Solano County — Signage

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

This page explains how Sign regulations apply in the unincorporated areas of Solano County under County zoning (Title 28, Chapter 28.96 — Signs). It summarizes what types of signs are allowed or prohibited, the permit routes (no permit / minor sign permit / major sign permit), district-by-district limits, special exceptions (e.g., farm stands and subdivision signs), and the design/illumination rules you must meet. The sign rules are part of the County Zoning framework; see the Solano County zoning & planning overview for context. (/us/california/solano-county)

Important: this guidance is limited to what the Solano County Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 28, Article on Signs) contains — verify parcel-specific questions with County staff. § 28.96.10; § 28.96.30.

Key Rules (what the ordinance establishes)

• Scope & Purpose — The sign rules apply to all signs in unincorporated Solano County and are intended to protect traffic safety, aesthetics, and community character while allowing effective communication. § 28.96.10

• Permit categories — Signs fall into four administrative categories: prohibited, allowed without a permit, allowed with a minor sign permit, and allowed with a major sign permit. § 28.96.30

• Measurement & definitions — Sign area and freestanding sign height are measured using the ordinance definitions and figures (extreme perimeter, vertical projection, finished grade). § 28.96.90; Definitions in § 28.96.20.

• Prohibited sign types — The ordinance specifically bans items such as animated/electronic message displays, roof signs, pole signs with inadequate support, signs on vehicles/trailers as advertising (with limited exceptions), banners/pennants (except limited grand-opening use), and others. § 28.96.40.

• Design & illumination controls — Color, materials, structural proportionality, minimization of reflective surfaces and agrarian-style materials for agricultural zones are required; illumination must be continuous (no blinking), shielded and not confused with traffic controls. § 28.96.90(D–E); § 28.96.100 (specific types).

• Master sign programs — Multi-tenant commercial buildings with four or more tenants (or other circumstances where consistent, multiple signs are needed) require a master sign plan enumerating placement, construction, size, materials and lighting. § 28.96.110.

• Exceptions & small temporary signs — Temporary, campaign, real-estate, certain directional, and other limited signs are allowed without a sign permit when they meet the listed standards (see the sign-exempt list). § 28.96.50 and § 28.96.100(E).

• Enforcement & nonconforming signs — Nonconforming signs are restricted (e.g., not replaceable by another nonconforming sign) and dilapidated signs can be abated as a nuisance. § 28.96.50(B); § 28.96.90(F).

• Relationship to other standards — Sign permits interact with other County development requirements (e.g., setbacks in development standards, parking rules, and encroachment permits for signs in the right-of-way). See the County Development Standards and Parking rules when planning placement. (/us/california/solano-county/development-standards) (/us/california/solano-county/parking)

District-by-district breakdown

Below are the sign rules as they are laid out by the County ordinance for the primary district groups referenced in the sign standards table. All of these apply only to unincorporated areas. The controlling district-level rules and the sign table are in § 28.96.80; detailed measurement and general rules are in § 28.96.90 and type-specific rules in § 28.96.100.

Agricultural districts — A, A-SM, A-SV-20

• Purpose & typical uses: Agriculture and ag-support uses across unincorporated county agricultural lands; see Development Standards for setbacks and lot rules. (/us/california/solano-county/development-standards)
• Sign permissions: Awning signs (up to 3 awnings, combined allowance shown in the table), freestanding signs allowed (freestanding height capped), projecting signs per the projecting-sign rules, and wall signs up to the building eave height. These limits are listed in the zoning district sign standards table. § 28.96.80.
• Key dimensional limits: Maximum combined awning area listed (table shows 120 sq ft combined for awnings in these agricultural districts) and freestanding height limited (table: 6 ft typical). § 28.96.80; measurement method § 28.96.90.
• Special note: For farm stands the County provides extra allowances in the farm-stand regulations (e.g., one awning/freestanding/projecting/wall sign up to 32 sq ft in many cases and one sandwich-board up to 9 sq ft); those are exceptions to and in addition to the sign table. See the farm-stand rules. § 28.23 and development sections for farm-stand specifics.

Rural Residential — R-R and R-TC

• Purpose & typical uses: Low-density residential, rural cluster/town center variants; consult the district development tables for allowed land uses. (/us/california/solano-county/land-use)
• Sign permissions: Typically limited to small awning/wall/window signs for home-occupation-type uses; the sign table shows awning: 1 and a small 4 sq ft limit for that awning/wall signage in these residential districts (table entry). § 28.96.80.
• Dimensional controls: Freestanding signs limited to 6 ft height where allowed; window signs cannot cover more than 33% of total window area. § 28.96.80; § 28.96.100 (Window signs).

Park — P

• Purpose & typical uses: Recreation and park facilities in unincorporated areas. § 28.61 outlines the P district; signs must follow Section 28.96. § 28.61; § 28.96.80. (/us/california/solano-county/development-standards)
• Sign permissions: Table shows freestanding signs (up to 3) with combined area allowances (example in table: 60 sq ft combined, 6 ft max height) and wall signs up to eave height. § 28.96.80.

Highway Commercial — C-H

• Purpose & typical uses: High-visibility commercial corridors in unincorporated areas (consult district tables for land uses). § 28.96.80 contains the district sign rules and the ordinance includes a special allowance for the C-H district that a sign may be permitted up to the building height in limited cases subject to a major sign permit and findings by the Zoning Administrator. See the major sign permit findings. § 28.96.80; § 28.96.70 (Major sign permit findings).

Industrial / Agricultural Service — I‑AS

• Purpose & typical uses: Industrial or ag-service uses in unincorporated industrial areas (see Table of uses in the I-AS section). Sign rules default back to the sign chapter — "All signs shall comply with Section 28.96" — and any district-specific exceptions are listed in the I-AS or use-specific sections (e.g., farm-stand and similar). § 28.43; § 28.96.

Note: The table in § 28.96.80 contains more districts and specific numeric entries (combined sign area, number of freestanding signs, allowed lighting type). Refer to § 28.96.80 for the full, authoritative district table and to § 28.96.90 for measurement rules. § 28.96.80; § 28.96.90.

Most decision-relevant standards (quick reference table)

Practical guidance & how this interacts with other County rules

• Design checks: Because the ordinance requires compatibility with building materials, eave lines, and community character — and in some agricultural zones an agrarian material palette — expect reviewers to ask for materials samples, elevations, and colors. See the County design review guidance for when architectural approval is needed. (/us/california/solano-county/design-review) § 28.96.90(D).

• Placement & setbacks: Signs must be located on the same site as the use they identify unless an off-premises exception applies, and signs projecting over a public right-of-way require an encroachment permit as well as a sign permit. Check county encroachment rules for roadside placements. § 28.96.90(C). (/us/california/solano-county/overlay-districts)

• Parking & circulation: For uses that also require parking or site improvements, coordinate sign placement with circulation and the County parking rules (sign location must not interfere with safe ingress/egress). Consult the County Parking page for related requirements. (/us/california/solano-county/parking) § 28.96.90(C).

• Building code & structural permits: A sign that requires structural work may also need a building permit under the California Building Standards Code; this zoning chapter governs the land-use/appearance/size rules but not structural code compliance. (/us/california/building-codes) When the sign involves foundations or electrical work, check Title 24/Building Code — the sign chapter requires any necessary building permit. § 28.96.50(A).

• Overlays & historic areas: Overlay districts and policy plan overlays can adopt tailored sign standards; if your parcel is in an overlay (for example a Policy Plan or historic overlay), the overlay's sign rules may supersede the general table — check the overlay map and standards. (/us/california/solano-county/overlay-districts) § 28.96.80; overlay code sections.

• ADUs, short-term rentals, farm stands: Some specialized uses have their own sign allowances or restrictions (e.g., farm-stand sign exceptions; bed-and-breakfast restrictions on signage are referenced in their use section). Review the applicable use-specific sections for sign allowances. § 28.23 (tourist/farm-stand) and related use sections. (/us/california/california-adu-laws)

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy before installation)

• Confirm the zoning district for the parcel and read § 28.96.80 for the district-specific limits (number, area, height, allowed lighting). § 28.96.80.
• Determine whether the sign is allowed without a permit under § 28.96.50 (temporary signs, maintenance, flags, etc.). § 28.96.50.
• If a permit is required, identify whether a minor sign permit or major sign permit is needed and prepare submittal materials (plans, colors, materials, lighting, site plan). § 28.96.60; § 28.96.70.
• For multi‑tenant projects (4+ tenants or coordinated signage) prepare a master sign plan showing all signs, materials, lighting, and placement. § 28.96.110.
• Provide measurements per the ordinance (bounding rectangle method; freestanding height from finished grade). § 28.96.90(A–B).
• Ensure illumination plan meets shielding and continuous-light requirements and list light types proposed (neon in enclosed cabinets, external, internal, or halolighting where allowed). § 28.96.90(E).
• If the sign projects over public right-of-way, secure a County encroachment permit in addition to the sign permit. § 28.96.90(C).
• If the sign requires structural work or electrical service, coordinate and obtain any necessary building permits under the California Building Standards Code. (/us/california/building-codes) § 28.96.50(A).

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Solano County’s sign rules (Chapter 28.96) control what kinds of signs you can put on properties in the unincorporated county by district: they set how many signs, how big they can be, how tall freestanding signs may get, what kinds of lighting are allowed, and which sign types are banned (for example, electronic message boards and roof signs). Follow the district table in § 28.96.80; check measurement rules in § 28.96.90; and prepare a master sign plan if you have multi-tenant signage needs.

Source References

• Solano County Zoning — Signs, Chapter 28.96 (Subdivisions: 28.96.10–28.96.130): § 28.96.10, § 28.96.20, § 28.96.30, § 28.96.40, § 28.96.50, § 28.96.60, § 28.96.70, § 28.96.80, § 28.96.90, § 28.96.100, § 28.96.110, § 28.96.120, § 28.96.130.
• Farm-stand and tourist-use sign exceptions: farm-stand allowances and sandwich-board allowances in the agricultural/tourist use sections (e.g., § 28.23 and § 28.43 areas).
• District development standards referencing signs in tables (e.g., Table 28.42B, Table 28.61B) — shows cross-reference to Section 28.96 for sign compliance.

If you need the County’s official online code page or a parcel‑specific confirmation, contact Solano County Resource Management / Planning or consult the published Solano County Code on the County website. Verify with the jurisdiction for parcel-specific interpretations. Not found in retrieved materials: a single County-hosted URL for the live code; the above text is derived from the uploaded Solano County Zoning Code excerpts.

Retrieved passages

• Solano County Zoning Code (Chapter 28) High relevance show source text
• Solano County Zoning Code (Chapter 28) High relevance show source text
• Solano County Zoning Code (Chapter 28) High relevance show source text
• Solano County Zoning Code (§13) High relevance show source text
• Solano County Zoning Code (Section 28.04.) High relevance show source text
• Solano County Zoning Code (§39) High relevance show source text
• Solano County Zoning Code (section and) Medium relevance show source text
• Solano County Zoning Code (Chapter 28) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Solano County Zoning — Signs, Chapter 28.96 (Subdivisions: 28.96.10–28.96.130): **§ 28.96.10**, **§ 28.96.20**, **§ 28.96.30**, **§ 28.96.40**, **§ 28.96.50**, **§ 28.96.60**, **§ 28.96.70**, **§ 28.96.80**, **§ 28.96.90**, **§ 28.96.100**, **§ 28.96.110**, **§ 28.96.120**, **§ 28.96.130**. (Chapter 28.96)
• Farm-stand and tourist-use sign exceptions: farm-stand allowances and sandwich-board allowances in the agricultural/tourist use sections (e.g., **§ 28.23** and **§ 28.43** areas). (§ 28.23)
• District development standards referencing signs in tables (e.g., Table 28.42B, Table 28.61B) — shows cross-reference to **Section 28.96** for sign compliance. (Section 28.96)
• SolanoCounty_ZoningCode.md