San Jose sign permit requirements
What the San Jose sign code and sign ordinance allow, summarised from Chapter 17.48 - SIGNS, MARQUEES AND AWNINGS. Every figure below shows the ordinance's own wording, so you can check it rather than take our word for it.
A building permit is required only for: freestanding signs extending 6+ ft above ground; projecting signs projecting 2+ ft from the wall; and signs projecting 1+ ft into public right-of-way air space. Other signs need no permit but must still comply.
“The following signs shall require a building permit from the building official, in addition to any other permits required by this Code:”
A sign projecting into public right-of-way air space may not exceed 150 sq ft in area, nor 2 ft in depth/thickness.
“No sign which projects into the air space over a public right-of-way shall have a depth or thickness in excess of two feet nor a sign area which is in excess of one hundred fifty square feet.”
A sign projecting over a public right-of-way must be at least 7 ft above grade and may not project within 3 ft of the curbline.
“Shall project to within three feet of the curbline;”
This chapter applies citywide to all signs; the supplied text sets construction, permit, and right-of-way projection standards but does not break out dimensional limits by zoning district. Zoning-district-specific sign standards are in Title 23, which is not supplied.
“This chapter shall apply to all signs erected or maintained in the City of San José.”
Not covered in the sign chapter we read: wall sign — maximum area, wall sign — % of facade, freestanding sign — maximum area, freestanding sign — maximum height, freestanding sign — setback, window signs — maximum coverage, illumination, digital / electronic message centres, temporary signs and banners, prohibited sign types. 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Spotted something wrong or out of date?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 Jose, CA?
- A building permit is required only for: freestanding signs extending 6+ ft above ground; projecting signs projecting 2+ ft from the wall; and signs projecting 1+ ft into public right-of-way air space. Other signs need no permit but must still comply.
- How big can a projecting sign be in San Jose, CA?
- A sign projecting into public right-of-way air space may not exceed 150 sq ft in area, nor 2 ft in depth/thickness.
- How much clearance does a projecting sign need in San Jose, CA?
- A sign projecting over a public right-of-way must be at least 7 ft above grade and may not project within 3 ft of the curbline.
- Which zoning district do these San Jose, CA sign rules apply to?
- This chapter applies citywide to all signs; the supplied text sets construction, permit, and right-of-way projection standards but does not break out dimensional limits by zoning district. Zoning-district-specific sign standards are in Title 23, which is not supplied.
Tell me when San Jose, CA changes its sign rules
We re-read the ordinance and compare it against our last reading. If a limit moves, you get one email quoting what changed. Most quarters, most cities change nothing — and we won't invent a reason to write.
One email per change, unsubscribe in one click, and we don't pass it on.
Quoting a sign job in San Jose?
PrinterFlo prices signs by size and material, tracks the job from proof to install, and gets approvals signed off in one click.
See PrinterFlo