Signs visible to motorists on US-101, I-280, I-680, I-880, SR-85, and SR-87 require both Caltrans Outdoor Advertising approval and County zoning sign permits. The Outdoor Advertising Act preempts inconsistent local rules along these routes.
The California Outdoor Advertising Act, Business and Professions Code §5200 et seq., and Title 21 of the California Code of Regulations require a Caltrans permit for any off-premises advertising display visible from a landscaped freeway, Interstate, or primary highway. In Santa Clara County this includes US-101, I-280, I-680, I-880, SR-85, and SR-87. On-premises business signs that incidentally face the freeway also need County sign-permit review and may be limited in height and area. Caltrans bans flashing or animated freeway signs, sets minimum spacing along the right-of-way, and prohibits new off-premises signs in landscaped freeway segments. Local rules can be more, but not less, restrictive.
Unpermitted freeway-facing signs face Caltrans removal, daily civil penalties up to $5,000, and County stop-work and abatement actions. Continuing to display an unpermitted sign is a separate violation each day under §5463.
Santa Clara County, CA
Outdoor advertising in Santa Clara County must follow Caltrans brightness rules adopted from the federal Highway Beautification Act. Digital displays cannot ...
Santa Clara County, CA
Santa Clara County Title C zoning prohibits new off-premises digital billboards in unincorporated areas. The California Outdoor Advertising Act sets statewid...
Santa Clara County, CA
Santa Clara County permits political signs on private property with content-neutral size and placement rules protected under the First Amendment.
See how Santa Clara County's freeway-facing signs rules stack up against other locations.
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