# Sign Regulations in Irvine, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Irvine, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/irvine
- **Data last verified:** 2025-03-26
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Irvine/codes/Zoning?nodeId=ZOOR_DIV2AD_CH2-29SIPEPR)

## At a glance

Irvine, California regulates 8 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Retail/Office Center Monument Signs in the Residential Village zoning district are capped at 6 feet above grade at sign midpoint (9 feet high above curb) tall, 40 square feet, and 15 feet wide (Sec. Sign Type #1). Most commercial signs in Irvine require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Village | 3 | 6 feet above grade at sign midpoint (9 feet high above curb) | 40 square feet | — |
| Nonresidential Village | 2 | 10 feet high above grade at sign midpoint (12 feet high above curb) | 80 square feet | — |
| Planning Area 35 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Orange County Great Park | 1 | — | — | — |
| Old Town Irvine | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 30 square feet | — |

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

### Residential Village

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Retail/Office Center Monument Signs | 6 feet above grade at sign midpoint (9 feet high above curb) | 40 square feet | 15 feet | — | One sign per unsignalized project entry; one sign per side of signalized project entry; and one sign per street frontage with no vehicular access. | On private property, 10-foot minimum from face of public street curb, 2-foot minimum from back of sidewalk. Outside of sight distance triangle. Minimum 100 feet from another ground sign, unless sign is separated by roadway or project entry. | — | Sign Type #1 |
| Service Station Monument Signs | 5 feet high above grade at sign midpoint (7 feet high above curb) | 32 square feet | 8 feet | — | One sign per street frontage. | On private property, 10-foot minimum from face of public street curb, 2-foot minimum from back of sidewalk. Outside of sight distance triangle. Not within 50 feet of the intersection of two streets. Minimum 100 feet from another ground sign, unless sign is separated by roadway or project entry. | — | Sign Type #2 |
| Apartment Monument Signs | 6 feet high above grade at sign midpoint (8 feet high above curb) | 36 square feet | 12 feet | — | One sign on each side of project entry leading to leasing office; and one sign at other project entries. | On private property, 10-foot minimum from face of public street curb, 2-foot minimum from back of sidewalk. Outside of sight distance triangle. Not in village edge. Minimum 100 feet from another ground sign, unless sign is separated by roadway or project entry. | — | Sign Type #3 |

### Nonresidential Village

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Retail/Office Center Monument Signs | 10 feet high above grade at sign midpoint (12 feet high above curb) | 80 square feet | 15 feet | — | One sign per unsignalized project entry; one sign per side of signalized project entry; one sign per street frontage with no vehicular access; and one sign per freeway frontage. | On private property, 10-foot minimum from face of public street curb, 2-foot minimum from back of sidewalk. Outside of sight distance triangle. Minimum 100 feet from another ground sign, unless sign is separated by roadway or project entry. | — | Sign Type #14 |
| Service Station Monument Signs | 7 feet high above grade at sign midpoint (9 feet high above curb) | 40 square feet | 8 feet | — | One sign per street frontage. | On private property, 10-foot minimum from face of public street curb, 2-foot minimum from back of sidewalk. Outside of sight distance triangle. Not within 50 feet of the intersection of two streets. Minimum 100 feet from another ground sign, unless sign is separated by roadway or project entry. | — | Sign Type #15 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary (Ground-Mounted) Event Banners | — | 30 square feet | — | — | One per street frontage. | On private property with owner's consent. | — | Sign Type #39 |
| Temporary (Wall-Mounted) Event Banners | — | 30 square feet | — | — | One per street or parking lot frontage. | On wall of building. May not be located on roof of building, in a window, or attached to landscaping or light poles. | — | Sign Type #40 |

## Prohibited signs in Irvine

- Any sign not specifically in accordance with the provisions of this division is prohibited.
- Signs constituting a traffic hazard, such as those causing glare or imitating traffic signs, are prohibited.
- Signs within any public right-of-way or attached to any public property are prohibited.
- Obscene or unlawful advertising is prohibited.
- Signs on doors, windows, or fire escapes that prevent free ingress or egress are prohibited.
- Animated or moving signs are prohibited.
- Off-premises commercial signs are prohibited, except as expressly allowed.
- Advertising devices are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs used for advertising are prohibited.
- Signs in proximity to utility lines that do not meet clearance requirements are prohibited.
- Rooftop signs are prohibited.
- Cabinet signs or canned signs with translucent or transparent faces are prohibited.
- Pole signs are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Irvine

- Direction, warning, or information signs required or authorized by law.
- Tombstones marking a grave.
- Memorial tablets and plaques installed by a recognized governmental historical agency.
- Official and legal notices issued by any court, public body, person, or officer.
- Official flags of the United States, states, counties, municipalities, and recognized organizations.
- Corporate flags mounted on approved posts, poles, or standards.
- Off-premises commercial signs erected by the City.
- Signs intended for patrons already on a site and not visible from the public right-of-way.
- Signs specified in Section 7-3-3 as exempt from permit requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign program shall be required whenever signs are proposed for a site with two or more property owners.
- A sign program is required whenever a request for administrative relief from the terms of Division 7 is submitted.
- A sign program is required whenever signs are proposed in a residential village for a site containing a retail, office, or warehouse related use.
- A sign program is required whenever the use of exposed neon is proposed at any location in a residential village.
- A sign program is required for certain types of signs such as icon signs, village identification signs, attraction board signs, super graphics, decorative construction fence signs, electronic message centers, or private development signs in the Jeffrey Open Space Spine.

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

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