# Sign Regulations in Milpitas, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Milpitas, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/milpitas
- **Data last verified:** 2025-03-26
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Milpitas/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TITXIZOPLAN_CH10ZO_S24SI)

## At a glance

Milpitas, California regulates 12 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Construction Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft. when freestanding tall and 32 sq. ft. (Sec. XI-10-24.04(E)). Most commercial signs in Milpitas require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Non-Residential Zones | 2 | 25 ft. max | Varies based on formula | — |
| Residential Zones | 1 | — | 1 sq. ft. | — |
| Multiple Family Residential Districts | 1 | — | 10 sq. ft. | — |
| Valley Floor Residential Zones | 1 | — | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Hillside Overlay | 1 | — | 24 sq. ft. | — |
| Town Center District | 1 | 45 ft. | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 50 ft. above grade | 60 sq. ft. | — |

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

### Non-Residential Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Varies based on formula | — | — | — | On building facade | — | XI-10-24.03(B)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft. max | — | — | — | 1 per each parcel's public street frontage, 1 additional sign for sites with more than 300 ft. of public street frontage | On-site landscaped planter areas | — | XI-10-24.04(C) |

### Town Center District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 45 ft. | — | — | — | 1 per subarea, 3 for main shopping area | Within each subarea of the Town Center District | — | XI-10-24.05(F) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Balloon Sign | 50 ft. above grade | — | — | — | 1 per event | — | — | XI-10-24.04(E) |
| Banner Sign | — | 60 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per elevation | On building elevation | — | XI-10-24.04(E) |
| Construction Sign | 6 ft. when freestanding | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per street frontage | On site of work under construction | — | XI-10-24.04(E) |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. per side | — | — | 2 per garage sale per intersection | Not within vehicular or pedestrian traveled portion of public right-of-way | — | XI-10-24.04(E) |
| Grand Opening Sign | — | 60 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per elevation | At business location | — | XI-10-24.04(E) |
| Open House Directional Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. per side | — | — | 2 per advertised house per intersection | Not within vehicular or pedestrian traveled portion of public right-of-way | — | XI-10-24.04(E) |
| Political Signs | 6 ft. from grade | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | — | Private property | — | XI-10-24.04(E) |
| Temporary Tract Advertising Sign | Major Sign: 12 ft.; Minor Sign: 6 ft. | Major Sign: 32 sq. ft.; Minor Sign: 16 sq. ft. | — | — | Major Signs: 6; Minor Signs: 6 | On site of subdivision under construction | — | XI-10-24.04(E) |

## Prohibited signs in Milpitas

- No person shall tear down, deface or destroy any sign placed or posted under the provisions of this chapter without consent.
- Abandoned Signs shall be removed within 90 days after the business the sign advertised has ceased.
- A-Frame Signs are prohibited except for public service signs and open house directional signs.
- Blinking, Flashing Lights on signs are prohibited unless approved pursuant to specific sections.
- Off-Site Advertising Displays are prohibited except as regulated by specific sections.
- Signs on Public Property are prohibited unless required by law.
- Privately-owned signs resembling Traffic Signs are prohibited.
- Reflective Signs are prohibited.
- Rotating or Moving Signs are prohibited.
- Roof Signs or signs extending above roof ridge are prohibited.
- Signs that are a Traffic Hazard are prohibited.
- Sound or Odor Emitting Signs are prohibited.
- Statuary Signs used for advertising purposes are prohibited.
- Temporary Signs are prohibited except for specific exceptions.
- Vehicle-Mounted Signs are prohibited if the vehicle is not legally registered, not operable, or parked improperly.

## Signs exempt from permit in Milpitas

- Bus shelter/transit signs installed in transit authority facilities.
- Civic event signs for City sponsored events on City property.
- Traffic or other municipal signs, legal notices, railroad crossings signs, danger and emergency signs.
- Repainting or cleaning of an advertising structure unless a structural change is made.
- Memorial signs or tablets by recognized historical agencies.
- Signs regulating on-premises traffic and parking when less than twelve square feet in area.
- Window signs unless intended to be permanent.
- Signs used by public utilities for public safety, welfare or convenience.
- Poles or structures for displaying flags of public agencies, except for height restrictions.
- House numbers, name plates, mail box identification, street names, 'no-trespass' signs, and other warning signs.
- Signs for the California State Lottery approved by the Lottery Commission.
- Murals or artistic paintings on walls without logos or advertising.
- On-Site Temporary For Sale or Lease Signs under specific conditions.
- Information Signs providing courtesy information or direction without advertising.
- Signs regulating the use of enumerated public facilities as provided in Chapter 18 of Title V.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Sign Program requires a Site Development Permit.
- A Sign Program is required for new retail, office, or industrial complexes with a building more than two stories high.
- A Sign Program is required for a new automobile dealership.
- A Sign Program may be reviewed by the Planning Commission for existing complexes or multi-tenant buildings.
- A Sign Program is required for any sign with blinking, flashing, or fluttering lights.

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

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