Delano — Signage

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page explains what the Delano zoning ordinance requires for signs (what the code calls signage), where in the Ordinance those rules live, and how the rules apply across local zone districts. In Delano most sign control is implemented through Chapter 20.14 (Sign Regulations) and general sign compliance is required for all zones under § 20.10.310; see the Delano zoning overview for related rules and procedures.

Important: the uploaded Delano code excerpts define many sign types and cross‑reference the sign chapter, but the full numeric tables for maximum sign area/height by every district were not present in the retrieved materials. Where a specific numeric standard appears in the code snippets, it is cited below. Where the local code text is not available in the materials you provided, I note that as an information gap — always verify with the City.

Note: signage design and safe installation may also require building/permitting approvals under the California Building Standards Code (Title 24); this page stays focused on the Delano zoning/sign rules, not Title 24 construction standards.

How Delano organizes sign controls (short)

• The Delano Zoning Ordinance centralizes sign rules in Chapter 20.14 (Sign Regulations); most other chapters refer to that Chapter for sign criteria (for example § 20.10.310).
• The code contains definitions for many sign types (e.g., Monument, Pole, Freestanding, Banner, Electronic Message), and defines the term Sign Permit (an entitlement to place/alter a sign). Chapter 20.14 is the controlling chapter referenced repeatedly in zone rules.

I link related municipal pages you will likely use during a sign application: the citywide Delano zoning & planning overview, the Delano Zoning page, the Delano Development Standards page, Delano Parking, Delano Design Review, Delano Overlay Districts, and Delano ADUs.

District-by-district breakdown (signage focus)

Below I summarize the sign approach and any explicit sign allowances embedded in zone descriptions found in the retrieved Delano materials. For every district the general rule is: signs must comply with Chapter 20.14 unless the district text explicitly modifies that standard.

R-A (Residential Agricultural)

• Purpose / typical uses: low‑density rural residential and agriculturally related uses.
• Sign approach: the district text does not list special sign types beyond the Citywide sign chapter; therefore signs on R-A lots are governed by § 20.14 (Sign Regulations). Verify if residential identification or agricultural commodity signs receive specific exemptions in § 20.14.

R-1 (Single-family Residential)

• Purpose / typical uses: single‑family homes.
• Sign approach: residential districts default to Chapter 20.14 for allowed signs and any exemptions or maximum sizes; the R‑district chapters do not show unique sign dimensions in the retrieved text. Verify permitted window rules, temporary real‑estate signs, and political sign allowances in § 20.14.

NC (Neighborhood Commercial) and CRC (Community Retail Commercial)

• Purpose / typical uses: neighborhood‑serving retail and community retail uses.
• Sign approach: commercial zones reference Chapter 20.14; some temporary uses (farmers' markets, swap meets, seasonal sales) are allowed only in CRC, GC, DC, or I and their event signage links explicitly to § 20.14.60 (Flags, Pennants and Banners). For farmers’ markets and swap meets, the code requires event signage to follow § 20.14.60.

GC (General Commercial) and DC (Downtown Commercial)

• Purpose / typical uses: general and downtown commercial activities.
• Sign approach: signs are governed by § 20.14. Downtown or planned centers may be subject to site plan review or a Planned Sign Program; the code defines Sign Program (Planned) as a discretionary coordinated sign plan and identifies the Sign Review Authority (City Council, Planning Commission, or Planning Director/Designee) for sign approvals. If a planned sign program is used, expect design / material / illumination conditions as part of the program approval.

I (Industrial)

• Purpose / typical uses: industrial and employment uses.
• Sign approach: governed by § 20.14; special events/seasonal sales and swap meets in industrial zones must follow sign rules and obtain permits where applicable (see swap meet and farmers’ market rules referencing § 20.14.60).

DI (Drilling / Oil Extraction District)

• Purpose / typical uses: oil/gas activity; limited other uses.
• Sign approach and explicit allowances (code text present):
  • Directional, warning, and identification signs are permitted, not to exceed two square feet each, in accordance with § 20.14.90 (Public Safety Signs). § 20.3.40.11(a) references this allowance.
  • Temporary real estate signs advertising sale/rent are allowed not to exceed six square feet each, per § 20.14.50 (Temporary Signs). § 20.3.40.11(b) references this.
  • Other sign types must follow Chapter 20.14.

PE (Petroleum Extraction combining district)

• Purpose / typical uses: combining district applied over RA, NC, GC, CRC where oil resources exist.
• Sign approach (explicit): Directional, warning, and identification signs not to exceed two square feet each are permitted per § 20.14.90; signs permitted by the underlying base district are allowed as well. § 20.3.50.11 cites these limits.

H (Airport/Height/Compatibility overlay)

• Purpose / typical uses: airport compatibility controls.
• Sign approach: sign requirements within an H overlay are to comply with Chapter 20.14; aircraft/FAA restrictions may impose additional height limitations, so verify conflicts between FAA Part 77 limits and sign height. § 20.3.50.11 and the H district text point to § 20.14 for signage.

Most decision‑relevant sign rules (table)

Practical guidance / synthesis (plain English)

• Start applications by confirming the property's base zone and any overlays (for example DI, PE, or H) because some districts (notably DI and PE) include explicit small‑sign allowances (e.g., 2 sq ft for safety/directional signs, 6 sq ft for temporary real estate signs) that differ from commercial allowances. Always cite Chapter 20.14 and the district-specific paragraph (e.g., § 20.3.40.11 for DI; § 20.3.50.11 for PE) when you submit plans.
• For commercial identities and large freestanding or building‑mounted signs, the Delano code expects you to follow Chapter 20.14 and, where applicable, submit a Sign Permit or a Planned Sign Program for multiple businesses; the Sign Review Authority can impose design/illumination limits. Plan on a design submittal that coordinates with surrounding building elevations and site landscaping standards found under the city's Delano Development Standards and Delano Landscaping and Screening pages.
• Temporary event signage (banners, pennants) for Farmers’ Markets and Swap Meets must follow the specific banner/pennant rules in § 20.14.60, and those events also have permitting timelines and limits in the respective use sections. Factor those timelines into event planning.
• If your sign includes illumination, moving parts, or an electronic message center, expect closer review (electronic message signs are defined in the code) and building/electrical permits under the California Building Standards Code. The zoning code defers construction standards to building codes; verify structural and electrical requirements with the Building Division.

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy for a Delano sign submittal)

• Confirm base zone and overlay(s) (e.g., DI, PE, H) and read any sign language in that district. See the Delano zoning map and district text; district sign allowances are called out in the district sections (for example § 20.3.40.11 and § 20.3.50.11).
• Ensure proposed sign type is allowed under Chapter 20.14 (§ 20.10.310 requires signs to comply with Chapter 20.14).
• If proposing multiple coordinated signs, consider a Planned Sign Program and identify the review authority in the application.
• Submit measurements: sign surface area, height (measured per the code definitions), mounting details, structural anchor details, and illumination methods; cite the relevant sign definition(s).
• If illuminated/electrical, add electrical drawings and plan for building/electrical permits under Title 24.
• For temporary banners/pennants, attach the event permit or temporary sign justification and reference § 20.14.60 if applicable.
• If on or near residential parcels, check special district language (for example sign restrictions or hours for nearby uses). Verify site plan review or design review requirements on the Delano Design Review page.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Delano controls signs centrally through Chapter 20.14 (Sign Regulations) and most zone chapters simply point to § 20.14 for sign rules; a few districts (notably DI and PE) spell out very small, specific allowances such as 2 sq ft for safety/directional signs and 6 sq ft for temporary real‑estate signs — otherwise you must read Chapter 20.14 and get a sign permit. Always confirm numeric size/height limits and electronic‑sign rules with the full chapter and the Planning/Building Departments.

Source References

• Delano Zoning Code — Title 17 (Title 20 in the uploaded copy) — general administration and zone cross‑references, including § 20.1.30, § 20.10.310 (signs must comply with Chapter 20.14).
• Delano sign definitions and Sign Review Authority; definitions of Sign Permit, Monument, Pole, Electronic Message, Sign (Temporary), Sign (Freestanding), Sign Size or Area, and Sign Program (Planned) are in the sign definitions portion of the Ordinance.
• Farmers’ Market and Swap Meet sign rules referencing § 20.14.60 (Flags, Pennants and Banners).
• DI district signage allowances and references to § 20.14.30/§ 20.14.50/§ 20.14.90 (directional and temporary real estate sign sizes called out in the DI district text). § 20.3.40.11 text excerpt in uploaded materials.
• PE combining district signage excerpt (directional/warning/identification signs not to exceed 2 sq ft and otherwise subject to Chapter 20.14). § 20.3.50.11 excerpt.
• Delano Site Plan Review and sign regulation cross‑references (Community Development Director / Planning Commission review authority — sign regulation appears in conditions of approval lists).
• California Building Code — Appendix H (Signs) and other structural/electrical sign standards for construction/permitting (Title 24). (Excerpted code text from the uploaded California Building Code files.)

Retrieved passages

• Delano Zoning Code (Title to) Medium relevance show source text
• CRC § 20.14.60 (section 20.14.60) Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Title 20) Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Title 20) Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Chapter 20.14) Medium relevance show source text
• CRC § 20.14.60 (section is) Medium relevance show source text
• CEC § H101 (chapter as) Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Chapter 20.10.90) Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Section 20.14.30) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § H101 (SECTION H101) Medium relevance show source text
• Delano Zoning Code (Chapter 20.9) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Delano Zoning Code — Title 17 (Title 20 in the uploaded copy) — general administration and zone cross‑references, including **§ 20.1.30**, **§ 20.10.310** (signs must comply with **Chapter 20.14**). fileciteturn0file9turn1file10 (Title 17)
• Delano sign definitions and Sign Review Authority; definitions of **Sign Permit**, **Monument**, **Pole**, **Electronic Message**, **Sign (Temporary)**, **Sign (Freestanding)**, **Sign Size or Area**, and **Sign Program (Planned)** are in the sign definitions portion of the Ordinance. fileciteturn1file0turn1file4
• Farmers’ Market and Swap Meet sign rules referencing **§ 20.14.60 (Flags, Pennants and Banners)**. fileciteturn1file14turn1file1 (§ 20.14.60)
• DI district signage allowances and references to **§ 20.14.30**/**§ 20.14.50**/**§ 20.14.90** (directional and temporary real estate sign sizes called out in the DI district text). **§ 20.3.40.11** text excerpt in uploaded materials. (§ 20.14.30)
• PE combining district signage excerpt (directional/warning/identification signs not to exceed **2 sq ft** and otherwise subject to **Chapter 20.14**). **§ 20.3.50.11** excerpt. (Chapter 20.14)
• Delano Site Plan Review and sign regulation cross‑references (Community Development Director / Planning Commission review authority — sign regulation appears in conditions of approval lists). fileciteturn1file10turn1file18
• California Building Code — Appendix H (Signs) and other structural/electrical sign standards for construction/permitting (Title 24). (Excerpted code text from the uploaded California Building Code files.) fileciteturn1file6turn1file12 (Title 24)
• Delano_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California Building Code.md

• Official Delano code library