# Sign Regulations in San Fernando, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** San Fernando, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/san-fernando
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/San_Fernando/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CO_CH106ZO_ARTVGEDEST_DIV5SI)

## At a glance

San Fernando, California regulates 21 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Real Estate Advertising Sign (R-2, R-3)s in the Residential zones (R-1, R-2, R-3) zoning district are capped at 12 ft (if freestanding); not above roofline (if attached) tall and No single sign > 64 sq ft; signs >18 sq ft must be 4 ft from all street property lines, with a Signs >18 sq ft must be 4 ft from all street property lines setback (Sec. Sec. 106-931(1)b,c,d). Most commercial signs in San Fernando require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential zones (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 5 | 12 ft (if freestanding); not above roofline (if attached) | No single sign > 64 sq ft; signs >18 sq ft must be 4 ft from all street property lines | — |
| Commercial zones (C-1, C-2) | 11 | 4 ft | 150 sq ft (per building frontage) | — |
| Industrial zones (M-1, M-2) | 11 | 4 ft | 150 sq ft (per building frontage) | — |
| Nonresidential zone | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | See ordinance for each type (e.g., residential nameplate 2 sq ft, construction sign 6 sq ft in residential, 32 sq ft in other zones) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Residential zones (R-1, R-2, R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Advertising Sign (R-1) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On the premises for sale/lease. | — | Sec. 106-931(1)a,c,d |
| Real Estate Advertising Sign (R-2, R-3) | 12 ft (if freestanding); not above roofline (if attached) | No single sign > 64 sq ft; signs >18 sq ft must be 4 ft from all street property lines | — | Signs >18 sq ft must be 4 ft from all street property lines | 1 per street frontage | On the premises for sale/lease. | — | Sec. 106-931(1)b,c,d |
| Identification Sign (Multiple Dwelling/Roominghouse) | 4 ft in any dimension | 6 sq ft | 4 ft | — | 1 per building | Wall of the building. Shall not extend above or out from the front wall. | — | Sec. 106-932(a) |
| Identification Sign (Nonresidential Use, including Institution, Church, School, etc.) | 4 ft (freestanding); may not extend more than 3 ft above roofline/parapet if attached | 25 sq ft | — | — | 2 per lot (unless special approval) | Freestanding or attached to building. | — | Sec. 106-932(b) |
| Required Address Plate (Residential) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | — | Structure facing public right-of-way; conspicuous and visible place. | — | Sec. 106-929(8), Sec. 106-939 |

### Commercial zones (C-1, C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Advertising Sign (Commercial) | — | 50 sq ft per sign structure. One sign structure per lot (one per street frontage if parcel >5 acres) | — | 5 ft from inside line of sidewalk or lot line; if setback <10 ft, must be at least half the setback distance. | 1 per lot, or 1 per street frontage for >5 acre parcels | On the premises for sale/lease. | — | Sec. 106-931(2)a-f |
| Business Signs (Wall, Projecting, Directory, etc.) | Wall signs may not extend more than 3 ft above roofline or parapet. | 150 sq ft (per building frontage) | — | — | — | Affixed to building fronting public street, alley, or parking lot. | — | Sec. 106-933(1), (4), (8) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 4 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | On site, subject to permit. | — | Sec. 106-933(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (other than monument) | Subject to Planning Commission approval | Subject to Planning Commission approval | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 106-937 |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | 10% of total window/door area for permanent copy; 40% total area for all window signs including painted/temporary | — | — | — | On windows | — | Sec. 106-933(9) |
| Electronic Message Center Sign | — | Subject to freestanding sign limitations | — | — | — | Affixed to pole or building; must be at least 100 ft from residential zone, 500 ft from any other electronic message sign. | — | Sec. 106-933(5) |
| Streamers, Banners, Pennants (Temporary) (Commercial/Industrial) | Subject to district height limit | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 106-934(b) |
| Automobile Service Station Price Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 106-929(13) |

### Industrial zones (M-1, M-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Advertising Sign (Industrial) | — | 100 sq ft per sign structure. One sign structure per lot (one per street frontage if parcel >5 acres) | — | 5 ft from inside line of sidewalk or lot line; if setback <10 ft, must be at least half the setback distance. | 1 per lot, or 1 per street frontage for >5 acre parcels | On the premises for sale/lease. | — | Sec. 106-931(2)a-f |
| Business Signs (Wall, Projecting, Directory, etc.) | Wall signs may not extend more than 3 ft above roofline or parapet. | 150 sq ft (per building frontage) | — | — | — | Affixed to building fronting public street, alley, or parking lot. | — | Sec. 106-933(1), (4), (8) |
| Freestanding Monument Sign | 4 ft | 30 sq ft | — | — | — | On site, subject to permit. | — | Sec. 106-933(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (other than monument) | Subject to Planning Commission approval | Subject to Planning Commission approval | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 106-937 |
| Window Sign (Permanent) | — | 10% of total window/door area for permanent copy; 40% total area for all window signs including painted/temporary | — | — | — | On windows | — | Sec. 106-933(9) |
| Electronic Message Center Sign | — | Subject to freestanding sign limitations | — | — | — | Affixed to pole or building; must be at least 100 ft from residential zone, 500 ft from any other electronic message sign. | — | Sec. 106-933(5) |
| Streamers, Banners, Pennants (Temporary) (Commercial/Industrial) | Subject to district height limit | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 106-934(b) |
| Automobile Service Station Price Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | Sec. 106-929(13) |

## Prohibited signs in San Fernando

- No sign shall be placed, erected, moved, reconstructed, altered, or displayed without a sign permit, unless exempted by the ordinance.
- Lighted signs or lighting devices shall not be placed or directed so as to permit beams or illumination to be beamed upon a public street, walkway, or adjacent premises so as to cause glare or reflection that may constitute a traffic hazard or nuisance.
- Property owners must remove all signs from any business that has been vacant for 60 days, unless the sign face area is removed and replaced with a blank sign face or covered, and signs must be removed after eight months if the business is still vacant or a new business does not use the sign.
- All signs must be maintained in good repair; display surfaces must be kept neatly painted or pasted.
- Any sign in violation of the division must be brought into compliance within 30 days of notice, or removed. The 30-day period may be extended by the director for good cause.
- Signs not conforming to this division must be brought into conformance or removed as provided in section 106-261.
- The following types of advertising signs are prohibited in all zones: A-frame or sandwich-board signs; flashing or scintillating signs; painted signs (see section 106-6); devices dispensing bubbles and free-floating particles of matter; unauthorized notices, placards, banners, etc., attached to public places (except as may be required by ordinance or law); devices projecting or reproducing the image of an advertising sign on any surface; signs on vehicles except when the sign is painted on or permanently affixed to a regularly used business vehicle (with further restrictions); outdoor advertising signs, except as provided in subsection 106-583(7); subdivision directional signs; roof signs; home occupation signs.
- No streamer, banner, pennant, whirling device, flag, or similar display which waves, floats, flies, rotates, or moves in the breeze is permitted in residential zones except as provided in section 106-931.
- No part of an alcohol or tobacco sign ordinance shall be construed to permit any advertising display that is otherwise restricted or prohibited by law or this code.
- Outdoor illumination for signs shall not include low pressure sodium.
- Signs on vehicles are prohibited except if certain conditions are met (see 106-930(7)).

## Signs exempt from permit in San Fernando

- Official notices issued by any court, public body, or public officer.
- Notices posted by any public officer in performance of a public duty, or for any person giving legal notice.
- Traffic, directional, warning, or informational signs required or authorized by the public authority having jurisdiction.
- Official signs used for emergency purposes only.
- Permanent memorial or historical signs, plaques or markers.
- Public utility signs (provided such signs do not exceed three square feet in sign face area).
- Signs including painted signs on private property prohibiting parking, blocking driveways, trespassing, and similar directional signs, subject to director approval.
- Residential name and number plates identifying the residence address or occupants, not to exceed two square feet in area.
- Seasonal or special event signs and decorations displayed between 20 days prior to and 15 days after the event, not located in public right-of-way (unless council approved); limited to one wall or window sign not exceeding 30 square feet.
- Non-commercial signs, not subject to other subsections, provided temporary event-related signs are not displayed more than 10 days after the event, total sign area for any parcel does not exceed 64 square feet, and such signs are not in the public right-of-way.
- One unlighted construction sign per job site, not exceeding six square feet in residential zones; or in other zones, one unlighted project sign not exceeding 32 square feet and one unlighted sign for each participating contractor not exceeding six square feet each; must be removed before final inspection.
- In the C and M zones, temporary advertising signs on windows not exceeding 40% of the total window area (with 60% visibility). Seasonal or special event decorations are included in the 40%.
- Automobile service station price signs, not exceeding 12 square feet in sign area.
- Menu boards on the interior driveways of drive-through facilities, subject to director approval.
- All restrictions detailed in section 106-930 apply to exempt signs where applicable.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for placing, erecting, moving, reconstructing, altering or displaying any sign in the city unless the sign is exempt under the ordinance.
- Permits (including sign, building, and electrical) must be obtained as required by building and electrical codes.
- Certain types of signs (revolving signs, supergraphic signs, and a 'sign program meeting the intent of this chapter') require the granting of a conditional use permit and planning commission approval.
- A sign plan or program may be permitted if approved through the conditional use permit process by the planning commission.
- Freestanding monument signs and certain electronic message center signs require planning commission and/or city traffic commission approvals.
- Applications for special sign permits, such as for freestanding signs, require submittal of information and plans as required by the community development department, and may require a public hearing.
- For sign-related conditional use permits or special sign permits, public notice, hearing, and findings are required as outlined under the planning commission procedures.

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

---

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