# Sign Regulations in Reedley, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Reedley, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/reedley
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-17
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/reedleyca/latest/reedley_ca/0-0-0-13136)

## At a glance

Reedley, California regulates 24 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Gateway Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 20 ft (structure) tall and Structure height ≤ 20 ft; electronic display area ≤ 150 sq ft, with a Not located in corner cutoff area (Section 10.30.060). setback (Sec. Section 10.40.070(B)(3)(a)-(o)). Most commercial signs in Reedley require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 20 ft (structure) | 64 sq ft per sign | — |
| Residential Zone Districts | 5 | 10 ft | 64 sq ft (all readable surfaces) | — |
| Urban Reserve (UR) Zone District | 3 | 20 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Resource Conservation Open Space (RCO) Zone District | 3 | 20 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| Professional Office (PO) Zone District; Commercial Office (CO) Zone District | 4 | 8 ft (including base) | 150 sq ft per wall | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (CN) Zone District; Central and Community Commercial (CC) Zone District; Commercial Service (CS) Zone District; Industrial (I) Zone District | 11 | No part higher than 35 ft above ground; not to exceed roofline of nearest building to which banner is affixed | 300 sq ft per wall | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs - Permit and Approval | — | — | — | — | — | Citywide; applies to all signs unless exempt. | — | Section 10.40.030(A)-(E) |
| All Signs - Design Criteria | — | — | — | — | — | Citywide; applies to all signs. | — | Section 10.40.070(C)(1)-(8) |
| Drive-Through Menu Board Sign | 6 ft | 64 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 2 per drive-through lane | At drive-through lanes of food/beverage establishments. | — | Section 10.40.070(B)(1) |
| Recycling Facility Identification Sign | — | 20% of wall/side or 16 sq ft (greater applies) | — | — | — | On small and large recycling collection facilities. | — | Section 10.40.070(B)(2)(a)-(c) |
| Recycling Facility Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | As necessary to facilitate traffic circulation or if facility is not visible from public right-of-way. | — | Section 10.40.070(B)(2)(b) |
| Gateway Sign | 20 ft (structure) | Structure height ≤ 20 ft; electronic display area ≤ 150 sq ft | — | Not located in corner cutoff area (Section 10.30.060). | One per specified intersection | Along major thoroughfares at specified intersections: (1) West Manning Ave & I St; (2) North Reed Ave & South Ave; (3) East Manning Ave & N Buttonwillow Ave; (4) East Dinuba Ave & S Buttonwillow Ave. | — | Section 10.40.070(B)(3)(a)-(o) |

### Professional Office (PO) Zone District; Commercial Office (CO) Zone District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not to exceed top of the vertical wall surface; if on pitched roof, may not extend beyond peak of ridgeline | 150 sq ft per wall | — | — | One wall sign per qualifying wall | On walls with a public (customer) entrance or service window, or on walls visible from a public street other than a local residential street. | — | Section 10.40.060(B)(1)(a)-(c) |
| Canopy and Awning Sign | — | 25% of each individual awning surface | — | — | One per canopy | On the canopy/awning of the building façade. | — | Section 10.40.060(B)(2)(a)-(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) | 8 ft (including base) | 35 sq ft per sign face | — | Minimum 3 ft from any interior side property line and 5 ft from any street front property line; cannot be within 30 ft of intersecting curb lines of a street intersection. Encroachment may be allowed by Director where existing improvements present functional hardship. | One freestanding sign per property | On-site, set back from property lines. | — | Section 10.40.060(B)(3)(a)-(c) |
| Directional Sign | 5 ft | 10 sq ft | — | Within 5 ft of driveway access; ensure sight safety at ingress/egress. | One per driveway (additional permitted if not visible from public ROW) | Within 5 ft of a driveway that accesses the parcel from a public street or alley. | — | Section 10.40.060(B)(4)(a)-(d) |

### Neighborhood Commercial (CN) Zone District; Central and Community Commercial (CC) Zone District; Commercial Service (CS) Zone District; Industrial (I) Zone District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not to exceed top of the vertical wall surface; if on pitched roof, may not extend beyond peak of ridgeline | 300 sq ft per wall | — | — | — | On building walls. | — | Section 10.40.060(C)(1)(a)-(c) |
| Wall Sign - Projecting Sign | Not to exceed roofline of wall/structure; bottom of sign ≥ 8 ft above ground | 100 sq ft | — | — | — | May extend over public ROW, including sidewalks, not to exceed two-thirds of the distance from the structure face to the curb face. | — | Section 10.40.060(C)(1)(d)(1)-(5) |
| Canopy and Awning Sign | — | 25% of each individual awning surface | — | — | — | On the canopy/awning of the building façade. | — | Section 10.40.060(C)(2)(a)-(c) |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) | 20 ft (including base and supports) | 64 sq ft per sign face | — | Minimum 3 ft from interior side property line and 5 ft from street front property line; comply with Corner Cutoff Areas (Section 10.30.060). Encroachment into setback/corner cutoff area may be allowed by Director where functional hardship exists and not detrimental to public health, safety, or welfare. | Up to two per commercial/industrial site; unified centers may have one within 50 ft of each access point (per MSP) | On-site; may be at unified center access points subject to MSP. | — | Section 10.40.060(C)(3)(a)-(i) |
| Directional Sign | 5 ft | 10 sq ft | — | ≥ 3 ft from drive-through lane or driveway; comply with Corner Cutoff Areas. | One per driveway (additional permitted if not visible from public ROW) | Not less than 3 ft from a drive-through lane or driveway that accesses the parcel from a public street or alley. | — | Section 10.40.060(C)(4)(a)-(d) |
| Reader Board Sign | 6 ft (if freestanding) | 64 sq ft | — | ≥ 5 ft from property lines and ingress/egress points (if freestanding). | — | On-site; freestanding reader boards must maintain minimum distances. | — | Section 10.40.060(C)(5)(a)-(c) |
| Temporary Sign - Banner | No part higher than 35 ft above ground; not to exceed roofline of nearest building to which banner is affixed | 50 sq ft per banner | — | — | Max 2 per business (+ one per garage bay under specified condition) | Affixed to buildings or structures; not to trees or landscaping. | — | Section 10.40.060(C)(6)(a)(1)-(6) |
| Pedestrian Sign | Shall hang/suspend no lower than 8 ft above grade | 8 sq ft per sign | — | — | Two per business on each side with a public entrance | Projects or hangs above a sidewalk on each side of a structure with a public entrance. | — | Section 10.40.060(C)(9)(a)-(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Reedley

- Signs on parked vehicles used to advertise a business are prohibited unless the sign is permanently mounted or attached to the vehicle.
- Signs or sign structures that are inadequately maintained, dilapidated, abandoned, or constitute a public nuisance.
- Signs that obstruct ingress or egress to doors, windows, fire escapes, or other accessways required by building codes.
- Illegal signs (placed without proper approval/permits or contrary to permit terms/time limits; illegal nonconforming signs not brought into compliance).
- Signs that no longer advertise an active business or a product sold (abandoned signs).
- Signs encroaching into any City right-of-way or easement, except under-canopy or projecting signs.
- Pole signs.
- Feather flags.
- Signs that flash, blink, move, change color or intensity, or contain any part/attachment that does so.
- Unofficial signs/signals/devices that imitate or resemble official traffic signs/signals, attempt to direct traffic, or hide official signs/signals from view.
- Lights of such brilliance or placement that they blind or dazzle drivers or prevent recognition of traffic signs/signals.
- Signs located so they interfere with visibility at intersections, public rights-of-way, driveways, or other ingress/egress.
- Signs attached to any tree on public or private property.
- Use of the City of Reedley logo, official sign, or seal on any sign without City permission.
- Signs with insufficient horizontal or vertical clearance from communication lines or energized electrical power lines, below state or regulatory requirements.
- Off-site or off-premises signs and billboards.
- Emitting signs (emit odors, smoke, vapor, particles, or audible noise at the property line).
- Any sign determined by the Community Development Director, based on applicable legal standards, to conflict with the spirit or intent of the Chapter.

## Signs exempt from permit in Reedley

- Address identification signs required by and compliant with the California Building Code.
- Governmental signs placed by a government body or public utility, including legal notices and temporary emergency or non-advertising signs authorized by the City Council.
- Memorial tablets or plaques placed by recognized historical agencies.
- Government flags (national or State flags).
- Traffic signs or other signs erected by government agencies; signs required by law or by contract with a governmental agency; railroad crossing signs.
- Holiday decorations or window signs celebrating nationally recognized holidays and local events.
- Permanent window signs such as hours of operation, credit card acceptance, and similar ancillary business signs; 'open', 'closed', and 'help wanted' signs are allowed, and 'open'/'closed' may be illuminated.
- Political signs subject to all of the following: property owner permission; max combined area per candidate per parcel 32 sq ft; not attached to trees, fence posts, or utility poles; not illuminated; not in street right-of-way or on City property; not in corner cutoff areas or within 30 feet of intersecting curb lines or placed to interfere with pedestrian traffic; may be erected no more than 60 days before the election; must be removed within 14 days after the election (City may remove and assess costs if not removed).
- Real estate signs subject to the following: On-site 'For Sale or Lease' signs up to 4 sq ft for single- or two-unit dwellings; 16 sq ft for multi-unit dwellings/business/industrial up to 2 acres; 32 sq ft total for multi-family/business/industrial sites 2 acres or larger; one per street frontage. On-site 'Open House' signs (10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.) up to 4 sq ft, one per site. Off-site residential 'Open House' signs (including two- and three-unit dwellings) (9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.) up to 4 sq ft, one in neighborhood of sales; not in center medians or sidewalk right-of-way; up to six directional arrows with addresses in the neighborhood of sales.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Master Sign Program (MSP) is required for all new unified centers with two or more existing or proposed individual uses in professional office, commercial, and industrial zones.
- Master Sign Program (MSP) is required for all new mixed-use projects with three or more separate non-residential tenants (on-site residential tenants may be included in the MSP).
- Master Sign Program (MSP) is required for projects seeking alternative, high-quality sign designs that do not meet applicable standards.
- Unified centers/shopping centers may have one freestanding sign within 50 feet of each vehicular access point only if consistent with an approved MSP.
- Sign permits are required for all signs unless exempt; permits will only be issued if the sign is consistent with this Chapter and any applicable sign program, specific plan, or the General Plan.
- Except for window signs, written approval from the Community Development Director is required before placing or erecting any sign (including banners and portable signs).
- Building permits are required for erection of signs, except painted, window, or temporary signs (which are exempt from building permits).
- The Community Development Director reviews sign applications and may approve, deny, or conditionally approve; the Director may refer any application to the Planning Commission.
- Minor deviations up to 10% in allowable sign area may be granted by the Community Development Director without notice or appeal, upon findings.
- Gateway signs require Site Plan Review under Chapter 10.96 and a City Council-approved operations and maintenance agreement.
- Businesses that enter into an agreement with the City or as part of a master sign program to forego banner signs may be allowed a changeable message sign integrated into a freestanding monument sign or a building wall sign, provided overall sign area is not increased.
- MSP applications must include: site plan; locations of proposed and existing (to remain) signs; list of allowed sign types; computations of maximum areas, heights, and number of freestanding signs; sign dimensions (generic if tenants unknown); color schemes, lettering, and graphic styles (generic if tenants unknown); lighting and construction materials; any proposed alternative sign standards.
- MSP review authority: Community Development Director; appeals per Section 10.40.110; minor MSP amendments may be approved by the Director if in substantial conformance.

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

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