Ferndale — Signage

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

Signage in Ferndale is governed by the City’s Zoning Ordinance and a stand‑alone 2013 Sign Ordinance. In 2013, Ferndale repealed its in‑code sign chapter and related definitions, shifting most technical standards to Ordinance 2013‑02; today, the Zoning Ordinance primarily directs how signs are reviewed and where certain sign‑related uses occur. Applicants should start with the city’s zoning & planning overview and confirm district and overlay before proposing any sign.

Most projects: Before any sign is erected, altered, or its outward appearance changed, Ferndale requires a Design Review Permit unless the sign is exempted by the 2013 Sign Ordinance (§ 6.05.2) .

How Ferndale regulates signs today

• Citywide review trigger: The Design Control Combining or -D Zone sets the city’s design review procedures. It explicitly includes ensuring the “design and location of signs” fit the character and scale of buildings and surroundings (§ 6.05.1(d)) . A Design Review Permit is required “before any sign…may be erected [or] structurally altered,” unless the sign is exempted by Ordinance 2013‑02 (§ 6.05.2) . See Ferndale Design Review.
• Stand‑alone Sign Ordinance: In 2013, Ferndale adopted a separate sign ordinance and repealed the prior in‑code sign article (§ 7.23) and the definition of “Sign” in Article 3 (Ord. 2013‑02). The ordinance history log shows that § 7.23 and related items were repealed on 11/7/2013 (Ord. 2013‑02) , and the code margin notes show “Sign” in Article 3 was repealed by the 2013 Sign Ordinance (§ 3, “Sign: [repealed]”) . The full text of Ordinance 2013‑02 was not included in the retrieved files (see “Information Gaps” below).
• Zone‑specific sign use: In the Highway Service Commercial or CH district, “outdoor advertising signs and structures which identify the use or pertain directly to the service or product offered on the site” are listed as principal permitted uses (§ 5.07.1(f)) . Start with Ferndale Zoning to confirm your base zone.
• Historic context: Portions of Main Street are a National Register district and are typically within the -D combining zone. Within such areas, the design review purpose statement makes sign compatibility with historic character a decision criterion (§ 6.05.1(d)) . See Ferndale Historic Preservation and Overlay Districts.
• What’s no longer in the code: Prior “Signs and Nameplates” and various yard/yard‑sale sign cross‑references were modified or repealed with the sign update; for example, the ordinance margin notes reflect repeal language tied to the 2013 Sign Ordinance (§ 7.22 header/notes; § 7.27/§ 7.28 notes) .

Tip: Structural, electrical, and energy standards for illuminated or large signs live under the California Building Standards Code. Ferndale’s zoning review is separate and focuses on location, design, and compatibility.

Quick standards and process highlights

• Design review applies to signage unless your sign is categorically exempted by Ordinance 2013‑02 (§ 6.05.2) .
• The Planning Commission is the decision‑maker for design review; actions are appealable to City Council (§ 6.05.4(a), (f)) .
• CH zone uniquely lists certain outdoor advertising signs as a principal use (§ 5.07.1(f)) .
• The former sign definitions and general sign article in the zoning code are repealed; consult Ordinance 2013‑02 for sizes, types, illumination, and exemptions (Ord. 2013‑02 recorded in ordinance history; § 3 “Sign: [repealed]”; § 7.23 [repealed]) .

Decision‑relevant table

District‑by‑district signage notes

Below are signage‑specific takeaways by district. Use this with the Ferndale Zoning map to confirm your base zone, then check whether a combining overlay (especially -D) applies.

R‑1, R‑2, R‑3 (Residential One‑Family, Two‑Family, Multiple‑Family)

• Signage policy: No zone‑specific sign standards are stated in the retrieved zoning text; residential signage is governed by Ordinance 2013‑02 and any -D design review where applicable. Not found in retrieved materials for sizes/types. Verify with the jurisdiction. References to prior sign provisions were repealed in 2013 (Ord. 2013‑02) .
• Review path: Design Review required unless exempted (§ 6.05.2) .

C‑1 (Neighborhood Commercial) and C‑2 (Community Commercial)

• Signage policy: Zone‑specific sign standards not shown in retrieved text; governed by Ordinance 2013‑02 and -D where applicable. Not found in retrieved materials for sizes/types.
• Review path: Design Review unless exempted (§ 6.05.2) .

CH (Highway Service Commercial)

• Signage policy: Allows “outdoor advertising signs and structures which identify the use or pertain directly to the service or product offered on the site” as a principal permitted use (§ 5.07.1(f)) . All other sign details come from Ordinance 2013‑02.
• Review path: Design Review unless exempted (§ 6.05.2) .

ML (Limited Industrial) and M‑H (Heavy Industrial)

• Signage policy: No zone‑specific sign standards appear in the retrieved text; governed by Ordinance 2013‑02 and the -D overlay where present. Not found in retrieved materials for sizes/types.
• Review path: Design Review unless exempted (§ 6.05.2) .

AE (Agriculture‑Exclusive), PF (Public Facility), FW (Floodway), FP (Flood Plain), PD (Planned Development)

• Signage policy: No sign‑specific standards were retrieved for these districts; governed by Ordinance 2013‑02 and any applicable overlays. Not found in retrieved materials for sizes/types.
• Review path: Design Review unless exempted (§ 6.05.2) .

Combining/Overlay Zones (selected)

• -D Design Control Combining Zone: Sign design, materials, colors, and location must be compatible with building character and surroundings (§ 6.05.1(d)); design review is the norm unless exempted (§ 6.05.2) . See Overlay Districts.
• -Q, -A, -B, -X, -H, -SPA: No signage‑specific standards were retrieved. Not found in retrieved materials.

Information Gaps

Items the stand‑alone 2013 Sign Ordinance (not included in the retrieved file set) would normally specify:

• Allowed sign types by zone (wall, projecting, monument, window, A‑frame), size/height/area, and number — Not found in retrieved materials.
• Illumination standards, electronic message centers, and animation — Not found in retrieved materials.
• Temporary signs (grand opening, banners, posters, real estate) — Not found in retrieved materials.
• Prohibited signs, maintenance, and removal of abandoned signs — Not found in retrieved materials.
• Nonconforming sign rules and amortization — Not found in retrieved materials. For general nonconforming use concepts, see Article 12 (example: § 12.01.8 reference to Historic District context) and Ferndale Nonconforming Uses .
• Permit exemptions list (what the 2013 ordinance exempts from design review) — Not found in retrieved materials.

Practical guidance

• Start by confirming your base zone and whether your site is in the -D overlay. The -D overlay is common in the historic core and makes design context central to the sign decision (§ 6.05.1(d)) .
• Expect to file for Design Review unless your sign is on the 2013 ordinance’s exemption list (§ 6.05.2) . See Ferndale Design Review.
• In the CH district, on‑premise outdoor advertising signs are a principal permitted use if they identify on‑site goods/services (§ 5.07.1(f)) — you will still need design review unless exempt .
• If you need relief from a standard or a condition attached to a permit, explore Variances and Exceptions.
• Construction, electrical, and energy questions for illuminated or structural signs are covered under the California Building Standards Code; zoning approval does not replace those requirements.

Checklist

• Identify your base zone and whether a combining overlay (especially -D) applies (Ferndale Zoning).
• Determine if your proposed sign is exempt from design review under Ordinance 2013‑02 (Not found in retrieved materials; Verify with the jurisdiction).
• If not exempt, prepare a Design Review application with site photos, scaled drawings, materials, and colors (§ 6.05.3) .
• If in or near the historic core, align design with historic character; be ready to address materials, scale, and placement (§ 6.05.1(d)) .
• For CH sites considering outdoor advertising signage, confirm it identifies on‑site services (§ 5.07.1(f)) .
• Confirm any structural/electrical needs are handled under the state building code (separate from zoning).
• If conditions are imposed, note appeal rights and time limits (§ 6.05.4(f)) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Ferndale moved its detailed sign rules into a separate 2013 Sign Ordinance. The zoning code now mainly tells you to get design review for most signs (unless an exemption in the 2013 ordinance applies) and to make sure your sign fits the building and streetscape—especially in the historic core covered by the -D overlay (§ 6.05.1(d), § 6.05.2) . Highway‑oriented CH properties may have on‑premise outdoor advertising signs as a principal use, but you still need to meet design review unless exempt (§ 5.07.1(f)) .

Source References

• Ferndale Zoning Ordinance 02‑02 — § 6.05.1(d), § 6.05.2 (Design Control Combining or -D Zone; Design Review for signs) .
• Ferndale Zoning Ordinance 02‑02 — § 6.05.4(a), (f) (Design Review procedures; appeals) .
• Ferndale Zoning Ordinance 02‑02 — § 5.07.1(f) (CH zone: outdoor advertising signs/structures identifying on‑site use) .
• Ferndale Zoning Ordinance 02‑02 — Article 3, “Sign: [repealed]” (signals relocation of sign standards to Ord. 2013‑02) .
• Ferndale Zoning Ordinance 02‑02 — Ordinance history log noting Ord. 2013‑02 repeal of § 7.23 and related items (11/7/2013) .
• Ferndale Zoning Ordinance 02‑02 — Notes reflecting 2013 Sign Ordinance effects within Article 7 headings (§ 7.22, § 7.27/§ 7.28 margin notes) .

Retrieved passages

• Ferndale Zoning Code (§7.23) Medium relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (Section amended) Medium relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (§6.04) Medium relevance show source text
• CGBSC § A6.209.5 (Title 20.) Medium relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (§9.07) Medium relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (Section 3.48) Medium relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (ARTICLE 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (section added) Medium relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (§5.07) Medium relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (ARTICLE 13) Medium relevance show source text
• Ferndale Zoning Code (Section amended) Medium relevance show source text
• CBC § H109 (SECTION H109) Medium relevance show source text
• CEC § H103 (SECTION H103) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Ferndale Zoning Ordinance 02‑02 — § 6.05.1(d), § 6.05.2 (Design Control Combining or -D Zone; Design Review for signs) . (§ 6.05.1)
• Ferndale Zoning Ordinance 02‑02 — § 6.05.4(a), (f) (Design Review procedures; appeals) . (§ 6.05.4)
• Ferndale Zoning Ordinance 02‑02 — § 5.07.1(f) (CH zone: outdoor advertising signs/structures identifying on‑site use) . (§ 5.07.1)
• Ferndale Zoning Ordinance 02‑02 — Article 3, “Sign: [repealed]” (signals relocation of sign standards to Ord. 2013‑02) . (Article 3)
• Ferndale Zoning Ordinance 02‑02 — Ordinance history log noting Ord. 2013‑02 repeal of § 7.23 and related items (11/7/2013) . (§ 7.23)
• Ferndale Zoning Ordinance 02‑02 — Notes reflecting 2013 Sign Ordinance effects within Article 7 headings (§ 7.22, § 7.27/§ 7.28 margin notes) . (Article 7)
• Ferndale_ZoningCode.md