Division 13 — REGULATIONS BY ZONE
Santa Paula Zoning Code · 2026-06 edition · ingested 2026-07-07 · Santa Paula
§ 16.48.620 TRANSFERABILITY OF SIGNAGE RIGHTS. ¶
(A) Wall signs and projecting signs for a single establishment. Signs for one establishment may not be transferred from one establishment to another even if both are located on the same property or share contiguous street frontages or adjacent areas within a building. Any single establishment may increase the otherwise allowable display area of any one permanent sign by up to 10% by transferring the same amount of display area from another sign which the establishment is allowed to display. This does not, however, allow the sign area on any one wall to exceed the per wall area limits set forth in this chapter.
(B) Freestanding signs. By private agreement between establishments, continuous street frontages may be combined to qualify for a freestanding sign, the display face of which may be shared by establishments contributing to the qualifying frontage.
(C) Unusual signs. Unless specifically prohibited, signs that are single, double, multi-faced, curved cylindrical, spherical, triangular or oddly shaped, may be permitted, provided they satisfy all other provisions of this code. (Ord. 1122, passed 10-18-04)
§ 16.48.630 AGRICULTURAL, OPEN SPACE, AND RESIDENTIAL-AGRICULTURE ZONES. ¶
Signs erected in the A-1 (Agricultural), R-A (Residential-Agriculture), and O (Open Space) zones must be constructed or erected in conformance with the standards specified in Table 48-2.
TABLE 48-2
Signs in Agricultural and Open Space Zones
| Zone | Type of Sign and Number Permitted |
Size Restrictions | Size Restrictions | Other Regulations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Area per Sign |
Height Restrictions |
|||
| A-1 (Agricultural) and R-A (Residential- Agriculture) |
1 sign per business | 32 sf | 10 ft. | |
| 2 temporary signs per business |
6 sf | 10 ft. | Each sign must be securely affixed to a structure produce stand and must not be located within any public right-of-way or private road easement. |
|
| O (Open Space) |
Either 1 freestanding sign or 1 monument sign per street or parking lot frontage |
32 sf | Freestanding: 12 ft. Monument: 6 ft. |
Abbreviations: sf = square feet; ft. = feet (Ord. 1122, passed 10-18-04)
§ 16.48.640 RESIDENTIAL ZONES. ¶
Signs in the HR-PD (Hillside Residential Planned Development), R-1 (Single- family Residential), R-1a (Small Lot Single-family Residential), R-2 (Medium Density Multi-family Residential), R-3 (Medium-High Density Multi-family Residential), R-4 (High Density Multi-family Residential) and Mobile Home Park (MHP) zones may be constructed or erected in conformance with the standards specified in Table 48-3.
(Ord. 1122, passed 10-18-04)
§ 16.48.650 GENERAL PROHIBITIONS. ¶
(A) Unless expressly allowed by this section, signs with commercial copy are prohibited in residential zones. Onsite commercial nonconforming signs may remain on display until the business ceases operation.
(B) Unless expressly allowed by this section, illuminated signs are prohibited. Temporary noncommercial signs may be displayed in residential neighborhoods during the time period between November 15 and January 5. Such displays may be illuminated and do not require a permit.
TABLE 48-3
| Signs in Residential Zones by Type of Use | Signs in Residential Zones by Type of Use | Signs in Residential Zones by Type of Use | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Use | Type of Sign and Number Permitted |
Size Restrictions | Other Regulations | |
| Maximum Area per Sign |
Height Restrictions | |||
| Single-family and Duplex Units |
Residential Sign: 2 per lot |
2 sf. | No higher than 5 ft. above the average finished grade level of the lot or building site or 8 ft. above such level if mounted on a building wall. |
Signs must not be constructed of reflective materials, but may be illuminated. However, the illumination source must not exceed 25 watts. |
| Single-family and Duplex Units |
2 on-site directional signs (monument style only) |
80 sf. | 6 ft. above grade maximum |
1. On-site signs must not be located or project beyond the building site nor beyond the ultimate street line, if any. 2. No such sign may be located within 500 ft. of any freeway right-of-way. 3. The term of any permit for such signs is 18 months or when the last of the units in the subdivision is have been sold, whichever occurs first. 4. As a condition for issuing a building permit for such sign, the sign owner must provide the |
| city with a written right of entry to the property. |
||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single-family and Duplex Units |
2 off-site directional signs (monument only) |
36 sf for any combination of signs at a single location |
6 ft. above grade maximum |
Off-site subdivision directional signs must be a minimum of 500 feet apart. |
| Apartment, Condominiums, Townhomes, and similar developments |
1 wall sign per development for identification purposes only |
12 sf | 8 ft. maximum | 1.Such signs must not contain any commercial or advertising copy, other than the occupation of any occupant. 2.Signs may be constructed of reflective materials or illuminated. However, the illumination source must not exceed 25 watts. |
| 1 monument sign per street or parking lot frontage |
32 sf | 6 ft. maximum | ||
| Public or Semi-public Uses in Residential Zone |
1 wall sign per development |
12 sf | 8 ft. maximum | Such signs must not contain any commercial or advertising copy. |
| 1 monument sign per street or parking lot frontage |
32 sf | 6 ft. maximum | ||
Abbreviations: sf = square feet; ft. = feet
(Ord. 1122, passed 10-18-04)
§ 16.48.660 COMMERCIAL ZONES. ¶
(A) Provisions in this section apply to the Neighborhood Commercial (C-N), Commercial Office (C-O), General Commercial (C-G), and Highway Commercial (C-H) zones.
- (B) Signs must be constructed or erected in conformance with the standards specified in Table 48-4.
TABLE 48-4
| Signs in Commercial Zones | Signs in Commercial Zones | Signs in Commercial Zones | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone/Use | Type of Sign and Number Permitted |
Size Restrictions | Other Regulations | |
| Maximum Area per Sign |
Height Restrictions | |||
| C-N (Neighborhood Commercial) |
1 canopy or 1 under- canopy sign per building entrance OR |
Canopy: 0.5 sf per lineal foot of building frontage, with a maximum of 50 sf Under-canopy: 4 sf |
Maximum of 2 ft. for sign face. Maximum of 18 inches projection above canopy fascia. |
Clearance: 8 ft. minimum for pedestrian walkway and 14 ft. minimum for roadway |
| 1 freestanding pole sign per development OR |
20 sf | 12 ft. maximum | A Conditional Use Permit is required |
|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 monument sign per parking lot or street frontage; OR |
24 sf | 6 ft. maximum | None | |
| 1 projecting sign per development OR |
0.5 sf per lineal foot of building frontage, with a maximum of 12 sf |
No sign must project above the roof peak, parapet wall, or facade of the building. No sign must project more than 6 ft. above floor level of the 2nd floor of any multi- story building. |
1. A projecting sign can only be used if no canopy, freestanding, or monument sign exists for the development. 2. Clearance: 8 ft. minimum for pedestrian walkway. 3. No sign must project outward from the face of the building wall or the building facade more than 5 ft. |
|
| C-N | 1 wall sign per building frontage |
1.0 sf per linear foot of building frontage, with a maximum of 50 sf |
No such sign must project above the roof peak, parapet, wall, or facade of the building. |
A total of 2 signs are permitted on corner lots or where 2 tenants occupy a parcel, provided that each sign not exceed 50% of the total allowable maximum wall sign area for the site. |
| C-N | 2 permanent window signs |
The total area of all window signs (temporary and permanent) must not cover more than 20% of the total window area |
Commercial copy for permanent signs limited to business identification |
|
| C-O | 1 canopy or 1 under- canopy sign per building entrance OR |
Canopy: 0.5 sf. per lineal foot of building frontage, with a maximum area of 50 sf. Under-canopy: 4 sf. |
Maximum of 2 ft. for sign face. Maximum of 18 inches projection above canopy fascia. |
Clearance: 8 ft. minimum for pedestrian walkway and 14 ft. minimum for roadway |
| 1 freestanding sign per development; OR |
24 sf. | 15 ft. | A Conditional Use Permit is required. |
|
| 1 monument sign per parking lot or street frontage; OR |
32 sf. | 6 ft. | None | |
| 1 projecting sign per development OR |
0.5 sf per lineal foot of building frontage, with a maximum area of 12 sf. |
No sign must project above the roof peak, parapet wall or facade of the building. No sign must project more than 6 ft. above floor level of the 2nd floor of any multi- story building. |
1. A projecting sign can only be used if no canopy, free- standing, or monument sign exists for the development. 2. Clearance: 8 ft. minimum for pedestrian walkway. 3. No sign must project outward from the face of the building wall or the building facade more than 5 ft. |
|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 wall sign per building frontage AND |
1.0 sf per linear foot of building frontage, with a maximum area of 50 sf |
No such sign must project above the roof peak, parapet, wall, or facade of the building. |
A total of 2 wall signs are permitted on corner lots or where 2 tenants occupy a parcel, provided that each sign not exceed 50% of the total allowable maximum wall sign area for the site. |
|
| C-O | 2 permanent window signs |
The total area of all window signs (temporary and permanent) must not cover more than 20% of the total window area. |
Commercial copy for permanent signs limited to business identification. |
|
| C-G (General Commercial) |
1 canopy or 1 under- canopy sign per building entrance OR |
Canopy: 0.75 sf per lineal foot of building frontage, with a maximum area of 50 sf. Under-canopy: 4 sf. |
Maximum of 2 ft. for sign face. Maximum of 18 inches projection above canopy fascia. |
Clearance: 8 ft. minimum for pedestrian walkway and 14 ft. minimum for roadway |
| 1 projecting sign per development AND |
0.75 sf per lineal foot of building frontage, with a maximum of 18 sf |
No sign must project above the roof peak, parapet wall or facade of the building. No sign must project more than 6 ft. above floor level of the 2nd floor of any multi- story building. |
1. A projecting sign can only be used if no canopy sign exists for the development. 2. Clearance: 8 ft. minimum for pedestrian walkway. 3. No sign must project outward from the face of the building wall or facade more than 5 ft. |
|
| Either 1 freestanding sign per development or 1 monument sign per parking lot or street frontage; AND |
Freestanding: 24 sf Monument: 32 sf |
Freestanding: Height of building or 35 ft., whichever is less Monument: 6 ft. |
A Conditional Use Permit is required for a freestanding sign. |
|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 wall sign per building frontage |
1.0 sf per linear foot of building frontage, with a maximum area of 50 sf |
No sign must project above the roof peak, parapet wall or facade of the building. |
A total of 2 wall signs are permitted on corner lots or where 2 tenants occupy a parcel, provided that each sign not exceed 50% of the total allowable maximum wall sign area for the site. |
| Signs in Commercial Zones | Signs in Commercial Zones | Signs in Commercial Zones | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C-G | 2 permanent window signs |
The total area of all window signs (temporary and permanent) must not cover more than 20% of the total window area. |
Commercial copy for permanent signs limited to business identification. |
|
| C-H (Highway Commercial) |
1 canopy or 2 under- canopy signs per building entrance OR |
Canopy: 1.0 sf per linear foot of building frontage, with a maximum area of 75 sf Under-canopy: 4 sf |
Maximum of 2 ft. for sign face. Maximum of 18 inches projection above canopy fascia. |
Clearance: 8 ft. minimum for pedestrian walkway. |
| 1 projecting sign per development AND |
1.0 sf per lineal foot of building frontage, with a maximum area of 24 sf. |
No sign must project above the roof peak, parapet wall or facade of the building. No sign must project more than 6 ft. above floor level of the 2nd floor of any multi- story building. |
1. A projecting sign can only be used if no canopy sign exists for the development. 2. Clearance: 8 ft. minimum for pedestrian walkway. 3. No sign must project outward from the face of the building wall or the building facade more than 5 ft. |
|
| Either 1 free- standing sign per development; OR |
24 sf | Height of building or 45 ft., whichever is less |
A Conditional Use Permit is required. |
|
| 1 monument sign per parking lot or street frontage; AND |
32 sf | 6 ft. | None | |
| C-H | 1 wall sign per building frontage |
1.5 sf per linear foot of building frontage, with |
No sign must project above the roof peak, |
A total of 2 wall signs are permitted on corner |
| a maximum area of 150 sf |
parapet wall or facade of the building. |
lots or where 2 tenants occupy a parcel, provided that each sign not exceed 50% of the total allowable maximum wall sign area for the site. |
||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
Central Business District
(C) Provisions in this section apply to the CBD (Central Business District) zone.
(D) Unless otherwise provided, a maximum of two signs are permitted for any one business.
(E) Signs must be constructed or erected in conformance with the standards specified in Table 48-5.
TABLE 48-5
Signs in the Central Business District
| Signs | in the Central Business District | in the Central Business District | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone/Use | Type of Sign and Number Permitted |
Size Restrictions | Other Regulations | |
| Maximum Area per Sign |
Height Restrictions | |||
| CBD (Central Business District) |
Canopy sign: 2 per building frontage. |
1 sf per linear foot of building frontage. Sign area must not exceed 50% of the total fascia area |
Maximum letter height of 8 inches. Maximum of 18 inches projection above canopy fascia. |
1. Clearance: 8 ft. minimum for pedestrian walkway. 2. Internal or "back- lit" illumination is prohibited. 3. Sign must be integrated into the design of the awning or canopy. |
| Flush-mounted or painted wall sign: 1 per building frontage. |
1 sf per linear foot of building frontage, with a maximum of 50 sf |
Maximum letter height of 18 inches. |
1. Sign must be located on the building face in area specifically intended for signage, or where such signage will appear integral to the building design. 2. Sign must not block or cover any significant architectural feature of the building. 3. Total lettered space must not exceed 65% of total sign area. |
- "Can" or cabinet type wall signs are not permitted.
| Zone/Use | Type of Sign and Number Permitted |
Size Restrictions | Size Restrictions | Other Regulations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Area per Sign |
Height Restrictions | |||
| CBD (Central Business District) (Continued) |
Projecting sign: 1 per building frontage. |
24 sf. | 6 ft. | 1. If a single-tenant projecting sign exceeds a 2-ft. width, a minimum height-to- width ratio of 2:1 must be maintained. 2. If a hanging sign is used below an awning or fixed canopy, a width- to-height ratio of at least 2:1 must be maintained. 3. Overall height of multi-tenant projecting signs must not exceed 6 ft. Individual signs must not exceed 18 inches in height. 4. The sign may be directly attached to the building face or suspended from decorative brackets. 5. The sign and structural supports must be designed as a compatible unit and be attached to the building in manner that will not damage or compromise the building character. |
| 2 permanent window signs |
The total area of all window signs (temporary and permanent) must not cover more than 20% of the total window area. |
Commercial copy for permanent signs limited to business identification. |
||
| Zone/Use | Type of Sign and Number Permitted |
Size Restrictions | Size Restrictions | Other Regulations |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Maximum Area per Sign |
Height Restrictions | |||
| Menu boards: 1 per table allowed under a sidewalk café permit. |
A maximum of 2 ft x 2 ft per sign. |
1. Permitted only as part of a sidewalk café permit. 2. Signage on the menu board is limited to the name of the business and the items to be sold. 3. Sign location must not obstruct any doorway or be located within the 5 ft pedestrian pathway identified in the sidewalk café permit. 4. Menu boards must not be included in the calculation of sign area. |
Abbreviations: sf = square feet; ft = feet
(Ord. 1122, passed 10-18-04; Am. Ord. 1159, passed 6-19-06; Am. Ord. 1172, passed 7-2-07)
§ 16.48.670 INDUSTRIAL ZONES. ¶
Signs erected in the C/LI (Commercial/Light Industrial), LI (Light Industrial) and I (Heavy Industrial) zones must be constructed or erected in conformance with the standards specified in Table 48-6.
Table 48-6
Signs in Industrial Zones
| Signs in Industrial Zones | Signs in Industrial Zones | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone/Use | Type of Sign and Number Permitted |
Size Restrictions | Other Regulations | |
| Maximum Area per Sign |
Height Restrictions | |||
| C/LI (Commercial/ Light Industrial) |
1 canopy or 1 under- canopy sign per building entrance OR |
Canopy: 1 sf per linear foot of building frontage, with a maximum area of 75 sf Under-canopy: 4 sf |
Maximum of 2 ft. for sign face. Maximum of 18 inches projection above canopy fascia |
Clearance: 8 ft. minimum for pedestrian walkway. |
| 1 projecting sign per development |
1.0 sf per lineal foot of building frontage, with |
No sign must project above the roof peak, |
1. A projecting sign can only be used if no |
|
| AND | a maximum area of 24 sf |
parapet wall or facade of the building. No sign must project more than 6 ft. above floor level of the 2nd floor of any multi- story building. |
canopy sign exists for the development. 2. Clearance: 8 ft. minimum for pedestrian walkway. 3. No sign must project outward from the face of the building wall or the building facade more than 5 ft. |
|
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Either 1 freestanding sign per development OR |
24 sf | Height of building or 30 ft., whichever is less |
A Conditional Use Permit is required. |
|
| 1 monument sign per parking lot or street frontage AND |
32 sf | 6 ft. | ||
| Zone/Use | Type of Sign and Number Permitted |
Size Restrictions | Size Restrictions | Other Regulations |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Maximum Area per Sign |
Height Restrictions | |||
| C/LI | 1 wall sign per building frontage |
1.5 sf per lineal foot of building frontage, with a maximum area of 150 sf |
Such signs must not project above the roof peak, parapet, wall, or facade of the building. |
A total of 2 wall signs are permitted on corner lots or where 2 tenants occupy a parcel, provided that each sign not exceed 50% of the total allowable maximum wall sign area for the site. |
| 2 permanent window signs |
The total area of all window signs (temporary and permanent) must not cover more than 20% of the total window area. |
Commercial copy for permanent signs limited to business identification. |
||
| LI (Light Industrial) | 1 canopy or 1 under- canopy sign per building entrance OR |
Canopy: 0.75 sf per lineal foot of building frontage, with a maximum area of 75 sf Under-canopy: 4 sf. |
Maximum of 2 ft. for sign face. Maximum of 18 inches projection above canopy fascia. |
Clearance: 8 ft. minimum for pedestrian walkway. |
| 1 projecting sign per development AND |
0.75 sf per lineal foot of building frontage, with a maximum area of 18 sf. |
No sign must project above the roof peak, parapet wall or facade of the building. |
1. A projecting sign can only be used if no canopy sign exists for the development. |
|
| No sign must project more than 6 ft. above floor level of the 2nd floor of any multi- story building. |
2. Clearance: 8 ft. minimum for pedestrian walkway. 3. No sign must project outward from the face of the building wall or the building facade more than 5 ft. |
|||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Either 1 freestanding sign per development OR |
24 sf. | Height of building or 30 ft., whichever is less |
A Conditional Use Permit is required. |
|
| 1 monument sign per parking lot or street frontage; AND |
32 sf. | 6 ft. | ||
| Zone/Use | Type of Sign and Number Permitted |
Size Restrictions | Size Restrictions | Other Regulations |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Maximum Area per Sign |
Height Restrictions | |||
| 1 wall sign per building frontage |
1.0 sf per linear foot of building frontage, with a maximum area of 100 sf. |
Such signs must not project above the roof peak, parapet, wall, or facade of the building. |
A total of 2 wall signs are permitted on corner lots or where 2 tenants occupy a parcel, provided that each sign not exceed 50% of the total allowable maximum wall sign area for the site. |
|
| I (Industrial) M-1 (Manufacturing) |
1 canopy or 2 under- canopy signs per building entrance OR |
Canopy: 1.0 sf per linear foot of building frontage, with a maximum area of 100 sf Under-canopy: 4 sf. |
Maximum of 2 ft. for sign face. Maximum of 18 inches projection above canopy fascia |
Clearance: 8 ft. minimum for pedestrian walkway. |
| 1 projecting sign per development |
1.0 sf per lineal foot of building frontage, with a maximum area of 24 sf. |
No sign must project above the roof peak, parapet wall or facade of the building. No sign must project more than 6 ft. above floor level of the 2nd floor of any multi- story building. |
1. A projecting sign can only be used if no canopy sign exists for the development. 2. Clearance: 8 ft. minimum for pedestrian walkway. 3. No sign must project outward from the face of the building wall or |
|
| the building facade more than 5 ft. 4. Where more than 1 sign is permitted per lot or site, the cumulative total sign area must not exceed 1.0 sf per lineal foot of building frontage. |
||||
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Either 1 freestanding sign per development OR |
24 sf. | Height of building or 30 ft., whichever is less |
A Conditional Use Permit is required. |
|
| Zone/Use | Type of Sign and Number Permitted |
Size Restrictions | Size Restrictions | Other Regulations |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Maximum Area per Sign |
Height Restrictions | |||
| I, M-1 | 1 monument sign per parking lot or street frontage AND |
32 sf. | 6 ft. | None |
| Signs in Industrial Zones | Signs in Industrial Zones | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 wall sign per building frontage |
1.0 sf per linear foot of building frontage, with a maximum area of 100 sf. |
No such sign must project above the roof peak, parapet, wall or facade of the building. |
A total of 2 wall signs are permitted on corner lots or where 2 tenants occupy a parcel, provided that each sign not exceed 50% of the total allowable maximum wall sign area for the site. |
Abbreviations: sf = square feet; ft - feet
(Ord. 1122, passed 10-18-04; Am. Ord. 1172, passed 7-2-07)