Redding — Signage

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Redding's zoning ordinance actually requires for signs: what is permitted, what is prohibited, how sign area and height are measured, permit routes, and special rules by district. Everything below is drawn from the Redding Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 18.42 and related sections) and cites the controlling code paragraphs so you can verify details with the city. See the Redding zoning & planning overview for related city processes and the Redding Zoning map for district locations.

Links used in this page (first natural mention of each topic):

• zoning and map: Redding Zoning
• general planning overview: Redding zoning & planning overview
• development standards and where signage fits: Redding Development Standards
• design guidance referenced by the sign plan rules: Redding Design Review
• overlays & special areas that can change sign rules: Redding Overlay Districts
• parking rules sometimes coordinated with freestanding signs: Redding Parking
• ADU mention where signs might differ: Redding ADUs
• building-code interactions (electrical, structural): California Building Standards Code

Key rules and where to look (plain summary)

• All local sign rules are collected in Chapter 18.42 (Signs). The ordinance starts with purpose and applicability § 18.42.010 and § 18.42.020 and establishes permit routes, administrative review, and findings for approval.
• Sign area and height are computed per the ordinance definitions and measurement rules; the code refers to measuring rules in § 18.42.040(C) and cross-references measurement rules (see § 18.62.130).
• The schedule that actually sets maximum sign area by district is Schedule 18.42.030 (A and B). Where the schedule applies it controls the per‑district maximums and whether an administrative sign permit is required.

District-by-district breakdown (sign rules you need to know)

Note: the zoning ordinance uses district abbreviations throughout. Below each district name is bolded; numbered code citations follow the requirement statements they ground. If a district-specific numeric appears only in the sign schedule, that is noted and you must check Schedule 18.42.030-A/B for the parcel‑specific calculation.

RL, RE, RS (residential districts)

• Purpose & typical uses: single-family and low-density residential (see base zoning); signage is tightly limited. Not all nameplate and temporary signs allowed in commercial zones are permitted here. Not found in retrieved materials for exhaustive district purpose text; verify with the zoning map and base district text.
• Key sign rules: small nameplates up to 2 sq ft are allowed without a permit (except nameplates that advertise businesses in RL/RE/RS are restricted) § 18.42.070(A); garage‑sale signs and one “open/closed” sign rules apply § 18.42.070(E–B). Political and temporary on‑site real estate signs have smaller height/area limits in residential districts § 18.42.040(I) and § 18.42.040(P).

LO (limited office)

• Purpose & typical uses: office and low‑intensity commercial (see base zoning). Sign area allowances are modest; applicable maximums are set by Schedule 18.42.030.
• Key sign rules: wall signs are subject to the general wall sign limit (cumulative wall signage on any one wall not to exceed 20% of that wall area) § 18.42.040(T); most sign types in this district are constrained by Schedule 18.42.030-B.

GO (general office), NC (neighborhood commercial), HC (highway commercial), RC (regional commercial), GC (general commercial), SC (shopping center)

• Purpose & typical uses: a range from offices and neighborhood shops to large retail and shopping centers; sign allowances increase with commercial intensity. See Schedule 18.42.030 for exact per‑frontage or lot area‑based sign-area maximums.
• Key sign rules:
  • Wall signs limited to 20% of wall area per wall § 18.42.040(T).
  • Pole signs: maximum normally 25 ft high; a zoning exception may allow up to 35 ft but requires a Zoning Exception § 18.42.040(H)(2). Setbacks for pole signs are 5 ft from property lines and a minimum 7 ft clearance below the cabinet § 18.42.040(H)(1–3).
  • Monument signs can substitute for pole signs and monuments up to 90 sq ft may be allowed in lieu of a pole sign; larger monuments require a Site Development Permit § 18.42.040(E) (note 2). Landscape at the sign base is required (automatic irrigation equal to twice the sign copy area for monuments; pole signs require irrigation equal to the sign area) § 18.42.040(4).
  • Shopping center identifier signs have separate standards, can be up to 40 ft high and require a use permit § 18.42.040(L).

GI, HI (general industrial, heavy industrial)

• Purpose & typical uses: industrial and heavy uses; larger freestanding signs and some beacon/searchlight signs may be allowed. Sign size allowances are generally larger per Schedule 18.42.030. Check the schedule for parcel‑specific numbers.

PF (public facilities)

• Purpose & typical uses: government, public institutions. The ordinance makes a specific carve‑out: electronic message board signs are prohibited generally but are allowed as monument or wall signs in the PF district with director approval or as part of a site development/use permit § 18.42.080(D).

MU (mixed‑use)

• Purpose & typical uses: mixed residential/commercial where an applicable plan or document may supersede base district development regulations. Sign standards for an MU site will follow the MU plan; where the MU plan is silent other code provisions apply. The planning commission may approve deviations as part of a mixed‑use use permit § 18.54.050. Verify by consulting the specific MU plan text for the parcel.

Standards, permits, and construction requirements (short table)

What the code says about measurement and safety

• Height is measured from the base at "normal grade" to the top of the highest attached component; if normal grade is uncertain the code gives a conservative method (crown of nearest public street or grade at principal entrance) § 18.42.040(C)(1).
• Sign area is the area within the smallest perimeter that encloses all of the letters/graphics (double‑faced signs counted as one side; multi‑faced signs add faces) § 18.42.040(C)(2) and the code cross‑references § 18.62.130 for measurement rules.
• Construction and electrical requirements: sign supports touching the ground must be masonry/steel/preserved wood or equivalent; lighting must be contained/pointed at the sign and not illuminate adjacent residences; electrical service to signs must be underground from the building panel § 18.42.060(A–G).

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)

• Confirm the property's zoning district and any applicable specific plan or overlay; if in an MU or specific plan, check its sign provisions § 18.54.050 and § 18.42.020(B).
• Determine sign type (wall, pole, monument, projecting, window, temporary, political) and check the maximum area/number in Schedule 18.42.030‑A/B or particular subsection § 18.42.030 (schedule) and notes.
• Prepare application drawings (site plan, elevations, sign copy, lighting plan). Administrative sign permits require these attachments; pole/monument signs also need a landscape plan § 18.42.020(C)(2).
• If proposing a commercial center with three or more tenant lease areas, prepare a comprehensive sign plan that complements architecture and follows the design review manual § 18.42.050.
• Verify construction materials, grounding, and electrical undergrounding meet the sign chapter and coordinate with Title 24 for structural/electrical compliance § 18.42.060. (Building-code electrical/structural standards live in Title 24; see the state code link.)
• Check for prohibited content/types (e.g., moving/flashing signs, billboards, most electronic message boards) before investing in technology § 18.42.080.
• If sign is nonconforming or on a nonconforming site, verify whether conversion or replacement will require the sign to be brought into compliance § 18.46.040(D)(1)(a).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Redding's sign rules live in Chapter 18.42: most signs need a permit, wall signs are limited to 20% of the wall, pole signs are normally limited to 25 ft tall (35 ft only by exception), monuments can replace poles (up to 90 sq ft without an SD permit), electronic message boards are mostly banned except in PF or by discretionary permit, and the director handles most administrative sign permits—commercial centers with three+ tenants must submit a comprehensive sign plan. Always measure sign area and height per the ordinance measurement rules and check the schedule for district‑specific maximums.

Source References

• City of Redding Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 18.42 — SIGNS, especially § 18.42.010–§ 18.42.120 (purpose, permitting, standards, construction, exemptions, prohibitions).
• Administrative permitting and application requirements: § 18.42.020 (Administrative sign permits — application, findings, appeal).
• Computation of sign height and area and measuring rules: § 18.42.040(C) and cross‑reference § 18.62.130.
• Specific sign-type limits and rules (pole, monument, projecting, shopping center identifier, temporary real estate, political, murals): see § 18.42.040, § 18.42.050, § 18.42.070, § 18.42.080.
• Schedule of allowable sign area by district (Schedule 18.42.030‑A and B) — numeric maximums and permit‑type indicators § 18.42.030 (see schedule tables).
• Construction, illumination, undergrounding and material standards for signs: § 18.42.060.
• Nonconforming sites and signage: requirement to bring nonconforming signage into compliance § 18.46.040(D)(1)(a).

Retrieved passages

• CBC § 10 (§ 10) High relevance show source text
• Redding Zoning Code (Section 18.62.130) High relevance show source text
• Redding Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance show source text
• Redding Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Redding Zoning Code (Chapter 18.61) Medium relevance show source text
• Redding Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance show source text
• Redding Zoning Code (Section 18.42.040) Medium relevance show source text
• Redding Zoning Code (section and) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• City of Redding Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 18.42 — SIGNS, especially **§ 18.42.010–§ 18.42.120** (purpose, permitting, standards, construction, exemptions, prohibitions). (Chapter 18.42)
• Administrative permitting and application requirements: **§ 18.42.020** (Administrative sign permits — application, findings, appeal). (§ 18.42.020)
• Computation of sign height and area and measuring rules: **§ 18.42.040(C)** and cross‑reference **§ 18.62.130**. (§ 18.42.040)
• Specific sign-type limits and rules (pole, monument, projecting, shopping center identifier, temporary real estate, political, murals): see **§ 18.42.040**, **§ 18.42.050**, **§ 18.42.070**, **§ 18.42.080**. (§ 18.42.040)
• Schedule of allowable sign area by district (Schedule 18.42.030‑A and B) — numeric maximums and permit‑type indicators **§ 18.42.030** (see schedule tables). (§ 18.42.030)
• Construction, illumination, undergrounding and material standards for signs: **§ 18.42.060**. (§ 18.42.060)
• Nonconforming sites and signage: requirement to bring nonconforming signage into compliance **§ 18.46.040(D)(1)(a)**. (§ 18.46.040)
• Redding_ZoningCode.md

• Official Redding code library