# Sign Regulations in Vacaville, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Vacaville, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/vacaville
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [0000 municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Vacaville/)

## At a glance

Vacaville, California regulates 22 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Temporary Signs at a Residential Subdivision During the Initial Sales Phase (Permit Required)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall, Up to 32 sq ft per sign; total area per sign ≤32 sq ft, and 10 ft horizontal length max wide, with a No sign within 100 ft of an occupied residence or building setback (Sec. VMC 14.09.260.090(B)(2)). Most commercial signs in Vacaville require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | 15 ft | Up to 128 sq ft per sign | — |
| Agriculture (AG); Agriculture Hillsides (AH); Residential Rural (RR); Residential Estate (RE); Residential Low (RL); Residential Low Medium (RLM); Residential Medium (RM); Residential Medium High (RMH); Residential High (RH); Manufactured Housing Park (MHP) | 2 | 6 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (CN); General Commercial (CG); Office Commercial (CO); Highway Commercial (CH); Mixed Use (MX) | 9 | Structure up to 65 ft; display panel max height 25 ft; max width 60 ft | Up to 1,200 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Commercial Specific Plan (DC); Downtown Residential Specific Plan (DR) | 9 | Structure up to 65 ft; display panel max height 25 ft; max width 60 ft | Up to 1,200 sq ft | — |
| Commercial/Industrial Service (IS); Industrial Park (IP); Business Park (BP) | 4 | Structure up to 65 ft; display panel max height 25 ft; max width 60 ft | Up to 1,200 sq ft | — |
| Public Facilities (PF); Park and Recreation (PR); Open Space (OS) | 2 | 10 ft | Up to 150 sq ft total for all signs | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Residential Zoning Districts) | 8 ft | 16 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per lot | On private property; not within public right-of-way or on City property | — | VMC 14.09.260.090(A) Table 14.09.260.A |
| Temporary Sign (All Other Zoning Districts) | 10 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per lot, or 1 per 100 ft of street frontage, whichever is greater | On private property; not within public right-of-way or on City property | — | VMC 14.09.260.090(A) Table 14.09.260.A |
| Temporary Signs – Special Event Period | — | Up to 100 sq ft per sign | — | — | No limit during designated period | On private property | — | VMC 14.09.260.090(A)(1)(a) |
| Temporary Signs – Election Period | — | Up to 100 sq ft per sign | — | — | No limit during election period | On private property | — | VMC 14.09.260.090(A)(1)(b) |
| Temporary Signs – Construction Period | — | 1 additional temporary sign up to 64 sq ft | — | — | 1 additional temporary sign during construction period | On construction site | — | VMC 14.09.260.090(A)(1)(c) |
| Temporary Sign at an Industrial Park (Permit Required) | 15 ft | Up to 128 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per street or freeway frontage | At the boundary of an industrial park with undeveloped lots, on each street or freeway frontage | — | VMC 14.09.260.090(B)(1) |
| Temporary Signs at a Residential Subdivision During the Initial Sales Phase (Permit Required) | 6 ft | Up to 32 sq ft per sign; total area per sign ≤32 sq ft | 10 ft horizontal length max | No sign within 100 ft of an occupied residence or building | 2 | Within the subdivision (after final map is recorded) | — | VMC 14.09.260.090(B)(2) |
| Drive-Through Area Sign (for Drive-Through Facilities) | 10 ft | — | — | ≥15 ft from public right-of-way | — | Within drive-through area; at least 15 ft from public right-of-way | — | VMC 14.09.260.100(A) |

### Neighborhood Commercial (CN); General Commercial (CG); Office Commercial (CO); Highway Commercial (CH); Mixed Use (MX)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (<100 ft site frontage) | 10 ft | 25 sq ft | — | Minimum spacing 250 ft between freestanding signs | 1 per site frontage; see additional requirements for multi-frontage and additional signs | On a site with off-street parking and frontage on a public street | — | VMC 14.09.260.080(B)(2)(a)-(e) |
| Freestanding Sign (≥100 ft frontage – Local or Collector Street) | 15 ft | 40 sq ft | — | Minimum spacing 250 ft between freestanding signs | See freestanding sign number rules | On a site with frontage of at least 100 ft on a local or collector street | — | VMC 14.09.260.080(B)(2)(b)(A)-(c)(A) |
| Freestanding Sign (≥100 ft frontage – Four-Lane Undivided Arterial) | 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Minimum spacing 250 ft between freestanding signs | See freestanding sign number rules | On a site with frontage of at least 100 ft on a four-lane undivided arterial | — | VMC 14.09.260.080(B)(2)(b)(B)-(c)(B) |
| Freestanding Sign (≥100 ft frontage – Four-Lane Divided Arterial) | 25 ft | 90 sq ft | — | Minimum spacing 250 ft between freestanding signs | See freestanding sign number rules | On a site with frontage of at least 100 ft on a four-lane divided arterial | — | VMC 14.09.260.080(B)(2)(b)(C)-(c)(C) |
| Freeway Sign (Single Tenant) | 25 ft above freeway elevation or 35 ft above grade at sign location, whichever is greater (up to 60 ft allowed if freeway overcrossing/obstruction obscures view from 1/4 mile) | 175 sq ft | — | — | 1 per eligible site | Site at least 5 acres and within 300 ft of the nearest edge of freeway right-of-way; contiguous lots may combine to meet site size if encumbered by recorded restriction for the freeway sign | — | VMC 14.09.260.080(B)(3) & (C) |
| Freeway Sign (Multiple Tenants) | 35 ft base height plus 5 additional feet per tenant, up to 60 ft total (up to 60 ft allowed where view obscured as noted) | 325 sq ft | — | — | 1 per eligible site | Same site eligibility as Single Tenant Freeway Sign | — | VMC 14.09.260.080(B)(3) & (C) |
| Projecting/Blade Sign | — | 6 sq ft per sign face | — | 8 ft vertical clearance for signs in/over the right-of-way | 1 per tenant | Projecting from building; signs placed in or projecting into the public right-of-way require encroachment permit | — | VMC 14.09.260.080(B)(4) & 14.09.260.070(B) |
| Digital Freeway Billboard | Structure up to 65 ft; display panel max height 25 ft; max width 60 ft | Up to 1,200 sq ft | 60 ft | As per location standards and separation distances | Not specified per site; subject to corridor/location and separation constraints | Commercial and Employment zoning districts only; limited to specified freeway corridors: I-80 parcels east of Leisure Town Rd and west of Midway Rd (on parcels abutting I-80); I-505 parcels north of Vaca Valley Pkwy, south of Midway Rd, west of I-505 (on parcels abutting I-505; not within Nut Tree Airport area of influence) | — | VMC 14.09.260.100(B) Table 14.09.260.B and subsections |

### Downtown Commercial Specific Plan (DC); Downtown Residential Specific Plan (DR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (<100 ft site frontage) | 10 ft | 25 sq ft | — | Minimum spacing 250 ft between freestanding signs | See additional requirements | On a site with off-street parking and frontage on a public street | — | VMC 14.09.260.080(B)(2); 14.09.260.020 |
| Freestanding Sign (≥100 ft frontage – Local or Collector Street) | 15 ft | 40 sq ft | — | Minimum spacing 250 ft between freestanding signs | See freestanding sign number rules | On a site with frontage of at least 100 ft on a local or collector street | — | VMC 14.09.260.080(B)(2)(b)(A)-(c)(A); 14.09.260.020 |
| Freestanding Sign (≥100 ft frontage – Four-Lane Undivided Arterial) | 20 ft | 50 sq ft | — | Minimum spacing 250 ft between freestanding signs | See freestanding sign number rules | On a site with frontage of at least 100 ft on a four-lane undivided arterial | — | VMC 14.09.260.080(B)(2)(b)(B)-(c)(B); 14.09.260.020 |
| Freestanding Sign (≥100 ft frontage – Four-Lane Divided Arterial) | 25 ft | 90 sq ft | — | Minimum spacing 250 ft between freestanding signs | See freestanding sign number rules | On a site with frontage of at least 100 ft on a four-lane divided arterial | — | VMC 14.09.260.080(B)(2)(b)(C)-(c)(C); 14.09.260.020 |
| Freeway Sign (Single Tenant) | 25 ft above freeway elevation or 35 ft above grade at sign location, whichever is greater (up to 60 ft allowed if obscured) | 175 sq ft | — | — | 1 per eligible site | Site at least 5 acres and within 300 ft of the nearest edge of freeway right-of-way; subject to eligible uses | — | VMC 14.09.260.080(B)(3) & (C); 14.09.260.020 |
| Freeway Sign (Multiple Tenants) | 35 ft base height plus 5 additional feet per tenant, up to 60 ft | 325 sq ft | — | — | 1 per eligible site | Same eligibility as Single Tenant Freeway Sign | — | VMC 14.09.260.080(B)(3) & (C); 14.09.260.020 |
| Projecting/Blade Sign | — | 6 sq ft per sign face | — | 8 ft vertical clearance for signs in/over the right-of-way | 1 per tenant | Projecting from building; signs placed in or projecting into the public right-of-way require encroachment permit | — | VMC 14.09.260.080(B)(4); 14.09.260.070(B); 14.09.260.020 |
| Digital Freeway Billboard | Structure up to 65 ft; display panel max height 25 ft; max width 60 ft | Up to 1,200 sq ft | 60 ft | As per location standards and separation distances | Subject to corridor/location and separation constraints | Commercial zoning districts; location limited to specified freeway corridors and parcels abutting I-80/I-505 per Table 14.09.260.B | — | VMC 14.09.260.100(B); 14.09.260.020 |

## Prohibited signs in Vacaville

- Signs located in or projecting into the public right-of-way or on public property, unless expressly authorized by this chapter or by an encroachment permit (except official government or legally required warning signs).
- Signs affixed to or cut into trees or other living vegetation, or cut, burned, marked, or displayed on terrain features such as streets, sidewalks, cliffs, or hillsides.
- Signs placed or located in a manner that constitutes a traffic or pedestrian safety hazard.
- Animated, flashing, blinking, reflecting, revolving, or other signs with visibly moving or rotating parts or visible mechanical movement, unless expressly permitted elsewhere in the chapter.
- Balloons, inflatable signs, streamers, pennants, and other attention-getting devices made of lightweight material designed to rotate or move with the wind.
- New billboards (construction, erection, or use) are prohibited, except digital freeway billboards approved under Section 14.09.260.100.B or those approved under a relocation agreement per Section 14.09.260.110.
- Message center signs are prohibited except where approved under Section 14.09.260.100.B (Digital Freeway Billboards).
- Search lights and klieg lights when used as attention-attracting devices for commercial uses.
- Signs producing visible smoke, vapor, particles, odor, noise, or sounds audible at the property line.
- Signs displaying a commercial message promoting a business that is a prohibited use and not established as a legal nonconforming use.
- Unauthorized signs placed on private or public property without the property owner’s consent or without authorization under this chapter.

## Signs exempt from permit in Vacaville

- Architectural features permanently integrated into a building (e.g., stained glass windows, carved or bas‑relief doors or walls, bells, religious statuary).
- Government signs placed, installed, or required by law by a city, county, state, or federal agency (including emergency/warning signs; traffic signs; address numerals/letters; signs required to be displayed by law; signs directing the public to points of interest except citywide/district sign programs; signs showing the location of public facilities).
- Grave markers, gravestones, headstones, mausoleums, shrines, and other markers of the deceased.
- Historic plaques, memorial signs or tablets, or commemorative signs indicating building names/dates, attached to or cut into a building, not exceeding 4 square feet.
- Minor signs not exceeding 4 square feet in area and 10 feet in height, including: one facing each parking stall; one on each side of each driveway entrance; one at each building entrance; inflatable temporary devices commonly used for children’s parties (bounce houses/party jumps); news racks and newsstands.
- Signs not readable from the public right-of-way, including: signs or displays entirely inside a building and not visible from the exterior; signs intended to be readable only from within a parking area and not beyond the lot boundaries or from any public right-of-way; signs located within City recreation facilities.
- Signs that are an integral part of an allowed vending machine or similar facility located outside a business.
- Temporary signs that comply with Section 14.09.260.090 do not require a sign permit (e.g., posters, banners, portable signs, yard signs, ground signs), subject to time limits: up to 60 calendar days for posters/banners/portable/yard signs; up to two years for ground signs constructed and anchored per code; additional allowances during special event periods (unlimited number, up to 100 sq ft; duration varies by zone—up to 60 days/year in commercial/industrial, up to 30 days/year in other zones—with notice to the City), election periods (90 days before to 30 days after; unlimited number up to 100 sq ft), and construction periods (one additional temporary sign up to 64 sq ft).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A planned sign program is required for nonresidential sign projects that include multiple buildings, multiple tenant spaces, or multiple lots.
- Planned sign programs are reviewed by the decision maker for the associated project and may be submitted separately or concurrently with other project applications.
- Planned sign programs are reviewed for conformance with this chapter; discretionary review may not address communicative aspects of signs.
- Bonus sign allowances (one additional freestanding sign, or one additional wall sign per building frontage) may be granted if the decision maker can make all bonus findings and at least eight of eleven common sign element findings (uniform heights, shapes, materials, illumination, etc.).
- Sign permits for signs within an area covered by an approved planned sign program must conform to the approved program.
- Existing nonconforming planned sign programs remain in effect; any modification must bring the program closer to compliance with current standards.
- All permanent and temporary signs require a sign permit unless specifically exempt under this chapter; concurrent review is required when signs are part of a broader land use permit.
- An encroachment permit is required for any sign that projects into or above public property or the public right-of-way (including blade/projecting signs).
- Digital freeway billboards require a development agreement, conditional use permit, and major design review; Planning Commission recommends and City Council has final approval authority.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/vacaville