Local zoning · Gridley

Gridley — Signage

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

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Gridley’s zoning ordinance actually requires for signs — where signs are allowed, how area and height are measured, illumination and electronic-display rules, and special categories (incidental, promotional, off‑premises, exempt). The controlling rules are in the City Zoning Title (Title 17), primarily § 17.72.060 for sign-specific standards; several base zoning district chapters add or limit signage allowances (for example 17.53, 17.54, 17.59). Always measure sign area and confirm whether a Site Development Plan or permit is required; the SDP rules list proposed signage as a required submittal § 17.07.020 .

Important internal links (first mention only): Gridley signage rules interact with the city’s rules for parking, design review, overlay districts, development standards, ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code.

Core Sign Rules (what the ordinance requires)

Sign regulations live in § 17.72.060 (Sign requirements). This section sets categories (Business identification, Incidental, Special promotional, Off‑premises directory, Exempt), measurement rules, mounting/placement rules, lighting and electronic display standards, and limits on freestanding/monument signs (height/area) .
Measurement: sign area is the smallest rectangle necessary to enclose the full display (words and graphics); double‑sided signs count only one face for area calculations (§ 17.72.060.F).
Business identification signage:
- Allowed on commercial and industrial district building exteriors where a side provides public access/service, faces a street bordering the site, or faces a shared parking lot § 17.72.060.A.1 .
- Area limits: 2 square feet per lineal foot of the building face that provides access/service, up to 200 sq ft on that face; sides not providing access/service may use 35% of that ratio up to 35 sq ft. The total on a face can be doubled (to a maximum 100 sq ft) with an administrative use permit § 17.72.060.A.2 .
Incidental signage:
- Combined area on a lot may not exceed 1% of the lot area; any single incidental sign cannot exceed 75 sq ft (some ordinance text references 50 sq ft in other places — verify with the Planning Dept.) § 17.72.060.B .
Freestanding/monument signs:
- Generally, one freestanding business identification sign per parcel, maximum 60 sq ft (business ID), landscaping required at base, and freestanding signs must be located behind the public right‑of‑way and comply with the Uniform Sign Code § 17.72.060.H.3–7 .
- Monument sign height limit is 8 ft (measured from base of curb), except parcels abutting State Route 99 where monument signs may be up to 12 ft § 17.72.060.H.8 .
- Pole signs are prohibited (non‑conforming pole signs are governed by Chapter 17.03) § 17.72.060.H.1 .
Downtown (8‑block) special rule: within the downtown area bounded by Spruce, Sycamore, Vermont and the railroad tracks, one ground/monument sign per parcel is allowed with a much smaller cap: 20 sq ft area and 3 ft maximum height § 17.72.060.H.2 .
Illumination & electronic message displays:
- No flashing lighting (general prohibition) § 17.72.060.I.1 .
- Internally‑illuminated monument signs are allowed abutting SR‑99 and certain sections of Spruce and Sycamore from Hwy 99 to Haskell; otherwise exterior illumination (halo/gooseneck) is required; halo illumination is explicitly acceptable § 17.72.060.I.2 .
- Electronic/changeable copy displays (LED) are allowed only on monument signs along the portion of Spruce Street from Highway 99 to Haskell Street on parcels zoned Public Quasi‑Public (PQP) and only if additional conditions are met (not adjacent to residential uses; message dwell time minimum 8 seconds; electronic display ≤ 1/3 of total sign face; no flashing; only one display per site; must be incorporated into high quality structure) § 17.72.060.I.3 .
Special promotional signage (balloons/flags) for non‑residential properties:
- Allowed up to 30 days per 12 months; requires an administrative permit from the Planning Office (no fee) § 17.72.060.C .
Off‑premises directory signage is generally prohibited unless a use permit is approved and must meet pedestrian visibility, format, and size constraints (community listings ≤ 10 sq ft each); California Civil Code § 713‑governed signs have additional specific allowances under the use permit rules § 17.72.060.D .
Exempt signage (not counted against area/height limits) and non‑exempt examples are listed; for example, paper price tags taped to windows are exempt, while framed banners and A‑frames are not § 17.72.060.E .

District-by-district breakdown (signage rules added/modified by district)

Note: the base sign rules remain in § 17.72.060; the district subsections below state the additional or specific allowances called out in each zoning chapter.

C‑1 (Neighborhood Commercial) — C-1

Purpose / where applied: Small‑scale retail and neighborhood services (see Chapter 17.?? for full C‑1 use list). Verify parcel zoning with the City zoning map Verify with the jurisdiction.
Typical permitted signage: Business identification signage allowed per § 17.72.060; many C‑1 commercial uses follow the general business ID rules § 17.72.060.A .
Key dimensional standards: Monument sign limits, freestanding restrictions, illumination rules per § 17.72.060.H–I .
Where it applies: standard commercial parcels; check for overlay corridors (e.g., Highway 99) for alternate height allowances § 17.72.060.H.8 .

C‑2 / Highway Commercial Corridor Mixed Use — C-2 / Highway Corridor (17.59)

Purpose: Corridor commercial adjacent to Hwy 99 (Chapter 17.59) with tailored development standards § 17.59.050 .
Signage allowances: Building signage allowances in the corridor allow blade signs and building signage up to 25% of building frontage (but no more than 100 sq ft per building frontage in some combining zones) — see § 17.59.050.H and related district language; monument signage may be allowed per § 17.72.060 (note SR‑99 exceptions) .
Key dimensional standards: The SR‑99 abutting height exception for monument signs to 12 ft applies where parcels abut SR‑99 § 17.72.060.H.8 .
Where it applies: Parcels designated in Chapter 17.59 (Highway Corridor areas) — verify specific parcel zoning and whether the Highway Corridor combining zone adds or limits signage Verify with the jurisdiction.

Downtown / Historic Core — (Downtown Mixed Use / DMU / parts of 17.53 / 17.54)

Purpose: pedestrian‑oriented downtown with special streetscape and design expectations.
Signage allowances:
- Within the downtown 8‑block special area, freestanding ground/monument signs are strictly limited to 20 sq ft and 3 ft high § 17.72.060.H.2 .
- Districts that promote pedestrian character allow blade signs and building signage up to 25% of building frontage or a maximum square footage (e.g., 100 sq ft), with halo/gooseneck lighting preferred § 17.54.040.H, § 17.53.040.H .
Key practical note: downtown rules frequently require coordination with design review and stricter materials/placement to preserve historic character § 17.53.040.H .

NMU — Neighborhood Mixed Use combining zone (NMU, Chapter 17.54)

Purpose: Mixed residential and small‑scale commercial in village centers; pedestrian focus § 17.54.010 .
Signage allowances: Allows blade signs, building signage up to 25% of building frontage or 100 sq ft, halo/gooseneck lighting, and monument signage governed by § 17.72.060 § 17.54.040.H .
Where it applies: Properties within NMU combining zone boundaries; NMU may overlay R or C districts — confirm through the Zoning Map Verify with the jurisdiction.

PQP — Public / Quasi‑Public (PQP, Chapter 17.62)

Purpose: Public, community service, civic sites.
Signage allowances: PQP‑zoned parcels are specifically referenced for permitting electronic message monument signs along parts of Spruce Street (see § 17.72.060.I.3); other PQP signage follows general sign rules § 17.72.060 .
Key constraints: If an electronic display is proposed, site must not be adjacent to residential uses and must meet the display/compatibility criteria in § 17.72.060.I.3 .

M‑1 (Limited Industrial) and other Industrial districts — M-1

Purpose: Light industrial uses; industrial districts are allowed business identification signage under the general rules § 17.72.060.A .
Key constraints: Pole signs are prohibited; freestanding sign maximums and area calculations follow § 17.72.060.H .

Quick Standards Table (decision‑relevant)

What	Limit / rule	Code Reference
Business ID area (primary frontage)	2 sq ft per lineal foot of frontage, up to 200 sq ft	§ 17.72.060.A.2.a
Business ID area (other qualifying sides)	35% of the above ratio, up to 35 sq ft	§ 17.72.060.A.2.b
Double area via admin permit	May double face area up to 100 sq ft with Administrative Use Permit	§ 17.72.060.A.2.c
Freestanding business ID sign (max area)	60 sq ft	§ 17.72.060.H.3
Monument sign height (standard)	8 ft (measured from base of curb)	§ 17.72.060.H.8
Monument sign height (SR‑99 abutting parcels)	12 ft (measured from base of curb)	§ 17.72.060.H.8
Downtown 8‑block ground sign	20 sq ft / 3 ft high	§ 17.72.060.H.2
Incidental signage — lot cap	Total incidental ≤ 1% of lot area	§ 17.72.060.B.1
Special promotional display	Max 30 days per 12 months; admin permit (no fee)	§ 17.72.060.C
Electronic message displays (limited)	Only on PQP parcels along Spruce (Hwy 99 to Haskell); message ≥ 8 sec; display ≤ 1/3 of sign face; not adjacent to residential	§ 17.72.060.I.3
Political signs	Posted up to 3 months before election; remove within 10 days after; ≤ 32 sq ft and ≤ 5 ft high	§ 17.72.060.J

Checklist — What an applicant must satisfy before installing a sign

Confirm parcel zoning and any overlay (Highway 99 corridor, NMU, downtown) — signage allowances differ by district Verify with the jurisdiction (see § 17.72.060 and district chapters) .
Measure sign area using the ordinance method (smallest rectangle covering all graphics/words) § 17.72.060.F .
Confirm sign type classification (Business identification, Incidental, Special promotional, Off‑premises directory, Exempt) and apply the correct limit § 17.72.060.A–E .
If proposing freestanding/monument sign: confirm area/height caps, landscaping at base, and location behind the right‑of‑way § 17.72.060.H.3–7 .
If proposing internal illumination or electronic display, ensure site qualifies (SR‑99 or Spruce/Sycamore corridor exceptions; PQP zoning for electronic) and meet the electronic display conditions § 17.72.060.I .
If in the downtown 8‑block area, design sign to the stricter downtown caps (20 sq ft / 3 ft high) and coordinate with design review if applicable § 17.72.060.H.2 .
Include proposed signage in any Site Development Plan submittal; provide lighting and landscaping plans as required § 17.07.020 .
Obtain any administrative permits or use permits where required (e.g., special promotional signage, doubling sign area, off‑premises directory, and certain electronic signs) § 17.72.060.A.2.c, C, D .
Verify that the sign structure will comply with structural/building standards and the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) where applicable — structural permit requirements are outside this page's scope Verify with the jurisdiction.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
SR‑99 exceptions for monument signs	Monument height increases from 8 ft to 12 ft on parcels abutting SR‑99; mis‑locating a sign could make it noncompliant	Confirm whether parcel directly abuts SR‑99 and whether the proposed sign is within the SR‑99 frontage area § 17.72.060.H.8
Electronic message displays	Allowed only in a narrow location (Spruce St. Hwy99→Haskell) and only on PQP parcels; many applicants assume LED signs are generally permitted	Verify parcel zoning (PQP) and exact street segment; confirm adjacency to residential uses; confirm message timing and size limits § 17.72.060.I.3
Incidental sign size discrepancy	Some ordinance fragments reference 50 sq ft for incidental signs elsewhere; main text allows up to 75 sq ft for a single incidental sign — conflicting numbers can cause permit confusion	When in doubt, ask Planning to confirm which subsection controls or whether later amendments supersede earlier language § 17.72.060.B
Off‑premises directory signs & Civil Code § 713	Off‑premises signs are generally disallowed except by use permit; California Civil Code issues may allow limited signage	Any off‑premises sign relying on Civil Code § 713 must be processed via a use permit and may be subject to relocation/conditions § 17.72.060.D
Downtown “eight‑block” boundary	The special downtown sign caps apply only within the 8‑block area; misidentifying location leads to improper sign size	Verify whether the property lies within the downtown polygon bounded by Spruce, Sycamore, Vermont and the railroad tracks § 17.72.060.H.2
Pole signs and nonconforming signs	Pole signs are prohibited; older nonconforming pole signs are regulated differently and may have amortization/repair limits	If an existing pole sign remains, consult Chapter 17.03 (nonconforming) and verify whether repair or replacement is allowed § 17.72.060.H.1

Plain‑English Summary

Gridley’s zoning code controls sign size, placement, illumination and type. Most commercial signs are measured by the face area (smallest rectangle) and commercial building fronts can use 2 sq ft per lineal foot up to 200 sq ft (other qualifying sides much smaller); freestanding signs are limited (usually 60 sq ft and 8 ft tall, 12 ft if on SR‑99), downtown has tighter caps (20 sq ft/3 ft), LEDs are allowed only in very limited locations, and special/promotional signs need short permits — measure carefully and check your parcel’s zone and overlays before applying § 17.72.060 and the district chapters listed above .

Source References

Gridley Zoning Code, Title 17 — Sign requirements, § 17.72.060 (Business identification, incidental, special promotional, off‑premises, exempt, measurement, freestanding, lighting) .
Gridley Zoning Code — Signage details and freestanding sign rules, § 17.72.060.H–I (monument heights, illumination, electronic displays) .
Downtown and Neighborhood Mixed Use signage allowances: § 17.53.040.H, § 17.54.040.H (blade signs, frontage percent, lighting preferences) .
Site Development Plan requirements (must include proposed signage, lighting and landscaping): § 17.07.020 .
Monument sign definition: § 17.04.149 .
Political signage rules and other specific caps: § 17.72.060.J .

(If you need direct links to the City’s published municipal code or the official zoning map, I can pull and include those URLs — say so and I’ll fetch them. Otherwise the ordinance excerpts above are from the uploaded Gridley Zoning Code file.)

Sources

Retrieved passages

Gridley Zoning Code (§ 24) High relevance
Gridley Zoning Code (Section 17.72.060) High relevance
Gridley Zoning Code (Section 713.) High relevance
Gridley Zoning Code (Chapter 17.03.) High relevance
Gridley Zoning Code (Section 713) High relevance
Gridley Zoning Code (Chapter 22) High relevance
Gridley Zoning Code (§ 19) Medium relevance
Gridley Zoning Code (Section 713.) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Gridley code library

Frequently asked questions

What counts as "sign area" in Gridley?

Sign area is measured as the smallest rectangle that fully encloses the entire visual display (words, logos, graphics). For double‑faced signs you count only one face toward the total area. See § 17.72.060.F .

How large can my business sign be on the building front in Gridley?

For a building face that provides public access/service the ordinance allows 2 sq ft per lineal foot of that face, up to 200 sq ft; other qualifying sides are limited to 35% of that ratio up to 35 sq ft. Doubling on a face may be possible with an administrative use permit (max 100 sq ft) § 17.72.060.A.2 .

Do downtown Gridley businesses have different sign rules?

Yes. Within the downtown eight‑block area (Spruce, Sycamore, Vermont, railroad), ground/monument signs are capped at 20 sq ft and 3 ft high; building signs emphasize blade signs and frontage‑based allocations and typically require coordination with design review § 17.72.060.H.2; § 17.53.040.H .

Can I have an LED electronic message sign in Gridley?

Electronic/changeable copy displays are tightly limited. They are allowed only for monument signs on PQP parcels along Spruce Street from Hwy 99 to Haskell and must meet dwell‑time, size (≤1/3 sign face), non‑flashing and adjacency conditions § 17.72.060.I.3 . Elsewhere electronic displays are not generally permitted.

Are pole signs allowed in Gridley?

No. The ordinance specifically prohibits pole signs; non‑conforming existing pole signs are regulated under the nonconforming chapter § 17.72.060.H.1 .

Do I need a permit for temporary promotional signage like balloons or banners?

Yes. Special promotional signage (balloons, flags, similar) on non‑residential properties is allowed for up to 30 days per 12 months but requires an administrative permit from the Planning Office (the ordinance states no fee for that permit) § 17.72.060.C .

Where do I show signs in a Site Development Plan?

The SDP requirements explicitly require the proposed signage, lighting plan and landscaping to be submitted as part of the SDP package § 17.07.020.B .

What landscaping is required around freestanding signs?

The code requires landscaping around the base of any freestanding sign; exact planting type/extent is reviewed with the sign/site plan and may be tied to SDP or permit conditions § 17.72.060.H.7 .

Can an off‑premises business be advertised on a sign in Gridley?

Off‑premises directory signage is generally not permitted except by a use permit and must meet pedestrian visibility and format conditions; listings for community resources are capped (each listing ≤ 10 sq ft) § 17.72.060.D .

What if I have an existing non‑conforming sign?

Nonconforming signs (including older pole signs) are handled under the nonconforming uses/structures chapter; repairs and changes to nonconforming signs may be restricted — consult Chapter 17.03 and Planning staff Verify with the jurisdiction .

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