# Sign Regulations in Manhattan Beach, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Manhattan Beach, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/manhattan-beach
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Manhattan_Beach/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT10PLZO_PTIVTERE_CH10.72SICO)

## At a glance

Manhattan Beach, California regulates 10 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Project Monument Signs in the Residential zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 20 sq ft per face (Sec. 10.72.050 Table (Residential) (C)). Most commercial signs in Manhattan Beach require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential | 2 | 6 ft | 20 sq ft per face | — |
| Commercial in Area Districts I & II | 4 | 30 ft max | 4 sq ft per face | — |
| Commercial in Area Districts III & IV | 4 | 15 ft max | 4 sq ft per face | — |
| Industrial | 1 | — | — | — |
| Public & Semipublic | 2 | 6 ft max | 20 sq ft per face | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### Residential

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Project Monument Sign | 6 ft | 20 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per project frontage | 1 double faced sign per project frontage | — | 10.72.050 Table (Residential) (C) |
| Project Wall Sign | Top of wall (maximum) | 20 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per project frontage | 1 per project frontage in lieu of monument sign | — | 10.72.050 Table (Residential) (B) |

### Commercial in Area Districts I & II

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall, Awning, Monument & combinations thereof (W/A/M) | Top of wall (maximum) | — | — | — | No limit, subject to max sq ft allowed per frontage | Wall, awning, monument signs on premises; no limit on number. | — | 10.72.050 Table (Commercial Area Districts I & II) (B) |
| Pole Sign | 30 ft max | — | — | Minimum 20 ft from each interior site property line (D) | 1 per site | 1 per site | — | 10.72.050 Table (Commercial Area Districts I & II) (B)(C)(D) |
| Pedestrian Sign | 8 ft min clearance, 14 ft max height | 4 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per pedestrian entrance | 1 double-faced per pedestrian entrance | — | 10.72.050 Table (Commercial Area Districts I & II) (B) |
| Temporary Sign | Placement not allowed on building roofs | See above | — | — | Cumulative sign area controlled per tenant frontage | As per permit; oriented toward commercial street, not residential | — | 10.72.050 Table (Commercial Area Districts I & II) (A) |

### Commercial in Area Districts III & IV

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall, Awning, Monument & combinations thereof (W/A/M) | Top of wall (maximum) | — | — | — | No limit, subject to sq ft max | No limit on number, subject to max cumulative sq ft allowed. | — | 10.72.050 Table (Commercial Area Districts III & IV) (B) |
| Pole Sign | 15 ft max | — | — | Minimum 20 ft from each interior site property line (D) | 1 per site | 1 per site, in lieu of monument signs | — | 10.72.050 Table (Commercial Area Districts III & IV) (B)(C)(D) |
| Pedestrian Sign | 8 ft min clearance, 14 ft max height | 4 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per pedestrian entrance | 1 double-faced per pedestrian entrance | — | 10.72.050 Table (Commercial Area Districts III & IV) (B) |
| Temporary Sign | Placement not allowed on building roofs | See above | — | — | Cumulative sign area controlled per tenant frontage | As per permit; oriented toward commercial street, not residential | — | 10.72.050 Table (Commercial Area Districts III & IV) (A) |

## Prohibited signs in Manhattan Beach

- No sign shall have blinking or flashing lights or any other illuminating device which has a changing light intensity, brightness or color.
- No sign shall move, have visible moving parts, or simulate movement by means of fluttering, spinning, or reflective devices.
- Copy of all signs must be permanently fixed in place unless an exception for changeable copy is provided.
- Portable signs are prohibited, except as permitted or exempted.
- All signs must be structurally safe, rust resistant, and maintained in good condition; rough supporting members and electrical appurtenances or equipment must not be visible.
- Abandoned signs must be removed by the property owner within thirty (30) days of being determined abandoned by the city.
- No sign shall be affixed or constructed so as to interfere with vision clearance or create a safety hazard (must meet vision and property line standards, e.g. Sections 10.64.150 and 3.40.010).
- Off-site or off-premises signs are prohibited.
- Outdoor advertising display signs (billboards) are prohibited.
- Signs on public property are prohibited unless otherwise permitted.
- Portable, A-frame, or sidewalk signs are prohibited except as specified.
- Three-dimensional objects or statues, including air or gas-filled objects greater than eighteen inches in diameter and used to attract attention or as signs, are prohibited.
- Abandoned signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Projecting signs, except those specifically permitted, are prohibited.
- Revolving, flashing, fluttering, spinning, or reflective signs are prohibited.
- Signs other than those permitted by the chapter are prohibited.
- Unsafe, dangerous, or traffic hazard signs, as determined by the appropriate City departments, are prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Manhattan Beach

- Directional signs: One parking directional sign per entrance/exit not exceeding six (6) square feet or four (4) feet in height.
- Real estate signs: One unlighted sign per street frontage not exceeding six (6) square feet or four (4) feet in height; plus directional open house signs as specified.
- Construction signs: One unlighted sign per contractor/engineer/architect on an actively under-construction site, not exceeding four (4) square feet each and a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet total.
- Official notices authorized by a court, public body, or officer.
- Directional, warning, or information signs authorized by federal, state, or municipal authority.
- Memorial plaques and building cornerstones when made an integral part of a building or structure.
- One non-illuminated permanent window, wall, door or directory sign per business not exceeding three (3) square feet and four (4) inch letter height, limited to identification and basic information.
- Interior signs within a structure not visible from neighboring properties or the public right-of-way.
- Official City or utility company safety and notification signs on construction sites or with utilities.
- Official flags of recognized governmental organizations.
- Automobile dealership price signs on windshields of vehicles for sale on the dealership site.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All sign permits issued for any multiple tenant site must conform to an approved site sign program.
- An approved sign program is required for any multiple tenant site prior to issuance of any sign permit for that site.
- Applications for a sign exception must include a proposed sign program with plans and elevations of all buildings and signs.
- A temporary sign program may be incorporated into a master sign program and is required for large retail oriented commercial sites seeking flexibility in temporary sign standards.
- When applying for a sign exception, a sign program with plans must be submitted and reviewed.
- Sign programs are to establish uniform sign design guidelines and sign area allocations for all uses/buildings on a site.

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

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