Every outdoor sign in Concord 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 Concord 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 Concord.
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 Concord, 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 Concord, 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
125,007
Median household income
$107,789
Median home value
$706,700
Time zone
Pacific Time
Demographic figures are from the U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey) and are provided as jurisdiction context for Concord; they do not affect sign-code requirements.
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Max ground sign height
6 ft (Commercial/Downtown districts); 5 ft (Industrial/Business Park districts)
Ground sign setback
Minimum 5 ft from public right-of-way (unless specific sign type setback differs)
Administration
Violations Penalties
Violation of Chapter 18.180 or failure to comply is a misdemeanor under CMC 1.05.230; each day is a separate offense, and conditions in violation are public nuisances subject to summary abatement.
Authority
Chapter Purpose
Chapter 18.180 regulates the placement, type, size, number, design, and maintenance of signs allowed in the City of Concord.
Applicability All Districts
The sign chapter applies to all signs in all zoning districts and uses Chapter 18.20 sign-related definitions.
Awning Signs
Awning Projection Clearance
Awning-specific requirements: limited to ground level or second story occupancies only; general projecting-sign standards (potentially applicable to awning signs): max 3 ft projection from building, minimum 8 ft above grade
Building Signs
Building Sign Formula
1 sq ft per 1 linear foot of building frontage; minimum 20 sq ft, maximum 150 sq ft (Commercial/Downtown/Mixed-Use districts)
Building Sign Max Number
District-specific; multiple-tenant buildings max 2 wall signs per sign program; single-tenant buildings no universal number limit specified
Signs must comply with applicable state, federal, and city laws including building code; transformers/equipment must be screened/painted/concealed, permanent signs must use quality low-maintenance materials, and illuminated freestanding signs must have underground utility service.
Directional
Onsite Directional Signs
One on-site directional sign is allowed per driveway or service entrance; each must be set back 5 ft from public right-of-way and max 6 sq ft unless larger size is allowed by Planning and City Engineer based on unique site/project characteristics.
Directional Signs
Directional Max Size
6 sq ft (on-site directional); 20 sq ft per face, up to 3 faces (off-site subdivision directional)
Directional Max Height
4 ft (on-site directional); 15 ft (off-site subdivision directional)
District Specific
Residential Sign Limits
RR/RS/RL residential districts allow wall signs at 1 sq ft minimum/maximum; RM/RH multifamily allows wall signs up to 0.5 sq ft per dwelling, maximum 25 sq ft, and freestanding signs up to 5 ft high.
Commercial District Sign Limits
CMX/NC/SC/RC/DP districts allow wall, awning, and projecting signs at 1 sq ft per 1 linear ft building frontage, with no sign required to be less than 20 sq ft and a max of 150 sq ft; freestanding signs are max 30 sq ft, 1 per frontage, 6 ft high.
Government/regulatory signs, historical markers, California lottery signs, street address signs, and utility identification signs are exempt without Chapter 18.180 limitations.
Construction Signs
Construction/remodeling signs are allowed without permit/master sign program up to 12 sq ft in single-family or low-density residential districts and 40 sq ft in all other districts; they must be removed within 30 days of final inspection, certificate of occupancy, opening, or permit expiration and may not be illuminated.
All freestanding signs must be set back at least 5 ft from a dedicated public right-of-way unless a different setback is specified for a specific sign type.
A Frame Downtown Sidewalk Cafes
A-frame signs are allowed only at sidewalk cafes in the downtown, one per street frontage, max 30 in wide and 48 in high, and must not obstruct ADA sidewalk clearance, sight lines, or parked-car access.
Sign area is measured by enclosing the extreme limits of framing, emblem, logo, writing, or display area within a single continuous perimeter of squares/rectangles with no more than eight lines; painted/cutout letters use one simple rectilinear figure.
Multi Face Area
Double-faced freestanding signs are computed on one surface area only; multi-faced signs add all faces except equal-size faces within five degrees of parallel count as one face.
Changeable copy signs are limited to 20 sq ft except theaters as approved; only manual changeable copy signs are permitted, and electronic changeable copy signs/electronic reader boards are prohibited except for community service signs.
Illumination Design Standards
Illumination must be designed not to cast stray light on rights-of-way/properties; external sources must be directed and shielded, glare/brightness may not negatively impact residential properties or streets, colored lights may not be confused with traffic controls, and energy-efficient fixtures/Title 24 compliance are required to the greatest extent possible.
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Maintenance
Maintenance Repair 30 Days
Signs must be maintained in proper repair; cracked, broken, malfunctioning, missing-copy, or damaged portions must be repaired or replaced within 30 days after City notification.
Abandoned Unsafe Sign Removal
Abandoned or poorly maintained signs must be removed by the property owner within 90 calendar days after City written notice; unsafe/insecure signs identified by Building Division must be corrected or removed within 30 days, and hazardous conditions must be corrected immediately.
Nonconforming
Nonconforming Signs
Existing nonconforming signs may continue but may not be expanded, moved, or relocated except to become conforming; maintenance/repair may not exceed 50% of fair market value; sign copy/faces may be changed; improvements may be allowed at Planning discretion.
Off Premise
Freeway Oriented Off Premise
Off-premises freestanding signs within 660 ft of a freeway are prohibited unless otherwise provided by the Outdoor Advertising Act; on-premise freeway-proximate signs must conform to state law and chapter limits.
Permit
Building Permit Sign Plan Required
No sign may be constructed, installed, or modified unless a building permit and sign program or master sign program has been approved, unless the sign is exempt.
Building Permit Compliance Required
A building permit for a sign may not be approved unless the sign complies with all applicable Chapter 18.180 requirements and any approved sign plan or master sign program.
Signs must be located outside the clear vision triangle (specific dimensions not specified in ordinance)
Prohibited
General Prohibited Signs
Prohibited signs include abandoned signs, signs not specifically in accordance with the chapter, animated/moving/electronic message/variable intensity/blinking/flashing signs except stated exceptions, brilliant lights that conflict with traffic or affect adjacent properties, exposed raceways, and signs attached to fences.
Roof Temporary Cannabis Illegal Signs
Signs in rapid-transit right-of-way, roof signs painted/mounted on roofs or above the roofline except allowed cases, unallowed temporary/portable signs, most commercial cannabis signs except one storefront retailer identification sign, and signs advertising illegal uses are prohibited.
Projecting
Projecting Signs
Projecting signs are measured on one surface area only, may project max 3 ft, must have lowest point 8 ft above grade, top no higher than the lesser of 14 ft/eave/parapet/second-floor sill height, may not project above roof/parapet, must avoid traffic hazards, and must have 6 in clear space from building.
Roof
Roof Signs
Where permitted, roof signs are only allowed on single-story buildings; they must consist of individually mounted cut-out letters/symbols or be mounted on a vertical roof structural design surface, be set back/parallel as approved, screen indirect illumination, and use unobtrusive support.
Temporary
Political Signs
Political signs may not be in public right-of-way/public property, attached to public objects in the right-of-way, obstruct traffic/pedestrian views, or be placed on another's property without permission; political signs must be removed within 10 days after the related election.
Temporary Sign Permit Required
All temporary signs require an administrative temporary sign permit before establishment, except new automobile dealer temporary signs under Table 18.180.110.
Temporary signs allowed; administrative permit required for establishment
Temp Sign Rules
Permit required for all temporary signs. Banners (grand openings/special events): max 30 days; no other temp sign within 150 days after removal. Subdivision directional: max 15 ft height, max 20 sq ft per face (up to 3 faces). All temporary: non-illuminated, attractive materials required.
Under Canopy
Under Canopy Signs
Under-canopy signs may be max 5 sq ft, must have lowest point 8 ft above grade, must have at least 6 in clear space from the building, and supports/brackets must be compatible with the sign/building design.
Wall
Awning Signs
Awning signs are limited to ground-level or second-story occupancies; awnings may not be illuminated unless they are the main sign for the establishment, and only direct exterior lighting is allowed while internal illumination is prohibited.
Wall Signs
Wall signs must be architecturally compatible, project no more than 12 in from the facade, conceal raceways from public view, prefer channel/reverse-channel/pushpin letters over can signs, and coordinate multiple facade elements.
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