Professional Signage Solutions for San Francisco Businesses
Every external sign or awning in San Francisco—whether wall‑mounted, projecting, ground, illuminated, or fabric—requires a Sign Permit under Article 6 of the San Francisco Planning Code and must also satisfy zoning rules for your specific district.
Property owners may file themselves, but applications typically proceed faster when submitted by a CSLB‑licensed C‑45 (signs) or D‑42 (non‑electrical awnings and signs) contractor through the Permit Center.
Permits won't issue without a valid San Francisco Business Registration Certificate (sometimes called a Business Tax Certificate). You can substitute a temporary Business Tax Certificate if you're awaiting the permanent one.
Custom Sign Fabrication – Your source for window vinyl, interior wall graphics, vehicle signage, ADA plaques, wayfinding systems, menu boards, blade & hanging signs, plexiglass inserts, and storefront branding.
Professional Installation – Our expert crews handle wall‑mounted, ground‑mounted, Dibond panels, and drop‑ship sign installations in SoMa, North Beach, Mission District, and Castro.
Sign Repair & Maintenance – Complete care from cleaning and resurfacing to removal of outdated signs and crafting seamless replacements.
Permit Guidance – End‑to‑end support on application assembly, code compliance review, and real‑time coordination with City departments.
Pre‑flight code check – Verify size, height, lighting, and zoning limitations before production.
Document prep – Fill out SF "Sign and Awning Permit" (Form 4/7) plus accurate elevation drawings.
Permit liaison – Track your file via Accela Citizen Access and flag any plan‑check comments.
Licensed‑contractor match‑up – Pair you with a vetted C‑45/D‑42 subcontractor to officially pull and close the permit.
Permit‑free options – If you choose to go without a permit, we'll outline the fines, daily civil penalties, and tripled‑fee risks so you decide fully informed.
Yes—San Francisco regulates all exterior signs, no matter the size.
Permit Center, 49 South Van Ness Ave, 2nd Floor. Open Mon 9 am–5 pm; Tue–Fri 8 am–5 pm; plan‑review queues close at 4:30 pm.
Over‑the‑counter wall‑sign replacements can clear in one day; larger or design‑review cases average one to six weeks per DBI guidelines.
Refer to Table 1A‑H of the SF Building Code for non‑electric and electric sign permit fees (effective July 19, 2024).
Article 6 allows up to 300 sq ft aggregate area on standard commercial parcels; ground signs may not exceed 25 ft in height.
Yes—maximum brightness of 0.3 foot‑candles above ambient at 100 ft after dark; no flashing or animation.
Flashing beacons, roof signs extending above ridgelines in residential zones, and sidewalk signs that narrow pedestrian access below four feet.
Temporary banners over 32 sq ft or displayed more than 30 days require a Seasonal Sign Permit.
Only with a Minor Encroachment Permit and City sticker; maintain a clear 4 ft pedestrian corridor.
Daily civil fines, plus up to triple the standard permit fee under San Francisco Municipal Code.
Explore our other Bay Area service areas: San Jose, Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, Hayward, Palo Alto, San Mateo, Concord, Santa Rosa .
Request a Fast Quote—we'll size up your sign, prepare the paperwork, and connect you with a licensed installer, so you can focus on running the business, not decoding municipal code.
SF Bay Signs is not a licensed contractor; we partner with CSLB‑licensed C‑45 and D‑42 professionals for permit filing and electrical hookups.
