Local zoning · Colma

Colma — Signage

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

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Last reviewed: July 1, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the Town of Colma's Zoning Ordinance says about signage (definitions, where signs are controlled, and how districts reference the sign rules). Colma treats sign regulation as a distinct sign subchapter referenced by many zoning districts; however, the controlling text titled § 5.03.320, Regulating Signs itself was not present in the retrieved materials below (see Information Gaps). Where the zoning districts require or point to signage rules the code repeatedly directs applicants to § 5.03.320. For definitions used to interpret signage (types, temporary signs, monument/pole signs, area, height), see § 5.03.030 in the Zoning Ordinance.

(Links: the town zoning program is summarized at the Colma zoning & planning overview and the base Colma Zoning rules come from Subchapter 5.03: Zoning Ordinance.)

Key takeaways from the Colma Zoning Ordinance (what the code actually says)

  • The code provides a broad definitions section that governs signage terms (including sign, façade/fascia sign, monument, pole sign, temporary sign, window sign, on-site vs off-site signs, maximum advertising of other brands, and sign program/master sign program). See § 5.03.030 for these definitions.

  • Multiple district sections explicitly require that on‑site signs comply with § 5.03.320, Regulating Signs (for example, the Residential/large-family day care rules and Commercial/PD design standards reference this). The code therefore centralizes most specific sign rules in § 5.03.320, but the full text of that regulating section was Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the Town for the text of § 5.03.320.

  • Some numeric or protective limits are present in definitions or elsewhere and are usable now: e.g., where multiple brand names appear on a single on‑site sign, up to 1/3 of the sign area, up to 25 square feet, may be used to advertise other brands (definition in § 5.03.030). Temporary signage durations and some definitions (e.g., "temporary signage" = displays for three days or less) are defined in § 5.03.030.

  • The code references sign permits (a Signpermit is defined as issued pursuant to section 5.30.340 in the copy we have), but the permit procedure text and the full regulating rules are Not found in the retrieved file. Confirm the permit process with the Town.

  • Structural and safety standards for signs (materials, anchorage, wind loads, illuminated sign electrical limits, etc.) are covered in the California building and related codes cited by the Town (Title 24 / building code Appendix H and related codes). Where structural or electrical sign safety is relevant, Colma defers to Title 24 / the California Building Standards; see California Building Standards Code.

District-by-district summary (what each Colma zoning district says about signage)

Note: every Colma district that allows non‑residential activity or accessory uses points to the central signs rules § 5.03.320; the district entries below summarize the district purpose, typical permitted uses, key dimensional standards that affect sign placement, and the code text that ties signage to § 5.03.320.

  • G — Golf and Cemetery Zone

    • Purpose & typical uses: cemetery and memorial park uses (see § 5.03.170 and related definitions for cemetery uses). Signage for cemetery properties is governed by the common sign rules referenced in § 5.03.320.
    • Dimensional context: cemetery properties follow their zone-specific development standards; signage must respect setbacks, height, and visibility approved in the PD/conceptual plan if applicable. See PD rules where applied.

  • R — Residential (including R-S Sterling Park)

    • Purpose & uses: single-family, small family/day care, ADUs, limited accessory uses; see § 5.03.080–5.03.081.
    • Key standards: front setbacks 15 ft (and other yard/height rules spelled out in § 5.03.082) — these building setbacks affect where a freestanding or yard sign could legally sit.
    • Signs: where uses (e.g., Home Office, large-family day care) are permitted, the code adds: "On-site signs shall be in compliance with Section 5.03.320, Regulating Signs." See the specific use rules for that requirement (e.g., large family day care rules).

  • C — Commercial

    • Purpose & uses: neighborhood and regional commercial, retail, restaurants, offices, mixed‑use housing above first floor; see § 5.03.130–5.03.132.
    • Development standards: front setbacks as low as 5 ft in many C parcels (see § 5.03.133 and Table 2 of Non‑Residential Standards), building heights vary (see Table 2). These standards constrain visible sign placement and wall sign area.
    • Signs: commercial properties are explicitly required to follow § 5.03.320; commercial centers and PDs will often require a master sign program as noted in definitions.

  • P — Public

    • Purpose & uses: public facilities; development standards reference § 5.03.163. Signs for public uses are still regulated by the sign subchapter § 5.03.320 (the P zone defers to the centralized sign rules for details).

  • E — Executive, Administrative

    • Purpose & uses: administrative/office uses, certain retail and professional services; see § 5.03.170–5.03.172.
    • Dimensional notes: similar setbacks to C in many cases, height limits and lot standards apply — sign location must respect these metrics. Signs must comply with § 5.03.320.

  • T — Transit

    • Purpose & uses: areas around transit nodes; sign rules are important for wayfinding and transit-oriented design. The code ties signage in these areas back to § 5.03.320 and to design review where applied. (No separate numeric sign table found in retrieved materials for T.) Verify with the Town for transit‑area sign allowances. Not found in retrieved materials.

  • F — Flood Hazard / Safety

    • Purpose: flood-safety overlay; sign placement must not interfere with flood or emergency access and otherwise follows § 5.03.320 for content/illumination. Verify parcel‑specific constraints. Not found in retrieved materials.

  • DR — Design Review Combining Zone (and DR(s) Spanish/Mediterranean)

    • Purpose: adds design review controls to any base zone; where present, signage may need design review approval under the DR process. The DR combining zone rules are in § 5.03.150–5.03.152 and the code references design review processes for appearance, materials and placement (see Colma Design Review).
    • Effect on signage: signs in DR areas are still subject to § 5.03.320, plus any DR conditions or design standards that the Zoning Administrator or City Council applies during review.

  • PD — Planned Development

    • Purpose & uses: custom development standards set by a Detailed Development Plan (see § 5.03.182–5.03.187).
    • Key: PD approvals explicitly list (g) Signs as a design standard to be fixed in the PD plan — PDs frequently adopt a Master Sign Program in the permit conditions, and the PD plan becomes the authority for sign size/placement within the PD subject to § 5.03.320 and any PD conditions.

  • COD — Commercial Overlay District

    • Purpose: an overlay that extends commercial rules to specific sites (COD) and defers to the C zone development standards; signage follows the commercial rules and § 5.03.320. See § 5.03.140–5.03.141.

Summary line that applies to every district above: the ordinance repeatedly directs that on‑site signs comply with § 5.03.320, Regulating Signs; examples of this cross‑reference appear in multiple district-specific sections and special‑use standards. Where the zoning text ties the sign rules to a discretionary PD or design‑review action, the Council/Zoning Administrator may attach sign conditions as part of the permit.

Quick reference table — decision‑relevant items (what practitioners check first)

Issue / Standard What the code says (short) Code Reference / source
Definition of sign, monument, pole, fascia/fascia sign, temporary sign Detailed definitions live in the Zoning Ordinance definitions chapter; these control scope and measurement (area/height). § 5.03.030
Allowance for multi‑brand advertising on on‑site sign Up to 1/3 of the on-site sign area, up to 25 sq ft, may be used to advertise other brands as an accessory function. § 5.03.030 (definitions)
Temporary signage definition and short‑term limits “Temporary signage” defined; temporary signage = displays three days or less (definition). Specific temporary sign permitting handled in sign subchapter. § 5.03.030
Where detailed sign rules live The code centralizes detailed sign rules in § 5.03.320, Regulating Signs; most districts require compliance with that section. The full text of § 5.03.320 was Not found in the retrieved materials — verify with Town. References to § 5.03.320 appear across district sections (see examples in district rules).
Sign permit reference The code text defines Signpermit and points to a permit section (the file shows reference to section 5.30.340 for sign permits). Permit procedures in the retrieved copy were incomplete; confirm permit steps with the Town. Definition: § 5.03.030; permit citation in definitions (5.30.340 as printed).
Structural/illumination/safety requirements Colma references California building/fire codes for construction and electrical safety of signs; see Title 24 / Appendix H for construction standards. California Building Standards Code / Appendix H (Title 24)

Checklist (applicant must satisfy)

  • Confirm which zoning district the property is in (G, R, R‑S, C, P, E, T, F, PD, COD, DR) and pull the district rules (see § 5.03.050 and district sections).
  • Obtain the full text of § 5.03.320, Regulating Signs from the Planning Department; use it to size, place, and determine illumination/permit needs. Not found in retrieved materials — verify with the Town.
  • Prepare sign drawings showing area, height, attachment details, materials, and lighting; reference the sign definitions in § 5.03.030 for area/height measurement conventions.
  • If in a DR or PD area, include the sign in design‑review submittal or PD conditions; PDs often require a Master Sign Program. See Colma Design Review.
  • Determine whether a Signpermit (permit) is required and collect the permit application materials (the code definition references section 5.30.340 for sign permits in the copy we have; verify correct section).
  • If signs are illuminated or structural, verify compliance with the California Building Standards Code / Title 24 (Appendix H) for construction, anchorage, and electrical safety.
  • If projecting signs or corner-lot signs affect sight visibility, confirm compliance with vision triangle / clearance rules in the zoning code (e.g., corner vision triangle rules).

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Missing full text of § 5.03.320 Districts repeatedly point to § 5.03.320 for the substantive rules; without it you cannot confirm size/height/lighting/placement limits. Obtain the full § 5.03.320 text from the Planning Department or the official municipal code. Not found in retrieved materials.
Sign permit procedure reference (typo/section mismatch) Definitions reference a Signpermit issued pursuant to section 5.30.340 (this may be a typographical error or external reference). Confirm the correct permit section number and submittal requirements with the Town. Verify fees/timing and whether administrative vs discretionary approvals apply.
Illumination and electrical limits vs. local policy Town defers to Title 24 and related state codes for structural/electrical sign safety, but local illumination limits (glare, hours) may be in § 5.03.320 or in PD/DR conditions. Confirm whether Colma has local illumination caps or design standards in § 5.03.320, and check Title 24/Appendix H for construction/safety requirements.
Temporary signage allowances (duration/number) Definitions set a baseline (e.g., temporary signage = three days or less), but temporary use permits elsewhere may regulate event signs differently. Ask Planning whether specific temporary sign classes (banners, A‑frames, wind signs) require a Tier 1/2 Temporary Use Permit; check the Temporary Use Permit sections.
Master Sign Program requirement for centers/PDs PDs and commercial centers may require a Master Sign Program; applicants need to know whether they must submit a program rather than single sign permits. If property is in a PD or is a shopping center, confirm whether a master program exists or is required as a condition of development. See § 5.03.187(g) and definition of Master Sign Program.

Plain‑English summary

Colma's zoning code centralizes the rules for signs in a dedicated sign section (§ 5.03.320) and then requires every zoning district to follow that section for on‑site signage; the Zoning Ordinance also contains definitions that spell out sign types and a few specific limits (for example, 1/3 of a sign up to 25 sq ft may advertise third‑party brands). However, the full text of § 5.03.320 and some procedural sign‑permit details were not included in the retrieved materials — so before designing or installing a sign you must get the Town's official § 5.03.320 wording and sign permit requirements.

Source References

  • Colma Zoning Ordinance — Subchapter 5.03: Zoning Ordinance (definitions, district rules, and references to sign regulation). See definitions in § 5.03.030 and district cross‑references to § 5.03.320.
  • Example district rules that reference signage and § 5.03.320: § 5.03.080–5.03.082 (Residential rules and setbacks) and § 5.03.111/Large family day care provisions referencing signs.
  • C — Commercial permitted uses and development standards: § 5.03.130–5.03.133 (commercial rules; signs are tied to the sign subchapter).
  • PD – Planned Development design standards list (g) Signs as a PD standard: § 5.03.187.
  • Sign‑related definitions (temporary sign, monument sign, pole sign, master sign program): § 5.03.030 (definitions).
  • California building and sign construction references (structural/electrical safety): California Building Standards Code / Appendix H (Signs) — Town relies on state building code for construction/safety; check Title 24/Appendix H for build/anchorage/electrical rules.

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Colma Zoning Code (section 5.30.030.) Medium relevance
  • Colma Zoning Code (section 5.30.030.) Medium relevance
  • Colma Zoning Code (Section 65915) Medium relevance
  • Colma Zoning Code (CHAPTER FIVE) Medium relevance
  • Colma Zoning Code (section 1.02.270) Medium relevance
  • CBC § H101 (SECTION H101) Medium relevance
  • CFC § 5.03.320 (Section 5.03.320) Medium relevance
  • CBC § H103 (SECTION H103) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 5.30.030 (section 5.30.030) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 5.302 (Section 801.5) Medium relevance
  • Colma Zoning Code (§ 5.310) Medium relevance
  • Colma Zoning Code (Section 5.03.232) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 1.11 (chapter or) Medium relevance
  • Colma Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Colma Zoning Code (§ 5.323) Medium relevance
  • Colma Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • California Building Code Medium relevance
  • CEC § H101 (chapter as) Medium relevance
  • CBC § H113 (SECTION H113) Medium relevance
  • CBC § H112 (SECTION H112) Medium relevance
  • Colma Zoning Code (§ 5.302) Medium relevance
  • Colma Zoning Code (§ 5.302) Medium relevance
  • CBC § 5.03.220 (Section 5.03.220) Medium relevance
  • Colma Zoning Code (§ 5.331) Medium relevance
  • Colma Zoning Code (§ 5.332) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

Where in Colma's code are sign definitions like "monument sign" or "temporary sign"?

The definitions are in the Zoning Ordinance definitions chapter, § 5.03.030; that section defines monument sign, pole sign, temporary sign, temporary signage, on‑site/off‑site sign, and the measurement rules used to calculate sign area.

What section contains the detailed sizing/height/illumination rules for signs in Colma?

The ordinance centralizes detailed sign rules in § 5.03.320, Regulating Signs — most districts require compliance with that section. However, the full text of § 5.03.320 was Not found in the materials provided here, so obtain it from the Planning Department before final designs.

Do commercial signs need a special program in Colma?

Yes — commercial centers and Planned Development (PD) projects commonly use a Master Sign Program to set unified rules; the PD standards explicitly list (g) Signs as a PD design standard to be fixed in the Detailed Development Plan (§ 5.03.187). Confirm whether a Master Sign Program already exists for a center or is required for new PD approvals.

Can an on‑site sign include advertising for other brands?

Yes; the zoning definitions allow that up to one‑third (1/3) of an on‑site sign’s area, up to 25 square feet, may be devoted to advertising other brands as an accessory function. That measurement rule is in the definitions section (§ 5.03.030).

Do residential properties have any sign allowances or prohibitions?

Residential zones permit limited on‑site signage tied to accessory uses (for example, Home Office or cottage‑food operations that have a valid zoning clearance); where allowed the code requires signs to comply with § 5.03.320 and to respect residential setbacks/visibility rules in § 5.03.082. Check the specific use section (e.g., large family day care rules) for sign references.

Are temporary or event signs allowed and for how long?

The code defines temporary signage (in the definitions) and sets a baseline definition (temporary displays of three days or less). Temporary uses and temporary use permits (Tier 1/2) may impose additional sign conditions; see the Temporary Use Permit rules for event/time limits. Confirm the detailed temporary‑sign rules in § 5.03.320 (not found in retrieved materials) and the Temporary Use Permit sections.

Do illuminated signs have special rules?

Structural, anchorage, and electrical safety for illuminated signs are governed by state building codes (Title 24 / Appendix H) and Colma’s building permit process; local limitations on glare, hours, or power may be in § 5.03.320 or PD/design conditions. Verify both § 5.03.320 and the building department requirements.

Who enforces sign rules and where can I confirm permit steps?

Enforcement and sign‑permit issuance are handled through Colma’s Planning and Building Departments; the Zoning Ordinance refers to a Signpermit (definition references a permit issuance section in the code). Retrieve the official sign permit application checklist and timing from the Planning Department (the permit reference in the code copy we have points to section 5.30.340, which should be verified).

If my property is in a DR or PD zone, do I need design review for signs?

Yes — the DR combining zone adds design review requirements and PD approvals typically make sign rules part of the Development Plan. Expect to submit sign designs with your DR or PD application; see Colma Design Review and § 5.03.150–5.03.152 and § 5.03.187.

How do I measure sign area and height under Colma's rules?

The code’s definition of area of a sign and height of a sign are in § 5.03.030; area is the entire area within a single continuous perimeter enclosing the extreme limits of the message (supports excluded), and height is measured from the uppermost point to the ground or nearest curb level (whichever allows greater elevation). These definitions control permit calculations. ---

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