Prohibited signs; prohibited displays.
San José Municipal Code § 23.02.1010
in effect23.02.1010 - Prohibited signs; prohibited displays.
A. Unless otherwise expressly allowed in this title, the following signs are prohibited:
1. Animated signs.
2. Billboards.
3. Inflatable or balloon signs.
4. Mechanical movement signs.
5. Programmable electronic signs.
6. Portable signs.
7. Roof signs.
8. Flat roof-top signs.
9. Any sign other than an attached sign facing and visible from a freeway unless the parcel on which the sign is located is within the urban service area as indicated on the general plan land use/transportation diagram, and:
a. Separated from the freeway by another public right-of-way; or
b. Has direct access to the freeway.
10. Signs placed on trees, rocks or other natural formations, except signs which identify the name of the natural formation.
11. Signs placed on trucks, buses, cars or other motorized vehicles:
a. Unless all of the following conditions exist:
i. The vehicle is in operating condition, currently registered and licensed to operate on public streets;
ii. The sign is painted upon or otherwise permanently attached to the vehicle; and
iii. The primary purpose for which the vehicle is used is not for the stationary display of the sign.
b. This restriction shall not apply to temporary signs in vehicle windows.
12. Signs displaying off-site commercial speech.
B. Unless otherwise expressly allowed in this title, the following displays used in conjunction with signs are prohibited:
1. Balloons;
2. High intensity beam lights; or
3. Strings of ribbons, tinsel, small flags, pennants, streamers, spinners, metallic disks, pinwheels, or other similar devices designed to move in the wind.
(Ords. 24201, 26282, 27034, 28022, 28144, 28754, 29529.)
Source: City of San José, Municipal Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/san_jose/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT23SI_CH23.02GEPR_PT2GEPR_23.02.1010PRSIPRDIFetched: 11/1/2026