San Francisco County — Signage

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes the San Francisco Planning Code controls for signs (Article 6) as they would apply to the unincorporated areas of San Francisco County. It interprets the Code’s purposes, definitions, general prohibitions, permit triggers, and the most common Special Sign District and zoning-district rules you’ll need to check when planning signs. The raw text of the Planning Code is the controlling authority; where the Code does not address a question, this page flags that gap and tells you what to verify with the jurisdiction. Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel-specific application and permitting because some rules are parcel- or district‑specific.

(First related-topic links: see San Francisco County Development Standards, San Francisco County Parking, and San Francisco County Design Review.)

How the Code is organized (quick orientation)

• The Planning Code’s Article 6 establishes the purposes for sign controls (§ 601) and the definitions used for measuring sign area and types (§ 602) — these drive nearly every rule about size, type, illumination, and counting of signs.
• Permit triggers, exemptions, and administrative controls are handled through the sign-permit sections and related procedural sections (see § 604 and references in Special Sign Districts).
• The Code also contains a suite of location-based limits (near freeways § 608.5, scenic streets § 608.6) and a general ban on new general advertising signs (§ 611).

(Other related internal links used below: San Francisco County Overlay Districts, San Francisco County Historic Preservation, San Francisco County Nonconforming Uses, San Francisco County Variances and Exceptions, California Building Standards Code, California ADU law.)

Key general rules and definitions (Article 6 highlights)

• Purposes: The Code’s sign provisions aim to protect aesthetic, safety, and historic values while allowing effective communication (§ 601).
• Definitions/Measurement: Sign area is measured by the full rectangular perimeter around copy (special rules for awnings, marquees, spherical signs, and multi-faced signs are in § 602 and interpretations). See interpretive guidance about spherical signs and awning area aggregation.
• Permits & Exemptions: Many signs are exempted under narrow categories; otherwise a sign permit is required per the Planning Code sign-permit procedures (§ 604 references appear throughout Special Sign District text).
• New general advertising signs are broadly prohibited; relocation of existing general-advertising signs requires special conditional‑use procedures (§ 611).
• Time-limited amortization and removal schedules exist for nonconforming or freeway/scenic-street signs (§ 609, § 608.5, § 608.6). Wind signs are required to be removed within one year of the Article’s effective date (§ 609.7).

District-by-district breakdown (what to check for a given parcel)

Below are district-level summaries drawn from the Planning Code language and Special Sign Districts. Each subsection treats the rule as applying to the unincorporated areas (see Information Gaps for applicability notes). Bolded district names are the Planning Code’s actual district labels and special districts.

C-3 (Commercial / large-scale shopping centers)

• Purpose & typical sign approach: Larger commercial walls and shopping-center signage are allowed under C-3 rules and several SSDs modify C-3 controls for particular sites. See § 607 references in SSDs.
• Typical dimensional limits (site-specific or SSD overrides): Many shopping-center SSDs allow larger wall signs, video signs near pedestrian entrances, and specified illumination hours; e.g., the 555 9th Street SSD applies C-3 sign rules but allows Video Signs up to 24 sq ft within 10 horizontal feet of a pedestrian entrance and restricts change frequency to once per hour.

Where it applies: commercial corridors and large shopping-center parcels designated on the Zoning Map (SSD boundaries are listed in each SSD’s text). Verify SSD maps for parcel applicability.

NC-3 (Neighborhood Commercial)

• Purpose & typical sign approach: Street‑level business identification and pedestrian-scale signs; standards for awnings, window signs, projecting signs are common and measured per business frontage. See § 607.1 references.
• Key limits used in SSDs: Some Special Use Districts adopt NC-3 sign rules but cap the number/height of wall signs (e.g., allowances for up to four identifying signs and wall sign heights limited to 30 ft in certain SUDs).

Where it applies: neighborhood commercial strips and NC-3 mapped parcels; confirm parcel zoning. (See San Francisco County Zoning.)

UMU (Urban Mixed Use) / Special Use Districts (e.g., Potrero Power Station SUD)

• Purpose & typical sign approach: Mixed-use districts apply UMU sign rules; Potrero Power Station SUD explicitly adopts UMU provisions and adds rules such as concealment of electrical elements and limits on temporary sale/lease signs (two signs per building, max 40 sq ft, max 10 ft height, not directly illuminated).
• Illumination and portable signage: Portable signs (sandwich boards) are often allowed but limited to one per business and must be located within frontage/furnishing zones.

Where it applies: the Potrero Power Station project area and other SUD boundaries shown on the Zoning Map. See the SUD text for special rules.

MB (Mission Bay) districts and MB-H

• Purpose & typical sign approach: Mission Bay Use District includes a sign Part VIII (Secs. 970–973) with district‑specific aims and permits; sign permits required per § 604 and exemptions per § 603 apply. Video and freestanding sign rules are handled within the MB sign text.

Where it applies: Mission Bay Use District mapped parcels (consult the Zoning Map).

RH-2 / Rincon Hill Downtown Residential Mixed Use District

• Purpose & typical sign approach: Rincon Hill rules allow modification or replacement of existing signage where criteria are met; refer to Section 608.13 for specific allowances for existing sign towers and sign relocation.

Where it applies: Rincon Hill district boundaries in § 827 and the Zoning Map.

California‑Presidio Special Use District

• Sign controls: The district defers to Article 6 but contains explicit per‑business limits for window, wall, projecting, and awning signs (for example: one wall sign per business up to 50 sq ft and projecting signs up to 32 sq ft; awning copy limited to 40 sq ft).

Where it applies: the California-Presidio SUD area as shown in its Sectional Map.

Stonestown Special Sign District (Stonestown SSD)

• Stonestown-specific standards: Article 6 applies with SSD modifications. The SSD provides a Stonestown-specific sign table (Table 608.10-1) with numeric allowances for building-attached signs, projecting signs, video signs (e.g., Video Signs limited to 30 sq ft and restricted in number and height), and specific rules for portable signage (one sign up to 24 sq ft per business on private streets).

Where it applies: Stonestown Galleria Mall and contiguous SSD parcels described in the SSD; the SSD references maps and DSG (design standards and guidelines).

Special Sign District — 3250 19th Avenue SSD

• Controls tailored for a single large parcel (Assessor’s Block No. 7231, Lot 003): Freestanding signs may be within required front setbacks if three feet from the street property line; wall sign height limit 50 ft (or wall height), wall sign area limit 1 sq ft per 3 linear ft of street frontage or 140 sq ft max; freestanding sign area 1 sq ft per 7 linear ft or 60 sq ft max. Signs are allowed to be indirectly or non‑illuminated. (§ 608.18.)

Where it applies: the single parcel specified; see the SSD text for the assessor block and lot.

555 9th Street SSD

• Shopping-center tailored rules: Applies C‑3 rules except where modified; allows Video Signs up to 24 sq ft within 10 horizontal feet of a pedestrian street entrance and restricts animation/copy change frequency; permits indirect or direct illumination limited to business hours for tenant signs. (§ 608.12.)

Where it applies: the parcel bounded by Bryant, 9th, Brannan and adjacent lots (Assessor Block 3781, Lot 003).

Decision‑relevant standards (quick reference table)

Practical guidance / How to use this page

• Start by confirming the parcel’s zoning and any Special Sign District (SSD) or Special Use District (SUD) overlay on the Zoning Map; SSD/SUD text overrides Article 6 where it conflicts. SSDs list assessor parcel blocks and lots and are explicit where they apply.
• Measure signs per § 602 rules; treat awning/marquee and multi‑face signs per the Code’s measurement rules so you don’t overcount area.
• If your site is near a freeway or one of the scenic streets listed in § 608.6, expect stricter size limits or amortization requirements.
• For illuminated, electronic, or video signs, confirm the SSD’s numeric caps and permitted hours of operation (many SSDs restrict video/change frequency and illumination hours).
• Portable signs and signs in the public right‑of‑way may need additional approvals from Public Works or Transportation — verify with those departments. See San Francisco County Parking and San Francisco County Landscaping and Screening for related frontage/sidewalk rules. (Verify with the jurisdiction.)

Checklist

• Confirm parcel zoning and any SSD/SUD overlays that modify Article 6.
• Measure sign area using the Article 6 definitions (§ 602) and any interpretive rules for awnings or spherical signs.
• Check whether the proposed sign is exempt under § 603 (exempt signs) or requires a permit under § 604.
• Verify illumination/electrical concealment rules and electronic message-change frequency (SSD text or § 602 interpretations).
• If in an SSD (e.g., Stonestown, 3250 19th Avenue, 555 9th Street, Potrero Power Station), confirm the SSD table/paragraph with numeric caps.
• If sign is visible from a freeway or scenic street, check the special limitations/amortization sections (§ 608.5, § 608.6, § 609).
• For signs in public right‑of‑way or on utility poles, verify Public Works/Transportation/ Police Code requirements (portable signs often limited to frontage/furnishing zones).
• If historic or vintage signage is proposed or affected, consult the Historic Preservation rules and the Code’s vintage/historic sign provisions.

Risks & Ambiguities

Information Gaps (what the retrieved materials did not establish)

• Explicit statement that the Planning Code’s Article 6 specifically governs “unincorporated areas” of San Francisco County: Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with the jurisdiction.
• Fee schedule, application form names, and step‑by‑step administrative submittal checklist: Not found in retrieved materials. Verify with Planning Department intake.
• Full text of § 604 permitting procedures in the retrieved snippets (procedural references appear but complete procedural text not in provided excerpts): partial references only. Verify § 604 text and local permit forms.
• Up‑to‑date SSD map graphics showing exact parcel boundaries (SSD texts list assessor blocks/lots but maps are not included here): Not found in retrieved materials. Obtain Zoning Map.

Plain-English Summary

For signs in the unincorporated areas of San Francisco County, the Planning Code’s Article 6 controls sign design, size, illumination and permits; many Special Sign Districts set site‑specific numeric caps (area, height, lighting, and electronic message limits). Start by confirming your parcel’s zoning and any Special Sign District, measure your sign per § 602, and check whether the SSD or district text overrides the general Article 6 limits (permit required unless exempt). Verify all public‑right‑of‑way and historic‑sign issues with the relevant departments.

Source References

• San Francisco Planning Code, Article 6, Purposes of Sign Controls § 601.
• San Francisco Planning Code, Sign Definitions and measurement rules § 602 (and interpretive guidance on awnings/spherical signs).
• San Francisco Planning Code, General advertising prohibition § 611.
• San Francisco Planning Code, Freeway and scenic‑street limitations § 608.5 and § 608.6.
• San Francisco Planning Code, Amortization and wind sign rules § 609 / § 609.7.
• 3250 19th Avenue Special Sign District, § 608.18 (freestanding/wall limits; assessor parcel info).
• 555 9th Street Special Sign District, § 608.12 (shopping‑center/video sign provisions).
• Stonestown Special Sign District and DSG cross‑references (Table 608.10‑1 and portable sign rules).
• Potrero Power Station SUD signage provisions and portable/temporary sign rules.
• Mission Bay Use District sign Part VIII (Secs. 970–973) and MB‑specific sign permit rules.

Also consult these internal topic pages for related rules and process context: San Francisco County Zoning, San Francisco County Development Standards, San Francisco County Parking, San Francisco County Design Review, San Francisco County Overlay Districts, San Francisco County Historic Preservation, San Francisco County Variances and Exceptions, San Francisco County Landscaping and Screening, and California Building Standards Code. (These are internal GoCodebook resources; verify procedural steps with the Planning Department.)

Retrieved passages

• San Francisco County Zoning Code (Section 602) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 608.5 (Section 608.5) High relevance show source text
• San Francisco County Zoning Code (ARTICLE 5) High relevance show source text
• San Francisco County Zoning Code (Section 608.18.) High relevance show source text
• San Francisco County Zoning Code (Section 607.1) High relevance show source text
• San Francisco County Zoning Code (Section 608.12.) High relevance show source text
• San Francisco County Zoning Code (Section 607.1) High relevance show source text
• San Francisco County Zoning Code (Article 6) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• San Francisco Planning Code, Article 6, Purposes of Sign Controls § **601**. (Article 6)
• San Francisco Planning Code, Sign Definitions and measurement rules § **602** (and interpretive guidance on awnings/spherical signs).
• San Francisco Planning Code, General advertising prohibition § **611**.
• San Francisco Planning Code, Freeway and scenic‑street limitations § **608.5** and § **608.6**.
• San Francisco Planning Code, Amortization and wind sign rules § **609** / § **609.7**.
• **3250 19th Avenue Special Sign District**, § **608.18** (freestanding/wall limits; assessor parcel info).
• **555 9th Street Special Sign District**, § **608.12** (shopping‑center/video sign provisions).
• **Stonestown Special Sign District** and DSG cross‑references (Table **608.10‑1** and portable sign rules).
• **Potrero Power Station SUD** signage provisions and portable/temporary sign rules.
• Mission Bay Use District sign Part VIII (Secs. **970–973**) and MB‑specific sign permit rules.
• SanFranciscoCounty_ZoningCode.md

• Official San Francisco County code library