Sign Regulations in San Marino, California
San Marino, California has specific sign regulations covering 13 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall Sign - Ground Floor Retail Business, Wall Sign - Non-Retail/Other Businesses in Building, Blade Sign - Ground Floor Retail (One Facade). Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: December 24, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for San Marino, California
Sample Sign Requirements in San Marino
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign - Ground Floor Retail Business | ≤ 30 ft above grade; may not extend beyond roof | Individual: ≤ 60 sq ft OR ≤ 4% of facade area (whichever is less); Building totals: multi-tenant ≤ 120 sq ft; single-tenant ≤ 90 sq ft | — |
| Wall Sign - Non-Retail/Other Businesses in Building | ≤ 30 ft above grade; may not extend beyond roof | Individual: ≤ 60 sq ft OR ≤ 4% of facade area; Building totals: multi-tenant ≤ 120 sq ft; single-tenant ≤ 90 sq ft | — |
| Blade Sign - Ground Floor Retail (One Facade) | At least 7 ft above sidewalk but not higher than the first floor plate line; also must comply with ≤ 30 ft above grade and not extend beyond roof. | ≤ 6 sq ft | May project over public right-of-way only as a blade sign meeting clearance; other encroachments require encroachment permit. |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
13
- Wall Sign - Ground Floor Retail Business
- Wall Sign - Non-Retail/Other Businesses in Building
- Blade Sign - Ground Floor Retail (One Facade)
- Blade Sign - Retail with Two Street-Facing Facades
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
3
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for San Marino
Other Cities in California
Frequently Asked Questions
In San Marino, wall signs can be up to ≤ 30 ft above grade; may not extend beyond roof. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in San Marino, 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 San Marino, regulated sign types include Wall Sign - Ground Floor Retail Business, Wall Sign - Non-Retail/Other Businesses in Building, Blade Sign - Ground Floor Retail (One Facade), Blade Sign - Retail with Two Street-Facing Facades, 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 San Marino 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 San Marino are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. San Marino has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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San Marino, California Sign Rules at a Glance
San Marino, California regulates 13 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Real Estate Sign (For Sale/Lease/Rent)s in the Single-Family Dwelling Zone (R-1) zoning district are capped at Top of sign ≤ 36 inches above grade tall, ≤ 3.3 sq ft, and Length ≤ 28 inches wide, with a ≥ 10 ft from any side line of the lot setback (Sec. §23.12.02(B)(1)(a)-(c)). Most commercial signs in San Marino require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for San Marino, California
Sign Rules by Zoning District in San Marino (3 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Zone (C-1) + Mixed-Use Zone (MU1, MU2) | 11 | ≤ 30 ft above grade; may not extend beyond roof | Individual: ≤ 60 sq ft OR ≤ 4% of facade area (whichever is less); Building totals: multi-tenant ≤ 120 sq ft; single-tenant ≤ 90 sq ft | — |
| Single-Family Dwelling Zone (R-1) | 2 | Top of sign ≤ 36 inches above grade | ≤ 3.3 sq ft | — |
| 1 more zone in PermitPal — start free | ||||
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in San Marino(sample of 2 of 3 zones)
Commercial Zone (C-1) + Mixed-Use Zone (MU1, MU2)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign - Ground Floor Retail Business | ≤ 30 ft above grade; may not extend beyond roof | Individual: ≤ 60 sq ft OR ≤ 4% of facade area (whichever is less); Building totals: multi-tenant ≤ 120 sq ft; single-tenant ≤ 90 sq ft | — | — | 1 per ground-floor retail business on facade; plus 1 additional sign on each side where pedestrian entrances exist | On the facade of the building; may not obstruct doors, movable windows, or fire escapes; not on or over any fire escape or standpipe; not on top of or on the face of any fire wall of a building having two or more stories. | — | Unlock | §23.12.01(C)(1)-(3); §23.12.01(D)(1)-(3),(5)-(7),(8)-(9) |
| Wall Sign - Non-Retail/Other Businesses in Building | ≤ 30 ft above grade; may not extend beyond roof | Individual: ≤ 60 sq ft OR ≤ 4% of facade area; Building totals: multi-tenant ≤ 120 sq ft; single-tenant ≤ 90 sq ft | — | — | 1 per non-retail business | On the building facade; may not obstruct doors, movable windows, or fire escapes; not on or over any fire escape or standpipe; not on top of or on the face of any fire wall of a building having two or more stories. | — | Unlock | §23.12.01(C)(1)-(3); §23.12.01(D)(1)-(3),(5)-(7),(8)-(9) |
| Blade Sign - Ground Floor Retail (One Facade) | At least 7 ft above sidewalk but not higher than the first floor plate line; also must comply with ≤ 30 ft above grade and not extend beyond roof. | ≤ 6 sq ft | — | May project over public right-of-way only as a blade sign meeting clearance; other encroachments require encroachment permit. | 1 per ground-floor retail business | Projects perpendicular to building; portions that project over public right-of-way must maintain ≥ 7 ft clearance above sidewalk and be no higher than first floor plate line. | — | Unlock | §23.12.01(D)(1),(2)(d),(3),(5)-(7); §23.12.01(L)(1) |
| Blade Sign - Retail with Two Street-Facing Facades | At least 7 ft above sidewalk but not higher than the first floor plate line; also ≤ 30 ft above grade and not beyond roof. | ≤ 6 sq ft per blade sign | — | May project over public right-of-way only as compliant blade signs; other encroachments require encroachment permit. | Up to 2 if two facades each face a public street | Projects perpendicular to building; may project over public right-of-way subject to clearance and plate-line limit. | — | Unlock | §23.12.01(L)(2); also §23.12.01(D)(2)(d),(3),(5)-(7),(L)(1) |
| Freestanding or Movable Signboard | ≤ 4 ft | — | ≤ 2 ft | Must remain entirely within private property | 1 per business enterprise | Must be located entirely within private property; may not encroach into any public right-of-way. | — | Unlock | §23.12.01(C)(1)-(3); §23.12.01(D)(4)(a)-(b),(5)-(7),(9) |
| Umbrella Sign | Umbrella height ≤ 9 ft; bottom of valance ≥ 6 ft above ground | — | — | Must remain entirely within private property | One sign allowed on each valance panel | Must be located entirely within private property; may not encroach into any public right-of-way. | — | Unlock | §23.12.01(D)(4)(b)-(h); §23.12.01(C)(1)-(3),(5)-(7),(9) |
| Temporary Window Sign | — | ≤ 25% of the window area; special construction/remodeling window sign ≤ 3.3 sq ft and length ≤ 28 inches | Construction/remodeling window sign length ≤ 28 inches | — | 1 per ≤ 25 ft window length; +1 per each additional 25 ft or fraction | Printed or displayed on the interior surface of a window or glass door; affixed to the inside of the window. | — | Unlock | §23.12.01(I)(1)-(8) |
| Real Estate Sign (Property for Sale/Lease/Rent in C-1) | — | — | Dimensions may not exceed 4 ft by 6 ft | — | 1 per abutting street/highway | On private property being advertised; number limited by street frontage. | — | Unlock | §23.12.01(E)(1)-(3) |
Single-Family Dwelling Zone (R-1)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Sign (For Sale/Lease/Rent) | Top of sign ≤ 36 inches above grade | ≤ 3.3 sq ft | Length ≤ 28 inches | ≥ 10 ft from any side line of the lot | 1 on-premises sign | On-premises on the property being advertised. | — | Unlock | §23.12.02(B)(1)(a)-(c) |
| Residential Subdivision Sign (Initial Sale/Lease) | — | — | Dimensions may not exceed 10 ft by 12 ft | ≥ 150 ft from any residence adjacent to and not part of the subdivision | 1 per ≤ 5 acres; +1 per each additional 5 acres or portion | Placed within the subdivision; must be placed not less than 150 ft from any adjacent residence not part of the subdivision. | — | Unlock | §23.12.02(B)(2)(a)-(b) |
PermitPal covers all 3 zoning districts in San Marino — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 3 zones for San Marino — start freeSign Plan & Submission Notes for San Marino
- Master Sign Plan is required for all new buildings in the C-1 zone when either: (a) two or more separate commercial tenant spaces are created on the same parcel; or (b) two or more signs are proposed for a building.
- Approval must be obtained from the planning commission; additionally, the Design Review Committee (DRC) must approve the Master Sign Plan before issuance of a building permit.
- Existing buildings with signs made nonconforming by this chapter may continue until a Master Sign Plan is reviewed and approved by the DRC; processing fees are waived if an application is submitted within two years of the section’s adoption, with notice sent to owners of multi-tenant commercial properties.
- A Master Sign Plan may include modifications to regulations (e.g., sign area, number of signs, height, location) and may be more restrictive than the base code; approval requires findings that the plan enhances design quality, harmonizes with structures and surrounding development, accommodates future revisions, and complies with chapter standards.
- Revisions to an approved Master Sign Plan may be approved by the DRC if the original intent is not affected; substantial deviations require approval of a new Master Sign Plan.
Source: amlegal municipal code