# Sign Regulations in Burbank, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Burbank, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/burbank
- **Data last verified:** 2025-08-09
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Burbank/#!/html/Burbank10/Burbank100110.html)

## At a glance

Burbank, California regulates 25 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the Commercial Retail - Professional Zone (C-1), Commercial Limited Business Zone (C-2), Commercial General Business Zone (C-3), Commercial Unlimited Business Zone (C-4), Limited Industrial Zone (M-1), General Industrial Zone (M-2), Airport Zone, Cemetery Zone, Railroad Zone, Open Space Zone, Media District Industrial Zone (MDM-1), Media District Limited Commercial Zone (MDC-2), Media District General Business Zone (MDC-3), Media District Commercial/Media Production Zone (MDC-4), Neighborhood Business Zone (NB), Garden Office Zone (GO), Rancho Commercial Zone (RC), Commercial-Recreational Zone (CR), Rancho Business Park Zone (RBP), Burbank Center Commercial Retail-Professional Zone (BCC-1), Burbank Center Commercial Limited Business Zone (BCC-2), Burbank Center Commercial General Business Zone (BCC-3), Burbank Center Commercial Manufacturing Zone (BCCM), Magnolia Park Commercial Retail-Professional Zone (MPC-1), Magnolia Park Commercial Limited Business Zone (MPC-2), Magnolia Park Commercial General Business Zone (MPC-3), Auto Dealership Zone (AD), 2021-2029 Housing Element Opportunity Sites Overlay Zone (HEOS-OZ) zoning district are capped at 25 ft tall and 50 sq ft per face, with a Min 5 ft front and side setback (Sec. 10-1-1005 ("All Other Zones")). Most commercial signs in Burbank require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Single Family Residential Zone (R-1), Single Family Residential Horsekeeping Zone (R-1-H), Low Density Residential Zone (R-2) | 9 | 35 ft (flagpole) | 50 sq ft | — |
| Medium Density Residential Zone (R-3), High Density Residential Zone (R-4) | 3 | — | — | — |
| Commercial Retail - Professional Zone (C-1), Commercial Limited Business Zone (C-2), Commercial General Business Zone (C-3), Commercial Unlimited Business Zone (C-4), Limited Industrial Zone (M-1), General Industrial Zone (M-2), Airport Zone, Cemetery Zone, Railroad Zone, Open Space Zone, Media District Industrial Zone (MDM-1), Media District Limited Commercial Zone (MDC-2), Media District General Business Zone (MDC-3), Media District Commercial/Media Production Zone (MDC-4), Neighborhood Business Zone (NB), Garden Office Zone (GO), Rancho Commercial Zone (RC), Commercial-Recreational Zone (CR), Rancho Business Park Zone (RBP), Burbank Center Commercial Retail-Professional Zone (BCC-1), Burbank Center Commercial Limited Business Zone (BCC-2), Burbank Center Commercial General Business Zone (BCC-3), Burbank Center Commercial Manufacturing Zone (BCCM), Magnolia Park Commercial Retail-Professional Zone (MPC-1), Magnolia Park Commercial Limited Business Zone (MPC-2), Magnolia Park Commercial General Business Zone (MPC-3), Auto Dealership Zone (AD), 2021-2029 Housing Element Opportunity Sites Overlay Zone (HEOS-OZ) | 13 | 35 ft (flagpole) | 50 sq ft per face | — |
| Magnolia Park Commercial Retail-Professional Zone (MPC-1) | 4 | 4 ft | 20 sq ft per face | — |
| Magnolia Park Commercial Limited Business Zone (MPC-2), Magnolia Park Commercial General Business Zone (MPC-3) | 4 | 6 ft (4 ft if 2 signs) | 30 sq ft per face (20 sq ft if 2 per parcel) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | Within max sign area for premises | — |

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

### Single Family Residential Zone (R-1), Single Family Residential Horsekeeping Zone (R-1-H), Low Density Residential Zone (R-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Sign (Non-Commercial) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 | — | — | 10-1-1011(A) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 7 sq ft (includes up to two rider signs) | — | — | 1 | On parcel for sale/lease/rent | — | 10-1-1011(C) |
| Open House Sign (Temporary) | — | 4 sq ft per face, 2 faces max | — | Pennants min 10 ft from front yard property line | 1 open house sign per property + 4 pennants | On property during "open house" hours | — | 10-1-1011(C) |
| Church/Religious Institution Bulletin/Announcement Sign | 6 ft 6 in (if ground sign) | 50 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On premises of church/institution | — | 10-1-1011(E) |
| Special Event Church/Institution Sign (Temporary) | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | 10-1-1011(F) |
| Commercial Establishment Sign (R-1-H only) | 6 ft 6 in for ground signs | Front: 6 sq ft, Rear: 50 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On premises, front and rear | — | 10-1-1011(G) |
| Personal Property Sale Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per parcel | On parcel advertising sale | — | 10-1-1011(H) |
| Flag | 35 ft (flagpole) | 2 per parcel; 60 sq ft per side/flag | — | — | 2 | Affixed to building or ground | — | 10-1-1011(I) |

### Commercial Retail - Professional Zone (C-1), Commercial Limited Business Zone (C-2), Commercial General Business Zone (C-3), Commercial Unlimited Business Zone (C-4), Limited Industrial Zone (M-1), General Industrial Zone (M-2), Airport Zone, Cemetery Zone, Railroad Zone, Open Space Zone, Media District Industrial Zone (MDM-1), Media District Limited Commercial Zone (MDC-2), Media District General Business Zone (MDC-3), Media District Commercial/Media Production Zone (MDC-4), Neighborhood Business Zone (NB), Garden Office Zone (GO), Rancho Commercial Zone (RC), Commercial-Recreational Zone (CR), Rancho Business Park Zone (RBP), Burbank Center Commercial Retail-Professional Zone (BCC-1), Burbank Center Commercial Limited Business Zone (BCC-2), Burbank Center Commercial General Business Zone (BCC-3), Burbank Center Commercial Manufacturing Zone (BCCM), Magnolia Park Commercial Retail-Professional Zone (MPC-1), Magnolia Park Commercial Limited Business Zone (MPC-2), Magnolia Park Commercial General Business Zone (MPC-3), Auto Dealership Zone (AD), 2021-2029 Housing Element Opportunity Sites Overlay Zone (HEOS-OZ)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of each window area fronting street or parking area | — | — | — | Inside of window fronting street or parking area | — | 10-1-1012(C) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 2 signs, 32 sq ft total (24 sq ft in MPC-2, MPC-3) | — | — | 2 | On property for sale/lease/rent | — | 10-1-1012(D) |
| Flag | 35 ft (flagpole) | 2 per parcel; 60 sq ft per side/flag | — | — | 2 exempt; unlimited allowed counting toward permitted sign area | Affixed to building or ground | — | 10-1-1012(F) |
| Ground Sign | 25 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — | Min 5 ft front and side | 1 per parcel | On parcel; min 5 ft front/side setback | — | 10-1-1005 ("All Other Zones") |
| Projecting Sign | — | 1.5 sq ft per linear ft of building frontage | 5 ft width, 5 ft vertical length | — | 1 per parcel | Projecting from building per code requirements and right-of-way clearance | — | 10-1-1006 ("All Other Zones") |
| Roof Sign | 15 ft above top of parapet or roof directly beneath | Subject to total allowed sign area by parcel | — | — | — | Above roof or parapet (unless in Media District zones; then PROHIBITED) | — | 10-1-1008 |
| Awning/Marquee Signs | — | Exterior edge/on top of permanent marquee: 1 ft height max; Awning sign: 1 ft high x 4 ft wide | Awning: 4 ft | — | No limit | Attached to marquee or awning | — | 10-1-1009 (All Other Zones) |
| Banner for Promotional Purposes | — | 30 sq ft (if street frontage >100 ft: up to 10% of permitted permanent sign area) | — | — | 1 at a time | On property | — | 10-1-1013 |

### Magnolia Park Commercial Retail-Professional Zone (MPC-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign | 4 ft | 20 sq ft per face | — | No minimum front/side setback | 1 | On parcel; No setback required | — | 10-1-1005 (MPC-1 Zone) |
| Projecting Sign | May not extend above roof/parapet | 1.5 sq ft per linear ft of building frontage | 5 ft wide, 5 ft vertical length | — | 1 | Projecting from building | — | 10-1-1006 (MPC-1) |
| Wall Sign | — | Subject to total allowed sign area by parcel (see 10-1-1012) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On wall | — | 10-1-1007(C) |
| Awning/Marquee Signs | — | Awning: 1 ft high x 4 ft wide; Under marquee: 4 sq ft/face (2 faces max); Marquee: 1 ft height (edge/top) | Awning: 4 ft width | — | 2 awning signs; no limit marquee | Attached to marquee or awning (if <14 ft above ground) | — | 10-1-1009 (MPC-1) |

## Prohibited signs in Burbank

- All signs not specifically permitted in this Article are prohibited.
- Advertising signs and structures (signs used to identify a business, service, or product not sold/rented/distributed/manufactured on the premises) are prohibited uses in all zones.
- Captive balloon and inflatable signs are prohibited.
- Self-illuminating and electronic signs (electronic message boards, television screens, plasma screens, digital screens, LED screens, video boards, holographic displays) are prohibited, except as narrowly permitted (e.g., legally mandated price displays, drive-through service signs approved with a Conditional Use Permit).
- Projected signs (projecting sign content into the sky or onto surfaces using projectors, lasers, beams, holograms) are prohibited, except for limited temporary use of search lights/sky lights for events.
- Animated signs (blinking, flashing, varying intensity/color/light) are prohibited.
- Moving, revolving or rotating signs (or giving the illusion of movement by any means) are prohibited, except manual changing of channel letters/numbers or movable hands on analog clocks; Media District displays are exempt.
- Parked vehicle signs (signs on or in, or attached to, parked vehicles/trailers visible from the public right-of-way, for business promotion) are prohibited, except for standard identification permanently attached to working business vehicles used regularly.
- Pennant signs (except as specifically permitted) are prohibited.
- Temporary signs (constructed of nonpermanent/flexible material) are prohibited except as specifically permitted.
- No sign shall be erected, placed, or maintained to obstruct or interfere with fire escapes, exits, ventilators, doors, stairways, windows, or standpipes.
- No sign shall be erected, placed, or maintained to interfere with, obstruct, confuse, or mislead traffic.
- No sign shall project into any public right-of-way except as specifically permitted (by Article, for projecting signs/marquees/awnings).
- Within 60 days of discontinuance or abandonment, no sign shall advertise a business or product that is no longer conducted/sold/rented/distributed/manufactured on the premises.
- Signs must not constitute a hazard to motor vehicle operation or endanger safety near freeways (permit required for signs within 500 feet of freeways).

## Signs exempt from permit in Burbank

- Signs used exclusively for posting or display of official notices by a public agency or official, or by any person/entity giving legal notice.
- Directional, warning, or informational signs authorized by federal, state, or municipal authority or public utility.
- Signs located on the interior of a building and intended to be viewed solely by persons inside the building.
- Signs not visible from the public right-of-way, a private street open to the public, or properties other than the one on which the sign is located.
- Holiday decorations, not to exceed a total of six weeks of display during any calendar year.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Every application for a building permit shall include a site plan and such other information as may be necessary to provide for administration of the Zoning Ordinance.
- No sign shall be erected, constructed, placed, suspended, painted, or attached, or be altered, repaired, moved, improved, renewed, converted, or demolished without first obtaining a sign permit (and building permit if required), except for certain exempted signs.
- Temporary banners for promotional purposes require a Temporary Banner Permit from the Community Development Department; valid permit card must be visibly displayed while banner is displayed.
- Bunting and banners at automobile dealerships require an Automobile Dealership Temporary Sign Permit from the Community Development Department; valid permit card must be visibly displayed while sign is displayed.
- A variance from sign requirements may be granted by the Planning Commission pursuant to Section 10-1-1918.

## 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 Burbank — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Burbank+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-burbank

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