Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 18 — PLANNING AND ZONING›Division 1 — Planning and Zoning›Part 8 — Signs›Chapter 18.193 — REGULATION OF SIGNS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
Fremont Municipal Code Art. VII Signs within Industrial Land Use Designations
Fremont Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-05 · Fremont
Cite as: Fremont Municipal Code Article VII · Text as of 2026-10-05
18.193.590 Applicability.¶
This article applies to signs within industrial land use designations as defined by the general plan. (Ord. 2-2014 § 1, 1-14-14.)
18.193.600 Basic permittable area (BPA).¶
The basic permittable area (BPA) is calculated by the street frontage multiplied by a factor stated in Table 18.193.610. Each street frontage creates its own BPA. Alleys and private driveways do not count as street frontage. BPA may not be transferred from one frontage to another. (Ord. 2-2014 § 1, 1-14-14.)
18.193.610 Permissible sign types and corresponding permit type.¶
Table 18.193.610 lists the permissible types of permanent signs within industrial land use designations as defined by the general plan and the type of permit process which applies. All area allowances apply separately to each street frontage. Permanent signs in a planned district should also adhere to any city approved design guidelines.
| Key | Permit Types | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BF | Building frontage | CUP | Subject to conditional use permit |
| FF | Freeway frontage | MSP | Allowable only with a master sign program |
| SF | Street frontage | P | Permitted with sign/ |
| sq. ft. | Square feet | X | Prohibited |
| D | Digital sign for assembly use only |
Table 18.193.610 Permissible Sign Types and Corresponding Permit Type within Industrial Land Use Designations
| Building Mounted | Building Mounted | Building Mounted | Freestanding | Freestanding | Freestanding | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Plan Land Use Designation (Location) | Basic Permittable Area (BPA) | Wall and Window | Marquee | Basic Permittable Area (BPA) | Pole | Monument |
| Service and Tech Industrial | 1 x BF Max 200 sq. ft. | P D by MSP | MSP/D | 0.5 x SF Max 120 sq. ft. | MSP | P D by MSP |
| Innovation Center | 1 x BF Max 200 sq. ft. | P D by MSP | MSP/D | 0.5 x SF Max 120 sq. ft. | MSP | P D by MSP |
| General Industrial | 1 x BF Max 200 sq. ft. | P | X | 0.5 x SF Max 120 sq. ft. | MSP | P |
| Industrial Sites with Freeway Frontage | 0.5 x BF (parallel with FF) Max 200 sq. ft. | P | X | 0.5 x FF Max 120 sq. ft. | CUP | P |
(Ord. 2-2014 § 1, 1-14-14; Ord. 28-2014 § 6, 9-9-14.)
18.193.620 Signage for multi-story buildings.¶
A multi-story building may be authorized building signage within the allowances provided by Table 18.193.610. Such signs may be located on the ground floor or top floor but shall not be located on intervening floors. If the building contains multiple tenants, signage for tenants shall be provided via ground floor directories and freestanding/monument signs. (Ord. 2-2014 § 1, 1-14-14.)
18.193.630 Signage for multi-tenant buildings.¶
A master sign program is required to address sign placement among tenants and prospective tenants. Master sign programs must address prospective changes in tenancy over time, including the potential for additional tenants and tenant space divisions. (Ord. 2-2014 § 1, 1-14-14.)
18.193.640 Freeway-oriented sign for industrial area portion of the Fremont merged redevelopment project area.¶
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision in this article, within the industrial area portion of the Fremont merged redevelopment project area, one freestanding sign may be installed and operated as a “slide show” type electronically changeable image sign adjacent to a freeway; such sign may be installed between 130 and 220 feet of freeway centerline and may be used for advertising only those establishments located within the boundaries of the industrial area or the display of noncommercial messages.
(b) As used in this section, “electronically changeable image sign” means a sign on which the displayed image may be changed by an electronic control system, so as to present to the viewing public a series of still images, similar to a traditional “slide show.” Such signs are sometimes called digital signs or electronic reader boards. This definition does not include display methods for a constantly moving image, such as television or a motion picture.
(c) Any sign allowed by this section shall be subject to the approval of a conditional use permit as set forth in Chapter 18.230, except that the city council shall be the approving body. The city council shall review the proposed sign for conformity with the following standards:
(1) Sign height (including projections): 72 feet maximum.
(2) Sign width (perpendicular to freeway): 50 feet maximum.
(3) Sign width (parallel to freeway): 20 feet maximum.
(4) Sign illumination: LED (light emitting diode) or functionally equivalent low energy usage.
(5) Sign image duration and display criteria for main screens:
(A) Image hold time shall be a minimum of eight seconds per still image or Caltrans standard, whichever is greater.
(B) Transitions shall be gradual (e.g., images shall fade in and out). There shall be no abrupt changes in images or lighting levels.
(C) Screens shall be turned off between 1:30 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. daily. Remainder of the sign may remain lit.
(6) Aesthetic and other considerations:
(A) Any sign allowed by this section shall be compatible with the surrounding area, namely the form, proportion, architectural scale in proportion to other nearby buildings and structures, materials, surface treatment, and overall sign size.
(B) The location and placement of the sign shall not endanger motorists.
(C) The sign’s lighting shall not cause hazardous or unsafe driving conditions for motorists, such as by glare or reflection.
(D) The sign shall not cover or blanket any prominent view of a structure or facade of historical or architectural significance. (Ord. 2-2014 § 1, 1-14-14.)
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