Signs in Multiple Dwelling Unit Residential Zones
San Diego Municipal Code § 142.1270
in effect§142.1270 Signs in Multiple Dwelling Unit Residential Zones
The following regulations apply to all signs, both permanent and temporary, that are permitted in all multiple dwelling unit residential zones, unless otherwise indicated.
(a) In all multiple dwelling unit residential zones, the following signs are permitted on a permanent basis.
(1) Street address numbers are permitted, provided that the numbers do not exceed .5 square foot each. Address numbers may be either internally or externally illuminated.
(2) Nameplates are permitted provided that they do not exceed 1 square foot in area. Nameplates may be indirectly illuminated only.
(3) Accessory warning signs that provide warnings such as “no parking,” “watch dogs,” and “security services” are permitted. The permitted sign area for accessory warning signs is 1 square foot.
(4) Directional ground signs may be permitted at each driveway of a parking lot containing five or more parking spaces provided that the following regulations are met:
(A) The sign may be single-faced or double-faced;
(B) The sign area shall not exceed 2 square feet; and
(C) The sign height shall not exceed 4 feet.
(5) Category C Signs are permitted in accordance with Section 142.1220 for commercial uses that are allowed in residential zones, as identified in Table 131-04B, except that ground signs shall not exceed 3 feet in height and secondary signs are not permitted.
(b) In all multiple dwelling unit residential zones, the following signs are permitted on a temporary basis.
(1) Ground signs offering new residential developments for sale, lease, or rent are permitted for 1 year from the issuance of occupancy permits or until all units have been sold, rented, or leased, whichever occurs first. The signs shall comply with the following regulations:
(A) One single-faced or double-faced sign is permitted for each street frontage.
(B) For the RM-1-1, RM-1-2, and RM-1-3 zones, the maximum display area is 16 square feet, and the maximum height is 6 feet.
(C) For the RM-2-4, RM-2-5, and RM-2-6 zones, the maximum sign area is 24 square feet, and the maximum height is 8 feet.
(D) For the RM-3-7, RM-3-8, and RM-3-9 zones, the maximum sign area is 32 square feet, and the maximum height is 12 feet.
(E) For the RM-4-10, RM-4-11, and RM-45-12 zones, the maximum sign area is 48 square feet, and the maximum height is 16 feet.
(F) Wall signs may be used in lieu of ground signs, provided that they do not exceed the permitted sign area in Section 142.1270(b)(1)(B) through 142.1270(b)(1)(E) and the sign is not placed higher than 12 feet from grade to the top of the sign.
(2) Ground signs offering existing residential developments and vacant lots for sale, lease, or rent are permitted, provided that the sign complies with the following regulations.
(A) One sign is permitted for each street frontage.
(B) For the RM-1-1, RM-1-2, and RM-1-3 zones, the maximum sign area is 4 square feet, and the maximum height is 4 feet.
(C) For the RM-2-4, RM-2-5, and RM-2-6 zones, the maximum sign area is 6 square feet, and the maximum height is 4 feet.
(D) For the RM-3-7, RM-3-8, and RM-3-9 zones, the maximum sign area is 8 square feet, and the maximum height is 6 feet.
(E) For the RM-4-10, RM-4-11, and RM-45-12 zones, the maximum sign area is 10 square feet, and the maximum height is 6 feet.
(F) One additional foot in height is permitted for the post and crossbar supporting the sign.
(G) Wall signs may be used in lieu of ground signs, provided that they do not exceed the permitted sign area in Section 142.1270
(B) through (E) above, and the signs are not placed higher than 12 feet from grade to the top of the sign.
(H) For the RM-1-1, RM-1-2, RM-1-3, RM-2-4, RM-2-5, and RM-2-6 zones only, banner signs may be used in lieu of wall signs, provided that they do not exceed the permitted sign area in Section 142.1270 (B) and (C) above, and provided that the sign is mounted flush against the building.
(3) Real estate signs other than those identified in Section 142.1270(b)(1) and (b)(2) that offer the premises for sale, lease, or rent are permitted on a temporary basis, subject to the following regulations.
(A) One sign may be located on each street.
(B) The signs may be single-faced or double-faced.
(C) The sign area shall not exceed 4 square feet, and the sign dimensions shall not exceed 2 feet.
(D) The sign height shall not exceed 4 feet, but the supporting post and cross bar may increase the height to 5 feet.
(E) The signs shall not be illuminated.
(F) The signs shall be removed within 15 business days of sale or occupancy of the premises, whichever occurs first.
(4) Yard sale signs that identify a yard sale on the premises are permitted during the hours of the sale in accordance with the following regulations.
(A) One single-faced sign is permitted for each premises.
(B) The sign area shall not exceed 9 square feet.
(C) The sign height shall not exceed 6 feet.
(c) Permanent Signs in the RM-3-7, RM-3-8, and RM-3-9 Zones
The permanent signs listed below are permitted in the RM-3-7, RM-3-8, and RM-3-9 zones only.
(1) Property identification wall signs are permitted, provided that the signs comply with the following regulations.
(A) One sign is permitted for each street frontage.
(B) The sign area shall not exceed 20 square feet for each street frontage.
(C) The signs shall not be placed higher than 12 feet.
(D) The signs shall not project above the roof or parapet of the building.
(E) The signs shall not be internally illuminated.
(2) Property identification ground signs are permitted in lieu of property identification wall signs, provided that the ground signs comply with the following regulations.
(A) One sign is permitted for each street frontage.
(B) The signs may be single-faced or double-faced.
(C) For premises with multiple street frontages, wall signs may be used on one street frontage and ground signs on another, if desired.
(D) The sign area shall not exceed 20 square feet for each side of a double-faced sign. The faces may not be combined for purposes of increasing the permitted area on a face.
(E) The sign height shall not exceed 6 feet.
(F) The signs shall not be internally illuminated.
(d) Permanent Signs in the RM-4-10, RM-4-11, and RM-5-12 Zones The permanent signs listed below are permitted in the RM-4-10, RM-4-11, and RM-5-12 zones only.
(1) Property identification wall signs are permitted, provided that the signs comply with the following regulations.
(A) One sign is permitted for each street frontage.
(B) The sign area shall not exceed 40 square feet for each street frontage.
(C) The signs shall not be placed higher than 24 feet from grade to the top of the sign.
(D) The signs shall not project above the roof or parapet of the building.
(E) The signs may be internally or externally illuminated.
(2) Property identification ground signs are permitted in lieu of property identification wall signs, provided that the ground signs comply with the following regulations:
(A) One sign is permitted for each street frontage.
(B) The signs may be single-faced or double-faced.
(C) For premises with multiple street frontages, wall signs may be used on one street frontage and ground signs on another, if desired.
(D) The sign area shall not exceed 20 square feet for each side of a double-faced sign. The faces may not be combined for purposes of increasing the permitted area on a face.
(E) The sign height shall not exceed 6 feet.
(F) The signs may be internally or externally illuminated.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 3-1-2006 by O-19468 N.S.; effective 4-1-2006.)
(Amended 11-13-08 by O-19805 N.S; effective 12-13-2008.)
(Amended 3-22-2018 by O-20917 N.S.; effective 4-21-2018.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter14/Ch14Art02Division12.pdf#page=52Fetched: 10/28/2026