Earlier editions: 2026-09
Title 17 — Zoning›Chapter 17.40 — COMPREHENSIVE SIGN REGULATIONS
Poway Municipal Code § 17.40.180 Comprehensive sign program
Poway Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Poway
Cite as: Poway Municipal Code § 17.40.180 · Text as of 2026-10-04
§ 17.40.140. Sign permits.¶
Sign permits may be issued for signs included under this article provided the signs are in compliance with all other applicable laws and ordinances.
(Ord. 82 § 1 (Exh. A), 1983; Ord. 113 §§ 1 (Exh. A 7.4(A)), 3, 1983; Ord. 427 (Exh. A), 1993; Ord. 739 § 2, 2012)
§ 17.40.150. Signs permitted in all zoning districts.¶
The signs mentioned in PMC §§ 17.40.170 through 17.40.210 may be permitted in any zoning district.
These signs are in addition to those signs expressly permitted in each zoning district and are subject to the provisions listed in PMC §§ 17.40.170 through 17.40.210.
(Ord. 82 § 1 (Exh. A), 1983; Ord. 113 §§ 1 (Exh. A 7.4(A)), 3, 1983; Ord. 427 (Exh. A), 1993; Ord. 482 § 2(F), 1997; Ord. 739 § 2, 2012)
§ 17.40.170. Directional kiosks.¶
The City may install, or cause to be installed upon public right-of-way or other public property, kiosks which provide traffic direction to public or semipublic facilities or events and/or areas of the City or which identify public or semipublic transportation services. Kiosk inserts directing the public to the South Poway area, the downtown business area, civic center area, Lake Poway area, Performing Arts Center, Old Poway area, rodeo area or other public or semipublic areas or events are specifically permitted. All kiosks, including those permitted under this section, under PMC § 17.40.190(G) for community special events and under PMC § 17.40.210 concerning off-site real estate signage, shall be of consistent design and shall be installed and maintained under the direct supervision of the City.
(Ord. 427 (Exh. A), 1993; Ord. 525 § 7, 2000; Ord. 739 § 2, 2012)
§ 17.40.180. Comprehensive sign program.¶
A comprehensive sign program shall be developed for all shopping, or office, centers consisting of four or more tenant spaces. The purpose of the program shall be to integrate signs with building and landscaping design into a unified architectural unit. This shall be achieved by:
A. Using the same type of cabinet supports, or method of mounting for signs of the same type, or by using the same type of construction material for components, such as sign copy, cabinets and supports, or by using dissimilar signing determined compatible by the Director of Development Services;
B. Using the same form of illumination for all signs, or by using varied forms of illumination determined compatible by the Director of Development Services.
(Ord. 82 § 1 (Exh. A(2)), 1983; Ord. 113 §§ 1 (Exh. A 7.4), 3, 1983; Ord. 427 (Exh. A), 1993; Ord. 518, 1999; Ord. 739 § 2, 2012)
§ 17.40.190. Temporary signs.¶
Temporary signs, which include banners and other advertising devices identified in this chapter, may be approved for a limited period of time as a means of publicizing special events such as grand openings, new management, sales, Christmas tree lots, multifamily residential leasing, and community special events that are to take place within the City.
A. General Requirements.
Approval. To apply for approval of temporary signs, the applicant shall submit a letter to the Director of Development Services which describes the size, appearance and location of the proposed signage by means of a sketch and written description, and which indicates the display dates. The Director of Development Services shall review the request within two working days after receipt and approve, approve with modification or deny the request.
Enforcement. Signs which are installed or displayed without approval of the Director of Development Services are in violation of this section and are subject to issuance of a citation or other enforcement action as described in Chapter 17.54 PMC.
Maintenance. Temporary signage shall be maintained in good condition.
Log of Usage. The Development Services Department shall maintain a log of temporary signage approved for each business, other than those addressed in subsections D and E of this section, and for multifamily residential leasing activity. If the Development Services Department is notified, prior to installation of the temporary signs, that the signage will not be used, the application will be canceled and the signage not deducted from the total number of days of temporary signage available. If signage is installed without approval of the Development Services Department it shall be deducted from the total number of days available at a rate of two days for every one weekday unapproved signs are displayed and at a rate of four days for every one weekend day unapproved signs are displayed.
B. Type of Signage Allowed. The type of signage that may be displayed by a business shall be as follows:
| Grand Opening | Promotional Sales | Christmas Tree Lots and Pumpkin Patches | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consecutive days | 30 | N/A | 40 |
| Frequency | 1 time | N/A | 1 per season |
| One banner, and balloons on strings under 3 feet in length | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pennants | Yes | No | No |
| Strings of outdoor lights | Yes | No | Yes |
| One on-site, freestanding special event sign (≤ 32 square feet and ≤ 8 feet high) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Ground-mounted inflatable advertising devices | Yes | No | No |
| Roof-mounted inflatable advertising devices | No | No | No |
| Strings of balloons | No | No | No |
| Search lights | Yes | No | No |
C. Building-Mounted Banners.
- Size. The maximum size banner that may be displayed will depend on the width of the store front, or the multifamily building, on which it is to be displayed and shall be according to the following table:
| Maximum Size Banner Allowed (square feet) | Store or Building Width (feet) |
|---|---|
| 20 | ≤ 15 |
| 25 | > 15 and ≤ 20 |
| 30 | > 20 and ≤ 35 |
| 35 | > 35 and ≤ 50 |
| 45 | > 50 and ≤ 75 |
| 50 | > 75 and ≤ 100 |
| 55 | > 100 and ≤ 150 |
| 60 | > 150 and ≤ 250 |
| 65 | > 250 |
Number. No more than one banner may be displayed by a business or multifamily site at one time except that the City Council may approve the display of a second banner for businesses in freestanding buildings located at the intersection of two circulation element streets.
Appearance and Mounting. Banners shall be attached to the building, parallel to the walls of the business they are advertising or wall of the multifamily building that is being leased. Banners may not be installed on a wall which is on the property line. In all cases, banners shall be mounted with all four corners secure and so that they are level, do not sag, and are pulled taut into a straight line across the top, with the top and bottom edges of the banner parallel to each other.
Days Allowed. Businesses and multifamily sites may display temporary signage for up to 75 days per year in addition to signage permitted for a “grand opening” as defined in this chapter.
D. Temporary Signage for Motor Vehicle Dealerships, and Other Retail Businesses Engaging in City-Approved Outdoor Product Display.
Days Allowed. Temporary signage may be displayed each Friday, Saturday, Sunday and City holiday. No temporary signage shall be allowed Monday through Thursday, excepting City holidays, unless otherwise allowed for a special promotional parking lot sales event pursuant to PMC § 17.26.030.
Type of Signage Allowed. One banner, not to exceed 65 square feet in area, may be displayed and each vehicle or outdoor display area may have either a flag or pennant not exceeding 12 inches by 17 inches, or a balloon on a string under three feet in length.
E. Temporary Signage for Off-Site Sales Events. For off-site motor vehicle, recreational vehicle and/or boat sales events, inflatables (either tethered or mounted on the ground) may be displayed at the off-site location, in addition to normal temporary signage. This special event signage may not be displayed for more than four days per event.
F. Advertising Kiosks. As part of a comprehensive sign program, the Director of Development Services may approve a structure designated for the display of a limited number of temporary signs by businesses in shopping, or office, centers. The following regulations shall apply to advertising kiosks, in addition to any specific conditions called out in the comprehensive sign program:
The design of the kiosk must be consistent with the design of the other freestanding signs in the center and with the applicable design standards in an applicable specific plan.
Kiosks may not exceed eight feet in height nor 40 square feet in area.
The range of street addresses to be found within the center shall be prominently displayed on the top of each kiosk.
No more than three signs may be displayed per kiosk. Signs shall be in the form of rigid panels which slide into the sign structure.
Advertisement on the kiosk is an alternative to, not an addition to, the display of a banner on the storefront.
G. Community special events, as defined in this chapter, may be advertised on the community events kiosks provided by the City. Additional off-site, freestanding signs shall be permitted as follows:
A total of seven freestanding signs shall be permitted at major entrances to the City and one sign shall be permitted at a centrally located area in the City. At no time may more than one sign be displayed at each location.
Signs shall be no more than eight feet high and 24 square feet in area.
No sign shall contain commercial advertising nor may the name or logo of any commercial sponsor or co-sponsor be displayed.
Signs may be installed not more than 30 days before the scheduled beginning of the event and shall be removed within seven days after the conclusion of the event.
(Ord. 82 § 1 (Exh. A), 1983; Ord. 113 §§ 1 (Exh. A 7.4), 3, 1983; Ord. 427 (Exh. A), 1993; Ord. 443, 1995; Ord. 482 § 2(G), 1997; Ord. 661 § 8, 2007; Ord. 739 § 2, 2012)
§ 17.40.200. On-site subdivision signs.¶
A. One temporary on-site subdivision sign not to exceed 64 square feet total for two sides or 32 square feet for one side and a total overall height of 12 feet may be permitted on each circulation element street frontage of the property being subdivided, not to exceed two such signs for all phases of any subdivision; otherwise a maximum of one sign is permitted.
B. Such sign shall be for the identification of a subdivision, price information and the developer’s name, address and telephone number.
C. Such signs shall be removed within 10 calendar days from the date of the final sale of the land and/or residences or within 24 months, whichever comes first. Extensions of 12 months may be approved by the Director of Development Services.
D. Signs shall be maintained in good repair at all times.
E. A cash deposit of $300.00 per sign shall be deposited with the sign application to ensure compliance with this chapter and removal of such sign. The deposit shall be refunded to the applicant upon sign removal by the applicant. If the City is forced to remove any signs, then the cost of removal shall be deducted from the deposit.
(Ord. 82 § 1 (Exh. A), 1983; Ord. 113 §§ 1 (Exh. A 7.4(4)), 3, 1983; Ord. 427 (Exh. A), 1993; Ord. 518, 1999; Ord. 739 § 2, 2012)
§ 17.40.210. Real estate kiosks.¶
A. Off-site direction signage to real estate subdivisions may be provided through participation in the kiosk program established by the City.
B. All off-site subdivision signs not conforming to this chapter shall be deemed a public nuisance and removed.
C. Participation in the kiosk program shall be allowed until the units within the subdivision are sold out, or for a period of 24 months, whichever comes first. Extensions of 12 months may be approved by the Director of Development Services.
(Ord. 82 § 1 (Exh. A), 1983; Ord. 113 §§ 1 (Exh. A 7.4(5)), 3, 1983; Ord. 427 (Exh. A), 1993; Ord. 518, 1999; Ord. 739 § 2, 2012)
§ 17.40.220. Signs permitted in single-family residential, open space-recreation, and…¶
The following performance standards shall be met in all cases in the single-family residential, open space-recreation, and public facility zones:
| Class | Sign Type | Maximum Number | Maximum Sign Area in Sq. Ft. | Maximum Height | Other Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Institutional signs for private schools, churches, government facilities, and other similar uses | Wall | 1 of either a wall or freestanding sign per street frontage, with a maximum of 2 | 20 square feet | Below roofline | Street address shall be incorporated into the face or structure of the sign. May incorporate electric or nonelectric changeable copy for events and time of events. |
| 1. Institutional signs for private schools, churches, government facilities, and other similar uses | Freestanding | 1 of either a wall or freestanding sign per street frontage, with a maximum of 2 | 24 square feet for identification; 36 square feet with changeable copy | 6 feet | Street address shall be incorporated into the face or structure of the sign. May incorporate electric or nonelectric changeable copy for events and time of events. |
| 2. Area identification | Wall | 1 of either a wall or freestanding sign per development entrance, with a maximum of 2 | 36 square feet | 6 feet | |
| 2. Area identification | Freestanding | 1 of either a wall or freestanding sign per development entrance, with a maximum of 2 | 36 square feet | 4 feet | |
| 3. School identification | Wall | 1 of either a wall or freestanding sign per street frontage, with a maximum of 2 | 20 square feet | Below roofline | Street address shall be incorporated into the face or structure of the sign. To be located no closer than 5 feet from the property line. May incorporate electric or nonelectric changeable copy for events and time of events. |
| 3. School identification | Freestanding | 1 of either a wall or freestanding sign per street frontage, with a maximum of 2 | 50 square feet | 20 feet | Street address shall be incorporated into the face or structure of the sign. To be located no closer than 5 feet from the property line. May incorporate electric or nonelectric changeable copy for events and time of events. |
| 4. Nonconforming commercial uses | Wall | 1 | 18 square feet | Below roofline | |
| 4. Nonconforming commercial uses | Freestanding | 1 | 18 square feet | 6 feet |
(Ord. 82 § 1 (Exh. A), 1983; Ord. 113 §§ 1 (Exh. A 7.4(B)), 3, 1983; Ord. 427 (Exh. A), 1993; Ord. 739 § 2, 2012)
§ 17.40.230. Signs permitted in the multifamily and mobile home park zones.¶
The following performance standards shall be met in all cases in the multifamily and mobile home park zones:
| Class | Sign Type | Maximum Number | Maximum Sign Area in Sq. Ft. | Maximum Height | Other Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Multifamily | Signs shall be in harmony with the scale and design of the development. Street address shall be incorporated into the face or structure of the sign. | ||||
| 1. Multifamily | Wall | 1 of either a wall or freestanding sign per street frontage, with a maximum of 2 per development | 12 square feet for 12 units or less; 24 square feet for more than 12 units | Not above the roofline | Freestanding signs shall be placed no closer than 5 feet to the property line. |
| 1. Multifamily | Freestanding | 1 of either a wall or freestanding sign per street frontage, with a maximum of 2 per development | 12 square feet for 12 units or less; 24 square feet for more than 12 units | 8 feet | Freestanding signs shall be placed no closer than 5 feet to the property line. |
| 2. Mobile home park | Wall | 1 per development entrance | 36 square feet | 6 feet | Street address shall be incorporated into the face or structure of the sign. |
| 2. Mobile home park | Freestanding | 1 per development entrance | 36 square feet | 4 feet | Street address shall be incorporated into the face or structure of the sign. |
(Ord. 82 § 1 (Exh. A), 1983; Ord. 113 §§ 1 (Exh. A 7.4(C)), 3, 1983; Ord. 427 (Exh. A), 1993; Ord. 739 § 2, 2012)
§ 17.40.240. Signs permitted in commercial zones.¶
The following performance standards shall be met in all cases in the commercial zones:
| Class | Sign Type | Maximum Number | Maximum Sign Area | Maximum Height | Other Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Businesses (not within shopping centers) | Wall signs and freestanding signs shall be architecturally designed to be compatible with the development. | ||||
| 1. Businesses (not within shopping centers) | Wall | Each building face and/ |
Combined total area of all signs on each building face and/ |
Not to project above the roofline | Illuminated signs shall not be permitted on walls which face, and are visible to, abutting residentially zoned property. |
| 1. Businesses (not within shopping centers) | Freestanding | 1 per street frontage, with a maximum of 2 per site. An additional sign may be permitted along the street frontage of a major arterial, as designated in the City General Plan, provided all the following exist: the site frontage along the major arterial is more than 300 feet, there are at least 2 driveways providing access to the site from the major arterial, and the sign would be no closer than 100 feet to any other freestanding sign. | 40 square feet | 8 feet or up to 15 feet in accordance with PMC § 17.40.020(A) and 17.40.260(G) | Freestanding signs shall be placed on the subject property and shall not overhang other private property. Street addresses shall be incorporated into the face or structure of each freestanding sign in numerals at least 6 inches high. The area dedicated to the street address shall not be included in the square footage calculation for purposes of complying with the maximum sign area limitation. |
| 2. Businesses within shopping centers | All shopping centers shall develop a comprehensive sign program for all tenants and uses. | ||||
| 2. Businesses within shopping centers | Wall | Each building face and/ |
Combined total area of all signs on each building face and/ |
Not to project above the roofline | All shopping centers with four or more tenants shall develop a comprehensive sign program. Illuminated signs shall not be permitted on building walls which face, and are visible to, abutting residentially zoned property. |
| 2. Businesses within shopping centers | Freestanding | 1 per street frontage, not to exceed 3 per shopping center. An additional sign may be permitted along the street frontage of a major arterial, as designated in the City General Plan, provided all the following exist: the site frontage along the major arterial is more than 300 feet, there are at least 2 driveways providing access to the site from the major arterial, and the sign would be no closer than 100 feet to any other freestanding sign. | 65 square feet | 8 feet, or up to 15 feet in accordance with PMC § 17.40.020(A) and 17.40.260(G) | Street addresses shall be incorporated into the face or structure of each freestanding sign in numerals at least 6 inches high. The area dedicated to the street address shall not be included in the square footage calculation for purposes of complying with the maximum sign area limitation. All copy on a freestanding sign shall be in letters/ |
| 3. Businesses within office centers | All office centers with four or more tenants shall develop a comprehensive sign program. | ||||
| 3. Businesses within office centers | Wall | Each building frontage, which faces a street or main parking lot, shall be permitted multiple wall signs | Combined total area of all signs on each building face and/ |
Not to project above the roofline | Illuminated signs shall not be permitted on building walls which face, and are visible to, abutting residentially zoned property. |
| 3. Businesses within office centers | Freestanding | 1 per street frontage with a maximum of 2. An additional sign may be permitted along the street frontage of a major arterial, as designated in the City General Plan, provided all the following exist: the site frontage along the major arterial is more than 300 feet, there are at least 2 driveways providing access to the site from the major arterial, and the sign would be no closer than 100 feet to any other freestanding sign. | 40 square feet | 8 feet, or up to 15 feet in accordance with PMC § 17.40.020(A) and 17.40.260(G) | Street addresses shall be incorporated into the face or structure of each freestanding sign in numerals at least 6 inches high. The area dedicated to the street address shall not be included in the square footage calculation for purposes of complying with the maximum sign area limitation. |
| 3. Businesses within office centers | Directory (wall or freestanding) | 3 per building | 12 square feet | Placed on the wall at main entrances or freestanding. Limited to listing the tenant’s name and suite name. Directed at pedestrian traffic. | |
| 4. Service station | Freestanding | 1 per street frontage, not to exceed a total of 2 per station | 40 square feet | 8 feet, or up to 15 feet in accordance with PMC § 17.40.020(A) and 17.40.260(G) | |
| 4. Service station | Price sign (freestanding) | 1 per street frontage, not to exceed a total of 2 per station | 16 square feet for price sign | 8 feet, or up to 15 feet in accordance with PMC § 17.40.020(A) and 17.40.260(G) | |
| 4. Service station | Special service signs (wall or freestanding signs) | 3 for each pump island | 4 square feet | If mounted on a wall or pole of the canopy it shall be no higher than 8 feet. Freestanding signs shall not exceed 3 feet in height. | Special service signs shall be limited to such items as self-service, full-serve, air, water, cashier and shall be nonilluminated. |
| 5. Motion picture or play house theater | Wall | Each building face and/ |
15 percent of the building face, not to exceed 150 square feet | Not to project above the roofline | May include electric or nonelectric reader board or changeable copy sign to display current and coming attractions. |
| 5. Motion picture or play house theater | Current coming attraction (wall) | 4 | 8 square feet | 8 feet | Nonelectric reader board/ |
| 5. Motion picture or play house theater | Freestanding | 1 | 40 square feet | 8 feet | |
| 6. Auto dealerships | Wall | Each building face and/ |
15 percent of building face not to exceed 150 square feet per face | Not to project above roofline | |
| 6. Auto dealerships | Freestanding | 2 | 40 square feet | 8 feet, or up to 15 feet in accordance with PMC § 17.40.020(A) and 17.40.260(G) | Must be set back at least 20 feet from side property line and separated by at least 100 feet from other freestanding signs. Street addresses shall be incorporated into the face or structure of each freestanding sign in numerals at least 6 inches high. The area dedicated to the street address shall not be included in the square footage calculation for purposes of complying with the maximum sign area limitation. |
| 6. Auto dealerships | Convenience | As needed to direct traffic to services, customer parking, etc. | 6 square feet | 5 feet | |
| 7. Drive-through restaurants | Menu board | 2 per drive-through lane | 40 square feet | 8 feet | Directed at drive-through traffic and screened from public street. |
| 8. Additional signs for auto dealerships and other commercial businesses with outdoor display that is permitted by the underlying zone | Suspended banner | One per business | 60 square feet | No higher than the light pole to which the banner is attached | Banner suspended between 2 light poles Not attached to any tree or other landscaping Banner to provide a minimum of 13.5 feet clearance over any drive aisle Located only within the outdoor product display area |
| 8. Additional signs for auto dealerships and other commercial businesses with outdoor display that is permitted by the underlying zone | Light pole banner | One banner, or pair of banners for each light pole | 16 square feet total for each light pole | No higher than the light pole to which the banner is attached | Banner hung on a single light pole Located only within the outdoor product display area |
| 8. Additional signs for auto dealerships and other commercial businesses with outdoor display that is permitted by the underlying zone | Tent | One per business | 600 square feet | 20 feet | May incorporate signage No banner or other advertising device to be attached to the tent Located only within the outdoor product display area |
(Ord. 82 § 1 (Exh. A), 1983; Ord. 113 §§ 1 (Exh. A 7.4(D)), 3, 1983; Ord. 427 (Exh. A), 1993; Ord. 482 § 2(H), (I), 1997; Ord. 495, 1998; Ord. 739 § 2, 2012; Ord. 768 § 2, 2014)
§ 17.40.250. Signs permitted in industrial zones.¶
Repealed by Ord. 674.
(Ord. 82 § 1 (Exh. A), 1983; Ord. 113 §§ 1 (Exh. A 7.4(E)), 3, 1983; Ord. 427 (Exh. A), 1993)
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