# Sign Regulations in Newport Beach, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Newport Beach, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/newport-beach
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-03
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/NewportBeach/#!/NewportBeach15/NewportBeach1516.html#15.16)

## At a glance

Newport Beach, California regulates 10 sign types across 1 zoning district. Projecting Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Up to 30 feet above top of building face, per Table 8-5C based on building height (e.g., 10 ft for 0-20 ft building, increasing to 30 ft for 70+ ft) tall and 200 square feet per face, per Table 8-5C based on building height, with a Supports placed on private property; projection limits per Table 8-5D setback (Sec. 15.16.290). Most commercial signs in Newport Beach require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (1 zone)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | Up to 30 feet above top of building face, per Table 8-5C based on building height (e.g., 10 ft for 0-20 ft building, increasing to 30 ft for 70+ ft) | 200 square feet or 40% of the exposed finished wall surface area, including openings | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 200 square feet or 40% of the exposed finished wall surface area, including openings | — | — | — | Attached to, erected against or painted upon the wall of a building or structure, with the face in a single plane parallel to the plane of the wall | — | 15.16.280 |
| Projecting Sign | Up to 30 feet above top of building face, per Table 8-5C based on building height (e.g., 10 ft for 0-20 ft building, increasing to 30 ft for 70+ ft) | 200 square feet per face, per Table 8-5C based on building height | — | Supports placed on private property; projection limits per Table 8-5D | — | Projects from and supported by a wall of a building or structure; over alleys, min 14 ft height or max 18 inches projection above 14 ft | — | 15.16.290 |
| Roof Sign | Up to 30 feet from roof below sign, per Table 8-5C based on building height (e.g., 10 ft for 0-20 ft building, increasing to 30 ft for 70+ ft) | 200 square feet per face, per Table 8-5C based on building height | — | — | — | Erected upon or above a roof of a building or structure | — | 15.16.270 |
| Ground Sign / Pole Sign | 25 feet above street level without exception permit | 200 square feet per face | — | Supports placed on private property; may extend beyond front property line per Section 15.16.290 | — | In or upon the ground, not part of any building; supports on private property | — | 15.16.240 |
| Combination Sign | Governed by components (e.g., up to 30 ft for roof/projecting per Table 8-5C) | Governed by components (roof/projecting/ground limits) | — | Supports placed on private property | — | Incorporating features of ground, projecting, and/or roof signs | — | 15.16.250 |
| Temporary Sign | 6 feet if rigid material | 100 square feet; 24 square feet if rigid material | — | — | — | On construction site fencing or general temporary display | — | 15.16.340 |
| Electrical Sign | Governed by sign type limits | Governed by sign type limits | — | — | — | Illuminated by electric lighting devices fastened to surface or mounted interior | — | 15.16.310, 15.16.320, 15.16.330 |
| Illuminated Sign | Governed by sign type limits | Governed by sign type limits | — | — | — | Any permitted sign type | — | 15.16.320 |

## Prohibited signs in Newport Beach

- No unofficial sign, signal or device that imitates or resembles an official traffic sign or signal, attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or hides from view any official traffic sign or signal.
- No device that directs a beam of light in a flashing sequence toward a street or highway, or any electrical sign or device that interferes with the visibility of any official traffic control device or warning signal.
- Flashing or animated electrical signs are prohibited.
- Wind signs are prohibited.
- Moving signs are prohibited.
- Any other outdoor sign not expressly permitted in this chapter is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Newport Beach

- Real estate signs not exceeding twelve (12) square feet in area advertising the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which they are located do not require a permit.
- Professional name plates not exceeding two square feet in area do not require a permit.
- Bulletin boards not over twelve (12) square feet in area for public, charitable or religious institutions, located on the premises, do not require a permit.
- Signs denoting the architect, engineer or contractor placed upon work under construction, not exceeding twelve (12) square feet in area, do not require a permit.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings and date of erection cut into masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials do not require a permit.
- Signs of public service companies indicating danger, and aids to service or safety, do not require a permit.
- Replacing copy in theater marquees and similar signs designed for replaceable copy does not require a permit.
- Painted window signs do not require a permit.
- Normal maintenance and repair of lawful signs, including replacing tubing and lamps, does not require a permit.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Exception permits may be issued by the Planning Commission for deviations from provisions of this chapter, except for limitations on sign projection over public property (Section 15.16.290), prohibitions against signs imitating traffic signs or signals, and prohibitions against flashing beams or interference with traffic controls.
- Exception permit required for ground or pole signs exceeding twenty-five (25) feet in height above street level, or exceeding two hundred (200) square feet in area per face, or extending beyond the front property line except as permitted in Section 15.16.290.
- Exception permit required for alterations to nonconforming signs.
- Application for sign permit may require filing of plans or other pertinent information to ensure compliance.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Newport Beach, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Newport+Beach+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-newport-beach

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