# Sign Regulations in Ridgecrest, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ridgecrest, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/ridgecrest
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/ca/ridgecrest/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIILADE_CH106ZO_ARTVISI)

## At a glance

Ridgecrest, California regulates 26 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Ground Signs - General Rules in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Subject to zone-specific maxima in Table I; overall cap: no sign > 20 ft; monument sign ≤ 8 ft. tall and No more than 1/2 of permitted aggregate sign area may be placed on a ground sign (commercial and industrial zones only)., with a Zone-specific minimum setbacks apply to pole/ground signs other than monument (see Table I); monument signs exempt from the minimum setback column. setback (Sec. Sec. 106-406(b)(1)-(4); Sec. 106-404(c)(4) (portable price sign allowance); Sec. 106-404(c)(9) (height caps)). Most commercial signs in Ridgecrest require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | No single temporary sign > 100 sq ft; other height limits per specific temporary sign types and zones. | ≤ 64 sq ft | — |
| Single-Family Residential (R-1, E-3, E-2) | 4 | ≤ 10 ft | ≤ 32 sq ft per side; ≤ 64 sq ft total | — |
| Multifamily Residential (R-2, R-3, R-4) | 4 | ≤ 20 ft | Aggregate area per premises as formula | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (CN) | 8 | ≤ 30 ft | ≤ 40 sq ft | — |
| Professional Office (PO) | 6 | ≤ 30 ft (Planning Commission may allow variation by Use Permit depending on building height) | ≤ 25 sq ft | — |
| General Commercial (CG) | 9 | ≤ 60 ft | ≤ 40 sq ft | — |
| Recreation, Schools and Public Use District (RSP) | 5 | ≤ 60 ft | Aggregate area per premises as formula | — |
| Service Commercial (CS) | 9 | ≤ 60 ft | ≤ 40 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial (M-1) | 8 | ≤ 40 ft | ≤ 40 sq ft | — |
| Heavy Industrial (M-2) | 8 | ≤ 40 ft | ≤ 40 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - General Placement Limits | Not above window sill of 2nd floor unless business above 1st floor; then not above 3rd floor window sill; and never above zone maximum height | — | — | No minimum setback for wall signs | — | Attached parallel to building wall; may include permanent window signs | — | Sec. 106-403 (definitions: Wall/Window sign); Sec. 106-404(a)(1),(5); Sec. 106-404(10)(d); Sec. 106-406(a)(1) |
| Ground Signs - General Rules | Subject to zone-specific maxima in Table I; overall cap: no sign > 20 ft; monument sign ≤ 8 ft. | No more than 1/2 of permitted aggregate sign area may be placed on a ground sign (commercial and industrial zones only). | — | Zone-specific minimum setbacks apply to pole/ground signs other than monument (see Table I); monument signs exempt from the minimum setback column. | One ground sign per parcel; additional one per separate parallel street frontage with primary access. | On-premises; one ground sign structure per parcel or unified development; an additional ground sign allowed for each separate parallel street frontage with primary public access. | — | Sec. 106-406(b)(1)-(4); Sec. 106-404(c)(4) (portable price sign allowance); Sec. 106-404(c)(9) (height caps) |
| Projecting Sign - General | May not exceed zone maximum height; may not extend vertically above the 2nd floor window sill; where no 2nd floor, not above parapet, eave, or roof line. | — | — | No minimum setback column applies to projecting signs (per Table I note) | Max 1 projecting sign per activity/use (only if no ground or roof sign present). | May project into public right-of-way (not alleys) if compliant with code and International Sign Code; not within 2 ft of curb lines. | — | Sec. 106-406(c)(1)-(5) |
| Roof Sign - General | Not permitted above roof peak or parapet; must also comply with zone maximum height. | — | — | — | One roof sign per business per building below the lowest roof peak (where permitted). | Mounted below the lowest roof peak; bottom mounted flush with roof; shall not interrupt roof lines or major architectural features. | — | Sec. 106-406(e)(1)-(3) |
| Temporary Construction Sign | ≤ 10 ft | ≤ 64 sq ft | — | — | 1 per premises | On premises during construction | — | Sec. 106-406(f)(6) |
| Temporary Subdivision Real Estate Sign | ≤ 10 ft | ≤ 32 sq ft per side; ≤ 64 sq ft total | — | — | 1 per specified street type | One on each arterial/collector street within subdivision; if none, one on a local street | — | Sec. 106-406(f)(7) |
| On-site Temporary Real Estate Sign | Zone-specific limits (see additional requirements) | Zone-specific limits (see additional requirements) | — | — | 1 per parallel street frontage | On-site for lease/sale/financing/construction | — | Sec. 106-406(f)(8); Table II |
| Temporary Directional Sign (Off-Premises) | Per Table II by district | Per Table II by district | — | — | ≤ 4 per year (without CUP) | Off-premises at turning points to event/location/offering | — | Sec. 106-406(g)(2); Table II |

### General Commercial (CG)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | ≤ 60 ft | Aggregate area per premises as formula | — | None for wall signs | — | Attached to building wall; includes permanent window signs | — | Table I (General Commercial); Sec. 106-406(a)(1)-(2) |
| Permanent Window Sign | ≤ 60 ft | Aggregate area per premises as formula | — | None | — | Affixed to or within 3 ft of interior window | — | Sec. 106-403; Sec. 106-406(a); Table I (General Commercial) |
| Ground Sign - Monument | ≤ 5 ft (and ≤ 3 ft 6 in within cross-visibility area) | — | — | Monument signs not subject to minimum setback column | 1 per parcel (+1 per separate parallel frontage) | On-premises | — | Table I (General Commercial: Monument 5'); Sec. 106-406(b)(1)-(4); Table I footnote *** |
| Ground Sign - Pole | ≤ 20 ft baseline; +1 ft per additional 5 ft setback from front/corner side yard; not to exceed 25 ft (general cap of 20 ft in Sec. 106-404(c)(9) also applies) | — | — | Minimum 5 ft | 1 per parcel (+1 per separate parallel frontage) | On-premises | — | Table I (General Commercial: Pole 20'**); Table I footnote **; Sec. 106-404(c)(9); Sec. 106-406(b) |
| Projecting Sign | ≤ 60 ft; and subject to 2nd floor sill/parapet limits | — | — | Not subject to minimum setback column | 1 per activity/use | May project into public right-of-way (not alleys); not within 2 ft of curb | — | Sec. 106-406(c); Table I (General Commercial) |
| Roof Sign | ≤ 60 ft; not above roof peak/parapet | — | — | — | 1 per business per building | Below the lowest roof peak on each building | — | Sec. 106-406(e)(1)-(3); Table I (General Commercial) |
| Billboard (Off-Premises, CUP) | ≤ 20 ft; lowest point ≥ 7 ft above ground | ≤ 10 ft × 20 ft display area per sign side (≤ 200 sq ft per side) | — | — | — | Only along and facing State Route 178 and South China Lake Boulevard | — | Sec. 106-406(g)(1)(a)-(h) |
| Gasoline Price Sign (Accessory Ground Sign) | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 40 sq ft | — | Same as ground/pole signs in zone | 1 separate price sign | On-premises gas station | — | Sec. 106-406(b)(1)b; Sec. 106-404(c)(4) |

### Service Commercial (CS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | ≤ 60 ft | Aggregate area per premises as formula | — | None for wall signs | — | Attached to building wall; includes permanent window signs | — | Table I (CS); Sec. 106-406(a)(1)-(2) |
| Permanent Window Sign | ≤ 60 ft | Aggregate area per premises as formula | — | None | — | Affixed to or within 3 ft of interior window | — | Sec. 106-403; Sec. 106-406(a); Table I (CS) |
| Ground Sign - Monument | ≤ 6 ft baseline; plus +1 ft per each additional 5 ft setback from front/corner side yard, not exceeding 25 ft (but monument signs may not exceed 8 ft overall per Sec. 106-404(c)(9)) | — | — | Monument signs not subject to minimum setback column | 1 per parcel (+1 per separate parallel frontage) | On-premises | — | Table I (CS: Monument 6'**); Table I footnote **; Table I footnote ***; Sec. 106-404(c)(9); Sec. 106-406(b) |
| Ground Sign - Pole | ≤ 20 ft | — | — | Minimum 5 ft | 1 per parcel (+1 per separate parallel frontage) | On-premises | — | Table I (CS: Pole 20'); Sec. 106-406(b); Sec. 106-404(c)(9) |
| Projecting Sign | ≤ 60 ft; and subject to 2nd floor sill/parapet limits | — | — | Not subject to minimum setback column | 1 per activity/use | May project into public right-of-way (not alleys); not within 2 ft of curb | — | Sec. 106-406(c); Table I (CS) |
| Roof Sign | ≤ 60 ft; not above roof peak/parapet | — | — | — | 1 per business per building | Below the lowest roof peak on each building | — | Sec. 106-406(e)(1)-(3); Table I (CS) |
| Billboard (Off-Premises, CUP) | ≤ 20 ft; lowest point ≥ 7 ft above ground | ≤ 10 ft × 20 ft display area per sign side (≤ 200 sq ft per side) | — | — | — | Only along and facing State Route 178 and South China Lake Boulevard | — | Sec. 106-406(g)(1)(a)-(h) |
| Gasoline Price Sign (Accessory Ground Sign) | ≤ 6 ft | ≤ 40 sq ft | — | Same as ground/pole signs in zone | 1 separate price sign | On-premises gas station | — | Sec. 106-406(b)(1)b; Sec. 106-404(c)(4) |

## Prohibited signs in Ridgecrest

- Signs shall not aesthetically obstruct or interrupt major unique architectural features of the building to which they are attached.
- Signs shall not be attached to trees or utility poles.
- Signs may be attached to a fence or freestanding wall only when no ground sign is present; exempted signs may be attached only if 6 square feet or smaller.
- Product or trade names may be included on permanent signs only when the identified product is integral to the on‑premises use.
- Lighting must be contained within or directed at the sign and shall not reflect onto surrounding property or public ways; gas discharge tube lighting may not outline architectural features; exposed bulbs are prohibited except for security purposes and time and temperature signs.
- Sign frameworks must be contained within the body of the sign; visible guy wires are prohibited.
- No sign may be constructed or maintained with less clearance from communications or energized power lines than required by state law or regulations.
- No sign or its supports may be erected in a manner or location that impedes or causes hazardous obstruction or distraction to visibility; no materials or structural features except poles or pilasters may extend into the cross‑visibility area between 3 feet 6 inches and 7 feet above grade.
- Signs that move or simulate motion (flashing, blinking, animated, rotating, or with illumination or surface that changes with time) are prohibited, except time and temperature signs and wall‑mounted barber poles projecting less than one foot; window signs 4 square feet or less are exempt from this motion prohibition.
- Signs which emit audible sounds, odor, or visible matter are prohibited.
- Attention‑getting devices are prohibited except as allowed for temporary special events.
- Portable signs are prohibited except for limited special events by religious, charitable, or civic organizations (no more than 10 days, and no more than four events per calendar year); portable gasoline price signs are permitted for service stations as specifically regulated.
- Signs that constitute a traffic hazard are prohibited (including interference with sight distance or traffic flow; imitation of traffic signs or signals; placement in the public right‑of‑way unless allowed for projecting signs under applicable provisions).
- Signs bearing or containing obscene, untruthful, or misleading statements, words, or pictures are prohibited.
- Signs attached to or placed on vehicles primarily to direct people to a business or activity are prohibited (reasonable business identification on vehicles is allowed).
- Roof signs that project above a roof line are prohibited.
- No sign may exceed 20 feet in height and no monument sign may exceed 8 feet in height.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ridgecrest

- Nameplate signs.
- One 'Open'/'Closed' sign per frontage not exceeding 2 square feet.
- Private information signs not exceeding 1 square foot with no advertising message (e.g., 'Beware of Dog', 'No Soliciting').
- Traffic and other municipal signs, signals, and notices relating to public welfare and safety erected by the city, county, or state (these are exempt from this chapter's restrictions).
- On‑premises traffic and parking direction signs less than 6 square feet each (subject to planning department approval); exempt from setback restrictions when not exceeding 3.5 feet in height; not permitted within the public right‑of‑way.
- Memorial signs or tablets erected by governmental or historical agencies; names and dates carved into or affixed to buildings upon construction; any sign of obvious historical value.
- Flags of any country, state, school, corporation, or nonprofit corporation.
- Signs showing the location of public telephones and signs placed by public utilities indicating underground facilities.
- Public, noncommercial signs used to indicate danger or aid public safety related to road work or other construction activities.
- Accessory signs not exceeding 6 square feet in total aggregate area.
- Temporary holiday graphics.
- Directional, warning, or information signs authorized by federal, state, or municipal authority.
- Signs in or on public buses or other public conveyances as permitted by city council.
- Unless otherwise specified, temporary signs do not require a permit (they must still conform to all restrictions for temporary signs).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs except exempt signs and most temporary signs require planning department approval prior to being erected, placed, altered, or moved.
- For signs requiring approval, three sets of sign plans must be submitted to the planning and building departments, including location address; owner and contractor contact information; site plan with sign locations; building/structure elevations with sign heights and projections; sign dimensions and materials; construction details; electrical/transformer counts for electric signs; lighting details; and any information needed to determine compliance.
- Where a use permit is required, it must be obtained from the planning commission prior to issuance of a building permit.
- Comprehensive sign plans (master sign plans) are optional and may be provided for a specific use, group of businesses, or an entire shopping center; they may regulate location, size, height, color, lighting, orientation, and types of signs, and may allow exceptions if the plan is presented and approved.
- Comprehensive sign plans are administered by the planning director; plans that do not violate regulations are approved by the director; plans that would violate regulations may be approved by the planning commission if they conform to the intent of the article and improve relationships within the development.
- Murals and wall graphics require planning commission approval.
- Time and temperature signs require a conditional use permit.
- Billboards are allowed only by conditional use permit in the CS district and must meet specified conditions.
- Temporary directional signs may be displayed for up to 60 days; display for longer periods requires a use permit.
- Unique signage structures for large developments (e.g., shopping centers, multiple tenants, auto dealers, or uses with more than 15,000 square feet of leased area) may be approved via conditional use permit.
- The planning commission may, by use permit, allow increases to maximum aggregate sign area and adjustments to maximum height in specified circumstances (e.g., conditional uses, lots wider than 60 feet, variable height based on building height, lots with less than 100 feet of allowable sign frontage).
- An encroachment permit from the state department of transportation must be obtained before a building permit when required.
- Conditional use permits for signs become void if the sign is altered or relocated in a way that violates the section or imposed conditions.
- Exempt on‑premises traffic/parking signs under 6 square feet still require planning department approval.

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

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