Sign Regulations in Millbrae, California
Millbrae, California has specific sign regulations covering 26 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Off-Premises Real Estate Sign, Awning Sign, Canopy Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: February 16, 2026
Sign Regulation Overview for Millbrae, California
Sample Sign Requirements in Millbrae
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-Premises Real Estate Sign (R-1LL, R-1, R-2) | 6 feet | 4 square feet | — |
| On-Premises Real Estate Sign (R-3) | 6 feet | 9 square feet | — |
| Real Estate and Tract Sign (Residential Subdivisions, Multifamily R-3) | 12 feet above grade | 32 square feet | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for MillbraeFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
26
- Off-Premises Real Estate Sign
- Awning Sign
- Canopy Sign
- Freestanding Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Millbrae
Other Cities in California
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Millbrae vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Millbrae, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Millbrae, regulated sign types include Off-Premises Real Estate Sign, Awning Sign, Canopy Sign, Freestanding Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Millbrae vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Millbrae are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Millbrae has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Millbrae, California Sign Rules at a Glance
Millbrae, California regulates 26 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial District (C) zoning district are capped at 20 feet above nearest existing curb grade tall and Each face not exceeding 60 square feet; total of all faces not exceeding 120 square feet for multifaced, with a At least 5 feet from front and side property lines for small changeable copy signs setback (Sec. § 10.10.250, § 10.10.210, § 10.10.060). Most commercial signs in Millbrae require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Millbrae, California
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Millbrae (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Districts (R-1LL, R-1, R-2, R-3) | 5 | 12 feet above grade | 32 square feet | — |
| Open Space District (OS) | 4 | 12 feet above grade | 32 square feet | — |
| Commercial District (C) | 13 | 20 feet above nearest existing curb grade | Each face not exceeding 60 square feet; total of all faces not exceeding 120 square feet for multifaced | — |
| Industrial District (I) | 13 | 20 feet above nearest existing curb grade | Each face not exceeding 60 square feet; total of all faces not exceeding 120 square feet for multifaced | — |
| Planned Development Districts (PD, DTECRSP, MSAPD, MSAPS) | 13 | 20 feet above nearest existing curb grade | Each face not exceeding 60 square feet; total of all faces not exceeding 120 square feet for multifaced | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Millbrae(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
Commercial District (C)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet above nearest existing curb grade | Each face not exceeding 60 square feet; total of all faces not exceeding 120 square feet for multifaced | — | At least 5 feet from front and side property lines for small changeable copy signs | 1 per parcel in single ownership; +1 for interior lots >=250 feet street frontage or corner lots >=300 feet street frontage | Entirely on private property | — | Unlock | § 10.10.250, § 10.10.210, § 10.10.060 |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | Not closer than 2 feet from vertical projection of curbline | 1 per marquee face | Attached to or supported by a marquee | — | Unlock | § 10.10.260, § 10.10.210 |
| Projecting Sign | Not extending above roof ridge or parapet line (whichever lower) | — | — | Projection limited as above; supports on private property | No maximum | Attached to building face or wall with leading edge >18 inches from face | — | Unlock | § 10.10.270, § 10.10.210, § 10.10.340(C) |
| Suspended Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per business frontage | Suspended from underside of awning, canopy, marquee or similar support | — | Unlock | § 10.10.290, § 10.10.210 |
| Wall Sign | Not extending above roof ridge or parapet line (whichever lower) | — | — | — | No maximum | On, attached to or constructed on a wall or building | — | Unlock | § 10.10.310, § 10.10.210 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% coverage of any glazed window or door area (permanent) | — | — | No maximum | In, on or within 2 feet of ground floor window or door area | — | Unlock | § 10.10.320, § 10.10.300(A)(4), § 10.10.210 |
| Real Estate and Tract Sign (Commercial Properties) | 12 feet above grade | 32 square feet | 16 feet maximum dimension | — | 1 per parcel in single ownership other than R-1 or R-2, or 1 per 120 feet of street frontage | Private property | — | Unlock | § 10.10.280 |
| On-Premises Real Estate Sign (Commercial) | 6 feet | 9 square feet | — | — | 1 per address per abutting street | On the subject property | — | Unlock | § 10.10.300(A)(2) |
Industrial District (I)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet above nearest existing curb grade | Each face not exceeding 60 square feet; total of all faces not exceeding 120 square feet for multifaced | — | At least 5 feet from front and side property lines for small changeable copy signs | 1 per parcel in single ownership; +1 for interior lots >=250 feet street frontage or corner lots >=300 feet street frontage | Entirely on private property | — | Unlock | § 10.10.250, § 10.10.210, § 10.10.060 |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | Not closer than 2 feet from vertical projection of curbline | 1 per marquee face | Attached to or supported by a marquee | — | Unlock | § 10.10.260, § 10.10.210 |
| Projecting Sign | Not extending above roof ridge or parapet line (whichever lower) | — | — | Projection limited as above; supports on private property | No maximum | Attached to building face or wall with leading edge >18 inches from face | — | Unlock | § 10.10.270, § 10.10.210, § 10.10.340(C) |
| Suspended Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per business frontage | Suspended from underside of awning, canopy, marquee or similar support | — | Unlock | § 10.10.290, § 10.10.210 |
| Wall Sign | Not extending above roof ridge or parapet line (whichever lower) | — | — | — | No maximum | On, attached to or constructed on a wall or building | — | Unlock | § 10.10.310, § 10.10.210 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% coverage of any glazed window or door area (permanent) | — | — | No maximum | In, on or within 2 feet of ground floor window or door area | — | Unlock | § 10.10.320, § 10.10.300(A)(4), § 10.10.210 |
| Real Estate and Tract Sign (Industrial Properties) | 12 feet above grade | 32 square feet | 16 feet maximum dimension | — | 1 per parcel in single ownership other than R-1 or R-2, or 1 per 120 feet of street frontage | Private property | — | Unlock | § 10.10.280 |
| On-Premises Real Estate Sign (Industrial) | 6 feet | 9 square feet | — | — | 1 per address per abutting street | On the subject property | — | Unlock | § 10.10.300(A)(2) |
Planned Development Districts (PD, DTECRSP, MSAPD, MSAPS)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet above nearest existing curb grade | Each face not exceeding 60 square feet; total of all faces not exceeding 120 square feet for multifaced | — | At least 5 feet from front and side property lines for small changeable copy signs | 1 per parcel in single ownership; +1 for interior lots >=250 feet street frontage or corner lots >=300 feet street frontage | Entirely on private property | — | Unlock | § 10.10.250, § 10.10.210, § 10.10.060, § 10.10.330 |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | Not closer than 2 feet from vertical projection of curbline | 1 per marquee face | Attached to or supported by a marquee | — | Unlock | § 10.10.260, § 10.10.210, § 10.10.330 |
| Projecting Sign | Not extending above roof ridge or parapet line (whichever lower) | — | — | Projection limited as above; supports on private property | No maximum | Attached to building face or wall with leading edge >18 inches from face | — | Unlock | § 10.10.270, § 10.10.210, § 10.10.340(C), § 10.10.330 |
| Suspended Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 per business frontage | Suspended from underside of awning, canopy, marquee or similar support | — | Unlock | § 10.10.290, § 10.10.210, § 10.10.330 |
| Wall Sign | Not extending above roof ridge or parapet line (whichever lower) | — | — | — | No maximum | On, attached to or constructed on a wall or building | — | Unlock | § 10.10.310, § 10.10.210, § 10.10.330 |
| Window Sign | — | 25% coverage of any glazed window or door area (permanent) | — | — | No maximum | In, on or within 2 feet of ground floor window or door area | — | Unlock | § 10.10.320, § 10.10.300(A)(4), § 10.10.210, § 10.10.330 |
| Real Estate and Tract Sign (Planned Development) | 12 feet above grade | 32 square feet | 16 feet maximum dimension | — | 1 per parcel in single ownership other than R-1 or R-2, or 1 per 120 feet of street frontage | Private property | — | Unlock | § 10.10.280, § 10.10.330 |
| On-Premises Real Estate Sign (Planned Development) | 6 feet | 9 square feet | — | — | 1 per address per abutting street | On the subject property | — | Unlock | § 10.10.300(A)(2) |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Millbrae — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 6 zones for Millbrae — start freeProhibited Signs in Millbrae
- Signs on public property, except as required or permitted by ordinance or law
- Unlawful sign projection into a public right-of-way or established setback without approval
- Roof signs, except projecting signs with main supports on the roof permitted through design review
- Portable signs, advertising structures or merchandise displays on public street, sidewalk or right-of-way
- Snipe signs or sniping
- Rotating, animated, moving or flashing signs, except certain permitted through design review
- Outdoor advertising signs or structures in any zoning district, except those by public authority
- Permanent pennants, flags, balloons, streamers, spinners and ribbons, except for motor vehicle sales
- Advertising for prohibited activities under local, state or federal laws
- Signs that obstruct free ingress/egress from doors, windows or fire escapes
- Signs attached to standpipes or fire escapes
- Illuminated signs causing undue glare or reflection diminishing public safety or visual quality
- Signs at intersections obstructing vision or confusing with traffic signs/signals/devices
- Signs using words like 'STOP,' 'GO,' 'CAUTION' that may mislead traffic
Exempt Signs in Millbrae
- Official public signs and notices (noncommercial) displayed by courts, public bodies or agencies on public property
- Signs erected and maintained by public authority or authorized third party on public property (may require permits for larger freestanding signs)
- Informational signs, on-premises (max 2 sq ft each, total 10 sq ft per street frontage)
- Business information signs (max 2 sq ft for hours, phone, emergency info; one per entry; 8-inch illuminated address numbers)
- Noncommercial flags (max 30 ft height, 60 sq ft area; one flagpole per address)
- Directional signs, off-premises on public property by public agency (max 2 sq ft; for public convenience/safety and noncommercial uses)
- Temporary signs not requiring design review or permit: election signs, on-premises real estate signs in R-1/R-2, off-premises portable real estate signs during open houses, temporary window signs covering 10% or less of window (30-day limit)
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Millbrae
- A master sign program is required for all new developments with more than one principal building, all new multiple tenant buildings, all new planned development projects, and existing multitenant buildings where significant facade improvements require signage removal
- A master sign program is recommended for existing sites with more than one principal building, existing multitenant buildings, and individual buildings benefiting from coordinated signage
- Approval of a master sign program allows individual signs to be approved by the community development department without waiving individual permit requirements
- Exceptions to sign regulations (height, area, location, number) may be permitted through review and approval of a master sign program by the planning commission
- A zoning variance is required for exceptions not related to a master sign program or individual sign
- Planning commission design review is required for nonexempt signs on internally illuminated canopies/awnings/fascia panels and permanent signs exceeding 50 sq ft total area
Source: other municipal code