The Master Sign Program is a coordinated sign plan for signs placed on commercial sites including signs used for master identification, individual business and directories.

A master sign program is required when a sign is requested for:

• A building or grouping of buildings which contains 6 or more business or office uses
• Properties that request more than 2 identification signs

Owners of 2 or more contiguous lots or the owner of a single lot with more than 1 building may voluntarily file with the City’s Master Sign Program.

Existing Master Sign Programs

If your property is already part of an existing Master Sign Program, you will need to meet to the requirements of that property's program for your sign or signs.   

View existing Master Sign Programs

Application checklist

• Planning Application form and Statement of Understanding for the fee structure
• Filing fees and deposits
• A site plan of the lot drawn to scale that includes:
  • The proposed location of each present and future sign, whether requiring a permit or not
  • Location of buildings, parking lots, driveways, and landscaped areas on the lot
  • The relationship of proposed buildings and topography
  • Computation of the maximum total sign area, the maximum area for individual signs, the height of signs, and the number of freestanding signs allowed on the lot
• A list of sign properties that includes:
  • Sign dimensions
  • Materials
  • Lighting illumination used for the sign (for example LED or gooseneck)
  • Color scheme
  • Lettering or graphic style
  • Location of each sign

Apply for a Master Sign Program

You can apply for a Master Sign Program by email or in-person.

1. Information gathering

We recommend you meet with business owners and nearby neighbors and people who may be affected by the change. Discuss the proposed change and learn if they have concerns.

2. Complete and submit the application

Download and complete the Planning Application form.

By email
Submit the completed application and required documents to DutyPlanner@walnut-creek.org. Send all documents in one email and include the project address in the subject line. If any of the documents exceed 25MB, upload them to the cloud (via Dropbox or Google Drive, for example) and provide a link.

In-person
Make an appointment to meet with City staff at City Hall City. Applicants may bring the application on a USB drive, printed, or email to DutyPlanner@walnut-creek.org in advance

3. Pay fees

Within five business days, you’ll be sent instructions on how to pay your application fee or deposit by check or credit card. Learn more about fees listed in the Planning Application form.

4. Planner assignment

A planner will be assigned to your project and will be your primary contact through the process.

5. Initial review and notice of application status

Within 30 days after you submit your application, you will get a Notice of Application Status. Comments received from other divisions and outside reviewing agencies will be included in the notice. During the initial review, your assigned planner will determine:

• If the application is complete
• If outside agencies or other divisions will also need to review the application
• If Environmental Review will be needed

6. City staff review

Your assigned planner and other divisions will continue their review of your application. These other divisions may include:

• Engineering
• Building
• Transportation

They will be checking to make sure your application meets land use and municipal code requirements. During this review, there may be multiple rounds of comments from staff that you will need to respond to by making changes to your plans and resubmitting your application.

7. Design Review Sign Subcommittee & Design Review Commission

It will go to the Design Review Sign Subcommittee and Design Review Commission for review and approval. At the Design Review Commission Approval hearing, City staff will present a report and make their recommendation.

8. Apply for a Building Permit

Once the project is approved, you will need to contact the Building Department to apply for a Building Permit to install the requested signs.

9. Permit Issued

Once your Building Permit is approved, City staff will send your permit approval by email.

Timeline

The processing time varies based on the complexity of your proposal. The process generally takes 3-6 months in total.

Forms and resources

• Planning application form with Statement of Understanding [PDF]
• Walnut Creek Municipal Code Section 10-8.109
•  Existing Master Sign Programs

Contact

Call: 925-256-3558
Email: DutyPlanner@walnut-creek.org