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

All of Mariposa County is unincorporated, so County Code Section 17.108.190 (Signs) governs business signage in rural areas. The stated intent is to reduce sign proliferation and preserve the rural, scenic character of the county. Section 17.108.190(A) allows a temporary or permanent on-site sign (or signs) with a maximum aggregate area of 16 square feet, containing no outline tubing, flashing lights, or moving parts, as a permitted use on all parcels. Such signs may be a maximum of 20 feet in height. Off-site signs are prohibited unless specifically permitted by the principal zone — the County FAQ confirms your sign may only be placed on your own property. Wayfinding signs as defined in Section 17.148.010 are permitted on all parcels, and signs on school-district property are exempt from the specific sign standards. Within the Mariposa, Coulterville, Fish Camp, and Wawona Town Planning Areas, additional or different sign rules can apply, and the County's sign page notes that signs may require a Design Review Application (Minor Design Review fee option). Home-business operators should confirm whether their parcel is in a Town Planning Area, since those areas have their own sign standards layered on top of the rural baseline. Contact Planning at 209-966-5151.