# Sign Regulations in Indian Wells, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Indian Wells, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/indian-wells
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-10
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://ecode360.com/42804090#42804090)

## At a glance

Indian Wells, California regulates 4 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Lot Identification Markers in the Residential Zones zoning district are capped at 4′ tall and 18″ x 10″ (Sec. Table A 17.12.030 Residential Sign Standards, Exhibit H.). Most commercial signs in Indian Wells require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zones | 3 | 4′ | 18″ x 10″ | — |
| Commercial Zones | 2 | 20 feet | Maximum 20 square feet or as approved by a Planned Sign Program. | — |
| Industrial Zones | 2 | 20 feet | Maximum 20 square feet or as approved by a Planned Sign Program. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 30 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### Residential Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 15 square feet | — | — | 4 (two per entry) | Development entry | — | Table A 17.12.030 Residential Sign Standards, Exhibit H. |
| Monument Sign | — | 4′ x 5′ | — | — | 2 (one per entry) | Development entry | — | Table A 17.12.030 Residential Sign Standards, Exhibit H. |
| Lot Identification Marker | 4′ | 18″ x 10″ | — | — | 1 per lot | Any new residential subdivision | — | Table A 17.12.030 Residential Sign Standards, Exhibit H. |

### Commercial Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 20 feet | Maximum 9 square feet or as approved by a Planned Sign Program. | — | — | As approved by a Planned Sign Program. | Retail, office, hotel two to four tenants fronting on a public right-of-way or common parking area. | — | Table B 17.12.035 Commercial Sign Standards, Exhibit I. |
| Monument Sign | 5′ x 4′ | Maximum 20 square feet or as approved by a Planned Sign Program. | — | — | As approved by a Planned Sign Program. | Free standing commercial business (two or fewer tenants) having lineal frontage on any right-of-way in excess of 50 feet. | — | Table B 17.12.035 Commercial Sign Standards, Exhibit I. |

### Industrial Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 20 feet | Maximum 9 square feet or as approved by a Planned Sign Program. | — | — | As approved by a Planned Sign Program. | Retail, office, hotel two to four tenants fronting on a public right-of-way or common parking area. | — | Table B 17.12.035 Commercial Sign Standards, Exhibit I. |
| Monument Sign | 5′ x 4′ | Maximum 20 square feet or as approved by a Planned Sign Program. | — | — | As approved by a Planned Sign Program. | Free standing commercial business (two or fewer tenants) having lineal frontage on any right-of-way in excess of 50 feet. | — | Table B 17.12.035 Commercial Sign Standards, Exhibit I. |

## Prohibited signs in Indian Wells

- No internally lighted or backlighted signs shall be permitted.
- Signs having any animated, moving, blinking, flashing, or rotating parts are prohibited.
- Moveable or portable signs are prohibited.
- Signs which make noise are prohibited.
- Signs which obscure, imitate or otherwise limit the effectiveness of official traffic control signs or devices are prohibited.
- Signs which show any statement or symbol of an immoral or obscene nature are prohibited.
- Signs on doors, windows or fire escapes preventing free ingress or egress are prohibited.
- Signs installed for advertising a project, event, person, or subject not related to the premises are prohibited.
- Signs pertaining to activities or occupants no longer using a property are prohibited.
- Signs extending over a property line onto an adjacent property or right-of-way are prohibited.
- Signs interfering with the driver's or pedestrians' view of public rights-of-way are prohibited.
- Signs located within the line of sight triangle are prohibited.
- Signs attached to or painted on a public utility pole or street light or sign post are prohibited.
- Animals or human beings designed or used to attract attention to the premises are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Indian Wells

- Window signs not exceeding four square feet limited to business identification, hours of operation, address and emergency information.
- Signs located inside a building, courtyard, hotel or other similar structure not visible from public street or adjacent properties.
- Memorial tablets, plaques, signs and historical markers installed by a recognized historical agency.
- Directional, warning or information signs required or authorized by law.
- Signs, official flags, banners, emblems or notices issued by a governmental body.
- Holiday displays and decorations not to exceed sixty days.
- Utility company signs identifying conduits, cables, any dangerous condition or providing notice.
- Posting of Health Department sanitation ratings and food facility inspection reports in food establishments.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A planned sign program is mandatory for sites requiring permanent signing exceeding five signs total or fifty square feet total aggregate sign area.
- Application under a planned sign program is optional for sites with a four-acre minimum gross site area or five or more businesses.
- The Planning Commission reviews new or modified planned sign programs and makes determinations to approve, modify, or deny applications.

## 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 4 zoning districts in Indian Wells — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Indian+Wells+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-indian-wells

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