Free Tool

Sign Size & Area Calculator

Calculate your sign area, see how it compares to zone limits, and find the maximum your building frontage allows.

1. Calculate Your Sign Area

Enter dimensions to get the square footage used in permit applications.

Sign Width (feet)

Sign Height (feet)

Sign Shape Most cities measure as smallest enclosing rectangle

Number of Faces Most codes count only one face of a two-sided sign

Compare your sign area to typical allowances for each zone type.

Your Sign Area (sq ft)

Zone Type

Many cities tie your maximum sign area to your building's street frontage length.

Building Frontage (linear feet)Length of your building facing the street

City Frontage Ratio

Maximum Cap (sq ft, if any)

Number of Signs Planned

Common patterns across 200+ U.S. municipalities — verify your city's specific rules.

Zone	Typical Max Area	Freestanding?	Illumination
Residential (home occ.)	1–4 sq ft	No	Usually prohibited
Neighborhood Commercial	20–50 sq ft	Monument ≤6 ft	Limited hours
General Commercial (C-2)	50–150 sq ft	Monument or pole ≤20 ft	Permitted
Heavy Commercial (C-3)	100–300 sq ft	Pole/pylon ≤35 ft	Incl. digital
Office / Business Park	20–60 sq ft	Monument ≤6 ft	Subtle only
Mixed-Use / Urban	30–80 sq ft	Ground sign ≤5 ft	No digital
Downtown / CBD	Varies widely	Often prohibited	Permitted
Industrial	50–200 sq ft	Permitted ≤25 ft	Permitted
Historic District	20–40 sq ft	Very limited	Restricted

Next steps: Use our fee estimator to budget for permit costs, or the permit checker to confirm whether a permit is required.

Not a substitute for verification with your local planning department. Sign area measurement rules vary by jurisdiction.