Tulare — Signage

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Tulare's zoning ordinance says specifically about signs: who may place them, which types are allowed where, size/height/illumination limits, special rules for billboards and master sign programs, and enforcement. The sign chapter is citywide and content‑neutral; it defines exemptions and per‑district standards laid out in the sign tables and in several special sections. See the Tulare Development Standards for related dimensional rules and Tulare Zoning for base district maps. For pedestrian/sidewalk impacts and vendor signage, also consult Tulare Parking and Design Review when projects trigger those processes. All sign definitions come from the sign chapter (§ 10.56.370) and the chapterwide applicability at § 10.56.020 .

How the ordinance is organized (quick)

• The City regulates signs through Chapter 10.56 of the zoning code (the "sign chapter"). The chapter is expressly applicable citywide § 10.56.020 .
• Exemptions (small residence signs, addresses, vehicle signs, window signs, etc.) are listed in § 10.56.040 .
• The bulk of permitted sizes/placements are presented as zone‑specific tables in § 10.56.090 and its tables (Tables 10.56.090‑1 through ‑7) and related sections; overlay zones (Downtown Design Overlay, Mixed‑Use Overlay, PUDs) can modify those standards § 10.56.090 and § 10.56.100 .
• Master sign programs, temporary sign rules, billboards, and nonconforming/maintenance/enforcement rules are covered in dedicated sections such as § 10.56.200, § 10.56.140, § 10.56.310, § 10.56.300, and § 10.56.320 .

District-by-district sign rules (summary of what the code actually requires)

Note: the ordinance uses zone names rather than short codes like "R‑1" in the sign tables. The tables reference the city's zone districts (e.g., Low Density Residential, Neighborhood Commercial, Light Industrial). Where the code references a base zoning category, that is the controlling table; Planned Unit Development overlays follow their base zone unless the PUD adopts special sign rules § 10.56.090(9) . Verify parcel‑specific mapping at the city zoning map on the Tulare Zoning page.

Residential zones (Rural Residential; Residential Estate; Low Density Residential; Medium Density Residential; High Density Residential)

• Purpose & where it applies: Applies to all residential zones and to residential uses in mixed areas. Base rules are in Table 10.56.090‑1 and the surrounding text § 10.56.090 .
• Typical permitted sign types and limits:
  • Permanent building sign: 1 per residence, max 2 sq ft, max height 8 ft; illumination allowed per § 10.56.160. See Table 10.56.090‑1 § 10.56.090 .
  • Permanent freestanding: generally not allowed for one–four residences; larger multi‑unit projects get limited freestanding signs (examples: 24 sq ft and up to 20 ft height for multi‑unit projects) — see table for exact thresholds § 10.56.090 .
  • Temporary signs (open house, sale): limited sizes (examples: temporary building sign 12 sq ft; temporary freestanding up to 4 sq ft) and no illumination § 10.56.090 .
• Practical note: home‑based/business signs are treated specially (home occupations may have exclusions); exempt one‑per‑residence wall sign up to 2 sq ft is spelled out in § 10.56.040 .

Commercial zones (Neighborhood Commercial; Office Commercial; Retail Commercial; Service Commercial)

• Purpose & where it applies: commercial signage standards are grouped in Table 10.62.090‑3 and Table 10.56.090‑3 depending on chapter formatting; see the commercial tables in § 10.56.090 and the commercial table references § 10.62.090‑3 .
• Typical permitted sign types and limits:
  • Permanent building signs: area tied to building frontage — commonly 1.5 sq ft per lineal foot of main frontage (up to 500 sq ft) and 0.5 sq ft per foot on secondary frontages (up to 300 sq ft). Placement: 2 ft below top of building wall; illumination allowed per rules § 10.56.090 .
  • Permanent freestanding signs (monument preferred): typically 1 per street frontage >25 ft, 40 sq ft per face, max height 8 ft (and 4 ft inside the "Corner Cutoff Area") § 10.56.090 .
  • Temporary building/freestanding signs: per‑tenant limits (e.g., 16 sq ft for temporary building signs; small A‑frame rules and 4 sq ft per business for temporary freestanding) § 10.56.090 .
• Practical note: new can/cabinet signs may be restricted in design overlays (see Downtown Design Overlay) and illuminated signage must follow § 10.56.160 for lighting controls § 10.56.090 .

Downtown Design Overlay zone

• Purpose & where it applies: special pedestrian‑oriented standards for downtown commercial frontages; standards are in Table 10.56.090‑4 and related text § 10.56.090 .
• Key sign rules:
  • Permanent building signs: typically 1 sq ft per lineal foot up to 75 sq ft and placement 1 ft below building top. Can/cabinet signs are not allowed for new installations. Blade/projecting signs and hanging arcade/pendant signs are encouraged for pedestrian scale § 10.56.090 .
  • Permanent freestanding signs: generally not allowed in the Downtown Design Overlay § 10.56.090 .
  • Temporary signs/A‑frames: allowed but constrained to avoid blocking a 4‑ft clear pedestrian path and limited sizes/heights § 10.56.090 .
• Practical note: downtown projects should coordinate signage with the Tulare Design Review process and the Downtown design goals.

Mixed‑Use Overlay zone

• The Mixed‑Use Overlay supersedes the general nonresidential sign standards and replaces them with Table 10.56.100‑1 and additional pedestrian signage allowances; it also allows one extra pedestrian‑oriented sign up to 10 sq ft (projecting or arcade sign) with an 8‑ft clearance over walkways § 10.56.100 .
• Practical note: check whether your parcel is within the Tulare Overlay Districts map because the Mixed‑Use rules will control § 10.56.100 .

Planned Unit Development (PUD) overlay

• Default: PUD parcels follow the base zone sign standards in the tables unless the PUD specifically adopts different sign rules; the PUD may modify or supersede the standards § 10.56.090(9) .
• Practical note: always read the PUD ordinance for the site — the code explicitly allows PUD sign standards to replace table standards § 10.56.090(9) .

Agricultural / Open Space zones

• Commercial/office/industrial uses on agricultural parcels follow the sign standards in Table 10.56.090‑6: typical permanent building signs 25 sq ft max; monument freestanding signs 24 sq ft, max height 6 ft (or 4 ft inside Corner Cutoff Area) § 10.56.090 .

Public Lands & Parks and Recreation zones

• Sign standards for government, park, and public uses are in Table 10.56.090‑5: permanent building signs up to 35 sq ft (or 50 sq ft if combined), monument freestanding 24 sq ft, placement and illumination rules in the table § 10.56.090 .

Industrial zones (Light Industrial; Heavy Industrial)

• Industrial sign standards are grouped in Table 10.56.090‑7. Common allowances: up to 3 building signs per building, area tied to lineal frontage (up to 500 sq ft total), freestanding monument signs 24 sq ft and up to 10 ft high (but still respect Corner Cutoff Area 4‑ft rule) § 10.56.090 .

One decision‑relevant summary table (pick this when you’re designing or reviewing a sign)

Key special rules you must know (not exhaustive)

• Exempt, small signs: one small permanent wall sign per residence/business ≤ 2 sq ft; street address and court/agency signs are exempt § 10.56.040 .
• Temporary building signs in non‑residential zones are limited to 3 months per 12‑month period per parcel § 10.56.140 .
• Shopping center/master sign programs: multi‑tenant centers with more than three commercial establishments must adopt a comprehensive master sign program; bonuses to sign area/height are possible if program features citybranding or enhanced design elements § 10.56.200 and related shopping center provisions § 10.56.130 (table guidance) .
• Billboards require a conditional use permit and must meet location, spacing, setback, height, density, and branding rules (e.g., 70 ft max height; no closer than 1,000 ft between billboards) § 10.56.310 .
• Nonconforming signs are allowed to remain under restricted conditions; they must be brought into compliance on substantial improvements to the property and cannot be structurally enlarged § 10.56.300 .
• Maintenance and removal: owners must keep signs in like‑new condition; abandoned on‑premises signs advertising discontinued uses must be removed within 90 days § 10.56.320 and § 10.56.340 .

Checklist

• Confirm the parcel's zoning/overlay status on the Tulare Zoning map and identify any Downtown, Mixed‑Use, or PUD overlays. Verify which Table (10.56.090 series or 10.56.100) applies § 10.56.090; § 10.56.100 .
• Determine sign type(s): permanent building, freestanding (monument preferred), blade/projecting, A‑frame, banner, LED/changeable copy, billboard § 10.56.370 .
• Measure building frontage and street frontages to calculate allowed sign area per the applicable table § 10.56.090 .
• Check height limits (note Corner Cutoff Area rules that reduce freestanding heights to 4 ft in certain corner areas) § 10.56.090 .
• Confirm illumination rules and timer/shielding requirements under § 10.56.160 (illumination standard referenced throughout) — Verify with the Planning Department (section text for § 10.56.160 not present in retrieved snippets). Verify with the city.
• If multi‑tenant or >3 businesses, prepare a master sign program per § 10.56.200 .
• For billboards/LED/changeable electronic displays, prepare to apply for a CUP and obtain any required Caltrans/FAA approvals § 10.56.310 .
• Confirm whether sign is exempt (e.g., small residence sign, address number) under § 10.56.040 .
• Prepare to comply with maintenance, graffiti removal, and abandoned sign removal rules § 10.56.320; § 10.56.340 .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English summary

Tulare’s zoning code controls how big, how high, where, and whether a sign may be lit; rules vary by the parcel’s zone (residential, commercial, downtown, industrial, agricultural) and by overlays such as the Downtown Design and Mixed‑Use overlays. Small home address signs and a single small wall sign per residence are exempt; multi‑tenant shopping centers must adopt master sign programs; billboards require a CUP and strict siting rules. Key rules live in the sign chapter (Chapter 10.56) — start there and check the applicable sign table for your zone § 10.56.020; § 10.56.090 .

Source References

• Applicability and content‑neutral policy: § 10.56.020; non‑discrimination for noncommercial speech § 10.56.030 .
• Exempt signs (permitted without permit and not counted toward sign area): § 10.56.040 .
• Sign tables and zone‑specific standards (Tables 10.56.090‑1 through ‑7), general sign table rules: § 10.56.090 and related table notes .
• Downtown Design Overlay sign rules (Table 10.56.090‑4): § 10.56.090 .
• Commercial/retail table references (e.g., Table 10.62.090‑3 / commercial sign standards): § 10.56.090 / table notes .
• Mixed‑Use Overlay special sign rules: § 10.56.100 .
• Master sign program requirements: § 10.56.200 .
• Temporary sign limits (three months per 12 months, etc.): § 10.56.140 .
• Billboards (CUP, height, setbacks, LED/Caltrans/FAA coordination): § 10.56.310 .
• Maintenance, hazardous signs, abandoned signs: § 10.56.320; § 10.56.330; § 10.56.340 .
• Nonconforming signs rules: § 10.56.300 .
• Sign definitions and measurement illustrations: § 10.56.370 (Figure 10.56.080‑1 and Figure 10.56.370‑1) .
• For parcel‑specific zoning/overlay maps and to confirm which sign table applies, consult: Tulare Zoning and Tulare Overlay Districts.
• For related topics referenced in the code (design review, parking, development standards, ADUs, building code), see the city menu pages: Tulare Design Review, Tulare Parking, Tulare Development Standards, Tulare ADUs, and the state California Building Standards Code.

Retrieved passages

• Tulare Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Tulare Zoning Code (§ 10.56.020) High relevance show source text
• Tulare Zoning Code (§ 10.56.120) High relevance show source text
• Tulare Zoning Code (chapter when) High relevance show source text
• Tulare Zoning Code (§ 10.56.200) High relevance show source text
• Tulare Zoning Code (§ 10.56.320) High relevance show source text
• Tulare Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Tulare Zoning Code (chapter shall) High relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Applicability and content‑neutral policy: **§ 10.56.020**; non‑discrimination for noncommercial speech **§ 10.56.030** . (§ 10.56.020)
• Exempt signs (permitted without permit and not counted toward sign area): **§ 10.56.040** . (§ 10.56.040)
• Sign tables and zone‑specific standards (Tables 10.56.090‑1 through ‑7), general sign table rules: **§ 10.56.090** and related table notes . (§ 10.56.090)
• Downtown Design Overlay sign rules (Table 10.56.090‑4): **§ 10.56.090** . (§ 10.56.090)
• Commercial/retail table references (e.g., Table 10.62.090‑3 / commercial sign standards): **§ 10.56.090** / table notes . (§ 10.56.090)
• Mixed‑Use Overlay special sign rules: **§ 10.56.100** . (§ 10.56.100)
• Master sign program requirements: **§ 10.56.200** . (§ 10.56.200)
• Temporary sign limits (three months per 12 months, etc.): **§ 10.56.140** . (§ 10.56.140)
• Billboards (CUP, height, setbacks, LED/Caltrans/FAA coordination): **§ 10.56.310** . (§ 10.56.310)
• Maintenance, hazardous signs, abandoned signs: **§ 10.56.320; § 10.56.330; § 10.56.340** fileciteturn0file4. (§ 10.56.320)
• Nonconforming signs rules: **§ 10.56.300** . (§ 10.56.300)
• Sign definitions and measurement illustrations: **§ 10.56.370** (Figure 10.56.080‑1 and Figure 10.56.370‑1) fileciteturn0file10. (§ 10.56.370)
• For parcel‑specific zoning/overlay maps and to confirm which sign table applies, consult: Tulare Zoning and Tulare Overlay Districts.
• For related topics referenced in the code (design review, parking, development standards, ADUs, building code), see the city menu pages: Tulare Design Review, Tulare Parking, Tulare Development Standards, Tulare ADUs, and the state California Building Standards Code.
• Tulare_ZoningCode.md

• Official Tulare code library