# Sign Regulations in San Carlos, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** San Carlos, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/san-carlos
- **Data last verified:** 2026-02-16
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/SanCarlos/html/SanCarlos18/SanCarlos1822.html#18.22)

## At a glance

San Carlos, California regulates 29 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Residential Sign (General)s in the Residential Districts (RS-3, RS-6, RM-20, RM-59) zoning district are capped at Freestanding: up to 4 ft within required setbacks tall and 3 sq ft total at all times; may increase to 100 sq ft during election period (counting only one side of each double-sided sign), with a Freestanding signs within required setbacks limited to 4 ft height setback (Sec. 18.22.130(A)-(G)). Most commercial signs in San Carlos 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 | 1 | Up to 55 ft | Up to 672 sq ft per display face; up to 2 faces; may be digital; faces may be double-sided or V-shaped | — |
| Residential Districts (RS-3, RS-6, RM-20, RM-59) | 7 | Freestanding: up to 4 ft within required setbacks | Maximum combined area of all flags: 100 sq ft (measured one side only) | — |
| Mixed-Use Districts (MU-DC, MU-D, MU-SA, MU-SC, MU-NB, MU-SB, MU-N) | 17 | Up to 40 ft | Up to 1,000 sq ft of surface area | — |
| General Commercial/Industrial (GCI); Landmark Commercial (LC); Light Industrial (IL); Heavy Industrial (IH); Airport District (A) | 17 | Up to 40 ft | Up to 1,000 sq ft of surface area | — |
| Planned Development (PD) | 3 | Freestanding up to 4 ft within setbacks | Up to 8 sq ft total sign area (cumulative) in PD districts | — |
| Open Space (OS) | 2 | — | Up to 8 sq ft total sign area (cumulative) in OS districts | — |

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

### Residential Districts (RS-3, RS-6, RM-20, RM-59)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Sign (General) | Freestanding: up to 4 ft within required setbacks | 3 sq ft total at all times; may increase to 100 sq ft during election period (counting only one side of each double-sided sign) | — | Freestanding signs within required setbacks limited to 4 ft height | Not limited (18.22.130(D)) | Attached to walls, doors, fences, windows or poles; no roof mounting | — | 18.22.130(A)-(G) |
| Flag (Residential) | Flagpole not exceeding roofline | Maximum combined area of all flags: 100 sq ft (measured one side only) | — | — | Flags not limited; poles limited to 1 | On residential property | — | 18.22.130(G) |
| Master Sign (Multiple-Unit Residential Property) | — | 10 sq ft if lot <100 ft wide; 20 sq ft if lot ≥100 ft wide | — | — | One master sign | On multiple-unit residential property, in addition to signage allowed for each dwelling unit | — | 18.22.130(I)(1)-(2) |
| Real Estate/Open House/Directional Sign (Temporary) | 3 ft | 4 sq ft per side | — | — | — | On private property; not on City-owned property or public right-of-way unless authorized by Title 12 | — | 18.22.100(C); 18.22.130(C) |
| Subdivision Project Sign (Temporary) | — | 20 sq ft (project-wide additional sign) | — | — | One per dwelling unit (6 sq ft) plus one project-wide sign (20 sq ft); up to 3 directional signs | On private property within subdivision | — | 18.22.100(D)(1), (3)-(5) |
| Subdivision Directional Signs (Temporary - R/PD/OS Limits) | — | Up to 8 sq ft total sign area in R, PD, and OS districts | — | — | Up to 3 directional signs (cumulative area up to 8 sq ft in R/PD/OS) | On private property with owner’s consent; City property/right-of-way only as authorized by Title 12 | — | 18.22.100(D)(2)(b), (3)-(5) |
| Construction Site Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | At Director’s discretion | On construction site during active project phase as defined | — | 18.22.100(E) |

### Mixed-Use Districts (MU-DC, MU-D, MU-SA, MU-SC, MU-NB, MU-SB, MU-N)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | No higher than top of wall or parapet | — | — | — | Per 18.22.090(A): Maximum 5 per building/center for individual tenant occupancy | On nonresidential establishments within mixed-use districts | — | 18.22.080(K)(1)-(2); 18.22.090(A)(1)-(3); 18.22.020(P) |
| Projecting Sign | Uppermost top edge no higher than adjoining wall, parapet or roofline | No explicit per-sign area limit stated; both sides count toward total area | Projects no more than 4 ft from mounting wall | Bottom edge ≥8 ft above grade when over access/ROW; cannot occupy >2/3 sidewalk width | — | Securely attached to wall; may be above permanent structural overhang extending into public right-of-way if within projection limits | — | 18.22.080(I)(1)-(4); 18.22.110(J); 18.22.110(I) |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft above finished grade, and no higher than 1.5× length of base (inclusive of foundation/planter height) | — | — | At least 6 ft from any public/private driveway; at least 12 ft from public roadway in areas with sidewalks | — | May be placed within required setback/yard areas | — | 18.22.080(C)(1)-(6) |
| Pole Sign - General Nonresidential | Up to 25 ft at uppermost top edge | Up to 100 sq ft per side; total within establishment’s permitted area per 18.22.090 | — | Pedestals/poles ≥6 ft from any building or structure; sign cabinet ≥6 ft from any private/public driveway | No specific maximum stated under (G)(2); must comply with establishment’s total sign area | Nonresidential districts (not allowed in R districts); may be within required setback/yard areas; may not project over public right-of-way | — | 18.22.080(G)(2)(a)-(i); 18.22.050(C)(2)(d) |
| Pole Sign - Highway 101 Corridor | Up to 40 ft | Single establishment: up to 100 sq ft per display face; shared by 2+ on-site establishments: up to 300 sq ft per display face | — | Per 18.22.080(G)(2)(a)-(i) (general pole sign setbacks apply) | Maximum 1 per establishment/shared sign | Only between Industrial Road and the Highway 101 Corridor and adjacent to Skyway Road and Shoreway Road | — | 18.22.080(G)(1)(a)-(c); 18.22.050(C)(2)(a),(d) |
| Inflatable Sign/Hot Air Balloon/Blimp (Temporary) | Not to exceed 25 ft above finished grade of the building | Up to 1,000 sq ft of surface area | — | — | 1 per location | Ground-mounted or roof-mounted | — | 18.22.100(B) |
| Real Estate/Open House/Directional Sign (Temporary) | 3 ft | 4 sq ft per side | — | — | — | On private property; City property/right-of-way only as authorized by Title 12 | — | 18.22.100(C) |
| Construction Site Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | At Director’s discretion | On construction site | — | 18.22.100(E) |

### General Commercial/Industrial (GCI); Landmark Commercial (LC); Light Industrial (IL); Heavy Industrial (IH); Airport District (A)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | No higher than top of wall or parapet | — | — | — | Per 18.22.090(A): Maximum 5 per building/center for individual tenant occupancy | On nonresidential establishments | — | 18.22.080(K)(1)-(2); 18.22.090(A)(1)-(3) |
| Projecting Sign | Uppermost top edge no higher than adjoining wall, parapet or roofline | Both sides count toward total area; no explicit per-sign area limit | Projects no more than 4 ft from mounting wall | Bottom edge ≥8 ft above grade when over access/ROW; cannot occupy >2/3 sidewalk width | — | Securely attached to wall; may be above structural overhang into public right-of-way if within projection limits | — | 18.22.080(I)(1)-(4); 18.22.110(J); 18.22.110(I) |
| Monument Sign | 8 ft above finished grade, and no higher than 1.5× length of base (inclusive of foundation/planter height) | — | — | At least 6 ft from any public/private driveway; at least 12 ft from public roadway in areas with sidewalks | — | May be placed within required setback/yard areas | — | 18.22.080(C)(1)-(6) |
| Pole Sign - General Nonresidential | Up to 25 ft at uppermost top edge | Up to 100 sq ft per side; total within establishment’s permitted area per 18.22.090 | — | Pedestals/poles ≥6 ft from any building/structure; sign cabinet ≥6 ft from any private/public driveway | — | Allowed in nonresidential districts (not in R districts); may be within required setback/yard areas; may not project over public right-of-way | — | 18.22.080(G)(2)(a)-(i); 18.22.050(C)(2)(d) |
| Pole Sign - Highway 101 Corridor | Up to 40 ft | Single establishment: up to 100 sq ft per display face; shared by 2+ on-site establishments: up to 300 sq ft per display face | — | Per 18.22.080(G)(2)(a)-(i) | Maximum 1 per establishment/shared sign | Only between Industrial Road and the Highway 101 Corridor and adjacent to Skyway Road and Shoreway Road | — | 18.22.080(G)(1)(a)-(c); 18.22.050(C)(2)(a),(d) |
| Inflatable Sign/Hot Air Balloon/Blimp (Temporary) | Not to exceed 25 ft above finished grade of the building | Up to 1,000 sq ft of surface area | — | — | 1 per location | Ground-mounted or roof-mounted | — | 18.22.100(B) |
| Real Estate/Open House/Directional Sign (Temporary) | 3 ft | 4 sq ft per side | — | — | — | On private property; City property/right-of-way only as authorized by Title 12 | — | 18.22.100(C) |
| Construction Site Sign (Temporary) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | At Director’s discretion | On construction site | — | 18.22.100(E) |

## Prohibited signs in San Carlos

- No sign in the public right-of-way unless expressly authorized by this chapter or by a duly adopted Council resolution/ordinance; projections over a right-of-way require an encroachment permit in addition to a sign permit
- No sign may be placed on private property without the legal owner’s and current possessor’s consent
- New billboards are prohibited citywide except as expressly authorized on City property under Chapter 12.28; violation is a public nuisance (policy applies independently of other provisions)
- Unprotected speech/messages (e.g., obscenity, deceptive commercial messages, messages promoting illegal products/services, threats against protected officials) are prohibited
- Abandoned signs (presumed after 180 days of nonuse); if left for a future occupant, cabinet-type faces must be made opaque and maintained during vacancy
- A-frame and I-frame signs, except as authorized by Title 12
- Animated signs
- Banners, unless expressly allowed elsewhere in this chapter (e.g., temporary banners meeting Section 18.22.100)
- Billboards and billboard vehicles, except for new billboards on City property as permitted under Chapter 12.28
- Confusing/imitative signs that resemble or include traffic control words or official notices (e.g., stop, go, caution) or that may be confused with public notices
- Signs affixed to or defacing natural features (trees, vegetation, rocks, fields, other natural features)
- Digital signs and digital displays, except gasoline price signs and new billboards on City property under Chapter 12.28
- Permanent signs using fluorescent or day-glow colors in whole or part of the copy
- Hazardous signs that obstruct exits, buildings, sites, or create dangerous visual distractions by color, sound, or glare
- Pole signs, except as specifically allowed under Section 18.22.080(G)
- Roof signs (on/above the roofline, ridgeline, or eaves; painted on or attached directly to the roof)
- Rotating signs (turning on an axis to show different faces)
- Stored signs visible from beyond the property line (after removal, prior to erection, or while in storage)
- Vandalized signs (must be repaired/restored or removed within three days; repair/restoration/removal requires a sign permit)
- Drop-in plastic signs that do not include raised or individual lettering
- Damaged or dilapidated signs (must be repaired/restored; repair/restoration requires a sign permit)

## Signs exempt from permit in San Carlos

- On-site directional signs (not temporary real estate directionals) up to 2 sq ft each (up to 4 sq ft on sites >1 acre) and up to 6 ft high; not counted against allowed sign area
- Information signs up to 3 sq ft
- Nameplates up to 1 sq ft
- Professional and occupation signs up to a cumulative 4 sq ft for all professionals on the property are exempt (over 4 sq ft requires administrative review and must remain within total allowed signage)
- Official/governmental signs and legally required notices (e.g., eviction, violation, liquor permit notices)
- Signs on residential uses per Section 18.22.130 (permit required only if the sign qualifies as a structure under the Building Code; must meet safety codes)
- Temporary signs on nonresidential properties displaying exclusively noncommercial messages up to 100 sq ft (including during the election period); ambient lighting only; building permit only if the sign is a structure
- Message substitution: any protected noncommercial message may be substituted on any legal sign structure without additional approval/permit; on-site commercial message may be substituted for another on-site commercial message; unused sign area may be used for noncommercial messages without additional approval (no increase in total signage, no structural changes, no substitution of off-site commercial for on-site/noncommercial)
- Repainting to like colors or replacing a faded/damaged sign face is not subject to a sign permit if the sign meets current ordinance requirements and the structure is unchanged
- Legally existing signs: no permit is required when only the sign face is changed and the message remains noncommercial or on-site commercial; permits are required for structural alterations, area enlargement, or electrical changes

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign program (coordinated sign design) is required for multiple-tenant projects, and for larger projects at the Director’s discretion, constructed after the ordinance’s effective date; sign programs may deviate from otherwise applicable noncommunicative rules to achieve uniformity
- For projects constructed prior to the ordinance’s effective date, a sign program must be established when the first modification requiring replacement or alteration of an existing sign on the premises is proposed; thereafter, all sign changes must comply with the approved sign program
- Sign programs are subject to Planning and Transportation Commission review; initial or revised sign programs require Planning and Transportation Commission review
- Permit applications for sign programs as part of planned commercial, office-professional, or industrial development must be included with the site development plan; all such applications are subject to design review
- Signage for new multitenant buildings and sign programs require design review
- All signs visible from the U.S. 101 right-of-way that are not already included in an approved sign program require Planning and Transportation Commission review
- New pole signs (where allowed) require Planning and Transportation Commission review
- Signs exceeding 25 feet in height require Planning and Transportation Commission review
- Changing sign panels for a new establishment requires design review to verify the cabinet/structural elements remain legal
- For multiple-unit residential properties, one master identification sign is allowed and is subject to design review

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

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