Local zoning · Colfax

Colfax — Signage

Q: How big can my business wall sign be in a commercial district?

Wall signs are generally limited to 1 sq ft per lineal foot of building or street frontage; window business signs are typically limited to 25% of the window area (see the commercial sign chart and § 17.112.070 ) .

Q: Can I put a sign that projects over the sidewalk or street?

Projecting signs that extend more than 2 ft over a public right-of-way require an encroachment permit, must be double-faced (except awnings/canopies), and must maintain a minimum clearance (commonly 7 ft over a pedestrian walkway) (§ 17.112.100 ) .

Q: What is allowed in the Historic District?

Signs in the historic district are more tightly controlled: design compatibility is emphasized, neon tubing as an architectural detail is prohibited, and the number of signs advertising a single business is limited (for example, a maximum of three ) — review the historic-specific entries in the sign charts (§ 17.112.070 , § 17.112.080 , § 17.112.090 ) .

Q: How are murals treated under the Colfax sign rules?

Murals are treated as signs under Chapter 17.112 ; murals require a mural permit. If a mural contains business advertising it may require payment of a sign permit fee; civic murals may have the fee waived (§ 17.112.160 ) .

Signage under the Colfax local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Colfax municipal zoning ordinance (the Colfax Sign Ordinance) requires for signs in town — what kinds of signs are allowed, numeric limits (height/area/number), review and permit triggers, illumination rules, and special rules for historic areas. Everything below is drawn from the Colfax Sign Ordinance (Chapter 17.112) and the ordinance tables that implement those rules (§ 17.112.010–§ 17.112.280) .

Read about Colfax overall zoning before you act: Colfax zoning & planning overview and Colfax Zoning.

Key rules (quick bullets tied to code)

A sign permit is required for all signs unless explicitly exempted (§ 17.112.050.B) .
Sign review is administered by the planning director (administrative sign permit) and may be referred to the planning commission; appeals follow Chapter 17.44 (§ 17.112.060, appeals § 17.112.280) .
General sign standards and the district charts control size, number and placement — see the charts that accompany Chapter 17.112 (§ 17.112.080, charts referenced throughout) .
Illumination is restricted (interior or indirect lighting only; turn-off time after business hours or 10:00 p.m.; residential districts limited to 10 foot-lamberts) (§ 17.112.090) .
Some provisions (height measurement and some dimensional determinations) are tied to other code sections (the ordinance repeatedly references § 17.40.070 for height/dimension calculations) — see notes below and verify on a parcel-specific basis (§ 17.112.080) .

Also consider related approvals early: design review (Colfax Design Review), development standards (Colfax Development Standards), or overlays (Colfax Overlay Districts) if your site or sign is in a special zone. If your sign projects over a public right-of-way you will need an encroachment permit and must meet clearance rules (§ 17.112.100) . If electrical work is required follow the California Building Standards Code (Title 24).

District-by-district breakdown (what to expect, where it applies, key numeric standards)

Below are the actual district names used in Colfax's sign chapter and the most decision-relevant standards pulled from the ordinance tables and text. Bolded district names and numeric limits highlight the controlling values from the charts in Chapter 17.112. Where the chart defers to another section (for example § 17.40.070), that is shown and you should Verify with the jurisdiction.

Note: the ordinance places the district-specific numeric limits in the charts appended to Chapter 17.112; specific design choices and exceptions are also handled during sign review (§ 17.112.080, § 17.112.070) .

Residential districts — R-1-20, R-1-10, R-1-5, RM-1, R‑M‑2, R‑MHS

Purpose / typical uses: single-family and multifamily housing, mobilehome parks. Residential sign rules are conservative and oriented to identification and safety (§ 17.112.070, residential chart) .
Permitted / typical sign types: one civic or real‑estate sign per parcel; real estate signs for residential sale/rent limited to 5 sq ft and 6 ft height; civic or nameplates 3 sq ft, 6 ft height in many cases (§ 17.112.180, residential chart) .
Illumination: limited — illumination caps in residential and related zones are explicitly set at 10 foot-lambert maximum (§ 17.112.090.B) .
Where it applies: all parcels zoned R-1-20, R-1-10, R-1-5, RM-1, R‑M‑2, R‑MHS (see chart) .

Commercial/Industrial districts — CR (Commercial Retail), CH (Commercial Highway), I (Industrial)

Purpose / typical uses: storefronts, highway-oriented businesses, industrial uses. Signs support business identification and orientation (§ 17.112.180, charts) .
Key standards:
- Business wall signs: typical allowance of 1 sq ft per lineal foot of building or street frontage (table entry) (§ 17.112.070 and the commercial chart) .
- Freestanding signs in these districts: typical maximum building/parcel freestanding sign heights up to 35 ft and area caps that can be up to 120 sq ft (chart — many entries defer to measurements in § 17.40.070) (§ 17.112.070, table) .
- Awning/canopy signs: limited to 1 sq ft per lineal foot of awning, with vertical clearance rules (minimum 7 ft over walkways) (§ 17.112.100, chart) .
Where it applies: parcels zoned CR, CH, I — consult the commercial sign table in Chapter 17.112 for frontage calculations (§ 17.112.080) .

Open Space — O

Purpose / typical uses: parks, open lands. Signs are limited to identification and directional purposes (§ 17.112 open space chart) .
Key numeric limits: typical freestanding/entry signs limited to 6 ft height and 2 sq ft (nameplate/street numbers) or directional 2 sq ft, with no illumination (§ 17.112 charts) .

Special Public Service District — SPSD

Purpose / typical uses: public buildings and utilities. Specific SPSD table entries cover identification and directional signage with modest area caps; consult the SPSD chart in Chapter 17.112 (§ 17.112 charts) .

Historic District

The ordinance frequently notes special restrictions for signs in the historic district (design compatibility and limits on number — e.g., the maximum number of signs advertising a single business is three in the historic district) (§ 17.112.070.C/D, § 17.112.080) .
Additional constraints: neon tubing as architectural detail is prohibited in the historic district (§ 17.112.090.A.6) .
Historic-area signs are treated more strictly and are often reviewed as part of Colfax Historic Preservation and design review processes (§ 17.112.060, design review tie-ins) .

Quick decision‑relevant table (common project questions)

Topic	Typical limit or rule	Code reference
Permit required unless exempt	All signs require a sign permit unless listed as exempt (§ 17.112.170)	§ 17.112.050.B, § 17.112.170
Wall sign (business)	1 sq ft per lineal foot of building or street frontage; window signs ≤ 25% window area	§ 17.112.070, commercial chart
Freestanding sign (commercial)	Typical height up to 35 ft; area up to 120 sq ft (chart entries vary by parcel)	§ 17.112.070, charts (§ 17.40.070 referenced for measurement)
Residential real‑estate signs	5 sq ft, 6 ft height; remove within 5 days after sale/lease	§ 17.112.180.C.1, residential chart
Illumination	Interior or indirect only; turn off after business hours or 10 p.m.; residential max 10 foot-lambert	§ 17.112.090
Prohibited signs	Beacons, portable signs (unless allowed), signs in ROW (without gov’t permission), signs that interfere with circulation, and more	§ 17.112.190
Historic district special rules	Limits on number (max 3 for a business), neon prohibited, stricter design compatibility	§ 17.112.070, § 17.112.080, § 17.112.090.A.6

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy before the planning director will approve a sign)

Confirm sign is not an exempt sign (see § 17.112.170) and therefore whether a permit is required .
Prepare drawings showing sign type, dimensions (height and area), materials, attachment details, and location relative to property lines and building frontage; be aware the ordinance defers some measurements to § 17.40.070 — Verify with the city (§ 17.112.080) .
Show lighting type and demonstrate compliance with illumination rules (interior/indirect lighting; residential cap 10 foot‑lambert) (§ 17.112.090) .
If the sign projects over a right‑of‑way, include an encroachment permit and show minimum clearances (minimum 7 ft over walkways for projecting signs) (§ 17.112.100) .
Demonstrate compliance with historic-district design standards if located within the historic district (note limits on neon and number of signs) (§ 17.112.080, § 17.112.090) .
For multi-tenant or unified centers submit a master sign program when required (see § 17.112.130) .
Pay applicable fees and obtain building/electrical permits for illuminated or electrically connected signs (administration ties to building and fire code, § 17.112.050.A) .

Related topics to check early: Colfax Development Standards, Colfax Parking, and Colfax Design Review.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Height or area “deferred” to § 17.40.070	Many chart entries say “as determined pursuant to § 17.40.070” — this controls how height/area are measured and may change allowable size	Verify the exact measurement method and numeric thresholds in § 17.40.070 (not fully reproduced in retrieved materials). Verify with the planning department.
Historic district design review	Historic district restricts materials/illumination more strictly (e.g., neon prohibited) and limits number of business signs to three	Confirm whether your parcel is within the Colfax historic district and whether design review or the historic preservation board must sign off (§ 17.112.070, § 17.112.090)
Murals vs. signs	Murals that include business advertising can be treated as signs and may incur a fee; otherwise murals are permitted only with a mural permit (§ 17.112.160)	Confirm whether the artwork is considered a commercial sign (subject to permit fee) or a civic mural — § 17.112.160 sets the mural permit process
Digital billboards and electronic readerboards	Some digital/off‑site signs are allowed but require findings and specific approvals; electric readerboards are prohibited unless specifically permitted	Confirm applicability and whether a digital billboard or relocation agreement is required; see findings in § 17.112.140–.150 references and prohibitions in § 17.112.190
Right‑of‑way projections and encroachment	Projecting signs over the public ROW need an encroachment permit and minimum clearance; failure to secure this blocks installation (§ 17.112.100)	Obtain or confirm encroachment permit procedures and clearance standards with Public Works/building department (§ 17.112.100)

Plain-English summary

Most signs in Colfax need a sign permit and must meet the numerical size, height, placement and lighting limits in Chapter 17.112 — small identification signs are allowed in residential areas, commercial signs get more area but are tied to frontage, illumination is controlled, and historic-area signs face stricter design and material rules; sign review is handled by the planning director and appeals are available (§ 17.112.050–§ 17.112.280) .

Information Gaps

The ordinance text repeatedly defers specific height/measurement calculations to § 17.40.070; the full text of § 17.40.070 was not included in the retrieved materials. Not found in retrieved materials — Verify with the jurisdiction. .
Local application-level details (exact applied illuminance meters, determination of sign area on complex facades, or specific master sign program requirements for large centers) are handled at sign review and may be parcel/plan specific — Verify with the planning director. (§ 17.112.060, § 17.112.130) .

Source References

Colfax Sign Ordinance, Chapter 17.112 (title, purpose, administration): § 17.112.010–§ 17.112.050 .
Sign review and permit process: § 17.112.060 (sign review), § 17.112.070 (determining number of signs) .
Sign standards, charts and design guidance: § 17.112.080 (standards; charts referenced) and the commercial/residential/open space sign charts appended to Chapter 17.112 (see tables in Chapter 17.112) .
Illumination rules: § 17.112.090 .
Projecting signs and ROW clearance: § 17.112.100 .
Exempt signs: § 17.112.170 .
Permitted signs and temporary sign rules: § 17.112.180 .
Prohibited signs: § 17.112.190 .
Mural permits and treatment of murals as signs: § 17.112.160 .
Nonconforming signs (amortization/history) and maintenance/enforcement/appeals: § 17.112.210, § 17.112.260, § 17.112.270, § 17.112.280 .

(Primary source document used for this page: the uploaded Colfax Zoning Code extract containing Chapter 17.112 — “Colfax Sign Ordinance”)

Sources

Retrieved passages

Colfax Zoning Code (chapter and) High relevance
Colfax Zoning Code High relevance
Colfax Zoning Code (Section 17.40.070.) High relevance
Colfax Zoning Code (Chapter 17.112) High relevance
Colfax Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance
Colfax Zoning Code (Section 17.40.070.) High relevance
CFC § 17.112.170 (Section 17.112.170) High relevance
Colfax Zoning Code (Chapter 17.44.) High relevance

Cited sections

Official Colfax code library

Frequently asked questions

Do I always need a sign permit in Colfax?

Yes — unless your sign is explicitly listed as an exempt sign in the ordinance (for example some gov’t signs, small directional signs, temporary holiday decorations). The general rule is that no sign may be erected, displayed, reconstructed or altered until a sign permit is granted, unless exempt (§ 17.112.050.B, § 17.112.170) .

How big can my business wall sign be in a commercial district?

Wall signs are generally limited to 1 sq ft per lineal foot of building or street frontage; window business signs are typically limited to 25% of the window area (see the commercial sign chart and § 17.112.070) .

Are illuminated signs allowed in residential areas?

Lighted signs are allowed but the ordinance caps illumination in residential zones at 10 foot-lamberts per sign and requires interior or indirect (downward/diffused) lighting; signs must be turned off after business hours or 10 p.m. (§ 17.112.090) .

Can I put a sign that projects over the sidewalk or street?

Projecting signs that extend more than 2 ft over a public right-of-way require an encroachment permit, must be double-faced (except awnings/canopies), and must maintain a minimum clearance (commonly 7 ft over a pedestrian walkway) (§ 17.112.100) .

What is allowed in the Historic District?

Signs in the historic district are more tightly controlled: design compatibility is emphasized, neon tubing as an architectural detail is prohibited, and the number of signs advertising a single business is limited (for example, a maximum of three) — review the historic-specific entries in the sign charts (§ 17.112.070, § 17.112.080, § 17.112.090) .

Are temporary signs and banners allowed for events or sales?

Yes — temporary signs such as window-painted signs, banners and pennants are allowed for limited periods (commonly up to 30 days before an event and 5 days after, with up to three 30-day periods per year for a business), and inflatables/hot‑air balloons have specific limits as well (§ 17.112.180.B) .

How are murals treated under the Colfax sign rules?

Murals are treated as signs under Chapter 17.112; murals require a mural permit. If a mural contains business advertising it may require payment of a sign permit fee; civic murals may have the fee waived (§ 17.112.160) .

Can I appeal a sign permit denial?

Yes — decisions on sign permits may be appealed pursuant to Chapter 17.44; Chapter 17.112 references this appeals route (§ 17.112.280) .

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