Sign Code Summary

Hollister, CA

Local sign ordinance requirements — free, cited to the source section.

Last updated April 2026

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Understanding sign regulations in Hollister, CA

Every outdoor sign in Hollister is governed by the municipality’s sign ordinance, which sets how large a sign may be, how tall it may stand, how far it must sit from the property line, whether it may be illuminated, and which sign types are permitted in each zoning district. This page summarizes those requirements in plain language and links each value back to the section of the Hollister code it came from.

Sign rules here are layered. The base zoning district — commercial, industrial, or residential — sets the default limits, and overlay districts such as historic or downtown districts can tighten them further. Because the most specific jurisdiction controls, a freestanding monument sign on a commercial parcel and a wall sign in a historic overlay can face very different limits even on the same street in Hollister.

Use the figures below as a fast first check, then run a full address lookup to confirm the exact limits for a specific parcel in Hollister, California. The full report also covers permit requirements, prohibited sign types, and illumination rules — each cited to the source ordinance so your permit application can reference it directly.

Before you order or install a sign in Hollister, confirm three things: the maximum sign area and height allowed in the parcel’s zoning district, the minimum setback from the right-of-way, and whether the sign type you want — freestanding, monument, wall, projecting, or awning — is permitted there at all. Many permit denials come from missing a setback or an overlay-district restriction rather than from the size of the sign itself, so checking the governing section before applying saves a costly resubmittal.

Census snapshot

Population: 42,093
Median household income: $95,764
Median home value: $638,500
Time zone: Pacific Time

Demographic figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey) and are provided as jurisdiction context for Hollister; they do not affect sign-code requirements.

Ground sign setback

A freestanding sign shall be at least ten feet from the nearest curb and be placed within a landscaped area. A reduced setback of five feet may be allowed where topography, buildings, and parking requirements encroach on the setback area.

Authority

Sign Chapter Scope: Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: 0.010 Purpose.\n\nThe purpose of this chapter is to establish uniform sign regulations that are intended to:\n\nA.\n\nImplement the City's community design and safety standards as set forth in the General\nPlan;\n\nB. Maintain and enhance the City's appearance by regulating the design, character, location,\n\nnumber, type, quality of materials, size, illumination and maintenance of signs;\n\nC.\n\nProtect and improve
Sign Chapter Scope 2: Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: gn located on a parcel of land or on a structure either of which is\nvacant or unused for a period of 90 days or more, or a sign pertaining to a past occupant or\nestablishment different from the present occupant or establishment on the premises.\n\nAggregate sign area means the total area of sign for all signs located on or in one parcel, one\n\ncommercial center, or one building.\n\nAlteration of a sign means any c
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Awning Signs

Awning Sign Sf Calc: Sign area shall not occupy more than 60 percent of the length or height of any portion of an awning or canopy.

Building Signs

Building Sign Max Number: Maximum 2 per business per each frontage facing a public street or commercial parking area; with a maximum of one projecting sign per business
Building Sign Illumination: PERMITTED in commercial zones; must be indirectly and continuously illuminated; exposed fluorescent or incandescent bulbs prohibited unless approved via Master Sign Plan or Site Plan Review

Directional Signs

Directional Max Size: On-site parking and directional signs: maximum 6 square feet total area, 4 feet height when readable from public/private street; 10 square feet when more than 100 feet from public way with no limitation on number if not readable from street

Exemptions

Exempt Signs: Source-backed exempt signs: not exceeding one-half square foot\n\neach.\n\n15. Flags of any governmental entity.\n\n16. Signs located within the interior of buildings and structures, including enclosed malls that\n\nare not visible from the outside of said building or structure.\n\n17. Window signs not exceeding 25 percent of the visible area of a window in the General\nCommercial, Downtown Commercial Mixed Use, Gateway Commercial, or Industria
Exempt Signs 2: Source-backed exempt signs: the visible area of a window in the General\nCommercial, Downtown Commercial Mixed Use, Gateway Commercial, or Industrial District\nand commercial building or the commercial portion of a building in the West Gateway and\nMixed Use Zoning District. Note, neon window signs are not exempt from administrative\nsign review, however, they are still counted toward the window area coverage.\n\n18. Holiday lights and displays

Ground Signs

Ground Sign Setback: A freestanding sign shall be at least ten feet from the nearest curb and be placed within a landscaped area. A reduced setback of five feet may be allowed where topography, buildings, and parking requirements encroach on the setback area.
Ground Sign Setback: at least ten feet from the nearest curb and be placed within a landscaped area; reduced setback of five feet may be allowed where topography, buildings, and parking requirements encroach

Permits

Application Requirements: Source-backed sign permit application requirements: ch other in the\n\nfollowing ways:\n\na.\n\nb.\n\nType of construction materials (sign copy, supports, etc.);\n\nLetter size and style of copy;\n\nc. Method used for supporting or attaching sign (wall or ground base);\n\nd.\n\ne.\n\nConfiguration and shape of sign area and related components; and\n\nHeight, location and spacing of signs on a building or site shall be generally consistent.\n\n4.\n\n5.\n\n6.\n\nSigns w

Programs

Master Planned Sign Program: Source-backed master/planned sign program: ign is viewed from a much greater distance. The closer a sign's viewing distance, the\nsmaller that sign needs to be.\n\nBuilding signs shall not project above and apparent eave or parapet, including the\neave of a mansard roof, except that with approval of a Master Sign Plan, a building sign\nmay be located on an architectural building feature such as a clock tower or similar\nfeature if the City Planner determines

Prohibited

Prohibited Signs: Source-backed prohibited signs: the construction or remodeling activities\noccurring on the same site as the temporary barricades are located. These signs must be\nremoved at the time of completion of the construction or remodeling activities.\n\nOne temporary construction sign with maximum sign area of 64 square feet per street\nfrontage and not exceeding a maximum of eight feet in height located on a construction site\nduring the course of constr
Prohibited Signs 2: Source-backed prohibited signs: erty.\n\nOne temporary on-site open house sign, not exceeding six square feet in area. If freestand-\ning, the sign shall not exceed four feet in height. An open house sign may be erected only on\nthe day on which the property is available for public showing. Portable signs are permitted\nfor use as open house signs.\n\n10. Eight temporary off-site directional open house signs per residential or mixed-use zoning\n\nd

Temporary

Temporary Signs: Source-backed temporary sign rules: nded from or below a canopy.\n\nCan-type sign means a sign affixed to or an integral part of a cabinet which is designated as a\n\nsingle unit.\n\nChannel letters means individual letters or figures, illuminated or non-illuminated, affixed to a\n\nbuilding or freestanding sign structure.\n\nCity means the City of Hollister, California.\n\nCivic sign means any sign that identifies or states the location of, describes
Temporary Signs 2: Source-backed temporary sign rules: r representation that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a\nbusiness, product, service, or other commercial activity, or which proposes a transaction, n or relates\nprimarily to commercial interests.\n\nConstruction sign means a temporary sign identifying the person, firms, or businesses directly\n\nconnected with a construction, remodeling, or development project.\n\nDirectional sign m
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Temporary Signs

Temp Sign Rules: Temporary signs and banners for noncommercial promotion of civic, charitable, religious, educational, or service organizations are permitted in any zoning District when the signs are erected no earlier than 30 days prior to the event and removed within ten days after completion of the event. Such signs shall not exceed four square feet in any Residential District.
Temp Signs Allowed: Yes, temporary signs are allowed for a maximum of 20 days duration
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Wall Signs

Wall Signs: Source-backed wall sign rules: for tenants located within shop buildings shall be placed on that portion\nof the building where the establishment being advertised is located and which provides\nthe primary pedestrian (public) access to the establishment unless otherwise autho-\nrized by a Master Sign plan.\n\nSupp. No. 4\n\nCD17:194\n\n\fZONING\n\n17.20.050\n\nf.\n\nBuilding signs shall only be located on the occupancy frontages of a building othe
Wall Signs 2: Source-backed wall sign rules: an (public) access to the establishment unless otherwise autho-\nrized by a Master Sign plan.\n\nSupp. No. 4\n\nCD17:194\n\n\fZONING\n\n17.20.050\n\nf.\n\nBuilding signs shall only be located on the occupancy frontages of a building otherwise\nauthorized by a Master Sign Plan.\n\n2.\n\nCompatibility with Building/Site.\n\na.\n\nb.\n\nc.\n\nSigns should be proportionate to the size and setback of the building(s) and s
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Window Signs

Window Signs: Source-backed window sign rules: which the sign is located.\n\nBuilding sign means a sign mounted, painted, or otherwise attached to a building such as wall\nsigns, projecting/blade signs, hanging signs, awning and canopy signs, multi-story tenant identifi-\ncation signs, marquee signs, and window signs but excluding freestanding signs.\n\nCabinet sign. See Can-type sign.\n\nCanopy means a permanent projecting roof-like structure other than an awnin
Window Signs 2: Source-backed window sign rules: \n\nBuilding sign means a sign mounted, painted, or otherwise attached to a building such as wall\nsigns, projecting/blade signs, hanging signs, awning and canopy signs, multi-story tenant identifi-\ncation signs, marquee signs, and window signs but excluding freestanding signs.\n\nCabinet sign. See Can-type sign.\n\nCanopy means a permanent projecting roof-like structure other than an awning with or without\nground
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