Commission adopts Transit Center sign district rules limiting large signs near parks and requiring nighttime dimming

The Planning Commission on Sept. 14 adopted an ordinance establishing a Transit Center District special sign district that sets stricter limits on large and illuminated signs near parks and privately owned public open spaces (POPOS).

Diego Sanchez of the Planning Department presented the proposal to amend the planning code and zoning map to create the district. The controls would require signs taller than 35 feet to be dimmable and turned off between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. in the district, and impose lower size and height ceilings for new signs within 200 feet of parks or large POPOS; a subset of rules applies to the planned 5.4-acre city park atop the Transbay Transit Center (staff detailed limits such as 50 square feet and 15-foot height caps for signs visible from the park).

Barbara Lopez from Supervisor Jane Kim’s office described the plan-area boundaries and the history of interim controls, noting that the interim regulations adopted in 2015 and extended in 2017 have been acceptable to stakeholders and the ordinance made them permanent with a clarified definition of 'park.'

During public comment, a project-affiliated representative asked whether identifying signs at the elevated park connection would be permitted; staff explained limitations that depend on visibility from the park. Commissioners discussed treatment of adjacent buildings and implementation timing; the vote to adopt the ordinance carried unanimously.

Why it matters: The ordinance aims to reduce light pollution and visual clutter near new downtown open space and to protect the planned Transbay city park’s character and nighttime use. The measure transitions interim controls into ongoing code and clarifies how visibility from the city park drives stricter sign limits.

What’s next: The ordinance will be transmitted for any final steps required before being effective per municipal procedures.