Kerman — Signage

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Kerman’s zoning code requires for signs (Chapter 17.30) so you can plan permitted sign types, sizes, and approvals. The sign chapter lays out purpose and applicability (§ 17.30.010), permitting and application rules (§ 17.30.020), zone-by-zone allowances (§ 17.30.070), temporary/exempt/prohibited signs, and special-use rules such as changeable-copy and gasoline price signs (§ 17.30.040–§ 17.30.080) . Before you design a sign, check site-level standards such as parking, setbacks and other rules (see the city’s pages on parking and development standards).

Below are the code-driven, Kerman-specific rules organized by the districts and sign‑types that the code treats differently. All cross-references use the code’s section numbers; the underlying ordinance text is the authoritative source and is cited below.

How to read these subsections

• Bolded names are the code’s exact zone names and numeric standards.
• Each requirement is tied to the controlling code section (the § number) and the uploaded ordinance text (file citations).
• If the code requires director/commission approval or a building permit, that is noted — verify site-specific decisions with the Planning Division.

Urban Reserve (UR), Open Space, Recreation and Public Facilities (O), and Rural Residential (RR)

• Purpose/typical uses: noncommercial, low‑impact public/open uses; sign allowances are minimal to preserve character.
• Key sign rules: one address sign (maximum 2 sq. ft.) and one advertising structure up to 32 sq. ft.; one temporary for sale/rent/lease up to 32 sq. ft. § 17.30.070(A) .
• Where it applies: rural and public property, civic sites. Verify encroachment rules separately for signs in public right‑of‑way; the ordinance limits public‑place signs and may require encroachment permits (Verify with the jurisdiction). Not all public‑right‑of‑way specifics were found in the retrieved materials.

Single‑Unit Residential and Multi‑Unit Residential

• Purpose/typical uses: homes, apartment complexes.
• Key sign rules: one address sign per dwelling up to 2 sq. ft.; subdivision/multi‑unit entrance sign up to 32 sq. ft. (if ground mounted, top ≤ 5 ft.) § 17.30.070(B) .
• Practical note: Group care or day‑care uses in single‑family residential may have separate prohibitions or allowances; always cross‑check with the specific use standards in Chapter 17.40. See the ADU page for accessory dwelling contexts ADUs.

Professional and Administrative Office (PA)

• Purpose/typical uses: small office centers and medical/professional buildings.
• Key dimensional standards:
  • On‑building signs: where building entrance setback ≤ 150 ft. → 0.5 sq. ft. per linear front foot, up to 30 sq. ft.; if > 150 ft. setback → 1.0 sq. ft. per front foot up to 50 sq. ft..
  • Freestanding sign program options (single identification sign or low‑profile tenant signs) with heights/areas per Table 17.30‑1 and location rules (minimum 3 ft. inside property line). § 17.30.070(C); Table 17.30‑1 .
• Where it applies: office parks; director may grant minor deviations for enhanced design § 17.30.100–17.30.110 .

Neighborhood Commercial (CN)

• Purpose/typical uses: small retail serving neighborhood needs.
• Key standards: 1.5 sq. ft. of sign area per 2 sq. ft. of linear frontage (effectively 0.75 sq. ft. per front foot) up to 45 sq. ft. (corner parcels up to 60 sq. ft.). Ground signs ≤ 6 ft. high; pole signs prohibited. § 17.30.070(D) .

General Commercial (CG) and Service Commercial (CS)

• Purpose/tpical uses: larger retail, auto services, multi‑tenant centers.
• Key rules:
  • One freestanding sign per parcel; allowed sizes/heights depend on tenant vs. single‑tenant and frontage — see Tables 17.30‑2 and 17.30‑3 for single‑tenant and multi‑tenant programs (face areas and heights scale by frontage). § 17.30.070(E); Tables 17.30‑2/3 .
  • Shopping centers ≥ 700 ft. frontage may qualify for secondary tenant freestanding signs, up to 100 sq. ft. and 20 ft. height (one per main drive). § 17.30.070(E)(2) .

Light Manufacturing (M‑1) and Heavy Manufacturing (M‑2)

• Purpose/typical uses: industrial and manufacturing uses.
• Key rules:
  • One freestanding sign permitted per street frontage; allowed height and face area scale with total frontage (see Table 17.30‑5 — e.g., frontage 0–75 ft. → 10 ft. height / 25 sq. ft. face; frontage 201+ → 20 ft. / 100 sq. ft.). § 17.30.070(F); Table 17.30‑5 .
  • On‑building ID sign allowance: 1 sq. ft. per lineal foot of building frontage up to 300 sq. ft.; signs may not extend above parapet/eaves. § 17.30.070(F)(6) .
  • Flashing/animated signs are prohibited (except time/temperature signs). § 17.30.070(F)(3) .

Specific uses and exceptions (selected)

• Gas stations: freestanding price sign rules and additional on‑building gasoline price sign allowances are addressed in the specific‑use table (Table 17.30‑6); see § 17.30.080 for the boxed list of special uses (gas price boards, menu boards, movie theater signage, etc.) .
• Changeable‑copy/electronic message signs: require an administrative use permit; limited to on‑site commercial messages and are not permitted within 2,000 ft. of another changeable‑copy sign. § 17.30.080 and § 17.30.030 .
• Temporary signs: holiday promotion rules, two additional 14‑day promotional periods per year, grand opening and “going out of business” special permits are regulated in § 17.30.060 (detailed timing and sizes in the ordinance). § 17.30.060 .

Prohibitions (selected, code list)

• The code expressly prohibits: signs that imitate official traffic signs, signs that obscure traffic controls, roof signs, projecting/fin signs, and outdoor advertising structures (billboards); also portable signs in the public right‑of‑way (except as allowed). See § 17.30.050 for the full list and standards. § 17.30.050 .

Master sign programs, deviations, nonconforming signs

• A master sign program is available for coordinated developments; minor deviations and variances have procedures; nonconforming signs are allowed to be maintained but not enlarged — see § 17.30.100–§ 17.30.120. § 17.30.100–17.30.120 .

Quick reference table — common, decision‑relevant limits

Information Gaps / things not explicitly present in retrieved materials

• Specific city fee schedule and application forms for sign permits — Not found in retrieved materials (Verify with the Planning Division).
• Exact encroachment permit process and standards for signs projecting into public right‑of‑way or attached to public property — the ordinance references encroachment permits but the code text in uploaded material did not provide a unique § with full process details; Verify with the jurisdiction. .
• Any design review guidelines that apply specifically to sign materials/lighting beyond the general director review authority — the code allows design criteria and director discretion but detailed graphic/design standards were not located in the supplied text (see § 17.30.020, director review). Verify with design review and the Planning Division. .

Checklist

• Confirm base zone name on the parcel (e.g., CN, CG, PA, M‑1, M‑2, UR, O, RR) and use the corresponding limits in § 17.30.070 .
• Prepare a scaled site plan showing sign location relative to property lines, driveways, pedestrian paths and access (required in application). § 17.30.020 .
• Create scaled elevation drawings showing all existing/proposed building signs and on‑building sign areas (required) § 17.30.020 .
• Confirm whether a building permit is required (per code the building division must approve and Title 24 may apply); link to California Building Standards Code in design and structural permitting § 17.30.020(C) .
• Check for special‑use rules if your use is movie theater, gas station, drive‑through, or automobile/RV sales (Tables 17.30‑6, 17.30‑4) § 17.30.080 .
• If proposing changeable‑copy or electronic reader boards, plan for an administrative use permit and spacing limits (2,000 ft.). § 17.30.030 .
• For temporary/promotional signage verify time windows under § 17.30.060 (holiday periods and two 14‑day discretionary periods). § 17.30.060 .
• If sign encroaches over public property or is within the public right‑of‑way, verify encroachment permit requirement with the City (not fully detailed in retrieved text). Verify with the jurisdiction. .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Kerman’s sign rules live in Chapter 17.30: small address signs (2 sq. ft.) are OK almost everywhere, commercial zones have zone‑specific caps (CN 45 sq. ft., CG/CS and office zones use frontage tables, industrial zones use Table 17.30‑5), changeable/electronic signs need extra permits, and temporary signs have strict time windows — you must submit scaled site and elevation drawings and get Planning (and often Building) approval before installation § 17.30.010–§ 17.30.080 .

Source References

• City of Kerman, Kerman Zoning Code — Chapter 17.30, Sign Regulations, including § 17.30.010–§ 17.30.120 (purpose, permitting, conditional signs, exempt/prohibited signs, temporary signs, signs by zone, specific uses, abandoned signs, master sign program, deviations/nonconforming).
• Table references and zone‑by‑zone standards: Table 17.30‑1, Tables 17.30‑2 / 17.30‑3, Table 17.30‑4, Table 17.30‑5, Table 17.30‑6 (on‑structure, freestanding and industrial tables; specific‑use table) § 17.30.070, § 17.30.080
• Application, drawing, lighting and building permit linkage: sign application and required exhibits; coordination with Building Division and Title 24 referenced in permitting rules § 17.30.020
• Temporary / holiday promotional sign timing and rules § 17.30.060
• Prohibited and nonconforming sign rules § 17.30.050, § 17.30.120
• Cross‑references to other chapters (site planning, clear vision triangle) — see Chapter 17.20 (clear vision rules) and other zone development standards referencing Chapter 17.30 for signs § 17.20.030, Chapter 17.14/17.16 (zone standards referencing sign chapter)

Also review these Kerman topic pages while preparing sign applications: Kerman Zoning, Kerman Land Use, Kerman Parking, Kerman Design Review, Kerman Overlay Districts, Kerman ADUs, and the California Building Standards Code (for building‑permit/structural requirements).

Retrieved passages

• Kerman Zoning Code High relevance show source text
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Cited sections

• City of Kerman, Kerman Zoning Code — Chapter 17.30, Sign Regulations, including **§ 17.30.010–§ 17.30.120** (purpose, permitting, conditional signs, exempt/prohibited signs, temporary signs, signs by zone, specific uses, abandoned signs, master sign program, deviations/nonconforming). (Chapter 17.30)
• Table references and zone‑by‑zone standards: Table **17.30‑1**, Tables **17.30‑2 / 17.30‑3**, Table **17.30‑4**, Table **17.30‑5**, Table **17.30‑6** (on‑structure, freestanding and industrial tables; specific‑use table) **§ 17.30.070**, **§ 17.30.080** (§ 17.30.070)
• Application, drawing, lighting and building permit linkage: sign application and required exhibits; coordination with Building Division and Title 24 referenced in permitting rules **§ 17.30.020** (Title 24)
• Temporary / holiday promotional sign timing and rules **§ 17.30.060** (§ 17.30.060)
• Prohibited and nonconforming sign rules **§ 17.30.050**, **§ 17.30.120** (§ 17.30.050)
• Cross‑references to other chapters (site planning, clear vision triangle) — see Chapter 17.20 (clear vision rules) and other zone development standards referencing **Chapter 17.30** for signs **§ 17.20.030**, Chapter 17.14/17.16 (zone standards referencing sign chapter) (Chapter 17.20)
• Kerman_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California Residential Code.md