# Sign Regulations in Solvang, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Solvang, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/solvang
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-10
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://ecode360.com/43824680#43824680)

## At a glance

Solvang, California regulates 19 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Tourist Commercial (TRC) Zone District zoning district are capped at 6′6″ tall and 30 sq. ft., with a Not to be located within 75 feet of any other ground sign setback (Sec. § 11-13-8, § 11-13-10(J)). Most commercial signs in Solvang require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tourist Commercial (TRC) Zone District | 14 | 13′0″ | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| C-2, C-3, PO, I, M | 13 | 13′0″ | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 6 feet | 6 sq. ft. in residential districts, 24 sq. ft. in nonresidential districts | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Tourist Commercial (TRC) Zone District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign | — | 7 sq. ft. | — | — | One per building frontage | Building façade | — | § 11-13-8, § 11-13-10(B) |
| Hanging or Under Canopy Sign | — | 7 sq. ft. | — | — | One per building frontage | Under canopy or arcade | — | § 11-13-8, § 11-13-10(C) |
| Window Lettering | 6 inches | n/a | — | — | — | Window | — | § 11-13-8, § 11-13-10(E) |
| Accessory Sign | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | One per building façade | Separate unit | — | § 11-13-8, § 11-13-10(F) |
| Symbol Sign (Projecting) | — | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | One additional projecting sign per business | Building façade | — | § 11-13-8, § 11-13-10(B) |
| Ground Sign | 6′6″ | 30 sq. ft. | — | Not to be located within 75 feet of any other ground sign | One per street frontage | Integral part of a landscaped planter | — | § 11-13-8, § 11-13-10(J) |
| Pole Sign | 13′0″ | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | One per business | Raised planter | — | § 11-13-8, § 11-13-10(K) |
| Directory Sign | 8 inches | 6′6″ maximum height | — | — | One per entrance into a complex or center | Entrance into a complex or center | — | § 11-13-8, § 11-13-10(L) |

### C-2, C-3, PO, I, M

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign | — | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | One per building frontage | Building façade | — | § 11-13-9, § 11-13-10(B) |
| Hanging or Under Canopy Sign | — | 12 sq. ft. | — | — | One per building frontage | Under canopy or arcade | — | § 11-13-9, § 11-13-10(C) |
| Window Lettering | 6 inches | n/a | — | — | — | Window | — | § 11-13-9, § 11-13-10(E) |
| Accessory Sign | — | 1 sq. ft. | — | — | One per building façade | Separate unit | — | § 11-13-9, § 11-13-10(F) |
| Symbol Sign (Projecting) | — | 3 sq. ft. | — | — | One additional projecting sign per business | Building façade | — | § 11-13-9, § 11-13-10(B) |
| Ground Sign | 6′6″ | 50 sq. ft. | — | Not to be located within 75 feet of any other ground sign | One per street frontage | Integral part of a landscaped planter | — | § 11-13-9, § 11-13-10(J) |
| Pole Sign | 13′0″ | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | One per business | Raised planter | — | § 11-13-9, § 11-13-10(K) |
| Directory Sign | 10 inches | 6′6″ maximum height | — | — | One per entrance into a complex or center | Entrance into a complex or center | — | § 11-13-9, § 11-13-10(L) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign | — | Varies by type | — | — | — | Varies by type | — | § 11-13-11 |
| Noncommercial Sign | — | 6 sq. ft. in residential districts, 24 sq. ft. in nonresidential districts | — | — | — | Varies by type | — | § 11-13-4(E) |
| Governmental Sign | — | Minimum size required | — | — | — | Varies by type | — | § 11-13-4(C) |
| Hazard Warning Sign | — | Not specified | — | — | — | Varies by type | — | § 11-13-4(D) |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 feet | 6 sq. ft. | — | — | One per street frontage | Building or ground | — | § 11-13-4(K) |

## Prohibited signs in Solvang

- Signs which rotate, move, glare, flash, change, reflect, blink, or appear to do any of the foregoing, except signs as designed in the old world style in the village area as determined by the design review committee.
- Animated signs except as designed in the old world style in the village area as determined by the design review committee.
- Outdoor decorations, embellishments, ornaments or merchandise used as an attention getting device, including, but not limited to: fabric, plastic, wood, balloons, paper, metal or merchandise attached or placed outside of a single commercial business, a shopping center or complex, except as approved by the design review committee.
- Any temporary sign outside of a building or attached to the exterior of a building, including banners, placards, streamers, balloons or similar devices, except as provided in section 11-13-4.
- Signs visible from the public street, parking lot, or exterior areas attached or placed on merchandise or material stored outdoors.
- Signs which cover or interrupt architectural features, with the exception of approved temporary signs.
- Commercial mascot signs, within the village area.
- Signs on awnings or canopies, except on the valance and approved by the design review committee.
- Banners, except by special permit issued by the city manager.
- Billboards or billboard type signs.
- Signs containing changeable copy, except theater marquee signs, business directories, church, museum signs, gas price signs, restaurant menu display cases, and chalkboards, as approved by the design review committee.
- Signs that create a hazard by obstructing clear views of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
- Inflatable signs.
- Signs with internal illumination, except as permitted in subsection 11-13-7(A)(14).
- No person shall park any vehicle on a public right-of-way or in a location on private property which is visible from a public right-of-way which has attached thereto or suspended therefrom any sign, except a sign painted directly upon, magnetically affixed to or permanently affixed to the body or other integral part of the vehicle.
- Neon and LED signs within the village area, visible from the exterior of the building, with the exception of one of the following for a hotel/motel: 'No,' 'Sorry No' or 'Vacancy' sign.
- Any sign displaying obscene, indecent or immoral matter.
- Off-site commercial signs, except real estate signs, governed by California Civil Code section 713.
- Pole signs, with the exception of designs approved by the design review committee for single businesses having an appropriate setback and building frontage which exceeds 100 linear feet.
- Portable commercial signs.
- Signs and any other graphics which extend, wholly or in part, above the eave line of a structure to which it is attached.
- Signs on second floors for businesses on the first floor, except as permitted in subsection 11-13-7(A)(10).
- Any sign, except as may be required by other code or ordinance, placed or maintained so as to interfere with free ingress or egress from any door, window or fire escape.
- Signs erected without the permission of the owner, or his or her agent, of the property on which such sign is located.
- Any sign, other than a sign installed by a public agency or as approved by the city council, located in or on any public property, including sidewalks and parkways.
- Any sign which by color, shape, wording or location, resembles or conflicts with any traffic control sign or device.
- Any sign, generally of a temporary nature, posted or attached to trees, poles, stakes, fences or the exterior of a building or structures.
- Signs attached or placed adjacent to any utility pole, parking meter, traffic signpost, traffic signal, historical marker or any traffic control device.
- Signs in the window, adhered to the glass, except for open, closed and hours, help wanted and temporary window signs approved by the planning manager.

## Signs exempt from permit in Solvang

- Civic Event Signs. Any civic event sign. Signs may be erected not more than 30 days prior to the event and shall be removed within 24 hours after the time of the event and shall not exceed 24 square feet in size. Only one such sign shall be erected per lot.
- Construction Signs. One temporary construction sign, provided the sign does not exceed six square feet in a One-Family Residence District or 24 square feet in all other districts, is used only to indicate the name of the construction project and the names and locations of the contractors, architects, engineers, landscape designers, project or leasing agents and the financing company, is displayed during construction only, and does not exceed six feet in height at the edge of the public right-of-way when freestanding.
- Governmental Signs. Signs required to be maintained or posted by law or governmental order, rule or regulation. Signs specifically required by federal, state or city law, of the minimum size required.
- Hazard Warning Signs. Any temporary sign warning of construction excavation or similar hazards as long as the hazard exists.
- Noncommercial Signs. A noncommercial sign, not exceeding six square feet total for each lot in residential districts and 24 square feet total for each lot in nonresidential districts. Such a sign shall be erected only with the permission of the property owner or tenant.
- No Trespassing Signs. Any 'no trespassing' sign, prohibiting or restricting access to property, provided it is not more than one square foot in size, is placed at each corner and each entrance to the property and at intervals of not less than 50 feet or in compliance with requirements of law.
- Official Signs. Official federal, state and local sign and notice issued by any court, person or officer in performance of a public duty.
- Open House Signs. Any temporary 'open house' sign. Only one sign is allowed on each street frontage of the property. Such a sign may be single or double faced and is limited to three square feet or less. Its supporting structure shall not exceed four feet in height. A maximum of three off-site signs shall be allowed. Such signs shall be erected and removed on the day of the open house, and shall not be fastened or attached in any way to any building façade or architectural element.
- Parking Lot/Directional Sign. Any parking lot and other traffic directional sign not to exceed two square feet in area limited to guidance of pedestrian or vehicular traffic within the premises upon which they are located. There shall be erected no more than three such signs in each parking lot or more than one per entrance.
- Product/Operating Information Signs. Any gasoline pump, telephone booth, and newsrack sign, provided any sign on such a device identifies only the product contained therein, or displays operating instructions, and the lettering does not exceed two inches in height.
- Real Estate Signs. A sign on a building or in the ground which indicates that the property is for sale, rent or lease. Only one such sign is allowed on each street frontage of the property. Such a sign may be single or double faced and is limited to six square feet or less, including any portions of the sign that hang off the bottom (e.g., price reduced, do not disturb occupant, in escrow, etc.) on property in all zone districts and shall not exceed six feet in height as measured from the edge of the public right-of-way when freestanding.
- Residential Identification Signs. One identification sign of not more than one square foot for a residence.
- Street Identification Signs. Any street name and/or address stamped or painted on a curb.
- Temporary Festival Decorations. Any temporary festival decoration or display, except one requiring a building, electrical or other permit.
- Temporary Signs. One temporary sign placed in a window advertising or announcing a civic event or function, a community service or an activity of a charitable or nonprofit organization. Such sign shall not exceed six square feet.
- Traffic Safety Signs. Traffic control and directional signs or devices erected by local, county or state government.
- Utility Signs. Signs erected by a public utility or common carrier to warn of dangers, such as the location of underground facilities.
- Window Signs. Signs within 18 inches of the window and not affixed to the window, which do not exceed one square foot.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- An overall sign plan shall be required for shopping centers, office complexes, industrial centers and shopping complexes in accordance with section 11-13-18 of this chapter.
- Overall sign plans are subject to review and approval by the design review committee.
- If no overall sign plan is on file, individual shops will be required to be reviewed on an individual basis.

## Full detail

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

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