# Sign Regulations in Rancho Cordova, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Rancho Cordova, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/rancho-cordova
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-31
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/RanchoCordova/html/RanchoCordova23/RanchoCordova23743.html#23.743)

## At a glance

Rancho Cordova, California regulates 35 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign - Multifamilys in the Residential Zoning Districts (RR, ER, RD-1, RD-2, RD-3, RD-4, RD-5, RD-6, RD-7, RD-10, RD-15, RD-20, RD-25, RD-30, MDR, HDR, RMH) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 24 sf, with a 10 ft from ROW setback (Sec. RCMC 23.743.060 Table 23.743-1). Most commercial signs in Rancho Cordova require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agricultural Zoning Districts (AG-80, AG-20) | 2 | 6 ft | 5 sf | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts (RR, ER, RD-1, RD-2, RD-3, RD-4, RD-5, RD-6, RD-7, RD-10, RD-15, RD-20, RD-25, RD-30, MDR, HDR, RMH) | 6 | 6 ft | 24 sf | — |
| Mixed-Use Zoning Districts (RMU, CMU, OPMU, OIMU, LIBP, VC, LTC, RTC) | 9 | 25 ft | Commercial: 150 sf; Office: 50 sf; Industrial: 40 sf | — |
| General Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts (GC, M-1, M-2) | 13 | 25 ft | 150 sf | — |
| Public/Quasi-Public Zoning Districts (POS, CS, T) | 5 | 6 ft | 36 sf total | — |
| Special Purpose Zoning Districts (SP, SPA) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Overlay Zoning Districts (CO, TOD, F, PD, PDC, PC, SM, SGC) | 1 | — | — | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Residential Zoning Districts (RR, ER, RD-1, RD-2, RD-3, RD-4, RD-5, RD-6, RD-7, RD-10, RD-15, RD-20, RD-25, RD-30, MDR, HDR, RMH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building-Attached Sign - Home Occupation | — | 4 sf | — | — | 1 per home occupation | Attached to building | — | RCMC 23.743.060 Table 23.743-1 |
| Building-Attached Sign - Multifamily | — | 24 sf | — | — | 1 per entrance | At entrances | — | RCMC 23.743.060 Table 23.743-1 |
| Freestanding Sign - Multifamily | 6 ft | 24 sf | — | 10 ft from ROW | 1 per entrance | At entrances | — | RCMC 23.743.060 Table 23.743-1 |
| Permanent Subdivision Identification Sign - Freestanding | 6 ft | 24 sf | — | 10 ft from ROW | 1 per entrance | At entrances | — | RCMC 23.743.060 Table 23.743-1 |
| Permanent Subdivision Identification Sign - Monument in ROW | 6 ft | 24 sf | — | 1 ft from edge | 1 per entrance | Within ROW (median) | — | RCMC 23.743.060 Table 23.743-1 |
| Temporary Building-Attached Sign - Multifamily | — | <10 units: 24 sf; >10 units: 32 sf | — | — | 3 per complex | Attached to building | — | RCMC 23.743.070 Table 23.743-2 |

### Mixed-Use Zoning Districts (RMU, CMU, OPMU, OIMU, LIBP, VC, LTC, RTC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building-Attached Sign - Commercial Uses | — | — | — | — | No maximum | Any frontage facing ROW or internal path | — | RCMC 23.743.060 Table 23.743-1; RCMC 23.743.020(G) |
| Freestanding Sign - Individual Buildings Not Part of Integrated Development - Commercial/Office/Industrial | 10 ft | Commercial: 50 sf; Office: 25 sf; Industrial: 40 sf | — | 10 ft from ROW | 1 per project entrance | At project entrance | — | RCMC 23.743.060 Table 23.743-1 |
| Freestanding Sign - Integrated Developments - Commercial/Office/Industrial | 10 ft | Commercial: 150 sf; Office: 50 sf; Industrial: 40 sf | — | 10 ft from ROW | 1 per project entrance | At project entrance | — | RCMC 23.743.060 Table 23.743-1 |
| Temporary Building-Attached Sign - Commercial/Office/Industrial | Roofline | — | — | — | 2 per establishment | Attached to building | — | RCMC 23.743.070 Table 23.743-2 |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign - Commercial/Office/Industrial | 10 ft | 32 sf per sign | — | 5 ft from ROW | 2 per establishment | On-site | — | RCMC 23.743.070 Table 23.743-2 |
| Temporary A-Frame Sign - Commercial/Office/Industrial | 4 ft | 8 sf | — | 5 ft from ROW | 1 per establishment | On-site, not in ROW or vision triangle | — | RCMC 23.743.070 Table 23.743-2; RCMC 23.743.100(A) |
| Temporary Feather Flags - Commercial/Office/Industrial | 12 ft | 50 sf | — | 5 ft from ROW | 5 per establishment | On-site | — | RCMC 23.743.070 Table 23.743-2 |
| Temporary Inflatables - Commercial/Office/Industrial | 25 ft | 100 sf | — | 10 ft from ROW | 1 per establishment | On-site | — | RCMC 23.743.070 Table 23.743-2 |

### General Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts (GC, M-1, M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign - Individual Buildings Not Part of Integrated Development - Commercial | 10 ft | 50 sf | — | 10 ft from ROW | 1 per project entrance | At entrance | — | RCMC 23.743.060 Table 23.743-1 |
| Freestanding Sign - Individual Buildings Not Part of Integrated Development - Industrial | 10 ft | 40 sf | — | 10 ft from ROW | 1 per parcel | On parcel | — | RCMC 23.743.060 Table 23.743-1 |
| Freestanding Sign - Integrated Developments - Commercial | 10 ft | 150 sf | — | 10 ft from ROW | 1 per project entrance | At entrance | — | RCMC 23.743.060 Table 23.743-1 |
| Freestanding Sign - Integrated Developments - Industrial | 10 ft | 40 sf | — | 10 ft from ROW | 1 per project entrance | At entrance | — | RCMC 23.743.060 Table 23.743-1 |
| Freestanding Sign - Automotive Service Stations | 10 ft | 36 sf freestanding; 52 sf incl pricing | — | 10 ft from ROW | 2 | On-site | — | RCMC 23.743.060 Table 23.743-1 |
| Temporary Freestanding Sign - Commercial/Industrial | 10 ft | 32 sf | — | 5 ft from ROW | 2 per establishment | On-site | — | RCMC 23.743.070 Table 23.743-2 |
| Temporary A-Frame Sign - Commercial/Industrial | 4 ft | 8 sf | — | 5 ft from ROW | 1 per establishment | On-site | — | RCMC 23.743.070 Table 23.743-2 |
| Temporary Feather Flags - Commercial/Industrial | 12 ft | 50 sf | — | 5 ft from ROW | 5 per establishment | On-site | — | RCMC 23.743.070 Table 23.743-2 |

## Prohibited signs in Rancho Cordova

- Moving or rotating signs, except barber poles at barbershops.
- Signs with flashing, moving, or animated illumination (e.g., flashing signs), except barber poles at barbershops and electronic readerboards. Sign content must remain static and not change message or appearance and may only change message or appearance after a minimum period of 60 minutes.
- Any sign displaying any obscene matter.
- Signs located within the clear vision triangle as defined by Improvement Standard 4-18, Visibility Restrictions at Driveways and Intersections, and any future updates thereto.
- Signs which imitate or resemble official traffic warning devices or signs, that by color, location, content, or lighting may confuse or disorient vehicular or pedestrian traffic, excluding on-site directional signs as specified in RCMC 23.743.040 (Sign exemptions).
- Portable signs (e.g., A-frame sign), except for real estate signs as provided in RCMC 23.743.085 (Real estate sign standards) or as permitted as a temporary sign with a temporary use permit as provided in RCMC 23.743.070 (Allowed temporary on-site sign standards).
- Temporary signs, except when a valid temporary use permit has been issued or as otherwise exempted in RCMC 23.743.030 (Permit requirements for signs).
- Inflatable or lighter-than-air devices (e.g., balloon sign) of any kind when attached or secured from the ground or to any object on the ground, except for residential real estate as part of zoning certification and under the standards of RCMC 23.743.085 (Real estate sign standards) or except when a valid temporary use permit has been issued as provided for in RCMC 23.743.070 (Allowed temporary on-site sign standards).
- Portable readerboard advertising devices which are readerboard signs affixed with wheels so as to make them moveable signs.
- Signs projecting over roofs and roof signs, except where specifically provided for under the provisions of signs attached to buildings.
- Signs projecting from buildings, except where provided for in a special sign district ordinance or otherwise specifically provided for.
- Banners, except when allowed through a temporary use permit or a grand opening event as described in RCMC 23.743.070 (Allowed temporary on-site sign standards).
- Pennant flags and string pennant flags.
- Wind signs.
- Vehicle signs (large) as defined in this chapter.
- Video display signs, except as provided for in RCMC 23.743.065 (Standards for electronic message signs).
- Digital freeway signs, except as provided for in RCMC 23.743.150 (Digital freeway signs overlay).
- Electronic message and graphic display signs, except as provided for in RCMC 23.743.065 (Standards for electronic message signs).
- Signs with fluctuating illumination, including any changes in light intensity or use of intermittent, strobe, or moving light that does not fall under the definition of another sign type (e.g., video display sign), unless approved under RCMC 23.743.065.
- Any other advertising device attached to a building, fence, pole, or vehicle on display not specifically mentioned, unless otherwise provided for in this code.
- Any sign in the public right-of-way unless otherwise permitted in this code or by the public works director (e.g., encroachment permit).
- Signs on portions of a structure exempted from the height requirements as described in RCMC 23.701.040 (Height exceptions) when said features exceed the height limit of the underlying zone.
- Pylon signs.
- Pole signs except for signs as described in RCMC 23.743.040(A)(2)(g) (on-site directional signs) and (A)(2)(i) (menu/order board signs).

## Signs exempt from permit in Rancho Cordova

- All devices which are excluded from the definition of a sign.
- Approved highway directional signs.
- Railroad signal signs.
- Signs prohibiting trespassing and hunting.
- Warning signs required by law or erected by public agencies.
- Utility company signs identifying cables, conduits, danger, and so forth.
- Public notices and announcements authorized by courts and public officials, including neighborhood watch signs (e.g., governmental/civic signs).
- Signs on buses, light rail, or other mass transit vehicles and taxis.
- Signs on vehicles (except where defined as “vehicle signs (large)” by this chapter) and vessels, including license plates, license plate frames, registration insignia, noncommercial messages, messages relating to the business for which the vehicle or vessel is an instrument or tool (not including general advertising), and messages relating to the proposed sale, lease, or exchange of the vehicle or vessel.
- Signs located entirely within a building or other enclosed structure and not visible from the exterior, or located at least five feet from the window, provided the building or enclosed structure is otherwise legal.
- Signs erected out of doors within courtyards and mall spaces (below the height of enclosed buildings) within the buildable portion of the lot where signs are not visible from a public street or adjacent parcel.
- Signs on shopping carts, golf carts, and horse-drawn carriages.
- Name plates and incidental signs.
- Vending machines which do not display off-site commercial messages.
- Graphic images which are only visible from above, such as those visible only from airplanes or helicopters.
- On residential uses, holiday and cultural observance decorations that are displayed for not more than 45 calendar days per year (cumulative, per parcel or use) and that do not include commercial advertising messages.
- Change of copy that does not alter the size, location, or illumination of a sign (see RCMC 23.743.020(D), Message Substitution) (e.g., face change).
- Official notification signs of name and address information for property owner and/or caretaker of multifamily housing as required by law.
- Freestanding Street Address Identification Signs: Freestanding signs which only indicate the street address of the property on which the sign is located; provided, that the sign does not exceed an area of four square feet and is located with a setback of at least five feet with a height no greater than 30 inches.
- Window signs limited to painted signs on glazing, poster paper signs, and place cards attached to the inside of glazing of store fronts; provided, that no more than 25 percent of the store front window area, calculated using the measurements of the store front in its entirety, is covered. In the case of convenience stores and other similar retail establishments, views from the public right-of-way to the cash register area shall not be impeded by window signs or merchandise.
- Flags, on a permanent pole with a permanent foundation, provided they meet the following standards. The minimum setback from the public right-of-way for all poles is 10 feet. (i) Agricultural and Residential Zones and Uses: There shall be no limit on the number of flags or the number or height of poles. (ii) All Other Zones: A maximum of two poles. The maximum allowed height of each pole is 25 feet.
- Temporary construction signs provided there are no more than two signs per site, not individually exceeding 24 square feet in area, set back at least 10 feet from the public right-of-way, not to exceed 10 feet in height, and not illuminated. Signs may be attached to a building, provided they do not exceed the roofline or parapet wall of the building. Signs must be stationary and must be removed at the time of the final inspection for occupancy.
- Political, religious, and civic campaign signs, not exceeding 32 square feet in size. Such signs shall be located on private property (with owner’s consent) and set back a minimum of 10 feet from the public right-of-way. Such signs are authorized in any zone for a period not to exceed 90 days provided such signs are removed within 10 days following the conclusion of the campaign.
- Electronic time and temperature signs as part of an on-site advertising sign are permitted as regulated by development standards contained in RCMC 23.743.065, Standards for electronic message signs.
- On-Site Directional Signs: Exit, entrance, or other on-site traffic directional signs are permitted. When located within a required front yard or street side yard area, the maximum height of any directional sign shall be 30 inches and the maximum size shall be four square feet. No advertising or message other than for traffic directions shall be displayed and such signs shall be subject to review and enforcement authority.
- Community interest group signs (e.g., fraternal, benevolent, social services, and religious organizations) displaying a noncommercial message, such as time and place/location of meetings, provided said signs are combined onto a common sign structure, the overall area of which does not exceed 100 square feet, and the area devoted to any one organization does not exceed 20 square feet. Such signs may be located off site of where the activity takes place; however, no more than four locations for such signs will be permitted within the city. Such signs must be set back a minimum of 25 feet from the public right-of-way in residential districts and 10 feet in nonresidential and mixed-use districts and must be located a minimum of 75 feet from any other freestanding sign.
- Menu/Order Board Signs: A maximum of two menu/order board signs shall be permitted for each drive-in or drive-through establishment; provided, that each sign does not exceed a maximum of 40 square feet in sign area and each sign be limited in height to eight feet. Menu/order board signs do not count toward the total allowed signage for the establishment as described in Table 23.743-1 (Allowed Permanent On-Site Sign Standards).
- New Business Signs: Newly established businesses and businesses under new ownership may rely upon temporary signage for the initial 60 days during which the business is first opened or initial 60 days of new ownership without need of a temporary use permit. Types, sizes, and locations of all such temporary signs allowed for new businesses shall be those identified in RCMC 23.743.070 (Allowed temporary on-site sign standards). Following the initial 60-day period, the business must convert to permanent signage of the types and sizes allowed by the code or must have been issued a temporary use permit for the continued use of the temporary signs in the time frames allowed. The initial 60-day period does not contribute to the time allowances established by the temporary use permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A unified sign program shall be required for all new multitenant shopping centers, integrated developments, office parks, and other multitenant or mixed-use development of three or more separate tenants/uses that share either the same parcel or structure and use common access and parking facilities.
- A unified sign program shall be required for all redesign, remodel, or redevelopment of existing uses as identified in RCMC 23.743.030(D)(2) where more than 50 percent of the building square footage or 50 percent of the building facade would be modified if not already covered by a unified sign program.
- A unified sign program is required for any commercial development within the special sign corridor proposing a unified sign program as allowed in RCMC 23.743.120(C)(2).
- The unified sign program shall be reviewed concurrently with the project’s design review. If signs will not impact the overall design of the project, the director may waive the concurrent review and require the unified sign program as a condition of approval of the design review. This requirement may also be waived on a case-by-case basis for minor pad-building remodel projects.
- Maximum total sign area may be exceeded with the approval of a unified sign program. Signage may also be permitted to exceed the total signage allowance based on primary site or building frontage by 25 percent with the approval of a unified sign program.
- Within the special sign corridors, a freestanding sign included in an approved unified sign program provided for by subsection (C)(2) of RCMC 23.743.120 is exempt from the administrative use permit requirement.
- Where the building and facilities are of size, shape, height, or of such geographical conditions or location that office use sign provisions are not appropriate, building-mounted signage and freestanding signs for said parcel or integrated development may be considered by the unified sign program when the designated approval authority finds that the proposed sign or signs meet specific criteria including proportionality, compatibility, and consistency with intent.

## 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 8 zoning districts in Rancho Cordova — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Rancho+Cordova+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-rancho-cordova

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