 6 | Not above roof/cornice | 24 sq ft (or 4 sq ft/acre, whichever is less) | — |
| Commercial Districts | 6 | 25 ft above grade (can be increased by Board if criteria met) | 200 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Districts | 2 | 25 ft from grade | 200 sq ft | — |
| Other zoning districts | 1 | As approved (must conform to Ch. 16.32) | As approved (must conform to Ch. 16.32) | — |
| Heavy Industrial (HI) | 1 | — | — | — |

## 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 25 ft from finished grade to highest elevation (can be increased by Board of Adjustments for good design, full occupancy, and architectural improvement) | 200 sq ft | — | — | — | Flat against the wall, on the roof parallel to the front wall, or suspended from eaves/ceiling of covered walkways; not to extend/protrude beyond the business side. | — | 16.32.020, 16.32.050, 16.32.060, 16.28.010 |
| Roof Sign | Must be placed only on roof covering ground floor or ground floor walkway; must meet vertical relationship: highest point above roof edge ≥ lowest point below roof edge. | Subject to same limits as Wall Signs, cannot exceed 30 inches vertical dimension | — | — | — | Above/in front of business, parallel to front wall | — | 16.32.030, 16.36.010(I), 16.40.010(D) |
| Free-standing Sign | 20 ft from finished grade to top of sign structure | 20 sq ft (may be increased to 200 sq ft with a use permit) | — | — | — | Not to project into/over public street or right-of-way | — | 16.32.040 |
| City Gateway Sign | 8 ft permitted; up to 60 ft with findings for site constraints | 200 sq ft (up to 60 ft tall if special findings are met, otherwise 8 ft max height) | — | — | — | 6 city gateway points (see ordinance: at specific freeway exits/medians/rights-of-way) | — | 16.32.041 |
| Portable Free-Standing A-Frame Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft (3 ft high x 2 ft wide) | 2 ft | At least 14 ft from the street corner, or as approved | 1 per business; variances possible | Front of business, or within 100 ft on same side of street with written approval; shopping centers - on/behind sidewalk or as approved. | — | 16.32.045 |
| Shingle/Suspended Sign | No portion above eaves or over 11 ft from grade; minimum 7.5 ft above pedestrian walkway | Must not exceed permitted sign area for business | Thickness not more than 3 inches nor less than 0.5 inch | — | 1 per business; no freestanding sign if shingle/suspended | Attached only to buildings | — | 16.32.070 |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 12 sq ft (general standard); 6 sq ft in residential (see residential districts) | — | — | 1; up to 2 for large sites | On property for sale/rent/lease | — | 16.32.080, 16.36.010(C) |
| Temporary Future Use Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1; may be combined with other temp signs | On property with permitted future use | — | 16.32.090, 16.36.010(H), 16.40.010(E) |

### Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Nameplate | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 per home | On premises | — | 16.36.010(A) |
| Residential Office Activity Sign | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per site | On site | — | 16.36.010(B) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 or 2, depending on frontage/size | On property for sale, rent, or lease | — | 16.36.010(C) |
| Permitted Use Identification Sign (Residential) | Not projecting above cornice or roof | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per use | Flat against a wall or on premises | — | 16.36.010(D) |
| Conditional Use Identification Sign (Residential) | Not above eaves | 12 sq ft | — | None in/projection into required yards; church boards exception | 1 per conditional use | On structure or on-premises (for conditional uses) | — | 16.36.010(E) |
| Subdivision Sign (Residential) | — | As per 16.56.010; typically up to 32 sq ft on-site; off-site 8 sq ft each | — | — | 2 on-site, up to 4 off-site with approval | On site or off site as allowed under Board findings | — | 16.36.010(F), 16.56.010 |
| Regional Identification Sign (Residential) | — | 12 sq ft (larger with Board approval) | — | — | 1 per entrance | Main entrance(s) to region | — | 16.36.010(G) |
| Future Use Sign (Residential) | — | 12 sq ft; may be combined with other temp sign to total 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 per future use | On site | — | 16.36.010(H), 16.32.090 |

### Commercial Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Principal Entrance) | 25 ft above grade (can be increased by Board if criteria met) | 200 sq ft | — | — | — | Flat against wall, roof parallel to front wall, or suspended; restricted per 16.32.020 | — | 16.44.010(A), 16.32.060, 16.32.020, 16.28.010 |
| Wall Sign (Secondary Entrances <50,000 sq ft) | 25 ft from grade | 60% of primary sign area | — | — | — | Where customer entrance exists on other frontage | — | 16.32.060(C) |
| Wall Sign (Secondary Entrances ≥50,000 sq ft) | 25 ft from grade | Up to 200 sq ft per other face with Board approval | — | — | — | Where customer entrance exists on other frontage | — | 16.32.060(C) |
| Free-standing Sign (Commercial) | 20 ft from grade | 20 sq ft (may be increased to 200 sq ft with use permit) | — | — | — | On site, not to project into/over ROW | — | 16.44.010, 16.32.040 |
| Portable Free-Standing A-Frame Sign (Commercial) | 3 ft | 6 sq ft (3 ft high x 2 ft wide) | 2 ft | At least 14 ft from corner or as approved | 1 per business; variance possible | Front of business/within 100 ft on same side of street, or in shopping center as approved | — | 16.32.045 |
| Shingle/Suspended Sign (Commercial) | Not above eaves/max 11 ft above grade; min 7.5 ft above walkway | Within permitted sign area for business | Thickness 0.5–3 inches | — | 1 per business; no freestanding sign if shingle/suspended | Attached to building | — | 16.32.070 |

## Prohibited signs in Martinez

- Nonaccessory (off-site) signs and arrows are prohibited.
- Placards, posters, announcements and similar signs posted or attached to any fence, utility pole, signpost, tree or any object in a public thoroughfare are prohibited, except those required by City Ordinance.
- Sign 'A' boards, structures or merchandise for sale placed on any portion of a street, sidewalk or right-of-way, and not in compliance with Section 16.32.045, and portable signs on parked vehicles, are prohibited, excluding newspaper vending devices permitted by City Council.
- Signs of any kind in residential zones are prohibited except those expressly permitted in this title.
- Any signs expressly prohibited by any other ordinance of the City are prohibited.
- Any sign which, because of its lighting, shape, design, color or reflected light, is a detriment to surrounding property, prevents the peaceful enjoyment of residential uses, or presents a conflict with traffic regulations is prohibited.
- No sign shall contain flashing lights, lights in any manner that are excessively bright, lights that depict moving arrows or animation, or lights that could result in confusion with traffic lights.
- No pennants, banners or other paraphernalia composed of paper, cloth, plastic, or other flexible material shall be permitted except as authorized by the City Council for city-wide promotional events or celebrations, or for business openings under described temporary conditions.
- Roof signs are not permitted in residential or professional administrative office zones.
- Signs not expressly permitted in the applicable section for each zoning district are prohibited.
- Placement of signs with moving parts, flashing, bright lights or animation is prohibited.
- Signs on public property in violation of code provisions may be removed or destroyed by the building official.

## Signs exempt from permit in Martinez

- Any device not exceeding 2 square feet in area and bearing only the property address numbers, post box number, names of occupants or premises, or other identification of the premises not having commercial connotation, provided such device is not located where other signs are prohibited.
- Flags or insignia of any government except where displayed in connection with commercial promotion.
- Legal notices, identification, information or directional signs erected or required by governmental bodies.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, except letters, trademarks, moving parts or moving lights.
- Signs directing and guiding traffic on private property, providing such sign contains no business or product name or trademark or otherwise identifies the use of the premises upon which such sign is located, and further provided that such sign is not located where other signs are prohibited.
- Window signs not exceeding 36 square inches identifying acceptable credit cards or trading stamps.
- Temporary signs attached to or painted on windows.
- Non-commercial signs may be placed in lieu of identification, occupancy and commercial advertising signs allowed by the code, provided such non-commercial signs do not exceed the number, location, height, and other applicable requirements or restrictions for equivalent allowed signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All proposed signs are subject to design review as per Section 16.28.010 and Sections 22.34.030 through 22.34.070.
- All proposed signs with areas in excess of 20 square feet, and all free-standing signs, shall be reviewed by the Board of Adjustments under design review.
- Shingle and suspended signs are subject to review and approval by the Board of Adjustments, in addition to findings required of all signs.
- Sites in the professional administrative office district containing four or more offices must have a master identification sign subject to Board of Adjustments approval.
- Master sign concept for professional administrative office district (16.40.010F) and subdivision signs (16.56.010) must be approved by the Board of Adjustments.
- Any person desiring to install a City gateway sign must submit an application for design review approval to the Community Development Department (16.32.041).
- Applications for exceptions to height limits or for certain types of signs (e.g., gateway signs taller than 8 ft) require a use permit and Planning Commission approval.
- Administrative Design Review approval by the Community Development Department is required for the location, design, and materials of portable A-frame signs prior to installation.
- Administrative variances to some sign restrictions may be approved by the Community Development Director.

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

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