# Sign Regulations in Pasadena, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Pasadena, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/pasadena
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Pasadena/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZOCO_ART4SIPLGEDEST_CH17.48SI)

## At a glance

Pasadena, California regulates 17 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Temporary Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Varies by sign type, e.g. 8ft for construction sign, 4ft for real estate signs tall and Varies by sign type and district (see Table 4-22), with a See Table 4-22; e.g., noncommercial/event signs min 5 ft from street property line. setback (Sec. Table 4-22; 17.48.120). Most commercial signs in Pasadena require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| RS, RM-12, RM-16, RM-32, RM-48 | 1 | 10 feet and below edge of roof | 25 sq. ft. cumulative total per dwelling unit (all signs); Commercial: 1 sq. ft. per sign; Noncommercial: 16 sq. ft. per sign | — |
| OS, PS | 1 | Below edge of roof for wall signs; 5 ft. for monument signs | 20 sq. ft. per sign (may be larger with CUP approval) | — |
| CO | 4 | Below edge of roof for wall signs; 5 ft. for monument signs | 8 sq. ft. | — |
| CD | 4 | 25 ft. or bottom of lowest second story window, whichever is lower | 100 sq. ft. per sign | — |
| CL, CG, CF, IG, MU, All other commercial, industrial, and mixed-use zoning districts in other adopted Specific Plans | 4 | Lot width <100 ft: 8 ft.; 101–200 ft: 15 ft.; >200 ft: 20 ft. | 150 sq. ft. per sign | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | 25 ft, or bottom of lowest second story window (see zone); min 8 ft above pedestrian area; not above apparent eave/parapet | See zone-specific table; typically up to 150 sq. ft. in commercial zones | — |

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

### CO

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Primary Building Frontage) | Below edge of roof for wall signs; 5 ft. for monument signs | See formula | — | — | One per property frontage | One per property frontage | — | Table 4-19 |
| Wall Sign (Secondary Building Frontage) | Below edge of roof for wall signs; 5 ft. for monument signs | See formula | — | — | One per property frontage | One per property frontage | — | Table 4-19 |
| Monument Sign | 5 ft. | See formula | — | — | One per property frontage | One per property frontage | — | Table 4-19 |
| Tenant Directory (Multi-tenant Buildings) | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | One per property frontage | One per property frontage | — | Table 4-19 |

### CD

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign / Projecting Sign / Awning Sign (Business Identification - Primary Frontage) | 25 ft. or bottom of lowest second story window, whichever is lower | See formula; Projecting sign: 20 sq. ft. max; Window: 25% of each window | — | — | Primary: 2 per ground floor occupancy (wall/projecting/awning); Secondary: 1 per secondary frontage | Max. 2 signs in any combination (wall, projecting, awning) per ground floor occupancy; one sign per basement occupancy; second-story window or awning signs only. | — | Table 4-20 |
| Monument or Freestanding Sign (Business Identification for Multi-frontage Lots) | 8 ft. | 40 sq. ft. max per sign | — | — | One per 200 feet of property frontage | One for each 200 feet of property frontage | — | Table 4-20 |
| Wall Sign (Building ID, buildings >75 ft in height) | Below edge of roof | 100 sq. ft. per sign | — | — | One per wall plane, up to 4 signs | One per wall plane, max 4 signs | — | Table 4-20 |
| Business Directory (Multi-tenant Buildings) | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | One per frontage | One per frontage | — | Table 4-20 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Signs | Varies by sign type, e.g. 8ft for construction sign, 4ft for real estate signs | Varies by sign type and district (see Table 4-22) | — | See Table 4-22; e.g., noncommercial/event signs min 5 ft from street property line. | Varies by sign type and frontage, see Table 4-22 | On private property where permanent signs are allowed; not allowed in public rights-of-way | — | Table 4-22; 17.48.120 |
| Awning Signs | Lettering: 8 inches; Shed portion logo/graphics: 4 sq. ft. per awning | 4 sq ft for logos/graphics per awning (shed); lettering: within limits | — | — | Unlimited, but must comply w/ overall sign area limits | First and second story occupancies | — | 17.48.110.A |
| Projecting Sign | 25 ft, or bottom of lowest second story window (see zone); min 8 ft above pedestrian area; not above apparent eave/parapet | 20 sq ft (in CD, CL, CG, etc..) | Max thickness 18 in. | — | See zone aggregate sign limits | Project outward from building; specific projection limits per code | — | 17.48.110.E |
| Window Sign | — | 25% of each window area | — | — | No explicit limit as long as % of window not exceeded | Ground floor and second story windows on building frontage, painted/mounted on inside or within 3 ft of window | — | 17.48.110.I |
| Monument Sign (General Provisions) | See zone-specific table; typically 5-20 feet based on lot width and district | See zone-specific table; typically up to 150 sq. ft. in commercial zones | — | Min 5 ft from street property line; min 5 ft from interior property line; min 10 ft from driveway | See zone-specific table (e.g., 1 per 250 ft frontage [comm/ind], 1 per 200 ft [CD]) | Street frontage; min 5 ft setback from street or interior property line, 10 ft from driveways (except CD) | — | 17.48.110.C |

## Prohibited signs in Pasadena

- Signs that are oriented towards the freeway.
- Signs that blink, flash, or move in any manner, have any portions that move, or have the appearance of moving, except for signs listed in the historic sign inventory, clocks, time and temperature displays, public service signs, and unique/creative signs allowed through the approval of a Master Sign Plan.
- Awnings that are back-lit (internally illuminated) so that the awning radiates light.
- Cabinet (can) signs that are mounted flush against a building wall, except for corporate logos. Cabinet signs with opaque backgrounds and illuminated letters are allowed as projecting signs only.
- Electronic message signs except time and/or temperature signs.
- Signs containing statements, words, pictures, or other representations that violate Section 311 et seq. of the Penal Code of the State.
- Signs that imitate an official traffic sign or signal, or contain the words "stop," "go," "slow," "caution," "danger," "warning," or similar words, excepting construction signs and barricades, and except when the words are incorporated in the permanent name of a business.
- Signs that advertise an activity, business, service, or product no longer conducted or sold on the premises 45 days after the discontinuance or abandonment, except signs listed on, or eligible for, the City's historic sign inventory.
- Balloons, lighter-than-air devices, inflatable signs and objects, except as may be allowed through a Temporary Sign Permit.
- Banners, pennants, ribbons, spinners, streamers, or other similar devices, except as specifically allowed through a Temporary Sign Permit.
- Portable, folding, or similar signs, except as allowed in Title 12 of the Municipal Code.
- Signs mounted on the roof of a building, including mansard roofs, and similar architectural roof-like elements.
- Signs that are displayed on the exterior of a building and are made of materials that are impermanent and will not stand exposure to the weather.
- Advertisements, banners, bills, cards, notices, placards, posters, signs, stickers, or other devices designed to attract the attention of the public that are posted or otherwise affixed upon any street, street furniture, right-of-way, public sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, lamppost, fencing, hydrant, tree, alley, telephone pole, public telephone, lighting system, or other public alarm or communication system.
- Off-site outdoor advertising signs (billboards).
- Signs erected so that any portion of its surface or supports interfere with the free use of a fire escape, exit, or standpipe, or obstruct a required door, stairway, ventilator, or window.
- Signs emitting audible sounds, odors, or visible matter.
- A sign shall be removed by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located when the business that it advertises is no longer conducted on the premises. The sign shall be removed within 45 days of the close of business (unless listed on the City's historic sign inventory).
- All signs and sign structures shall be maintained in good repair, and structurally sound. Banners shall be replaced if tattered or worn. Any cracks, broken surfaces, malfunctioning lights, missing sign copy, or other unmaintained or damaged portion of a sign shall be repaired or replaced within 30 calendar days following notification by the City. Noncompliance with the notification shall constitute a public nuisance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Pasadena

- Accessory signs manufactured as a standard integral part of a mass-produced product accessory to a commercial or public or semi-public use, including automated teller machines, gasoline pumps, and telephone booths, containing only the company's name and/or logo (no advertising message).
- Affiliation signs that provide notices of services (e.g., credit cards accepted, trade affiliations, etc.), not exceeding one square foot in area for each sign, and no more than three signs per business.
- Decorative flags and banners of a purely decorative nature that do not contain any commercial or noncommercial messages, limited to a total of four per use with a maximum size of 32 square feet each.
- Names of buildings, dates of erection, monumental citations, commemorative tablets, when carved into concrete, stone, or similar material or made of aluminum, bronze, or other permanent type of material and made an integral part of the structure; wall mounted only, not exceeding six feet in height, and not illuminated.
- Official signs of a noncommercial nature and in the public interest, erected by or on the order of a public officer (e.g., danger signs, public notices, safety signs, traffic and directional signs, trespassing signs, etc.).
- Signs within a building five feet or more from a window.
- Signs within an interior arcade, courtyard, mall, or similar area and not visible or intended to be visible from an alley, parking lot, or street.
- Site address signs, limited to two for each street address, with specified minimum and maximum character sizes.
- Window signs consisting of individual lettering not exceeding four inches in height with a total sign area of two square feet per window.
- Incidental residential signs in residential zoning districts that are no more than one square foot in area (e.g., beware of dog, keep off grass, private property), no more than four per property.
- All routine, general maintenance and repair of signs is exempt from Building Permit approval.
- Noncommercial signs as defined (expressing political, religious, or other ideological sentiment, that does not advertise a product or service), are exempt from Building Permit review (with specified size, height, and setback standards).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Master Sign Plan is required whenever six or more separate nonresidential tenant spaces are created on the same parcel.
- A Master Sign Plan is required whenever six or more permanent non-exempt signs are proposed for a single use.
- A Master Sign Plan is required whenever the Director determines that a Master Sign Plan is needed because of special project characteristics (e.g., the size of proposed signs, limited site visibility, a business within a business, location relative to major transportation routes, etc.) or when unique, creatively designed signs are being proposed and aspects (such as animation) might not otherwise be allowed.
- A Master Sign Plan shall be approved by the Director before the issuance of a Building Permit.
- Modifications to a Master Sign Plan that would substantially deviate from the original approval require approval of a new Master Sign Plan.
- A Master Sign Plan must include information and materials as required by the Department, per the Council's Fee Resolution.
- Approval of a Master Sign Plan requires findings per Section 17.48.060(F).
- Sign Exceptions are a form of Variance from sign regulations and require a hearing and specific findings (Section 17.48.050).
- Creative Sign Permits may be requested to allow standards that differ from general provisions if certain design and contextual criteria are met and are subject to review and approval by the Director.
- A Master Sign Plan shall be approved for service stations in conjunction with the application for a Building Permit to alter, erect, move, or reconstruct any service station sign.

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

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