# Sign Regulations in Palmdale, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Palmdale, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/palmdale
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-16
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/46604556)

## At a glance

Palmdale, California regulates 42 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Outdoor Advertising Sign Structure (Billboard) – General Standards in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 32 ft (DAD near SR-14 may exceed to allow reasonable view) tall and Single face: 300 sq ft; Double face: 600 sq ft (up to 675/1,350 sq ft for DAD only under relocation agreement conditions), with a ≥500 ft from residential/schools/parks/cemeteries; ≥1,500 ft from another off-premises billboard; restrictions near Palmdale Blvd and defined areas. setback from the right-of-way (Sec. PMC § 17.88.150(A)–(E)). Most commercial signs in Palmdale require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 14 | Flagpole up to 35 ft | Single face: 300 sq ft; Double face: 600 sq ft (up to 675/1,350 sq ft for DAD only under relocation agreement conditions) | — |
| Equestrian Residential (ER); Low Density Residential (LDR); Residential Neighborhood 1 (RN-1); Residential Neighborhood 2 (RN-2); Residential Neighborhood 3 (RN-3); Residential Neighborhood 4 (RN-4) | 4 | Freestanding banner: 10 ft; Flag: 15 ft | Freestanding banner: 60 sq ft per single face; Flag: 15 sq ft | — |
| Single Family Residential 1 (SFR-1); Single Family Residential 2 (SFR-2); Single Family Residential 3 (SFR-3) | 5 | Freestanding banner: 10 ft; Flag: 15 ft | Freestanding banner: 60 sq ft per single face; Flag: 15 sq ft | — |
| Mixed-Use 1 (MU-1); Mixed-Use 2 (MU-2); Mixed-Use 3 (MU-3) | 10 | 12 ft (includes base; mounding <3:1 slope counted) | 100 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC); Visitor Commercial (VC); Medical Flex (MEDFX); Educational Flex (EDFX); Office Flex (OFX) | 10 | 12 ft | 100 sq ft | — |
| Regional Commercial (RC) | 11 | 30 ft maximum; 10 ft minimum clearance height | 100 sq ft | — |
| Light Industrial (LI); Heavy Industrial (HI); Aerospace Industrial (AI); Mineral Resource Extraction (MRE) | 10 | 32 ft (DAD adjacent to SR-14 may exceed to ensure visibility) | Single face: 300 sq ft; Double face: 600 sq ft (DAD up to 675/1,350 sq ft under relocation agreement conditions) | — |
| Public Facilities – Civic (PF-C); Public Facilities – School (PF-S); Public Facilities – Park (PF-P) | 10 | 12 ft | 100 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs – General Development Standards | — | — | — | All freestanding signs minimum 1 foot from public right-of-way. | — | Must comply with zone standards; may not obstruct visibility of pedestrians/vehicles, windows/doors/exits; no attachment to public property or existing signs unless approved as government sign. | — | PMC § 17.88.090(A)–(O) |
| On-Site Directional Sign (Exempt) | 8 ft (up to +4 ft with sign permit) | 6 sq ft per sign (up to 3× area allowed with sign permit) | — | — | Up to 5 signs; up to 8 total on sites with more than one frontage (4 per frontage). | On private property to assist traffic circulation into/out of/through parking lots; shall not block visibility; may be installed within public right-of-way only if approved by City. | — | PMC § 17.88.070(H) |
| Flag (Exempt) | Flagpole up to 35 ft | 25 sq ft per flag | — | — | 1 flagpole (2 flags); +1 flagpole (2 flags) with sign permit | On private property; not specified for right-of-way. | — | PMC § 17.88.070(B), § 17.88.090(L) |
| Information Kiosk (Exempt) | 6 ft | 16 sq ft per face (32 sq ft max for multi-sided) | — | — | — | May be on public property/right-of-way with approval by Director of Public Works or designee. | — | PMC § 17.88.070(C) |
| Vehicle Sign (Exempt) | — | 4 sq ft per sign (max 2 signs per vehicle) | — | — | Max 2 per vehicle | On vehicle/trailer. | — | PMC § 17.88.030 (definitions: Sign, vehicle); § 17.88.070(K); § 17.88.080(T) (prohibition context) |
| Temporary Sign – General (Exempt) | — | — | — | — | Max 1 per authorized use | On private property with owner permission; public right-of-way only with encroachment permit where allowed. | — | PMC § 17.88.070(L) |
| Permanent Window Sign (Exempt) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per window area | Inside/on window | — | PMC § 17.88.070(M) |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign Structure (Billboard) – General Standards | 32 ft (DAD near SR-14 may exceed to allow reasonable view) | Single face: 300 sq ft; Double face: 600 sq ft (up to 675/1,350 sq ft for DAD only under relocation agreement conditions) | — | ≥10 ft from property lines; plus general 1 ft from ROW applies; distance: ≥500 ft from residential/schools/parks/cemeteries; ≥1,500 ft from another off-premises billboard; restrictions near Palmdale Blvd and defined areas. | Citywide caps/area restrictions per § 17.88.150(B)(1)–(2) | Only allowed in industrial zones unless part of a City Council-approved relocation agreement; prohibited in specified geographic areas; distance constraints from residential, schools, parks, other billboards, Palmdale Blvd. | — | PMC § 17.88.150(A)–(E) |

### Regional Commercial (RC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Calculated per formula | — | — | No explicit limit; total area capped by formula | Attached to exterior wall. | — | PMC § 17.88.120 (Wall/secondary skyline/canopy); § 17.88.090(F)(1) |
| Secondary Skyline Sign | — | Included in combined wall/canopy area | — | — | 1 per elevation | Lower elevations of buildings with 3+ stories. | — | PMC § 17.88.120 (remarks); § 17.88.140(B) |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | — | ≤75% of any one dimension of canopy/awning | — | — | Included in wall sign total | On canopy/awning. | — | PMC § 17.88.090(O); § 17.88.120 (remarks) |
| Skyline Sign | — | Calculated per formula | — | — | 1 per elevation; up to 2 total | Above highest floor's vision glass and below eave line. | — | PMC § 17.88.120 (Skyline row); § 17.88.140(A) |
| Monument Sign (< 10 acres – Nonindustrial) | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | ≥1 ft from public right-of-way | 1 per 250 ft of street frontage | Freestanding monument on solid base; architecturally integrated. | — | PMC § 17.88.120 (Monument – nonindustrial <10 acres); § 17.88.090(F)(2) |
| Monument Sign (> 10 acres – Nonindustrial) | 12 ft | 100 sq ft | — | ≥1 ft from public right-of-way | 1 per 250 ft of street frontage | Freestanding monument on solid base; architecturally integrated. | — | PMC § 17.88.120 (Monument – nonindustrial >10 acres); § 17.88.090(F)(2) |
| Freestanding Banner (RC – Temporary Banner Permit) | 12 ft | 42 sq ft | — | 5 ft from edge of ROW | 1 per business | On-site; minimum 5 ft clearance from edge of right-of-way. | — | PMC § 17.88.100(B)–(F); § 17.88.120 (Freestanding banner) |
| Pole Sign | 30 ft maximum; 10 ft minimum clearance height | 100 sq ft | — | ≥1 ft from public right-of-way | 1 per development | Freestanding pole-supported sign; not enclosed by solid base equal to one-quarter sign face width; unenclosed posts exceed 18 inches in height. | — | PMC § 17.88.120, Table 17.88.120-1 (Pole signs) and Note 4; § 17.88.030 (Sign, pole); § 17.88.090(K) |

### Light Industrial (LI); Heavy Industrial (HI); Aerospace Industrial (AI); Mineral Resource Extraction (MRE)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Calculated per formula | — | — | No explicit limit; total area capped by formula | Attached to exterior wall; may not project above parapet/canopy/fascia/roofline. | — | PMC § 17.88.120 (Wall/secondary skyline/canopy); § 17.88.090(F)(1) |
| Secondary Skyline Sign | — | Included in combined wall/canopy area | — | — | 1 per elevation | Lower elevations of buildings with 3+ stories per skyline standards. | — | PMC § 17.88.120 (remarks); § 17.88.140(B) |
| Canopy/Awning Sign | — | ≤75% of any one dimension of canopy/awning | — | — | Included in wall sign total | On canopy/awning. | — | PMC § 17.88.090(O); § 17.88.120 (remarks) |
| Skyline Sign | — | Calculated per formula | — | — | 1 per elevation; up to 2 total | Above vision glass of highest floor and below eave line. | — | PMC § 17.88.120 (Skyline row); § 17.88.140(A) |
| Monument Sign (< 10 acres – Industrial) | 5 ft | 30 sq ft | — | ≥1 ft from public right-of-way | 1 per 250 ft of street frontage | Freestanding monument on solid base; architecturally integrated. | — | PMC § 17.88.120, Table 17.88.120-1 (Monument – industrial <10 acres); § 17.88.090(F)(2) |
| Monument Sign (> 10 acres – Industrial) | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | ≥1 ft from public right-of-way | 1 per 250 ft of street frontage | Freestanding monument on solid base; architecturally integrated. | — | PMC § 17.88.120, Table 17.88.120-1 (Monument – industrial >10 acres); § 17.88.090(F)(2) |
| Freestanding Banner (Industrial – Temporary Banner Permit) | 12 ft | 42 sq ft | — | 5 ft from edge of ROW | 1 per business | On-site; minimum 5 ft clearance from edge of right-of-way. | — | PMC § 17.88.100(B)–(F); § 17.88.120 (Freestanding banner) |
| Outdoor Advertising Sign Structure (Billboard) | 32 ft (DAD adjacent to SR-14 may exceed to ensure visibility) | Single face: 300 sq ft; Double face: 600 sq ft (DAD up to 675/1,350 sq ft under relocation agreement conditions) | — | ≥10 ft from property lines; ≥500 ft from residential/schools/parks; ≥1,500 ft from other off-premises billboard; general 1 ft from ROW applies. | Subject to area bounds per § 17.88.150(B)(2) in defined industrial area | Only allowed in industrial zones; prohibited in certain bounded areas; not within 660 ft of Palmdale Blvd; distance constraints from residential/schools/parks/other billboards. | — | PMC § 17.88.150(A)–(E) |

## Prohibited signs in Palmdale

- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Balloons or other inflatable, wind-activated, or spinning devices typically available in retail stores are prohibited, except as specifically exempted for temporary/special events.
- Banner signs as permanent signage are prohibited; temporary banners only as allowed under exemptions or via a temporary banner permit.
- Plain cabinet signs with little or no decorative elements are prohibited.
- Cardboard signs exposed to outdoor elements are prohibited.
- Electronic reader board signs are prohibited (government signs excluded).
- Flags are prohibited except as expressly allowed under the Chapter (see flag exemptions).
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Human signs (commercial attention-getting persons) are prohibited.
- Off-site signs are prohibited except where expressly exempted.
- Paper signs exposed to outdoor elements are prohibited.
- Pennants, strings of pennants, and streamers are prohibited.
- Portable or A-frame signs are prohibited except as expressly allowed in exemptions.
- Revolving signs are prohibited (barber shop poles excepted).
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Signs that create a safety hazard by obstructing the clear view of pedestrian or vehicular traffic are prohibited.
- Signs displaying obscene content (Penal Code §311) are prohibited.
- Signs that resemble, distract from, or conflict with any traffic control device are prohibited.
- Signs within the public right-of-way or upon public property are prohibited unless approved or required by a government agency.
- Signs mounted on vehicles parked to advertise from a public right-of-way are prohibited, except as exempted.
- Wall-mounted signs shall not project above the parapet, canopy, fascia, wall, or roofline to which they are attached.
- Freestanding signs shall not block motorists’ visibility or obstruct any portion of a traffic control device.
- No sign may be affixed to public property fixtures (e.g., streets, sidewalks, curbs, lamp posts, transit benches/shelters, trash receptacles, hydrants, trees, telephone poles, lighting systems, police/fire alarm fixtures).
- Freestanding sign shapes depicting inanimate objects, animals, or human beings are prohibited.
- Reflective paint on signs is not allowed; day-glo colors may only be minor accents and primary colors may not be used for the sign face or structure.
- Sign illumination may not mimic a traffic signal or traffic control device and may not cause glare or a blinding effect that creates a traffic/safety hazard or adversely affects adjacent properties.

## Signs exempt from permit in Palmdale

- Bus shelter signs allowed by resolution of the City Council.
- Flags: one flagpole per developed parcel with up to two flags (max 35 ft height and 25 sq ft per flag); one additional flagpole and flags may be allowed with a sign permit.
- Information kiosks allowed as an accessory use where permitted by the zone (max 6 ft height and 16 sq ft per face; wall-mounted kiosks are not exempt); may be on public property/right-of-way with Public Works approval.
- Interior signs (inside buildings) not visible from the public right-of-way or parking lots are exempt.
- Mandatory signs required by Federal, State, County, or other agencies for home-based businesses are exempt.
- Light pole banners as specifically allowed under the government signs section.
- Government signs allowed under the government signs section.
- On-site directional signs on private property to assist traffic circulation: generally limited to five signs (or four per frontage up to eight total for multi-frontage sites), max 6 sq ft per sign and 8 ft height; up to three times area and +4 ft height may be allowed with a sign permit if visibility constraints are justified.
- Official signs (traffic/fire/police), temporary traffic-control signs used during construction, utility location/identification signs/markers, and other signs required by public agencies are exempt.
- Signs on vehicles, provided the vehicle is not parked primarily to advertise adjacent to a public right-of-way; signage required by law on vehicles is exempt.
- Temporary signs (citywide): one per authorized use; must be nonilluminated; require owner permission; removal within 10 days after the event/activity; protections for temporary noncommercial signs; temporary on-site commercial signs allowed during active grading/building permits, for 60 days after issuance of a business license for new businesses, during seasonal sale of agricultural products, and while property is for sale/lease/rent; inflatable displays only as part of approved temporary use/special event permits and limited to 45 days per year and 14 consecutive days; temporary on-site commercial signs may also display noncommercial messages.
- Permanent window sign: one nonilluminated window sign up to 4 square feet.
- Temporary window signs: up to 25% of window area, maintaining visibility into the building.
- Strand lights or similar festive outdoor lighting in congregation/dining areas are exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permit required for construction, enlargement, remodeling, or upgrade of any sign unless exempt; applications must meet general development standards and any adopted sign program for the site.
- Sign program: applicants seeking a coordinated project signage theme for multiple tenants and/or modifications to spacing, location, size, or height standards may apply for a sign program; Director reviews/approves based on specified criteria and submittals; decisions are appealable.
- Compliance with adopted sign program: approval criteria for sign permits require the sign to comply with the site’s adopted sign program (if applicable).
- Change of copy applications must include previously approved sign plans (depicting sign area, dimensions, colors, design, materials, illumination method).
- Existing sign programs (approved prior to current ordinance) are automatically subject to the general development standards; new sign permits under those programs may not exceed maximum sign area/height limits in current sections.
- Temporary banner permit required for banners at business locations in commercial/office and industrial zones; annual permit and inspection fees; building permits may be required; staff reviews for conformance.
- Variance or minor exception: applicants may apply under PMC Chapter 17.23 to deviate from sign provisions, subject to required findings.
- Outdoor advertising sign structures (billboards) require a Conditional Use Permit; Planning Commission review and findings; may also require a billboard relocation agreement approved by City Council; DADs associated with relocation/upgrade have specific standards.
- Skyline signs on buildings of three or more stories require a sign permit and must meet skyline sign standards.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/palmdale