# Sign Regulations in Willits, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Willits, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/willits
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Willits/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT10VETR_CH10.28SPSTYISI)

## At a glance

Willits, California regulates 6 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Projecting Signs in the CO, C1, C2, ML, MN, PF zoning district are capped at No extension above top level of wall or roof ridge (sloped roof) tall and 15 square feet (Sec. 17.54.190). Most commercial signs in Willits require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential districts | 3 | — | 50 square feet | — |
| CO, C1, C2, ML, MN, PF | 2 | No extension above top level of wall or roof ridge (sloped roof) | 200 square feet | — |
| CO, C1, C2, ML, MH, PF | 1 | 25 feet | 75 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Total of all signs not to exceed 15 square feet except bed and breakfast | — | — | No more than one wall sign per property | On the premises of churches and quasi-public organizations | — | 17.54.170 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | Total of all signs not to exceed 15 square feet except bed and breakfast | — | — | No more than one freestanding sign per property | On the premises of churches and quasi-public organizations | — | 17.54.170 |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 50 square feet | — | — | — | On property being sold or leased | — | 17.54.180 |

### CO, C1, C2, ML, MN, PF

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Projecting Sign | No extension above top level of wall or roof ridge (sloped roof) | 15 square feet | — | — | No more than one projecting sign per parcel | Not above any public sidewalk or place unless under/on marquee, porch, covering structure | — | 17.54.190 |
| Wall Sign | No extension above roof line of building | 200 square feet | — | — | No more than four wall signs per parcel | Affixed to building | — | 17.54.210 |

### CO, C1, C2, ML, MH, PF

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet | 75 square feet | — | — | No more than one per parcel except for auto dealerships | Wholly on owner's property | — | 17.54.200 |

## Prohibited signs in Willits

- It is unlawful to erect, construct, maintain, move, alter, change, place, suspend or attach any sign without first obtaining a sign permit from the planning department.
- No sign shall be erected without first obtaining and filing with the planning director the written consent of the property owner, lessee, or person in possession of the property.
- Signs which rotate, move, flash, reflect, blink, or appear to do so are prohibited unless required by law or used by a governmental agency.
- Off-premises signs (signs advertising uses, products, etc. not on the same premises) are prohibited unless otherwise authorized.
- No permit shall be issued and no sign constructed or maintained which does not comply with this chapter or which has less clearance from power lines than state law or applicable regulations require.
- No person shall place, erect, or maintain any sign on a public right-of-way or public area, including streets, sidewalks, alleys, drainageways, parkways, and parks, except as permitted by governmental bodies/agencies.
- No person shall attach or maintain any sign, poster, or advertisement on any public utility pole, structure, light pole, lamppost, or tree.
- No sign structure shall block another sign, block, screen, or interfere with walkways, access, or structures on adjacent properties.
- No sign shall be erected or maintained which interferes with traffic, confuses traffic, presents a traffic hazard, obstructs traffic lights/signs, or uses blinking, flashing lights or beacons.
- No person shall maintain any sign in a sagging, leaning, fallen, decayed, deteriorated, dilapidated, or unsafe condition.
- No person shall maintain or permit any abandoned sign to remain on the premises. A presumptive period is three months of property vacancy.
- No nonconforming sign shall be altered, reconstructed, moved, or have its face changed without being made to comply with all provisions of this chapter.
- No person shall park any vehicle with an advertising sign attached or suspended for the purpose of advertising to the public.
- If a sign is damaged or requires repairs exceeding fifty percent of its market value, it must be brought into conformity or removed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Willits

- Directional, warning, or informational signs required or authorized by law and erected by federal, state, county, or city authorities.
- Official notices issued by any court, public body, or officer and posted in the performance of a public duty.
- Danger signs, railroad crossing signs, and signs by public utilities indicating danger or aiding service/safety.
- "No trespassing," "no parking," and similar warning signs.
- Flags, emblems, and insignia of a nation or political subdivision.
- Commemorative signs or plaques of recognized historical organizations.
- Temporary signs including displays of a civil, patriotic, political, religious, or charitable nature.
- Signs on licensed commercial vehicles, provided such vehicles are not used or intended as portable signs.
- Small signs depicting trading stamps, credit card acceptance, services required by law, trade affiliations, etc., attached to any building or freestanding sign structure.
- Signs on awnings or removable canopies not permanently attached to or built as part of a building, provided the copy is limited to name, occupation, street address, telephone number, date of establishment, and other comparable non-advertising copy.
- Temporary window signs constructed of paper, cloth, or similar expendable material.
- Signs advertising the price of automotive fuel (gasoline).
- Promotional signs for any business to promote special commercial activities such as clearance sales or grand openings, for no more than four nonconsecutive thirty-day periods in a calendar year.
- Political signs are exempted from all other provisions of this chapter except for the prohibitions on locating in the public right-of-way (17.54.130) and on utility poles/trees (17.54.140).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs and sign structures proposed in connection with new construction, or additions or alterations of a building, require review and approval by the planning commission before issuance of a sign permit. Other signs not involving new construction/additions/alterations may be approved by the planning director.
- A master signing program (master sign plan) is a voluntary, optional alternative to general sign regulations for commercial and industrial districts and quasi-public uses, subject to planning commission approval and findings.
- A variance from the strict application of this chapter requires an application to the planning department, a fee, and a public hearing by the planning commission; variances are granted or denied based on specific findings.

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

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