# Sign Regulations in Modesto, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Modesto, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/modesto
- **Data last verified:** 2025-03-26
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Modesto/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT9BURE_CH6SIRE)

## At a glance

Modesto, California regulates 38 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Digital Freeway Billboards in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 60 ft tall and 700 sf, with a Minimum of 300 feet from residential zone or use setback (Sec. Section 10-6.108(f)). Most commercial signs in Modesto require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zones (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 14 | 36 in | 72 sf | — |
| Office Zones (P-O) | 8 | 8 ft minimum above sidewalk | 48 sf | — |
| Commercial Zones (C-1, C-2, C-3) | 10 | 35 ft (higher requires CUP by Board) | 150 sf | — |
| Industrial Zones (C-M, M-1, M-2) | 10 | 35 ft (higher requires CUP by Board) | 150 sf | — |
| Planned Development Zone (P-D) | 10 | 35 ft (higher requires CUP by Board) | 150 sf | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | 60 ft | 700 sf | — |

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

### Residential Zones (R-1, R-2, R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Resident/dwelling name plate | Height of wall | 1 sf | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | 1 per dwelling unit | — | Table 6.1-1 |
| Freestanding Gateway Sign (Residential Use) | 36 in | 12 sf each | — | — | 1 per street frontage serving 5 or more dwellings | 1 per street frontage serving 5 or more dwellings | — | Table 6.1-1 |
| Freestanding Sign (P-O Zone Uses) | 6 ft | 24 sf plus 4 sf for street address | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage | — | Table 6.1-1 |
| Freestanding Sign (School or Church) | 20 ft | 72 sf | — | — | 1 per site | 1 per site | — | Table 6.1-1 |
| Freestanding or Bulletin Board Sign (Conditional Uses in Residential Zones) | 6 ft | 25 sf plus 4 sf for street address | — | — | 1 per site | 1 per site | — | Table 6.1-1 |
| Directional Sign (Exterior) | 6 ft | 6 sf | — | — | 1 per driveway or pedestrian walkway | 1 per driveway or pedestrian walkway | — | Table 6.1-1 |
| Directional Sign (Interior) | 6 ft | 12 sf each | — | — | No limitation on number | No limitation on number | — | Table 6.1-1 |
| Construction Sign | 10 ft | 64 sf | — | — | 1 per site | 1 per site | — | Table 6.1-1 |

### Commercial Zones (C-1, C-2, C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Marquee Sign | Ridgeline of the roof, parapet or wall | 48 sf | — | — | 1 per use | 1 per use | — | Table 6.1-2 |
| Projecting or Suspended Sign | 8 ft minimum above sidewalk | 48 sf | — | — | 1 per use | 1 per use | — | Table 6.1-2 |
| Freestanding Sign (Business - Single Parcel) | 6 ft | 24 sf plus 4 sf for street address | — | — | One per single street frontage | One per single street frontage | — | Table 6.1-2 |
| Freestanding Sign (Combined Business - Multiple Parcels) | 8 ft | 48 sf plus 4 sf for street address | — | — | One for each frontage | One for each frontage | — | Table 6.1-2 |
| Shopping Center Freestanding Sign | 20 ft | 72 sf plus 4 sf for street address | — | — | 1 for each street frontage of the center | 1 for each street frontage of the center | — | Table 6.1-2 |
| Freestanding Sign (Freeway-Oriented) | 35 ft (higher requires CUP by Board) | 150 sf | — | — | 1 per freestanding use | 1 per freestanding use | — | Table 6.1-2 |
| Directional Sign (Exterior) | 6 ft | 6 sf | — | — | 1 per use for each street frontage of the site | 1 per use for each street frontage of the site | — | Table 6.1-2 |
| Directional Sign (Interior) | 6 ft | 12 sf | — | — | No limitation on number | No limitation on number | — | Table 6.1-2 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-frame Sign | 48 inches total | 24 inches width, 36 inches height per panel | 24 inches | — | 1 per business | Commercial zoning districts | — | Section 10-6.108(a) |
| Banner | 35 ft or ridgeline of the roof | 72 sf | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Commercial zoning districts | — | Section 10-6.108(b) |
| Church Sign | 36 inches | 6 sf | — | — | No limitation on number | Temporary locations | — | Section 10-6.108(d) |
| Digital Freeway Billboard | 60 ft | 700 sf | — | Minimum of 300 feet from residential zone or use | Maximum of 7 within City limits | Within 660 feet of State Highway 99 | — | Section 10-6.108(f) |
| Flag | 50 ft | 24 sf | — | — | 1 per use or occupancy | Nonresidential zoning districts | — | Section 10-6.108(g) |
| Freeway-Oriented Sign | 35 ft | 150 sf | — | — | 1 per shopping center | Within 600 feet of Freeway 99 | — | Section 10-6.108(h) |
| Off-premise Advertising Sign | 8 ft | 48 sf | — | — | 1 per site | C-2, C-3, C-M, M-1, M-2 zones | — | Section 10-6.108(j) |
| Service Station Sign | 10 ft | 160 sf | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Pump islands, canopy uprights | — | Section 10-6.108(k) |

## Prohibited signs in Modesto

- No sign shall have any moving, rotating, or otherwise animated part, or any flashing, blinking, fluctuating or otherwise animated light.
- No sign shall be installed at any street intersection, railroad grade crossing, or driveway in a manner that will obstruct the vision of motor vehicle operators.
- No sign shall be attached to any City street tree, or any poles such as utility poles, street signals, street lights, street name signs, or traffic warning signs, or on any bus shelter.
- Temporary signs are prohibited, except A-frame signs, and banners, flags, and promotional displays, in compliance with Section 10-6.108.

## Signs exempt from permit in Modesto

- Flags, in compliance with Section 10-6.108.
- Garage sale signs, in compliance with Section 10-6.107.
- Interior directional, warning, or information signs, unlighted.
- Nameplates, with a one (1) square foot maximum size, in compliance with Section 10-6.107.
- Political signs, in compliance with Section 10-6.107.
- Real estate signs, including for sale or rent and open house directional signs in compliance with Section 10-6.107, and subdivision signs in compliance with Section 10-6.108.
- Signs for fireworks stands, pumpkin sales, Christmas tree sales lots, and temporary certified farmers markets.
- Signs within buildings, not attached directly to the interior of a window.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No person shall install, alter, or relocate any sign within the City without first obtaining a sign permit in compliance with Section 10-6.105.
- A-frame (sandwich board) signs are allowed only in compliance with the requirements of this subsection, and subject to the approval of a sign permit.
- Banners and promotional decorations are allowed only as provided by this subsection subject to a permit by the Neighborhood Preservation Unit.
- Conditional Use Permit by the Board is required for Electronic Message Boards.
- Digital freeway billboards must obtain a conditional use permit approval which requires a recommendation by the Planning Commission to the City Council and final approval authority by the City Council.

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

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