Sign Regulations in Claremont, California

Claremont, California has specific sign regulations covering 15 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Building-Mounted Major Identification Sign, Building-Mounted Secondary Identification Sign, Under-Canopy or Other Pedestrian-Oriented Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.

Data last verified: April 10, 2025

Sign Regulation Overview for Claremont, California

Sample Sign Requirements in Claremont

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaSetback
Building-Mounted Major Identification Sign32 square feet
Building-Mounted Secondary Identification Sign12 square feet
Under-Canopy or Other Pedestrian-Oriented Sign8 feet above walkway3 square feet

* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.

PermitPal Coverage for ClaremontFull Coverage

Sign Types Covered

15

  • Building-Mounted Major Identification Sign
  • Building-Mounted Secondary Identification Sign
  • Under-Canopy or Other Pedestrian-Oriented Sign
  • Freestanding Identification Sign
  • +2 more types

Zoning Districts

8

Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations

Data Includes

  • Permit requirements
  • Height restrictions
  • Illumination rules

Official Resources for Claremont

Municipal Code1 permit application link available

Frequently Asked Questions

Sign height limits in Claremont vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.

To get a sign permit in Claremont, 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 Claremont, regulated sign types include Building-Mounted Major Identification Sign, Building-Mounted Secondary Identification Sign, Under-Canopy or Other Pedestrian-Oriented Sign, Freestanding Identification 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 Claremont 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 Claremont are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Claremont has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.

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Claremont, California Sign Rules at a Glance

Claremont, California regulates 15 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Under-Canopy or Other Pedestrian-Oriented Signs in the Claremont Village District (CV) zoning district are capped at 8 feet above walkway tall and 3 square feet (Sec. § 18.025.040.C). Most commercial signs in Claremont require a permit.

Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Claremont, California

Sign Rules by Zoning District in Claremont (8 zones)

Zoning DistrictSign Types RegulatedMax HeightMax AreaPermit Required
Claremont Village District (CV)78 feet above walkway32 square feet
Commercial Professional District (CP), Commercial Neighborhood District (CN), Commercial Limited District (CL), Mixed Use District (MU)78 feet above walkway32 square feet
Commercial Highway District (CH), Commercial Freeway District (CF), Business Park/Industrial District (BP/I)78 feet above walkway50 square feet
Institutional Districts (I)36 feet50 square feet
Park/Resource Conservation District (P/RC)120 square feet
Specific Plan Districts (SP)1
Village Expansion Specific Plan (VESP) Area250 square feet
General Regulations For All Zones36 feet16 square feet

Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Claremont(sample of 3 of 8 zones)

Claremont Village District (CV)

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
Building-Mounted Major Identification Sign32 square feetOne per business or two if facing streetsBuilding-mountedUnlock§ 18.025.040.A.2, § 18.025.010.D.6, § 18.025.040.A.3
Building-Mounted Secondary Identification Sign12 square feetOne per building exposureBuilding-mountedUnlock§ 18.025.040.B
Under-Canopy or Other Pedestrian-Oriented Sign8 feet above walkway3 square feetOne per business or two if located on awning end sides or two building frontagesUnder-canopy or pedestrian-orientedUnlock§ 18.025.040.C
Freestanding Identification Sign5 feet20 square feetOne per street frontageFreestandingUnlock§ 18.025.050.A
Shared Freestanding Multi-Tenant Monument Sign20 square feet per street frontageOne per non-freeway street frontage, additional for every 500 feet of frontageFreestandingUnlock§ 18.025.050.B
Window SignNo limit on numberWindowUnlock§ 18.025.060.B
Temporary Building-Mounted Banner/Sign12 square feetOne per street frontageBuilding-mountedUnlock§ 18.025.090.A

Commercial Professional District (CP), Commercial Neighborhood District (CN), Commercial Limited District (CL), Mixed Use District (MU)

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
Building-Mounted Major Identification Sign32 square feetOne per business or two if facing streetsBuilding-mountedUnlock§ 18.025.040.A.2
Building-Mounted Secondary Identification Sign12 square feetOne per building exposureBuilding-mountedUnlock§ 18.025.040.B
Under-Canopy or Other Pedestrian-Oriented Sign8 feet above walkway3 square feetOne per business or two if located on awning end sides or two building frontagesUnder-canopy or pedestrian-orientedUnlock§ 18.025.040.C
Freestanding Identification Sign5 feet32 square feetOne per street frontageFreestandingUnlock§ 18.025.050.A
Shared Freestanding Multi-Tenant Monument Sign32 square feet per street frontageOne per non-freeway street frontage, additional for every 500 feet of frontageFreestandingUnlock§ 18.025.050.B
Window SignNo limit on numberWindowUnlock§ 18.025.060.B
Temporary Building-Mounted Banner/Sign32 square feetOne per street frontageBuilding-mountedUnlock§ 18.025.090.A

Commercial Highway District (CH), Commercial Freeway District (CF), Business Park/Industrial District (BP/I)

Sign TypeMax HeightMax AreaMax WidthSetbackSigns AllowedLocationPermit RequiredPremium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account)Ordinance Citation
Building-Mounted Major Identification Sign50 square feetOne per business or two if facing streetsBuilding-mountedUnlock§ 18.025.040.A.2
Building-Mounted Secondary Identification Sign12 square feetOne per building exposureBuilding-mountedUnlock§ 18.025.040.B
Under-Canopy or Other Pedestrian-Oriented Sign8 feet above walkway3 square feetOne per business or two if located on awning end sides or two building frontagesUnder-canopy or pedestrian-orientedUnlock§ 18.025.040.C
Freestanding Identification Sign6 feet50 square feetOne per street frontageFreestandingUnlock§ 18.025.050.A
Shared Freestanding Multi-Tenant Monument Sign50 square feet per street frontageOne per non-freeway street frontage, additional for every 500 feet of frontageFreestandingUnlock§ 18.025.050.B
Window SignNo limit on numberWindowUnlock§ 18.025.060.B
Temporary Building-Mounted Banner/Sign32 square feetOne per street frontageBuilding-mountedUnlock§ 18.025.090.A

PermitPal covers all 8 zoning districts in Claremont — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.

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Prohibited Signs in Claremont

  • Flashing or otherwise light-animated signs which contain or are illuminated by flashing or moving lights or lights which are intermittently on and off, change in intensity, or which create the illusion of flashing in any manner.
  • Rotating, revolving, or otherwise moving signs designed to attract attention by visual means through the movement or semblance of movement of the whole or any part of the sign.
  • Signs which, by color, wording, design, location, or illustration, resemble or conflict with any traffic control device.
  • Signs that create a potential safety hazard by obstructing clear view of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
  • Building-mounted signs placed on or above the eave line of a pitched or mansard roof, or above the top of wall of a building with a flat or parapet roof.
  • Off-premises signs, including billboards, except those specifically permitted in this title.
  • Balloon signs, inflatable animal or other figures, or other inflatable displays, whether tethered or not, unless specifically permitted in this title.
  • Flags, pennants, streamers, spinners, festoons, windsocks, valances, or similar displays, unless specifically permitted in this title.
  • Signs placed within, on, or over public rights-of-way, on public land, or on utility poles, except as specifically permitted in this title.
  • Signs located closer to overhead utility lines than the minimum distance prescribed by California law, or by the rules duly promulgated by agencies of the state or by the applicable public utility.
  • Trailer signs and other signs affixed to vehicles which include directional arrows or other instructions which direct potential customers to a business or other enterprise.
  • For Sale signs affixed to vehicles parked on any vacant property.
  • Portable signs, such as A-frame type, except as specifically permitted in this title.
  • Neon signs, except as specifically permitted in this title.
  • Signs drawn or painted onto or otherwise affixed to trees or rocks.
  • Advertising statuary.
  • Any temporary sign or banner unless specifically permitted in this title.
  • Commercial signs on bus stop benches and similar structures, or on bench enclosures in the public right-of-way.
  • Any sign not specifically permitted in this title.

Exempt Signs in Claremont

  • Non-commercial flags, subject to specific restrictions.
  • Non-commercial decorative building-mounted or freestanding pennants and windsocks provided they meet certain size and placement criteria.
  • Real estate signs up to a maximum of six square feet in area, and, if freestanding, a maximum of five feet in height.
  • Construction announcement signs, including names of architect, contractor, etc., up to a maximum of six square feet in area, and if freestanding, five feet in height.
  • Signs used to enforce private property rights such as 'No Trespassing' or 'No Parking,' up to a maximum of four square feet in area, and if freestanding, a maximum of four feet in height.
  • Temporary Political Signs of no more than four square feet in area and four feet in height are encouraged.
  • Off-premises temporary posters pertaining to future limited-term events which will be held within three months of the placement of such poster.
  • Occupant, office, or home occupation nameplates, maximum of one square foot per sign and maximum one sign per home, office, or other use.
  • Temporary garage sale signs, one per street frontage, maximum of four square feet in area, and if free-standing, up to five feet in height.
  • Bulletin boards, maximum of four square feet in area.
  • Tombstones for human or animal graves.
  • Non-commercial decorative, non-metallic balloons, maximum of 12 per premises and maximum of one foot in diameter each.
  • Pavement markings for directing motorists.
  • Chalkboards, marker boards or restaurant menus, maximum of one per business and maximum of six square feet in size.

Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Claremont

  • Submission of a planned sign program for a building, business park, shopping center, or other development within a commercial or industrial district may be required by the City in conjunction with review of a new development or with review of any proposed new sign within an existing development.
  • Planned sign programs may be voluntarily submitted for review to the City by the owner of an existing development.
  • All signs for developments for which a sign program has been approved shall be in compliance with such sign program.

Source: municode municipal code