Local zoning · Ridgecrest
Ridgecrest — Signage
Signage under the Ridgecrest local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.
Last reviewed: July 2, 2026
Overview
This page summarizes what the Ridgecrest zoning ordinance (the City of Ridgecrest Municipal Code, Article VI — Signs) actually requires for signs: permitting, numeric limits (height, area, setbacks), temporary signs, off‑premises/billboards, and administration. The rules apply citywide with tailored allowances for commercial and industrial zones and a tailored sign program inside the Ridgecrest Commercial Specific Plan area. Key ordinance authorities are § 106-402, § 106-403, § 106-407, § 106-409, and § 106-410.
Note: sign construction/attachment and electrical/structural inspection is governed by the state building standards (the California Building Standards Code/Title 24) and the International Sign Code as adopted by the city; applicants must design to those standards in addition to the local sign rules. Link to the city's adopted building-code reference is embedded below.
This page links to related Ridgecrest topics you will likely need when planning signage: parking, setbacks/development standards, design review, overlay districts, ADUs, and the state building code. See Useful Links below in‑text.
Useful links (first mention inline):
- On parking rules: see Ridgecrest Parking (/us/california/ridgecrest/parking).
- On setbacks and development dimensions: see Ridgecrest Development Standards (/us/california/ridgecrest/development-standards).
- For design guidance/possible review: see Ridgecrest Design Review (/us/california/ridgecrest/design-review).
- If your property sits in a special overlay: see Ridgecrest Overlay Districts (/us/california/ridgecrest/overlay-districts).
- For sign rules that affect accessory units, consult Ridgecrest ADUs (/us/california/ridgecrest/adu).
- For state structural/electrical sign standards: California Building Standards Code (/us/california/building-codes).
- For questions about existing, nonconforming signage: see Ridgecrest Nonconforming Uses (/us/california/ridgecrest/nonconforming-uses).
Controlling ordinance sections (short)
- Purpose & scope: § 106-402
- Definitions (types, aggregate area, ground/roof/monument, etc.): § 106-403
- Special regulations (ground, projecting, canopy, roof, temporary, off‑premises): § 106-407
- Nonconforming signs (abatement/termination): § 106-409
- Administration, permits, inspection & appeals: § 106-410
District-by-district breakdown (sign rules as they apply)
Notes on approach: the sign article in the Ridgecrest code applies citywide but calls out certain zones when a particular sign type or exception is allowed. Below I list only the districts that the sign article explicitly references for distinct rules; where the ordinance treats zones the same, I note the citywide standard. For zone names see the code's zone classifications.
CN — Neighborhood Commercial
- Purpose / typical uses (reference): neighborhood-serving retail, small offices and services (see zoning list).
- Signage specifics: roof signs are permitted (one roof sign per business below the lowest roof peak) in the CN zone as a zone‑specific allowance under the special regulations. § 106-407
- Practical: roof signs may not exceed the zone height or project above parapet/roof line; they must be mounted flush and not interrupt architectural features. § 106-407
CG — General Commercial
- Purpose / typical uses: larger commercial retail and service uses (see zoning list).
- Signage specifics: roof signs are permitted in CG under the same caveats as CN (flush mounting, not above parapet, within zone height limits). § 106-407
CS — Service Commercial
- Purpose / typical uses: highway‑oriented services, automotive, larger service uses (see zoning list).
- Signage specifics:
- Roof signs permitted (same rules as CN/CG). § 106-407
- Billboards (off‑premises signs) are generally prohibited citywide but may be allowed by conditional use permit (CUP) in the CS district and along major highways if the planning commission makes the required findings; CUP constraints include size (not to exceed 10' x 20' per face), max height 20 ft, minimum clearance 7 ft beneath, indirect lighting only, and minimum spacing 300 ft between billboards on same street side. § 106-407(g)
M-1 — Light Industrial
- Purpose / typical uses: light manufacturing, warehousing, contractor yards (see zoning list).
- Signage specifics: roof signs are permitted in M‑1 (same limitations as other zones noted in the special regulations). Ground and industrial signs must still meet aggregate area and setback rules in the sign article. § 106-407
M-2 — Heavy Industrial
- Purpose / typical uses: heavier industry uses (see zoning list).
- Signage specifics: roof signs allowed (same limitations). Industrial zones have the same basic numeric controls and are subject to the sign article. § 106-407
R (R‑1 / R‑2 / R‑3 etc.) — Residential districts
- Purpose / typical uses: single‑family and multi‑family housing (see zoning list).
- Signage specifics:
- Home‑occupation or residential signs are tightly restricted — home occupations may not use signs except those permitted in the R districts; temporary sign allowances for single‑family lots are smaller than commercial. See the temporary/real estate/temporary directional table for the residential size limits. § 106-31 and the sign article (temporary sign table).
Ridgecrest Commercial Specific Plan area (Specific Plan)
- Where it applies: the Specific Plan area has its own sign program but the Specific Plan explicitly defers to (and incorporates) the Ridgecrest Municipal Code sign definitions and many of the city sign rules; where it lays out numeric standards, those apply inside the Specific Plan unless it states otherwise. The Specific Plan is the zoning for that area and requires a comprehensive sign program with approval by the public services director. Ridgecrest Commercial Specific Plan text and sign program excerpts.
- Specific numeric rules inside the Specific Plan include (examples):
- Monument sign max height: 8 ft. § (Specific Plan sign rules, incorporated by reference to the Municipal Code)
- Pole signs max height: 20 ft. § (Specific Plan sign rules)
- Wall/roof/window signs max height: 60 ft (applies in the Specific Plan area where stated). § (Specific Plan sign rules)
- Aggregate sign area formula (Specific Plan): (2.0 sq ft) × (building frontage length) — applied for permitted signs in the Specific Plan area. § (Specific Plan sign rules)
If your parcel sits in one of the above zones, verify the parcel zoning and any overlays before assuming these allowances; the sign article ties specific allowances to the zone names noted above. Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel‑specific interpretations.
Key numeric standards and common rules (decision‑relevant table)
| Topic | City rule / limit | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Monument sign — max height (Specific Plan) | 8 ft | § 106-407 |
| Pole sign — max height (Specific Plan) | 20 ft | § 106-407 |
| Wall / roof / window sign — max height (Specific Plan) | 60 ft | § 106-407 |
| Minimum setback for signs (except wall/projecting/monument) | 5 ft | § 106-407 |
| Aggregate permitted sign area (Specific Plan formula) | 2.0 sq ft × building frontage (ft) | § 106-407 |
| Temporary single sign — maximum area | 100 sq ft | § 106-407 (temporary signs) |
| On‑site gas price signs | ≤ 40 sq ft or ≤ 6 ft height | § 106-407(b)(1)(b) |
| Fast‑food menu board (drive‑through) | ≤ 25 sq ft | § 106-407(b)(1)(c) |
| Off‑premises billboards in CS (CUP only) | Max 10' × 20' per face; max height 20 ft; 300 ft spacing; must be indirect lit; min 7 ft clearance | § 106-407(g) |
| Ground sign allocation, commercial/industrial | No more than 1/2 of permitted aggregate area on ground sign | § 106-407(b)(3) |
| Projecting signs | One projecting sign allowed only if no ground or roof sign; must follow International Sign Code | § 106-407(c) |
| Permit & plan submittal | Most permanent signs require planning approval; three sets of sign plans required | § 106-? / permit provisions in sign article |
(Where the Specific Plan publishes its own numbers, those apply within that Plan area unless the Plan states otherwise; the Municipal Code otherwise governs signs citywide.)
Practical guidance / plain‑English interpretation (original synthesis)
- Most permanent signs require planning department approval and building inspection; treat a proposed sign like a small project: submit three sets of plans with site location, elevations, materials, lighting details and transformer counts for electric signs as required by the code. § 106-? (sign plan submittal rules)
- If your site is in a commercial or industrial zone expect larger allowable sign area and vertical allowances (pole/monument/roof signs) than in residential zones, but the code limits how much of your aggregate allowance can be on a ground sign (no more than half). § 106-407
- Temporary signs are relatively permissive but timed/size limits apply: no single temporary sign over 100 sq ft, and temporary directional signs have specific day‑limits and counts per year. Remove temporary signs when the activity ends. § 106-407
- Billboards are generally disfavored and prohibited except by a narrow CUP allowance in CS and along designated highways (SR‑178 and South China Lake Boulevard) and then only with strict size, height, spacing and lighting requirements. Plan on an application showing compatibility and public benefit. § 106-407(g)
- Where the Specific Plan sets numbers (monument 8 ft, pole 20 ft, aggregate formula, etc.), that tailored program governs projects inside the Specific Plan area; outside that area use the general sign article. Specific Plan sign program
Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy (before sign erection)
- Confirm parcel zoning and any overlay districts. Verify whether the Ridgecrest Commercial Specific Plan rules apply to the parcel. Verify with the jurisdiction.
- Prepare three (3) sets of sign plans showing address, owner, contractor, site plan with sign location, elevations (height, projection), dimensions, materials, lighting/transformer info, anchorage/structural details. § 106-?
- Confirm numeric compliance: height, setback, aggregate sign area (or Specific Plan formula), temporary sign limits, and whether roof/projection/ground sign rules apply. § 106-407
- If electrical/structural work required, obtain building permits and pass building inspections per the California Building Standards Code/International Sign Code. § 106-410
- If proposing billboard or other non‑standard/oversized sign, prepare a CUP or comprehensive sign plan showing required findings and neighborhood compatibility. § 106-407(g)
- If sign is nonconforming or on annexed property, confirm whether it must be removed or brought into conformance (some legal nonconforming signs had a termination schedule). § 106-409
Risks & Ambiguities
| Issue | Why it matters | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Which numeric standard controls inside the Specific Plan vs. citywide article | The Specific Plan publishes its own sign program and numeric rules that can supersede or supplement the municipal code within its area. | Verify whether parcel lies inside the Ridgecrest Commercial Specific Plan and apply the Specific Plan numbers where stated. § 106-407 |
| Billboards / off‑premises signs | Citywide prohibition with narrow CUP exception in CS; a CUP requires specific findings and limits (size, spacing, lighting). | If proposing off‑premises billboard, confirm highway frontage eligibility (SR‑178 or South China Lake Blvd.), prepare CUP materials. § 106-407(g) |
| Net allowable aggregate sign area for a multi‑tenant property | The code caps aggregate area and limits how much can be on ground signs (½ of aggregate in commercial/industrial zones). | Compute aggregate by frontage or the Specific Plan formula; verify with planning director for complex multi‑tenant layouts. § 106-407(b)(3) |
| Projecting signs into right‑of‑way (public safety/obstruction) | Projecting signs that extend into ROW are subject to curb clearance limits and International Sign Code limits and may require encroachment permits. | Confirm projection dimensions, sidewalk clearance, and whether an encroachment permit (Caltrans for state highway frontage) is needed. § 106-407(c) |
| Nonconforming signs on annexed or rezoned parcels | The code sets a timeline/conditions for nonconforming signs to be removed or brought into conformance; enforcement options include removal without compensation. | Check nonconforming status, date of annexation or zone change, and any amortization/abatement timelines. § 106-409 |
Information Gaps (what I could not confirm in the retrieved materials)
- The municipal code snippet requires applicants to submit sign plans and mentions detailed plan content, but the precise administrative application form/fee schedule and the department checklist were not present in the materials I searched. Verify with Ridgecrest Planning staff. Not found in retrieved materials.
- The ordinance references Table II (temporary directional sign size/height by zone) in the snippets; I could not locate a single explicit section header number that labels "Table II" in the extracted text, though the table content is present. Verify table placement and cross‑reference when preparing applications. Table II reference partially found in retrieved snippets.
- Local fees, timelines for sign plan review, and exact submittal checklist (electronic vs. paper) are administrative and were not contained in the ordinance extracts provided. Verify with the planning department. Not found in retrieved materials.
Plain-English Summary
Ridgecrest’s zoning code requires planning approval (and building inspection) for most permanent signs, sets numeric limits (heights, setbacks, aggregate area), allows certain roof/pole/monument signs in commercial and industrial zones, tightly restricts residential signs and billboards (billboards only by CUP in CS on designated highways), and enforces removal or conformity for nonconforming signs; comply with the sign article § 106-402–§ 106-410 and the Specific Plan rules where your parcel is inside that plan.
Source References
- Ridgecrest Municipal Code, Article VI — Signs, including purpose and definitions § 106-402 and § 106-403.
- Ridgecrest Municipal Code, Special regulations for signs (ground, projecting, canopy, roof, temporary, off‑premises/billboards) § 106-407.
- Ridgecrest Municipal Code, Administration/inspection/appeals of sign rules § 106-410.
- Ridgecrest Municipal Code, Nonconforming signs (removal/termination) § 106-409.
- Ridgecrest Commercial Specific Plan — sign program excerpts (monument/pole/roof heights, aggregate formula, tenant sign standards).
- Ridgecrest zone classifications (list of zone names: CN, CG, CS, M‑1, M‑2, R‑1 etc.).
- Table II / temporary sign sizing examples and temporary directional sign rules (in the sign article).
- California Building Standards Code / International Sign Code reference as adopted (state structural/electrical/inspection requirements for signs).
Sources
Retrieved passages
- Ridgecrest Zoning Code (§ 20-26.7) High relevance
- Ridgecrest Zoning Code (section addresses) High relevance
- Ridgecrest Zoning Code High relevance
- Ridgecrest Zoning Code (section are) High relevance
- CEC § 20 (§ 20-26.7) Medium relevance
- Ridgecrest Zoning Code (section if) Medium relevance
- Ridgecrest Zoning Code (§ 20-20.16) Medium relevance
- Ridgecrest Zoning Code (section addresses) Medium relevance
- Ridgecrest Zoning Code (section if) High relevance
- Ridgecrest Zoning Code Medium relevance
Cited sections
- Ridgecrest Municipal Code, Article VI — Signs, including purpose and definitions **§ 106-402** and **§ 106-403**. (Article VI)
- Ridgecrest Municipal Code, Special regulations for signs (ground, projecting, canopy, roof, temporary, off‑premises/billboards) **§ 106-407**. (§ 106-407)
- Ridgecrest Municipal Code, Administration/inspection/appeals of sign rules **§ 106-410**. (§ 106-410)
- Ridgecrest Municipal Code, Nonconforming signs (removal/termination) **§ 106-409**. (§ 106-409)
- Ridgecrest Commercial Specific Plan — sign program excerpts (monument/pole/roof heights, aggregate formula, tenant sign standards).
- Ridgecrest zone classifications (list of zone names: **CN**, **CG**, **CS**, **M‑1**, **M‑2**, **R‑1** etc.).
- Table II / temporary sign sizing examples and temporary directional sign rules (in the sign article).
- California Building Standards Code / International Sign Code reference as adopted (state structural/electrical/inspection requirements for signs).
- Ridgecrest_ZoningCode.md
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of signs require a planning permit in Ridgecrest?
Most permanent signs require planning department approval prior to erection; while some temporary signs are exempt, the municipal code indicates planning review and submittal of sign plans for any non‑exempt sign and that three sets of plans are required. See the sign article and administration rules § 106-402 and § 106-410.
Can I put a billboard along State Route 178 in Ridgecrest?
Billboards are generally prohibited, but the ordinance allows billboards by conditional use permit only in the CS district or as otherwise provided for major highway frontages (State Route 178, South China Lake Boulevard) subject to strict size, height, spacing, lighting and finding requirements; expect a CUP showing compatibility. § 106-407(g)
How tall can a monument or pole sign be in the Ridgecrest Commercial Specific Plan area?
Inside the Specific Plan area the program sets monument signs up to 8 ft and pole signs up to 20 ft; confirm whether your parcel is in the Specific Plan before applying those numbers. See the Specific Plan sign rules and the incorporated municipal code provisions.
How does Ridgecrest calculate permitted sign area for a commercial building?
The Specific Plan gives an aggregate formula used in that plan: 2.0 sq ft × building frontage (ft) to determine aggregate permitted sign area for the development; the general sign article also regulates aggregate area and allocation between ground and building signs. Confirm which standard applies to your property. § 106-407
Are temporary signs counted toward my permanent sign allowance?
Temporary signs are not counted as part of the allowed aggregate area for permanent signs, but the total area of temporary signs is limited (and no single temporary sign may exceed 100 sq ft). Time limits and approval rules apply to directional/temporary signs. § 106-407 (temporary signs)
Do roof signs require special approval or are they allowed automatically?
Roof signs are allowed in certain commercial and industrial zones (specifically listed: CN, CG, CS, M‑1, M‑2) but must comply with mounting, height and architectural rules (not above roof peak or parapet and within zone height limits). They are subject to the same permit and building inspection requirements. § 106-407(e)
Is an encroachment permit required if my projecting sign extends over the sidewalk or public right‑of‑way?
Projecting signs that extend into the public right‑of‑way may require encroachment permits and must meet curb clearance limits; the sign article limits projecting signs from extending within two feet of curb lines and refers to the International Sign Code for exact projection limits. Verify with public works and the planning department and, for state roads, Caltrans. § 106-407(c)
What happens to an existing sign that becomes nonconforming after a zone change?
Legally existing nonconforming signs on a property affected by zoning changes are allowed to remain for the period stated in the nonconforming rules, but the planning director/public works director may order removal in certain circumstances; any changes to nonconforming signs generally require bringing the sign into conformance. § 106-409
Do I need to follow the California Building Standards Code for sign construction?
Yes — sign construction, attachments, electrical equipment and structural anchorage are subject to the California Building Standards Code (Title 24) and the International Sign Code as adopted; these requirements are enforced via building permits and inspections. § 106-410
Where can I find the zone names (e.g., CN, CG, CS) used in the sign rules?
The municipal code includes a zone classification list that includes CN (Neighborhood Commercial), CG (General Commercial), CS (Service Commercial), M‑1, M‑2, R‑1, etc. Use that list to confirm the zoning of your parcel before applying zone‑specific sign rules.
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