# Sign Regulations in Santa Ana, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Santa Ana, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/santa-ana
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Santa_Ana/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIITHCO_CH8BUST_ARTVIISICO)

## At a glance

Santa Ana, California regulates 30 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (0-60 ft frontage)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 20 sq ft, with a Minimum 25 ft to side lot line; 50 ft to residential use, 100 ft to other freestanding sign on same site, not in triangle 15x15 ft at driveway to street. setback (Sec. Sec. 41-862(a)-(d)). Most commercial signs in Santa Ana require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 30 | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — |

_2 additional zoning districts are covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 1 of 3 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (0-60 ft frontage) | 5 ft | 20 sq ft | — | Minimum 25 ft to side lot line; 50 ft to residential use, 100 ft to other freestanding sign on same site, not in triangle 15x15 ft at driveway to street. | Per table: 0-299 ft frontage: 1 | On sites with 0-60 ft street frontage; must be in a landscaped planter at least 4 ft in any direction from the edge of the planter to the sign. | — | Sec. 41-862(a)-(d) |
| Freestanding Sign (61-119 ft frontage) | 6 ft | 30 sq ft | — | See prior | Per table: 0-299 ft frontage: 1 | On sites with 61-119 ft street frontage; must be in a landscaped planter at least 4 ft in any direction from the edge of the planter to the sign. | — | Sec. 41-862(a)-(d) |
| Freestanding Sign (120+ ft frontage, <15 acres) | 7 ft | 45 sq ft | — | See above. | Per table: 300-599 ft: 2; 600-899 ft: 3; 900-1199 ft: 4; 1200+ ft: 5 | On sites with more than 120 ft street frontage, must adhere to freestanding sign planter/location rules. | — | Sec. 41-862(a)-(d) |
| Freestanding Sign (Over 15 acres, >750 ft street frontage, Major Development) | 15 ft | 60 sq ft | 10 ft | — | 1 | See above. | — | Sec. 41-862(c)(3) |
| Wall Sign (Primary Elevation) | — | 200 sq ft | — | No signs on elevation within 50 ft of and facing residential use/zone. Cannot project above parapet/canopy fascia/wall or above roofline. | 1 per primary elevation | On primary elevation of tenant space. Not higher than ground floor or 20 ft, whichever is less (except separate access second floor retail/office, which may go to 2nd floor). | — | Sec. 41-863(a)-(e) |
| Projecting Sign | Shall not be higher than ground level of occupancy of the building. | 25 sq ft | Max thickness: 12 in; Max vertical: 7 ft; Max projection: 4 ft from wall. | — | 1 per qualified business | Must be perpendicular to building; min. 8 ft clearance above ground; min. 50 ft from other projecting signs on site. | — | Sec. 41-864(a)-(d) |
| Marquee Sign | Vertical not over 6 ft. | 200 sq ft | Horizontal not over 75% of marquee side. | — | 1 per side of marquee | On each side of a marquee. In lieu of otherwise-allowed wall, canopy, or projecting signs to that business. | — | Sec. 41-865 |
| Residential Development Identification Sign | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | 8 ft | — | 1 per street frontage | 1 per street frontage of residential development (5+ units). | — | Sec. 41-868(a) |

## Prohibited signs in Santa Ana

- No sign that is dangerous or confusing to motorists on the public right-of-way, including signs which by their color, wording, design, location or illumination resemble or conflict with any official traffic-control device, or which impede safe and efficient flow of traffic.
- No sign in a condition which presents a danger of injury to the public.
- No sign incorporating mechanical movement or giving the illusion of motion, moving parts, rotation or any flashing, moving or intermittent lighting, other than a sign providing a time-and-temperature or similar public service display, except as approved by a Regional Planned Sign Program.
- No sign on a vehicle, except as excluded from the scope of the ordinance (i.e., not primarily for advertising the business at the site).
- No sign that impedes free ingress and egress from any door, window, or exitway required by building or fire regulations.
- No sign that emits sound, smoke, visible particles, or odors, except for permitted drive-through speakers.
- No sign attached to or maintained upon any public utility pole, structure, or tree.
- No person shall affix any sign or advertising to property without the written consent of the owner, holder, lessee, agent or trustee thereof.
- All signs and supporting structures (except temporary signs) must be kept in good repair, maintained in safe, neat, clean and attractive condition, and enclosed to prevent infestation by birds and vermin; must be structurally safe.
- Logos or identification symbols are considered signs and must conform to all regulations.
- No A-frame, sandwich board, or other portable, temporary advertising display signs.
- No temporary or special event flags, banners, festoons, flag canopies, or other displays, except as permitted by a special event sign permit.
- No sculptured, molded, or fabricated representational objects for business identification or product advertising, except as approved by a planned sign program.
- No aerial or balloon type of sign, except as approved by a Regional Planned Sign Program.
- No sign conflicting with city council standards regarding colors and materials for visually harmonious and attractive signage.
- No sign duplicating or repeating copy on the same sign.
- No graphic of paint or other material on a building to amplify or direct attention to a sign, unless approved by the planning director.
- No sign shall extend over the public right-of-way, except signs on a marquee, canopy, or awning, which must project no closer than two feet from a curb.
- No advertising or promotional material may be placed on pay phone side panels or enclosures; signage on pay phones limited to phone or business identification only.
- No signage indicating pay phone location may be placed on the site or extend above the phone cabinet unless necessary due to public safety concerns, as determined by the chief of police.
- No sign identifying businesses or activities not actually located and operating on the site of the sign is permitted.
- No illegal sign may be installed, constructed, or maintained.
- No sign may remain in a condition of disrepair for more than thirty days.
- No person shall place, paint, erect, move, reconstruct, alter, or display any sign without a permit unless exempted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Santa Ana

- Billboards or off-premise commercial advertising signs regulated by Article XII are exempt.
- Any sign in the public right-of-way installed or maintained by the city public works agency or other public entity with legal authority.
- Signs located within a building or enclosed area, primarily viewed by persons inside.
- Signs on vehicles/mobile units unless parked or stationed near the advertised business primarily to attract public attention.
- Temporary signs taped or affixed to a window, easily removable, and not exceeding 25% of any one window's area.
- In commercial or manufacturing zones, nonfreestanding incidental sign area not exceeding two square feet per elevation and attached flush, containing information such as hours, deliveries, credit cards, etc.
- Changing copy on an approved changeable copy sign, provided copy identifies business or service.
- Noncommercial signs (as defined) are exempt from all sections except Section 41-860.
- Governmental agencies are exempt from the filing fee for regional planned sign program applications.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A planned sign program is required and must be adopted for multitenant developments; no sign permits shall be issued for such developments except pursuant to an approved planned sign program.
- A planned sign program must be adopted for existing multitenant developments that do not already have one before any additional sign permits are issued.
- Application for a planned sign program must be filed by or with written consent of owner; reviewed like a standard sign permit.
- A regional planned sign program is required for certain regional commercial centers, automobile dealerships, regional attractions, or regional institutions as described.
- The Planning Director or designee may require a regional planned sign program if special project characteristics exist.
- Applications for regional planned sign programs must be approved by the Planning Commission, require public hearing and compliance with referenced code sections, and may be appealed to city council.
- For all new sign permits, an application including site plan, existing and proposed sign details, etc. is required and reviewed by the zoning administrator.
- If the zoning administrator does not approve sign plans as submitted, a hearing process is triggered.
- No person may place, paint, erect, move, reconstruct, alter, or display any sign without a permit issued pursuant to this article unless specifically exempted.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 1 district in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 3 zoning districts in Santa Ana — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Santa+Ana+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-santa-ana

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