# Sign Regulations in Avalon, California

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Avalon, California, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Avalon, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/avalon
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-10
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://ecode360.com/35895641#35895641)

## At a glance

Avalon, California regulates 8 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Business Sign (Home Occupation)s in the Residential Zones zoning district are capped at 2 square feet (Sec. §9-7.709(l)(1)). Most commercial signs in Avalon require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial Zone | 2 | — | 8 square feet per face | — |
| Special Commercial Zone | 2 | — | 8 square feet per face | — |
| Resort Recreation Zone | 1 | — | 16 square feet per face | — |
| Residential Zones | 2 | — | 5 inches by 7 inches | — |
| Industrial Zone | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 6 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Commercial Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 8 square feet per face | — | — | — | — | — | §9-7.709(j) |
| Blade Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | — | Encroachment over public right-of-way requires an encroachment permit. | — | §9-7.709(e)(1) |

### Residential Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Sign (Home Occupation) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | One per residence | — | — | §9-7.709(l)(1) |
| Business Sign (Service to Property) | — | 5 inches by 7 inches | — | — | One per residential property | — | — | §9-7.709(l)(2) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | One per business | Not located upon a public right-of-way | — | §9-7.714 |
| Banner or 'Sail' Sign | — | — | — | — | One per business | Not located upon a public right-of-way | — | §9-7.714 |
| Menu Board | — | 6 square feet | — | — | One per establishment | Not located upon a public right-of-way | — | §9-7.714 |

## Prohibited signs in Avalon

- It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, place, erect, attach, paint on, or otherwise maintain any sign in the City of Avalon without a permit issued by the Planning Department except as otherwise stated in this chapter.
- Roof signs (i.e., signs placed upon a roof), including inflatable signs.
- Revolving signs.
- Flashing, scintillating or moving signs.
- Signs that project or extend above the topmost point of the roof line of the building to which they are attached.
- Projecting signs which project more than four feet out over a public right-of-way.
- Directly lighted signs except as otherwise provided for in this chapter; and internally lighted signs except in commercial, special commercial or resort recreation zones that do not face or front within 300 feet any residential property.
- Signs, appendages or structures that endanger the safety of any person or vehicle.
- Signs that are worded, phrased or depicted in such a way which are found to arouse the prurient interest or to offend the general morals of the inhabitants of the City of Avalon.
- Signs with an iridescent, phosphorescent, day-glo, displays or other installations that include balloons, streamers or other notice attracting appendages.
- Signs on public property or rights-of-way shall be prohibited unless otherwise authorized.
- Signs that do not advertise a use of the premises, the name of the licensee, or that do not advertise a product, service, interest or entertainment available on the premises, shall be prohibited unless otherwise authorized herein.
- Signs shall not be constructed so as to obstruct any door, window, or fire escape of any building.

## Signs exempt from permit in Avalon

- House name signs and occupant's name plates identifying either the house or its occupants, or both, and which essentially take the place of a house number, are exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
- Signs warning the public or identifying the location of underground communication, electric, fuel transmission lines and facilities, and signs warning public telephone service locations, are exempt from permit fee and approval.
- Signs not exceeding two square feet in area identifying the presence of a security system or signs identifying that the property is protected by a security business.
- The City Manager, Superintendent of Streets, Fire Chief, Police Chief, Harbor Master, or their representatives, may authorize or approve signs without permit or approval that will be used for the purpose of promoting public safety and welfare on a permanent or temporary basis.
- Nothing contained in this chapter shall prevent the erection, construction, or maintenance of official traffic, fire, and police signs, signals, devices and markings of the State Highway Patrol, Avalon Fire Department, County of Los Angeles Fire Department, County Sheriff's Department, Avalon Street Department or other competent public authority.
- "No Trespassing", or "No Dumping" signs shall be exempt for each separate parcel of property and shall be located in a manner consistent with this chapter.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign permit shall be issued by the Planning Department until an application therefor has been filed with the Planning Department and a fee in an amount as set by resolution of the City Council has been paid to the City of Avalon.
- Applications for variances shall be numbered and filed, and shall become a part of the official City Planning Department files.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 6 zoning districts in Avalon — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Avalon+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-avalon

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