# Sign Regulations in Richmond, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Richmond, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/richmond
- **Data last verified:** 2025-07-31
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/ca/richmond/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=ARTXVZOSU_CH15.04ZOSURE_SERIES_600GEST_ART15.04.609SI)

## At a glance

Richmond, California regulates 24 sign types across 15 zoning districts. Blade Signs in the Commercial Mixed-Use, Residential (CM-1), Commercial Mixed-Use, Neighborhood (CM-2), Commercial Mixed-Use, Commercial Emphasis (CM-3), Commercial Mixed-Use, Gateway/Node (CM-4), Commercial Mixed-Use, Activity Center (CM-5), Live-Work (LW), General Commercial (CG), Regional Commercial (CR), Coastal Commercial (CC) zoning district are capped at 36 in tall, 12 sq ft max (3 sq ft if under awning), and 48 in wide (Sec. Table 15.04.609.100-C(2)). Most commercial signs in Richmond require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (15 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single Family Hillside Residential (RH), Single Family Very Low Density Residential (RL1), Single Family Low Density Residential (RL2) | 6 | 6 ft | 20 sq ft total | — |
| Multifamily Residential (RM1), Multifamily High Density Residential (RM2) | 3 | 6 ft | 12 sq ft total | — |
| Commercial Mixed-Use, Residential (CM-1), Commercial Mixed-Use, Neighborhood (CM-2), Commercial Mixed-Use, Commercial Emphasis (CM-3), Commercial Mixed-Use, Gateway/Node (CM-4), Commercial Mixed-Use, Activity Center (CM-5), Live-Work (LW), General Commercial (CG), Regional Commercial (CR), Coastal Commercial (CC) | 8 | 42 in | 60 sq ft max or 1x frontage | — |
| Industrial, Business (IB), Industrial, Limited Light (ILL), Industrial, Light (IL), Industrial, General (IG), Industrial, Water-Related (IW) | 3 | 10 ft | 60 sq ft max or 0.5x frontage | — |
| Public, Cultural, and Institutional (PCI), Parks and Recreation (PR) | 1 | — | 16 sq ft per sign | — |
| Open Space (OS), Hillside Open Space (OS-H), Shoreline Conservation (SC) | 2 | 6 ft | 10 sq ft per 20 acre parcel (OS-H) | — |
| Agriculture (AG), Industrial Agriculture (IA) | 1 | 10 ft | 20 sq ft per lot equivalent | — |
| Form-Based Code Transect Zones: T4 Neighborhood-30 (T4N-30), T4 Neighborhood-35 (T4N-35), T4 Neighborhood-Open (T4N-O), T4 Main Street (T4MS), T4 Main Street-Open (T4MS-O), T5 Neighborhood-55 (T5N-55), T5 Neighborhood-135 (T5N-135), T5 Main Street (T5MS), T5 Main Street-Open (T5MS-O), T5 Core (T5C), T5 Core-Open (T5C-O) | 4 | 42 in | See formula; 60 sq ft max (see applicable district) | — |
| Overlay Zones: Creek Protection Overlay (CP), Interim Study (IS), Historic District (H), Landmarks (L), Neighborhood Conservation (NC), Shoreline (S) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Creek Protection Overlay (CP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Interim Study Overlay (IS) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Historic District Overlay (H), Landmarks Overlay (L) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Neighborhood Conservation Overlay (NC) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Shoreline Overlay (S) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 8 ft portable (except A-frame/sandwich boards: 42 in height max) | Residential: 16 sq ft max per lot; Non-residential: see section for banners, A-frame, portable, temporary window, etc. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 15 zones)

### Single Family Hillside Residential (RH), Single Family Very Low Density Residential (RL1), Single Family Low Density Residential (RL2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Unit/Attached or Detached Homes) | — | 1 sq ft (detached); 2 sq ft (duplex) | — | — | 1 per building (2 for duplex) | On the wall of the building | — | Sec. 15.04.609.100.B.1.a |
| Freestanding Sign (Single Family/Duplex Residential Lot - Non-Illuminated) | 6 ft | 1.5 sq ft per lot | — | — | Total sign area across all signs: 1.5 sq ft | On developed residential lot | — | Sec. 15.04.609.100.B.1.b |
| Wall Sign (Multi-tenant Building Entrance) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | At entrance | — | Sec. 15.04.609.100.B.1.c |
| Freestanding Sign (Two Units or Less, with Permit) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft total | — | — | Total across all freestanding signs: 6 sq ft per lot | On lot with two or fewer residential units | — | Sec. 15.04.609.100.B.2.a |
| Freestanding Sign (Three or More Units, with Permit) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft total | — | — | Total across all freestanding signs: 12 sq ft per lot | On lot with three or more residential units | — | Sec. 15.04.609.100.B.2.b |
| Freestanding Sign (Subdivision Entrance, with Permit) | 6 ft | 20 sq ft total | — | — | Total across all entrance signs: 20 sq ft per subdivision | At subdivision entrance | — | Sec. 15.04.609.100.B.2.c |

### Commercial Mixed-Use, Residential (CM-1), Commercial Mixed-Use, Neighborhood (CM-2), Commercial Mixed-Use, Commercial Emphasis (CM-3), Commercial Mixed-Use, Gateway/Node (CM-4), Commercial Mixed-Use, Activity Center (CM-5), Live-Work (LW), General Commercial (CG), Regional Commercial (CR), Coastal Commercial (CC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | — | 25% of sloping plane (awning); 75% of valance | — | — | See above | On awning above storefront | — | Table 15.04.609.100-C(1) |
| Projecting Sign | — | As above; determined by formula | — | — | 1 per building face | Projecting from building face | — | Table 15.04.609.100-C(1) |
| Blade Sign | 36 in | 12 sq ft max (3 sq ft if under awning) | 48 in | — | 1 per entry door | Perpendicular to entry door or wall | — | Table 15.04.609.100-C(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Non-residential districts) | 10 ft | 20 sq ft max | — | — | As allowed by lot configuration | On lot/equivalent | — | Table 15.04.609.100-C(3) |
| Wall Sign | 5 ft | 60 sq ft max or 1x frontage | — | — | As allowed per calculation | On wall (parallel), not projecting more than 8 in | — | Table 15.04.609.100-C(5) |
| Window Sign | 3 ft | 25% max per storefront window area (max width 5 ft, max height 3 ft) | 5 ft | — | — | In window | — | Sec. 15.04.609.060.J, Table 15.04.609.060-J |
| Marquee Sign | 4 ft (structure wall must not exceed parapet or eave) | 6 sq ft max | 24 in | — | — | On or attached to a marquee or hood | — | Table 15.04.609.100-C(4) |
| A-frame Sign | 42 in | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per business | Within front/corner setback, in right-of-way directly in front of business (requires encroachment permit if in ROW) | — | Sec. 15.04.609.100.C.4 |

### Form-Based Code Transect Zones: T4 Neighborhood-30 (T4N-30), T4 Neighborhood-35 (T4N-35), T4 Neighborhood-Open (T4N-O), T4 Main Street (T4MS), T4 Main Street-Open (T4MS-O), T5 Neighborhood-55 (T5N-55), T5 Neighborhood-135 (T5N-135), T5 Main Street (T5MS), T5 Main Street-Open (T5MS-O), T5 Core (T5C), T5 Core-Open (T5C-O)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 5 ft (main sign face); compliance with zone height limits | See formula; 60 sq ft max (see applicable district) | — | — | See underlying calculation | On building wall, parallel (not projecting more than 8 inches) | — | Table 15.04.609.100-C(5); FBC assignments revert to base sign code |
| Freestanding Sign (Neighborhood/commercial/or industrial use) | 10 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | Rely on master sign plan or base zone | On lot/site | — | Table 15.04.609.100-C(3) |
| Window Sign | 3 ft | 25% of window area; max width 5 ft, max height 3 ft per sign | 5 ft | — | — | In window | — | Sec. 15.04.609.060.J |
| A-frame Sign/Sandwich Board | 42 in | 6 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per business | Within setback or in public right-of-way (encroachment permit required for ROW) | — | Sec. 15.04.609.100 C.4 |

## Prohibited signs in Richmond

- Animated, flashing, blinking, revolving, or moving signs are prohibited unless expressly permitted (except certain digital displays with restrictions).
- Balloons and air-activated graphics or other similar attention-getting devices are prohibited.
- Signs held/attended by commercial mascots are prohibited in all zones.
- Freestanding/building-mounted electronic signs and digital displays (including digital billboards) are prohibited, except for fuel price signs, readerboards, and electronic message center signs that meet standards.
- Temporary or hand-held signs for general advertising (of other businesses/causes, i.e. 'general advertising for hire') are prohibited.
- Outdoor advertising displays ('billboards') for hire are prohibited in all zones.
- Mobile billboard advertising is prohibited on any street or public place within the City.
- Roof signs (including signs mounted/painted on roofs) are prohibited (except those painted on a flat roof and not visible from the public right-of-way).
- Searchlights and Klieg lights for attention are prohibited (may be allowed for special events with a conditional use permit).
- Signs in the public right-of-way without an encroachment permit are prohibited (except government signage).
- Signs may not be placed on doors, windows, or fire escapes in a way that would prevent free ingress/egress or obstruct fire escapes/standpipes.
- Signs cannot be located to constitute a traffic hazard or to impede public use of the right-of-way, including obstructing the view of traffic or signs, creating confusion with traffic signals, or being within 5 feet of fire hydrants/signals.
- Signs cannot produce visible smoke, vapor, particles, odor, noise, or sound heard at the property line (some exceptions for voice units/devices at drive-up windows with limits).
- Snipe signs (tacked, nailed, or attached to trees, poles, government signs, etc.) are prohibited.
- All sign types not specifically permitted are prohibited.
- All signs must be constructed of sturdy, durable materials; paper, cardboard, or other materials subjected to rapid deterioration are only permitted for signs that comply with temporary sign requirements.
- All permanent signs must be firmly anchored and comply with safety and building codes.
- Signs that create visual clutter, nuisance to nearby properties, violate privacy, or create hazards for pedestrians and drivers are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Richmond

- Address signs required by and conforming to the Building Code.
- Commercial displays on vehicles, provided they are not outdoor advertising for hire and have no changeable copy/special illumination.
- Flags meeting specific standards (one per lot, up to 48 sq ft, max 30 ft pole, not in side yard setbacks, see code for details).
- Interior signs not visible from the public right-of-way.
- Mobile vendor signs/menu boards fixed to vending carts/food trucks (max 8 sq ft per cart/truck, plus a menu display board).
- Official notices posted by public officers in performance of duties.
- Public carrier graphics (e.g., buses, taxicabs) legally traveling in the City.
- Signs less than four square feet in area.
- Traffic control and danger signs erected by a government entity.
- Window signs in non-residential districts that do not obstruct more than 25% of any individual window or more than 10% of the total fenestration on the building frontage.
- Permanent, rigid signs on fences at parks/playgrounds/athletic fields (see restrictions, e.g., max 16 sq ft per sign, etc.).
- Temporary signs on any lot, provided total area does not exceed 16 sq ft per lot equivalent and duration does not exceed 90 days.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Master Sign Program (MSP) is required for multi-tenant centers/buildings with six or more separate tenant spaces sharing a parcel/building/common access/parking/landscaping.
- An MSP is required for major rehabilitation/additions to existing nonresidential projects with five or more tenants involving 25,000+ square feet or 50%+ exterior renovation, or 25% of signs changed within a year.
- An MSP may be required by Planning Division 'due to special circumstances' including the number/size of signs proposed, site size/location, or constrained visibility.
- Any applicant seeking a Master Sign Program that includes freeway-oriented sign(s) must secure a design review permit and a conditional use permit.
- Optional: An applicant for any project may request an optional Master Sign Program in place of specific sign designs and individual applications, subject to approval by the Design Review Board.
- No sign permit is required for exempt signs, but an encroachment permit is required for A-frame signs placed in the public right-of-way.
- All new permanent signs for non-residential uses (unless exempt) require design review, at the level required for the associated use.
- Applications for a sign permit must include a proposed sign plan drawn to scale and dimension, showing height, width, area, colors, type of illumination, and materials, among other items.
- All signs in a Master Sign Program (MSP) must comply with the approved program; amendments require approval and may have specific process requirements.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/richmond