Butte County, CA Sign Regulations: Window Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Window sign area cap
- 25% of window area
- Multi-pane measurement
- Framed area of all panes
- Number of window signs
- No maximum
- Permit threshold
- Required above 8 sq ft
- General penalty
- Up to $1,000 fine / 6 months
Summary
Butte County caps window signage at a quarter of the glass. Zoning Ordinance Section 24-106(D) says window signs cannot cover more than 25 percent of any window, with multi-pane windows measured as the framed area of all panes combined, and the sign tables for commercial, industrial, and agricultural zones repeat that 25 percent cap while allowing no maximum number of signs.
Q.Window Sign. A sign posted, painted, placed, or affixed in or on a window exposed to public view. ... D.Window Signs. Window signs shall not cover more than twenty-five (25) percent of any window. If a window has multiple panes, the window's total area shall be measured as the framed area of all panes.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 61).
Full Breakdown
" A wall sign that faces a window and sits within five feet of it is treated as a window sign for measurement purposes under the wall-sign definition in Section 24-100(P). Because a window sign is not on the list of signs allowed without a permit in Section 24-101, any single window sign exceeding eight square feet needs Zoning Administrator approval of an Administrative Permit under Section 24-102(A); a window sign of eight square feet or less is exempt from that permit requirement. Illuminated window signs in a residential zone must also comply with the county's outdoor lighting standards in Article III, Division 4.
Violations & Fines
A window sign that exceeds the 25 percent coverage cap of Section 24-106(D), or that was installed without the Administrative Permit required by Section 24-102(A) for signs over eight square feet, is enforceable under Section 24-5(F) through Section 1-7's general penalty: up to a $1,000 fine, six months in jail, or both, with each day of continued excess coverage counted as a separate offense under Section 1-7(c).
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my storefront window can I cover with signs in Butte County?
Do I need a permit for a window sign?
Is there a limit on how many window signs I can display?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Butte County
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