Sign Regulations in San Ramon, CA (2026)
5 verified sign regulations for San Ramon, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Political signs are strongly protected under the First Amendment and Civil Code 4710. San Ramon may not regulate them more strictly than other non-commercial signs and cannot ban them. HOAs also cannot ban political signs, though reasonable size and duration rules (posted 90 days before election, removed 15 days after) are enforceable.
Signs: Political Signs
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code § 4710
4710. (a) The governing documents may not prohibit posting or displaying of noncommercial signs, posters, flags, or banners on or in a member’s separate interest, except as required for the protection of public health or safety or if the posting or display would violate a local, state, or federal law. (b) For purposes of this section, a noncommercial sign, poster, flag, or banner may be made of...
Garage Sale Signs
San Ramon exempts garage sale signs from a sign permit, but only within tight limits: one sign on the property holding the sale and up to four off-site signs on other private properties, each no larger than 6 square feet and 3 feet in height or width, displayed only from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on sale days.
San Ramon Garage Sale Sign Limits
Some RestrictionsSan Ramon Municipal Code § D3-45(I)
I. Garage sale sign. One on-site sign and a maximum of four off-site signs on private properties are allowed on the days of the event from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The maximum size of a sign shall be 6 square feet, maximum 3 feet in height or width.
Holiday Displays
San Ramon lets residents and businesses put up holiday lights without a sign permit, but only for a set window: no sooner than 45 calendar days before the holiday and taken down within 14 calendar days after, under Section D3-45(L). The exemption covers only non-advertising holiday lights and similar devices.
San Ramon Holiday Lighting Display Window
Light RestrictionsSan Ramon Municipal Code § D3-45(L)
L. Holiday lights and devices. Holiday lights and similar devices not advertising a product or sale erected no sooner than 45 calendar days before the holiday and removed within 14 calendar days following the holiday.
Window Signs
San Ramon caps window signs, including exempt ones, at 20 percent of a tenant's total window area for each wall, under Zoning Code Section D3-47(B). Signs must also avoid blocking the lower third of the window so police and private security can see inside during patrol.
San Ramon Window Sign Coverage Limit
Some RestrictionsSan Ramon Municipal Code § D3-47(B)
B. Window signs shall be: 1. Designed to ensure that the total area of all window signs, including exempt signs, shall be limited to 20 percent of a tenant’s total window area for each wall. 2. Fabricated to the highest standards of sign design and construction. 3. Positioned in a fashion so that they do not obscure the vision of the indoor activities by law enforcement personnel.
Freeway-Facing Signs
San Ramon prohibits free-standing signs, window signs, and for-sale/rent/lease signs of any type that are designed, oriented, or placed for freeway exposure and visible from the freeway or an on- or off-ramp, under Sign Ordinance Section D3-50(C). The ban applies regardless of the sign's zone or business type.
San Ramon Bans Freeway-Facing Signs
Heavy RestrictionsSan Ramon Municipal Code § D3-50(C)
C. Freeway exposed signs. Free-standing signs not within a business park, window signs, and "for sale/rent/lease" signs of any type which are designed, oriented, or placed for freeway exposure and which are visible from the freeway or a freeway on- and off-ramp.
Looking for Contra Costa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Ramon city rules.
Sign Regulations in Contra Costa County →