An awning is the covered cloth structure over your storefront. The letters and decals on it are known as copy.

A sign has letters or decals on wood, metal, etc. and can hang perpendicular over the sidewalk, lay flush against the wall, etc.

Note: You need to keep 75% of the storefront window area transparent. (meaning: the painted sign cannot take up more than 25% of the window.)

If there are residences in the floors above your storefront:

• Any awnings or signage will need to allow for fire ladder access.
• If there is a fire escape above your storefront, an awning will need to have a 3x3 foot flap or 'punch out hole' to allow the ladder through the awning in emergencies.

General rules for awnings:

(See Planning Code Sec. 136.1)

Awnings, canopies, or marquees in a historic district or landmark site require special review by the Planning Department.

Awnings cannot extend above the ground floor, and they cannot:

• Be higher than the windowsill level of the lowest story (except for the ground story and mezzanine)
• Extend above an upper-story window bay
• Be less that eight feet above the finished grade
• Cover any horizontal molding
• Exceed a height of 16 feet or the roofline of the building to which it is attached, whichever is lower
• Cover external piers or columns

The size of your awning depends on the zoning district.

For limited commercial uses (LCUs), Neighborhood Commercial and Neighborhood Commercial Transit (NC, NC-1, NCT-1) Districts:

• Awnings may project out to four feet from the face of the building, and can be up to four feet from top to bottom (including hanging fabric).

For all other Districts:

• If an awning is ten feet wide or less, it cannot project more than six feet from the face of the building. The top to the bottom of the awning can be up to six feet (including hanging fabric).
• If an awning is greater than ten feet wide, it cannot project more than four feet from the face of the building. The top to the bottom of the awning can be up to four feet (including hanging fabric).

Read more about the specific rules for signs and awnings by zoning district

Installing or changing a sign or awning almost always requires a permit.

A permit isn't required for:

• Window signs or interior hanging signs that are visible through the window, including plug-in illuminated signs.
• Signs applied directly to windows, doors, building facades (painted or any non-structural application like glued vinyl lettering, tape)
• Temporary Sale or Lease signs
• Small copy changes on signs that involve frequent updates (theater marquees)
• Temporary advertising signs for people or firms doing construction
• Signs within a stadium, open-air theater, or arena
• Advertising signs that are less than 24 square feet in area on Municipal Transportation Agency structures
• Advertising signs that are less than 52 square feet in area on Department of Public Works kiosks
• Change of copy/lettering that doesn't require a building permit, change from general advertising to non-general advertising or vice versa, or increase area/height/illumination/projection of the sign

Getting your permit

Several departments will need to review your permit to make sure it meets design standards, building code requirements, and safety standards. Illuminated signs will require additional review for safety.

Plans for your sign or awning will need to be prepared by a licensed contractor, licensed sign installer, or design professional. They must include scaled front and lateral elevation drawings of the building with:

• Area of the sign or awning, including dimensions
• Height of the sign or awning as measured from the ground to the bottom of the sign or awning
• Projection as measured from the building face to the end of the sign or awning
• Dimensions of any lettering

You will also need a spec sheet (specifications from the manufacturer that include product dimensions, materials, etc.) for your sign or awning.

If you want to install multiple signs

• To install identical signs, you only need 1 sign permit application (maximum 5 signs per permit).
• To install different signs (size or type), you will need a different sign permit application for each.

Apply to install a new awning, replace your existing awning, sign on your awnings, or pedestrian-level lighting and get most of your permit fees waived during the month of May! This program applies to permit fees from the Department of Building Inspection (DBI), Planning, Fire Department, and Public Works.

Learn more about the May Awning Fee Waiver Program

• If you have an existing, unpermitted sign or awning, use the Awning Amnesty process to get permits.
  
• If you want to modify your sign or awning, even if you are just changing the business name, you will need a permit.
  • If you are altering an existing sign that belonged to a different business, check that it was properly permitted by emailing sfosb@sfgov.org
    
• When a business closes or moves, the business is responsible for removing their sign/awning.
  • To remove a sign or awning, you will need a permit.