Sign Regulations in Tiburon, California
Tiburon, California has specific sign regulations covering 24 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign, Projecting Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 9, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Tiburon, California
Sample Sign Requirements in Tiburon
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | Monument sign: 5 ft; Single pole sign: 12 ft; All other freestanding: 18 ft; Shopping center parcels >3 acres: 20 ft | — | Minimum building setback of 15 ft from property line required (except Ark Row); minimum 4 ft from other signs/buildings. |
| Projecting Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — |
| Under Marquee Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for TiburonFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
24
- Wall Sign
- Freestanding Sign
- Projecting Sign
- Marquee Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
4
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Tiburon
Other Cities in California
Frequently Asked Questions
In Tiburon, monument signs are limited to Monument sign: 5 ft; Single pole sign: 12 ft; All other freestanding: 18 ft; Shopping center parcels >3 acres: 20 ft. 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 Tiburon, 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 Tiburon, regulated sign types include Wall Sign, Freestanding Sign, Projecting Sign, Marquee Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Tiburon, monument signs typically require a Minimum building setback of 15 ft from property line required (except Ark Row); minimum 4 ft from other signs/buildings. setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Tiburon are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Tiburon has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Tiburon, California Sign Rules at a Glance
Tiburon, California regulates 24 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Monument sign: 5 ft; Single pole sign: 12 ft; All other freestanding: 18 ft; Shopping center parcels >3 acres: 20 ft tall, with a Minimum building setback of 15 ft from property line required (except Ark Row); minimum 4 ft from other signs/buildings. setback (Sec. 16A.615(o); 16A.625; 16A.805). Most commercial signs in Tiburon require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Tiburon, California
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Tiburon (4 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 8 ft | No more than 25% of area of framed window or continuous window area may be used for sign(s) | — |
| Residential Uses (Single Family and Two-Family Residences) | 3 | Flagpole: 24 ft; Flag: Max 1/4 pole height | 60 sq ft (total, one side) | — |
| Residential Uses (Multi Family Residential—Units) | 3 | Nameplate: 18 in | 60 sq ft (total, one side) | — |
| Non-Residential Uses | 9 | 24 ft (pole height) | 60 sq ft (total, one side); no one flag>20 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Tiburon(sample of 3 of 4 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 | — | — | — | — | — | On street front face or elevation of the building where establishment is located. May be on side/rear if no street frontage or limited visibility; may be posted on walls, windows, or doors as permitted. | — | Unlock | 16A.615; 16A.625; 16A.500; 16A.605; 16A.610 |
| Freestanding Sign | Monument sign: 5 ft; Single pole sign: 12 ft; All other freestanding: 18 ft; Shopping center parcels >3 acres: 20 ft | — | — | Minimum building setback of 15 ft from property line required (except Ark Row); minimum 4 ft from other signs/buildings. | As allowed per zone/use, but generally not more than one per parcel unless specified. | Lots with minimum frontage 50 ft and building setback 15 ft (except Ark Row). Minimum 4 ft from other signs/buildings. Prohibited on Lower Main St (1-55 Main St). | — | Unlock | 16A.615(o); 16A.625; 16A.805 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | Must maintain minimum 8 ft clearance above sidewalks or right-of-way, shall not extend above second story windowsill or eave of single story structure. Projecting signs allowed for ground floor establishments only. | — | Unlock | 16A.615(l) |
| Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On top of or attached to the face of a marquee/canopy/arcade. | — | Unlock | 16A.615(k) |
| Under Marquee Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | — | Hung/suspended below a marquee/canopy/arcade; minimum clearance 8 ft. | — | Unlock | 16A.615(k)(4) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | Counts towards establishment's sign total | On front and side (end) valance of awning. | — | Unlock | 16A.615(n) |
| Changeable Copy Sign | 8 ft | 15 sq ft (area devoted to changeable copy) | — | — | — | Wall, window, marquee, or freestanding (only for non-residential uses) | — | Unlock | 16A.615(p) |
| Window Sign | — | No more than 25% of area of framed window or continuous window area may be used for sign(s) | — | — | — | On/within 10 ft of a window, facing outward | — | Unlock | 16A.615(j) |
Residential Uses (Single Family and Two-Family Residences)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-illuminated Residential Sign | Freestanding: 11 ft; Nameplate: 18 in | 8 sq ft total sign face per unit (can be distributed on several signs, but no one sign face >8 sq ft) | — | — | Unlimited sign faces up to combined max area | Wall, window, door, fence, or freestanding on property; with owner's consent. | — | Unlock | 16A.710(b) |
| Flag (Residential Use) | Flagpole: 24 ft; Flag: Max 1/4 pole height | 60 sq ft (total, one side) | — | — | Unlimited flags on a pole, but area restriction applies | On property; pole or attached to wall/door/fence | — | Unlock | 16A.710(b)(4) |
| Neighborhood Identification Sign (Residential) | 5 ft | 12 sq ft (display face) | 6 ft | — | — | Near major street entrance to neighborhood/development | — | Unlock | 16A.710(b)(5) |
Non-Residential Uses
| 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 (Non-Residential Use) | — | — | — | — | Max 2 permanent signs per frontage per establishment | Street front face or elevation; placement per Section 16A.615(g). | — | Unlock | 16A.720(a),(d); 16A.615; 16A.625 |
| Freestanding Sign (Non-Residential Use) | Monument: 5 ft. Single support pole: 12 ft. All other: 18 ft. Shopping centers >3 acres: 20 ft. | — | — | Min 15 ft bldg setback from property line, 4 ft from other signs/buildings. | 1 per lot (up to 3 if lot >1 acre) | Lots with min frontage 50 ft & bldg setback 15 ft (except Ark Row); min 4 ft from other signs/buildings; prohibited on Lower Main St (1–55 Main St) | — | Unlock | 16A.720(d)(1); 16A.615(o) |
| Projecting Sign (Non-Residential Use) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per establishment | Ground floor establishments only; per General Regs. | — | Unlock | 16A.720(d)(2); 16A.615(l) |
| Window Sign (Non-Residential Use) | — | No more than 25% of area of framed/continuous window | — | — | — | On, or within 10 ft of, windows facing outward | — | Unlock | 16A.610(j); 16A.720 |
| Awning Sign (Non-Residential Use) | — | No more than 50% of front face or sides (ends) of awning | — | — | Counts toward sign total for establishment | Front and ends of awning valance | — | Unlock | 16A.615(n); 16A.720 |
| Changeable Copy Sign (Non-Residential Use) | 8 ft | 15 sq ft | — | — | — | Wall, window, marquee, or freestanding | — | Unlock | 16A.615(p); 16A.720 |
| Multi-Tenant Listing Sign | — | 25 sq ft (multi-tenant building); 80 sq ft (shopping center) | — | — | 1 per building or center | Freestanding | — | Unlock | 16A.720(e),(f) |
| Flag (Non-Residential Use) | 24 ft (pole height) | 60 sq ft (total, one side); no one flag>20 sq ft | — | — | Max 3 per parcel, 1 flagpole | On shaft attached to wall, door, window, fence, or on one freestanding pole. | — | Unlock | 16A.725(e) |
PermitPal covers all 4 zoning districts in Tiburon — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 4 zones for Tiburon — start freeProhibited Signs in Tiburon
- Billboards, as defined, are completely prohibited; construction, erection, installation or use of billboards is not allowed.
- No sign may be built, displayed, erected, or maintained within the town except as authorized by the ordinance.
- No sign may be placed on private property without the consent of the property owner.
- No sign shall be placed or located in such a manner as to constitute a safety hazard or impede the public use of the public right of way, including factors like sight distance and tripping hazard, or block/impede normal pedestrian use of public sidewalks.
- No sign may be cut, burned, marked or otherwise displayed on a cliff, hillside, tree, or other natural feature.
- No sign shall be erected or mounted so as to block or impede the normal use of exits, windows, safety equipment, stairs, doors, ventilators, ramps, parking spaces, or fire escapes.
- Signs that obstruct fire escapes, exits, or safety-related equipment are prohibited.
- No sign may physically impede or cause hazardous obstruction to the visibility of vehicles or persons entering or exiting doorways or driveways.
- Signs on the public right of way or town property are regulated by a separate resolution and not allowed under this ordinance without compliance.
- The following types of signs and devices are explicitly prohibited: portable signs (e.g. pedestal, A-frame, H-frame, I-frame), except where expressly allowed; abandoned signs; animated and moving signs (including electronic message display, blinking, flashing or moving signs, wind blown devices, signs producing sound, odor, smoke, fumes or steam); billboards; dilapidated signs; electronic signs; signs imitative of legally-authorized traffic signs or signals, or public notices; internally-illuminated signs; natural despoliation signs; roof signs (except certain mansard signs); signs likely to cause traffic confusion or hazard (including improper size, location, movement, coloring, illumination, glare); and signs using fluorescent paint or material.
- Illumination types prohibited include blinking, flashing or fluttering lights; illumination with changing intensity, brightness or color; animated or moving messages; searchlights used for commercial purposes; internal illumination through the sign face or lettering; and electronic (e.g. LED, LCD, video-type) illumination.
- No sign permit shall be approved if the applicant has installed a sign in violation of the ordinance and the violation has not been corrected, or if the site has other uncorrected municipal code violations, or if required encroachment or zoning permits have not been obtained.
- No sign permit application will be approved if an identical application was denied within the past 12 months, unless substantial new evidence or proof of changed conditions is provided.
Exempt Signs in Tiburon
- Signs that are specifically exempt under sections 16A.710 (certain residential signs), 16A.725 (certain non-residential temporary/non-commercial signs), 16A.800 (temporary signs), or 16A.810 (exempt signs) do not require a sign permit but still must comply with all applicable rules.
- The following are not considered 'signs' under this ordinance and are therefore exempt: ATMs; architectural features without lettering or moving parts; fireworks, candles, and natural lighting not regulated by this chapter; grave markers; holiday/cultural decorations on private residential property (up to 45 days/year, noncommercial); interior signs not visible from outside; manufacturer's marks on products; graphics/images on mass transit vehicles passing through town; news racks/stands; overhead signs visible only from above; personal apparel/appearance items (excluding commercial mascots); search lights/klieg lights used for rescue/emergency, not commercial events; non-motorized carts; non-commercial symbols embedded in architecture; vehicle/vessel license and registration plates and similar noncommercial messages; vending machines without offsite commercial messages; weather/nautical flags on boats or within 50 feet of water frontage with no commercial messages; displays of merchandise in store windows.
- Building and street address signs, not exceeding 3 square feet and one per building per street frontage, are exempt from the sign permit requirement.
- On-site consumer information signs not individually exceeding 1 square foot or an aggregate of 5 square feet per establishment are exempt from permit.
- Non-commercial, on-site private directional or informational signs not exceeding 4 square feet per sign or 8 square feet total per establishment are exempt from permit.
- Flags displaying non-commercial images, subject to applicable rules, are exempt.
- Legally-required or legally-authorized signs (e.g., for traffic control, public safety, fuel pricing, public notices, official identification) are exempt.
- Restaurant menus displayed on private property (with certain limitations) are exempt from permit.
- Nonstructural repairs or maintenance of conforming signs are exempt from permit, provided they do not change colors, materials, or illumination.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Tiburon
- A sign permit is required for all signs unless they are expressly exempted under sections 16A.710, 16A.725, 16A.800, or 16A.810.
- Application for a sign permit must include information such as site plans, building elevations, owner consent, type and area of all proposed and existing signs, details of illumination, duration, structural methods, and whether a discretionary review is required (variance, exception, conditional use permit, sign program etc.).
- Sign programs (sometimes called master sign plans) are encouraged—and required for certain properties (shopping centers, multiple-tenant buildings, sites with >5 establishments/buildings, fueling stations, theaters) and must go before the Design Review Board for approval.
- A sign program is an alternative to standard sign provisions and allows for design harmony and some flexibility for multiple-establishment properties; it cannot authorize prohibited signs.
- Applications for exceptions (major/minor) to sign standards are processed together with sign permit applications; a major exception or sign program requires a noticed hearing and Design Review Board action.
- A sign permit application cannot be approved if the applicant has not obtained any required associated town permits or approvals such as building, electrical, encroachment, zoning or site/architectural review permits (though applications can be processed simultaneously).
- Changes to sign materials or colors on conforming signs require a sign permit; changes to text only do not require a permit, provided no increase in area or nonconformity.
- Nonconforming signs associated with historic buildings may be allowed to be reconstructed or replaced with a granted major exception.
- Sign owners must maintain compliance with sign programs where applicable, and graphic design may be reviewed only for program compliance.
- Adoption of a sign program is highly recommended for shopping centers and multiple-tenant buildings to streamline permit processing and ensure compliance.
Source: municode municipal code