Hollister — Signage

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page explains how signs are regulated in the City of Hollister under the local zoning ordinance (Chapter 17.20 Signs). It summarizes what sign types are allowed or prohibited, the permit paths (including Master Sign Plans), and the district-by-district numeric controls you need to check before designing or installing signs. All requirements below are taken from the Hollister sign chapter; citations point to the controlling code sections. Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel‑specific interpretations. Hollister Zoning

What the code is for and how to read it

• Purpose: the sign regulations implement community design and safety goals, limit visual clutter, and protect traffic safety; see § 17.20.010.
• Definitions (important signal words like “freestanding”, “wall sign”, “portable”, “animated”, “off‑site”) live in § 17.20.020 and the figure of sign types — read definitions first so you know which rule applies to your element. § 17.20.020
• Applicability: the chapter sets the maximum standards for all zoning districts; exceptions and exempt signs are listed separately. § 17.20.030

Note: When you plan signs, also check site rules for parking, pedestrian access and landscaping (signs must not block access or required landscaping) — see the city’s pages on Hollister Parking and Hollister Development Standards (first mention linked).

High‑level permit & procedural rules

• Sign permits are required for all non‑exempt signs; the City Planner reviews sign permit applications and may require a Master Sign Plan. § 17.20.040(F)
• A Building Permit is required for all building‑mounted signs except non‑illuminated window signs. § 17.20.040(F)(G)
• Encroachment permits are required for any sign projecting into the public right‑of‑way (blade/projecting, hanging, awning/canopy, etc.). § 17.20.040(G)
• The Planning Commission may approve exceptions as part of a Master Sign Plan where appropriate findings are made. § 17.20.040(H)

First mention links to design review guidance at Hollister Design Review.

District‑by‑district breakdown

Below are the sign rules by the City’s zoning districts. For commercial/industrial sizing and freestanding limits see Table 17.20‑3 and Table 17.20‑4 in the code. All numeric limits and special rules below are drawn directly from the ordinance; confirm any parcel‑specific exception with staff.

Residential districts (R, multifamily, Mobile Home, Home Office (HO))

• Purpose / typical uses: single‑family, multifamily, small home‑based businesses. See how residential uses are treated under the signs chapter. § 17.20.100
• What’s allowed: non‑commercial house numbers and identification signs; limited freestanding or wall signs for multifamily complexes and mobile home parks. § 17.20.100
• Key numeric standards:
  • 5–30 units: one freestanding sign up to 6 SF, max 4 ft high, setback 10 ft; or wall sign up to 12 SF (non‑illuminated). § 17.20.100
  • 30+ units: freestanding up to 18 SF, max 6 ft high, setback 10 ft; or wall sign up to 24 SF (non‑illuminated). § 17.20.100
• Neon signs are prohibited in Residential and Home Office districts. § 17.20.120 (notes)

Mixed‑Use districts (downtown, storefronts) — Mixed‑Use

• Purpose / typical uses: mixed residential and ground-floor commercial. The sign rights follow uses: residential uses follow residential rules; nonresidential uses follow the corresponding commercial rules. § 17.20.110
• Key rules: building signs in mixed‑use are sized per Table 17.20‑2 (building sign requirements); pedestrian‑scaled signs (blade/projecting, hanging, pedestrian signs) are encouraged. § 17.20.110; § 17.20.050(B)

Commercial Office (CO), General Commercial (GC), North Gateway (NG)

• Purpose / typical uses: office, retail, regional gateway commercial. (See the city land use / zoning map.) § 17.20.120
• Building‑attached sign limits (summary): aggregate building sign area is set by frontage; awning/canopy limits differ by district (e.g., CO awning max placement 15 ft; others 20 ft). Blade/projecting sign sizes and clearance rules are specified. § 17.20.120; Table 17.20‑3
• Freestanding/monument signs: number, area and height vary by district and center type (see Table 17.20‑4). Example highlights: small commercial centers often limited to 50 SF monument signs and 12–15 ft heights; North Gateway allows larger sign area in some cases. § 17.20.120; Table 17.20‑4

Light Industrial (M1), Industrial Business Park (IBP), Airport (A), Airport Support (AS)

• Purpose / typical uses: industrial, airport support services. Sign allowances are generally similar to GC for building signs; some industrial sites may be subject to size restrictions unless a Conditional Use / Master Sign Plan allows commercial signage. Freestanding sign heights and areas are listed in Table 17.20‑4. § 17.20.120

Public Facility / Institutional / Open Space (PF, I, OS)

• Purpose / typical uses: schools, public buildings, parks. Public uses adjacent to residential use the CO standards; otherwise the most‑restrictive adjacent nonresidential district applies. Churches next to residential can have a monument sign up to 50 SF and 15 ft with a Master Sign Plan. § 17.20.130

Agricultural zoning

• Limited signage: on‑site signs may advertise only products grown on the site; total area not to exceed 32 SF, with only one freestanding sign allowed. § 17.20.140

Common numeric rules and prohibitions (quick list)

• Window signs may not cover more than 25% of the visible window glass in most commercial and industrial districts; window signs are prohibited in residential and home office districts. § 17.20.120; § 17.20.060
• Animated, flashing, moving or rotating signs are prohibited except where the chapter expressly allows them. § 17.20.070(A)(5)
• Off‑site advertising signs (billboards) are generally prohibited; existing legal billboards are nonconforming and strictly limited. § 17.20.070(A)(7)
• Roof signs and signs that simulate official traffic devices are prohibited. § 17.20.070(A)(2–3)

Key decision table (most relevant numeric limits)

(Consult Table 17.20‑3 and Table 17.20‑4 in the code for the full grid by district.) § 17.20.120 / Tables 17.20‑3 & 4

Design and placement guidance (plain English synthesis)

• Prioritize pedestrian‑scaled signage for downtown and mixed‑use storefronts: projecting/blade, hanging, and pedestrian signs are encouraged and sized smaller because they are read at close range. § 17.20.050(B)
• Monument (low scale) signs are the default for freestanding signs; the Planning Commission will allow other types only when a Master Sign Plan justifies them on design grounds. § 17.20.120 (notes)
• Signs that project over sidewalks or the public ROW require an encroachment permit and must meet clearance rules; check the Building Division and Public Works for the encroachment process. § 17.20.040(G)
• Window signage larger than 25% of the pane is limited (and neon is regulated); window signs (except neon) are typically exempt from Administrative Sign Permit review but still must meet area limits. § 17.20.120; § 17.20.060

Also check site requirements for landscaping around freestanding signs: monuments must sit within a planted landscaped area and be visually compatible with the building. § 17.20.120

Checklist

• Confirm the zoning district of the parcel and applicable sign table (Residential, Mixed‑Use, CO, GC, NG, M1, IBP, A, AS, PF/I/OS, Agricultural). §§ 17.20.100–140
• Measure building occupancy frontage and street frontage to calculate allowed aggregate sign area per the table. § 17.20.120 / Table 17.20‑3
• Verify sign type (wall, freestanding, blade, window, kiosk, portable) against definitions in § 17.20.020.
• Determine whether the sign is exempt (temporary, open house, construction, address numbers). § 17.20.060
• Prepare sign permit application (including Master Sign Plan if requested) and pay fees; include materials, illumination details, structural attachments and location plan. § 17.20.040(F)
• Obtain Building Permit for building‑mounted signs (unless exempt) and Encroachment Permit for any sign projecting into the public ROW. § 17.20.040(G)
• Ensure ADA‑compliant pedestrian paths are maintained and that sign installation does not obstruct required landscaping. (kiosk and portable sign rules) § 17.20.120

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Hollister’s sign rules (Chapter 17.20) regulate what sign types are allowed, how large they can be, where they sit and when they need a permit: small, non‑illuminated signs are allowed in residential areas; commercial districts have larger allowances (see per‑district tables); most off‑site billboards are banned; a sign permit plus a building or encroachment permit (if applicable) are required for non‑exempt signs. §§ 17.20.010–140

Source References

• Hollister Municipal Code — Signs chapter (Chapter 17.20): Purpose, definitions, applicability § 17.20.010–030.
• Hollister Municipal Code — Design standards and general regulations for signs § 17.20.050–060.
• Hollister Municipal Code — Prohibited signs § 17.20.070.
• Hollister Municipal Code — Signs in Residential, Mixed‑Use, Commercial/Industrial, Public Facility and Agricultural districts §§ 17.20.100–140, Tables 17.20‑1 through 17.20‑5 (attached/freestanding/building sign grids).
• Hollister Municipal Code — Permit process, Master Sign Plan, building and encroachment permits § 17.20.040 (F–H).

Related Hollister planning pages (internal links referenced in the body): Hollister Zoning, Hollister Land Use, Hollister Development Standards, Hollister Parking, Hollister Design Review, Hollister Overlay Districts, Hollister ADUs, California Building Standards Code (first use of each topic linked above).

Retrieved passages

• Hollister Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Hollister Zoning Code (§17.06.030) High relevance show source text
• Hollister Zoning Code (Section 5412) High relevance show source text
• Hollister Zoning Code (§ 1) High relevance show source text
• Hollister Zoning Code (chapter is) High relevance show source text
• Hollister Zoning Code (Section 17.24.070) High relevance show source text
• Hollister Zoning Code (Section 17.24.140) High relevance show source text
• Hollister Zoning Code High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Hollister Municipal Code — Signs chapter (Chapter 17.20): Purpose, definitions, applicability **§ 17.20.010–030**. (Chapter 17.20)
• Hollister Municipal Code — Design standards and general regulations for signs **§ 17.20.050–060**. (§ 17.20.050)
• Hollister Municipal Code — Prohibited signs **§ 17.20.070**. (§ 17.20.070)
• Hollister Municipal Code — Signs in Residential, Mixed‑Use, Commercial/Industrial, Public Facility and Agricultural districts **§§ 17.20.100–140**, Tables 17.20‑1 through 17.20‑5 (attached/freestanding/building sign grids). (§ 17.20.100)
• Hollister Municipal Code — Permit process, Master Sign Plan, building and encroachment permits **§ 17.20.040 (F–H)**. (§ 17.20.040)
• Hollister_ZoningCode.md

• Official Hollister code library