Sign Regulations in Santa Maria, CA (2026)
3 verified sign regulations for Santa Maria, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Santa Maria classifies political signs as temporary signs under its sign code, not as an exempt category. Section 12-34.03 explicitly names political signs as a function of the temporary sign definition, which pulls them into Section 12-34.05(d)'s permit requirement, size ratio, and 120-day annual display cap, the same rules that govern grand-opening banners.
Political Signs Regulated as Temporary Signs Here
Significant RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code §§ 12-34.03, 12-34.05(d)
Section 12-34.03. Definitions. Temporary Sign: A sign constructed of expendable material such as paper, plastic, cloth, or wood intended to be displayed for a short period of time. Pennants, banners, and similar devices are also included in this category. Temporary signs may serve many functions such as grand opening signs or political signs. Section 12-34.05. Standards by Sign Type. (d) Tempor...
Window Signs
Santa Maria limits window signs to 25% of a building's window area per face. A window sign left up longer than 30 days in any calendar quarter loses its temporary status, becomes a permanent sign, and then counts against the parcel's total sign area allowance under the city's sign code.
Santa Maria Window Signs: 25% Cap, 30-Day Rule
Some RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code § 12-34.05(a)(5)
Window signs may not exceed 25% of an overall window area per building face. When displayed in excess of 30 days per calendar quarter, a window sign is a permanent sign and shall be counted against the total allowed sign area.
Freeway-Facing Signs
Santa Maria bars off-site advertising displays on property next to any landscaped section of freeway under Municipal Code Chapter 9-64, matching California's landscaped-freeway advertising controls. On-premise signs identifying the property, owner, or business stay legal.
Santa Maria Bans Off-Site Signs on Landscaped Freeways
Significant RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code § 9-64.020 (Prohibited)
No advertising displays shall be placed or maintained on property adjacent to a Section of freeway which has been or may be landscaped as defined in Section 9-64.010. If the advertising display is designed to be viewed primarily by persons traveling on such landscaped Section of a freeway.
Looking for Santa Barbara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Maria city rules.
Sign Regulations in Santa Barbara County →