# Sign Regulations in Sutter Creek, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Sutter Creek, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/sutter-creek
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Sutter_Creek/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT11VETR_CH11.12STYISI)

## At a glance

Sutter Creek, California regulates 18 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Pole Sign (Standard)s in the Commercial and industrial zones zoning district are capped at Not more than twice the distance from sign to nearest property line; max 30 ft tall and 25 sq ft per side; total 50 sq ft, with a Max height tied to distance from sign to nearest property line. setback (Sec. 15.16.080 D, E). Most commercial signs in Sutter Creek require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Historical district | 2 | — | 16 sq ft per sign; aggregate max 25 sq ft per business | — |
| Historic corridor | 2 | — | See formula (aggregate area per building per Table 15-1) | — |
| Commercial and industrial zones | 9 | 36 in above sidewalk | 32 sq ft (single-sided); 64 sq ft (double-sided) | — |
| Residential zones | 2 | — | 4 sq ft per side | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 3 ft | 32 sq ft, single-faced | — |

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

### Commercial and industrial zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs (aggregate) | — | See formula (aggregate area per building per Table 15-1) | — | — | — | — | — | 15.16.080 A-C |
| Pole Sign (Standard) | Not more than twice the distance from sign to nearest property line; max 30 ft | 25 sq ft per side; total 50 sq ft | — | Max height tied to distance from sign to nearest property line. | Not more than one per entity | — | — | 15.16.080 D, E |
| Directory Sign (Center) | — | — | — | — | — | For shopping/professional/industrial centers | — | 15.16.080 F |
| Directory Sign (Theater) | — | — | — | — | — | At theater | — | 15.16.080 G |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 36 in above sidewalk | Max width 24 in; Max height 36 in above sidewalk | 24 in | — | — | Only on established sidewalks (not otherwise in public way); must allow clear pedestrian travel way (ADA) | — | 15.16.080 H |
| Temporary For Sale/Lease/Rent Sign | — | 32 sq ft (single-sided); 64 sq ft (double-sided) | — | Not within public way; max 5 ft to adjoining property | One | Not more than 5 ft to adjoining properties, nor within a public way | — | 15.16.080 I |
| Directional Sign | — | 25 sq ft per side | — | — | — | Not inside public way | — | 15.16.080 K |
| Pole Sign (Gasoline Service Station, Option 2) | 4 ft above building roof line | 32 sq ft per side; 64 sq ft total | — | — | One | — | — | 15.16.100 |

### Residential zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Name and Occupation) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | One | Attached to and parallel with front wall | — | 15.16.090 A |
| Temporary For Sale/Lease/Rent Sign | — | 4 sq ft per side | — | Minimum 10 ft to adjoining premises; not within public way | One | Not closer than 10 ft to adjoining premises, nor within a public way | — | 15.16.090 B |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Official Notices | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15.16.110 A |
| Directional Sign (parking/loading, exempt) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 15.16.110 B |
| Temporary Political/Election/Campaign Sign | — | 4 sq ft per side; 8 sq ft total | — | — | — | — | — | 15.16.110 C |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft, single-faced | — | — | — | — | — | 15.16.110 D |
| Rotating Barber Pole | 3 ft | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15.16.110 E |
| Temporary Special Event Sign or Banner | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | 15.16.110 F |

## Prohibited signs in Sutter Creek

- No sign shall be erected or placed without a permit unless specifically exempted by this chapter.
- Signs not specifically allowed by this chapter or any specific exemption contained in this chapter are prohibited within the city.
- It is unlawful for any person to proceed under any permit in a manner which constitutes a material variance from the terms of the permit or the representations on which it was issued.
- Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted, a product sold or service rendered shall be removed or altered unless it is a sign having historical significance or is internally lit.
- Signs which do not meet the provisions of this chapter must be brought into compliance or will be subject to removal after a three-year amortization period.
- The owner of a sign erected without an approved permit, or a sign which is no longer in compliance with this chapter, must remove the sign within ten calendar days of notice or the city may remove and destroy the sign.

## Signs exempt from permit in Sutter Creek

- Official notices issued by a court or public body or officer, and notices posted by any public officer in the performance of a public duty, or by any person in giving legal notice.
- Directional signs not exceeding four square feet in area for off-street parking and loading facilities.
- Temporary political, election or campaign signs not exceeding four square feet in area per side or a total of eight square feet (subject to time limits: not erected more than ninety days prior to election and removed seven days after).
- Temporary single-faced construction signs, not exceeding thirty-two square feet, identifying a building under construction, or the contractor or architect (must be removed upon completion of building or six months, whichever comes first).
- Barber poles may rotate, may not exceed three feet in height, and may have internal lighting.
- Temporary special events signs or banners not exceeding twenty-four square feet in area (may be erected for a maximum period of forty-five days).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit is required for all signs unless specifically exempted by this chapter.
- Applications for sign permits must be filed with the planning commission through the city administrative staff.
- Planning commission considers each sign permit application at a public meeting and may consult with historians, architects, and others.
- The owner of a nonconforming sign may bring it into voluntary compliance by obtaining approval as specified in 15.16.020, which requires a permit application.
- Applicants dissatisfied with the planning commission's decision may appeal to the city council.

## 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 Sutter Creek — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Sutter+Creek+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-sutter-creek

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