87.2 SIGNS

87.2.1 Purpose. The purpose of these regulations is to: (1) ensure that signs within Humboldt County will promote public health, safety, and welfare, (2) promotes the use of signs that are of appropriate scale and compatible with nearby development and landscape, (3) promotes the free flow of traffic and protects pedestrians, cyclists and motorists from injury and property damage caused by distracting signs, and (4) supports businesses serving county residents, workers and visitors.

87.2.2 Applicability. These regulations shall be applicable to all signs in all zoning districts.

87.2.2.1 No Permit Required. No permit shall be required in the following circumstances:

87.2.2.1.1 Changes to legal existing sign faces;

87.2.2.1.2 Installation of historic plaques.

87.2.3 Nameplates. Nameplates are limited to a statement of the name, address and occupational designation of the occupant, and are not illuminated. Nameplates shall be principally permitted when attached to existing buildings appurtenant to any permitted use when conforming with all the following requirements:

87.2.3.1 In U, FR, AE, AG, and FP Zones, one (1) nameplate not exceeding twenty (20) square feet;

87.2.3.2 In any zone except RS, R-1 and R-2 Zones, one (1) nameplate not exceeding four (4) square feet;

87.2.3.3 In all other zones, one (1) nameplate not exceeding two (2) square feet.

87.2.4 Temporary Signs. Temporary signs displayed for a limited period of time which do not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in size shall be principally permitted in any zone when conforming with all the following requirements:

87.2.4.1 Strings or individual banners, streamers, pennants and similar devices for business openings, temporary sales and events which are placed up to thirty (30) days prior and removed within ten (10) days after the opening.

87.2.4.2 Political signs pertaining to a scheduled election which are placed up to ninety (90) days prior to the scheduled election and removed within ten (10) days after election day.

87.2.4.3 Temporary signs advertising a special event being held by a public agency or nonprofit organization which are placed up to thirty (30) days prior and removed within ten (10) days after the event.

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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87.2.5 Property Sale Signs. Signs, not illuminated, to advertise the sale of property on which it is displayed shall be permitted when conforming with all the following regulations and removed within fifteen (15) days of the sale or lease of the property:

87.2.5.1 In any zone, one (1) sign not exceeding six (6) square feet shall be principally permitted;

87.2.5.2 In any Commercial or Industrial Zoning District, one (1) sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet shall be principally permitted;

87.2.5.3 Signs advertising the sale of lots in a subdivision shall be permitted with a Special Permit in any zone when not exceeding one hundred (100) square feet in the aggregate.

87.2.6 Appurtenant Signs. Signs, appurtenant to any permitted use, to identify or advertise a place of business or a product when conforming to the following requirements and the standards in subsection 314-87.2.6.5:

87.2.6.1 In RS, R-1 or R-2 Zones, signs shall be prohibited unless otherwise allowed with a Use Permit.

87.2.6.2 In Commercial or Industrial Zoning Districts, and Unclassified Zoning Districts when accompanied by a Commercial Services or Industrial General Land Use Designation, signs shall be principally permitted.

87.2.6.3 In all other zones, up to three (3) single-sided signs, or one (1) double-sided and one (1) single-sided sign not over seventy-five (75) square feet in the aggregate shall be permitted with a Special Permit, except when the site utilizes a Master Sign Plan consistent with subsection 314-87.2.7.

87.2.6.4 Signs not consistent with subsection 314-87.2.6.5 shall be permitted with a conditional use permit.

Appurtenant Sign Types

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87.2.6.5

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Appurtenant Sign Table
Sign Type Sign Requirements
Monument Quantity: One (1) per frontage
Area: Thirty-six (36) square feet
Width: Twelve (12) feet maximum
Height: Seven (7) feet maximum
Depth/ Two (2) feet maximum
Projection:
Clearance: Not applicable
Projecting and Quantity: One (1) per facade
Banner
Area: Twenty-five (25) square feet
Width: Eight (8) feet maximum
Height: Eight (8) feet maximum
Depth/ Four (4) feet maximum
Projection:
Clearance: Eight (8) feet minimum
Distance to Two (2) feet minimum
Curb:
Awning Quantity: One (1) per window
Area: Not applicable
Width: Width of facade
Height: Not applicable
Depth/ Four (4) feet maximum
Projection:
Clearance: Eight (8) feet minimum
Valance Height: Twelve (12) inches maximum
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The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Appurtenant Sign Table
Sign Type Sign Requirements
Distance to Two (2) feet minimum
Curb:
Wall Quantity: Not specified
Area: Two (2) square foot per linear foot of facade (not exceeding
one hundred (100) square feet per facade)
Width: Ninety (90) percent of the width of facade
Height: Roof line or parapet of the structure
Depth/ Eighteen (18) inches maximum
Projection:
Clearance: Seven (7) feet to sign edge minimum
Window Quantity: Not applicable
Area: Not more than twenty-five (25) percent of glass per facade,
not including seasonal displays or decorations
Width: Not applicable
Height: Not applicable
Depth/ Not applicable
Projection:
Clearance: Four (4) feet
Illumination: Design features may consist of neon or other small diameter
tubing illuminated by fluorescing gas
A-Frame, A-Frame and Standing Feather Banners
Standing, and
Feather Banner Quantity: Two (2) per business Included in quantity limit
Area: Eight (8) square feet Thirty (30) square feet
Width: Two (2) feet maximum Three (3) feet maximum
Height: Four (4) feet maximum Twelve (12) feet maximum
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The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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Appurtenant Sign Table
Sign Type Sign Requirements
Depth/ Cannot be placed within Cannot be placed within
Projection: county right-of-way or county right-of-way or
obstruct ADA access obstruct ADA access
Clearance: Not applicable Not applicable
Fuel Price Signs Quantity: Two (2) per business
Area: Sixty-four (64) square feet
Width: Eight (8) feet
Height: Eighteen (18) feet
Depth/ Not applicable
Projection:
Clearance: Eight (8) feet
Display: Fuel pricing displays may consist of changeable LED
numbers
Freestanding Quantity: One (1) per business
Area: Sixty-four (64) square feet
Width: Eight (8) feet
Height: Eighteen (18) feet
Depth/ Not applicable
Projection:
Clearance: Eight (8) feet minimum
Valance Height: Not applicable
Distance to Not applicable
Curb:
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87.2.7 Master Sign Plan. A plan to strategically coordinate signs appurtenant to any permitted use to identify or advertise multiple places of businesses for large sites, buildings, nonresidential multi-tenant developments, or adjacent or adjoining properties or parcels.

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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87.2.7.1 Sites greater than one (1) acre, or with tenant spaces above the first floor, or any nonresidential development, building, or property with four (4) or more tenants must submit a Master Sign Plan;

87.2.7.2 The Master Sign Plan shall provide a coordinated approach to signage that indicates where signage is proposed;

87.2.7.3 A Master Sign Plan shall be principally permitted if in accordance with subsection 314-87.2.6.5;

87.2.7.4 A Special Permit shall be required if the Master Sign Plan proposes signage that is not in accordance with subsection 314-87.2.6.5, which would allow:

87.2.7.4.1 Transfers of maximum sign areas between tenants on a site to allow the collective total sign area permitted for the entire site to be pooled and re-allocated between tenants; and

87.2.7.4.2 Deviation from the total number of each type of sign allowed; and

87.2.7.4.3 Deviation from the maximum size of signs permitted.

87.2.8 Murals. Murals, decorations, and design elements on the exterior of a building that do not advertise a product, business, or service shall be principally permitted and are not subject to the requirements of this section. Advertisement includes text displaying the name of a business, text displaying the name of a product, text publicizing a service, business-specific logos, and product-specific logos.

87.2.9 Creative Signs. Signs with no more than forty percent (40%) of the total sign area digitally printed and of unique design, thoughtfulness, imagination, inventiveness, and spirit, which deviate from the standards in this section while minimizing adverse impacts.

87.2.9.1 Review. Creative signs shall be reviewed and approved by the Zoning Administrator and may require modifications to the proposed Creative Sign including limits on allowed sign types, area, dimensions, placement, materials, and other sign design features.

87.2.9.2 Permit Requirements. Creative signs shall be permitted with a Special Permit.

87.2.9.3 Design Standards. Creative signs shall meet all of the General Design Standards and incorporate three (3) or more of the Sign Features, Materials, and Contextual Criteria provided in this subsection.

87.2.9.3.1.1 The sign constitutes a substantial aesthetic improvement to the site and has a positive visual impact on the surrounding area; and

87.2.9.3.1.2 The sign is of unique design, and exhibits a high degree of thoughtfulness, imagination, inventiveness, and spirit; and

87.2.9.3.1.3 The sign is of a higher creative, artistic, and/or sculptural nature than the average sign typically found in Humboldt County; and

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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87.2.9.3.1.4 The sign provides strong graphic character through the imaginative use of graphics, color, texture, quality materials, scale, and proportion.

87.2.9.3.2.1 Materials of a higher quality than typically used for signs in Humboldt County (e.g., stone, sculptural steel, sandblasted wood, gold leaf, hand-painted content with an artistic mural-like component).

87.2.9.3.2.2 Projecting, recessed, or cut-out text (e.g., push-through illuminated acrylic letters, routed letters, routed metal).

87.2.9.3.2.3 Use of natural features to creatively display a business name (e.g., trimmed hedges, etched rock features, botanical arrangements).

87.2.9.3.2.4 Creative and unique use of clearly visible high-quality landscaping with an area greater than the minimum required for the sign or site, whichever is more.

87.2.9.3.2.5 Clearly visible three-dimensionality where a notable proportion of the structure or form of the sign includes multiple deviations from a parallel plane (e.g., a sphere, a half-sphere, sculptural elements, a fully three-dimensional beer mug).

87.2.9.3.2.6 Sign design successfully emulates the architecture of the building (e.g., a sign with rooflike covering that matches the general design of the roof of the building it serves).

87.2.9.3.2.7 Highly irregular multi-dimensional sign shape (e.g., a sign that has at least five (5) or more straight sides, a sign that has a few straight sides and multiple variable rounded sides, a sign with an unusually disproportionate height-to-width ratio).

87.2.9.3.2.8 At least fifty percent (50%) of the sign area includes custom artistic illustrations.

87.2.9.3.2.9 Sign shape includes inventive representation of the use, name, or logo of the structure or business (e.g., a fish-shaped sign for a fishing store).

87.2.10 Existing Billboards. It is the objective of this section to provide regulations to implement General Plan provisions to regulate Billboards consistent with the Outdoor Advertising Act.

87.2.10.1 Existing billboard, an advertising display affixed to any post within six hundred sixty (660) feet of a state highway, freeway, or historic highway or freeway that was lawfully erected in compliance with State laws and local ordinances in effect at the time of its erection;

87.2.10.2 Failure to provide the Planning and Building Department an active and compliant Outdoor Advertising Display Permit when such permit is required by State law is evidence that the structure does not qualify as an existing billboard which may require removal of the structure consistent with the Outdoor Advertising Act;

87.2.10.3 Placement shall not be permitted unless otherwise allowable:

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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• 87.2.10.3.1 Placement includes, but is not limited to, the following activities:

  • 87.2.10.3.1.1 Raising the height of the display from ground level;

  • 87.2.10.3.1.2 Alteration of existing size dimensions of approved physical configuration;

  • 87.2.10.3.1.3 Relocating all or a portion of a display;

  • 87.2.10.3.1.4 Adding a back-up facing to a single-facing display;

• 87.2.10.3.1.5 Turning the direction of a facing;

  • 87.2.10.3.1.6 Addition of an electrical box;

87.2.10.3.1.7 Adding illumination or a changeable message, with the exception of light boxes;

87.2.10.3.1.8 Increasing any dimension of a facing except when adding an extension to an outside dimension of a display as incident to the copy for a temporary period up to three (3) years;

87.2.10.3.1.9 Re-erection of a destroyed advertising display where “destroyed” is defined as damaged to the extent it loses functionality so as to be rendered useless and can no longer function as an advertising surface;

87.2.10.3.1.10 The maintaining and the erecting, constructing, posting, painting, printing, tacking, nailing, gluing, sticking, carving or otherwise fastening, affixing or making visible any advertising display on or to the ground of any tree, bush, rock, fence, post, wall, building, structure or thing when not performed incident to the change of an advertising message or customary maintenance, as defined by the Outdoor Advertising Act, of the advertising display;

87.2.10.3.1.11 Maintenance using materials other than those materials and dimensions of supporting members found on the existing sign.

87.2.10.3.2 Placement shall be allowable if the following conditions are met:

87.2.10.3.2.1 An advertising display has been damaged by natural forces and accidental incidents to the extent it loses functionality so as to be rendered useless and needs to be re-erected; and

87.2.10.3.2.2 The destroyed advertising display is not located on public land, public easements on Natural Resource zoned properties, within bodies of water, flood hazard areas, streamside management areas, sensitive habitats, scenic resources or wetlands; and

87.2.10.3.2.3 A conditional use permit with a term limit of fifteen (15) years has been approved; and

87.2.10.3.2.4 A building permit has been issued.

87.2.10.4 Unauthorized placement activities will be declared a public nuisance as defined by Section 351-3 and considered a Category 4 Violation as defined by Section 352-3(h) and Section 352-6.

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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87.2.10.5 The County may declare its intent to require removal of an existing billboard by providing the existing billboard owner notice of such intent a minimum of seven (7) years prior to actual removal of the

sign. Upon the expiration of the designated time period, the County may require removal in accordance with the requirements of the Outdoor Advertising Act. The removal of the billboard structure and restoration of the site to its original condition shall be completed within thirty (30) days of compensation. If the permit holder and property owner fail to remove the billboard structure and restore the site within the designated time period, the billboard shall be declared a public nuisance as defined by Section 351-3 and considered a Category 4 Violation as defined by Section 352-3(h) and Section 352-6.

87.2.11.1 Signs Permitted. Directional signs and/or guide signs shall be located in any zone to indicate directions to public recreational areas, visitor serving facilities, and any other facilities for which the Director has determined that such a sign is necessary for the public convenience and/or safety.

87.2.11.2 Location. Signs shall be located only where visible from the path of travel for pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles.

87.2.11.3.1 Directional signs shall contain only the name of the use(s), a directional arrow or a directional statement, and the approximate distance to the use(s).

87.2.11.3.2 Where feasible, directional signs shall be designed to accommodate more than one use.

87.2.11.3.3 The display surface of any such sign shall not exceed twenty-four (24) by twenty-four (24) inches for each use, with a maximum aggregate area of display surface not to exceed one hundred (100) square feet.

87.2.11.4 Permit Required. A Special Permit is required for placement of a directional sign in any zone.

87.2.12.1.1 Signs in nonresidential zoning districts may be internally or externally illuminated except where specifically prohibited.

87.2.12.1.2 Signs in Residential Zoning Districts shall only be externally illuminated and must be located at least fifty (50) feet from any residence.

87.2.12.1.3 Light sources must be steady, stationary, and static in color and shall utilize full-cutoff lighting, downward casting, shielding, visors, etc.

87.2.12.1.4 Lighting shall be limited as follows:

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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87.2.12.1.4.1 During hours between sunset and sunrise, luminance is limited to one hundred (100) candela per square meter.

87.2.12.1.4.2 Each sign must either be designed to achieve this standard or have a light sensing device that will automatically adjust the brightness of the display as the natural ambient light conditions change.

87.2.12.1.5 The light source for externally illuminated signs must be shielded and positioned so that light is only concentrated on the face of the sign and is not visible from adjacent properties or from a public street.

87.2.12.1.6 Lighting shall use the lowest lumen level necessary to be visible from the property line.

87.2.12.1.7 Lighting shall only be operated between sunrise and sunset or thirty (30) minutes before opening and after closing.

87.2.12.1.8 Exposed bulbs are not permitted except as part of a Creative Sign Permit.

87.2.12.1.9 Design features consisting of neon or other small-diameter tubing illuminated by fluorescing gas is not allowed as part of any type of sign, except as allowed as window signage in subsection 314-87.2.6.5.

87.2.13 Prohibited Signs. The following signs and sign materials are prohibited:

87.2.13.1 Digital, Animated or Changeable Copy Signs. Signs that include any part that appears to rotate, flash, blink, move, change color, emit sound, or change intensity, except for approved fuel price signs, standard barber poles, and time and temperature signs that are located in commercial and industrial zones. This includes but is not limited to electronic message boards, large television or projector screens, etc., except when placed on such property by the public agency having jurisdiction or expressly authorized by such public agency.

87.2.13.2 New Billboards. A structure with a flat surface upon which an advertisement is placed or affixed to any post within six hundred sixty (660) feet of a state highway or freeway, except as described by subsection 314-87.2.10.3.2.

87.2.13.3 Off-Premises Signs. Signs that are not appurtenant to a use associated with the property in which the sign is located.

87.2.13.4 Decorative Signs. Banner signs, yard signs, and inflatable signs, except when used as a temporary sign consistent with subsection 314-87.2.3 (Temporary Signs).

87.2.13.5 Hazardous Signs. Signs adversely affecting traffic control or safety. Any sign that creates a traffic safety hazard by interfering with an individual’s sight distance, including signs visible from any public road, street or right-of-way containing colors or reflective paint that blinds the vision of drivers, or signs which simulate or imitate the appearance of any traffic sign or signal, or which makes use of the

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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words "STOP," "GO," "SLOW," "TURN HERE," "DANGER," or contain other words, phrases, symbols or characters otherwise likely to interfere with, mislead or confuse drivers.

87.2.13.6 Obsolete Signs. Any appurtenant sign face identifying a use or activity that has not occupied the site for more than six (6) months. Any off-premises sign face advertising an activity that has not taken place for more than six (6) months. Any sign frame that has not been utilized within five (5) years.

87.2.13.7 Signs on Public Roads. Signs, including digital, animated or changeable copy signs, are not permitted on any public road or public road right-of-way, except as permitted by the Department of Public Works. This includes, but is not limited to, permanent signs, portable signs, trailer-mounted signs, and vehicle-mounted signs.

87.2.13.8 Signs on Public Property. Signs, including digital, animated or changeable copy signs are not permitted on any public property; except as permitted by the public agency having jurisdiction or expressly authorized by such public agency.

87.2.13.9 Signs on Natural Features and Other Structures. Signs affixed to or painted on trees, rocks, or other natural features, or on utility poles, street sign poles, traffic signal equipment and poles, or garbage receptacles.

87.2.13.10 Roof Signs. Any sign erected, constructed and placed over the highest point of the roof or parapet of a building or of any architectural feature to which it is affixed.

87.2.13.11 Dilapidated Signs. Signs that have been declared a nuisance as defined by Section 351-3 and must be removed due to inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, or abandonment. (Ord. 2650, § 2, 9/ 1/2020; Ord. 2735, § 2, 4/9/2024)

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