# Sign Regulations in Hermosa Beach, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hermosa Beach, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/hermosa-beach
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/hermosabeach-ca/doc-viewer.aspx#secid-2581)

## At a glance

Hermosa Beach, California regulates 25 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Ground Signs in the C-2 zone (restricted commercial) zoning district are capped at ≤8 ft measured from grade to highest point tall and Counts toward total permanent sign area; portable A-frames separately regulated, with a Must be entirely on private property; no projection over public property setback (Sec. HBMC 17.50.130(B)(2), (C)(3), (G)). Most commercial signs in Hermosa Beach require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | Sections of approved plastics on wall signs shall not exceed 150 sq ft per section | — |
| Residential zones (R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-2A, R-2B, R-3, MHP, RPD) | 7 | ≤8 ft above finished grade (wall signs) | ≤25 sq ft per site | — |
| R-P zone (residential-professional) (Residential uses) | 7 | ≤8 ft | ≤25 sq ft per site | — |
| R-P zone (residential-professional) (Business uses) | 8 | ≤8 ft measured from grade to highest point | ≤25 sq ft per street frontage | — |
| OS (open space) zone; OS-1 (restricted open space) zone | 2 | — | — | — |
| C-1 zone (neighborhood commercial) | 8 | ≤8 ft measured from grade to highest point | Per business: within total allocation; no sign may cover >25% of wall/fascia it occupies | — |
| C-2 zone (restricted commercial) | 11 | 42 inches | Within total allocation; no sign may cover >25% of wall/fascia | — |
| C-3 zone (general and highway commercial) | 11 | 42 inches | Within total allocation; no sign may cover >25% of wall/fascia | — |
| M zone (manufacturing) (M-1) | 9 | 42 inches | Within total allocation; no sign may cover >25% of wall/fascia | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### C-2 zone (restricted commercial)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Within total allocation; no sign may cover >25% of wall/fascia | Projects ≤6 inches from wall; ends may not be used for sign purposes | — | 1 per business | On building frontage(s) | — | HBMC 17.50.130(B)(1), (C)(2), (D)(1)-(5), (F) |
| Ground Sign | ≤8 ft measured from grade to highest point | Counts toward total permanent sign area; portable A-frames separately regulated | — | Must be entirely on private property; no projection over public property | 1 per site | Entirely on private property; cannot project over public property | — | HBMC 17.50.130(B)(2), (C)(3), (G) |
| Awning Sign | — | Counts toward total permanent sign area | — | — | 1 per business | On awnings over frontage | — | HBMC 17.50.130(B)(3), (D)(4) |
| Projecting Sign (Business Identification Only) - Nonilluminated | — | ≤4 sq ft per face | May not project outward more than 3 ft | At least 8 ft above sidewalk; projection ≤3 ft | 1 per business | Hung from wall projection or marquee over entryway | — | HBMC 17.50.130(B)(4), (C)(1) |
| Marquee Sign | — | Counts toward total permanent sign area | — | — | 1 per business | On marquee | — | HBMC 17.50.130(B)(5), (C)(1) |
| Window Sign | — | Counts toward total permanent sign area | — | — | No explicit numeric limit; subject to area coverage limit | Within windows | — | HBMC 17.50.130(B)(6), (E); 17.50.210(F) |
| Portable A-frame Sign | 42 inches | — | 24 inches (sign body width); base spread 24–30 inches | Abutting building/curb/planter; maintain 5 ft sidewalk clearance; spacing ≥15 ft from other A-frames; comply with corner vision clearance | 1 per business | On private property and/or within public right-of-way on sidewalks along commercial frontages except Pier Plaza; located abutting building, curb, or landscape planter between curb and sidewalk; within the building street frontage; maintain minimum 5 ft sidewalk clearance | — | HBMC 17.50.130(A)(7), (B)(9); 17.50.220(A)-(C) |
| Construction Sign (Additional to Allowable Area) | ≤6 ft above grade (per general exemption) | ≤25 sq ft per street frontage | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On each street frontage; private property | — | HBMC 17.50.130(D) Exception; 17.50.040(D)(3) |

### C-3 zone (general and highway commercial)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Within total allocation; no sign may cover >25% of wall/fascia | Projects ≤6 inches from wall; ends may not be used for sign purposes | — | 1 per business | On building frontage(s) | — | HBMC 17.50.140(B)(1), (C)(1), (D)(1)-(5), (F) |
| Ground Sign - Option 1 | ≤10 ft from grade to highest portion of sign body | Counts toward total permanent sign area | — | Must be entirely on private property; no projection over public property | 1 per site (mutually exclusive with pole sign) | Entirely on private property; cannot project over public property | — | HBMC 17.50.140(B)(2), (C)(2) |
| Pole Sign - Option 2 | ≤ height of building on same lot OR ≤20 ft, whichever is lesser | Counts toward total permanent sign area; only one sign can be attached to a pole sign | — | ≥5 ft from adjacent private property line; no encroachment into public right-of-way | 1 pole sign per site (only one sign attached to it; mutually exclusive with ground sign) | On-site; must not encroach/project into public right-of-way | — | HBMC 17.50.140(B)(2), (G) |
| Awning Sign | — | Counts toward total permanent sign area | — | — | 1 per business | On awnings over frontage | — | HBMC 17.50.140(B)(3), (D)(4) |
| Marquee Sign | — | Counts toward total permanent sign area | — | — | 1 per business | On marquee | — | HBMC 17.50.140(B)(4) |
| Window Sign | — | Counts toward total permanent sign area | — | — | No explicit numeric limit; subject to area coverage limit | Within windows | — | HBMC 17.50.140(B)(5), (E); 17.50.210(F) |
| Portable A-frame Sign | 42 inches | — | 24 inches (sign body width); base spread 24–30 inches | Abutting building/curb/planter; maintain 5 ft sidewalk clearance; spacing ≥15 ft from other A-frames; comply with corner vision clearance | 1 per business | On private property and/or within public right-of-way on sidewalks along commercial frontages except Pier Plaza; abutting building, curb, or landscape planter; within the building street frontage; maintain minimum 5 ft sidewalk clearance | — | HBMC 17.50.140(A)(7), (B)(8); 17.50.220(A)-(C) |
| Construction Sign (Additional to Allowable Area) | ≤6 ft above grade (per general exemption) | ≤25 sq ft per street frontage | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On each street frontage; private property | — | HBMC 17.50.140(D) Exception; 17.50.040(D)(3) |

### M zone (manufacturing) (M-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Within total allocation; no sign may cover >25% of wall/fascia | Projects ≤6 inches from wall; ends may not be used for sign purposes | — | 1 per business | On building frontage(s) | — | HBMC 17.50.150 (same as C-3 by reference); 17.50.140(B)(1), (C)(1), (D)(1)-(5), (F) |
| Ground Sign - Option 1 | ≤10 ft from grade to highest portion of sign body | Counts toward total permanent sign area | — | Must be entirely on private property; no projection over public property | 1 per site (mutually exclusive with pole sign) | Entirely on private property; cannot project over public property | — | HBMC 17.50.150; 17.50.140(B)(2), (C)(2) |
| Pole Sign - Option 2 | ≤ height of building on same lot OR ≤20 ft, whichever is lesser | Counts toward total permanent sign area; only one sign can be attached to a pole sign | — | ≥5 ft from adjacent private property line; no encroachment into public right-of-way | 1 pole sign per site (only one sign attached; mutually exclusive with ground sign) | On-site; must not encroach/project into public right-of-way | — | HBMC 17.50.150; 17.50.140(B)(2), (G) |
| Awning Sign | — | Counts toward total permanent sign area | — | — | 1 per business | On awnings over frontage | — | HBMC 17.50.150; 17.50.140(B)(3), (D)(4) |
| Marquee Sign | — | Counts toward total permanent sign area | — | — | 1 per business | On marquee | — | HBMC 17.50.150; 17.50.140(B)(4) |
| Window Sign | — | Counts toward total permanent sign area | — | — | No explicit numeric limit; subject to area coverage limit | Within windows | — | HBMC 17.50.150; 17.50.140(B)(5), (E); 17.50.210(F) |
| Banner | — | Counts toward total permanent sign area | — | — | — | On-site per business | — | HBMC 17.50.150; 17.50.140(B)(6) |
| Portable A-frame Sign | 42 inches | — | 24 inches (sign body width); base spread 24–30 inches | Abutting building/curb/planter; maintain 5 ft sidewalk clearance; spacing ≥15 ft from other A-frames; comply with corner vision clearance | 1 per business | On private property and/or within public right-of-way on sidewalks along commercial frontages except Pier Plaza; abutting building, curb, or landscape planter; within the building street frontage; maintain minimum 5 ft sidewalk clearance | — | HBMC 17.50.150; 17.50.140(A)(7), (B)(8); 17.50.220(A)-(C) |

## Prohibited signs in Hermosa Beach

- Signs that imitate official traffic signs or signals, or use words like 'stop,' 'go slow,' 'caution,' 'danger,' or 'warning' for advertising in a way that simulates traffic devices and may confuse motorists or pedestrians.
- Signs whose size, location, movement, content, coloring, or illumination may be confused with or construed as a traffic control device, or which hide traffic control devices from view.
- Signs advertising any activity, business, product, or service no longer conducted on the premises upon which the sign is located, including off-site signs for such activities.
- Banners, posters, pennants, ribbons, streamers, lines of flashing light bulbs, spinners, rotating signs, gas-fired torches, or other similar devices that move or have moving parts, unless specifically permitted elsewhere in the code.
- Flashing, rotating, or scintillating signs designed to give the appearance of movement (except signs indicating time or temperature).
- Lewd, obscene, or offensive signs containing statements, words, pictures, or graphics of an obscene or indecent character that are offensive to public morals and lack serious literary, artistic, or scientific value.
- Signs that display a message or graphic representation that discriminates against persons based on race, gender, age, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state laws.
- Billboards.
- Mobile signs (excluding portable A-frame signs permitted under Section 17.50.220).
- Moving signs.
- Off-premises signs (except real estate signs).
- Projecting signs (except for business identification signs in the C-1 and C-2 zones).
- Roof signs, except on pre-existing architectural projections historically used for signs, or on architectural projections deemed by the planning commission to be part of the building architecture and not solely sign backgrounds.
- Wind signs.
- Any signs other than those which are permitted in the zone as set forth in Chapter 17.50.
- Signs located within 6 feet horizontally or 12 feet vertically of overhead electrical conductors energized in excess of 750 volts.
- Signs erected so as to interfere with the free use of any fire escape, exit, or standpipe, or that obstruct openings so as to reduce light or ventilation below Uniform Building Code requirements.
- Signs projecting into any public alley below 14 feet above grade, or more than the allowed projection where above 14 feet, as well as signs projecting within 2 feet of the curbline.
- Any sign erected in a manner that confuses or obstructs the view or interpretation of official traffic signs, signals, or devices.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hermosa Beach

- No sign permit is required for changing the identifying copy or message on theater marquees and similar signs specifically designed for replaceable copy.
- No sign permit is required for repainting or cleaning a sign, unless a structural, copy, or color change is made.
- No sign permit is required for nonilluminated construction signs up to 25 square feet per site and not more than 6 feet in height, provided construction permits have been obtained and the sign is removed prior to final inspection.
- No sign permit is required for one nonilluminated real estate sign per site, provided it complies with the real estate sign regulations of the applicable zoning district.
- No sign permit is required for political signs.
- No sign permit is required for building identification signs not exceeding 2 square feet in area.
- Noncommercial copy may be substituted for any commercial copy on any sign otherwise permitted; noncommercial content may be changed without complying with sign copy or design approval, and the sign will not be deemed an off-premises sign.
- Temporary window signs less than 10 square feet are exempt from the temporary sign application requirement (Section 17.50.210(F)).
- Temporary sign regulations in Section 17.50.210 do not apply to temporary political signs, temporary real estate signs, or temporary construction signs (Section 17.50.210(E)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Comprehensive Sign Plan is required for proposed commercial developments. Applicants must submit a sign plan showing the location, size, color, and (if possible) copy for all signs, including rendered elevations showing all signs in relation to the structure. The theme must be approved as part of plans for new multi-tenant commercial or industrial developments, and the sign plan is an integral part of the development (Section 17.50.040(C)).
- All new signs in the OS and OS-1 zones require approval by the planning commission; only wall and ground signs are allowed and must meet materials and illumination limitations (Section 17.50.110).
- The Department of Building and Safety is the sign reviewing agency and makes final determinations on all signs; determinations may be appealed to the planning commission and further to the city council. For appeals, a notice (at least 16 by 20 inches) must be posted prominently on the premises at least one week prior to the hearing, stating sign details and hearing information (Section 17.50.200).
- Variances to specific sign requirements may be granted by the planning commission or the city council, on appeal, where a demonstrated hardship exists and the sign will not adversely affect public safety or neighborhood design; required findings include no special privilege, special conditions applying to the property, and no adverse effects (Section 17.50.190).
- The planning commission or city council may attach reasonable conditions to sign approvals in conjunction with precise development plans, conditional use permits, or other discretionary land uses, with findings on zone permissions, design compatibility, and visibility impacts (Section 17.50.180).

## 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 9 zoning districts in Hermosa Beach — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Hermosa+Beach+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-hermosa-beach

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