Local zoning · San Ramon
San Ramon — Signage
Signage under the San Ramon local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.
Last reviewed: July 2, 2026
Overview
This page summarizes what the City of San Ramon’s zoning ordinance requires for signs (permits, sizes, types, illumination, and Master Sign Programs). It is based on the City’s Unified Development Ordinance signage chapter; clickable links point you to related planning topics (for example, San Ramon Zoning and San Ramon Design Review). Key permit triggers: Sign Permit (§ D3-56), Building Permit (§ D3-59), and Master Sign Program thresholds (§ D3-52) as adopted in the local code.
The ordinance groups zoning districts for sign standards. Below are district-by-district subsections naming the actual district abbreviations used in the San Ramon code, and summarizing the signage rules that apply in each (purpose/use text is not reproduced by the sign chapter, so use the city’s zoning and land-use pages or verify with staff for parcel-level use allowances). See the consolidated numeric standards table later and the cited code sections for full text.
AG (Agricultural)
- Purpose / typical uses: Not found in retrieved materials for sign-purpose text in this chapter; verify with the San Ramon Land Use and district map.
- Sign standards: Window signs limited to 20% of window area; free-standing/monument sign dimensions governed by Table 3-15 (see free-standing rules under § D3-47 D and Table 3-15).
- Where it applies: rural/agricultural areas per City zoning map — confirm on the San Ramon Zoning map.
GC (General Commercial)
- Purpose / typical uses: Not found in retrieved materials for uses in the sign chapter; see zoning maps.
- Sign standards: Window signs up to 20% of window area; free-standing/monument signs follow the Table 3-15 limits for commercial groupings (height and face area; free-standing subjects to ARB/Zoning Administrator review per § D3-54).
M-1 / M-2 (Light / Heavy Industrial)
- Purpose / typical uses: Not found in sign chapter.
- Sign standards: Same column group as GC/AG for on-site maximums—window sign %, free-standing allowances as in Table 3-15; changeable signs allowed only in P & PS by table (so not typical in M zones except where specifically allowed).
P (Public) and PD (Planned Development)
- Purpose / typical uses: see City zoning.
- Sign standards: Treated with the same column as AG/GC/M; changeable signs are explicitly allowed in P & PS under Table 3-15 (subject to § D3-47 criteria).
PS (Public/Semi‑Public) and OS (Open Space)
- Purpose / typical uses: see zoning.
- Sign standards: Similar to AG/GC group in Table 3-15; changeable signs permitted in P & PS only as noted.
RR / RE / RS (Rural Residential / Estate / Single-Family Residential)
- Purpose / typical uses: residential; verify on zoning maps.
- Sign standards: Residential column limits in Table 3-15: temporary on-site residential real estate signs limited to 4 sq ft face area and 5 ft height and limited to one sign per property (§ D3-47 F and Table 3-15). Permanent free-standing signs in single-family areas are very limited (see Table 3-15 for the residential group) and many commercial sign types are prohibited in residential zones (§ D3-50).
RM / RMH / RH (Low‑/Medium‑/High‑Density Multi‑Family)
- Purpose / typical uses: multi-family residential.
- Sign standards: Multi‑family sites often require a Master Sign Program when multiple permanent signs are proposed (§ D3-52). Temporary directional/residential real-estate sign limits apply as in Table 3-15 and § D3-47 F–H.
OA / MW (Office / Medical‑Warehouse)
- Purpose / typical uses: office and medical/service uses.
- Sign standards: Office identification and wall sign rules apply (one wall-mounted identification sign per wall elevation; wall sign area limits referenced in § D3-47 A and Table 3-15). Review thresholds for Planning Commission review (e.g., wall signs > 0.75 sq ft per linear foot of wall triggers Commission review) (§ D3-54).
OL / CC / CCMU / MC / CR / CT / CS / MU (Old‑Town/Community/Commercial/Mixed‑Use)
- Purpose / typical uses: commercial, mixed‑use, downtown and corridor zones.
- Sign standards: These districts fall into the Table 3-15 commercial group that allows larger free-standing and wall signs (see Table 3-15: free‑standing heights up to 8'–12' and face area allowances differ by district grouping; freeway‑oriented signs have special rules) — see § D3-47 subsections for Free‑standing/Monument and Freeway‑oriented sign rules.
Quick Decision Table (most-used standards)
| Topic | Typical standard (San Ramon) | Code Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Sign Permit required (non‑exempt) | Sign Permit required for any sign regulated by the chapter unless exempt | § D3-56; |
| Building Permit for signs | Building Permit required for all signs except exempt ones (Chief Building Official discretion) | § D3-59; |
| Temporary on-site residential real estate signs | Max 4 sq ft face; 5 ft height; one per property; removed within 7 days after sale/lease; not in ROW | § D3-47 F; Table 3-15; |
| Temporary on-site commercial real estate signs | Max 12 sq ft face; 5 ft height; one per site; removed no later than 30 days after occupancy | § D3-47 I; Table 3-15; |
| Free‑standing / Monument signs (commercial) | See Table 3-15: commercial group allows up to 8'–12' height and 30 sq ft face depending on district; ARB/Zoning Admin review may be required | § D3-47 D; Table 3-15; |
| Illumination next to residential | No illumination between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. if contiguous to residential, unless business open then; lighting must be shielded | § D3-49; |
| Off‑site signs / billboards | Off‑site advertising signs and billboards are prohibited (very limited exceptions via Commission) | § D3-50; § D3-47 E; |
| Master Sign Program required when | Any nonresidential site with 6+ tenants or projects with >25,000 sq ft new/renovated nonresidential GFA, or multi-family with multiple permanent signs | § D3-52; |
(See Table 3-15 for full on‑site/off‑site maxima by zone grouping.)
Practical guidance & synthesis (plain-English, how planners use the rules)
- If you manage or are designing signage for a multi-tenant center (6+ tenants) or a large renovation, plan to prepare a Master Sign Program; it supersedes chapter standards where approved but must meet findings and design criteria (§ D3-52).
- Most single-building wall signs are decided administratively, but large wall signs (area above 0.75 sq ft per linear foot) or freeway‑oriented signs move to Planning Commission review (§ D3-54).
- Lighting is limited adjacent to homes: shield fixtures and avoid illumination between 10:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m. unless the business is open (the ordinance prioritizes minimizing glare) (§ D3-49).
- Off-site advertising and billboards are broadly banned; off-site directional programs are allowed only under a Master Off‑Site Directional Sign Program with ARB/Commission review and strict size/placement limits (§ D3-53 and § D3-47 E).
When design or sign placement could affect vehicle or pedestrian safety, the ordinance requires coordination with site access rules (driveway standards) and landscaping/screening and expects coordination with San Ramon Parking and San Ramon Development Standards.
Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy)
- Confirm whether the sign is an exempt sign per § D3-45 (if exempt, Sign Permit may not be required).
- If non-exempt, obtain a Sign Permit (application requirements: scaled plans, elevations, owner consent, fee) per § D3-56 and § D3-58.
- Obtain Building Permit (except truly exempt signs) per § D3-59; consult the building department and the California Building Standards Code.
- If your project meets Master Sign Program thresholds (6+ tenants or >25,000 sq ft nonresidential), prepare a Master Sign Program with the required materials and submit concurrently with development application (§ D3-52).
- For free‑standing signs, check separation spacing, landscape requirements, and whether ARB/Zoning Administrator review is required (§ D3-47 D; § D3-54).
- Show lighting details and confirm shielding and night-time limits if adjacent to residential (§ D3-49).
- Confirm owner’s written consent is included with application (§ D3-57).
Risks & Ambiguities
| Issue | Why it matters | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Freeway‑visible signs / freeway‑oriented signs | Freeway exposure has special prohibitions and different approval tracks (freeway‑oriented building signs only allowed in limited cases) — conflict with state advertising law possible | Verify whether the site has direct freeway frontage and whether the sign would be visible from freeway ramps; consult § D3-47 R/S and the California Outdoor Advertising Act if applicable. |
| Whether a sign is “exempt” | Exempt signs avoid the Sign Permit but the exemptions have strict limits (size, duration, location) | Confirm the exact exemption clause for the sign type in § D3-45 (temporary advertisement windows, blade signs, directional, etc.). |
| Master Sign Program thresholds and scope | MSP approval supersedes chapter rules but requires specific findings and concurrent processing; unclear edge cases for aggregation | If your project is near thresholds (e.g., 5→6 tenants or 20–30k sq ft), confirm whether MSP is required and whether ARB/Commission review will be needed (§ D3-52). |
| Illumination adjacent to residences | The ordinance allows exceptions if the business is open but also demands subdued lighting — interpretation is context dependent | Provide lighting levels and hours; expect the Zoning Administrator to evaluate glare and hours per § D3-49. |
| Off‑site directional programs (duration/leases) | Off‑site directional signs can be temporary and have lease/management rules; failure to secure leases can delay installation | Verify management/lease commitments and permit time limits (e.g., 5‑year max for off-site directionals) per § D3-53. |
Plain-English Summary
San Ramon’s zoning code tightly controls sign size, type, illumination, and placement: small temporary signs for home or on-site real estate use are allowed with limits, most permanent commercial signs require a Sign Permit (and often a Building Permit), and larger or multi-tenant developments must prepare a Master Sign Program; billboards and general off‑site advertising are largely prohibited. Verify whether your project needs ARB or Planning Commission review and follow the illumination and maintenance rules.
Source References
- San Ramon Zoning Ordinance — Signs chapter: § D3-44 (Definitions) through § D3-63; see especially § D3-47 (Specific Sign Regulations), § D3-45 (Exempt Signs), § D3-49 (Illumination), § D3-50 (Prohibited Locations/Types), § D3-52 (Master Sign Program), § D3-53 (Off‑Site Directional Signs), § D3-54 (Approvals), § D3-56 (Sign Permit), § D3-58 (Sign Permit Applications), § D3-59 (Building Permit).
- Table of on‑site/off‑site maximum sign standards (Table 3‑15) — use for district-specific maximums and temporary sign caps.
(If you need the exact ordinance text for a parcel, I can extract the specific subsections and the Table 3‑15 snippet for the exact district column — or confirm applicability for a street address. Verify with the City for parcel‑specific interpretations.)
Sources
Retrieved passages
- San Ramon Zoning Code (Section D3-52) High relevance
- San Ramon Zoning Code (§ 2) High relevance
- San Ramon Zoning Code (Section D347) High relevance
- San Ramon Zoning Code (Section D3-47) High relevance
- San Ramon Zoning Code (Section D3-53) High relevance
- San Ramon Zoning Code (Section D3-53) High relevance
- San Ramon Zoning Code (Section D3-43) High relevance
- San Ramon Zoning Code (Section D3-47) High relevance
Cited sections
- San Ramon Zoning Ordinance — Signs chapter: § D3-44 (Definitions) through § D3-63; see especially **§ D3-47** (Specific Sign Regulations), **§ D3-45** (Exempt Signs), **§ D3-49** (Illumination), **§ D3-50** (Prohibited Locations/Types), **§ D3-52** (Master Sign Program), **§ D3-53** (Off‑Site Directional Signs), **§ D3-54** (Approvals), **§ D3-56** (Sign Permit), **§ D3-58** (Sign Permit Applications), **§ D3-59** (Building Permit). (§ D3-44)
- Table of on‑site/off‑site maximum sign standards (Table 3‑15) — use for district-specific maximums and temporary sign caps.
- SanRamon_ZoningCode.md
Frequently asked questions
What sign permits do I need in San Ramon?
If the sign is not exempt under § D3-45, you need a Sign Permit under § D3-56; most non-exempt signs also require a Building Permit (except those specifically exempted by the Chief Building Official) under § D3-59.
When is a Master Sign Program required?
A Master Sign Program is required for any nonresidential site with six or more tenants, any multi-family site proposing more than one permanent sign, or projects constructing/renovating more than 25,000 sq ft of nonresidential floor area; MSPs must be processed concurrently with development applications (§ D3-52).
How large can my storefront window sign be?
Window signs are generally limited to 20% of a window’s area per the on‑site/off‑site maxima and § D3-47 rules; temporary promotional window signs have separate time limits in § D3-45.
Can I put up a billboard or off‑site advertising sign?
No. Off‑site advertising/billboards are prohibited except in very limited circumstances, and off‑site directional programs require Master Off‑Site Directional Program approval and must meet strict findings (§ D3-50 and § D3-53).
Are illuminated signs allowed near homes?
Illumination is allowed but must be shielded and directed to minimize glare; signs contiguous to residential zones cannot be illuminated between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless the business is open and lighting is subdued (§ D3-49).
What are the temporary signage limits for real estate open houses?
Temporary on‑site residential real estate signs are limited to 4 sq ft face area and 5 ft maximum height and to one sign per property, with short duration limits (§ D3-47 F and Table 3‑15). Off‑site directional signs for open houses are limited to A‑frame style, 6 sq ft, 48 in height, and are subject to time/place limits (§ D3-47 G/H).
Who approves free‑standing (monument) signs?
All free‑standing signs are typically reviewed by the Zoning Administrator and may require ARB or Planning Commission review depending on size, proximity to other signs, or site frontage; see § D3-54 and the free‑standing standards in § D3-47 D.
What counts as a sign (e.g., murals, painted walls)?
The ordinance treats painted or decorated building surfaces intended to convey a message as signs and requires Zoning Administrator approval for noncommercial murals or painted messages (§ D3-48).
If my tenant changes sign copy, do I need a permit?
Yes — alterations to a sign face require a Sign Permit unless the change is only repainting the same colors or ordinary maintenance; any structural change or new copy is subject to the chapter (§ D3-56).
Do I need to coordinate signage with parking or driveway layout?
Yes. The ordinance requires sign placement and design to comply with driveway and site access standards and to consider traffic safety; coordinate signage with site access/parking plans and San Ramon Parking standards.
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