Sign Regulations in Santa Clara, CA (2026)
5 verified sign regulations for Santa Clara, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Political signs are protected speech in Santa Clara on private property with owner consent. Local size and duration limits are relaxed for political content under California Elections Code and First Amendment case law.
Santa Clara Political Sign Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code § 4710
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 paper, ca...
Holiday Displays
Santa Clara does not require a Sign Permit for holiday displays and decorations, and they are not counted toward the number, type, or area of signs otherwise allowed on a parcel. The only conditions in the Zoning Code are that a display cannot create a traffic hazard or sit inside a visibility clearance area, and temporary holiday lighting is separately exempt from the outdoor-lighting standards.
Santa Clara Holiday Display Sign Rules
Few RestrictionsSanta Clara, CA, City Code § 18.42.070(A)(3); see also § 18.40.080(C)(1)
A. Exempt Signs. The following signs are allowed without a Sign Permit in any zone and shall not be included in the determination of type, number, or area or signs allowed on each parcel. Exempted signs shall be required to adhere to the regulations established for each sign type as provided in this Section. ... 3. Holiday displays and decorations, only when not creating a traffic hazard or loc...
Digital Billboards
Santa Clara requires a Conditional Use Permit before anyone erects or maintains any electronic digital display message sign, including digital billboards, under City Code Section 18.42.140. New digital displays are capped at 800 square feet of sign face, 60 feet in length, 25 feet in height, and must sit at least 1,500 feet from any other electronic display sign.
Santa Clara Digital Billboard Sign Rules
Significant RestrictionsSanta Clara, CA, City Code § 18.42.140 (Electronic Digital Display Message Signs)
A. Applicability. This Section applies to all electronic digital display message signs, including billboards (Section 18.42.090)... C. Permit requirements. No electronic digital display message sign shall be erected or maintained until a Conditional Use Permit has first been approved in compliance with Chapter 18.114 (Conditional Use Permits)... 1. Sign face dimensions. The electronic digital d...
Window Signs
Santa Clara caps window signs at 25 percent of each individual window on any building frontage and confines them to the ground and second floors under Zoning Code Section 18.42.120(L). The bottom 24 inches of every ground-floor window must stay clear for police and security sightlines, and illuminated or neon-outlined window signs are prohibited outright.
Santa Clara Window Sign Coverage Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Clara, CA, City Code § 18.42.120(L)
L. Window Signs (permanent and temporary). See Figure 3-30 (Window Sign). 1. Window signs shall be allowed only on windows located on the ground floor and second story of a structure. Window signs are not allowed above the second story. 2. Window signs shall not count toward the maximum allowable sign area. 3. The placement of window signs shall allow for the bottom 24" of each window on the gr...
Freeway-Facing Signs
Freeway- and expressway-oriented signs in Santa Clara must sit on the same parcel as the business they advertise, stay under 30 feet tall and 200 square feet, and sit within 500 feet of a freeway right-of-way under Title 18 Zoning Code Section 18.42.120(F). Every one needs a Conditional Use Permit, and external illumination is flatly prohibited.
Santa Clara Freeway-Facing Sign Rules
Significant RestrictionsSanta Clara, CA, Title 18 Zoning Code § 18.42.120(F) (Freeway- and Expressway-Oriented Signs)
F. Freeway- and Expressway-Oriented Signs... 1. Freeway- and Expressway-Oriented signs shall be located on the same parcel on which the structure or use is being advertised. 2. Freeway- and Expressway-Oriented signs shall not exceed 30 feet in height. 3. Freeway- and Expressway-Oriented signs may only be located on parcels located no more than 500 feet from the outside edge of a freeway right-o...
Looking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Clara city rules.
Sign Regulations in Santa Clara County →