Merced County, CA Sign Regulations: Window Signs (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 18.44.110(M), Window Signs
- Coverage cap
- 25% of each window
- Required clear zone
- Bottom 24 inches of window
- Allowed floors
- Ground floor and second story only
- Illumination
- Prohibited
- Window chalk/markers
- Prohibited
Summary
Window signs in unincorporated Merced County cannot cover more than 25 percent of any individual window under Zoning Code § 18.44.110(M), must leave the bottom 24 inches clear so officers can see inside, and are barred above the second story; illuminated window signs and window-chalk advertisements are prohibited outright.
Window Signs (Permanent and Temporary).
1. Window signs shall be allowed only on windows located on the ground floor and second story of a structure. Window signs are not allowed above the second story.
2. Window signs shall not count toward the maximum allowable sign area.
3. The placement of window signs shall allow for the bottom 24 inches of each window to be left clear for the unobstructed observation by safety personnel (e.g., County Sheriff, private security, etc.).
4. Interior signs located within five feet of a window shall be counted as window signs for calculating total sign area and number of signs.
5. Window signs shall not cover more than 25 percent of each individual window on either a primary or secondary building frontage. A window is considered to be any glazed area, including glass curtain walls.
6. Window advertisements using specialized window chalk and/or window markers are prohibited.
7. Illumination of window signs is prohibited.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4930839; v8 updated 2026-06-02).
Full Breakdown
030 as any sign applied or attached to a window so it can be seen from outside the structure. Window signs are only allowed on the ground floor and second story; nothing above that qualifies. They don't count toward a site's overall maximum sign area, a favorable carve-out compared to freestanding or wall signs, but interior signs placed within five feet of a window are counted as window signs for area and sign-count purposes, closing an obvious loophole. The bottom 24 inches of every window must stay clear so County Sheriff deputies or private security can see into the space for safety observation.
Coverage is capped at 25 percent of each individual window, measured against any glazed area including glass curtain walls, on either the primary or secondary building frontage. Window advertisements applied with specialized window chalk or markers are banned, as is any illumination of a window sign. These standards were adopted by Ord. 1976 § 2 in 2019 and carried forward unchanged through Ord. 2062 in June 2026.
Violations & Fines
A window sign that exceeds the 25 percent coverage cap, blocks the required 24-inch clear zone, is illuminated, or is applied with window chalk is a violation of § 18.44.110(M) and, under § 18.154.070(D)(1), an infraction punishable by up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for each further offense in that year, with strict liability applying regardless of intent.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my storefront window can be covered with signage?
Why does 24 inches at the bottom of the window need to stay clear?
Can I light up a window sign at night?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Merced County
California rules heatmap·Compare Merced County to another location·View the California sign regulations overview
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