Clearlake — Signage

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

Clearlake regulates signs through Article 18-21 of the Zoning Regulations. The rules set citywide standards for sign types, size, height, illumination, locations, maintenance, and permitting, while preserving constitutional protections for noncommercial speech (§ 18-21.010; § 18-21.020 ). Most permanent signs need a sign installation permit; some sign types are exempt, and larger multi-tenant or campus sites can be approved under a comprehensive sign package, often through design review (§ 18-21.030; § 18-21.040 ).

Key rule in plain English: If a sign is allowed, you may substitute any protected noncommercial message (e.g., community or political speech) without extra approval—content neutrality is built into Clearlake’s code (§ 18-21.020(d) ).

What the code covers

• Purpose, scope, content neutrality, message substitution; permit triggers; and maintenance standards (§ 18-21.010–.040 ).
• Residential and agricultural/open-space sign allowances (§ 18-21.050 ).
• Commercial, mixed-use, and industrial sign types and standards (§ 18-21.060 ).
• Highway-oriented, off-site retail center, tourist-oriented directional, and message center signs (§ 18-21.060(a)(10)–(12); § 18-21.070 ).
• Temporary and public-property election-period signs (§ 18-21.080; § 18-21.120(d) ).
• Prohibited signs and illumination limits, with cross-reference to Night Sky Preservation (§ 18-21.040(c)–(d); § 18-20.120 ).
• Nonconforming, illegal, and abandoned sign rules (§ 18-21.110 ).

Citywide standards you’ll hit first

• Permit generally required unless exempt; Director may require a permit if an “exempt” sign doesn’t meet standards (§ 18-21.040(b) ).
• Prohibited signs include flashing/animated or inflatable devices, roof signs (with narrow exceptions), off‑premises signs (except where explicitly allowed), and most digital displays unless approved as message center signs (§ 18-21.040(c) ).
• Illumination must be shielded; no exposed light sources toward streets or residences; neon is limited to commercial zones and must meet size and UL/dimming specs. No blinking or color-shifting allowed (§ 18-21.040(d) ).
• Installation must comply with the California Building Standards Code; electrical signs need an electrical permit (§ 18-21.040(a), (b) ).

District-by-district signage guide

Note: Base zoning districts are established in Chapter XVIII; see the city’s zoning and land use pages for maps and use tables (§ 18-2; § 18-3 through § 18-11 ).

RR — Rural Residential

• Purpose snapshot: Large-lot residential with rural character.
• Typical uses: Single-family, limited agriculture (see city use tables).
• Key signage:
  • Dwellings: Up to 5 sq ft total at all times; during pre‑election periods, an extra 8 sq ft is allowed. Not limited in number, but must stay off public property and out of corner clear zones over 30 in high (§ 18-21.050(a)(1)(a)–(d) ).
  • Prohibited in residential zones: A‑frames, digital displays, internally illuminated, feather banners, roof signs (§ 18-21.050(a)(1)(e) ).
  • Subdivision entrance signs: Two per main entrance; max 24 sq ft per side and 4 ft high (§ 18-21.050(a)(2) ).
• Where it applies: Parcels zoned RR on the City’s map.

LDR — Low Density Residential

• Uses and character similar to RR, with smaller lots.
• Signage: Same residential allowances and prohibitions as above for individual dwellings and project entrances (§ 18-21.050(a)–(2) ).
• Bed and breakfast: One non‑internally illuminated sign up to 10 sq ft per street frontage (§ 18-21.050(a)(4) ).

MDR — Medium Density Residential

• Multi-unit neighborhoods.
• Signage: Same residential rules for individual dwelling units and project entrances (§ 18-21.050(a)–(2) ).
• Second-story sign note: See wall/window standards if within a mixed-use building context (§ 18-21.060(a)(2)–(4) ).

HDR — High Density Residential

• Apartments/condominiums.
• Signage: Same base residential allowances; complexes often rely on project entrance monument signs per above (§ 18-21.050(a)(2) ).

O — Open Space (and agricultural areas)

• Agricultural or open-space zones/easements:
  • Wall signs: Up to 40 sq ft.
  • Monument signs: Up to 20 sq ft and 5 ft high, placed in landscaping.
  • Tourist-oriented directional signs allowed by use permit (see below) (§ 18-21.050(b) ).
• Where it applies: Parcels zoned O or signed easements indicated by the City.

DC — Downtown Commercial Mixed-Use

• Purpose: Walkable downtown with street-facing storefronts.
• Permanent sign types allowed (on-site): Freestanding, monument, wall, projecting/canopy/suspended, window, directional, awning; plus limited A‑frames, feather banners, and commercial mascots with specific rules (§ 18-21.060(a) and specific subparts ).
• Key dimensional rules:
  • Freestanding pole/ground signs: Site frontage ≥200 ft; number, area, and height per Tables 29–30; 5 ft setback from property lines and 10 ft from driveways; 4 in min letter height; landscaping at base = 2x one sign face or 75 sq ft min; include street address (§ 18-21.060(a)(1)(a)–(9) ).
  • Monument signs: Spacing 75 ft; 6 ft max height; 5 ft/10 ft setbacks; area by Table 31; no projection over public property (§ 18-21.060(a)(1)(b) ).
  • Wall signs: Second-story tenants max 12 sq ft; limit two lines of copy; 4 in min letter height; not above roof/parapet; max 12 in projection (§ 18-21.060(a)(2) ).
  • Projecting/suspended signs: Max 30 sq ft (suspended 12 sq ft); 8 ft clearance; encroachment permit for any projection over the right-of-way (§ 18-21.060(a)(3) ).
  • Window signs: Permanent window signs ≤15% of window area (§ 18-21.060(a)(4) ).
  • A-frames: 6 sq ft per side; remove daily; on private property near building face; one per business (§ 18-21.060(a)(7) ).
  • Feather banners: Up to two; 15 ft max height (or building height if lower); 8 ft spacing; not illuminated (§ 18-21.060(a)(8) ).

GC — General Commercial

• Similar allowances/dimensions to DC for all on-site sign types; see Tables 29–31 for freestanding and monument metrics and all sub-type standards above (§ 18-21.060(a) ).

MUX — Mixed-Use

• Mixed residential/commercial buildings.
• Same menu of commercial sign types and limits when serving nonresidential tenant spaces; message center signs can be approved subject to performance standards (§ 18-21.060(a); § 18-21.060(a)(12) ).

IN — Industrial

• Industrial campuses with larger frontages often use freestanding signs under Tables 29–30; otherwise same sub-type standards (wall, projecting, window, directional, awning) apply (§ 18-21.060(a) ).

Special sign categories

• Tourist-oriented directional signs: Allowed in all zones with a use permit; each sign ≤5 sq ft, non‑illuminated, handcrafted/natural materials; encroachment permit required (§ 18-21.060(a)(10) ).
• Off-site retail center signs: Possible in all zones via use permit; must meet Tables 29–30; maintenance covenant and removal bond; content limited to the center; Caltrans review if near Highway 53 (§ 18-21.060(a)(11) ).
• Message center signs: Allowed in all mixed-use and nonresidential zones with design review; may be allowed in residential zones only with a use permit. Must meet lighting limits and digital rules: static ≥10 sec, transition <1 sec, brightness controls, auto shutoff; at night, ≤0.5 footcandle at residential lot lines (§ 18-21.060(a)(12) ).
• Highway-oriented signs: Off-site signs are otherwise prohibited except for specific categories above; any highway-oriented sign needs a sign permit and Planning Commission use permit; Caltrans permit first if the Outdoor Advertising Act applies (§ 18-21.070 ).

Temporary and public-property signs

• Temporary signs are in addition to permanent allowances. Max height 5 ft; number limit: up to 4 per site in commercial/industrial/mixed-use zones and 2 per lot in residential/agricultural/open space; keep out of public property and corner clear zones over 30 in (§ 18-21.080(a)–(c) ).
• Duration: Commercial messages may be displayed for up to three periods per year, 1–15 days each (sites) and up to 45 consecutive days if combined; complexes up to 5 periods and 75 days (§ 18-21.080(d)(1)–(2) ).
• Noncommercial temporary signs are allowed at all times (subject to area caps by zone), and during the election period the number is unlimited with size caps (16 sq ft in commercial/industrial and 8 sq ft in residential/ag/open space) (§ 18-21.080(d)(3) ).
• Exceeding time limits turns a temporary commercial sign into a “permanent” one that counts toward the site’s permanent sign area and needs a permit (§ 18-21.080(d)(3)(a) ).
• Public right-of-way (election period) noncommercial temporary signs: Allowed with a permit up to 30 days before and 5 days after an election; each ≤6 sq ft and ≤5 ft high; freestanding only; detailed placement safety rules apply (§ 18-21.120(d) ).

Other notable rules

• Signs may occupy required yards only as allowed by Article 18-21 (cross-ref in Table 17) (§ 18-20.040, Table 17 note G ).
• Cannabis: Except for approved dispensaries/microbusinesses with a sign program, no exterior signage may evidence cannabis operations; interior signage is allowed if not visible outside (§ 18-21.040(c)(2)(s) ).
• Flags are treated as “signs” under Article 18-45 definitions; separate limitations apply and most flags are prohibited unless expressly allowed in the temporary-sign rules (§ 18-21.040(g); § 18-21.040(c)(2)(o) ).
• Nonconforming signs may remain unless altered, relocated, or replaced; then they must be brought into compliance or removed. The City inventories illegal/abandoned signs for abatement (§ 18-21.110(b)–(d) ).

Quick standards table (selected)

Process and approvals

• Sign installation permit: Most permanent signs require it; the Director can condition approvals. Appeals follow Article 18-36 (§ 18-21.030; § 18-21.040; § 18-21.030(4) ).
• Comprehensive sign package: For multi-tenant or campus-style sites; may be reviewed by the Design Review Committee or Planning Commission. Findings address compatibility, traffic safety, and consistency with the City’s Design Review Manual (§ 18-21.030(2) ).
• Installation timing: Must install within 6 months of approval or it expires (§ 18-21.030(5) ).
• Encroachment: Any projection into the public right-of-way requires an encroachment permit (§ 18-21.060(a)(3)(d) ).
• Building/electrical: Installation must comply with the California Building Standards Code; electrical permits are required for signs with electrical systems (§ 18-21.040(a), (b) ).

Cross-check with development standards (yard encroachments and night lighting), overlay districts if applicable, and nonconforming uses for legacy signage.

Checklist

• Confirm the site’s base zoning (RR, LDR, MDR, HDR, O, DC, GC, MUX, IN) on the City map and pick sign types allowed for that district (§ 18-21.050–.060 ).
• Calculate total sign area/height using the applicable table (Tables 29–31; wall/window percentages) and setbacks/clearances (§ 18-21.060(a) ).
• Verify illumination method and brightness; no blinking/flash; comply with Night Sky Preservation (§ 18-21.040(d); § 18-20.120 ).
• Check prohibited sign types (roof, inflatable, off‑premises, unapproved digital, etc.) (§ 18-21.040(c) ).
• For temporary signs: confirm count, height, duration windows; election-period allowances if applicable (§ 18-21.080; § 18-21.120(d) ).
• If projecting over public ROW, secure an encroachment permit (§ 18-21.060(a)(3)(d) ).
• Prepare a sign installation permit application; if multiple tenants/buildings, consider a comprehensive sign package and design review (§ 18-21.030(2) ).
• If near Highway 53 or off-site, determine Caltrans Outdoor Advertising Act applicability (§ 18-21.060(a)(11)(e); § 18-21.070 ).
• Coordinate electrical permitting for illuminated signs and install per the California Building Standards Code (§ 18-21.040(a), (b) ).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Clearlake lets you have reasonable, well-located signs that don’t distract drivers or light up the night. Pick a sign type your zone allows, follow the size/height/setback tables, keep lighting shielded and steady, and get a sign permit unless the sign is exempt. Temporary signs are extra, but they have strict time windows; digital or off-site highway signs are special cases with added approvals (§ 18-21.040; § 18-21.060; § 18-21.070–.080 ).

Source References

• Clearlake Municipal Code — Sign Regulations: § 18-21.010–.040 (purpose, scope, permits, exempt signs, prohibited signs, illumination, maintenance) .
• § 18-21.050 (residential and agricultural/open space sign allowances) .
• § 18-21.060 (commercial/industrial/mixed-use sign types and standards; wall, projecting, window, awning, A-frames, feather banners, mascots; tourist/retail center/message center) .
• § 18-21.070 (highway-oriented signs) .
• § 18-21.080 (temporary signs) and § 18-21.120(d) (election-period temporary signs in ROW) .
• § 18-21.110 (nonconforming/illegal/abandoned sign provisions) .
• Cross-refs: § 18-20.040 Table 17 (yard encroachments for signs) and § 18-20.120 (Night Sky Preservation) .

Retrieved passages

• Clearlake Zoning Code (article to) High relevance show source text
• Clearlake Zoning Code (article and) High relevance show source text
• Clearlake Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Clearlake Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Clearlake Zoning Code (section are) High relevance show source text
• Clearlake Zoning Code (section of) High relevance show source text
• Clearlake Zoning Code (section are) High relevance show source text
• Clearlake Zoning Code (Article 18-33.) High relevance show source text
• Clearlake Zoning Code (section are) High relevance show source text
• Clearlake Zoning Code (Article 18-45.) Medium relevance show source text
• Clearlake Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Clearlake Zoning Code (article to) Medium relevance show source text
• Clearlake Zoning Code (Section 18-21.080.) Medium relevance show source text
• Clearlake Zoning Code (Section 18-20.120) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Clearlake Municipal Code — Sign Regulations: § 18-21.010–.040 (purpose, scope, permits, exempt signs, prohibited signs, illumination, maintenance) . (§ 18-21.010)
• § 18-21.050 (residential and agricultural/open space sign allowances) . (§ 18-21.050)
• § 18-21.060 (commercial/industrial/mixed-use sign types and standards; wall, projecting, window, awning, A-frames, feather banners, mascots; tourist/retail center/message center) . (§ 18-21.060)
• § 18-21.070 (highway-oriented signs) . (§ 18-21.070)
• § 18-21.080 (temporary signs) and § 18-21.120(d) (election-period temporary signs in ROW) . (§ 18-21.080)
• § 18-21.110 (nonconforming/illegal/abandoned sign provisions) . (§ 18-21.110)
• Cross-refs: § 18-20.040 Table 17 (yard encroachments for signs) and § 18-20.120 (Night Sky Preservation) . (§ 18-20.040)
• Clearlake_ZoningCode.md