Comprehensive Sign Program
Santa Clara City Code § 18.42.050
in effectA. Applicability. A Comprehensive Sign Program is required for all new commercial, mixed-use, office, and industrial developments with five or more signs and optional for all new commercial, mixed-use, office, and industrial developments with four or less tenants. If a Comprehensive Sign Program is required for a project, no Sign Permit shall be approved for any sign until the Comprehensive Sign Program has been approved by the Review Authority as conforming to the requirements of this Chapter.
B. Application contents. For any parcel on which five or more signs are proposed that require a Sign Permit the owner(s) shall submit a Comprehensive Sign Program containing all the following:
1. An accurate plot plan of the subject property, of a quality and at a scale as the Director may reasonably require;
2. Location of structures, parking lots, driveways, curb cuts, walkways, and landscaped areas on the subject parcel and names of adjacent streets and other applicable uses;
3. Computation of the maximum total sign area, the maximum area for individual signs, the height of signs and the number of freestanding signs allowed on the parcel included in the proposed plan in compliance with this Section;
4. Drawing(s) depicting the lettering or graphic style, lighting associated with, materials, and sign proportions (scaled) of each proposed sign; and
5. An accurate indication on the plot plan of each present and proposed future sign of any type, as well as scaled elevations depicting the size, height, and location of each present and proposed future sign.
C. Limit on number of freestanding signs. The Comprehensive Sign Program for all parcels with multiple uses or multiple users shall limit the number of freestanding signs to a total of one for each street on which the parcels included in the plan have frontage and shall provide for shared or common usage of the freestanding signs.
D. Consent. The Comprehensive Sign Program shall be signed by all property owners or their authorized agents in a form required by the Director.
E. Procedure. If a Comprehensive Sign Program is to be included within a development plan, site plan, planned unit development plan, or other official plan required by the City for the proposed development, then a Conditional Use Permit shall be processed simultaneously with other plans or permit applications.
F. Amendment. A Comprehensive Sign Program may be amended by filing a new Comprehensive Sign Program application that conforms to all requirements in effect at the time.
G. Nonconforming existing signs. If a new or amended Comprehensive Sign Program application is filed for a parcel(s) on which existing signs are located, it shall include a schedule for bringing into conformance, within three years, all signs not conforming to the proposed amended plan or the requirements of this Chapter in effect on the date of submission.
H. Binding effect. After approval of a Comprehensive Sign Program, no sign shall be erected, placed, painted, or maintained, except in compliance with the program, and the program may be enforced the same way as any provision of this Chapter.
I. Required Findings. The Director shall approve a Comprehensive Sign Program if all the following findings can be made:
1. The sign program meets the standards and sign design criteria specified in this Chapter; and
2. The sign program is compatible with development on the subject property and developments in the immediate vicinity of the subject property and does not detract from the character or quality of surrounding properties.
J. Appeals. A decision by the Director may be appealed in compliance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 18.144 (Appeals).
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