Policy and Procedure No.: B-04-07

Purpose

This handout establishes the procedure for complete plan review submittals for the installation of illuminated and non-illuminated building frontage and freestanding signs. Approval must be obtained from the Planning and Building Divisions, and a building permit must be issued prior to commencing any work.

Permits Required

A building permit is required for the following type of signage installations:

  • Any illuminated and non-illuminated building frontage signs, freestanding signs and monument signs

Allowed Locations

Consult with Planning staff prior to submitting plans for zoning prerequisites such as allowed sign areas, types, location, height and other special provisions. The Planning Division can be reached at (916) 478-2265 or by email. 

Permit Fees

Permit fees are based on the scope of work and valuation (labor and materials) of the sign installation. It is recommended that you contact the Building Division to obtain an estimate of fees for your project. 

The Building Division can be contacted by phone at (916) 478-2235 or by email. 

Plan Review Timeline

Allow a minimum of ten business days for the first plan review; five business days for any subsequent reviews.

Electronic Submittal Required

All plans and supporting documents shall be submitted electronically using the Building Filedrop. Please reference our Electronic Plan Review Policy for submittal guidelines. If the submittal is inconsistent with our guidelines your project will be returned as incomplete.

Plan Submittal for Construction

Quantity

  • A completed Application for Permit form.
  • A completed Planning Division Sign Application form.
  • A full set of construction plans.
  • Site plans/cover sheets – a site plan to be attached to complete construction plans; site plans are required to be to scale for all freestanding signs.
  • A set of electronically signed and stamped structural calculation reports prepared by a professional engineer licensed in the State of California [if required].If the sign installation meets any of the following criteria, they shall be submitted with structural calculations:
    • Freestanding pole signs when the overall height is greater than ten (10) feet from ground level
    • Monument signs greater than six (6) feet from ground level
    • Building frontage signs when they meet all of these conditions:
      • sign is greater than two (2) feet in height
      • sign is placed higher than twelve (12) feet above walking surface, and
      • sign is heavier than 20 lbs.

Upon submittal, the documents and plans will be routed internally to the Planning and Building Divisions for review.

All freestanding signs will be reviewed by the Development Engineering Division.

Minimum Plan Requirements

Size

Minimum 8-1/2” x 11” and maximum 11” x 17” plans drawn to scale, fully dimensioned and legible.

Information

  1. Site plan/cover sheet - job address; name, address and phone number of business owner, contractor and designer; location of sign(s) and distances to property lines, right-of-ways, street frontage dimensions.
  2. Elevation drawings – width and length dimensions for each letter(s) and/or cabinet sign, material specifications, colored renderings; depict position of building frontage sign on exterior wall(s); overall height from adjacent standing surface to bottom of cabinet for frontage signs; similarly, overall height from adjacent grade to bottom of freestanding signs.
  3. Sign specifications – cross-section of frontage sign, type/size of supporting fastener to exterior wall, data on weight for each letter or cabinet sign; footing design, reinforcement, post support and fasteners for freestanding signs.

    For illuminated signs, depict wiring and electrical components such as identification of transformer, means of disconnect, grounding, conduit material and listing number.

Inspections

  1. Foundation - required when sign includes a footing design; the inspection allows the building inspector to verify the size and depth of excavated footing, reinforcement method, etc.
  2. Final - required after the project is complete.

For additional information about scheduling inspections, please visit our Building Inspections webpage.