Exterior Hanging Signs For California Storefronts

Walk down any busy California street and the signs that really grab your attention are often the ones hanging out from the building. Exterior hanging signs work like a small billboard for your storefront. They are visible from far down the sidewalk, they catch people who are not directly facing your window, and when they are designed well, they instantly tell your story before anyone even reaches the door.

In this guide, we will walk through how exterior hanging signs work, where they make the most sense, and how to think about design, materials, installation, and local rules. The goal is to help you pick or upgrade a hanging sign that not only looks good but also lasts and complies with city requirements.

Martin Sign is a custom sign shop based in San Francisco, working with local businesses across the Bay Area and beyond. If you want to see real examples of exterior signage projects, you can browse the Martin Sign homepage or check recent posts on the blog.

You will also find more deep-dive guides on materials and finishes on the Martin Sign blog, which can help you match your hanging sign with other elements like window graphics or interior lobby signs.

What Is An Exterior Hanging Sign?

An exterior hanging sign is a sign that projects from the face of your building, usually mounted perpendicular to the wall. It often hangs from a bracket, arm, or frame that is attached to the facade or to a post. These signs are sometimes called blade signs or projecting signs, depending on the local terminology and design style.

The big advantage is visibility. Someone walking parallel to your storefront might not see a flat sign above the door or a vinyl graphic on the window, but a well-placed hanging sign sticks out into their line of sight. This is especially valuable on dense city streets in places like San Francisco, Oakland, or Berkeley, where the sidewalk is crowded and people are moving quickly.

When A Hanging Sign Makes Sense For Your Business

Exterior hanging signs tend to work best in areas with strong pedestrian traffic. Think of neighborhoods with cafes, boutiques, studios, salons, and small offices lining both sides of the street. If customers often walk or drive slowly past your business, a projecting sign can quietly remind them you are there every single day.

They are also a great fit when your storefront is partially hidden. Maybe you are under scaffolding for part of the year, your entrance is recessed, or there are trees and parked cars blocking the view of your window. A hanging sign placed higher and out from the facade can clear these obstacles.

For multi-tenant buildings or shared entries, hanging signs can help separate your identity from the neighboring spaces. Each business can have its own small “flag” into the street, even if the main address sign is shared.

Design Basics: Readable, Simple, And On Brand

The most effective exterior hanging signs are not necessarily the most complex. They are usually simple, clean, and easy to read from a distance. Someone walking by has only a second or two to understand who you are and what you do.

Start by thinking about the hierarchy of information. In most cases, your business name should be the main element. If you have a strong logo mark, that can sit next to or above the name. A short descriptor or tagline can come next, like “Coffee,” “Design Studio,” or “Yoga.”

Color is another powerful tool. The sign should stand out from your building and the background, but still feel like part of your overall brand system. If your interior signage or metal wall art has particular colors or finishes, it is worth coordinating them so the entire customer journey feels intentional.

If you like the look of metal logos or dimensional elements, you can take inspiration from custom metal art projects that use laser-cut steel or aluminum. Those same techniques can be adapted for a hanging sign face or for a bracket detail. See the custom metal art signs guide for more ideas.

Choosing Materials For Exterior Hanging Signs

Because hanging signs are exposed to weather and movement, materials matter a lot. The sign face, frame, and hardware all need to handle sun, wind, and rain. California has plenty of bright sun and many coastal areas deal with moisture and salty air, which can wear down cheaper materials quickly.

Common Sign Face Options

A popular choice for the sign face is a rigid panel made from aluminum, aluminum composite, or another exterior-grade material. These substrates stay relatively lightweight but are strong enough to handle wind when mounted properly. Graphics can be applied as high-quality vinyl, direct print, or dimensional letters depending on your budget and brand style.

Wood can bring a warm, handcrafted look, especially for restaurants, cafes, and boutiques. If you go in this direction, the finish is critical. The wood needs to be sealed and painted or stained with exterior-grade coatings. It may need more maintenance over the years, but for some brands that natural look is worth the upkeep.

Hardware, Brackets, And Mounting

The hardware that holds your sign is just as important as the face. A decorative metal bracket can become a design feature on its own, but it also has a very practical job. It needs to support the weight of the sign, resist wind loads, and connect safely to your building structure.

In many California cities, there are specific rules for how far a sign can project from the building, how high it must be above the sidewalk, and how it can be attached. Working with an experienced local sign company means your bracket and mounting method are chosen with those rules in mind from day one.

City Rules, Permits, And Practical Limits

Exterior hanging signs are usually subject to city sign codes. These codes cover things like size, height, projection distance, lighting, and even how many signs you can have on one facade. In San Francisco and other Bay Area cities, you will almost always need to at least check the local regulations before building anything.

Permits can sound intimidating, but they are manageable when you break them down. Often you will need a simple drawing showing the sign dimensions, location on the building, mounting details, and sometimes a photo mockup. A good sign partner can prepare these for you and coordinate with the city if needed.

There are also practical limits to respect. A sign that projects too far or hangs too low can be a safety issue. Windy corners or tall buildings can create more strain on brackets and fasteners. All of this is manageable as long as someone is thinking about it early in the process.

Lighting Your Exterior Hanging Sign

If your business is open in the evening or relies on night-time visibility, lighting is worth considering. Even a simple unlit sign can be visible when placed near a storefront window, but dedicated lighting can make a big difference.

Options range from small gooseneck fixtures that wash light over the sign face to integrated LED solutions. The right choice depends on your building, budget, and how much visual impact you want after dark. In some historic districts, there may be preferences or rules about fixture style, which is another place where local experience pays off.

Coordinating Hanging Signs With Other Storefront Elements

An exterior hanging sign rarely lives alone. Most storefronts also have window graphics, door lettering, maybe an awning, and interior signs that are visible from outside. The best results come when all of these pieces feel like they belong to the same family.

For example, the typeface on your hanging sign should match or complement the lettering on your door. If you have metal address numbers or custom metal art inside, using similar materials or finishes on the hanging sign can tie everything together. That way, customers build a clear mental picture of your brand as they approach and enter.

If you are planning a bigger refresh of your storefront, you can map out all of these elements together. Start with the main exterior identity pieces like the hanging sign and primary wall sign, then layer in window film, door signs, and interior lobby signs so they support the same story.

Working With A Local Sign Partner

Designing and installing an exterior hanging sign involves creativity, technical details, and practical coordination with your landlord and city rules. You can absolutely sketch ideas and collect inspiration photos on your own, but when it comes time to build, having a partner who does this every day will save time and stress.

A local sign company can visit your site, take measurements, and recommend the best mounting locations based on structure, visibility, and code. They can help you choose materials that balance durability, budget, and the look you want, and they can guide you through the permit process so there are no surprises.

If you operate in or around San Francisco, working with a shop that already knows the city’s patterns, weather, and building types is especially valuable. They understand how signs behave in fog, sun, and coastal air, and they have seen what holds up on real streets over years, not just in mockups.

How To Start Your Exterior Hanging Sign Project

If you are thinking about a new hanging sign or upgrading an old one, a simple way to start is to walk your own block with fresh eyes. Notice which signs you see first, which ones you like, and which ones feel out of place. Pay attention to size, shape, color, height, and bracket style.

Then, gather a few photos of signs you like, along with your logo and any brand guidelines you already have. Share these with your sign partner and talk through how people currently find your business, whether by foot, car, or online. This context helps shape a design that is not just attractive but strategic.

From there, you can move into sketches, mockups, and material samples. You will land on a final design, confirm sizes and mounting details, and then your sign can go into production. When installation day comes, you get to watch your storefront transform in just a few hours.

Bringing It All Together

A good exterior hanging sign does more than mark your location. It becomes part of the street experience, quietly inviting the right people to notice you and step inside. When it is designed with clear messaging, solid materials, and careful installation, it can work for you every single day for years.

If you are ready to explore options for your own storefront, you can reach out to the team at Martin Sign to talk through your ideas, location, and budget. Whether you are opening a new space or refreshing a long-standing business, the right hanging sign can be one of the most visible and memorable pieces of your brand in the real world.