# Sign Regulations in Santa Clarita, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Santa Clarita, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/santa-clarita
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-02
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/SantaClarita/#!/SantaClarita17/SantaClarita1751.html#17.51.080)

## At a glance

Santa Clarita, California regulates 51 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Directional/Informational Sign (Standard)s in the Commercial Zone (CC), Industrial Zone (I), Mixed Use Zone (MX), Public/Institutional Zone (PI) zoning district are capped at Freestanding: 6 ft.; Wall mounted: 3 ft. tall and 6 sf., with a 1 ft. from PL (freestanding); 25 ft. min to adjacent R zone setback (Sec. 17.51.080(G)(Directional Signs); (K)).

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Commercial Zone (CC), Industrial Zone (I), Mixed Use Zone (MX), Public/Institutional Zone (PI) | 31 | 35 ft. | 900 sf. | — |
| Open Space Zone (OS) | 8 | 15 ft. | 64 sf. | — |
| Neighborhood Urban Zones (NU), Urban Residential 1 (UR1), Urban Residential 2 (UR2) | 3 | 6 ft. | 32 sf. | — |
| Urban Residential 3 (UR3), Urban Residential 4 (UR4), Urban Residential 5 (UR5) | 3 | 6 ft. | 32 sf. | — |
| Business Park Zone (BP) | 2 | 15 ft. | 192 sf. | — |
| Village Design Standards Overlay Zone (VDS Overlay) | 1 | 35 ft. | 200 sf. | — |
| Commercial Regional Zone (CR) | 1 | 6 ft. | 12 sf. | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 10 | 16 ft. | 180 sf. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Commercial Zone (CC), Industrial Zone (I), Mixed Use Zone (MX), Public/Institutional Zone (PI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional/Informational Sign (Standard) | Freestanding: 6 ft.; Wall mounted: 3 ft. | 6 sf. | — | 1 ft. from PL (freestanding); 25 ft. min to adjacent R zone | No specific number limit | On site, 1 ft. from property line/right-of-way, in planter, outside sight line setback, min 25 ft. to adjacent R zone | — | 17.51.080(G)(Directional Signs); (K) |
| Monument Sign (Standard) | 6 ft. | 54 sf. including base | — | 1 ft. from PL; 25 ft. to adjacent R zone | One per 100 ft., additional per 400 ft., separated by 250 ft. | 1 ft. from PL, in planter, outside sight line setback, min 25 ft. to adjacent R zone | — | 17.51.080(G)(Monument Signs); (M) |
| Monument Sign (Enhanced) | Up to 8 ft. | Additional area permitted for centers ≥3 acres/visibility constraints (Sign Review for enhanced signing) | — | 1 ft. from PL; 25 ft. to adjacent R zone | Additional per master plan/enhanced criteria | Same as standard monument signs | — | 17.51.080(G)(Monument Signs); (M)(2)(b),(3)(b) |
| Pylon Sign (Standard) | 15 ft. | 40 sf. | — | 3 ft. from PL; 25 ft. to adjacent R zone | One with 500 ft. frontage/3 acres; additional with enhanced criteria | 3 ft. from PL, in planter, min 25 ft. to adjacent R zone | — | 17.51.080(G)(Pylon Signs); (O) |
| Pylon Sign (Enhanced) | Up to 20 ft. | Up to 160 sf. | — | 3 ft. from PL; 25 ft. to adjacent R zone | Additional per master plan/enhanced criteria | 3 ft. from PL, in planter, min 25 ft. to adjacent R zone | — | 17.51.080(G)(Pylon Signs); (O)(2)(b),(3)(b) |
| Electronic Readerboard Sign | As for monument/pylon signs | As for monument/pylon signs | — | 100 ft. to residential PL | One for properties 25 acres or larger | Set back 100 ft. from residential zone | — | 17.51.080(G)(Electronic Readerboard Signs); (Q)(8) |
| Freeway Commercial Center Sign | 25 ft. | 900 sf. | — | 2000 ft. to another sign, 500 ft. to freestanding sign | One per qualifying parcel | Commercial/industrial parcels along SR-14/I-5 ≥50 acres | — | 17.51.080(G)(Freeway Commercial Center Signs); (Q)(9) |
| Freeway-Oriented Pylon Sign | 35 ft. | 200 sf. | — | 3 ft. from PL | One per qualifying parcel | Commercial/industrial property, 3 ft. from PL | — | 17.51.080(G)(Freeway-Oriented Pylon Signs); (Q)(10) |

### Open Space Zone (OS)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building ID Signs | — | 1 sf. | — | — | One per principal use | — | — | 17.51.080(I)(1)(c), (I)(2)(b) |
| Construction Sign (≤100 ft frontage) | 8 ft. | 12 sf. | — | — | One per street frontage | On site of building/structure under construction/alteration/removal | — | 17.51.080(J)(1)(a)(i), (2)(a), (4)(a) |
| Construction Sign (>100 ft frontage) | 8 ft. | 64 sf. | — | — | One per street frontage | On site of building/structure under construction/alteration/removal | — | 17.51.080(J)(1)(a)(ii), (2)(a), (4)(a) |
| Directional/Informational Sign | Freestanding: 6 ft.; Wall mounted: 3 ft. | 6 sf. | — | 5 ft. from PL (freestanding); 25 ft. to adjacent R zone | No specific number limit | On site or off site; freestanding signs 5 ft. from PL, in planter; 25 ft. setback to R zone | — | 17.51.080(G)(Directional Signs); (K) |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft. | 54 sf. including base | — | 5 ft. from PL, 25 ft. to adjacent R zone | One per 100 ft. street frontage | 5 ft. from PL, in planter, outside sight line setback zone, 25 ft. to adjacent R zone | — | 17.51.080(G)(Monument Signs); (M) |
| Pylon Sign | 15 ft. | 24 sf. | — | 5 ft. from street PL; 25 ft. to adjacent R zone | One per 500 ft. street frontage | 5 ft. from street PL, in planter, 25 ft. to adjacent R zone | — | 17.51.080(G)(Pylon Signs); (O) |
| Real Estate Sign (≤100 ft frontage) | 8 ft. | 6 sf. | — | 10 ft. from PL for freestanding; in planter | One per street frontage | 10 ft. from PL for freestanding; in planter | — | 17.51.080(G)(Real Estate Signs); (P)(1)(a)(i), (2)(a) |
| Real Estate Sign (>100 ft frontage) | 8 ft. | 32 sf. | — | 10 ft. from PL for freestanding; in planter | One per street frontage | 10 ft. from PL for freestanding; in planter | — | 17.51.080(G)(Real Estate Signs); (P)(1)(a)(ii), (2)(a) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Community ID Signs | 15 ft. | 96 sf. | — | — | — | At/near entrance to recognized community | — | 17.51.080(G)(Community ID Signs); (Q)(6)(a) |
| Subdivision Sales Signs (10 or fewer lots) | 8 ft. | 64 sf. | — | — | One per street frontage | On subdivision, oriented to street/highway | — | 17.51.080(R)(2)(a)(i),(b)(i),(d) |
| Subdivision Sales Signs (11–19 lots) | 8 ft. | 128 sf. | — | — | One per street frontage | On subdivision, oriented to street/highway | — | 17.51.080(R)(2)(a)(ii),(b)(i),(d) |
| Subdivision Sales Signs (20 or more lots) | 16 ft. | 180 sf. | — | — | One per street frontage | On subdivision, oriented to street/highway | — | 17.51.080(R)(2)(a)(iii),(b)(i),(d) |
| Subdivision Entry Signs | 8 ft. | 24 sf. | — | — | — | Within subdivision | — | 17.51.080(R)(3)(b)(i),(c),(d),(f) |
| Subdivision Special Feature Signs | 8 ft. | 12 sf. | — | — | — | Within subdivision, near model homes/trac office | — | 17.51.080(R)(3)(b)(ii),(c),(d),(f) |
| Subdivision Directional Signs | 3 ft. | 4 sf. | — | — | Up to three | Within 1 mile of subject subdivision, not in public right-of-way | — | 17.51.080(R)(4)(c),(d),(e),(g) |
| Temporary Freestanding Noncommercial Signs | — | 32 sf. per sign | — | — | Not specified | Front or side yard, not encroaching into public right-of-way | — | 17.51.080(S) |

## Prohibited signs in Santa Clarita

- Signs containing or utilizing any exposed light source in excess of 450 lumens.
- Signs containing or utilizing any exposed incandescent lamp with an external metallic reflector.
- Signs containing or utilizing any revolving beacon light.
- Signs containing or utilizing any continuous or sequential flashing operation.
- Signs containing or utilizing any electronic readerboard sign or changeable message sign unless otherwise approved under Electronic Readerboard Signs.
- Revolving signs.
- Signs advertising or displaying any unlawful act, business, or purpose.
- Signs emitting audible sounds, odors, or particulate matter.
- Any strings of pennants, streamers, clusters of flags, strings of twirlers or propellers, flares, balloons, and similar attention-getting devices, except for national, State, local governmental, institutional, or properly displayed corporate flags.
- Devices projecting or reproducing the image of a sign or message on any surface or object.
- Portable signs (including A-frame signs); portable real estate signs may be permitted.
- Temporary signs, except as specifically permitted.
- Roof signs, unless deemed historic under Section 17.24.110.
- Painted signs, except if deemed historic under Section 17.24.110.
- Signs located in a manner constituting a potential traffic hazard or obstructing authorized traffic sign or signal device, or resembling/conflicting with traffic control signs.
- Off-site signs, except as provided for billboards, freeway commercial center signs, subdivision directional signs, or via certain agreements.
- Commercial hand-held signs located on property in all zones.
- Mobile signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Santa Clarita

- No sign approval is required for cleaning or other normal maintenance of a properly approved sign, unless a structural or electrical change is made.
- Construction signs, incidental business signs, real estate signs, temporary freestanding signs permitted by subsection (S), and window signs do not require sign approval (but must comply with all other requirements).
- Noncommercial signs may be substituted for commercial signs or for other noncommercial messages on any allowable sign without special or additional approval, provided no structural or electrical change is made and the sign is already approved or exempt.
- Permitted substitution of noncommercial message for any other message on an allowable sign without special or additional approval, if sign structure is approved or exempt and no structural/electrical change is made.
- Incidental business signs that are window signs not exceeding two square feet per business in area are permitted without sign approval.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign approval from the Planning Division is generally required to place, erect, structurally or electrically alter (except for change in sign copy or face), move, or display any temporary or permanent sign, except for those exempted.
- Applicants seeking enhanced signage (e.g., shopping centers, multi-tenant buildings, large or irregular properties, poor visibility) may apply for sign review for enhanced signage for signage not otherwise permitted or that exceeds standard regulations.
- Shopping centers containing five tenants or more must prepare a master sign plan for a unified design theme; this master sign plan is subject to sign review for enhanced signage.
- All signs in shopping centers with master sign plans must conform to the master sign plan or any subsequently approved modifications, provided signage complies with the ordinance.
- Monument signs displaying five or more tenants per sign face are permitted only pursuant to a master sign plan.
- Pylon signs displaying five or more tenants per sign face are permitted only pursuant to a master sign plan.
- Sign review for enhanced signage is explicitly required for certain types of signs, including: shopping centers, multi-tenant buildings, irregular/large/low-visibility properties, signs exceeding the standard regulations.
- Certain signs, such as changeable copy signs, business park and community identification signs, subdivision entry, special-feature signs, directional signs, enhanced wall signs, freeway-oriented signs, and others, require sign review for enhanced signage or conditional use permit, as detailed in matrix/subsections.

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

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