Sign Regulations in Santa Monica, California
Santa Monica, California has specific sign regulations covering 48 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Temporary Sign - Baseline Allowance (Commercial/Industrial), Temporary Sign - Additional Allowance (Commercial/Industrial), Temporary On-Premises Banner. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 27, 2026
Sign Regulation Overview for Santa Monica, California
Sample Sign Requirements in Santa Monica
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attraction or Reader Board (Changeable Copy) | — | ≤ 20% of total sign area; separate small changeable copy sign ≤ 1.5 ft x 2 ft in NC and Downtown does not count toward total sign area | — |
| Awning Sign | — | ≤ 25 sq ft | — |
| Permanent Window Sign | — | ≤ 40% of first floor total frontage glass area | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for Santa MonicaFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
48
- Temporary Sign - Baseline Allowance (Commercial/Industrial)
- Temporary Sign - Additional Allowance (Commercial/Industrial)
- Temporary On-Premises Banner
- Temporary Window Signs (Commercial/Industrial)
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
13
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Santa Monica
Other Cities in California
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Santa Monica vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, regulated sign types include Temporary Sign - Baseline Allowance (Commercial/Industrial), Temporary Sign - Additional Allowance (Commercial/Industrial), Temporary On-Premises Banner, Temporary Window Signs (Commercial/Industrial), 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 Santa Monica 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 Santa Monica are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Santa Monica has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Santa Monica, California Sign Rules at a Glance
Santa Monica, California regulates 48 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Ground Sign – Pylon (Commercial/Industrial only)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at ≤ 16 ft above grade tall, ≤ 40 sq ft per side (including base), and ≤ 30 inches wide (Sec. §9.61.170(A)(3); §9.61.030.0430; §9.61.180(A)(4)). Most commercial signs in Santa Monica require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Santa Monica, California
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Santa Monica (13 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 12 | ≤ 16 ft above grade | ≤ 40% of first floor total frontage glass area | — |
| Any Residential Zone (R1, R2, R3, R4, OP1, OPD, OP2, OP3, OP4, RMH, OF) | 4 | — | Either (a) up to 2 signs, each ≤ 8 sq ft; or (b) 1 sign ≤ 16 sq ft and 1 window sign ≤ 4 sq ft | — |
| Main Street Commercial Zoning District | 6 | ≤ 4 ft | ≤ 20% of front building façade area or 100 sq ft, whichever is less | — |
| Bayside Conservation District (BC) | 9 | — | ≤ 20% of front building façade area or 100 sq ft, whichever is less | — |
| Bayside Conservation District (BC, Third Street Promenade Area) | 9 | — | ≤ 20% of front building façade area or 100 sq ft, whichever is less | — |
| R1/OP1—Single Unit Residential District; R2/OPD—Duplex Residential Districts | 2 | — | As provided in §9.61.160(B) | — |
| All Multi-Unit Districts Except the Beachfront District (R3, R4, OP2, OP3, OP4, RMH) | 2 | — | Total nonexempt sign area ≤ 25 sq ft | — |
| R4 High Density Residential District (Hotels) | 2 | — | No single sign may exceed 100 sq ft citywide | — |
| Downtown Districts (LT, NV, BC, TA, OT, WT) | 7 | — | No single sign > 100 sq ft (citywide limit) | — |
| Beachfront Districts (OF) | 2 | — | No single sign > 100 sq ft (citywide limit) | — |
| All Other Commercial and Industrial Districts (MUBL, MUB, GC, HMU, IC, OC, CC, PL, OS, BTV, MUC, CAC, CCS) | 9 | Monument ≤ 6 ft; Pylon ≤ 16 ft | No single sign > 100 sq ft (citywide limit); each business guaranteed at least 25 sq ft of signage | — |
| Off-Street Parking Districts (A) | 1 | — | Same as sign requirements in the appropriate adjacent residential district | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC) | 8 | — | No single sign > 100 sq ft; minimum per business 25 sq ft | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Santa Monica(sample of 3 of 13 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attraction or Reader Board (Changeable Copy) | — | ≤ 20% of total sign area; separate small changeable copy sign ≤ 1.5 ft x 2 ft in NC and Downtown does not count toward total sign area | — | — | NC/Downtown exemption allows one 1.5 ft x 2 ft sign not counted toward total area | On premises; affixed to exterior or visible through window for the 1.5 ft x 2 ft exemption in NC and Downtown | — | Unlock | §9.61.170(A)(1), §9.61.190(G) |
| Awning Sign | — | ≤ 25 sq ft | — | — | — | Painted/printed on awning surface | — | Unlock | §9.61.170(A)(2) |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building wall (or sloped roof as specified) | — | Unlock | §9.61.170(A)(7); §9.61.170(B); §9.61.180(A)(10); §9.61.200(E)(4) |
| Permanent Window Sign | — | ≤ 40% of first floor total frontage glass area | — | — | — | On or visible through windows/exterior glass doors; must not extend above the second-floor floor line for temporary window signs (see temporary rules) | — | Unlock | §9.61.170(A)(8); §9.61.120(A)(1); §9.61.190(G) |
| Projecting Sign | — | ≤ 4.5 sq ft (general citywide); BC Third Street Promenade projecting/3D signs have different limits (see BC zones) | — | — | — | Projects from and supported by wall/parapet; must also comply with rules on projecting over public right-of-way (§9.61.230) | — | Unlock | §9.61.170(A)(9); §9.61.230; §9.61.200(D) |
| Cabinet Sign | — | ≤ 4 sq ft | — | — | ≤ 1 per floor | On premises | — | Unlock | §9.61.170(A)(11) |
| Ground Sign – Monument (Commercial/Industrial only) | ≤ 6 ft above grade | ≤ 40 sq ft per side (including base) | — | — | ≤ 1 per site | On the ground; horizontal dimension greater than vertical | — | Unlock | §9.61.170(A)(3); §9.61.030.0300 |
| Ground Sign – Pylon (Commercial/Industrial only) | ≤ 16 ft above grade | ≤ 40 sq ft per side (including base) | ≤ 30 inches | — | ≤ 1 per site | On the ground (no air space between face and ground per ground sign definition) | — | Unlock | §9.61.170(A)(3); §9.61.030.0430; §9.61.180(A)(4) |
Bayside Conservation District (BC)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Sign - Baseline Allowance (Commercial/Industrial) | — | Either (a) up to 2 temporary signs, each ≤ 10 sq ft; or (b) 1 temporary sign ≤ 20 sq ft | — | — | As specified | On private property; not into/over public ROW; not attached to trees, poles, traffic control devices | — | Unlock | §9.61.160(A); §9.61.160(C)(1); §9.61.160(A)(2)-(5) |
| Temporary Sign - Additional Allowance (Commercial/Industrial) | — | Either (a) up to 2 additional freestanding signs, each ≤ 8 sq ft; or (b) 1 sign ≤ 16 sq ft | — | — | As specified | On private property; same placement limits | — | Unlock | §9.61.160(C)(2); §9.61.160(A) |
| Temporary On-Premises Banner | — | ≤ 20% of front building façade area or 100 sq ft, whichever is less | — | — | 1 per business for the 60-day period | On front building façade | — | Unlock | §9.61.160(C)(3); §9.61.160(A)(1) |
| Temporary Window Signs (Commercial/Industrial) | — | ≤ 20% of first floor total frontage glass area | — | — | — | On/visible through first-floor windows | — | Unlock | §9.61.160(C)(4); §9.61.160(A)(1) |
| Light Bulb String (Permanent on Building) | — | — | — | — | — | On a building | — | Unlock | §9.61.170(A)(4) |
| Total Sign Area (BC, Promenade-Facing and Upper-Level Corner Wrap) | — | No cap (for the specific faces described) | — | — | — | Façades facing the Third Street Promenade; and upper-level corner wraps on mid-block buildings with Promenade frontage | — | Unlock | §9.61.200(A), (G), (H) |
| Projecting/Three-Dimensional Signs (BC - Third Street Promenade Facing) | — | ≤ 10 sq ft for 3D signs (sign area measured as viewed from Promenade elevation) | — | — | — | Projecting from façades facing the Third Street Promenade | — | Unlock | §9.61.200(D) |
| Temporary Signs (BC - Extended Duration) | — | Per §9.61.160 applicable limits | — | — | Per §9.61.160 limits | Within BC | — | Unlock | §9.61.200(C); §9.61.160(E) |
All Other Commercial and Industrial Districts (MUBL, MUB, GC, HMU, IC, OC, CC, PL, OS, BTV, MUC, CAC, CCS)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Sign - Baseline Allowance (Commercial/Industrial) | — | Either (a) up to 2 temporary signs, each ≤ 10 sq ft; or (b) 1 temporary sign ≤ 20 sq ft | — | — | As specified | On private property; not into/over public ROW; not attached to trees, poles, traffic control devices | — | Unlock | §9.61.160(A); §9.61.160(C)(1); §9.61.160(A)(2)-(5) |
| Temporary Sign - Additional Allowance (Commercial/Industrial) | — | Either (a) up to 2 additional freestanding signs, each ≤ 8 sq ft; or (b) 1 sign ≤ 16 sq ft | — | — | As specified | On private property; same placement limits | — | Unlock | §9.61.160(C)(2); §9.61.160(A) |
| Temporary On-Premises Banner | — | ≤ 20% of front building façade area or 100 sq ft, whichever is less | — | — | 1 per business for the 60-day period | On front building façade | — | Unlock | §9.61.160(C)(3); §9.61.160(A)(1) |
| Temporary Window Signs (Commercial/Industrial) | — | ≤ 20% of first floor total frontage glass area | — | — | — | On/visible through first-floor windows | — | Unlock | §9.61.160(C)(4); §9.61.160(A)(1) |
| Light Bulb String (Permanent on Building) | — | — | — | — | — | On a building | — | Unlock | §9.61.170(A)(4) |
| Total Sign Area (Other Commercial/Industrial) | — | No single sign > 100 sq ft (citywide limit); each business guaranteed at least 25 sq ft of signage | — | — | — | Street frontage (and alley/parking lot side per §9.61.190(C)) | — | Unlock | §9.61.190(F)(6); §9.61.190(B)-(E) |
| Ground Signs (Monument/Pylon) – Commercial/Industrial | Monument ≤ 6 ft; Pylon ≤ 16 ft | Per face ≤ 40 sq ft including base | Pylon ≤ 30 inches | — | ≤ 1 per site | On the ground on private property | — | Unlock | §9.61.170(A)(3); §9.61.180(A)(4) |
| Permitted Wall/Awning/Window/Projecting/Marquee/Neon/Cabinet Signs (Other Commercial/Industrial) | — | Awning ≤ 25 sq ft; Wall sign: ≤ 12 in from wall, letter height ≤ 18 in; Permanent window ≤ 40% first-floor glass area; Projecting ≤ 4.5 sq ft; Cabinet ≤ 4 sq ft, max 1/floor; Marquee: ≤ 12 in projection, ≥ 8 ft clearance; Neon: no area limit beyond total sign area cap; all within total sign area cap | — | — | Cabinet signs ≤ 1 per floor | On-premises | — | Unlock | §9.61.170; §9.61.180 |
PermitPal covers all 13 zoning districts in Santa Monica — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 13 zones for Santa Monica — start freeProhibited Signs in Santa Monica
- Animated signs are prohibited citywide, except the City may use them to preserve roadway safety/traffic circulation and primary/secondary schools may use them on school property for school purposes (9.61.180(A)(1)).
- Balloon signs are prohibited (9.61.180(A)(2)).
- Emitting signs (emit sound, odor, smoke/steam, etc.) are prohibited, except customer communication devices at drive-ins/ATMs/drive-through banks may use sound (9.61.180(A)(3)).
- Freestanding and pole signs are prohibited (9.61.180(A)(4)).
- Miscellaneous signs/posters tacked, painted, posted, or otherwise affixed to buildings, trees, poles, fences, or other structures and visible from a public way are prohibited (9.61.180(A)(5)).
- Off-premises signs are prohibited (9.61.180(A)(6)).
- Paper, cloth, or plastic streamers and bunting are prohibited (9.61.180(A)(7)).
- Portable signs are prohibited except as specifically authorized under the Temporary Signs section or Section 9.61.200 (9.61.180(A)(8)).
- Roof signs are prohibited (9.61.180(A)(9)).
- Upper level signs are prohibited (9.61.180(A)(10)).
- Vehicle signs are prohibited unless the vehicle displays the owner’s business identification while engaged in the usual business and is not used mainly to display advertisements (9.61.180(A)(11)).
- High-rise signs are prohibited (9.61.180(A)(12)).
- Any sign not authorized by Sections 9.61.150, 9.61.160, or 9.61.170 is prohibited (9.61.180(A)).
- No sign may be erected, suspended, or maintained on, across, or above any street, alley, or public property, except as allowed by the Municipal Code or state/federal law (9.61.230(A)).
- No sign may be placed on any property without the written consent of the owner/holder/lessee/agent/trustee (9.61.220).
- Temporary signs are prohibited unless expressly permitted under Section 9.61.160 or exempt under Section 9.61.140; unauthorized temporary signs in the public right-of-way may be collected by the City (9.61.160(F) and 9.61.160(A)(6)).
Exempt Signs in Santa Monica
- Signs inside a structure that are not visible through windows/openings or are located at least 5 feet from such windows/openings and any adjacent window merchandise display base are exempt from the Sign Code (9.61.140(A)).
- Special event signs authorized by a community events permit, license agreement, or temporary use permit are exempt from the Sign Code, provided they are not of specified prohibited types (9.61.140(B) and 9.61.030.0510).
- Pole banners and over-the-street banners authorized under SMMC 4.08.500 are exempt from the Sign Code (9.61.140(C)).
- Noncommercial signs are exempt from the Sign Code, provided they are not of the types prohibited by 9.61.180(A)(1)–(4) and (9)–(12) or by 9.61.230 (9.61.140(D)).
- Signs on bicycles or other shared mobility devices pursuant to a City sponsorship agreement are exempt from the Sign Code (9.61.140(E)).
- Signs placed on public transit are exempt from the Sign Code (9.61.140(F)).
- Signs on or associated with a City-licensed digital wayfinding kiosk in the public right-of-way or on public property are exempt from the Sign Code (9.61.140(G)).
- Building identification signs up to 2 sq ft are exempt from sign permit requirements (9.61.150(A)).
- Information signs up to 2 sq ft each (with one outdoor dining barrier sign up to 24 in x 42 in, and in the Bayside Conservation District one rear sign up to 4 sq ft; max 2 exterior info signs per parcel, or 4 in Bayside) are exempt from sign permit requirements (9.61.150(B)).
- Public signs are exempt from sign permit requirements if not of the types prohibited by 9.61.180(A)(1)–(4) and (9)–(12) (9.61.150(C)).
- Tablets and plaques of metal or stone authorized under 9.56.060(F), not exceeding 24 inches in any dimension, are exempt from sign permit requirements (9.61.150(D)).
- Theatre sign copy or display changes on existing theatre marquee signs or permanently affixed display cases are exempt from sign permit requirements (9.61.150(E)).
- Banners, flags, and pennants that do not directly advertise the on-site business/activity (no more than three per site) are exempt from sign permit requirements (9.61.150(F)).
- Change of copy on previously approved signs, including cabinet sign face changes that only change the message (no change to background/letter color, size, location, or general appearance), is exempt from sign permit requirements (9.61.150(G)).
- Temporary signs that comply with Section 9.61.160 (including basic requirements on illumination, location, maintenance, placement, and avoiding public hazards) are exempt from sign permit requirements citywide, subject to zone/district-specific size and duration limits (9.61.160).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Santa Monica
- A sign program is required for all new projects and building remodels that directly affect existing signs, and for any change to a sign in a multiple-unit dwelling; it must accompany the sign permit application and show locations, dimensions, colors, letter styles, and sign types for all signs to be retained, removed, and installed on the site (9.61.070(C)).
- Sign programs in compliance with the Code may be approved administratively by the Director (or the Landmarks Commission Secretary for historic resources); signs consistent with an approved sign program may also be administratively approved (9.61.120(A)(2)–(3)).
- For any sign or sign program on a City-Designated Historic Resource, review and approval by the Landmarks Commission via a certificate of appropriateness is required (administrative approval by the Landmarks Commission Secretary may apply where authorized); appeals go to the Planning Commission (9.61.050).
- A sign adjustment (variance) from any nonstructural provision of the Sign Code may be requested from the Architectural Review Board (or Landmarks Commission for historic resources), subject to required findings; prohibitions in 9.61.180(A)(3), (8), (9), and (10) are deemed nonstructural for this purpose; adjustments cannot be used to retain nonconforming signs subject to removal under 9.61.240 (9.61.130).
- A sign permit is required to place, change, alter, or display any sign unless specifically exempt; applications must include required plans and materials, and, where applicable, the required sign program (9.61.040 and 9.61.070).
Source: ecode360 municipal code