# Sign Regulations in San Rafael, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** San Rafael, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/san-rafael
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/San_Rafael/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT16SIBI)

## At a glance

San Rafael, California regulates 14 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Wall, Window, Projecting/Blade, Awning, Marquee, Mansard, Monument, Directory, Changeable Copy, Pole/Pylon Signs (Nonresidential uses except office)s in the Commercial, Office, Industrial, Marine Related Districts (NC, GC, O, C/O, FBWC, LI/O, I, CCI/O, M and MC) zoning district are capped at 6 ft for monument signs; 21 ft for pole/pylon; 25 ft (max with bonus) for freeway-oriented tall and Max 200 sq ft per business/frontage., with a minimum 15–35 ft setback depending on sign size and lot width per Table 14.19-1 setback (Sec. 14.19.064, Table 14.19-2, Table 14.19-1). Most commercial signs in San Rafael require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-Family Residential and Duplex Residential Districts | 3 | 6 ft (freestanding/monument) | 20 sq ft | — |
| Multiple-Family Residential Districts, Residential/Office Districts | 1 | 6 ft (monument/ freestanding signs) | Multiple-Family Residential: 25 sq ft (e.g., building ID, rental info); Residential/Office: 36 sq ft | — |
| Commercial, Office, Industrial, Marine Related Districts (NC, GC, O, C/O, FBWC, LI/O, I, CCI/O, M and MC) | 2 | 6 ft for monument signs; 21 ft for pole/pylon; 25 ft (max with bonus) for freeway-oriented | Max 200 sq ft per business/frontage. | — |
| Downtown Mixed Use District | 2 | 6 ft monument; 21 ft pole/pylon | 200 sq ft per business/frontage | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 6 ft (unless noted otherwise) | 36 sq ft per sign | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Single-Family Residential and Duplex Residential Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Permitted Uses) | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | One per residence | Permitted per residence; attached to dwelling | — | 14.19.062(A), 14.16.220(D), Table 14.19-2 |
| Wall Sign or Monument Sign (Conditional Uses) | 6 ft (freestanding/monument) | 20 sq ft | — | — | One per site | One per site; monument at entry or wall mounted | — | 14.19.062(B), Table 14.19-2 |
| Monument Sign (Neighborhood/Subdivision Entry) | 6 ft | 20 sq ft (per sign) | — | — | Two per entrance | At entrance to neighborhoods/subdivisions, on private property | — | 14.19.062(C), Table 14.19-2 |

### Commercial, Office, Industrial, Marine Related Districts (NC, GC, O, C/O, FBWC, LI/O, I, CCI/O, M and MC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall, Window, Projecting/Blade, Awning, Marquee, Mansard, Monument, Directory, Changeable Copy, Pole/Pylon Signs (Nonresidential uses except office) | 6 ft for monument signs; 21 ft for pole/pylon; 25 ft (max with bonus) for freeway-oriented | Max 200 sq ft per business/frontage. | — | Freestanding signs: minimum 15–35 ft setback depending on sign size and lot width per Table 14.19-1 | 2 per frontage of business/use (nonresidential); 1 projecting, 1 freestanding (monument/pylon) max | Frontage of business/use; monument/pole/pylon per Table 14.19-1 | — | 14.19.064, Table 14.19-2, Table 14.19-1 |
| Wall, Window, Projecting/Blade, Awning, Mansard, Monument, Directory, Changeable Copy (Office Uses) | 6 ft monument; 21 ft pole/pylon | Max 100 sq ft per office frontage. | — | — | One per frontage per office tenant | Frontage of office tenant | — | 14.19.064 (B & D), Table 14.19-2 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Signs (Noncommercial) | — | 32 sq ft per site | — | — | Total area 32 sq ft allowed; number not specified | On site or place of business | — | 14.19.070(B) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sale and Leasing Signs | — | 5 sq ft (on building/residential); 20 sq ft (nonresidential on-site); 5 sq ft (off-site open house) | — | — | As above | On-site or off-site under restrictions | — | 14.19.070(C) |
| Temporary Banner | — | 32 sq ft per banner | — | Shall not project above eave; min 8 ft vertical clearance if projecting over public property | 1 per business frontage | Attached to building; may be freestanding if building set back or visibility impaired | — | 14.19.070(E) |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 36 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per site | On construction site | — | 14.19.070(F) |
| Temporary, Portable A-Frame Signs (Downtown Mixed Use District only) | — | — | — | — | Per city council resolution | See city council resolution for placement/fees | — | 14.19.070(G) |
| Monument Sign (all zones, general design) | 6 ft (unless noted otherwise) | See zone specific | — | See Table 14.19-1 for detail | See zone | See Table 14.19-1, min setback 15–35 ft depending on lot and sign size | — | 14.19.053.L, Table 14.19-1 |

## Prohibited signs in San Rafael

- A-Frame and I-Frame portable ground signs are prohibited except as specifically permitted in downtown districts or for real estate open house displays.
- Abandoned signs (signs unused for six (6) months or more after business closure) are prohibited.
- Animated and moving signs are prohibited, including electronic message displays, blinking, flashing, changing light intensity, moving signs, windblown devices (like balloons, streamers, etc.), and signs producing smoke, sound, or other substances.
- Billboards and other off-site advertising signs (including temporary signs mounted on vehicles, unless permanently affixed/painted) are prohibited.
- Dilapidated signs are prohibited (where sign surface or structure is compromised, hazardous, or unable to properly display identification).
- Signs that imitate official traffic signs, signals, or public notices are prohibited.
- No sign shall be cut, burnt, limed, painted or marked on natural features such as cliffs, hillsides, fields, or trees.
- Signs containing obscene or offensive content are prohibited.
- Portable signs constructed for mobility (other than certain permitted A-frame signs) are prohibited.
- Privilege signs (Manufacturer-supplied standardized signs where manufacturer’s name/logo exceeds one-third of the sign face) are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited except as allowed for mansard signs.
- Signs likely to cause traffic confusion or hazard (e.g., similar to traffic control devices, blocking traffic signs, excessive glare, impairment of driver vision) are prohibited.
- Fluorescent-surfaced or painted signs are prohibited.
- Signs affixed to public structures or located in the public right-of-way (e.g., utility poles, fences), except permitted kiosks or by city approval, are prohibited.
- Sign illumination that is blinking, flashing, fluttering, animated, changing light intensity/brightness/color, moving messages, or searchlights is prohibited.
- Roof signs (except mansard types as expressly permitted) are prohibited.
- No sign may obstruct exits, doors, windows, safety equipment, or firefighting apparatus.
- No sign shall be placed or designed to obstruct visibility or impede safe vehicle/pedestrian ingress or egress.
- No sign shall be located in a manner creating hazardous sight obstructions near doorways or driveways.
- Natural despoliation—no marking/cutting of natural features (cliffs/hills/fields/trees) to make a ‘sign’.
- Nonconforming signs may not be structurally altered to extend life, may not resume after 6+ month vacancy, and must be brought into compliance if more than 50% destroyed.
- Signs surfaced with or made of fluorescent paint or material are prohibited.
- No sign shall create excessive illumination or glare visible beyond the property line.

## Signs exempt from permit in San Rafael

- Building and street address signs up to five (5) square feet and one per building per street frontage.
- Official flags of any nation, state, or local government (within height limits or subject to review if taller).
- Weather, nautical flags and pennants on boats, marinas, or within 50 feet of water frontage, if not containing commercial messages.
- On-site directional or informational signs (e.g., parking directions, ‘hours of operation’), not exceeding five (5) square feet per sign.
- Signs essential for public purposes, installed by governmental agencies (e.g., traffic, regulatory, or public information notices).
- Interior signs located inside buildings, not within ten (10) feet of a window visible from a public street.
- Nonstructural modifications and maintenance of conforming signs, excluding change of copy/face.
- Signs required or regulated by state, federal, or local law, consistent with those regulations (e.g., gas price posting).
- Community gardens signs as permitted by Section 14.17.030, within size limitations.
- Community service signs (on city property) for public information, meeting defined size, hours, and technological limits.
- Temporary noncommercial signs (e.g., ideological, political, or election signs) up to thirty-two (32) sq ft per site, for up to ninety (90) days/year (and ten (10) days after election events) – no permit required.
- Temporary real estate sale and leasing signs, subject to size, number, time, and location restrictions – no permit required.
- Special function and one-time event signs, meeting number, size, placement, and time limits – no permit required.
- City-installed banners per city council standards/resolution for events/announcements – no permit required.
- Interior window signs (more than ten (10) feet from window) not visible from a public street.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All non-exempt signs require approval of a sign permit prior to posting, installation, erection, or construction.
- A sign plan ('sign program') may be required for shopping centers, multi-tenant buildings, planned developments (PD), automobile/vehicle dealerships, gasoline/fueling stations, and movie theaters. Sign programs provide design continuity, may allow variation in number, size, type, and placement, and must be approved by the planning commission.
- Major exceptions to sign code (over 20% deviation from standards, or sign type/location changes deemed significant) require planning commission approval.
- Minor exceptions (up to 20% deviation from standards or minor design/location variations) may be granted administratively by the community development director, with neighbor notification.
- When new buildings or major exterior improvements (requiring environmental and design review) are proposed, signage must be incorporated into the overall design and processed as part of the design review permit. No separate sign permit is required if all signage details are included in approved design plans.
- Changes to sign copy/face, nonstructural modifications, or maintenance to conforming signs require a sign permit but do not require exceptions or sign plans unless other code standards are affected.
- Any sign permit, sign plan, or exception approval expires six (6) months after approval unless installed within that time or extended in accordance with the code.
- All applications for sign permits or sign programs are reviewed promptly; planning commission decisions may be appealed per city code.

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

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