Sign Regulations in Pacifica, CA (2026)
5 verified sign regulations for Pacifica, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
In the City of Pacifica, political signs do not need a sign permit, but Pacifica Municipal Code Section 9-4.2906(k) still regulates them closely: no sign larger than 32 square feet per face, none posted more than 60 days before an election, and every campaign committee or candidate that uses them must register a responsible person with the Building Official.
Pacifica Political Sign Rules: 60 Days, 32 Sq Ft
Some RestrictionsPacifica Municipal Code § 9-4.2906(k)
(k)Political signs. Political signs shall be subject to the following conditions:(1)No political sign shall be placed or erected upon the property of another without first obtaining consent to do so from the owner or tenant of such property.(2)No political sign shall be posted in such a manner that it will obstruct the view of, or conflict with, vehicular or pedestrian travel or with any traffi...
Garage Sale Signs
In the City of Pacifica, a garage sale may carry one on-site sign of up to six square feet, posted for no more than three days and removed immediately once the sale ends. Pacifica Municipal Code Section 5-15.02(c) also allows two smaller off-site directional signs of up to three square feet each, but none may go on a utility pole, sign pole, or other public right-of-way fixture.
Pacifica Garage Sale Sign Rules
Light RestrictionsPacifica Municipal Code § 5-15.02(c)
(c)One temporary sign not exceeding six (6) square feet in area advertising a garage sale on the premises where the sign is posted shall be permitted for a period not to exceed three (3) calendar days. The removal of such sign shall occur immediately upon the conclusion of the garage sale or at the end of the third calendar day, whichever occurs first. Two (2) temporary signs, not exceeding thr...
Holiday Displays
In the City of Pacifica, holiday decorations that qualify as signs are exempt from the City's sign-permit process, but only if displayed no more than forty-five consecutive days or ninety total days in a calendar year. Pacifica Municipal Code Section 9-4.2904(j) sets the cap; anything longer needs an ordinary sign permit from the Planning Administrator.
Pacifica Holiday Sign Displays: 45- or 90-Day Cap
Light RestrictionsPacifica Municipal Code § 9-4.2904(j)
(j)Holiday decorations commonly associated with any national, local, or religious holiday provided such decorations be displayed for a period of no more than forty-five (45) consecutive days or no more than ninety (90) days in one year;
Digital Billboards
In the City of Pacifica, digital billboards and other animated or flashing signs are flatly prohibited citywide. Pacifica Municipal Code Section 9-4.2903 bans animated, moving, or flashing signs outright and separately bans off-site advertising signs, also known as billboards, with only narrow carve-outs for real estate A-frames, subdivision signs, and signs State law specifically permits.
Pacifica Bans Animated, Flashing and Billboard Signs
Heavy RestrictionsPacifica Municipal Code § 9-4.2902(ak); § 9-4.2903(d), (k)
(ak)Off-site sign. Also known as off-premises, billboard, and poster panels, a sign which advertises goods, products, services, or facilities not sold or located on the premises on which the sign is located. ... (d)Animated, moving, or flashing signs; ... (k)Off-site signs, excluding real estate A-frames, and also excluding subdivision signs and other signs permitted by State law;
Window Signs
In the City of Pacifica, window signs on a business cannot cover more than twenty-five percent of the total area of all glazed vertical surfaces. Pacifica Municipal Code Section 9-4.2906(c) sets the cap, and it applies on top of the citywide sign-area formula tied to a building's street frontage.
Pacifica Caps Window Signs at 25% of Glazing
Some RestrictionsPacifica Municipal Code § 9-4.2906(c)
(c)Window signs. Window signs shall be subject to the size limitation of subsection (3) of subsection (a) of this section; however, in no case shall window signs cover more than twenty-five (25%) percent of the total area of all glazed vertical surfaces of a business.
Looking for San Mateo County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Pacifica city rules.
Sign Regulations in San Mateo County →