# Sign Regulations in Scotts Valley, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Scotts Valley, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/scotts-valley
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Scotts_Valley/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.56SI)

## At a glance

Scotts Valley, California regulates 26 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Non Commercial Center)s in the Commercial zoning districts zoning district are capped at 12 ft tall and 50 sq ft, with a 5 ft minimum from property line setback (Sec. 17.56.180.D.2). Most commercial signs in Scotts Valley require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | 18 inches (letter height) | 20 sq ft | — |
| Commercial zoning districts | 11 | 20 ft above ground (cannot exceed roof eave) | 100 sq ft (can be up to 200 sq ft by city council approval) | — |
| Industrial zoning districts | 8 | 20 ft above ground (cannot exceed roof eave) | 100 sq ft (can be up to 200 sq ft by city council approval) | — |
| Residential zoning districts | 8 | 12 ft | 30 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Commercial zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Primary Business Frontage) - Option 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 per business | On primary business frontage. | — | 17.56.180.D.1, 17.56.100, 17.56.170.A,B |
| Wall Sign (Secondary Business Frontage) - Option 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 per secondary business frontage | On each secondary business frontage. | — | 17.56.180.D.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Non Commercial Center) | 12 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft minimum from property line | 1 per property | On property - 5 ft minimum setback from property line. | — | 17.56.180.D.2 |
| Commercial Center Freestanding Identification Sign | 12 ft | 100 sq ft (can be up to 200 sq ft by city council approval) | — | 5 ft minimum from property line | 1 per commercial center, each entrance allowed sign if separated by 300 ft | One per commercial center; each entrance can have sign if separated by 300 ft. 5 ft minimum setback. | — | 17.56.180.C.1-2 |
| Additional Identification Signs (Pedestrian Access/Loading) | — | 5 sq ft per sign | — | — | As determined by design review | To identify pedestrian access or loading area not on main frontage. | — | 17.56.180.D.3 |
| Promotional Sales Sign | 20 ft above ground (cannot exceed roof eave) | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business/activity | On primary frontage of subject business below roof eaves. | — | 17.56.080.B.2.e.i |
| Gasoline Service Station Price Sign | 8 ft | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business frontage | One per business frontage; freestanding | — | 17.56.180.E |
| Temporary Commercial Sign - Promotional Sales (see also Promotional Sales Sign) | 20 ft above ground (cannot exceed roof eave) | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business/activity | On primary frontage of subject business below roof eaves. | — | 17.56.080.B.2.e |

### Industrial zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Primary Business Frontage) - Option 1 | — | — | — | — | 1 per business | On primary business frontage. | — | 17.56.180.D.1, 17.56.100, 17.56.170.A,B |
| Wall Sign (Secondary Business Frontage) - Option 2 | — | — | — | — | 1 per secondary business frontage | On each secondary business frontage. | — | 17.56.180.D.1 |
| Projecting Sign (Option in lieu of wall sign) | — | — | — | — | 1 per frontage | On primary or secondary business frontage. | — | 17.56.180.D.1 |
| Under-Canopy Sign (Option in lieu of wall sign) | — | — | — | — | 1 per frontage | On primary or secondary business frontage under canopy, etc. | — | 17.56.180.D.1 |
| Freestanding Sign (Non Commercial Center) | 12 ft | 50 sq ft | — | 5 ft minimum from property line | 1 per property | On property - 5 ft minimum setback from property line. | — | 17.56.180.D.2 |
| Commercial Center Freestanding Identification Sign | 12 ft | 100 sq ft (can be up to 200 sq ft by city council approval) | — | 5 ft minimum from property line | 1 per commercial center, each entrance allowed sign if separated by 300 ft | One per commercial center; each entrance can have sign if separated by 300 ft. 5 ft minimum setback. | — | 17.56.180.C.1-2 |
| Additional Identification Signs (Pedestrian Access/Loading) | — | 5 sq ft per sign | — | — | As determined by design review | To identify pedestrian access or loading area not on main frontage. | — | 17.56.180.D.3 |
| Promotional Sales Sign | 20 ft above ground (cannot exceed roof eave) | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business/activity | On primary frontage of subject business below roof eaves. | — | 17.56.080.B.2.e.i |

### Residential zoning districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Subdivision/Apartment Identification Sign (Freestanding) | 3 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 5 ft minimum from property line | 1 per development | At development entrance or location of property frontage. | — | 17.56.180.G.1 |
| Subdivision/Apartment Identification Sign (Wall/Fence Mounted) | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | 1 per development | At development entrance or property frontage, mounted to wall or fence. | — | 17.56.180.G.1 |
| Apartment Identification Freestanding Sign | 3 ft | 20 sq ft | — | 5 ft minimum from property line | 1 per property frontage, plus one for each additional 500 ft | One per property frontage, plus one additional for each 500 linear feet of property frontage. | — | 17.56.180.G.2 |
| Apartment Identification Wall Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property frontage, plus one for each additional 500 ft | One per property frontage, plus one additional for each 500 linear feet of property frontage. | — | 17.56.180.G.2 |
| Apartment Identification (Rental Availability) | 3 ft (if freestanding) | 20 sq ft | — | 5 ft minimum if freestanding | — | See above for wall or freestanding configurations. | — | 17.56.180.G.2 |
| Residential Real Estate Development Sign | 12 ft | As approved by Design Review | — | — | As approved by Design Review | Freestanding or wall-mounted signs at development | — | 17.56.180.H |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential Property Sale) | — | 4.5 sq ft | — | — | 1 on property, up to 4 additional offsite | On subject property. Up to 4 additional on other sites, weekends/holidays/caravan day, subject to location conditions. | — | 17.56.080.B.2.a |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 12 ft if freestanding | 20 sq ft | — | 5 ft minimum | 1 per project | 5 ft minimum setback from property line and outside of public/private right of way. | — | 17.56.080.B.2.d |

## Prohibited signs in Scotts Valley

- Signs placed on, affixed to, or erected on or over public property, public or private rights-of-way, or public waterways, unless erected by the city public works department in the interests of public health, safety or welfare, or permitted with an encroachment permit.
- Signs which can create hazards or dangerous distractions to motorists or pedestrians by the direction or reflection of light or by the sign's movement, such as signs with blinking or flashing lights, or where the source of light is directly visible, or where the signs rotate or are mechanically driven.
- Signs located near an intersection that may obstruct the visual lines of sight for drivers of motor vehicles.
- Signs which may obstruct the free use of any otherwise required exit, entrance, window vent, emergency access, fire lane or standpipe.
- Illuminated signs of nonresidential uses facing directly on and immediately adjacent to residential property.
- Signs facing the freeway, except for signs that identify the property tenant or that advertise the property as for sale or lease.
- Signs which block the line of sight from the street facing the sign to the top of the roof.
- Any sign affixed to trees or fences.
- Any sign that utilizes visible guy wires, angle irons, or iron frame structures, unless specifically approved by design review.
- Any sign not in compliance with the size or specific use criteria of Section 17.56.180.
- Any portable or readily moveable sign, except those signs allowed pursuant to Section 17.56.080.
- Any other signs not specifically allowed by provisions of this chapter; however, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit any sign, notice or advertisement required by law.

## Signs exempt from permit in Scotts Valley

- Official traffic or government signs.
- Product displays or dispensers or point of purchase displays or any display or construction not defined as a sign.
- Signs not intended to be seen from the public or private right-of-way.
- Window displays.
- Scoreboards on athletic fields.
- Flags of any nation.
- Gravestones.
- Barber poles.
- Religious symbols.
- Commemorative plaques.
- Murals.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A planned sign program is required and may be approved by the design review board for three or more tenant developments, or for commercial property over one acre in size or with two hundred fifty linear feet or more of frontage. The planned sign program must include formats for all signs to be used in the development, including their maximum size, colors, location, illumination, mounting, and landscape details.
- In residential real estate development, the submittal package should include a complete signing program for model homes, identification, directional, and supplemental signs, which will complement the character of the development, neighborhood, and community.
- Where a planned sign program is approved for a specific development, unless otherwise provided, the planning director may approve permits for signs in conformance with the adopted planned sign program.
- Applications for signs not subject to a planned sign program may require approval by the design review board per the permit and review process outlined in the ordinance.
- Sign permits are generally required unless specifically exempted (e.g., temporary signs under Section 17.56.080).

## 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 4 zoning districts in Scotts Valley — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Scotts+Valley+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-scotts-valley

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