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Sign Code Summary

Union City, CA

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

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Understanding sign regulations in Union City, CA

Every outdoor sign in Union City 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 Union City 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 Union City.

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 Union City, 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 Union City, 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.

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Building Signs

Building Sign Maximum Area
Maximum permitted sign area is subject to review and approval by the Director and shall not exceed the following: Sign Setback from Public Right-of-Way Permitted Sign Area per Lineal Foot of Building or Tenant Footage 0—50 feet 1.

Definitions

Window Sign Definition
Window sign and window graphics means any sign, picture, symbol, or combination thereof, designed to communicate information that is posted or painted on or otherwise placed inside a window or upon a window
Abandoned Sign Definition
a sign located on a property or premises which is vacant and/or unoccupied for a period of six months, or a sign which is damaged.
Building Marker Sign Definition
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Building Sign Definition
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Changeable Copy Sign Definition
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Directional Subdivision Signs Definition
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Directory Signs Definition
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Encourage The Effective Use Of Signs As A Definition
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Freestanding Sign Definition
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Freeway Oriented Sign Definition
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Nonconforming Sign Definition
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Nonconforming Signs Definition
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Off Premises Signs And Billboards Definition
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Open House Sign Definition
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Pennant Definition
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Political Sign Definition
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Portable Sign Definition
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Projecting Sign Definition
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Promotional Sales Sign Definition
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Real Estate Sign Definition
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Roof Sign Definition
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Shingle Sign Definition
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Special Events Sign Definition
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Temporary Sign Definition
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Vehicle Sign Definition
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Banner Definition
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Government Owned Sign Definition
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Number Permitted Definition
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Accessory Sign Definition
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Planned Sign Program Use Permit Procedure Definition
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Setback Definition
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Sign Review For Freestanding Freeway Oriented Sign Definition
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Sign Review For Proposed Developments Definition
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Window Graphics Definition
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32 more definitions rules in the full report →

General Standards

Computation Of Maximum Total Permitted Sign Area Requirement
The permitted sum of the area of all individual signs on a lot or tenant space shall be computed by applying the formula contained in Section 18.
Home Occupation Sign Review Requirement
Home Occupation Signs: Home occupation signs advertising an approved home occupation conducted on the premises shall be exempt from the review procedures of Section 18.
Nonconforming Signs And Violations Removal Requirement
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Sign Area Permitted Maximum Area
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2 more general standards rules in the full report →

Ground Signs

Freeway Oriented Sign Lot Size
freeway-oriented signs: A freeway-oriented sign shall be permitted only on a lot or project site of at least three acres in size
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Illumination

Commercial And Industrial Center Sign Requirement
Individual tenant signs within multi-tenant centers shall be coordinated in size, location, materials and illumination design.
Illumination Prohibition
Internally illuminated signs where the entire face of the sign is illuminated rather than just the letters, logos, and address, are not consistent with the desired character of signs within the city and shall be prohibited.
Lighting Intensity Requirement
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1 more illumination rule in the full report →

Prohibited Signs

Prohibited Sign Types
Signs hazardous to traffic, which are any signs with lighting or illumination of such intensity, color or contrasting brilliance as to cause confusion or glare to impair the vision of any person traveling on a public or private way, or which otherwise interfere with any person's operation of a vehicle
Cabinet Sign Prohibition
Cabinet Signs: Cabinet signs, also known as "can" signs, are prohibited on buildings.

Temporary Signs

Real Estate Signs Max
One real estate sign allowed on the property for sale, rent or lease at all times
Temporary Sign Display Period
Promotional sales and grand opening signs: Display period not to exceed 14 calendar days, with a maximum of four such display permits in any one year

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