# Sign Regulations in Big Bear Lake, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Big Bear Lake, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/big-bear-lake
- **Data last verified:** 2026-05-15
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Big_Bear_Lake/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=MUCO_TIT17LAUS_CH17.12SI)

## At a glance

Big Bear Lake, California regulates 30 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Residential Uses - Identification (Wall or Monument) - Manufactured home subdivisions/parks; single-family and multiple-family residential development projects in the Residential-Low Zone (R-L) zoning district are capped at 8 ft maximum height (including the base) tall, 24 sq. ft. maximum area of each sign face (sign copy max 75% of sign face); 25% minimum dedicated to sign frame, and Max length of any one dimension of the sign face: 16 ft wide, with a min 5 ft from front property line; min 10 ft from any side or rear property line. setback (Sec. 17.12.090.A (Permitted signs in residential districts include exempt signs and those listed below); 17.12.090.C (Residential Uses identification requirements); Table 17.12.090.A.). Most commercial signs in Big Bear Lake require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential-Low Zone (R-L) | 7 | 8 ft maximum height (including the base) | Up to 25% greater than the applicable maximum sign face area otherwise allowed for the residential identification sign | — |
| Single-Family Residence Zone (R-1) | 5 | 8 ft maximum height (including the base) | Up to 25% greater than the applicable maximum sign face area for the residential identification sign | — |
| Multiple-Family Residence Zone (R-3) | 4 | 8 ft maximum height (including the base) | Up to 25% greater than the applicable residential identification sign face maximum | — |
| Commercial-Services Zone (C-1) | 8 | 14 ft maximum height | 50 sq. ft. maximum sign face area (sign copy max 75%); plus minimum 25% sign frame area | — |
| Commercial-General Zone (C-2) | 8 | 14 ft maximum height | 50 sq. ft. maximum sign face area (sign copy max 75%); plus minimum 25% sign frame area | — |
| Commercial-Visitor Zone (C-3) | 7 | 14 ft maximum height | 50 sq. ft. maximum sign face area (copy max 75%); plus minimum 25% sign frame area | — |
| Commercial-Recreation Zone (C-4) | 7 | 14 ft maximum height | 50 sq. ft. maximum sign face area (copy max 75%); plus minimum 25% sign frame area | — |
| Commercial-Industrial Zone (C-5) | 7 | 14 ft | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Public/Open Space Zone (P-OS) | 2 | — | — | — |
| Village Specific Plan (VSP) | 3 | 15 ft maximum projecting sign height (measured from top edge of sign face to ground), except Big Bear Boulevard frontages | Freestanding signs: max 24 sq. ft. in sign area (village-modified limit). | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | — | 6 sq. ft. maximum sign area | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### Residential-Low Zone (R-L)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Sign (non-illuminated only) | — | — | — | — | — | Varies by exempt sign category (address numbers/residential identification; architectural signs; city-wide sign program; construction site signs; directional signs; flags; garage/yard sale signs; governmental signs; historic signs; interior signs; memorial signs; open house signs; public notices; real estate signs commercial/residential; seasonal/holiday decorations; statues of bears/indigenous animals; temporary non-commercial signs; vehicle signs; window signs). | — | 17.12.050 (Exemptions from sign permit requirements). |
| Architectural sign (exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | Integral part of building/structure. | — | 17.12.050.B |
| Address numbers and residential identification (exempt) | — | — | — | — | Up to 1 residential building identification sign per residence (2 sq ft max). | For visibility from public right-of-way; residential building identification sign on the residence. | — | 17.12.050.A |
| Bed and Breakfast Identification Sign (Wall or Freestanding) - R-L & R-1 | 6 ft. maximum height | 12 sq. ft. maximum sign area | — | 1 ft minimum setback from front property line. | No more than 1 sign | Wall or freestanding; setback: 1 ft minimum setback from front property line. | — | Table 17.12.090.A (Bed and Breakfast Establishments in R-L and R-1 Zones; Identification: Wall or Freestanding Sign). |
| Residential Uses - Identification (Wall or Monument) - Manufactured home subdivisions/parks; single-family and multiple-family residential development projects | 8 ft maximum height (including the base) | 24 sq. ft. maximum area of each sign face (sign copy max 75% of sign face); 25% minimum dedicated to sign frame | Max length of any one dimension of the sign face: 16 ft | Monument signs: min 5 ft from front property line; min 10 ft from any side or rear property line. | One sign per primary frontage and one wall on secondary frontage if public access exists; no more than two signs total; no more than one sign per frontage (and if no public access from secondary frontage, no sign allowed on that frontage). | One wall or monument identification sign per primary frontage and one wall per secondary frontage, provided there is public access to the project from each frontage; otherwise no sign on that frontage. | — | 17.12.090.A (Permitted signs in residential districts include exempt signs and those listed below); 17.12.090.C (Residential Uses identification requirements); Table 17.12.090.A. |
| Residential Uses - Incentive: Identification Sign (Wall or Monument) (up to 25% increase) | 8 ft maximum height (including the base) still applies | Up to 25% greater than the applicable maximum sign face area otherwise allowed for the residential identification sign | 16 ft maximum length of any one dimension still applies | Monument signs: min 5 ft from front property line; min 10 ft from any side or rear property line still applies. | One sign per primary frontage and one wall on secondary frontage if public access exists; no more than two signs total; no more than one sign per frontage (and if no public access from secondary frontage, no sign allowed on that frontage). | One wall or monument identification sign per primary frontage and one wall per secondary frontage, provided there is public access to the project from each frontage; otherwise no sign on that frontage. | — | Table 17.12.090.A (Incentive: Same as above; Up to 25% increase in sign area subject to Section 17.12.080.A); 17.12.080.A.2 and 17.12.080.A.3.a. |
| Static electronic changeable copy sign (N/A in residential zones) | — | — | — | — | — | Not permitted in residential zones. | — | 17.12.120.B.1 (Zoning: Electronic changeable copy shall not be permitted in residential zones). |

### Commercial-Services Zone (C-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Sign (non-illuminated only) | — | — | — | — | — | Varies by exempt sign category. | — | 17.12.050 |
| Freestanding Sign (single tenant building) - Commercial retail/office/industrial (general commercial category) | 14 ft maximum height | 50 sq. ft. maximum sign face area (sign copy max 75%); plus minimum 25% sign frame area | — | 1 ft min from front property line; 10 ft min from any side/rear property line; and 30 ft minimum from residentially used/designated property. | One freestanding sign may be permitted. | Primary frontage freestanding sign. | — | 17.12.110.A.1 and Table 17.12.110.A (Freestanding Signs for freestanding, single tenant buildings). |
| Incentive - Freestanding Sign (single tenant building) (up to 25% increase) | 14 ft maximum height still applies | Up to 25% greater than 50 sq. ft. maximum sign face area | — | Same setbacks as the underlying freestanding sign standard (1 ft from front property line; 10 ft from side/rear; 30 ft from residentially used/designated property). | One freestanding sign may be permitted. | Primary frontage freestanding sign. | — | Table 17.12.110.A (Incentive: same as above; up to 25% increase); 17.12.080.A.2 and 17.12.080.A.3.a |
| Wall Sign (single tenant building) - primary & non-residential secondary frontage | — | Primary frontage: up to 1 sq. ft. per lineal ft of building frontage OR 75 sq. ft., whichever is less. Secondary frontage (any other side not facing residentially used/designated property): up to 1/2 sq. ft. per lineal ft OR 40 sq. ft., whichever is less. Sign copy max: 75% of sign area. | — | — | One wall sign on primary frontage; one wall sign on other qualifying side. | One wall sign on the primary frontage; and one wall sign for any other side that does not face residentially used/designated property. | — | 17.12.110.A.2 and Table 17.12.110.A (Wall Sign standards). |
| Projecting Sign (in lieu of wall sign) - where wall sign placement is restricted (single tenant building) | — | 12 sq. ft. maximum sign face area | Max length of any one dimension: 6 ft | Minimum 1 ft setback for leading projecting edge from property line. | 1 projecting sign in lieu of a wall sign on primary frontage; and 1 projecting sign on any other side that does not face residentially used/designated property. | On primary frontage and on any other side that does not face residentially used/designated property (only where building architecture restricts placement of allowable wall signs, as determined by the Planning Director). | — | 17.12.110.A.4 and Table 17.12.110.A (Projecting Sign standards). |
| Roof Sign (in lieu of wall sign) - where wall sign placement is restricted (single tenant building) | — | Primary: up to 1 sq ft per lineal ft of building frontage or 75 sq ft, whichever is less; Secondary: up to 1/2 sq ft per lineal ft of building frontage or 40 sq ft, whichever is less; sign copy max 75%. | — | — | 1 roof sign in lieu of wall sign on primary frontage; and 1 roof sign on any other side that does not face residentially used/designated property. | Primary frontage and on any other side that does not face residentially used/designated property; on lower one-half of roof below peak. | — | 17.12.110.A.4.b and Table 17.12.110.A (Roof Sign standards). |
| Awning Sign (with sign copy on awning) - ground floor only | — | — | — | — | — | Over doors and/or windows located on the ground floor of a building; sign copy applied on leading edge of awning parallel to building wall. | — | 17.12.110.A.3 and Table 17.12.110.A (Awning Sign standards). |
| Static electronic changeable copy sign (N/A in C-1 if residential-prohibited only; allowed with conditions in non-residential zones) | — | 6 sq. ft. maximum sign area (inclusive of maximum sign area allowed for the freestanding sign) | — | — | No more than one two-sided sign per freestanding sign; no more than one sign per property (or within a shopping center/building complex site). | Must be incorporated into a freestanding sign on the lower portion of the sign structure and below the identification portion. | — | 17.12.120.A and 17.12.120.B (including max size 6 sq ft, number limits, interval, illumination intensity reference, colors, and orientation). |

### Commercial-General Zone (C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Exempt Sign (non-illuminated only) | — | — | — | — | — | Varies by exempt sign category. | — | 17.12.050 |
| Freestanding Sign (single tenant building) - Commercial retail/office/industrial (general commercial category) | 14 ft maximum height | 50 sq. ft. maximum sign face area (sign copy max 75%); plus minimum 25% sign frame area | — | 1 ft min from front property line; 10 ft min from any side/rear property line; 30 ft min from residentially used/designated property. | One freestanding sign may be permitted. | Primary frontage. | — | 17.12.110.A.1 and Table 17.12.110.A. |
| Incentive - Freestanding Sign (single tenant building) (up to 25% increase) | 14 ft maximum height still applies | Up to 25% greater than 50 sq. ft. maximum sign face area | — | 1 ft min from front property line; 10 ft min from any side/rear property line; 30 ft min from residentially used/designated property. | One freestanding sign. | Primary frontage. | — | Table 17.12.110.A (Incentive) and 17.12.080.A.2, 17.12.080.A.3.a. |
| Wall Sign (single tenant building) - primary & non-residential secondary frontage | — | Primary: max 1 sq ft per lineal ft building frontage or 75 sq ft, whichever is less (copy max 75%). Secondary: max 1/2 sq ft per lineal ft secondary frontage or 40 sq ft, whichever is less (copy max 75%). | — | — | One on primary frontage; one on other non-residential-facing side. | One wall sign on primary frontage; one wall sign on other sides that do not face residentially used/designated property. | — | 17.12.110.A.2 and Table 17.12.110.A. |
| Projecting Sign (in lieu of wall sign) - where wall sign placement restricted | — | 12 sq. ft. maximum sign face area | Max length of any one dimension: 6 ft | Min 1 ft from property line for leading projecting edge. | 1 projecting sign on primary frontage (in lieu of wall sign) and 1 on each qualifying secondary side. | Primary frontage and qualifying secondary sides not facing residentially used/designated property, when Planning Director determines wall placement is restricted. | — | 17.12.110.A.4 and Table 17.12.110.A. |
| Roof Sign (in lieu of wall sign) - where wall sign placement restricted | — | Primary: up to 1 sq ft per lineal ft of building frontage or 75 sq ft, whichever is less; Secondary: up to 1/2 sq ft per lineal ft of building frontage or 40 sq ft, whichever is less; sign copy max 75%. | — | — | 1 roof sign on primary frontage (in lieu) and 1 roof sign on qualifying secondary sides. | Primary and qualifying secondary sides not facing residentially used/designated property. | — | 17.12.110.A.4.b and Table 17.12.110.A. |
| Awning Sign (with sign copy) - ground floor only | — | — | — | — | — | Over ground-floor doors and/or windows; copy applied flat against leading edge of awning parallel to building wall; not permitted on shed/barrel/slope portion. | — | 17.12.110.A.3 and Table 17.12.110.A. |
| Static electronic changeable copy sign (non-residential allowed with conditions) | — | 6 sq. ft. maximum sign area | — | — | No more than one two-sided sign per freestanding sign; no more than one sign per property or within shopping center/building complex site. | Incorporated into freestanding sign (below identification portion). | — | 17.12.120.A and 17.12.120.B |

## Prohibited signs in Big Bear Lake

- Any sign not expressly permitted is prohibited, except as specifically authorized by planning commission interpretation based upon findings that the sign complies with the general plan (including Policy CD 7.4 of the Community Design Element) and meets the intent of the ordinance (Section 17.12.010).
- Banners, including feather banners, are prohibited except as specifically allowed in the chapter.
- Animated signs are prohibited except for historical signs and portions of a sign containing non-commercial speech or decorative features.
- Dynamic electronic changeable copy signs are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited (except time and temperature signs).
- Human signs are prohibited (except in conjunction with a special event pursuant to Section 17.12.150).
- Outdoor advertising sign structures (billboards) are prohibited.
- Offsite advertising sign structures (billboards) are prohibited (no new billboards within the City).
- Portable freestanding signs are prohibited except as specifically allowed in the chapter.
- Revolving signs are prohibited.
- Rider signs are prohibited when not inclusive of the sign face and exceed the maximum allowed sign face area.
- Signs attached to or painted on natural features (trees, shrubs, rocks) are prohibited.
- Signs supported by or attached to utility poles, street signs, snow poles, traffic posts, traffic signals, or similar devices are prohibited.
- Signs containing an obscene message are prohibited.
- Signs that interfere with traffic devices are prohibited.
- Signs that impair public safety are prohibited (including obscuring traffic on the public right-of-way).
- Signs on public property or within the public right-of-way are prohibited except where approved or required by a government agency; over-street signs or transit-related temporary signs otherwise in compliance may be permitted.
- Sound emitting signs are prohibited (excluding voice boxes for drive-up windows).
- Temporary signs are prohibited except as specifically permitted in the chapter.
- Vehicle signs are prohibited when parked/stopped for more than seventy-two (72) consecutive hours, or when traveling, on a public right-of-way/public property or on private property/in a required public/general parking space, so as to be visible from a public right-of-way (does not apply to transit-related temporary signs or standard practices for ads on vehicles for sale in an approved properly zoned location).

## Signs exempt from permit in Big Bear Lake

- Address numbers and residential identification signs (non-illuminated required to qualify), including required illuminated address numbers and one residential building identification sign (not exceeding two square feet) displaying only the name and/or address of the owner or occupant.
- Architectural signs (integrated into building architecture; integral part of building/structure; maximum 18 inches in any dimension; limited to name of business/building/establishment date; non-illuminated).
- City-wide sign program signs that are city-approved for public information (e.g., entry/district monument signs, info kiosks, wayfinding signs, lightpost banner signs, civic/community event signs).
- Construction site signs (non-illuminated) with limits: cumulative sign area up to 32 square feet (or as set by planning commission/city council), if freestanding structure max height 8 feet; no placement in public right-of-way; must be removed after completion of construction and issuance of final building permit.
- Directional signs (non-illuminated): limited to 5 signs, or 4 signs per frontage for businesses with more than one frontage; max 2 square feet per sign area and max 3 feet height to top.
- Flags (non-illuminated): national/state/local governmental flags (and corporate logo/internationally/nationally recognized organization flags) as symbols; limits on number, pole height (max 35 feet), clearance (min 8 feet), cumulative flag area (max 100 sq ft); not intended to prohibit one flag with non-commercial speech such as “welcome” or “open”.
- Garage sale/yard sale signs (non-illuminated): not in public right-of-way; not attached to other signs; max 3 sq ft; max one on-site and two off-site; off-site signs require property owner consent; must be removed by sunset each day; no same sale displayed more than 4 days.
- Governmental signs (non-illuminated): signs erected/maintained pursuant to governmental functions (traffic/regulatory devices, safety/legal warnings, official traffic/fire/police signs, temporary traffic-control signs during construction, utility location/identification markers required by city/state/other public agencies); not intended to exempt public information signs from city planner approval/design standards.
- Historic signs (non-illuminated): historic signs determined by director may remain out of compliance; damaged beyond repair/structurally unsound may be replicated subject to sign review; if voluntarily removed, cannot be re-installed/replicated and must comply with new sign provisions.
- Interior signs (non-illuminated not specified as required): signs inside buildings/courtyards/structures when sign copy is not visible from outside or not conspicuously visible/readable without intentional effort from outside.
- Memorial signs (non-illuminated not specified as required): commemorative plaques/monuments in conformance with General Plan Policy CD 1.3.a.
- Open house signs (non-illuminated not specified as required): limited duration during open house only; max 1 on-site and 2 off-site, with additional intersection signage up to 4 additional signs where route from nearest arterial requires multiple/discontinuous streets; no placement in public right-of-way; property owner permission required; removed at end of open house; no overnight display; max 3 sq ft area and 3 feet height; may be portable freestanding.
- Public notices or signs required by law (non-illuminated required to qualify).
- Real estate signs, commercial (non-illuminated): max total 24 sq ft sign area; only one per street frontage; if freestanding max height 8 feet; no placement in public right-of-way; removed within 30 days after close of escrow/termination of listing agreement.
- Real estate sign, residential (non-illuminated): one un-illuminated, double-faced sign allowed when conforming to: max 8 sq ft area, max 6 ft height; within property line (no encroachment into public right-of-way); only during listing period; removed 7 days after sold/leased/rented or offer terminated.
- Seasonal and holiday decorations (non-illuminated not specified; exemption section states lighting/flags allowed): in-season removal/changes every 90 days; multi-colored string lights (excluding single strand white) not outside Nov 1–Jan 31; building permit required for single strand white colored lights intended to remain > 90 days.
- Statues of bears or indigenous animals (non-illuminated): durable materials, max 8 feet height; commercial speech prohibited except business identification name carved and proportionate; no other signs/products attached/mounted/displayed on the statue.
- Temporary non-commercial signs (exempt only if standards met; non-illuminated): size max 32 sq ft and top max 8 feet above grade; special event timing limits; cannot be affixed to public property/appurtenances/utility poles/etc. or placed in public right-of-way; cannot obscure traffic devices or block sight distance; cannot be attached to other signs without owner permission; property owner permission required; max 3 signs or 96 cumulative sq ft per parcel; sign must include owner/org info and address/phone; must not be illuminated; must incorporate applicable sign design standards.
- Vehicle signs (non-illuminated requirement for exemption not specified): signs affixed to registered/operable vehicles when vehicle is not parked in a required parking space adjacent to a public right-of-way for primary purpose of advertising; also exempts signs required by state law or local ordinance to be affixed to a vehicle and signage needed to protect public health/safety/welfare.
- Window signs (non-illuminated requirement not specified): not exceeding 25% of window area or 1 sq ft per lineal foot of building wall (whichever less), located on first-floor windows; sign copy measured by smallest enclosing rectangle/geometric shape.

## Sign permit fees & timelines in Big Bear Lake

| Item | Details | Citation |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Approval | 5 business days (starts when after the application is deemed complete) | — |

_The full published fee and review-timeline schedule for Big Bear Lake is available in PermitPal (free account)._

## 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 11 zoning districts in Big Bear Lake — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Big+Bear+Lake+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-big-bear-lake

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