Sign Regulations in Arcadia, California
Arcadia, California has specific sign regulations covering 8 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Temporary Directional Sign, Homeowners' Association Identification Sign, Wall Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: March 26, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Arcadia, California
Sample Sign Requirements in Arcadia
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Directional Sign | 3 feet | 3 feet in height | — |
| Wall Sign | Must not extend above eave of roof or parapet | 4 square feet | — |
| Wall or Monument Sign | Wall sign: Must not extend above eave of roof or parapet; Freestanding sign: 3 feet high | 6 square feet per sign; 12 square feet total | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
8
- Temporary Directional Sign
- Homeowners' Association Identification Sign
- Wall Sign
- Wall or Monument Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Arcadia
Other Cities in California
Frequently Asked Questions
In Arcadia, wall signs can be up to Must not extend above eave of roof or parapet and monument signs are limited to Wall sign: Must not extend above eave of roof or parapet; Freestanding sign: 3 feet high. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Arcadia, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Arcadia, regulated sign types include Temporary Directional Sign, Homeowners' Association Identification Sign, Wall Sign, Wall or Monument Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Arcadia vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Arcadia are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Arcadia has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Arcadia, California Sign Rules at a Glance
Arcadia, California regulates 8 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Temporary Directional Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 3 feet tall and 3 feet in height (Sec. Section 4912.5 - Exception. Temporary Directional Signs). Most commercial signs in Arcadia require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Arcadia, California
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Arcadia (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 3 feet | 3 feet in height | — |
| Residential Zones (R-M, R-0, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-3-R) | 3 | Monument sign: 8 feet high; Freestanding sign: 12 feet high | 48 square feet per sign | — |
| Professional Office (C-O), General Commercial (C-G), Regional Commercial (C-R), Commercial Manufacturing (C-M), Industrial (M-1), Downtown Mixed Use (DMU), Mixed Use (MU), Central Business District (CBD) | 3 | Shall not exceed 70% of the horizontal length of the wall | 150 square feet total aggregate | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Arcadia
General Regulations For All Zones
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Directional Sign | 3 feet | 3 feet in height | — | — | One event per eligible organization per calendar year | City parkways and medians | — | Unlock | Section 4912.5 - Exception. Temporary Directional Signs |
| Homeowners' Association Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Public right-of-way | — | Unlock | Section 4912.7 - Exception. Homeowners' Association Identification Signs |
Residential Zones (R-M, R-0, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-3-R)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | Must not extend above eave of roof or parapet | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per single-family unit | Near main entrance | — | Unlock | Table 3-13 Regulation of Sign Type by Zone |
| Wall or Monument Sign | Wall sign: Must not extend above eave of roof or parapet; Freestanding sign: 3 feet high | 6 square feet per sign; 12 square feet total | — | — | 1 per frontage of development | At primary entrances to residential community | — | Unlock | Table 3-13 Regulation of Sign Type by Zone |
| Wall or Freestanding Sign | Monument sign: 8 feet high; Freestanding sign: 12 feet high | 48 square feet per sign | — | — | 1 per frontage of development | Maximum practical distance from adjacent residential uses | — | Unlock | Table 3-13 Regulation of Sign Type by Zone |
Professional Office (C-O), General Commercial (C-G), Regional Commercial (C-R), Commercial Manufacturing (C-M), Industrial (M-1), Downtown Mixed Use (DMU), Mixed Use (MU), Central Business District (CBD)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign (Single Tenant Sites) | Shall not exceed 70% of the horizontal length of the wall | 150 square feet total aggregate | — | — | 1 single-face wall sign per street or parking frontage, plus 1 side of building sign, plus 1 rear access sign | Street or parking frontage, side of building, rear access | — | Unlock | Table 3-13 Regulation of Sign Type by Zone |
| Permanent Window Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 window sign area per tenant space | Interior or exterior of glass window or door | — | Unlock | Table 3-13 Regulation of Sign Type by Zone |
| Freestanding Sign - Monument and Pylon | Monument: 8 ft; Pylon: 25 ft with clearance | — | — | Monument: 5 ft from lot line, 10 ft from driveway; Pylon: 5 ft from lot line, 10 ft from driveway | 1 double face sign per street frontage | Parcels with at least 50 feet of frontage | — | Unlock | Table 3-13 Regulation of Sign Type by Zone |
Illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type in Arcadia are available with a free PermitPal account.
Start freeProhibited Signs in Arcadia
- It shall be unlawful to mutilate or destroy any signs posted in accordance with this Part.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Banners, pennants, streamers, and similar devices are prohibited except as allowed by Section 9103.11.100 (Temporary Signs).
- Off-site commercial signs (billboards) are prohibited.
- Cabinet signs with a plastic, acrylic, or similar material face are prohibited.
- Changeable copy signs (manual) are prohibited except as a component of another type sign allowed through the Comprehensive Sign Program or when used on a marquee sign.
- Commercial mascot and moving signs are prohibited.
- Signs located in hazardous locations are prohibited.
- Inflated signs are prohibited.
- Signs over or on public rights-of-way or any public property are prohibited.
- Pole signs are prohibited.
- Reflective signs are prohibited.
- Signs resembling traffic signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs in residential zones are prohibited except for certain exemptions.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs are prohibited.
- Video or projected signs are prohibited.
Exempt Signs in Arcadia
- Address signs made up of numbers and/or letters 12 inches high or less.
- Flags of any nation, state, or city when displayed in compliance with the Flag Code.
- Names of buildings, commemorative tables, and the like when carved into stone, set in concrete or similar material, or constructed out of bronze, aluminum, or other permanent material.
- Public notices and warnings displayed by a public body or officer.
- Public signs within a right-of-way posted by or for government agencies.
- Security and warning signs not more than one foot by one foot in size.
- Signs advertising properties for sale or lease, subject to certain conditions.
- Signs or emblems of a religious, civil, philanthropic, or historical markers or plaques.
- Traffic control and directional signs on-site with a maximum area of four square feet and a maximum height of four feet.
- Vending machine signs on approved vending machines.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Arcadia
- A Comprehensive Sign Program is required for projects located within the Commercial Regional (C-R) zone.
- A Comprehensive Sign Program is required whenever three or more separate tenant spaces are present on the same parcel or on multiple parcels that are part of a unified shopping center or similar business center.
- A Comprehensive Sign Program is required whenever a combination of residential and commercial uses is proposed for the same site or development proposal.
- A Comprehensive Sign Program is required whenever five or more non-exempt signs are proposed for a single-tenant development.
- A Comprehensive Sign Program is required whenever a project or parcel has more than 300 linear feet of frontage on a public street.
- A Comprehensive Sign Program is required whenever an existing multi-tenant development of three or more tenants is being remodeled or rehabilitated to the extent that the value of the work will be greater than 20 percent of the replacement cost of the structure(s).
- A Comprehensive Sign Program for a theater or cinema use may be applied to authorize signs that deviate from the standards of this Section.
- A Comprehensive Sign Program may be required due to special project characteristics as determined by the Director.
Source: municode municipal code