Redwood City's Sign Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles sign regulations a little differently. In Redwood City, California, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Garage Sale Signs

Redwood City lets residents post garage sale signs on the sale day without a permit, but City Code Section 3.81 caps each sign at four square feet and three feet in height, and limits any one property to four signs per sale.

Key details: Max sign size: 4 square feet, one side only. Max height: 3 feet above grade. Max signs: 4 per property per sale. Display window: Only the day of the sale. Public property signs: Separate Section 3.153 rules apply.

A garage sale sign left up before or after the sale day, or one exceeding four square feet or three feet in height, loses its exemption and can be ordered abated under Section 3.71 once the City gives notice to the property owner or installer. Signs placed on public property outside Section 3.153's Saturday-Sunday-holiday, sunrise-to-sunset window are summarily removable by the City.

Political Signs

Redwood City gives noncommercial and political signs extra room around elections. City Code Section 3.151 lets temporary noncommercial signs go up on specified public land from 90 days before to 10 days after any election, capped at six square feet and eight feet in height.

Key details: Display window: 90 days before to 10 days after election. Max size: 6 square feet, 8 feet tall. Allowed locations: Planter strips, intersection corners on City land. Permit needed: None, during the election window. Barred at: City Hall, City buildings, street medians.

A noncommercial or political sign on public land that exceeds six square feet or eight feet in height, sits outside the planter-strip or intersection-corner locations Section 3.151 allows, or remains up more than ten days after the election, loses its exemption and may be summarily removed by the City under Section 3.151(E). Signs placed at City Hall or in a street median are barred outright.

Window Signs

Redwood City caps how much of a storefront window can be covered in signage. City Code Section 3.124(F) limits ground-floor window signs to 25 percent of the window area per facade, drops that to 10 percent on the second floor, and bars window signs above the second floor.

Key details: Ground-floor limit: 25% of window area per facade. Second-floor limit: 10% of window area per facade. Above second floor: Window signs not permitted. Counted toward cap: Signs within 3 ft of window/door. Temporary window signs: Max 90 consecutive days per year.

Window signage exceeding the 25 percent ground-floor or 10 percent second-floor coverage caps in Section 3.124(F) is a code violation subject to the City's general sign enforcement, which can require removal or reduction of the excess signage. Nonresidential window signs displayed above the second floor are prohibited outright regardless of size.

The Bottom Line

Redwood City's sign regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Redwood City is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Redwood City's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.