Burlingame — Signage

Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Burlingame’s zoning code allows and prohibits for signs, where different rules apply by zoning district, and what applicants must supply. The local rules live in the City’s sign chapter: Title 25, Chapter 25.42 (Signs); the rules cover exemptions, prohibited signs, sign permits, calculation of sign area/height, temporary signs, and district-specific permanent sign tables. See the rules on permits, frontage calculations, and area limits in § 25.42.050, § 25.42.070, and § 25.42.080 respectively.

Note: this page sticks to sign rules in the Burlingame zoning/planning ordinance only; for building-code electrical/structural requirements see the California Building Standards Code. /us/california/building-codes

How the sign chapter is organized (short)

• Purpose, applicability and exemptions: § 25.42.010 and § 25.42.020.
• General rules (animated/changeable copy, vehicle signs, public ROW): § 25.42.030–§ 25.42.040.
• Sign permit, frontage calculations and permit application requirements: § 25.42.050.
• Measurement rules (area, height, multi‑faced signs): § 25.42.070.
• Permanent and temporary sign standards and district tables: § 25.42.080 and § 25.42.090.

Because the maximum allowed signage depends on frontage and district, applicants must confirm whether the applicable measurement is parcel frontage (used for freestanding signs) or building frontage (used for building-mounted signs) under § 25.42.050.D.

(Where the rules refer to other subjects — e.g., parking, development setbacks, design review, overlays, ADUs, or historic controls — confirm applicable local procedures and any overlapping requirements: see Burlingame Parking, Burlingame Development Standards, Burlingame Design Review, Burlingame Overlay Districts, Burlingame ADUs, and Burlingame Historic Preservation.) /us/california/burlingame/parking /us/california/burlingame/development-standards /us/california/burlingame/design-review /us/california/burlingame/overlay-districts /us/california/burlingame/adu /us/california/burlingame/historic-preservation

District-by-district breakdown (what to expect)

Below are the most decision-relevant districts from the sign chapter with the practical takeaways. For every rule below the controlling ordinance citation is shown so you can check the exact table and text.

Residential: R-1 and R-2

• Purpose / where used: single-family and lower-density residential neighborhoods. See permitted sign types limited to protect residential character. § 25.42.080.F.
• Typical permitted signs: only exempt signs (see § 25.42.020), noncommercial signs, and limited freestanding signs for nonresidential uses. § 25.42.080.F.
• Key dimensional standards:
  • Freestanding sign counts and size vary by parcel area; smaller parcels are limited. Example limits: parcels < 10,000 sf: 1 freestanding sign, max 15 sf; larger parcels may have more and up to 50 sf (see Table 25.42-1). § 25.42.080.F.
  • Maximum freestanding sign height: 7 ft (no portion above first story or 12 ft, see table). § 25.42.080.F.
• Where it applies: City residential neighborhoods zoned R-1 and R-2. Verify parcel area brackets in Table 25.42‑1. § 25.42.080.

Residential multi-family: R-3 and R-4

• Purpose / where used: medium- and higher-density residential (apartments/condos). § 25.42.080.H.
• Typical permitted signs: exempt signs, noncommercial signs, limited freestanding and wall signs. § 25.42.080.H.
• Key dimensional standards (Table 25.42‑2):
  • Up to 3 signs per frontage (one may be two-sided monument), sizes generally limited to 15 sf on small parcels and 0.5 sf per lineal foot of parcel frontage on larger parcels with stated maxima (e.g., 25–50 sf per side depending on parcel size). § 25.42.080.
  • Maximum freestanding sign height: typically 7–12 ft depending on the table/parcel. § 25.42.080.

Neighborhood & corridor commercial cluster: C-1, BMU, CMU, BRMU, NBMU, HMU, MMU, CR, DAC, CAC, BAC (and similar)

• Purpose / where used: neighborhood, corridor, mixed-use and center commercial zones where signs advertise tenants and businesses. § 25.42.080.I.
• Typical permitted signs: wall signs, awning/canopy/marquee signs, projecting signs, limited monument signs; pole signs prohibited. § 25.42.080.I.
• Key dimensional standards (Table 25.42‑3 highlights):
  • Wall/awning/projecting signs: measured against tenant frontage. Primary frontage allowance: 1.5 sf per lineal foot of tenant frontage (maximums apply); secondary frontage: 0.75 sf per lineal foot (maximums apply). At least 30 sf of total sign area per frontage is allowed to cover narrow-front tenants. § 25.42.080.I.
  • Monument sign rules depend on parcel frontage (examples: 50 sf per side with heights like 6 ft or 8 ft depending on street). § 25.42.080.I.
  • Illumination: internally or externally allowed in limited ways; signs shall not be animated or flashing. § 25.42.080.I.5.
• Where it applies: commercial strips, mixed-use nodes — check the specific district abbreviation in the tables for exact numbers. § 25.42.080.

Commercial arterial/auto retail: CAR

• Purpose / where used: auto-oriented and larger commercial parcels (e.g., Broadway/California Drive areas). § 25.42.080 (Table 25.42‑4).
• Typical permitted signs: wall, awning, projecting, monument and pylon signs (with special limits). § 25.42.080.
• Key dimensional standards:
  • Example: a pylon sign may be allowed but counts as 2 signs and each side is counted in the total sign area; pylon signs prohibited on parcel frontages < 150 ft; single-side limit of 250 sf for freestanding in some CAR/BFC areas. § 25.42.080.
  • Pylon supports must be architecturally compatible (no single‑pole pylon) per the CAR table. § 25.42.080.

Bayfront Commercial / Bayfront (BFC)

• Purpose / where used: Bayfront employment/retail areas with special allowances for larger signs. § 25.42.080.K.
• Typical permitted signs: larger freestanding and building signs, but pole signs are prohibited unless legally nonconforming (special rules apply to pre‑existing pole signs). § 25.42.080.K.
• Key dimensional standards:
  • Maximum single sign or side typically capped at 250 sf; allowed totals by frontage — see table for parcel frontage bands and the maximum total sign area per frontage (e.g., 100 sf up to 500 sf for larger frontages). § 25.42.080.K.
  • No sign may extend above the roof line; off‑premise advertising is prohibited. § 25.42.080 and § 25.42.040.

Essential numeric quick-reference table

Always check the full district table in § 25.42.080 for the exact frontage band and parcel size that applies to a specific property.

Key programmatic rules and interpretations (plain-English synthesis)

• Sign permits: nearly all non‑exempt signs require a sign permit from the Director (sign permit required; limited exemptions are listed in § 25.42.020). § 25.42.050.B.
• Calculations: sign area is measured by face rules in § 25.42.070 (double‑faced, multi‑faced and 3‑D signs have specific measurement rules); only one face is used for typical double‑faced signs unless faces differ. § 25.42.070.
• Frontage basis: freestanding (ground/monument/pylon) signs use parcel frontage, while building-mounted signs use building frontage. That matters for allowable totals — make sure you know which frontage applies. § 25.42.050.D.
• Prohibited features: animated/moving signs, flashing lights, most digital/changeable copy (fuel price signs and theater marquees excepted), roof/above‑roof/sky signs, and off‑premises advertising are generally prohibited. § 25.42.040.
• Illumination: internal or external illumination is allowed in many commercial districts with limits; exterior lighting must be downward-directed and shielded; interior illumination of wall signs is generally prohibited; automated shutoff between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. is required for sign illumination. § 25.42.080.
• Master sign program: for multi-tenant projects or special cases, a master sign program may be approved if it meets findings (visual compatibility, safety, not exceeding prohibited signs, etc.). The findings required for approval are listed in § 25.42.060.

Where the sign chapter defers to or intersects other programs (e.g., design review or public-right-of-way encroachment permits for awnings, or historic‑overlay limits), you must obtain any required approvals — consult Burlingame Design Review, the encroachment permit process, and the historic preservation rules as applicable. /us/california/burlingame/design-review /us/california/burlingame/historic-preservation

Checklist (what an applicant must submit / satisfy for a permanent sign permit)

• Confirm zoning district and whether parcel or building frontage applies (frontage rules) § 25.42.050.D.
• Check sign type is allowed in your district (see § 25.42.080 tables for district) and that the sign is not in the prohibited list § 25.42.040.
• Prepare sign permit application with owner consent, contractor info, site plan showing all existing and proposed signs, measurements (height, area), and percentage of signable area (see § 25.42.050.F for required application content). § 25.42.050.F.
• Calculate sign area using the rules in § 25.42.070 (double-faced, multi-faced, and 3‑D measurement rules). § 25.42.070.
• Confirm illumination strategy meets § 25.42.080 requirements (downward/shielded, no flashing; auto shutoff 10:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m.). § 25.42.080.
• If the sign projects into the public right‑of‑way (awnings/canopies), secure an encroachment permit and ensure minimum vertical clearance and projection limits are met; awning rules reference California Building Standards Code for structural compliance. § 25.42.080.B. /us/california/building-codes
• If part of a multi‑tenant project wanting an above‑first‑story sign or nonstandard layout, prepare a master sign program and meet the findings in § 25.42.060. § 25.42.060.
• Verify any overlay or historic district constraints and obtain design review if required. /us/california/burlingame/overlay-districts /us/california/burlingame/design-review

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Burlingame’s sign rules say most signs need a permit, the allowed sign area and number depend on your zoning district and frontage length, animated or digital changeable signs are mostly banned, illumination is tightly controlled, and special projects can use a master sign program if they meet the ordinance findings. Check the district table in § 25.42.080 and submit the permit packet required by § 25.42.050.

Source References

• Burlingame Municipal Code — Sign chapter (Title 25, Chapter 25.42): purpose, applicability, and general provisions — § 25.42.010, § 25.42.020.
• Sign permit requirements and frontage calculations — § 25.42.050 (application content and frontage rules).
• Measurement rules for sign area and height — § 25.42.070.
• Permanent sign types and district tables — § 25.42.080 (Tables 25.42‑1 through 25.42‑7; R‑district and C‑district tables highlighted).
• Prohibited signs (digital/changeable, roof/sky, off‑premise advertising, A‑boards/public ROW) — § 25.42.040.
• Temporary sign rules and durations — § 25.42.090.
• Master sign program findings and review authority standards — § 25.42.060.

Primary online code source used for the above excerpts: Burlingame Code via eCode360 (City of Burlingame) — downloaded from https://ecode360.com/BU4910 (sign chapter content).

Retrieved passages

• Burlingame Zoning Code (§ 25.42.080) High relevance show source text
• Burlingame Zoning Code (chapter for) High relevance show source text
• Burlingame Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Burlingame Zoning Code (Section 25.42.020) High relevance show source text
• Burlingame Zoning Code (Section 25.42.020) High relevance show source text
• Burlingame Zoning Code (§ 25.42.080) High relevance show source text
• Burlingame Zoning Code (chapter may) High relevance show source text
• Burlingame Zoning Code (§ 25.42.030) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Burlingame Municipal Code — Sign chapter (Title 25, Chapter 25.42): purpose, applicability, and general provisions — **§ 25.42.010**, **§ 25.42.020**. (Title 25)
• Sign permit requirements and frontage calculations — **§ 25.42.050** (application content and frontage rules). (§ 25.42.050)
• Measurement rules for sign area and height — **§ 25.42.070**. (§ 25.42.070)
• Permanent sign types and district tables — **§ 25.42.080** (Tables 25.42‑1 through 25.42‑7; R‑district and C‑district tables highlighted). (§ 25.42.080)
• Prohibited signs (digital/changeable, roof/sky, off‑premise advertising, A‑boards/public ROW) — **§ 25.42.040**. (§ 25.42.040)
• Temporary sign rules and durations — **§ 25.42.090**. (§ 25.42.090)
• Master sign program findings and review authority standards — **§ 25.42.060**. (§ 25.42.060)
• Burlingame_ZoningCode.md

• Official Burlingame code library