# Sign Regulations in Mountain View, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Mountain View, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/mountain-view
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Mountain_View/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIITHCO_CH36ZO_ARTXIISI)

## At a glance

Mountain View, California regulates 30 sign types across 16 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the CRA zoning district are capped at 12 ft. (for lots < 120 ft. wide), 15 ft. (for lots > 120 ft. wide) tall and 75 sq. ft. per face (Sec. Sec. 36.36.55; Table—CRA). Most commercial signs in Mountain View require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (16 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A | 1 | 12 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| R1 | 2 | 9 ft. | 4 sq. ft. per face | — |
| R2 | 3 | 9 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — |
| R3, R3D, R4 | 3 | 10 ft. | 12 sq. ft. (if attached to building), 6 sq. ft. (if added to freestanding) | — |
| RMH | 3 | 10 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — |
| CN | 4 | 20 ft. | 200 sq. ft. aggregate (2 faces) | — |
| CS | 3 | 30 ft. | 150 sq. ft. per face | — |
| CRA | 5 | 12 ft. (for lots < 120 ft. wide), 15 ft. (for lots > 120 ft. wide) | 100 sq. ft. per sign | — |
| CO | 3 | 10 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| ML | 4 | 10 ft. | 8 sq. ft. | — |
| MM | 4 | 10 ft. | 8 sq. ft. | — |
| PF | 3 | 10 ft. | 12 sq. ft. | — |
| F | 1 | 10 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — |
| Downtown Precise Plan Area | 10 | 6 ft. | 30 sq. ft. per face | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 10 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| P | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 16 zones)

### CRA

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 100 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | One per street frontage | One sign per street frontage, building mounted or mounted on canopy, not extending into ROW | — | Sec. 36.36.55; Table—CRA |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 ft. (for lots < 120 ft. wide), 15 ft. (for lots > 120 ft. wide) | 75 sq. ft. per face | — | — | One per lot | One per lot; must be located within landscaping, design compatible with building | — | Sec. 36.36.55; Table—CRA |
| Wall Sign - Decorative Graphics | — | — | — | — | — | On building | — | Sec. 36.36.55; Table—CRA |
| Pedestrian Oriented Sign | — | 3 sq. ft. per face | — | — | One per occupancy | One per occupancy | — | Sec. 36.36.55; Table—CRA |
| Wall Sign - Building Real Estate | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | One per occupancy | Attached flat to building wall and below eave | — | Sec. 36.36.55; Table—CRA and Sec. 36.36.15 |

### Downtown Precise Plan Area

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Commercial, Building-Mounted | — | — | — | — | One per street/alley frontage | Flat against building or awning | — | Sec. 36.36.70 |
| Freestanding Sign - Monument | 6 ft. | 30 sq. ft. per face | — | — | One | Freestanding | — | Sec. 36.36.75.a |
| Pedestrian Sign | — | 2 ft x 3 ft | — | — | One per storefront | Hung from decorative chain or bracket above sidewalk | — | Sec. 36.36.75.b |
| Directory Sign | — | — | — | — | One per multi-story building | On ground floor; for multi-story buildings | — | Sec. 36.36.75.c |
| Window Sign - First Floor | — | 25% of transparent glass area of windows parallel to street, or 1 sq. ft. per linear foot of occupancy frontage, whichever is less | — | — | One per window pane | Ground floor windows | — | Sec. 36.36.80.a |
| Window Sign - Second Floor | — | 15% of total second floor transparent glass area of windows parallel to street | — | — | One per window pane | Second floor windows | — | Sec. 36.36.80.b |
| Flag (Customized Graphic) | — | 6 ft. x 10 ft. | — | — | — | Mounted on decorative bracket perpendicular to building face | — | Sec. 36.36.85.a |
| Menu Holder | — | Limited to size of two pages of the menu | — | — | — | Exterior storefront of restaurant | — | Sec. 36.36.85.c |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Sign - <1 acre | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | One per street frontage | On project site, not in ROW, not interfering traffic safety | — | Sec. 36.36.50.a, 36.36.90.c |
| Construction Sign - ≥1 acre | 10 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | One per street frontage | On project site, not in ROW, not interfering traffic safety | — | Sec. 36.36.50.a, 36.36.90.c |
| Temporary Subdivision Sign - <1 acre | 6 ft. | 32 sq. ft. | — | — | One per street frontage | On-site | — | Sec. 36.36.50.b |
| Temporary Subdivision Sign - ≥1 acre | 10 ft. | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | One per street frontage | On-site | — | Sec. 36.36.50.b |
| Permanent Tract/Neighborhood Sign | As approved | — | — | — | As approved | At street entrance(s) to tract/neighborhood | — | Sec. 36.36.50.c |
| Barber Pole | — | — | — | — | One per barber shop | As approved on building | — | Sec. 36.36.50.d |
| Readerboard | — | Counts toward total allowed sign area | — | — | See code for specific use | Integrated into other permitted sign or as separate readerboard for churches, theaters, entertainment, etc. | — | Sec. 36.36.50.e |
| Directional Sign (Exempt) | 3 ft. | 4 sq. ft. | — | — | — | For public convenience/safety; as required | — | Sec. 36.36.15.i |

## Prohibited signs in Mountain View

- It is unlawful to construct, maintain, display, or alter a sign except in conformance with this chapter.
- Abandoned signs, or signs advertising an activity, service, or product not conducted on the premises where the sign is located, except as otherwise specifically allowed.
- Animated, moving, flashing, blinking, reflecting, revolving, or similar moving or simulated moving signs.
- Balloons, gas-filled balloons, banners (except as exempted), flags (except as exempted), and pennants.
- Signs on benches, bicycle racks, shopping cart corrals or other site appurtenances, except for simple, nonilluminated directory or owner identification signs not exceeding two (2) square feet.
- Off-site signs, except as permitted in specific sections.
- Signs mounted on the roof or above the lower eave line of a mansard or similar roof.
- Signs on public property or in a public right-of-way, except for publicly installed traffic and street identification signs, approved special event signs, or other signs expressly permitted by code.
- Signs painted on or affixed to fences or roofs.
- Signs that simulate traffic signs or signals, or make use of words, symbols, or characters in a manner that could mislead or confuse traffic.
- "Temporary" signs, including but not limited to "A" frame signs and sandwich boards, any sign attached to utility or street name poles, and any product or temporary sign mounted or painted on a vehicle so as to function as a sign.
- Windblown devices, such as windmills, kites, display flags, streamers, balloons, blimps, or similar devices intended to attract attention through movement.
- No sign shall be located in or project into the right-of-way of any public street unless specifically authorized by other code provisions and after securing all necessary permits.
- No sign shall be designed or located so as to interfere with sight distance of motorists, cyclists, or pedestrians.
- Window signs above the second floor are not permitted.
- All permanent signs must be constructed of high quality, durable materials and be vandal- and weather-resistant.
- All signs must be properly maintained; damaged or removed signs must have support structures or building walls restored.
- Additional prohibitions apply in Downtown Precise Plan area: rooftop signs, cabinet signs, readerboards, banners (except approved grand opening/civic event), balloons, flashing signs, bill-boards, "A"-frame signs, plastic flags, and chalk/white/black-boards.

## Signs exempt from permit in Mountain View

- One 'open' or 'closed' window sign less than two (2) square feet.
- An American, California, or city flag, not exceeding eight (8) feet in length or ten (10) feet in height.
- Business information signs (e.g., hours, 'help wanted', credit cards), not exceeding a total of two (2) square feet, unless otherwise approved, and gathered in one location.
- One 'open house' sign not exceeding three (3) square feet located on the premises and posted only when a salesperson is present.
- For undeveloped acreage, one (1) nonilluminated real estate sign as specified (up to fifty [50] square feet and six [6] feet in height).
- Project announcement or required temporary land use application signs as approved by the zoning administrator and promptly removed after action/construction completion.
- One designated area (up to six [6] square feet in one window) for up to two (2) ancillary, temporary, professionally prepared community interest posters without business name, dated and removed within thirty (30) days.
- No more than one (1) temporary grand opening banner per occupancy, up to thirty (30) days, dated and removed accordingly.
- Directional signs for public convenience and safety, up to four (4) square feet and three (3) feet in height, with building permit.
- Commercial ground floor and second floor window signs as specified in Section 36.36.15.j, within area limits, height limits, design/material requirements, and illumination restrictions.
- Products on shelves for sale to the public, and framed information panels with at least eighty (80) percent of text area in lettering less than one (1) inch high, are not considered window signs.
- This article does not apply to public or civil event signs installed in public rights-of-way.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign program (visual or written system of signage for multiple-building or multiple-occupant site defining a common visual design theme) may be required as part of development review for multi-tenant structures, or as deemed necessary by the zoning administrator.
- Commercial centers, offices, industrial complexes, and similar facilities with multiple signs may be required to incorporate a sign program with a compatible visual design theme for all applicable structures and uses.
- Multiple tenant developments on single properties may be required as a condition of project approval to establish an overall coordinated signing program.
- Approval for signs (including design review or sign program applications) must comply with all findings in Section 36.36.30.
- The zoning administrator may require a sign program as necessary to ensure compliance with the sign regulations.
- Signs permitted in specified zoning districts are subject to approval through the design review process as set forth in Sec. 36.44.45.
- Any additional development, or change of use/occupancy/tenant or sign copy (excluding window signs), requires legally established, nonconforming signs to be brought into conformance with the current regulations.

## 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 16 zoning districts in Mountain View — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Mountain+View+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-mountain-view

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