Madera County, CA Home Business: Signage Rules (2026)

Signage for a home business in unincorporated Madera County is controlled by both the Cottage Industry rules (Zoning Ordinance Chapter 18.89) and the County's Sign Regulations (Chapter 18.90). Under Section 18.89.040.C, there shall be no advertising for the cottage industry on the property, except for such advertising as may be incorporated within a two-square-foot nameplate. The Sign Regulations reinforce this: Section 18.90.110(C) lists signs identifying a cottage industry, as specified in the cottage industries permit, among the limited signs allowed in residential zones. For residential zone districts generally, Section 18.90.110 limits a parcel to a maximum of 8 square feet of total sign area visible from adjacent properties or streets, with any individual sign capped at 4 square feet and 6 feet in height under subsection (D). Section 18.90.150 restricts illumination so that, in residential areas, only address signs may be illuminated - a cottage-industry nameplate may not be lit. Agricultural zone districts allow substantially larger total sign area (up to 240 square feet under Section 18.90.130.A), but the cottage-industry advertising restriction of Chapter 18.89 still governs the home business itself. Operators should confirm the exact wording authorized on their cottage industries permit with the Planning Division before installing any sign.