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.
See how Sunnyvale's freeway-facing signs rules stack up against other locations.
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