# Sign Regulations in Santee, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Santee, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/santee
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-10
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://ecode360.com/43757263#43757263)

## At a glance

Santee, California regulates 5 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial Zone, Office Zone, Industrial Zone, Planned Development Zone zoning district are capped at Not to exceed eight feet in overall height from existing grade tall and 36 sq. ft. (may be double-faced) (Sec. § 13.32.050A). Most commercial signs in Santee require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial Zone, Office Zone, Industrial Zone, Planned Development Zone | 4 | Not to exceed 15 feet in height | 84 square foot sign (may be double-faced) | — |
| Residential Zone | 2 | Not to exceed 6 feet in overall height from grade | 48 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | Comply with the sizes for the applicable use as provided in Table 13.32.050A | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Commercial Zone, Office Zone, Industrial Zone, Planned Development Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not to project above roofline | — | — | — | No limit | — | — | § 13.32.050A |
| Freestanding Sign | Not to exceed eight feet in overall height from existing grade | 36 sq. ft. (may be double-faced) | — | — | One per premises | — | — | § 13.32.050A |
| Freestanding Sign - Centers | Not to exceed 15 feet in height | 84 square foot sign (may be double-faced) | — | — | 1 per street frontage of the center not to exceed 2 per center | — | — | § 13.32.050A |
| Freestanding Sign - Planned Development | Not to exceed 6 feet in height | 48 square feet (may be double-faced) | — | — | One per street frontage of the premises, not to exceed 2 per premises | — | — | § 13.32.050A |

### Residential Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Not to project over roofline | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per major entry to project | 1 per major entry to project | — | § 13.32.050B |
| Freestanding Sign | Not to exceed 6 feet in overall height from grade | 48 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per major entry to project | 1 per major entry to project | — | § 13.32.050B |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Electronic Message Center Sign | — | Comply with the sizes for the applicable use as provided in Table 13.32.050A | — | — | — | Parcels with frontage on prime arterials, major arterials, parkways, or collector roads with two-way left turn lane (TWLTL) | — | § 13.32.050C.4 |

## Prohibited signs in Santee

- Roof signs
- Flashing signs
- Inflatable advertising devices of a temporary or permanent nature
- Temporary inflatable signs that demonstrate motion through the use of fans
- Search lights and beacons
- Revolving or rotating signs
- Signs without an approved sign permit, unless specifically exempt per this chapter
- Signs within the public right-of-way, except where required by a government agency or otherwise permitted by City ordinances
- Signs blocking doors or fire escapes
- Signs which purport to be or are an imitation of or resemble official traffic warning devices or signs, that by color, location or lighting may confuse or disorient vehicular or pedestrian traffic
- Off-premises signs, except as part of a City-approved sign program
- Signs relating to inoperative activities or businesses and to illegally operating businesses or activities
- New billboard signs

## Signs exempt from permit in Santee

- Signs of public service and utility companies indicating danger, or which serve as an aide to public safety, or which show underground facilities or public infrastructure
- Railroad crossing signs
- Traffic or municipal signs posted by government agencies
- Signs and notices required by law or by Federal, State, County, or City authority, and signs and notices issued by a court, public body, person, or officer in performance of their public duty or in giving any legal notice
- Address signs that are required by and conform with the Building Code
- Public service and civic identification signs promoting City-sponsored activities or community events as authorized by the City Council
- Interior signs within a structure or building not visible or readable or intended to be read from off-site or from outside of the building or structure
- Change of copy on a previously approved sign where no alterations are to be made requiring a building permit
- Banners which are duly authorized and approved pursuant to a formal written policy of the City

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A comprehensive sign program permit is required prior to issuance of individual sign permits for all new commercial and industrial centers consisting of 10 or more tenant spaces
- A sign permit is also required for a comprehensive sign program

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Santee, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Santee+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-santee

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