# Sign Regulations in Santa Clara, Utah

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Santa Clara, Utah (UT)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/utah/santa-clara
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20

## At a glance

Santa Clara, Utah regulates 25 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Commercial Zone, Planned Commercial Zone, Santa Clara Drive Commercial, Mixed Use Corridor, Eastern Entrance Commercial Zone zoning district are capped at 20' (bottom of sign min 7' above ground, resulting in max height 13' above bottom of sign area) tall, 208 sq ft, and 16' wide, with a Minimum 4' from property line setback (Sec. 17.44.080). Most commercial signs in Santa Clara require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial Zone, Planned Commercial Zone, Santa Clara Drive Commercial, Mixed Use Corridor, Eastern Entrance Commercial Zone | 7 | 20' (bottom of sign min 7' above ground, resulting in max height 13' above bottom of sign area) | 208 sq ft | — |
| Planned Development Commercial Zone (PDC) | 2 | — | Subject to commercial zone standards unless otherwise approved | — |
| Historical Mixed Use Zones | 1 | 6' | 48 sq ft | — |
| Subdivision Entrances, Parks, Schools, Churches | 1 | 6' | 48 sq ft | — |
| All Residential Zones, Residential Zone | 5 | 4' | 12" x 24" | — |
| Historic District, Historic/Mixed Use District | 11 | 48" | 40 sq ft sign area; max 48 sq ft incl. structure | — |
| Historic Site | 1 | — | 2' x 3' (6 sq ft) | — |
| Planned Development, Planned Developments | 1 | 6' | 48 sq ft | — |
| Multi-tenant Dwellings, Business or Professional Locations | 1 | 3' | 6 sq ft | — |
| City Owned or Operated Ball Field | 1 | — | 4' x 8' (32 sq ft) | — |
| Private Plaza | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 12' | 32 sq ft (except project/construction signs) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### Commercial Zone, Planned Commercial Zone, Santa Clara Drive Commercial, Mixed Use Corridor, Eastern Entrance Commercial Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awnings and Canopies | — | 10% of front wall | — | No encroachment on public property | — | Above doors, windows, or walkways (if walkways lead to entrance) | — | 17.44.060 |
| Freestanding Sign | 20' (bottom of sign min 7' above ground, resulting in max height 13' above bottom of sign area) | 208 sq ft | 16' | Minimum 4' from property line | 1 (or 2 if 500' or more frontage) | On property, not over public property | — | 17.44.080 |
| Wall Sign | — | 10% of wall | — | — | — | Any building wall; oriented to pedestrians/vehicles within close proximity | — | 17.44.090 |
| Monument Sign | 8' (sign area max 7' in vertical height) | 80 sq ft | 12' | Minimum 2' from property line | — | On site | — | 17.44.110(C)(1) |
| Menu Board | 8' (freestanding) | 24 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 per business | On site; must not impair traffic visibility | — | 17.44.115 |
| Temporary Banner | — | 10% of wall surface | — | — | 1 per street front | On premises (flush against building or between poles) | — | 17.44.070(C) |
| Window Sign | — | Not to cover complete window | — | — | — | Inside window or door | — | 17.44.100 |

### Historic District, Historic/Mixed Use District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | — | — | Not in public right-of-way except as approved, see code. | — | Traditional location above storefronts, doors, windows, or walkways | — | 17.45.120(A) |
| Monument Sign | 6' | 40 sq ft sign area; max 48 sq ft incl. structure | — | Min 2' from property line | — | On property, min 2' from property line | — | 17.45.120(B) |
| Hanging or Projecting Sign | — | 12 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | Must have at least 8' clearance to ground, may project up to 48" from wall | — | 17.45.120(C) |
| Pole Sign | 15' | 16 sq ft | — | Min 24" from walkway/vehicularway | — | On property, not to project more than 48" | — | 17.45.120(F) |
| Entrance/Exit Sign | 5' | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per driveway opening | At each approved driveway opening | — | 17.45.120(G) |
| Changeable Copy Sign (Freestanding) / Sandwich Board | 48" | 12 sq ft per side | 36" | Min 12" from property line | 1 per business | Min 12" from property line, not in walkways/drives | — | 17.45.120(H) |
| Display Box | — | 5 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | Wall mounted or freestanding, oriented toward pedestrians | — | 17.45.120(I) |
| Mural | Below roofline | — | — | — | 1 per business | On wall | — | 17.45.120(L) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign | 4' (except project signs) | 32 sq ft (except project/construction signs) | — | Min 2' behind property line | 1 per parcel (except for elections) | Min 2' behind property line or right-of-way | — | 17.44.130 |
| Project Development Sign (Temporary) | 12' | 8' x 8' (64 sq ft) | 8' | — | 1 per project (unless multiple access roads) | Development project site | — | 17.44.130(I) |
| Construction Site Sign (Temporary) | 6' | 16 sq ft (max 4' x 4') | 4' | — | 1 per lot/parcel | On lot/parcel with building permit | — | 17.44.130(J) |

## Prohibited signs in Santa Clara

- The types of signs not specifically allowed, as set forth within this chapter, shall be prohibited unless otherwise approved by the planning commission.
- No person shall erect, alter, or relocate any permanent or temporary sign without first obtaining a sign permit, paying a permit fee, and a building permit from the city, unless the sign is exempt under this chapter.
- Any person who hangs, posts, or installs a sign which requires a permit and fails to obtain a permit and pay the fee before installing the sign shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor and may be fined accordingly.
- No more than one identification sign is permitted on each parcel of residential property; only one temporary sign is allowed on any one parcel at a time, except for election periods (when additional noncommercial temporary signs are allowed).
- All signs are to be kept in good repair physically and the content of advertising shall be kept in good, readable condition at all times.
- No signs may extend over public property unless specifically approved.
- No sign shall be located so as to impair the line of sight of a motor vehicle.
- No flashing on and off lighting is allowed for any sign.
- No awning or canopy may extend over public property.
- No temporary sign may be posted on city property or within any public right-of-way unless posted by a city employee or agent authorized by the city council.
- Signs placed in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision at street or driveway intersections, or signs that can be confused with traffic signals or signage, are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs, A-frame signs, billboards (highway advertising), flashing signs, hazardous/unsafe signs, mobile/portable signs, off-premise signs (unless planning commission approved), roof signs projecting above the roofline, signs in zones where not permitted, and unauthorized traffic control-like signs are prohibited.
- Signs erected or maintained without a required permit or which fail to conform to ordinance requirements are prohibited.
- Any sign which creates a hazard to health or safety may be moved or removed by city staff.
- Animated, rotating, revolving, or moving signs are prohibited (except for historic replicas where historically appropriate).
- Bench signs, electronic signs (except as allowed for government/public safety and as otherwise permitted), inflatable signs/displays, projection signs, inanimate product reproductions, wind signs (like propellers or gasoline flags), video signs, channel letter signs (in historic district), neon signs (except open/closed, non-flashing), and vinyl (sheet) signs (in historic district, except as specially allowed) are prohibited.
- No signs (fliers, stickers, posters, etc.) may be affixed to any public building, structure, tree, utility pole, or public property except as permitted by the chapter.
- Fluorescent and reflective colors that give the appearance of changing color are prohibited.
- Internally illuminated signs, or lights that flash or move in any manner, are generally prohibited (especially in historic districts).
- Pole, hanging, awning, monument, or projecting signs must maintain specified clearances and may not obstruct walkways or become safety hazards.

## Signs exempt from permit in Santa Clara

- Signs specifically exempted in the ordinance do not require a permit.
- Public necessity signs for safety, warnings, trailheads, bus stops, parking, no parking, and street name signs installed by or with permission of Santa Clara City are exempt from permit requirements (require city approval for safe placement only).
- Identification signs (nameplates) on residential properties up to the allowed size, and address signs as specified, do not require permits; house numbers are required.
- Window signs for temporary sales (under 30 days) and permanent open or closed or hours of operation signs do not require a permit.
- Short-term yard sale signs and ‘Welcome Home’/‘Congratulations’ banners in residential areas do not require permits (with removal time limits).
- Real estate for sale or lease signs for individual residential lots and for commercial properties do not require a sign permit if within specified size and removal time limits.
- Temporary banners used in connection with school activities on school property do not require a permit fee, but must comply with banner requirements and school official approval.
- Temporary noncommercial signs of any kind that create a hazard may be removed without prior approval.
- Vacancy, open/closed, hours of operation, no soliciting, and no trespassing signs, when within allowed size and placement, are exempt from application requirements within the historic district.
- Signs installed in private plazas, not visible from the public way and conforming to an approved master sign plan, do not require individual sign permits.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Buildings or clusters of buildings having more than one tenant or use shall provide a sign plan (or master sign plan) for the entire structure or project. This plan must be approved by city staff or, at their discretion, the planning/heritage commission.
- All signage in the historic district must be presented to the heritage commission through a master sign plan unless otherwise allowed by chapter 17.45.
- The master sign plan must include the number and area of both current and proposed signage (including temporary signs) and should have a drawing, sketch, or photorealistic depiction(s) to visualize the proposal. Review and approval of the master sign plan is required before it may be implemented.
- Individual business owners who anticipate changing temporary signage frequently are encouraged to submit a master sign plan for temporary advertising to eliminate repetitive permit applications.
- A master sign plan is required for office buildings (in historic district) and must focus primarily on identification of the building; tenants may be identified with lettering on windows, doors, or directories.
- Sign plan approval (master sign plan or otherwise) is a prerequisite for the issuance of sign permits for multiple tenant projects and for any signage that is part of a comprehensive site design.
- Sign plan or master sign plan review may be required if the planning commission or city staff determines that sign requirements are not specifically addressed for a particular sign type or situation.

## 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 12 zoning districts in Santa Clara — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Santa+Clara+UT&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-santa-clara

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