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General Requirements and Limitations

Sacramento City Code tit. 15, ch. 15.148, art. IV
in effect

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.200 Additional regulations established.

15.148.200 Additional regulations established. The sign regulations of this chapter shall be subject to the additional requirements, conditions and exceptions specified in this article. (Prior code § 3.05.080)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.220 Corner lots.

15.148.220 Corner lots. On corner lots the maximum allowable number and square footage of on-site signs are permitted for each street frontage. Such maximum allowances, however, are not transferable either in whole or in part from one street frontage to another. On buildings having more than one street frontage, the maximum allowable number and square footage of on-site signs are permitted for each building frontage or occupancy. Such maximum allowance, however, is not transferable either in whole or in part from one building frontage to another nor from one occupancy to another occupancy. When a sign is erected at the street intersection corner of the parcel, or at the intersection of a building front, and is situated at an angle so as to be visible from both streets or both frontages, such sign shall not exceed the maximum area allowed for the longest front footage or building occupancy or street frontage. The area of such sign shall be deducted from the total area and number of signs permissible on such property. (Prior code § 3.05.082)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.230 Projecting signs must be double-faced-Exception.

15.148.230 Projecting signs must be double-faced-Exception. Except as otherwise provided in Section 15.148.460 of this chapter all projecting signs must be double-faced except signs placed flat against a building or projecting V-shaped signs attached to a building at the open points of the V. Double-faced signs shall have a minimum of four inches and a maximum of twenty-four (24) inches between faces. The faces of such signs shall be fastened to an incombustible metal frame of such construction as to adequately support the sign faces. (Prior code § 3.05.083)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.240 Access regulated.

15.148.240 Access regulated. No sign or its supporting members shall be erected, altered or relocated so as to interfere with or restrict access to a window or other opening in a building in such manner as to unduly limit air circulation or obstruct or interfere with the free use of a fire escape, exit, standpipe, stairway, door, ventilator or window or similar opening, provided, however, that the director of building inspections may approve a swinging sign or other form of sign or its attachment, when, in his or her judgment, such sign will not restrict access to such openings. (Prior code § 3.05.084)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.250 Off-site signs and billboards on residentially used property.

15.148.250 Off-site signs and billboards on residentially used property. Off-site signs and billboards on property used entirely for residential purposes and located in the C-2, C-4, M-1 and M-2 zones are subject to the following regulations: A. Any off-site sign or billboard existing on such property on April 4, 1970, may be retained, provided that if such sign does not comply with any other applicable provisions of this chapter, the sign shall be subject to the nonconforming and amortization regulations contained in this chapter. B. No new off-site sign or billboard may be erected after April 4, 1970, on property located in the aforementioned zones as long as such property is used entirely for residential purposes. (Ord. 2016-0010 § 16; prior code § 3.05.085)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.260 Off-site signs and billboards near residences.

15.148.260 Off-site signs and billboards near residences. No off-site sign or billboard shall be allowed where such sign faces the front or side yard of any lot within any residential zone, or any lot within any other zone which lot is used entirely for residential purposes, and is located within three hundred (300) feet of such lot line. No off-site sign or billboard shall be located on any vacant lot or parcel of land lying between two residential buildings where such buildings are less than three hundred (300) feet apart. (Ord. 2016-0010 § 17; prior code § 3.05.086)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.270 Sign clearance and illumination regulated.

15.148.270 Sign clearance and illumination regulated. The following regulations shall apply to sign clearance and sign illumination: A. All illuminated signs in the A and R zones shall be indirectly illuminated. Directly illuminated signs are allowed in the A and R zones subject to approval of a zoning administrator's conditional use permit. B. In all other zones illuminated signs may be of direct or indirect illumination subject to the provisions of subsection C of this section. C. No sign which has a clearance of less than ten (10) feet between the ground surface and the bottom of the sign shall be directly illuminated with exposed neon tubing or incandescent light globes. Only internal illumination protected by a plastic face or other acceptable material shall be permitted. D. No permit for any sign shall be issued and no sign shall be constructed or maintained which has less horizontal or vertical clearance from communications lines and energized electrical power lines than that prescribed by the laws of the state of California or rules and regulations duly promulgated by agencies thereof. (Ord. 2013-0021 § 64; prior code § 3.05.087)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.280 Location and depth of flat signs.

15.148.280 Location and depth of flat signs. Signs placed flat against a building must be erected parallel thereto and the outside face of such sign may extend no more than eighteen (18) inches from the wall of such buildings. Such signs may project over a public right-of-way a distance not exceeding such eighteen (18) inch depth. (Prior code § 3.05.088)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.290 Conditional use permit required-Rotating signs.

15.148.290 Conditional use permit required-Rotating signs. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.148.650 of this chapter, a conditional use permit for a rotating sign may be granted by the planning and design commission, following application and public hearing. (Ord. 2013-0021 § 65; Ord. 2012-004 § 33; prior code § 3.05.089)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.300 Conditional use permit required-Roof signs.

15.148.300 Conditional use permit required-Roof signs. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 15.148.670 of this chapter, a conditional use permit for a roof sign may be granted by the planning and design commission, following application and public hearing. (Ord. 2013-0021 § 66; Ord. 2012-004 § 34; prior code § 3.05.090)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.310 Height regulations for signs on parapet walls, sloping and shed roofs.

15.148.310 Height regulations for signs on parapet walls, sloping and shed roofs. The following regulations shall apply to the location and height of signs on parapet walls and various roof structures. A. Parapet Wall. A sign may be attached to the face of a parapet wall, but may not be located so as to extend more than four feet above the highest point of such parapet wall. B. Sloping Roof. A sign may be attached to the fascia of or located on the sloping roof of a structure but may not be located so as to extend more than four feet above the upper edge of the fascia of such sloping roof. C. Shed Roof. A sign may be attached to the fascia of a shed roof of a structure but may not be located so as to extend more than four feet above the lower edge of the fascia of such shed roof. (Prior code § 3.05.091)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.320 Detached signs-Number of panels.

15.148.320 Detached signs-Number of panels. A detached sign may consist of more than one sign panel provided all such sign panels are attached to one common integrated sign structure. The total area of all such panels shall not exceed the maximum allowable sign area specified for a detached sign on the parcel. Where a sign message consists of separated or individual letters, modules, or symbols, each portion of such sign message shall not be considered as a one-sign panel. In such cases, a single continuous perimeter completely surrounding the sign message shall be utilized to determine its sign area. (Prior code § 3.05.092)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.330 Detached signs-Projection over public right-of-way.

15.148.330 Detached signs-Projection over public right-of-way. No detached sign shall project over a public right-of-way. (Prior code § 3.05.093)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.340 Detached signs-Projection over canopy.

15.148.340 Detached signs-Projection over canopy. A detached sign supported by a sign structure which is imbedded in the ground and independent of a canopy for structural support, may project over a canopy. This section shall not be deemed to allow a detached sign to be located over, in whole or in part, the roof of a building. A detached sign which projects over a canopy shall comply with all other applicable regulations of this chapter. (Ord. 2016-0010 § 18; prior code § 3.05.094)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.350 Detached signs-Minimum clearance.

15.148.350 Detached signs-Minimum clearance. A detached sign shall have a minimum clearance of ten (10) feet between the ground surface and the bottom of the sign, provided that the minimum clearance standard shall not apply if the sign is located in an area not accessible to pedestrian or vehicular traffic, the sign is located at least ten (10) feet from any property line and ten (10) feet from the edge of any driveway entrance, and the sign will not obstruct free and clear vision of motor vehicle operators. (Prior code § 3.05.095)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.360 Detached signs-Embellishment.

15.148.360 Detached signs-Embellishment. On detached signs the sign structure may extend above the maximum allowable height of the sign for embellishment purposes. Under no circumstances, however, may such extension exceed twenty (20) percent of the maximum allowable height for the sign or include any commercial or non-commercial text, logos, or trademarks. (Ord. 2016-0010 § 19; prior code § 3.05.096)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.370 Projecting signs-Revocable permit.

15.148.370 Projecting signs-Revocable permit. All rights and privileges acquired under the provisions of this chapter, permitting the erection or maintenance of signs over sidewalks or public rights-of-way are mere licenses, revocable at any time without compensation with or without cause, by the city council and all such permits shall contain this provision. If the city council elects to revoke any such license, it shall give notice of such revocation to the permittee or owner of the property on which the sign is situated and the address shown on the permit or, in the case of the owner, at the address shown on the last equalized assessment roll, and shall afford him or her a period of not less than fourteen (14) days within which to remove the sign or to reconstruct it in such a manner that it does not protrude over the public right-of-way. If the permittee or owner fails to remove the sign within the period prescribed by the council, it shall be removed by the director of building inspections in the manner provided for in Article X of this chapter. (Ord. 2016-0010 § 20; prior code § 3.05.097)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.380 Projecting signs-Maximum distance of projection.

15.148.380 Projecting signs-Maximum distance of projection. An attached sign may project over a public right-of-way a distance of not more than four feet; provided, however, no attached projecting sign shall have an over-all horizontal length in excess of nine feet. This regulation shall apply to all attached signs except those placed flat against a building, which are regulated by Sections 15.148.280 and 15.148.460 of this chapter, except as may otherwise be provided in this chapter. (Ord. 2016-0010 § 21; prior code § 3.05.098)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.390 Projecting signs-Maximum area.

15.148.390 Projecting signs-Maximum area. Except for flat wall signs, any attached sign which projects over a public right-of-way shall not exceed a total area of one hundred fifty (150) square feet. (Prior code § 3.05.099)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.400 Projecting signs-Minimum height above sidewalk.

15.148.400 Projecting signs-Minimum height above sidewalk. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no projecting sign shall be erected, altered, or relocated over a public right-of-way unless the bottom of the sign is ten (10) feet or more above the sidewalk. (Ord. 2016-0010 § 22; prior code § 3.05.100)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.410 Projecting signs-Distance from wall.

15.148.410 Projecting signs-Distance from wall. No attached projecting sign shall be erected, altered, or relocated a distance of greater than eighteen (18) inches between the face of the building or structure wall to which it is attached and the nearest point of the sign. (Prior code § 3.05.101)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.420 Projecting signs-Angle of projection.

15.148.420 Projecting signs-Angle of projection. A sign which projects over a public right-of-way may have the faces of the sign set at any angle to the building face. However, the maximum allowance projection is determined by measurement at a right angle to the building face. (Prior code § 3.05.102)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.430 Projecting signs-Location and projection above alleys.

15.148.430 Projecting signs-Location and projection above alleys. A sign which projects into or above a public alley shall be located not less than fourteen (14) feet above the alley grade and shall not project more than twelve (12) inches from the building face. (Prior code § 3.05.103)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.440 Projecting signs-Materials.

15.148.440 Projecting signs-Materials. All projecting signs in excess of four square feet in area shall be constructed of noncombustible material, or of fire retardant material approved by the director of building inspections. (Prior code § 3.05.104)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.450 Signs to be designed as integrated architectural features.

15.148.450 Signs to be designed as integrated architectural features. In order to encourage and promote a harmonious relationship between buildings and signs, the planning and design commission shall have the authority to issue a conditional use permit in accordance with Article XIV of this chapter, for signs which are designed into and are a part of an integrated architectural feature of a building where the strict application of the provisions of this chapter would otherwise prohibit such signs. (Ord. 2016-0010 § 23; Ord. 2013-0021 § 67; Ord. 2012-004 § 35; prior code § 3.05.105)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.460 Signs on architectural projections extending over a public right-of-way.

15.148.460 Signs on architectural projections extending over a public right-of-way. The following regulations shall apply to signs which are located on or attached to or which are integral parts of an architectural projection which extends over a public right-of-way. A. No sign attached to or which is an integral part of the face of an architectural projection shall extend above or below the face of such projection. B. A sign erected on top of an architectural projection shall not exceed a maximum height of two feet above the upper edge of such projection. If directly illuminated, such sign shall be of internal illumination only. C. A sign may be placed entirely below and may be supported by an architectural projection of a building when such architectural projection is designed to carry the additional weight of such signs. Such signs shall not exceed six feet in length or sixteen (16) inches in height. Such signs shall not project beyond the face of the architectural projection or more than ten (10) feet from the face of the building. Such signs, if illuminated, shall be double-faced signs with a minimum of four inches and a maximum of eighteen (18) inches between faces. No exposed tubing or incandescent lamps are allowed. All such lighting devices shall be protected by acceptable shatterproof material. Such signs shall be not less than eight feet above the sidewalk, shall be placed perpendicular to the face of the building, and located only at the entrance thereto. D. No sign may be erected on or attached to an architectural projection in such a manner as to constitute a hazard to firefighters or other emergency responders climbing a ladder placed against such architectural projection. (Ord. 2016-0010 § 24; prior code § 3.05.106)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.470 Signs located on architectural projections not extending over a public right-of-way.

15.148.470 Signs located on architectural projections not extending over a public right-of-way. The following regulations shall apply to signs which are located on, attached to, or are an integral part of an architectural projection which does not extend over a public right-of-way: A. 1. A sign which is attached to or which is an integral part of the face of an architectural projection may extend a maximum of four feet above or below the face of such projection. 2. A sign erected on top of an architectural projection may not exceed a height of four feet above the upper edge of the fascia of such projection. 3. A sign may be placed below and may be supported by an architectural projection of a building when such projection is designed to carry the additional weight of such signs. B. Such signs shall not project beyond the face of the architectural projection. Such signs, if illuminated, shall be double-faced signs, with a minimum of four inches and a maximum of eighteen (18) inches between faces. No exposed tubing or incandescent lamps are allowed. All such lighting devices shall be protected by acceptable shatterproof material. C. Any sign attached to or located on an architectural projection shall be located not less than eight feet above a walkway, surfaced area, or ground level below such sign. D. No sign may be erected on or attached to an architectural projection in such a manner as to constitute a hazard to firefighters or other emergency responders climbing a ladder placed against such architectural projection. (Ord. 2016-0010 § 25; prior code § 3.05.107)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.480 Signs located on awnings or canopies.

15.148.480 Signs located on awnings or canopies. Signage on any awning or canopy erected and maintained in accordance with Chapter 12.36 of this code may not exceed an area of four square feet; may be painted, placed or installed only on the hanging border of the awning or canopy; and shall comply with all other appropriate provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2016-0010 § 26; prior code § 3.05.108)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.490 Signs for other than ground floor use.

15.148.490 Signs for other than ground floor use. On any SC, HC, C or M zoned property where there are uses above the ground floor of a building and such uses are different from the ground floor uses, one additional sign per building placed flat against the building may be erected for all such use or uses. Such sign shall not exceed an area in excess of one square foot of sign area for each two lineal front feet of building frontage. (Prior code § 3.05.109)

Sacramento City Code § 15.148.500 Moving, relocating or altering signs.

15.148.500 Moving, relocating or altering signs. No existing sign may be moved or relocated to any other parcel, building, structure or portion thereof, unless such sign complies in its new location with all other provisions of this chapter, or is altered so as to comply therewith. No existing sign may be moved or relocated on the same parcel, building, structure or portion thereof, unless such sign also complies with all other provisions of this chapter, or is altered so as to comply therewith. No existing sign may be altered unless such sign, after alteration thereof, complies with all other provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2016-0010 § 27; prior code § 3.05.110)
Source: City of Sacramento, Sacramento City Code (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/sacramentoca/latest/sacramento_ca/0-0-0-32017Fetched: 10/24/2026

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