Sign Regulations in San Mateo, California
San Mateo, California has specific sign regulations covering 14 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Face Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft), Freestanding Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft), Projecting Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 27, 2026
Sign Regulation Overview for San Mateo, California
Sample Sign Requirements in San Mateo
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Banner | Not exceeding the height of the business's building parapet, plate line of a pitched roof, or top of a mansard roof | 50 sq ft | — |
| Freeway Oriented Sign | — | 150 sq ft total | — |
| Face Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft) | Not above roof | 6 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for San MateoFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
14
- Face Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft)
- Freestanding Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft)
- Projecting Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft)
- Face Sign (Nonresidential or Multi-Family Use, Plot >= 10,000 sq ft)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
8
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for San Mateo
Other Cities in California
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in San Mateo vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in San Mateo, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In San Mateo, regulated sign types include Face Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft), Freestanding Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft), Projecting Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft), Face Sign (Nonresidential or Multi-Family Use, Plot >= 10,000 sq ft), and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in San Mateo vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in San Mateo are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. San Mateo has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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San Mateo, California Sign Rules at a Glance
San Mateo, California regulates 14 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft)s in the Residential Districts (R1-A, R1-B, R1-C, R2, R3, R4, R5, R4-D, R5-D, R6-D) zoning district are capped at 8 ft above grade, sidewalk, or street (whichever is lower); no sign above 40 ft except as provided for high-rise buildings tall and 6 sq ft, with a Not in visibility triangle at intersections (45 ft back from curb lines) setback (Sec. 25.06.070(a)(1), Table 25.06-1). Most commercial signs in San Mateo require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for San Mateo, California
Sign Rules by Zoning District in San Mateo (8 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | Not exceeding the height of the business's building parapet, plate line of a pitched roof, or top of a mansard roof | 150 sq ft total | — |
| Executive Office Districts (E1, E2) (All except San Mateo Drive Between Baldwin & Villa Terrace) | 10 | >=10 ft if >6 in project; not above roof | 40-75 sq ft by lot width | — |
| Executive Office Districts on San Mateo Drive Between Baldwin & Villa Terrace (E1, E2) | 10 | 8 ft | 35 sq ft total for all signs | — |
| Residential Districts (R1-A, R1-B, R1-C, R2, R3, R4, R5, R4-D, R5-D, R6-D) | 11 | Not above building roof line or parapet line; no sign above 40 ft except as provided for high-rise buildings | 40 sq ft for lots <=50 ft width; additional 0.35 sq ft per ft frontage up to 75 sq ft for >50 ft | — |
| Commercial Districts (C1, C2, C3, C4, CBD Support) | 11 | Not above building roof line or parapet line; no sign above 40 ft except high-rise | 40-75 sq ft depending on lot width | — |
| Central Business District (CBD)-Required Retail Frontage Area | 10 | 20 ft max; not above roof; illuminated >=8 ft above sidewalk | 6 sq ft | — |
| Manufacturing District (M1) | 11 | 15-25 ft | 40-75 sq ft | — |
| Transportation Oriented Development (TOD), Agricultural (A), Shoreline (S), Open Space (OS), Other Districts and Overlay Districts | 11 | 15-25 | 40-75 | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in San Mateo(sample of 3 of 8 zones)
Residential Districts (R1-A, R1-B, R1-C, R2, R3, R4, R5, R4-D, R5-D, R6-D)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Face Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft) | Not above building roof line or parapet line; no sign above 40 ft except as provided for high-rise buildings | 6 sq ft | — | — | No restrictions other than those set forth in this Chapter | On wall or structure, parallel to building face (not more than 18 inches away) | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(a)(1), Table 25.06-1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft) | 8 ft above grade, sidewalk, or street (whichever is lower); no sign above 40 ft except as provided for high-rise buildings | 6 sq ft | — | Not in visibility triangle at intersections (45 ft back from curb lines) | No restrictions other than those set forth in this Chapter | Self-supporting in fixed location, not attached to or projecting over any building | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(a)(1), Table 25.06-1 |
| Projecting Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft) | Not above building roof line or parapet line; no sign above 40 ft except as provided for high-rise buildings | 6 sq ft | — | Not within 2 ft of curb line | No restrictions other than those set forth in this Chapter | Projects more than 18 inches from building face, supported by wall, perpendicular to building face | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(a)(1), Table 25.06-1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential or Multi-Family Use, Plot >= 10,000 sq ft) | 8 ft above grade, sidewalk, or street (whichever is lower); no sign above 40 ft except as provided for high-rise buildings | — | — | Not in visibility triangle at intersections (45 ft back from curb lines) | 1-2 per zoning plot depending on size (included in total) | Self-supporting in fixed location, not attached to or projecting over any building | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(a)(2), Table 25.06-2 |
| Projecting Sign (Nonresidential or Multi-Family Use, Plot >= 10,000 sq ft) | Not above building roof line or parapet line; no sign above 40 ft except as provided for high-rise buildings | — | — | Not within 2 ft of curb line | Included in total of 3-4 signs per zoning plot depending on size | Projects more than 18 inches from building face, supported by wall, perpendicular to building face | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(a)(2), Table 25.06-2 |
| Freestanding Sign (Commercial Use) | 15 ft for <=50 ft lots; additional 0.1 ft per ft frontage up to 25 ft for >50 ft; no above 40 ft except high-rise | 40 sq ft for lots <=50 ft width; additional 0.35 sq ft per ft frontage up to 75 sq ft for >50 ft | — | Not in visibility triangle (45 ft) | 1 per street frontage per business (only 1 freestanding or projecting per frontage) | Self-supporting in fixed location, not attached to building | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(a)(3), Table 25.06-3 |
| Marquee Sign (Commercial Use) | At least 10 ft above ground or sidewalk; not above roof or parapet; no above 40 ft except high-rise | — | — | Not within 2 ft of curb line | 2 per street frontage per business | Attached to or supported by marquee (permanent roofed structure attached to building) | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(a)(3), Table 25.06-3 |
| Projecting Sign (Commercial Use) | At least 10 ft above ground or sidewalk; not above roof or parapet; no above 40 ft except high-rise | — | — | Not within 2 ft of curb line | 2 per street frontage per business; only 1 projecting or freestanding per frontage | Projects more than 18 inches from building, supported by wall, perpendicular to face | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(a)(3), Table 25.06-3 |
Commercial Districts (C1, C2, C3, C4, CBD Support)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Face Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft) | Not above building roof line or parapet line; no sign above 40 ft except high-rise | 6 sq ft | — | — | No restrictions | On wall or structure, parallel to building face (not more than 18 inches away) | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(b)(2), Table 25.06-1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft) | 8 ft; no above 40 ft except high-rise | 6 sq ft | — | — | No restrictions | Self-supporting | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(b)(2), Table 25.06-1 |
| Projecting Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft) | Not above roof; no above 40 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | No restrictions | Projecting from building | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(b)(2), Table 25.06-1 |
| Face Sign (Nonresidential or Multi-Family Use, Plot >= 10,000 sq ft) | Not above roof; no above 40 ft | — | — | — | Included in total 3-4 | On wall parallel | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(b)(3), Table 25.06-2 |
| Freestanding Sign (Nonresidential or Multi-Family Use, Plot >= 10,000 sq ft) | 8 ft; no above 40 ft | — | — | — | 1-2 included in total | Self-supporting | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(b)(3), Table 25.06-2 |
| Freestanding Sign (Commercial Use) | 15-25 ft depending on lot width | 40-75 sq ft depending on lot width | — | — | 1 per frontage | Self-supporting | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(b)(1), Table 25.06-3 |
| Marquee Sign (Commercial Use) | >=10 ft; not above roof | — | — | >=2 ft curb | 2 per frontage | On marquee | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(b)(1), Table 25.06-3 |
| Projecting Sign (Commercial Use) | >=10 ft; not above roof | — | — | >=2 ft curb | 1 per frontage (with freestanding) | Projecting >18 in | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(b)(1), Table 25.06-3 |
Manufacturing District (M1)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awning Sign (Commercial Use) | Not above roof | — | — | — | 2 per frontage | Awning | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(e)(1), Table 25.06-3 |
| Face Sign (Commercial Use) | >=10 ft if project >6 in | — | — | — | 2 per frontage | Parallel | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(e)(1), Table 25.06-3 |
| Freestanding Sign (Commercial Use) | 15-25 ft | 40-75 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage | Self | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(e)(1), Table 25.06-3 |
| Marquee Sign (Commercial Use) | >=10 ft | — | — | >=2 ft curb | 2 per frontage | Marquee | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(e)(1), Table 25.06-3 |
| Projecting Sign (Commercial Use) | >=10 ft | — | — | >=2 ft curb | 1 per frontage | Projecting | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(e)(1), Table 25.06-3 |
| Face Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft) | Not above roof | 6 sq ft | — | — | No restrictions | Parallel | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(e), implied Table 25.06-1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft) | 8 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | No restrictions | Self | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(e), implied Table 25.06-1 |
| Projecting Sign (Residential Use, Plot < 10,000 sq ft) | Not above roof | 6 sq ft | — | — | No restrictions | Projecting | — | Unlock | 25.06.070(e), implied Table 25.06-1 |
PermitPal covers all 8 zoning districts in San Mateo — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 8 zones for San Mateo — start freeProhibited Signs in San Mateo
- Signs erected or maintained without the written consent of the owner of the real property or the person or entity in legal possession of the real property
- Banners, except as permitted by Sections 25.04.030 and 25.06.050(a) and there may be permanently displayed on each zoning plot 1 flag that is no larger than 6 feet by 4 feet in dimension, and there is no limit on the number of flags that may be displayed by public agencies on public property
- Rotating, animated, moving or flashing signs
- Roof signs
- Off-site advertising signs, except that one six (6) square foot sign containing off-site advertising shall be permitted on each zoning plot
- Inflating devices, including balloons and other lighter than air objects
- Signs not permitted by this Title
- Signs at or near intersections that may interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with authorized traffic signs or signals, or which use words like 'Stop,' 'Go,' 'Caution,' etc., in a manner that misleads traffic
- Signs at or near street intersections that obstruct free and clear vision within the triangular area formed by intersection curb lines and a diagonal line 45 feet back from the intersection
- Signs that prevent free ingress to or egress from any door, window, fire escape or fire equipment
- Signs that display obscene matter
Exempt Signs in San Mateo
- Automatic Teller Machines
- Architectural features that do not perform a communicative function
- Foundation and cornerstones
- Grave markers
- Inflatable gymnasium devices
- Newsracks
- License plates, license plate frames, and messages painted on street legal and operable vehicles
- Vending machines and product dispensing devices which do not display commercial messages unrelated to the goods or services provided by the machine or device
- Mural (a large picture painted or affixed directly on a wall or ceiling)
- Signs allowed without permit under Section 25.06.060, including certain window signs, address signs, parking lot signs, flags and pennants, signs required by law, construction signs (with limitations), and changes in sign copy to existing permitted signs
- Non-conforming signs that were lawfully in existence prior to the effective date of the ordinance
- Message substitution: noncommercial messages may be substituted for commercial or other noncommercial messages on legal sign structures without additional approval, subject to property owner's consent
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for San Mateo
- Signs approved as part of a Planned Signing District must be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator under Chapter 27.08 and are subject to appeal to the Planning Commission pursuant to Section 27.08.090; required to be consistent with zoning district restrictions and compatible with architectural style
- Freestanding signs over eight feet in height require review by the Zoning Administrator under Chapter 27.08 and appeal to the Planning Commission; must be consistent with zoning regulations, compatible with architecture, and in scale with neighborhood
- New community and regional shopping centers, and existing ones undergoing substantial exterior remodeling pursuant to Site Plan and Architectural Review (SPAR) under Title 27, require review and approval of a Planned Signing District concurrent with SPAR review
- High rise buildings (over 50 feet) in Commercial (C), Executive Office (E), and Transportation Oriented Development (TOD) districts may have face signs up to 40 feet above ground level, subject to specific design and illumination restrictions; total area and number not to exceed zoning district maximums
- Existing community and regional shopping centers without an approved Planned Signing District are limited to a maximum of 25 square feet of individual sign area per business
- Multiple tenant buildings may opt to conform to single tenant restrictions or follow specific multi-tenant sign area, number, and location rules under Section 25.06.070(b)(6)
Source: other municipal code