Sign Regulations in Union City, CA (2026)
6 verified sign regulations for Union City, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Union City exempts temporary political signs from sign-plan review but bars them from rights-of-way, medians, and utility poles, requires natural illumination, and mandates removal within 14 days after the election.
Union City Political Sign Rules
Some RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 18.30.040(L)
Political Signs. Temporary political signs provided that such signs comply with the following conditions: 1. Such signs shall not be allowed on sidewalks, street medians, public rights-of-way, public parks or other property, or where they may interfere with vehicular or pedestrian sight distance, nor shall they be affixed to utility poles, street signs or any public utility company or railro...
Garage Sale Signs
Union City allows one garage/yard sale sign on the sale property, plus up to four directional signs on other private lots with permission, but only on weekends and holidays, capped at four square feet.
Union City Garage Sale Sign Rules
Some RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 18.30.040(F)
Garage/yard sale signs used to advertise such a sale on residential property, provided that such signs shall be naturally illuminated, and shall not exceed four square feet in area and shall be used subject to the following restrictions: 1. One such garage/yard sale sign shall be allowed on the property where the sale is to take place: 2. Up to four additional signs, which may also exhibi...
Holiday Displays
Union City exempts holiday lights and decorations from sign permit review entirely, as long as they carry no commercial message: no size, duration, or design review applies.
Union City Holiday Sign Display Exemption
Few RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 18.30.040(D)
The following sign types are permitted in all zoning districts and are exempt from the sign application procedures stated in Section 18.30.100, unless specifically prohibited by Section 18.30.050: A. Official Notices. Any public notice or warning required by a valid and applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance; and, notices posted by public officers in performance of...
Digital Billboards
Union City bans digital, animated, and changeable-copy signs citywide, and separately prohibits billboards and other off-premises advertising signs, with no permit path around either ban.
Union City Digital Sign Ban
Heavy RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 18.30.050(A)
Unless otherwise expressly permitted elsewhere in this chapter, the following signs are prohibited in any zoning district: A. Moving signs, animated signs, flashing signs, changeable copy signs, or any other signs with flashing light, changes in color or intensity, or moving parts, but not including flags, movie marquee signs, time/temperature signs, or gasoline price signs; B. Strings of...
Window Signs
Union City exempts window signs from permit review only if they cover no more than 25% of the window's surface area and don't flash: exceed that and the sign becomes an outright prohibited sign.
Union City Window Sign Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 18.30.040(H)
Window signs are subject to the following restrictions: 1. The sign area allowed for window signs shall not exceed 25% of the surface area of the window; 2. Such signs shall not exhibit flashing or intermittent illumination. I. Home occupation signs advertising an approved home occupation conducted on the premises, provided that such sign shall be naturally illuminated, shall not excee...
Freeway-Facing Signs
Union City allows one freestanding freeway-oriented sign per lot, but only in special industrial or commercial zones on parcels of at least three acres near Interstate 880, capped at 55 feet tall and requiring full site development review.
Union City Freeway Sign Limits
Significant RestrictionsUnion City Municipal Code § 18.30.090
Freestanding freeway-oriented signs shall be permitted only in the special industrial (MS) or commercial (C) zoning districts as defined in Chapter 18.12... A freeway-oriented sign shall be permitted only on a lot or project site of at least three acres in size... In no case shall a freeway-oriented sign exceed 55 feet in height... in no case shall permitted sign area exceed 200 square feet.
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Union City city rules.
Sign Regulations in Alameda County →