# Sign Regulations in Morro Bay, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Morro Bay, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/morro-bay
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Morro_Bay/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZO_DIVIIICIRE_CH17.29SI)

## At a glance

Morro Bay, California regulates 24 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Hanging Signs in the Embarcadero District zoning district are capped at 8 ft. minimum above sidewalk or public ROW tall and 4 sq. ft. minimum; 8 sq. ft. maximum, with a 1 ft. setback from setback line setback (Sec. MBMC 17.29.050, Table 17.29.050; 17.29.040, Table 17.29.040). Most commercial signs in Morro Bay require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (13 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Embarcadero District | 13 | 42 in. max | 24 sq. ft. | — |
| Downtown District | 13 | — | 30 sq. ft. | — |
| Quintana Road District | 14 | — | 30% of window area; bonus: +5 sq. ft. | — |
| North Main Street District | 14 | — | 40 sq. ft.; bonus +20 sq. ft. | — |
| Lodging Establishments (All Districts) | 8 | — | 30 sq. ft. | — |
| Industrial Zones (All Districts) | 6 | — | 30% of window area | — |
| Residential Districts | 2 | 8 ft. | 20 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| Mixed Use Districts | 1 | — | — | — |
| IG District (Industrial General District) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Community Commercial District (CC) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Downtown Commercial District (DC) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 13 zones)

### Embarcadero District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Roof Sign | May not extend above max building height for the zone; minimum 8 in. from mansard roof top. | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per frontage | Per frontage | — | MBMC 17.29.050, Table 17.29.050; 17.29.040, Table 17.29.040 |
| Wall Sign | 20 ft. above sidewalk or public right-of-way, but not above eave or roof | 6 sq. ft.; max total sign area as per facade calculation; bonus: +4 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per frontage | Per frontage | — | MBMC 17.29.050, Table 17.29.050; 17.29.040, Table 17.29.040 |
| Hanging Sign | 8 ft. minimum above sidewalk or public ROW | 4 sq. ft. minimum; 8 sq. ft. maximum | — | 1 ft. setback from setback line | 1 per frontage | Per frontage | — | MBMC 17.29.050, Table 17.29.050; 17.29.040, Table 17.29.040 |
| Exterior Display Case | Top max height: 7 ft. above sidewalk/public right-of-way | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | Per business | — | MBMC 17.29.050 Table; 17.29.040 Table |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft. from base | 24 sq. ft. | — | 1 ft. from property line | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage (outside view corridor) | — | MBMC 17.29.050 Table |
| Projecting (Pub) Sign | 8 ft. min, 20 ft. max above sidewalk/public right-of-way (not above eave/roof) | 8 sq. ft. with bonus | — | — | 1 per 30 linear feet of frontage | Per 30 linear ft. of frontage | — | MBMC 17.29.050 Table; 17.29.040 Table |
| Sidewalk Sign | 42 in. max | 8 sq. ft. | 24 in. | — | 1 per business | Per business; only during open hours | — | MBMC 17.29.050 Table; 17.29.040 Table |
| Dock Sign | Not above railing if attached. | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | 1 per business (on dock or gangway owned/controlled by business) | — | MBMC 17.29.050 Table; 17.29.040 Table; see definitions |

### Quintana Road District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Marquee Sign | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | 1 per business | — | MBMC 17.29.070 Table |
| Wall Sign | — | 6 sq. ft.; bonus: +10 sq. ft. for individual lettering | — | — | 1 per frontage | 1 per frontage | — | MBMC 17.29.070 Table 17.29.070 |
| Hanging Sign | — | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per frontage | 1 per frontage | — | MBMC 17.29.070 Table |
| Window Sign | — | 30% of window area; bonus: +5 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per window | 1 per window | — | MBMC 17.29.070 Table |
| Exterior Display Case | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | 1 per business | — | MBMC 17.29.070 Table |
| Projecting (Pub) Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per 30 linear feet of frontage | 1 per 30 linear feet of frontage | — | MBMC 17.29.070 Table |
| Monument Sign | — | 30 sq. ft.; bonus 20 sq. ft. if building setback >30 ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage (choose one type: monument or architectural) | — | MBMC 17.29.070 Table |
| Architectural Sign | — | 25 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage (choose either architectural or monument sign) | — | MBMC 17.29.070 Table |

### North Main Street District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Marquee Sign | — | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per frontage | 1 per frontage | — | MBMC 17.29.080 Table |
| Wall (Surface) Sign | — | 6 sq. ft.; bonus: +20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per frontage | 1 per frontage | — | MBMC 17.29.080 Table |
| Hanging Sign | — | 24 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per frontage | 1 per frontage | — | MBMC 17.29.080 Table |
| Window Sign | — | 30% of window area; bonus +10 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per window | 1 per window | — | MBMC 17.29.080 Table |
| Exterior Display Case | — | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per business | 1 per business | — | MBMC 17.29.080 Table |
| Projecting (Pub) Sign | — | 16 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per frontage | 1 per frontage | — | MBMC 17.29.080 Table |
| Monument Sign | — | 30 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per driveway entrance | 1 per driveway entrance | — | MBMC 17.29.080 Table |
| Architectural Sign | — | 40 sq. ft.; bonus +20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per driveway entrance | 1 per driveway entrance | — | MBMC 17.29.080 Table |

## Prohibited signs in Morro Bay

- No sign may be placed on public property, unless by the city of Morro Bay or other authorized governmental agency.
- No sign may be placed on private property without the expressed consent of the property owner or other agent legally empowered to provide such consent.
- Off-premise signs, including but not limited to billboards, are prohibited citywide.
- No commercial sign advertising, related to, or sponsored by a business or business activity may be placed in any zoning district in which such business or business activity is prohibited by applicable provisions of the Morro Bay Zoning Ordinance, unless the related business entity has been established as a legal non-conforming, conditional, or interim use.
- No commercial sign advertising, promoting, or offering products, services, or accommodations for sale, rent, lease, barter, or exchange may be placed in any zoning district in which such sale, rent, lease, barter, or exchange is prohibited by applicable provisions of the Morro Bay Zoning Ordinance.
- No sign may be constructed or placed in such manner as to create a public hazard or nuisance.
- No sign may emit visible smoke, vapor, bubbles, confetti, particles, or detectable odor, or be made with mechanical equipment that creates noise.
- No sign with illumination may consist of flashing, animated or changing lights as to not be distracting to pedestrians, motorists, or neighboring property.
- No sign may incorporate, in any manner, any moving part or parts or any flashing, moving, rotating, pulsating or intermittent lighting, with the exception of approved time and temperature displays and barber poles.
- No sign or advertising display may incorporate flags, banners, or streamers constructed of cloth, canvas, light fabric, paper, cardboard, wallboard or other light material which are suspended, mounted, or attached in a manner which allows movements of the sign by atmospheric conditions; nor may any sign incorporate searchlights, string lights, rope lights, festoon lights, flashing lights, balloons, bubbles, fans, or similar devices for attracting attention. (with exceptions for securely/permanently attached fabric signs)
- No sign shall be designed so that characters, letters, or illustrations can be changed or rearranged electronically without altering the face or surface of the sign.
- No sign may display still or moving images which have been electronically recorded or stored or which have been received from an off-site source or service.
- No sign shall incorporate any element or elements that are made of flexible material designed to be filled with gas or air.
- No sign shall be placed on, attached to, or supported by stacked tires.
- No sign shall be mounted, placed or displayed on a vehicle, trailer, or boat, except for signs advertising such vehicle, trailer, or boat for sale in locations where sale of vehicles is permitted, or as allowed by law.
- No sign shall include matter that is offensive or disgusting by accepted standards of morality and decency.
- No sign may obstruct any fire escape, required exit, window or door opening intended as a means of egress.
- No sign may interfere with any opening required for ventilation.
- No human or animal shall be used as advertising such that the advertising is intended to, or does in fact, attract the attention of passing motorists to a business or service; and where such advertisement constitutes an off-premise sign.
- No sign may be located in such a manner as to constitute a traffic hazard or obstruct the view of any authorized traffic sign or signal device, nor may any sign be constructed in a manner that can be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No sign shall be placed or constructed on a sidewalk, dock, pier, boardwalk, or designated coastal accessway if such sign, in any way, impedes the right-of-way for pedestrians or with egress of occupants from legally parked vehicles or vessels.
- No sign shall be placed or constructed on a sidewalk, dock, pier, boardwalk, or designated coastal accessway if such sign, in any way, impedes the free movement, loading, or unloading of watercraft or interferes with commercial harbor-related industry, except as provided for dock signs.
- Within the area of the city encompassed by the waterfront master plan, no sign or other display greater than thirty inches in height shall be placed or constructed in any view corridor established by a coastal development permit (with certain exceptions).
- No sign may be placed or constructed that fails to maintain clearance from or interferes with electrical conductors, communications equipment or lines, surface and underground facilities and conduits for water, sewage, gas, electricity and communications equipment or lines.
- No permanent sign may be constructed of insubstantial materials that will be subject to rapid deterioration, as determined by the community development director.
- With the exception of projecting (pub) signs, no sign may be placed or constructed which is so oriented as to be viewed primarily across an adjacent private property line.
- No sign shall be illuminated, or any business sign within or adjacent to residential zones, after ten p.m. regardless if business is open or closed.
- No sign may be expanded, extended, reconstructed, or altered in location or orientation so as to enable it to be read or viewed from a different direction than its original position (applies to nonconforming signs).

## Signs exempt from permit in Morro Bay

- Legal notice: An official notice issued by a court, public body or office and posted in the performance of a public duty or a notice posted by a utility or other quasi-public agent in the performance of a public duty.
- Government sign: A sign erected by the city of Morro Bay or other government body.
- Historical marker: A sign, monument, or marker erected by or with the permission of a governmental body or agency for the purpose of informing the public of the history of a building, site, or other feature.
- Educational sign: A sign erected by or with the permission of a governmental body or agency for the purpose of public education or information.
- Government-required sign: A sign which is required by law or by the conditions of a government issued permit, including, but not limited to a conditional use permit or coastal development permit, or by the terms of any lease or land use agreement to which a governmental agency is a party, and which is installed in accordance with the specifications of the controlling law, permit, lease, or land use agreement.
- The types of exempt signs listed above are not required to obtain a sign permit, but written notice must be given to the community development department no fewer than thirty days before placement.
- Artwork painted on, affixed to, or erected near buildings shall not be considered a sign unless such artwork includes logos, text, or graphics that advertise, represent, depict, or promote services, products, or activities offered by a commercial enterprise, as determined by the community development director.
- Festive decorations and displays erected in conjunction with a holiday, festival, or celebratory event shall not be considered signs unless they include commercial logos/text, are installed earlier than six weeks before the event, or remain longer than two weeks after the event.
- All exempt signs, except temporary signs, are not regulated by district and are exempt from provisions in district-specific sections. Temporary signs are subject to applicable district regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- If a site has three or more non-residential occupants, a master sign program (MSP) is required and must be submitted for review and approval (Section 17.29.150.B.3.a).
- Any site having three or fewer non-residential occupants may submit a master sign program for review and approval.
- Projects involving construction or renovation of more than 25,000 square feet in the commercial and mixed use zoning districts require an MSP which must be approved prior to issuance of any occupancy permit.
- Properties subject to an MSP that do not have one shall establish an MSP when a current tenant proposes the installation of a new sign.
- All new signs shall conform to the approved master sign program.
- Construction of certain multi-tenant signs (e.g., shopping center, retail cluster, professional building) require approval of a master sign program.
- Master sign programs establish criteria for multi-tenant properties that ensure signage is uncluttered, consistent, and fairly distributed between tenants.
- Master sign programs are mandatory for shopping centers, retail clusters, and professional buildings as defined, before certain types of shared signage are allowed.
- Approval of a master sign program is an administrative level permit unless the proposed signage is greater than permitted, in which case the planning commission or, on appeal, city council is the decision-making authority.
- No exceptions may be granted to the provisions of Section 17.29.150 B (Master Sign Program requirements).
- Applications for a master sign program must include required site plans, building/location drawings, photographs of existing signage, sign standards, and indicate all sign proposals.
- If any application proposes signage in excess of maximum allowable standards, such an exception must be processed through the planning commission or city council as appropriate.

## 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 13 zoning districts in Morro Bay — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Morro+Bay+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-morro-bay

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