Sign Permits

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The following items are considered signs:

Any identification, description, illustration, or device that is visible to the general public and directs attention to a product, service, place, activity, or business. These can be illuminated or non-illuminated.
Any emblem, painting flag, banner, or pennant designed to advertise, identify, or convey information.

Sign permits ensure that signs are safe, attractive, and comply with regulations. They are required for all temporary and permanent signs. They are also required for sign refaces or redesigns.

Design

Good design is an important part of getting your sign approved quickly.

Read sign design tips and guidelines

Requirements

Sign content

Signs can only have the following information on them:

Name of business
Type of service rendered
Principal brand names
Type of merchandise for sale

Brand names may occupy up to 25% of the sign area. Phone numbers, websites, phrases, and slogans are not allowed.

Size and placement

One square footage of signage is allowed for every linear foot of building frontage. In addition, one square foot of sign area is allowed for each 200 square feet of floor area occupied by the business. If the building is set back more than 100 feet from the street, the maximum area may be increased by 25%.
If a business has more than one building frontage the sign may have 160% of the maximum sign area for use on the secondary frontage. The maximum sign area permitted for one business cannot exceed 200 square feet.
Second floor businesses may have up to 10% of the window area covered with vinyl or similar lettering.
Permanent window signs cannot occupy more than 15% of ground floor window area. Second floor businesses may have up to 10% of the window area covered with vinyl or similar lettering.
If a sign has two parallel faces with identical copy, such as a freestanding or shingle sign, only one display face is measured for the sign area.

Types of signs

Freestanding

One freestanding sign is allowed per building frontage and can be 25 square feet in maximum size.

Freestanding signs must be approved by the Design Review Commission (or subcommittee) after making one of the following findings:

Only feasible means of identification
Building is setback from the street or obscured from view
The architectural style of the building doesn't support a wall sign

Shingle

Ground floor

Windows

Neon

All neon on the exterior of the building requires Design Review Commission (or subcommittee) approval.

If the sign is in the window, City approval is not required if it’s only one sign and 4 square feet or smaller. If there are multiple signs, or the single sign is between 4-8 square feet, the permit can be approved by City staff. Wording on the sign is limited to the business name and/or logo. A sign or signs over 8 square feet, require approval from the Design Review Sign Subcommittee.

Awnings

Illuminated awnings count as sign area and require approval by the Design Review Commission. The maximum letter height allowed is 18 inches, and the overall sign is limited to 30% of awning face. Logos and emblems are limited to 8 square feet. No lettering is allowed on the side of the awning.

New awning frames require an awning permit. Contact staff to check whether a simple building permit is required or if the awning will need design review approval.

Real estate

These are the rules for real estate signs

Commercial: 12 square feet
Residential/Single parcels and existing buildings: one, max 4 square feet
Residential/New Construction: 24 square feet announcing new housing units
Residential/Open House: not more than four off-site directional signs, limited to:
- 4 square feet in size or smaller
- If on private property, you must have permission from the owner
- If on public property, they cannot be in medians or blocking sidewalks
- Weekends, holidays, broker tour days, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Must be removed at the end of each day

Freeway

Temporary

A temporary sign is allowed for the opening of a business, or a change in business name or local ownership. This includes the reopening of a business if it is closed for remodeling for at least 2 weeks.

Election or festival signs cannot be displayed earlier than 75 days before the event. They must be removed within 14 days after the event. They cannot be displayed for more than 30 consecutive days, or more than a total of 60 days per year.

To announce the future use of a building, one sign is allowed, up to 12 square feet. It cannot be displayed until the permit is issued. It must be removed within 15 days of completion of the main building. For banners, one is allowed per frontage each quarter, up to four times per year.

These are the rules for construction identification signs

Residential projects - 12 square feet
Other projects - 32 square feet
Barricade painting - up to 15% of surface area or 32 square feet

Temporary commercial signs can only be placed at locations permitted for permanent signs. Business opening pennants and banners can be displayed for 15 days after business opens, or within 20 days of installation, whichever occurs first.

Signs not allowed

These types of signs are not allowed in Walnut Creek

Animated (moving) signs
Banners, flags, pennants, streamers, small balloons - unless a temporary sign permit has been issued
Large Balloons or Inflatables
Flashing signs
Signs on parked vehicles, unless limited to small lettering incidental to the primary purpose of the vehicle
Signs on trees, utility poles, benches, or fences
Temporary signs, unless specifically permitted in the ordinance

Master sign programs

Depending on the location of your business, your sign may be required to meet requirements in a Master Sign Program. A sign program is a set of design criteria and standards. It outlines the design, fabrication, and installation of business signs for a specific site, property, or area.

For more detailed requirements about signs, refer to the Sign Ordinance.

Apply for a sign permit

Sign permits can be applied for by email or in-person.

1. Consult with Planning staff

Make an appointment to meet with Planning staff in-person or email DutyPlanner@walnut-creek.org to discuss the sign or signs you are considering. Share photographs and plans of the type of sign, any existing signage on your building and a site plan that shows where it will be placed. Staff can give you early feedback on whether your proposed sign will be allowed or if changes are required.

2. Complete and submit your application

Complete the Sign permit application on the online permit portal and prepare a plan set. You must register for an account to apply online.

The plan set must include:

Site Plan showing location of all proposed signs. The Site Plan must show streets, sidewalks, buildings and trees in the vicinity.
Details that indicate dimensions, height, colors, materials, font, attachment/mounting details and lighting.
Elevation showing how the sign will look on the building’s façade.

All drawings must be to scale, accurate, and in color. You may need to provide color and material samples.

Submit your application through the permit portal. If you need help with the portal, please contact dutyplanner@walnut-creek.org for assistance.

3. Pay fees

Within five business days, you’ll be sent instructions on how to pay your application fee or deposit by check or credit card. Learn more about fees.

4. City review

All sign permit applications are reviewed by City staff from the Planning division. Staff will review the design and determine if it meets all the requirements. They will check the size, location materials, and compatibility. They will also determine if the application needs to be reviewed by the building and engineering divisions.

City staff will let you know if more information is needed from you. If you don’t provide the information, your application may be denied.

5. Design review

Certain types of signs require approval from the Design Review Commission’s Sign Subcommittee. If this step is required, you will need to complete a separate planning application and go through the entitlement process. Your sign will be reviewed by the Design Review Commission or Design Review Commission subcommittee.

6. Sign permit issued

Once your application is approved, Planning staff will email your approved permit.

7. Get a building permit

If your project requires one, you can now get a building permit to install the sign. You will need to apply for the building permit on the online permit portal. If your sign is located in the right of way, may may need to get an encroachment permit.

Exceptions

Exceptions to the ordinance may be granted by the Design Review Commission upon the following guidelines

Size and placement limitations are followed as close as practicable.
The intent and purpose of the regulations are followed as closely as practicable.
Where it can be demonstrated that the sign(s) is necessary to further a public use or benefit.
Signing for businesses in interior shopping centers or pedestrian malls where the signing would normally not be visible to the street.

Fees

Check with staff to understand what fees will be required for your sign. Look up fee amounts in the Master Fee Schedule.

Timeline

It can take about 5 to 10 business days for City staff to review a sign permit application, depending on the complexity. Less time may be required for very simple signs. If design review is required, it can take 2-4 months for approval.

Forms and documents

Sign design tips and guidelines

Contact

Planning staff
Call (925) 256-3558
Email DutyPlanner@walnut-creek.org

City of Walnut Creek