# Sign Regulations in Redlands, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Redlands, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/redlands
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-13
- **Source:** [amlegal municipal code](https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/redlandsca/latest/redlands_ca/0-0-0-12769)

## At a glance

Redlands, California regulates 82 sign types across 21 zoning districts. Yard Sign (Freestanding)s in the Transit Village Specific Plan Village Center (VC) zoning district are capped at Sign height ≤4 ft; post height ≤5 ft tall, 20 sq ft, and 5 ft wide, with a ≥3 ft from ROW setback (Sec. TVSP 4.9.F.2). Most commercial signs in Redlands require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (21 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 19 | 25 ft max unless flag test shows higher needed to achieve visibility 0.3 mi from off-ramp; then height per approved flag test | Building marquee: max 200 sq ft or 20 sq ft per screen (larger by PC if design warrants); Freestanding marquee: max 200 sq ft or 20 sq ft per screen (up to 25 sq ft per screen by PC); Building-mounted (non-marquee): max 200 sq ft (one sign may exceed 200 sq ft by PC; up to 2 sq ft per ft of building frontage by PC) | — |
| C-1 Zoning District, C-2 Zoning District | 5 | — | 50 sq ft (each business limited to 1 main identification sign) | — |
| C-3 Zoning District | 5 | — | 2 sq ft per tenant; sign must be a Secondary Sign by definition (≤24 sq ft) | — |
| C-4 Zoning District | 8 | PC may allow freestanding sign height up to 30 ft | 300 sq ft max (per formula) | — |
| C-M Zoning District | 3 | Monument ≤4 ft; Pedestal ≤12 ft | 120 sq ft main identification (each business limited to 1 main identification sign) | — |
| Downtown Business District | 2 | 3 ft | 6 sq ft (overall face area) | — |
| C-D Overlay District | 1 | — | — | — |
| Administrative and Professional Office (A-P) Zoning District; A-P-C Zoning District; MF Zoning District (Medical Facility) | 3 | — | Up to 20 sq ft total per building/site (total sign area cap) | — |
| EV/AP Zoning District | 5 | 4 ft max | 50 sq ft (main identification) | — |
| Residential Zoning Districts | 2 | 6 ft | 3 sq ft | — |
| Multiple-Family Residential Districts | 3 | 4 ft (if ground/monument) | 15 sq ft | — |
| Single-Family Residential Districts | 2 | 6 ft (3 ft if within corner cutoff area) | 20 sq ft per face | — |
| Mobilehome Parks Zoning District | 1 | Per Multiple-Family Residential standards (4 ft max for ground sign) | Per Multiple-Family Residential standards (5 sq ft or 15 sq ft based on lot width) | — |
| M-P Zoning District; M-1 Zoning District; I-P Zoning District; M-2 Zoning District | 1 | Per C-4 freestanding limits; Planning Commission may allow up to 30 ft for regional shopping center within these zones if applicable | Per C-4 for main and secondary signs (see C-4 entry) | — |
| E Zoning District | 5 | — | 24 sq ft | — |
| T Zoning District; P Zoning District | 1 | — | 24 sq ft max for any one sign | — |
| O Zoning District | 3 | — | — | — |
| A-D Zoning District (Airport) | 2 | — | Per C-4 via C-3 reference for sizes; sign sizes per C-4 standards | — |
| A-1 Zoning District (Agritourism Uses) | 3 | 3 ft | Per A-P zoning district standards (e.g., 20 sq ft total per building/site; 1 main ID per frontage) | — |
| Transit Village Specific Plan Village Center (VC) | 16 | 36 in | Up to 240 sq ft | — |
| Downtown (DT) Zone | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 21 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Construction Signs (Temporary) | — | 32 sq ft | 10 ft length max (within area/height limits in 15.36.590; length note here pertains to subdivision signs; no specific length limit for construction signs other than area) | — | 1 per building site | On building site after Planning Commission project approval | — | RMC 15.36.550 |
| Sale, Rent, Lease Signs - Residential | 6 ft overall | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per frontage (max 2) | On the property for sale/lease; one per street frontage (max 2) | — | RMC 15.36.570(A), (D) |
| Sale, Rent, Lease Signs - Commercial/Industrial | 6 ft overall (3 ft in corner cutoff areas) | 32 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from ROW | — | ≥5 ft from street ROW; ≥300 ft from any other for sale/rent/lease sign on the property | — | RMC 15.36.570(C), (D) |
| Subdivision Signs (Temporary) | 10 ft overall (3 ft max if in corner cutoff area) | 50 sq ft | 10 ft length max | ≥3 ft from ROW | — | Only within subdivision boundaries; ≥3 ft from street ROW; ≥600 ft from another subdivision sign | — | RMC 15.36.590 |
| Freeway Oriented Signs (Motorist Serving, Auto Dealers, Regional Shopping Centers) | 25 ft max unless flag test shows higher needed to achieve visibility 0.3 mi from off-ramp; then height per approved flag test | 120 sq ft max (larger by CUP per RMC 15.36.100.F) | — | ≥100 ft from any other freeway oriented sign | 1 per property (limited exception for additional in unified center per 15.36.420(H)) | Only on designated freeway-oriented properties (see fig.16); not allowed for regional mall or uses within a regional mall | — | RMC 15.36.420 |
| Automobile/Watercraft Dealership Signs | Main identification signs: 20 ft height max; multi-tenant auto center sign height >20 ft by CUP | Within total allowed for zone; Auto center sign may be up to 120 sq ft (larger by CUP) and not count towards dealers’ totals | — | — | 1 main ID per street frontage (max 4); additional auto center signage as specified | Per site; additional auto center signs permitted as specified | — | RMC 15.36.390 |
| Movie Theater Signs | Freestanding theater marquee: 20 ft to top of marquee area (overall structure may exceed with PC approval up to zone height) | Building marquee: max 200 sq ft or 20 sq ft per screen (larger by PC if design warrants); Freestanding marquee: max 200 sq ft or 20 sq ft per screen (up to 25 sq ft per screen by PC); Building-mounted (non-marquee): max 200 sq ft (one sign may exceed 200 sq ft by PC; up to 2 sq ft per ft of building frontage by PC) | — | — | As specified | Building-mounted or freestanding marquees; box-office marquee directly over ticket windows; poster cases near lobby entrance | — | RMC 15.36.440 |
| Multi-Tenant Freestanding Signs (Unified Centers) | Per C-4 freestanding sign type (monument ≤4 ft; pedestal ≤12 ft) and parcel-size table; Planning Commission may allow up to 30 ft for regional shopping center freestanding signs | Per C-4 freestanding size criteria; tenant panel area counts toward each tenant’s allotment | — | Located within minimum 50-ft linear landscape setback; other C-4 setbacks apply | Per 15.36.220(E)(2) and center frontage | Within unified centers; located per landscape setback; number per center per 15.36.220(E)(2) | — | RMC 15.36.450; 15.36.220(E),(F); 15.36.470(F) |

### C-4 Zoning District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Main Identification Sign | — | 300 sq ft max (per formula) | — | — | 1 main ID per business | Building-mounted, parallel to wall; may not protrude more than 12 in. from farthest surface; under-canopy sign allowed per RMC 15.36.220(D) | — | RMC 15.36.190(B) table (C-3/C-4 row); 15.36.220(C), (D), (F)(1) |
| Secondary Sign(s) | — | 24 sq ft each (Planning Commission may allow increase for regional shopping centers up to 50% of main ID size) | — | — | Within total allowed area | Building-mounted, parallel to wall; may include one under-canopy sign ≤3 sq ft per street face | — | RMC 15.36.190(B); 15.36.220(D), (F)(1); 15.36.470(C) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | Monument sign height ≤4 ft | Per Parcel/Center size: up to 24 sq ft (≤5 acres); 50 sq ft (>5–10 acres); 75 sq ft (>10–35 acres); 120 sq ft (>35 acres) unless freeway oriented | — | No extension into existing/future ROW; proximity rule ≥40 ft between freestanding signs | 1 per street frontage (exceptions for >35-acre centers) | 1 per street frontage per parcel/unified center (with exceptions). Must not obstruct adjacent signs; cannot extend over ROW; ≥40 ft from any other freestanding sign | — | RMC 15.36.220(E)(1)-(7) |
| Freestanding Pedestal Sign | ≤12 ft | Per freestanding size criteria table (see above) | — | As freestanding | As freestanding allowance | Per freestanding sign location standards | — | RMC 15.36.040 (Pedestal Sign def.); 15.36.220(E) |
| Directional Signs (≤2 sq ft) | — | 2 sq ft or less | — | — | — | On site | — | RMC 15.36.220(F)(2) |
| Portable A-Frame Sign (Unified Center) | — | — | — | — | — | Within unified center | — | RMC 15.36.220(F)(5) |
| Regional Shopping Center Signs (C-4) | PC may allow freestanding sign height up to 30 ft | PC may increase total sign area from 1.0 to 1.25 sq ft/lf for first 200 lf + 1.0 sq ft/lf over 200 lf; secondary signs up to 50% of main ID; multi-tenant sign tenant panels ≤4 per face | — | — | Per C-4 and sign program | Per sign program for the center | — | RMC 15.36.470 |
| Regional Mall Signs (C-4 context) | Major Entry: 20 ft; Directional monument: 4 ft; street/directional: 8 ft; banners/flags: 20 ft; no max for building-mounted entry/tenant signs | Major Entry signs: up to 200 sq ft per face (≤3 faces); Major Tenant primary signs per frontage: 0.75–1.0 sq ft/lf (depending on elevation height), secondary 24 sq ft; Primary Retail Center Entry: up to 150 sq ft; Secondary Entry: 50 sq ft; Directional monument 24 sq ft; banners/flags 8 sq ft; street/directional 2 sq ft | — | — | Per sign type limits | Per sign program; entries at pedestrian entrances/intersections; directional signs on private property only | — | RMC 15.36.480 |

### Transit Village Specific Plan Village Center (VC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Porch Sign | 2 ft | 16 sq ft | 8 ft | — | 1 per building | Hanging/suspended between porch columns without obstructing views | — | TVSP 4.9.F.1 |
| Yard Sign (Freestanding) | Sign height ≤4 ft; post height ≤5 ft | 20 sq ft | 5 ft | ≥3 ft from ROW | 1 per property | Within front yard; may not encroach into ROW/private street | — | TVSP 4.9.F.2 |
| Canopy Sign | 2 ft | 32 sq ft | 16 ft | — | 1 per storefront | Mounted on top of a horizontal canopy parallel to sidewalk | — | TVSP 4.9.F.4 |
| Projecting Sign | 3 ft | 6 sq ft | 3 ft | — | 1 per ground floor business | Projects perpendicular from facade; may hang from ceiling of balcony/arcade (centered) | — | TVSP 4.9.F.5 |
| Wall Sign | 3 ft max sign height | No explicit numeric cap; also subject to building facade cap of ≤10% of facade area for all signs on facade | ≤60% of storefront width | — | 1 per business per qualifying frontage | Above storefront on building facade with street or parking/pedestrian frontage; 1 per business per frontage (ground floor tenants) | — | TVSP 4.9.F.6; 4.9.D.2 |
| Building Identification Sign | 4 ft | 48 sq ft | 16 ft | — | 1 per building frontage | Top floor on parapet or just below eave | — | TVSP 4.9.F.7 |
| Sidewalk Sign (Portable) | 36 in | 6 sq ft | 30 in | Maintain clearances as stated | 1 per business | Placed in front of the business; must maintain ADA 4-ft minimum clear path and overall pedestrian 5-ft clear path; horizontal clearance from curb ≤24 in | — | TVSP 4.9.F.9 |
| Roof Sign | 3–12 ft (min 3 ft; max 12 ft); width ≤20 ft | Up to 240 sq ft | 20 ft | — | 1 per block or 500 ft | On/above roof or parapet | — | TVSP 4.9.F.10 |

## Prohibited signs in Redlands

- Any sign not specifically identified in the Sign Code as permitted is prohibited (15.36.140.A).
- Placing or fastening any sign or advertising on public property or public structures (e.g., pavement, sidewalk, poles, trees, hydrants, bridges, walls) is prohibited, except as required by law or as authorized in the Downtown Business District per this chapter (15.36.140.B).
- Signs (or their supports) that obstruct any fire escape, stairway, or standpipe are prohibited (15.36.140.C.1).
- Signs that interfere with human exit through any window above the first floor are prohibited (15.36.140.C.2).
- Signs (or supports) that obstruct any exterior door or required exit are prohibited (15.36.140.C.3).
- Signs that obstruct legally required light and ventilation are prohibited (15.36.140.C.4).
- Signs whose lighting intensity, direction, or color may interfere with motorists or cause confusion are prohibited (15.36.140.C.5).
- Billboard signs, reader boards, bench signs, and wind signs or devices are prohibited (15.36.140.C.6).
- Combination signs are prohibited (15.36.140.C.7).
- Outline tubing or neon used on sign support structures or running from the sign across the building (thereby invalidating sign area limits) is prohibited; neon on buildings is only permitted as otherwise provided in the code (15.36.140.C.8).
- Obsolete signs are prohibited unless designated as historic (15.36.140.C.9).
- Pennants, streamers, or similar signs (including those suspended from ropes/strings) are prohibited, except as allowed for automobile and watercraft dealerships (15.36.140.C.10).
- Portable signs not permanently attached to the ground or a building are prohibited, except banner signs regulated by the code, portable/projecting signs in the Downtown Business District as allowed, and portable signs regulated by Chapter 12.55 (15.36.140.C.11).
- Projecting signs are prohibited except as permitted in the Downtown Business District section (15.36.140.C.12).
- Pole signs are prohibited except as freeway signs and automobile dealership signs allowed by the code (15.36.140.C.13).
- Balloons of any shape or size are prohibited, except as allowed for automobile dealerships (15.36.140.C.14).
- No sign support shall be attached to, or supported by, a fire escape (15.36.110.H).

## Signs exempt from permit in Redlands

- Signs not visible from any public vehicular or pedestrian right-of-way (15.36.030.A.1).
- Signs required by federal or state law that do not exceed the minimum number and size required by such law (15.36.030.A.2).
- California State Lottery signs authorized by Government Code section 8800 et seq. (15.36.030.A.3).
- Signs with a maximum area of two square feet or less (15.36.030.A.4).
- Holiday decorations and lights (15.36.030.A.5).
- Flags and other insignia of any government without a commercial message, attached to poles, subject to quantity, height (≤30 feet), flag area (≤42 square feet), and maintenance limits (15.36.030.A.6).
- Street address signs (up to 2 square feet or larger if required by the Fire Department) (15.36.030.A.7).
- Official traffic signs, municipal directional signs, legal notices, signs indicating location of buried utility lines, and governmental notices posted in the scope of official duty (15.36.030.A.8).
- Memorial tablets and identification plaques installed by a recognized governmental historical agency (15.36.030.A.9).
- Time and temperature signs containing no advertising copy (15.36.030.A.10).
- Signs not exceeding two square feet and carried by individuals on public sidewalks or other public property (15.36.030.A.11).
- Signs located on City-owned property (15.36.030.A.12).
- Signs located in the interior of a building or enclosed area (15.36.030.A.13).
- Signs designated by the City as a historic resource, provided original verbiage, symbols, and structure are retained (15.36.030.A.14).
- No sign permit is required for open house signs (15.36.080.B.1).
- No sign permit is required for sale, rent, and lease signs (15.36.080.B.2).
- No sign permit is required for window signs (15.36.080.B.3).
- No sign permit is required for exempt signs listed in 15.36.030.A (15.36.080.B.4).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All unified centers must prepare a sign program; Planning Commission approval is required (15.36.160.B; 15.36.100.E).
- Sign programs must be at least as restrictive as the code and include design elements, plot plan, elevations, and side views; they may also set standards for size, colors, letter style, materials, permitted types, review procedures, and transfer of unused sign area (15.36.160.A–D).
- Existing sign programs approved prior to the effective date are subject to the substitution provisions; if amended to increase overall sign area, they must be updated to conform to all current standards (15.36.030.B).
- Freestanding signs (except construction and temporary signs) require Planning Commission approval; building-mounted signs may be approved by the Director; roof signs may be permitted only with specific findings (15.36.100.B–D).
- Any sign or sign program that includes signs larger than 120 square feet requires a Conditional Use Permit; City Council approval by a four-fifths vote of the entire authorized membership is required, with specified findings and a public hearing (15.36.100.F).
- Freeway-facing signs on the rear of buildings without public entrances require a sign program with mandatory consistency standards (uniform font, single color, consistent letter height; max letter height 3 feet) (15.36.410.B).
- Regional shopping centers must prepare a sign program; Planning Commission approval required (15.36.470.B).
- Regional malls must prepare a sign program; Planning Commission approval required (15.36.480.A).
- Educational uses (E zoning district) proposing signs visible from a public right-of-way should submit a sign program for Planning Commission approval (15.36.340.G).
- Developments designed for occupancy by more than one tenant in EV/AP must comply with the sign program provisions for unified centers (15.36.270.E.2; 15.36.160).
- Multi-tenant freestanding signs are allowed only within unified centers that have an approved sign program expressly allowing them; tenant panels count toward each tenant’s allowable sign area; Planning Commission approval required (15.36.450.C.2, 15.36.450.C.6).
- As part of sign program review, the Planning Commission may exempt certain interior-oriented signs/areas from C-4 requirements if not visible from public rights-of-way or parking areas and oriented to interior pedestrian areas (15.36.220.F.6).
- In C-1/C-2, major tenant sign area may be increased up to 75 square feet if approved as part of a complete sign program for the shopping center (15.36.200.B).
- Transit Village Specific Plan (TVSP): A sign program is required for a Unified Center per RMC 15.36.160 and must be approved by the Planning Commission; unified centers established before the TVSP effective date are exempt (TVSP 4.9.C.2).
- TVSP: Roof signs up to 120 square feet require Planning Commission review/approval; roof signs exceeding 120 square feet require a Conditional Use Permit and City Council approval per RMC 15.36.100(F) (TVSP 4.9.F.10.c).
- TVSP: Marquee display signs up to 120 square feet require Planning Commission review/approval; marquee displays exceeding 120 square feet require a Conditional Use Permit and City Council approval per RMC 15.36.100(F) (TVSP 4.9.F.12.c).
- TVSP Applicability: Signs are subject to Measure U; any sign exceeding 120 square feet shall be approved by a four-fifths vote of the total authorized membership of the City Council (TVSP 4.9.B).
- Changeable copy signs require Planning Commission approval (15.36.400.B).
- Neon installed on buildings requires commission review and approval or revision to an existing approval/conditional use permit (15.36.460.A).
- For multiple-story buildings, any sign exceeding 120 square feet requires City Council approval in accordance with the General Plan (15.36.510.A).
- A variance from structural requirements may be requested pursuant to Chapter 18.196 (15.36.630).

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

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