San Diego sign permit requirements
What the San Diego sign code and sign ordinance allow, summarised from San Diego Municipal Code, Ch.14 Art.2 Div.12 Sign Regulations. Every figure below shows the ordinance's own wording, so you can check it rather than take our word for it.
Is a permit required?
142.1205 (Table 142-12A)A Sign Permit (Process One) is required to erect a wall, roof, projecting, or ground sign. Changing sign copy and maintenance without structural/electrical changes require no permit; certain small secondary signs (e.g., window signs, building nameplates <=3 in letters and <=4 sq ft) are exempt.
“Any proposal to erect a wall sign 142.1210, 142.1220, and Sign Permit/Process One”
Freestanding sign — setback
142.1240 (Table 142-12H)Ground signs shall not be placed in interior side or rear yards; may be placed within required front and street side yard per Sec. 142.1240(e)(4). Must comply with base zone minimum setbacks.
“Ground signs shall not be placed in the interior side or rear yards.”
Projecting sign — maximum area
142.1230 (Table 142-12D)Category A: based on ROW width and street speed limit, from 32 sf (15-20 MPH) up to 90 sf (<=60 ft ROW, 50+ MPH) or 160 sf (>60 ft ROW, 50+ MPH). Per single face; doubled for two or more faces.
“Greater than 60 feet /15-20 MPH 32 sf 32 sf 32 sf”
Projecting sign — clearance
142.1230(e)Minimum clearance 8 ft from bottom of sign to grade over a parkway. Maximum projection over parkway varies with height (1 ft at 8 ft height up to 5 ft at 16+ ft). Establishment >=25 ft frontage may project up to 5 ft beyond property line (or 2/3 distance to curb); <25 ft frontage limited to 4 ft.
“Signs that project above a parkway shall have a minimum clearance of 8 feet from the bottom of the sign to the grade below;”
Window signs — maximum coverage
142.1250 (Table 142-12I)Window signs not to exceed 30 percent of the window area. Letters not greater than 6 inches average height; logos not exceeding 16 inches in any dimension.
“Not to exceed 30 percent of the window area. Letters”
Illumination
142.1225(c)(5)Wall signs may be internally or externally illuminated. Ground signs may be internally or externally illuminated. Projecting signs may be illuminated (those over a parkway must be internally illuminated, except marquee/entrance awning signs). All projecting roof signs must be internally illuminated. Flashing, stroboscopic, intermittent, rotary beacon, chasing, and zip lights are not permitted.
“Walls signs may be internally or externally illuminated.”
Digital / electronic message centres
142.1220(f)Signs with automatic changing copy require a Neighborhood Use Permit. Public service messages may have electronically changing copy without a NUP, limited to time, date, temperature, and weather, not exceeding 25% of max primary sign area or 50 sq ft (whichever is less); message must remain constant with complete blackout between messages and shall not travel. Flashing/animated changing copy prohibited.
“The sign shall not exceed 25 percent of the maximum permitted area for primary signs or 50 square feet, whichever is less.”
Prohibited sign types
142.1210(a)(5)Prohibited: signs resembling traffic control signs/signals; signs with flashing copy or lights, stroboscopic, intermittent, rotary beacon, chasing, or zip lights; signs with copy that flashes on/off or alternating/changing messages; cannabis leaf symbols. Roof signs are not permitted in Categories B and C. Banners, pennants, flags, streamers, and similar devices not permitted unless qualifying exceptions met.
“Signs that have flashing copy or lights, and signs with stroboscopic lights, intermittent lights, rotary beacons, chasing lights, or zip lights are not permitted.”
Which zoning district this describes
142.1220(b)(1)(A)Values reported are for Sign Category A, which applies in all commercial and industrial zones citywide (except CO/IP zones which are Category B, and CN zones plus Coastal Overlay Zone commercial/industrial which are Category C). Regulations vary materially by category. Separate districts (La Jolla, Ocean Beach, Centre City, Old Town) have their own rules.
“Sign Category A is applicable in all commercial and industrial zones, except for those precluded in Table 142-12B or in Planned Districts, or except in the Coastal Overlay Zone where Category C shall apply.”
Not covered in the sign chapter we read: wall sign — maximum area, wall sign — % of facade, freestanding sign — maximum area, freestanding sign — maximum height. That doesn't mean the city has no rule — it may sit elsewhere in the code.
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Tell us — corrections from local sign shops are how this stays accurate.
Common questions
- Do you need a permit for a sign in San Diego, CA?
- A Sign Permit (Process One) is required to erect a wall, roof, projecting, or ground sign. Changing sign copy and maintenance without structural/electrical changes require no permit; certain small secondary signs (e.g., window signs, building nameplates <=3 in letters and <=4 sq ft) are exempt.
- How far back from the road must a sign sit in San Diego, CA?
- Ground signs shall not be placed in interior side or rear yards; may be placed within required front and street side yard per Sec. 142.1240(e)(4). Must comply with base zone minimum setbacks.
- How big can a projecting sign be in San Diego, CA?
- Category A: based on ROW width and street speed limit, from 32 sf (15-20 MPH) up to 90 sf (<=60 ft ROW, 50+ MPH) or 160 sf (>60 ft ROW, 50+ MPH). Per single face; doubled for two or more faces.
- How much clearance does a projecting sign need in San Diego, CA?
- Minimum clearance 8 ft from bottom of sign to grade over a parkway. Maximum projection over parkway varies with height (1 ft at 8 ft height up to 5 ft at 16+ ft). Establishment >=25 ft frontage may project up to 5 ft beyond property line (or 2/3 distance to curb); <25 ft frontage limited to 4 ft.
- How much of a window can be covered by signs in San Diego, CA?
- Window signs not to exceed 30 percent of the window area. Letters not greater than 6 inches average height; logos not exceeding 16 inches in any dimension.
- Can a sign be illuminated in San Diego, CA?
- Wall signs may be internally or externally illuminated. Ground signs may be internally or externally illuminated. Projecting signs may be illuminated (those over a parkway must be internally illuminated, except marquee/entrance awning signs). All projecting roof signs must be internally illuminated. Flashing, stroboscopic, intermittent, rotary beacon, chasing, and zip lights are not permitted.
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