Sign Regulations in South San Francisco, California
South San Francisco, California has specific sign regulations covering 3 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Monument Sign, Wall Sign, Building-Mounted Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 10, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for South San Francisco, California
Sample Sign Requirements in South San Francisco
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | Second story | Varies by zone | — |
| Monument Sign | 10 feet | Varies by zone | — |
| Building-Mounted Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
3
- Monument Sign
- Wall Sign
- Building-Mounted Sign
Zoning Districts
10
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for South San Francisco
Other Cities in California
Frequently Asked Questions
In South San Francisco, wall signs can be up to Second story and monument signs are limited to 10 feet. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in South San Francisco, 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 South San Francisco, regulated sign types include Monument Sign, Wall Sign, Building-Mounted Sign. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in South San Francisco 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 South San Francisco are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. South San Francisco has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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South San Francisco, California Sign Rules at a Glance
South San Francisco, California regulates 3 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Wall Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Second story tall and Varies by zone (Sec. §20.360.006(D)(5)). Most commercial signs in South San Francisco require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for South San Francisco, California
Sign Rules by Zoning District in South San Francisco (10 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 10 feet | Varies by zone | — |
| Grand Avenue Core (GAC) Zoning District | 2 | 10 feet | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Airport/South Airport Boulevard and Highway 101 corridor areas | 2 | 10 feet | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Non-residential district | 2 | 10 feet | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| Residential Districts | 2 | — | 20 sq. ft. | — |
| Non-Residential Districts | 2 | 10 feet | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| DRL, DRM, DRH | 2 | 10 feet | 25 sq. ft. | — |
| DRC, LNC, GAC, DTC, ETC, CC, BPO, OPSPD, T3N, T3C, T4L, T5L, T5C, T6C | 2 | 10 feet | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| GMP, BTP-M, BTP-H, MIM, MIH, S-C | 2 | 10 feet | 100 sq. ft. | — |
| PQP | 2 | 10 feet | 60 sq. ft. | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in South San Francisco(sample of 3 of 10 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | Second story | Varies by zone | — | — | 1 per building or tenant space | Attached to building wall | — | Unlock | §20.360.006(D)(5) |
| Monument Sign | 10 feet | Varies by zone | — | — | 1 per site | Freestanding | — | Unlock | §20.360.006(D)(7) |
Grand Avenue Core (GAC) Zoning District
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | Second story | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building or tenant space | Attached to building wall | — | Unlock | §20.360.006(D)(5) |
| Monument Sign | 10 feet | 60 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per site | Freestanding | — | Unlock | §20.360.006(D)(7) |
Airport/South Airport Boulevard and Highway 101 corridor areas
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | Second story | 100 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per building or tenant space | Attached to building wall | — | Unlock | §20.360.006(D)(5) |
| Monument Sign | 10 feet | 60 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per site | Freestanding | — | Unlock | §20.360.006(D)(7) |
PermitPal covers all 10 zoning districts in South San Francisco — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 10 zones for South San Francisco — start freeProhibited Signs in South San Francisco
- Signs may not be placed in areas where they cover architectural features of a building.
- Signs may not be tacked, painted, pasted, or otherwise affixed to walls of any building, barn, shed, accessory structure, or on trees, poles, posts, fences, ladders, or other structures visible from a public way.
- Signs may not be within the horizontal or vertical clearance standards from communications lines and energized electrical power lines.
- Signs may not obstruct the view of any authorized traffic sign, signal, or other traffic control device.
- Signs may not prevent or inhibit free ingress to or egress from any door, window, vent, or any exit way required by the Building Code or Fire Department regulations.
- Signs may not be painted, attached, or mounted on fuel tanks, storage containers, and/or solid waste receptacles or their enclosures, except for a manufacturer’s or installer’s identification, appropriate warning signs and placards, and information required by law.
- Signs may not be erected or maintained at or near any street intersection or within the site visibility triangle that will obstruct the free and clear vision of drivers, bicycles, and pedestrians.
- Signs may not impede, obstruct, or create hazards with respect to pedestrian or bicycle traffic.
- Signs may not be off-the-premises to which the sign refers, except as provided in specific sections.
- Signs may not be attached to any public utility pole, structure or streetlight, tree, fence, fire hydrant, bridge, curb, sidewalk, park bench, statue, memorial, or other location on public property, except those signs approved as part of a special event permit.
- Signs may not be located within the public right-of-way except those required or allowed by federal, State or local law.
- Signs may not be mounted, attached, or painted on a trailer, boat, or motor vehicle when parked, stored, or displayed conspicuously on private premises in a manner intended to attract attention of the public for the purpose of advertising or identifying the business premises.
Exempt Signs in South San Francisco
- Government signs placed, installed, or required by law by a City, County, or a federal or State governmental agency.
- Incidental signs not exceeding a total of three square feet in sign area for all permanent signs in all single-family residential zoning districts and six square feet in all other zoning districts.
- One bulletin board not exceeding 20 square feet in area or five feet above existing grade, if located on the premises of a public, or quasi-public agency, community facility, or institution.
- Signs not readable from the public right-of-way, including signs or displays located entirely inside of a building, within a courtyard, open-air pedestrian space or similar open area and not visible from the building’s exterior.
- Historic plaques, memorial signs or tablets either attached to or cut into the surface of buildings, provided that no such sign exceeds three square feet in area.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for South San Francisco
- A Master Sign Program is required for new non-residential developments of two or more separate tenants that share either the same parcel or structure and use common access and parking facilities.
- A Master Sign Program is required for new multifamily residential developments of 100 or more units.
- A Master Sign Program is required whenever five or more signs are proposed for a building or site with one or more tenants.
- A master sign program shall be submitted as a part of the Precise Plan application for a site.
Source: municode municipal code