Article VI

Regulations For Specific Sign Types

The following major sign types are subject to all standards, provisions and conditions specified in this chapter. Additionally, all signs in this article are subject to design review and a sign permit, unless otherwise noted or exempted by MMC § 10.10.350. Design and construction of all signs shall comply with this code and the adopted Uniform Codes.

• A. Maximum Size. Shall comply with the maximum permitted sign area.

• B. Maximum Number. One per canopy or awning face.

• C. Conditions. Shall be placed on, attached to or constructed on a canopy or awning subject to design review and a sign permit. Minimum eight feet of vertical clearance required from bottom of awnings or canopies to adjacent grade. Minimum fourteen feet of vertical clearance required in vehicular passage areas. For internally illuminated awning or canopy signs, see MMC § 10.10.220(B).

• (1976 Code § 10-2.601; Ord. 626 § 2)

• A. Maximum Size. Shall comply with the maximum permitted sign area. Signs may be multifaced provided the surface of each face does not exceed sixty square feet in area, and the total of all faces does not exceed one hundred and twenty square feet. The height of the sign shall not exceed twenty feet above the nearest existing curb grade.

• B. Maximum Number. One sign for each parcel of land in single ownership. One additional sign shall be permitted for interior lots with two hundred and fifty feet or more of street frontage and corner lots with three hundred feet or more of street frontage.

• C. Conditions. Shall be placed entirely upon private property subject to design review and a sign permit. Additionally, a use permit shall be required for all freestanding signs, except those signs noted below, pursuant to MMC § 10.10.060. For signs on a pylon, the vertical clearance of the sign shall be at least ten feet from the nearest curb grade, except where such sign is located over a landscaped area. A minimum of fourteen feet of vertical clearance is required in vehicular passage areas. A use permit shall not be required for: (1) signs less than eight square feet in area and four feet above grade; and (2) noncommercial changeable copy signs less than eight feet high and fifteen square feet in area. Changeable copy letters shall not exceed six inches in height. Such signs shall be located at least five feet from the front and side property lines and not interfere with adequate site distance.

• (1976 Code § 10-2.602; Ord. 626 § 2)

• A. Maximum Size. Shall comply with the maximum permitted sign area.

• B. Maximum Number. One sign per marquee face.

• C. Conditions. Shall be placed on, attached to or constructed on a marquee subject to design

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/MI4538 on 2026-05-11

City of Millbrae, CA

PLANNING AND ZONING

§ 10.10.260

§ 10.10.300

review and a sign permit. Minimum ten feet of vertical clearance required from bottom of sign to grade. Minimum fourteen feet of vertical clearance required in vehicular passage areas. Shall not be closer than two feet from vertical projection of curbline. (1976 Code § 10-2.603; Ord. 626 § 2)

• A. Maximum Size. Shall comply with maximum permitted sign area.

• B. Maximum Number. No maximum.

• C. Conditions. Shall project from building face or wall subject to design review and a sign permit. Signs shall not project more than fifty percent of the distance between the building face and the vertical projection of the curbline, be located less than two feet from the vertical projection of the curbline, nor exceed a projection of six feet from the building face or wall, whichever is the most restrictive. Supports shall be placed in or upon private property. Signs shall not extend above the roof ridge or parapet line of the building, whichever is lower. Minimum ten feet of vertical clearance required from bottom of sign to grade. Minimum fourteen feet of vertical clearance required in vehicular passage areas.

• (1976 Code § 10-2.604; Ord. 626 § 2)

• A. Maximum Size. For commercial properties, residential subdivisions and multifamily zones, other than R-2: thirty-two square feet in area, sixteen feet maximum dimension, and twelve feet above grade.

• B. Maximum Number. One sign for each parcel of land in single ownership, other than R-1 or R-2 zone parcels, or one per one hundred twenty feet of a street frontage.

• C. Conditions. Shall be placed on private property subject to design review and a sign permit. Additionally, a use permit shall be required pursuant to MMC § 10.10.060. Permitted signs shall be removed within thirty days after completion of sales activities or after issuance of an occupancy permit. See MMC § 10.10.300(A) for temporary signs not requiring a sign permit.

(1976 Code § 10-2.605; Ord. 626 § 2)

• A. Maximum Size. Shall comply with the maximum permitted sign area and not exceed six square feet in area.

• B. Maximum Number. One per business frontage.

• C. Conditions. Shall be suspended from the underside of awning, canopy, marquee or similar support subject to design review and a sign permit. Minimum eight feet of vertical clearance required from bottom of sign to grade. Minimum fourteen feet of vertical clearance required in vehicular passage areas.

• (1976 Code § 10-2.606; Ord. 626 § 2)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/MI4538 on 2026-05-11

City of Millbrae, CA § 10.10.300

MILLBRAE CODE

§ 10.10.300

• A. Temporary Signs Not Requiring Design Review or a Sign Permit.

  1. Election Signs. Election signs shall be placed on private property with the consent of the private property owner and/or the occupant of the private property. No signs shall be erected upon any public property or upon any public right-of-way as specified in MMC § 10.10.340(A). Signs shall be removed within ten days following the election by the person who erected the sign or the owner/occupant of the property upon which the sign is erected. Each candidate, campaign committee or authorized representative shall sign an affidavit assuring removal of all election signs.

  2. On-Premises Real Estate Signs. On-premises real estate signs in the R-1 and R-2 zoning districts shall not exceed four square feet in area and six feet in height. All other districts are permitted nine square feet of area and six feet of height if sign is placed on a pole. One sign is permitted per address for each street abutting the premises. The sign shall be displayed on the subject property and is limited to the period such premises is held for sale, rent or lease, and not more than fifteen days thereafter.

  3. Off-Premises Real Estate Signs. Off-premises portable real estate signs shall not exceed four square feet in area. Two such signs are permitted per address and shall be displayed only between the hours of eight a.m. and five p.m. on a day when an open house is held. Such signs shall be placed on private property; however, if private property is not physically available, one of the two portable signs may be placed on public property in a safe manner that does not obstruct or interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Nonconforming signs may be administratively removed and retained by the Millbrae police department for a period of up to fourteen days. A fee, the amount of which is set forth in a resolution approved by the city council, shall be assessed to release the sign. If the sign is not retrieved by its owner within fourteen days of its removal, the police department may dispose of the sign.

  4. Temporary Window Signs (for exterior display located in, on or within two feet of any glazed window or door). Temporary window signs, located on the ground floor of commercial and industrial businesses, which cover ten percent or less of any glazed window or door area shall be permitted without design review or a sign permit. Signs may be displayed for a period of time not exceeding thirty days for the same material. A thirty-day period shall lapse before display of the same sign. Noncommercial signs shall not be included in the percentage limitation.

oor of commercial and industrial businesses, which cover ten percent or less of any glazed window or door area shall be permitted without design review or a sign permit. Signs may be displayed for a period of time not exceeding thirty days for the same material. A thirty-day period shall lapse before display of the same sign. Noncommercial signs shall not be included in the percentage limitation.

• B. Temporary Signs Requiring a Temporary Sign Permit. No person shall erect exterior signs or banners, temporary window signs which exceed ten percent window coverage, special occasion pennants, flags, balloons, streamers, spinners, ribbons, portable signs or the like without first complying with all portions of this chapter and then obtaining a temporary sign permit from the community development department pursuant to MMC § 10.10.050. The temporary sign permit shall be limited to sixty calendar days per year, per address. Signs may be displayed for one consecutive sixty-day period or any combination so designated by the applicant. Signs and banners shall not be freestanding or placed in the public right-of-way or on public property. Signs and banners shall be securely fastened and provide adequate vertical clearance where necessary. Each sign is limited to one per street frontage and a maximum of thirty-two square feet.

• C. Temporary Street Banners. No person shall erect or maintain any sign or banner over,

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/MI4538 on 2026-05-11

City of Millbrae, CA

PLANNING AND ZONING

§ 10.10.300

§ 10.10.320

across or above any public street, alley or other public place for any purpose whatsoever, without first obtaining written approval from the Department of Public Works. The department of public works may, upon receipt of a complete application and proof of insurance, issue a sign permit for the erection and maintenance of a street banner or similar device at the designated banner location (Broadway near Hillcrest Boulevard) if such device is to be maintained in connection with an event of a general civic and/or public nature conducted within the city. The department of public works may establish written conditions for such sign permit as may be necessary to assure compliance with the purposes of this chapter.

(1976 Code § 10-2.607; Ord. 626 § 2)

• A. Maximum Size. Shall comply with the maximum permitted sign area.

• B. Maximum Number. No maximum.

• C. Conditions. Shall be placed on, attached to or constructed on a wall or building subject to design review and a sign permit. Shall be located approximately parallel with the building face, with the exception of a V-type sign which may project a maximum of eighteen inches from the building face. Shall not extend above the roof ridge or parapet line of the building, whichever is lower.

(1976 Code § 10-2.608; Ord. 626 § 2)

• A. Maximum Size. Shall comply with the maximum permitted sign area. For temporary window signs, see MMC § 10.10.300.

• B. Maximum Number. No maximum.

• C. Conditions. Shall be placed in, on or within two feet of any ground floor window or door area subject to design review and a sign permit. Signs shall not exceed twenty-five percent window coverage on any glazed window or door area.

• (1976 Code § 10-2.609; Ord. 626 § 2)

Downloaded from https://ecode360.com/MI4538 on 2026-05-11

City of Millbrae, CA

§ 10.10.330

§ 10.10.330

PLANNING AND ZONING