Sign Regulations in Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs, California has specific sign regulations covering 13 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Main Sign, Accessory Sign, Customer Convenience Signs - Open/Closed Signs. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 10, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Palm Springs, California
Sample Sign Requirements in Palm Springs
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Sign | 28 feet for Wall Signs, Awning Signs, Arcade/Blade Signs; 8 feet for Freestanding Signs, Monument Signs | 150 square feet | No Main Sign shall be closer than 10 feet from any other sign; 25 feet for signage facing Interstate 10 |
| Accessory Sign | The top of the sign shall not be higher than the building on which it is located, and shall be located a minimum of 7 feet above any pedestrian walkway. | 6 square feet; 4 square feet per sign face if located at a right angle to the street | — |
| Customer Convenience Signs - Open/Closed Signs | — | 1-1/2 square feet | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
13
- Main Sign
- Accessory Sign
- Customer Convenience Signs - Open/Closed Signs
- Customer Convenience Signs - Service Signs
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
7
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Palm Springs
Other Cities in California
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Palm Springs vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Palm Springs, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Palm Springs, regulated sign types include Main Sign, Accessory Sign, Customer Convenience Signs - Open/Closed Signs, Customer Convenience Signs - Service Signs, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Palm Springs vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Palm Springs are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Palm Springs has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Palm Springs, California Sign Rules at a Glance
Palm Springs, California regulates 13 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Portable Signs in the Commercial and Industrial Districts zoning district are capped at 42 inches tall, 42 inches in height and 32 inches in width, and 32 inches wide, with a A 72 inch wide clear paved pathway for ADA access must be maintained at all times. setback (Sec. § 93.20.05(C)). Most commercial signs in Palm Springs require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Palm Springs, California
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Palm Springs (7 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial and Industrial Districts | 9 | 42 inches | 150 square feet | — |
| Downtown/Uptown | 8 | 42 inches | 42 inches in height and 32 inches in width | — |
| Apartments, Hotels, Condominium Complexes and Residential Mobile Home Parks | 2 | 28 feet for Wall Signs; 8 feet for Freestanding Signs, Monument Signs | 50 square feet | — |
| Resort Hotels | 2 | 28 feet for Wall Signs; 12 feet for Freestanding Signs, Monument Signs | 300 square feet | — |
| Other Uses Permitted in Residential Zones | 1 | 28 feet for Wall Signs; 8 feet for Freestanding Signs, Monument Signs | 20 square feet | — |
| Residential Zones | 1 | — | 8 square feet for two signs or 16 square feet for one sign | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | 10 square feet for two signs or 20 square feet for one sign | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Palm Springs(sample of 3 of 7 zones)
Commercial and Industrial Districts
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Sign | 28 feet for Wall Signs, Awning Signs, Arcade/Blade Signs; 8 feet for Freestanding Signs, Monument Signs | 150 square feet | — | No Main Sign shall be closer than 10 feet from any other sign; 25 feet for signage facing Interstate 10 | 1 Main Sign per frontage | Adjacent to or on the building facing the frontage line | — | Unlock | § 93.20.05(A) |
| Accessory Sign | The top of the sign shall not be higher than the building on which it is located, and shall be located a minimum of 7 feet above any pedestrian walkway. | 6 square feet; 4 square feet per sign face if located at a right angle to the street | — | — | 1 sign | Where the Main Sign is not visible to pedestrian traffic | — | Unlock | § 93.20.05(B) |
| Customer Convenience Signs - Open/Closed Signs | — | 1-1/2 square feet | — | — | 1 sign per frontage | Interior of a window or door on the building frontage | — | Unlock | § 93.20.05(B) |
| Customer Convenience Signs - Service Signs | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 sign per business | Interior of a window or on a wall adjacent to the front entrance of the business | — | Unlock | § 93.20.05(B) |
| Customer Convenience Signs - Hours/Days | — | Maximum 2″ letter/number height per line | — | — | 1 sign per business | Interior of a window or door on the building frontage | — | Unlock | § 93.20.05(B) |
| Customer Convenience Signs - Listing of Business Associates and/or Sub-lessees | — | 3 square foot area | — | — | 1 sign per entrance | Interior of a window or door on the building frontage | — | Unlock | § 93.20.05(B) |
| Pedestrian Sign Directory | — | 6 square feet per side; individual tenants limited to 2 square feet per side | — | — | 1 per multi-tenant building | Attached to a building wall or as a monument sign | — | Unlock | § 93.20.05(B) |
| Portable Sign | 42 inches | 42 inches in height and 32 inches in width | 32 inches | A 72 inch wide clear paved pathway for ADA access must be maintained at all times. | One per tenant space with frontage along a public street | Between a public entry into the tenant space and the nearest fronting street or parking drive aisle | — | Unlock | § 93.20.05(C) |
Downtown/Uptown
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Sign | 28 feet | Arcade/Blade Sign: 16 square feet/cubic feet; Awning Sign: 20% of the total awning area; Exposed Neon: 1 square foot per linear foot of building frontage; Fascia Panel/Plaque Sign: 1 square foot per lineal foot of building frontage; Individual Letters: 2/3 of the overall length of the storefront; Window Sign: 40% of the total glazed area or 15 square feet | — | The lowest point of any blade/arcade sign shall be a minimum of 7 feet above any pedestrian walkway. | 1 Main Sign per frontage | At each customer entrance; on the front face or any valance element of the awning; on glazing limited to the first floor of the building | — | Unlock | § 93.20.06(A) |
| Accessory Sign | 28 feet | Blade Sign/Arcade Sign: 9 square feet/cubic feet; Awning/Umbrella Sign: 4 square feet; Individual Letters: 6 square feet; Fascia Panel Sign: 6 square feet; Window Sign: 6 square feet | — | The lowest point of any blade/arcade sign shall be a minimum of 7 feet above any pedestrian walkway. | 1 Accessory Sign per business | At each customer entrance; on a vertical face or valance element of the awning or umbrella; on glazing limited to the first floor of the building | — | Unlock | § 93.20.06(B) |
| Customer Convenience Signs - Open/Closed Signs | — | 1-1/2 square feet | — | — | 1 sign per street entrance | Interior of a window or door on the building frontage | — | Unlock | § 93.20.06(C) |
| Customer Convenience Signs - Service Signs | — | 6 square feet | — | — | 1 sign per business | Interior of a window or on a wall adjacent to the front entrance of the business | — | Unlock | § 93.20.06(C) |
| Customer Convenience Signs - Hours/Days | — | Maximum 2" letter/number height per line | — | — | 1 sign per business | Interior of a window or door on the building frontage | — | Unlock | § 93.20.06(C) |
| Customer Convenience Signs - Credit Card Decals | — | 1 square foot area | — | — | — | Interior of a window or door on the building frontage | — | Unlock | § 93.20.06(C) |
| Pedestrian Directory | — | 6 square feet per face | — | — | 1 per building where the principal sign for a business on a parcel fronting on Palm Canyon Drive is not visible from Palm Canyon Drive | Flush-Mounted Signs permanently mounted to the building; Freestanding Signs located on private property; Portable Signs located on private property or in the public right-of-way | — | Unlock | § 93.20.06(C) |
| Portable Sign | 42 inches | 42 inches in height and 32 inches in width | 32 inches | A 72 inch wide clear paved pathway for ADA access must be maintained at all times. | One per tenant space with frontage along a public street | Between a public entry into the tenant space and the nearest fronting street or parking drive aisle | — | Unlock | § 93.20.06(D) |
Resort Hotels
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Sign | 28 feet for Wall Signs; 12 feet for Freestanding Signs, Monument Signs | 300 square feet | — | 1 additional sign may be permitted if the street frontage and sign separation is greater than 170 feet | 1 Main Sign | — | — | Unlock | § 93.20.07(A) |
| Accessory Sign for Restaurant Use | The sign shall not be located above the ground floor of the building. | 30 square feet | — | — | 1 Accessory Sign for a restaurant use within the hotel | At the restaurant entry or at the hotel entry, if the restaurant does not have a separate entry | — | Unlock | § 93.20.07(B) |
PermitPal covers all 7 zoning districts in Palm Springs. Run a code check for your exact address to get the zone that applies to your property and its full sign requirements — illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
Run a code check for your exact address — freeProhibited Signs in Palm Springs
- Any sign not specifically authorized by the Sign Ordinance shall be prohibited unless required by law or utilized by a proper governmental agency.
- Rotating, Moving, Flashing, Reflecting, Prismatic, or Blinking Signs.
- Signs on Public Property or Rights-of-Way.
- Off-Premises Signs, Billboards, and Posters.
- Businesses without Street Frontage.
- Signs Affixed to Windows or Doors.
- Signs Facing Private Property.
- Imitation of Traffic Signal.
- Signs in residential zones identifying home occupations.
- Signs displaying fighting words, obscene matter, or create a clear and present danger to the general public.
- Signs employing exposed raceways, ballast boxes, transformers, crossovers or conduits, unless otherwise approved by the Director or the Planning Commission.
- Signs attached, affixed to or from the interior of any merchandise or products displayed outside of permanent buildings.
- Cabinet signs.
- Bench Signs
- Vehicle signs attached to or painted on motor vehicles that are parked on or adjacent to property for more than 24 consecutive hours, the principal purpose of which is to attract attention to a product sold or business located on the property.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Palm Springs
- Signs on public property or rights-of-way shall be prohibited unless provided through an approved sign program applicable to a Sign District adopted by the City Council.
- Any portable sign approved or permitted pursuant to this Code shall be located in a manner fully compliant with all standards and regulations regarding access for persons with disabilities.
- A permit for a portable sign shall only be issued upon the applicant's submission of proof of commercial general liability insurance applicable to the portable sign, located in compliance with this Subsection, with limitations of liability satisfactory to the City Attorney, and applicant's execution of an indemnification of the City with respect to any and all claims arising from or related to the portable sign.
Source: municode municipal code