# Sign Regulations in Rohnert Park, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Rohnert Park, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/rohnert-park
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Rohnert_Park/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.27SI)

## At a glance

Rohnert Park, California regulates 28 sign types across 6 zoning districts. On-Site Directional Sign (Large)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 10 sf, with a >100 ft from a public way setback (Sec. Sec. 17.27.050(D)(2)). Most commercial signs in Rohnert Park require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-L, R-M, R-H, R-M/M-H, P-I | 2 | 6 ft | 16 sf each sign; 32 sf total for all signs | — |
| C-N, C-O, M-U, OS-EC | 8 | 8 ft | See formula; also, not more than 25% of awning face or 25 sf, whichever is less | — |
| C-R, I-L, I-L/O | 8 | 8 ft | See formula; also, not more than 25% of awning face or 25 sf, whichever is less | — |
| Residential zoning districts | 5 | 12 ft (flagpole) | 6 sf | — |
| Nonresidential zoning districts | 2 | 30 ft (flagpole) | 20 sf per frontage | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | 8 ft | 32 sf per site; for sites >10 acres: 1 additional 32 sf sign per 10-acre increment; 6 sf for each model home; 10 sf per off-site directional sign | — |

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

### C-N, C-O, M-U, OS-EC

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On same site as subject of sign | — | Table 17.27-3; Sec. 17.27.090; Sec. 17.27.100(D) |
| Awning Sign (Ground Floor) | Below edge of roof | See formula; also, not more than 25% of awning face or 25 sf, whichever is less | — | — | 3 of any combination per primary street frontage, plus 1 per secondary street frontage; 1 per tenant space second floor; see description | On awning; one- or two-story buildings only | — | Table 17.27-3; Sec. 17.27.090; Sec. 17.27.100(A) |
| Projecting Sign (Ground Floor) | Below edge of roof (not to exceed top plate of first floor in multistory buildings) | No more than 9 sf | — | — | 3 per primary street frontage (any combo), plus 1 per secondary; 1 per tenant space second floor | On building, may project over right-of-way with encroachment permit | — | Table 17.27-3; Sec. 17.27.090; Sec. 17.27.100(H) |
| Suspended Sign (Ground Floor) | Below eave or canopy; at least 8 ft above a walking surface or 10 ft if not under overhang | No more than 9 sf | — | — | 3 per primary street frontage, plus 1 per secondary; 1 per tenant space second floor | Under awning, portico, or roof overhang | — | Table 17.27-3; Sec. 17.27.090; Sec. 17.27.100(H) |
| Wall Sign (Ground Floor) | Below edge of roof | — | — | — | 3 per primary street frontage, plus 1 per secondary; 1 per tenant second floor | On primary or secondary building frontage | — | Table 17.27-3; Sec. 17.27.090; Sec. 17.27.100(K) |
| Awning Sign (Second Floor & Above) | Below edge of roof | 12 sf per tenant, plus 1 directory sign not to exceed 12 sf per floor | — | — | 1 sign per tenant space, plus 1 directory sign per floor | Second floor and above on awning | — | Table 17.27-3; Sec. 17.27.090; Sec. 17.27.100(A) |
| Projecting Sign (Second Floor & Above) | Below edge of roof | 12 sf per tenant, plus 1 directory sign not to exceed 12 sf per floor | — | — | 1 sign per tenant space, plus 1 directory sign per floor | Second floor and above projecting | — | Table 17.27-3; Sec. 17.27.090; Sec. 17.27.100(H) |
| Wall Sign (Second Floor & Above) | Below edge of roof | 12 sf per tenant, plus 1 directory sign not to exceed 12 sf per floor | — | — | 1 sign per tenant space, plus 1 directory sign per floor | Second floor and above wall sign | — | Table 17.27-3; Sec. 17.27.090; Sec. 17.27.100(K) |

### C-R, I-L, I-L/O

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 8 ft | — | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On same site as subject of sign | — | Table 17.27-4; Sec. 17.27.090; Sec. 17.27.100(D) |
| Awning Sign (Ground Floor) | Below edge of roof | See formula; also, not more than 25% of awning face or 25 sf, whichever is less | — | — | 3 of any combination per primary street frontage, plus 1 per secondary street frontage; 1 per tenant space second floor; see description | On awning; one- or two-story buildings only | — | Table 17.27-4; Sec. 17.27.090; Sec. 17.27.100(A) |
| Projecting Sign (Ground Floor) | Below edge of roof (not to exceed top plate of first floor in multistory buildings) | No more than 9 sf | — | — | 3 per primary street frontage (any combo), plus 1 per secondary; 1 per tenant space second floor | On building, may project over right-of-way with encroachment permit | — | Table 17.27-4; Sec. 17.27.090; Sec. 17.27.100(H) |
| Suspended Sign (Ground Floor) | Below eave or canopy; at least 8 ft above a walking surface or 10 ft if not under overhang | No more than 9 sf | — | — | 3 per primary street frontage, plus 1 per secondary; 1 per tenant space second floor | Under awning, portico, or roof overhang | — | Table 17.27-4; Sec. 17.27.090; Sec. 17.27.100(H) |
| Wall Sign (Ground Floor) | Below edge of roof | — | — | — | 3 per primary street frontage, plus 1 per secondary; 1 per tenant second floor | On primary or secondary building frontage | — | Table 17.27-4; Sec. 17.27.090; Sec. 17.27.100(K) |
| Awning Sign (Second Floor & Above) | Below edge of roof | 12 sf per tenant, plus 1 directory sign not to exceed 12 sf per floor | — | — | 1 sign per tenant space, plus 1 directory sign per floor | Second floor and above on awning | — | Table 17.27-4; Sec. 17.27.090; Sec. 17.27.100(A) |
| Projecting Sign (Second Floor & Above) | Below edge of roof | 12 sf per tenant, plus 1 directory sign not to exceed 12 sf per floor | — | — | 1 sign per tenant space, plus 1 directory sign per floor | Second floor and above projecting | — | Table 17.27-4; Sec. 17.27.090; Sec. 17.27.100(H) |
| Wall Sign (Second Floor & Above) | Below edge of roof | 12 sf per tenant, plus 1 directory sign not to exceed 12 sf per floor | — | — | 1 sign per tenant space, plus 1 directory sign per floor | Second floor and above wall sign | — | Table 17.27-4; Sec. 17.27.090; Sec. 17.27.100(K) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Address Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building | — | Sec. 17.27.050(A) |
| Commemorative Sign | — | 6 sf | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 17.27.050(B) |
| On-Site Directional Sign (Small) | 5 ft | 4 sf | — | — | 1 per site entrance | One per site entrance | — | Sec. 17.27.050(D)(1) |
| On-Site Directional Sign (Large) | 8 ft | 10 sf | — | >100 ft from a public way | 1 per site entrance | May be used in place of small sign if sign is setback more than 100 ft from a public way | — | Sec. 17.27.050(D)(2) |
| Small Internal Directional Sign | — | 1 sf | — | — | — | Throughout project site | — | Sec. 17.27.050(D)(3) |
| Open/Closed Sign | — | 1 sf | — | — | 1 per business | At any business | — | Sec. 17.27.050(E) |
| Temporary Sign: Construction/Subdivision Identification | — | 32 sf per site; for sites >10 acres: 1 additional 32 sf sign per 10-acre increment; 6 sf for each model home; 10 sf per off-site directional sign | — | — | — | On construction site, model homes, and off-site as directional | — | Sec. 17.27.050(J)(1) |
| Special Event Sign | — | Maximum 32 sf each | — | — | 2 per event property (signs); up to 3 banners at city locations | On property where event is taking place or designated city locations | — | Sec. 17.27.050(J)(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Rohnert Park

- Placing, erecting, structurally or electrically altering, changing commercial message copy (except for changeable copy signs), moving, or displaying any temporary or permanent sign without first obtaining a sign permit, unless expressly exempted.
- Erecting any sign on private property without the consent of the property owner, designated agent, or person in control or possession of the property.
- The substitution of one commercial message for another commercial message is not automatically allowed, nor is the free substitution of a commercial message in a place where only a noncommercial message is allowed.
- No off-site commercial messages may be substituted for on-site commercial messages.
- Signs not erected or maintained in conformity with the chapter are prohibited.
- The following sign types are prohibited: abandoned signs; attention attracting signs; flags unless exempt or specifically permitted as part of a sign program or site plan and architectural review entitlement; internally illuminated cabinet signs except with dark, opaque background and light, translucent lettering; obscene signs; off-site signs (billboards); portable signs; roof signs except when approved with site plan and architectural review; public right-of-way signs placed without a valid encroachment permit; signs in the vision triangle; vehicle signs parked within the public right-of-way or visible from a public thoroughfare; signs resembling official markers or interfering with traffic signals or safety; signs producing odor, sound, smoke, fire, or other emissions; vehicles or equipment with mast arms or booms in elevated position to advertise; signs painted on fences, walls, and roofs; statuary or representative figures used for advertising purposes.
- No sign may be located in the public right-of-way without a valid encroachment permit, except as otherwise allowed in this chapter.
- No sign may be located in the vision triangle (clear vision area for sight distance).
- Vehicle signs are prohibited if parked in the right-of-way or in locations visible from a public thoroughfare.
- No sign may resemble any official marker, or create a traffic or pedestrian hazard by position, shape, color, or illumination.
- No sign may produce odor, sound, smoke, fire, or other emissions.
- No movement or apparent movement or change in intensity of illumination is permitted. Rapidly flashing or stroboscopic lighting is prohibited.
- All permanent signs must be constructed of durable materials and permanently attached; no permanent sign may have an exposed back.
- All signs, their parts, and materials must be maintained in good repair and promptly restored after removal.

## Signs exempt from permit in Rohnert Park

- Address signs installed in compliance with the California Fire Code or U.S. Postal Service.
- Commemorative signs not exceeding six square feet in area and subject to director approval.
- City informational signs, including identification, welcome, and/or directional signs at entries and key community locations.
- On-site directional signs meeting specified size and location criteria.
- One open/closed sign per business, not exceeding one square foot in area.
- Flags of national, state or local governments, or recognized agencies, provided they meet area, height, material, and illumination restrictions.
- Live/work identification signs not exceeding two square feet, attached to building walls and not illuminated (for groups of 3+ units, see sign program requirements).
- Private informational signs not exceeding one square foot in area.
- Public informational signs by government agencies required to carry out their responsibilities, such as public hearing signs and emergency/warning signs, meeting specified size and posting requirements.
- Construction and subdivision identification temporary signs meeting specified size, area, and duration limits.
- Campaign signs on private property with owner consent, not placed on public property or right-of-way, and removed within ten days after the election.
- Temporary freestanding noncommercial signs in residential zones (e.g., garage sale or incidental 'for sale' signs), limited in size, height, and illumination.
- Real estate signs that are not illuminated, subject to size and location limitations based on use (residential or nonresidential) and timing for removal.
- Seasonal decorations related to holidays, installed up to 30 days prior and removed within 10 days after the holiday.
- Special event signs, subject to size, number, display period and deposit requirements, including banners for city, civic, or nonprofit events at designated locations during allowed periods.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign program (sign plan) is required for: any new nonresidential project with three or more tenants; building groups involving three or more live/work uses; any existing nonresidential project with three or more tenants where more than 60% of the existing signs or building exterior are being rehabilitated within a twelve-month period; any single building over 20,000 square feet; any commercial building(s) on two or more acres.
- A sign permit or sign program approval must be secured for all signs unless specifically exempted in Section 17.27.050 (Exempt Signs).
- Permanent noncommercial signs require a sign permit or sign program approval only if a permanent commercial sign has not been previously approved.
- Sites with three or more tenants in the C-N, C-O, M-U, OS-EC, C-R, I-L or I-L/O districts require a Sign Program for allowed building mounted signage (see tables 17.27-3 and 17.27-4).
- For building groups with three or more live/work units, an integrated sign program is required.

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

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