Signs in Residential Zones

Santa Clara City Code § 18.42.150

in effect

A. Applicability. Only signs meeting the following standards will be permitted in residential zones, provided that all other applicable provisions of this Chapter are complied with. B. Development Standards. 1. Signs shall be located and erected only upon the premises occupied by the person or ancillary business to be identified or advertised by the signs. 2. The location of all signs shall comply with the building, electrical and fire prevention codes of the City as amended. Table 3-10 Residential Zones Allowed Sign Types and Permits. The following sign regulations apply to residentially zoned parcels. Table 3-10 Residential Zones Allowed Sign Types and Permit Requirements Residential Zones Allowed Sign Types E | Exempt SP | Allowed by Sign Permit MUP | Minor Use Permit (Chapter 18.124) CUP | Conditional Use Permit (Chapter 18.124) - | Not allowed

Sign Type (See 18.42.030 for sign definitions).	R1-6L	R1-8L	R-2	R-3	R-4	R-5	R-6	Additional Regulations
Audio Signs	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Awning/Canopy	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	18.42.120(A)
Banners	-	-	-	SP	SP	SP	SP
Billboards	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Comprehensive Sign Program	-	-	-	SP	SP	SP	SP	18.42.050
Directory Sign	-	-	-	SP	SP	SP	SP	18.42.120(C)
Directional Sign	-	-	-	SP	SP	SP	SP	18.42.120(C)
Electronic Digital Display Message Sign	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	18.42.140
Freeway – and Expressway- Oriented Sign	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	18.42.120(F)
Flag	E	E	E	E	E	E	E
Freestanding Monument (Entry)	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	18.42.120(E)
Historic/Memorial Markers and Tablets	E	E	E	E	E	E	E
Home Occupation Signs	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Luminous Tube Sign (neon)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	18.42.120(G)
Name Plate	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP
Name Plate (house number)	E	E	E	E	E	E	E
Painted Sign	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	18.42.120(H)
Freestanding Menu Boards (Drive-thru)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	18.42.120(I)
Price/Menu Boards (Walk-in)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	18.42.120(I)
Projecting	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	18.42.120(J)
Real Estate Sign	E	E	E	E	E	E	E
Roof Signs	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Service Station Price Signs	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Figure 3-27
Subdivision Entry Sign	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	MUP	18.42.120(B)
	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP	SP
Temporary On-site Subdivision Signs	E	E	E	E	E	E	E	18.42.100(C)
Time/Temperature Sign	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

Sign Type (See 18.42.030 for sign definitions).	R1-6L	R1-8L	R-2	R-3	R-4	R-5	R-6	Additional Regulations
Vehicle Sign (stationary)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Wall Sign	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	18.42.120(K)
Window Sign	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	18.42.120(M)
Wind-activated signs	-	-	-	-	SP	SP	SP

C. General Residential Sign Regulations. Signs shall be placed a minimum of five feet from a front property line and in compliance with the sight-distance triangle (Section 18.30.030) and shall be located outside of a dedicated utility easement. D. Freestanding Monument Signs. 1. Adjacent Uses. One freestanding monument sign for each single tenant, parcel, or multi-tenant complex for institutional uses in residential zones. 2. Subdivision Entry Sign. One freestanding monument sign for each subdivision. 3. Multifamily Complex Entry Sign. Freestanding signs are not allowed for multifamily complexes containing less than 20 dwelling units. One freestanding monument sign for each multifamily complex containing 20-36 units. Two freestanding signs are permitted for multifamily complexes containing more than 37 units.

Source: City of Santa Clara Zoning Code (santaclaraca.gov PDF)URL: https://www.santaclaraca.gov/our-city/departments-a-f/community-development/planning-division/zoningFetched: 10/24/2026