The number of signs, types of signs, and size of signs allowed depends on several factors including lot size, number of business on the site, and square footage of the building. The following are general sign standards for the City of Sunnyvale.
NUMBER OF SIGNS ALLOWED FOR EACH BUSINESS
The number and type of signs allowed for each business depends on several factors:
-
Residential or Non-Residential Use
-
Zoning District
-
Number of Businesses on a Lot
-
Size of Business
-
Number of Street Frontages
The following is a breakdown of the number and type of signs allowed for each type of business and business location.
Non-Residential Uses – One Business on a Lot
| One Street Frontage |
One ground sign or one wall sign
If the business is >10,000 sq. ft. in floor area, both one ground sign and one wall sign is allowed. |
| Two or More Contiguous Street Frontages |
One wall sign per street frontage, unless restricted by a previous Use Permit or Special Development Permit
One ground sign and one wall sign. The ground sign must be visible from both streets or be located on a frontage with no wall sign. |
| Two or More Non-Contiguous Street Frontages |
One ground sign or one wall sign per frontage.
If the business is >10,000 sq. ft. in floor area, both one ground sign and one wall sign is allowed. |
Non-Residential Uses – Two or More Business on a Lot
One wall sign per main public entrance and one for each building elevation of the tenant space that faces a street and one ground sign per street frontage.
Residential Uses
One ground sign or one wall sign per street frontage
Additional Ground Sign
If the ground sign option is selected, a second ground sign may be installed along any street frontage that exceeds 500 ft.
Secondary Wall Signs (not to exceed 12 sq. ft.)
- If the business has only ground sign identification, a secondary wall sign may be located next to the main entrance.
- If there is more than one public entrance to the business, a secondary wall sign may be located adjacent to any public entrance other than the main entrance of the building.
- Secondary wall signs are prohibited for residential uses.
The size and length of the allowed wall sign depends on the zoning district, type of use and the proposed sign setback.
Non-Residential Uses in a Non-Residential Zoning District
|
Length of Tenant Frontage Where Sign is Displayed |
Maximum Sign Area (Ratio of Area to Tenant Frontage) |
|
0 – 50 ft. |
0.66 sq. ft. : 1 linear ft. (minimum of 25 sq. ft. regardless of frontage |
|
51 - 200 ft. |
0.50 sq. ft. : 1 linear ft. (minimum of 33 sq. ft. regardless of frontage). If sign setback is 175 ft. or more from the public right of way, each major tenant may add an additional 25 sq. ft. over the permitted sign area, up to a total of 100 sq. ft. |
|
200 + ft. |
0.40 sq. ft. : 1 linear ft. (minimum 100 sq. ft. regardless of frontage) If sign setback is 175 ft. or more from the public right of way, each major tenant may add 25 sq. ft. over the permitted sign area, up to a total of 150 sq. ft. |
Non-Residential Uses in a Residential Zoning District
(including R-2(O) and R-4(O))
|
Maximum Sign Area (Ratio of Area to Tenant Frontage) |
| The area of the sign may be half that which is permitted in the table above. |
Residential Uses in Any Zoning District
| Zoning District | Requirements |
| R-0, R-1, R-1.5 and R-1.7/PD | Maximum 3 sq. ft. total sign area. |
| R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and RMH or any commercial or industrial zone | Maximum 2 sq. ft. per dwelling unit, or 32 sq. ft., whichever is less. |
The size and length of the allowed wall sign depends on the zoning district, type of use and the proposed sign setback.
Non-Residential Uses in a Non-Residential Zoning District
|
Information Included |
Maximum Sign Area |
Minimum Setback from Property Line |
|
Tenant Name and/or Center Name |
40 sq. ft. per sign face (80 sq. ft. total) |
1 ft. |
|
50 sq. ft. per sign face (100 sq. ft. total) |
10 ft. |
|
|
Two or more tenant names, with or without a center name |
40 sq. ft. per sign face (80 sq. ft. total) |
1 ft. |
|
60 sq. ft. per sign face (120 sq. ft. total) |
10 ft. |
|
|
80 sq. ft. per sign face (160 sq. ft. total) |
30 ft. |
Non-Residential Uses in a Residential Zoning District (including R-2(O) and R-4(O)) - The area of the sign may be half that which is permitted above.
Residential Uses in Any Zoning District (ground signs may be placed up to the property line)
| Zoning District | Requirements |
| R-0, R-1, R-1.5 and R-1.7/PD | Maximum 3 sq. ft. per sign face (6 sq. ft. total) |
| R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and RMH or any commercial or industrial zone | Maximum 2 sq. ft. per dwelling unit, or 32 sq. ft. per sign face, whichever is less (maximum of 64 sq. ft. total) |
-
One wall sign may be installed to identify the center name if the center has no ground sign.
-
In industrial zones, ground signs can identify all tenants and/or the center name. In all other zones, ground signs can display both the center name and three tenant names OR four tenant names.
If there are two or more businesses on the property where the business is located, there may be a Master Sign Program established. The proposed sign will need to conform to the design requirements of the Master Sign Program as well as the requirements of the sign code. If the property does not have a Master Sign Program, the property owner will be required to establish one when a new sign is installed or changed.
Total sign length is regulated for wall signs only.
-
Sign Length for Non-Residential Uses: Maximum of two-thirds of the tenant frontage on which the sign is displayed. The limit can be exceeded to accommodate the minimum 25 sq. ft. allowed for tenant frontages of 50 ft. or less.
-
Sign Length for Residential Uses: No restrictions apply.
Maximum copy height varies depending on the type of sign, type of use, and size of the business.
Wall Sign Copy Height
Non-Residential Use in a Non-Residential Zoning District
| Floor Area of the Business | Setback from Property Line | Copy Height |
| <10,000 sq. ft. | 0-15 ft. | 1.5 ft. |
| 16+ ft. | 2.0 ft. | |
| >=10,000 sq. ft. | 0-15 ft. | 1.5 ft. |
| 16-69 ft. | 2.0 ft. | |
| 70-174 ft. | 2.5 ft. | |
| 175-249 ft. | 3.0 ft. | |
| 250-299 ft. | 3.5 ft. | |
| 300+ ft. | 4.0 ft. |
Non-Residential Use in a Residential Zoning District - Maximum copy height is 1.0 ft.
Residential Use in any Zoning District - There are no copy height restrictions
Ground Sign Copy Height
| Type of Use | Maximum Copy Height |
| Non-Residential Use in a Non-Residential Zoning District | 20 inches |
| Non-Residential Use in a Residential Zoning District | 1 ft. |
| Residential Uses in Any Zoning District | No restrictions. |
Total sign height is regulated with ground signs only. The following heights are measured from the top of the nearest curb.
Non-Residential Use in a Non-Residential Zoning District - 10 ft. maximum
Non-Residential Use in a Residential Zoning District - 5 ft. maximum
Residential Use - 5 ft. maximum
The area of the logo is counted in the sign area.
Ground Signs - There are no restrictions for the height or length dimensions of logos.
Wall Signs - The logo can be detached from the copy but must be mounted on the same building elevation.
Logos are not included in calculations of copy height
Height dimensions for logos on multiple-tenant buildings are limited to the maximum copy height except that 4 ft. high logos are allowed for each business with 3,000 sq. ft. or more of floor area.
Any sign change or new sign on a property that does not have a Master Sign Program must be reviewed by both the Planning Division for conformance with the sign code through a Miscellaneous Plan Permit process and by the Building Division for structural safety.
Call or visit the One-Stop Permit Center at City Hall. Planners are available to assist you between the hours of 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
This handout is intended to be a general description of sign standards. For specific information, consult Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 19.48.