# Sign Regulations in South Pasadena, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** South Pasadena, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/south-pasadena
- **Data last verified:** 2025-12-18
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/SouthPasadena/#!/SouthPasadena36/SouthPasadena3603.html#36.320.010)

## At a glance

South Pasadena, California regulates 19 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Freestanding/Monument Sign (Multifamily Developments)s in the Residential Medium Density (RM); Residential High Density (RH) zoning district are capped at 3 ft; up to 6 ft with Planning Commission Chair approval tall, 12 sq ft; up to 24 sq ft with Planning Commission Chair approval, and 8 ft wide, with a Set back as appropriate for height/area per SPMC 36.320.060(C)(3)(a). setback (Sec. SPMC 36.320.070(A)(1) (area/height for multifamily); 36.320.080(C)(1)-(6) (monument standards)). Most commercial signs in South Pasadena require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (12 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 48 inches | 32 sq ft | — |
| Residential Estate (RE); Residential Single Family (RS) | 2 | 48 inches | 6 sq ft | — |
| Residential Medium Density (RM); Residential High Density (RH) | 3 | 48 inches | 12 sq ft; up to 24 sq ft with Planning Commission Chair approval | — |
| Commercial General (CG); Commercial Office (CO); Business Park (BP) | 13 | 48 inches | 32 sq ft | — |
| Community Facilities (CF) | 1 | 48 inches | 6 sq ft | — |
| Open Space (OS) | 1 | 48 inches | 6 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Specific Plan (DTSP) | 3 | 48 inches | 6 sq ft | — |
| Holy Family Specific Plan (HFSP) | 2 | 48 inches | 6 sq ft | — |
| Altos de Monterey (AM) Overlay District | 2 | 48 inches | 6 sq ft | — |
| Camino del Cielo (CDC) Overlay District | 2 | 48 inches | 6 sq ft | — |
| Mixed Use (MU) Overlay District | 2 | 48 inches | 6 sq ft | — |
| Housing Opportunity (HO) Overlay District | 2 | 48 inches | 6 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 12 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign | 48 inches | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel | Any zoning district; window temporary signs only at ground-floor windows. | — | SPMC 36.320.080(I) |
| Portable Sidewalk Sign (Other Frontages) | 4 ft | — | 2 ft 6 in | — | 1 per business | Placed only within the boundaries of the applicable business's street frontage. May be in public right-of-way only with Encroachment Permit. | — | SPMC 36.320.080(F)(1)-(5) |
| Portable Sidewalk Sign (Fair Oaks Ave / Huntington Dr Frontage) | 5 ft | — | 2 ft 6 in | — | 1 per business | Only for businesses fronting on Fair Oaks Avenue or Huntington Drive; within the business's street frontage. May be in public right-of-way only with Encroachment Permit. | — | SPMC 36.320.080(F)(2) |
| Menu Board | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Wall-mounted; one per street frontage of the eating/drinking establishment. | — | SPMC 36.320.080(D) |
| Banner | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business (and 1 commercial real estate banner per building) | Where otherwise allowed by zoning district sign standards. | — | SPMC 36.320.080(B); 36.320.050 |
| General Sign Illumination Rules | — | — | — | — | — | Applies to all illuminated signs citywide. | — | SPMC 36.320.060(D) |

### Residential Medium Density (RM); Residential High Density (RH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Residential Parcel) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel | Located below the roof edge or eave on the residential structure. | — | SPMC 36.320.070(A)(1) |
| Freestanding/Monument Sign (Multifamily Developments) | 3 ft; up to 6 ft with Planning Commission Chair approval | 12 sq ft; up to 24 sq ft with Planning Commission Chair approval | 8 ft | Set back as appropriate for height/area per SPMC 36.320.060(C)(3)(a). | 1 per multifamily development | Only on a site frontage adjoining a public street. | — | SPMC 36.320.070(A)(1) (area/height for multifamily); 36.320.080(C)(1)-(6) (monument standards) |
| Temporary Sign | 48 inches | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel | On-site; temporary window signs only at ground-floor windows. | — | SPMC 36.320.080(I) |

### Commercial General (CG); Commercial Office (CO); Business Park (BP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning Sign | Below roof; at least 1 ft below top of parapet, sill of second-floor window, or lowest point of any cornice/roof overhang | — | — | Relate to building architecture; do not cover windows or spill over facade boundaries; do not adversely affect safety. SPMC 36.320.060(C)(3)(b)-(d). | Per site rules: see additional requirements | On awning valence; lowest edge at least 8 ft above any sidewalk. | — | SPMC 36.320.070(B) Table 3-9 (height/number/area); 36.320.080(A) |
| Wall Sign | Below roof; at least 1 ft below parapet/top of facade features | Largest individual wall sign ≤ 7% of the area of the building facade on which it is mounted/painted | — | Relate to architecture; do not cover windows or spill over facade boundaries. | Per site rules: Single-tenant site: up to 3 on primary frontage; 1 on secondary frontage. Multi-tenant: 1 per business frontage. | On building frontage facade; other faces allowed if approved by review authority. | — | SPMC 36.320.070(B) Table 3-9; 36.320.080(J)(1)-(5) |
| Projecting Sign | Max 14 ft, or up to eave height/parapet height/sill height of a second-floor window, whichever is less | 9 sq ft per sign face | — | Set back from property lines appropriate for height/area per SPMC 36.320.060(C)(3)(a). | Per site rules: see awning/wall entry | Mounted projecting from building; over sidewalk may project max 36 in; over traffic way (e.g., alley) max 24 in. | — | SPMC 36.320.070(B) Table 3-9; 36.320.080(G)(1)-(7) |
| Freestanding/Monument Sign | 3 ft; up to 6 ft with Planning Commission Chair approval | — | 8 ft | Set back as appropriate for height/area per SPMC 36.320.060(C)(3)(a). | Per site rules: see awning/wall entry; multi-tenant sites may have multi-tenant monument per Master Sign Plan | Only on site frontage adjoining a public street. | — | SPMC 36.320.070(B) Table 3-9; 36.320.080(C)(1)-(6) |
| Portable Sidewalk Sign (Other Frontages) | 4 ft | — | 2 ft 6 in | — | 1 per business | Within the business's street frontage; may be placed in public right-of-way only with Encroachment Permit. | — | SPMC 36.320.080(F)(1)-(5) |
| Portable Sidewalk Sign (Fair Oaks Ave / Huntington Dr Frontage) | 5 ft | — | 2 ft 6 in | — | 1 per business | Only for businesses fronting on Fair Oaks Avenue or Huntington Drive; within the business's street frontage. | — | SPMC 36.320.080(F)(2) |
| Off-Site Directional Sign | 6 ft | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per site | On private property at the approved location. | — | SPMC 36.320.080(E)(1)-(2) |
| Temporary Sign | 48 inches | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per parcel | On-site; temporary window signs only at ground-floor windows. | — | SPMC 36.320.080(I) |

## Prohibited signs in South Pasadena

- Abandoned signs
- Blinking or flashing signs
- Balloons and other inflatable devices
- Internally illuminated "can" (cabinet) signs
- Illegal signs
- Moving signs (except clocks, time and temperature signs or other public service signs)
- Obscene signs
- Off-site signs
- Pennants
- Pole signs and other freestanding signs over six feet in height
- Roof signs
- Signs that simulate or are confusingly similar to traffic control signs or signals, or use words/symbols in a manner that misleads/confuses pedestrian or vehicular traffic
- Statuary or representative figures used for advertising purposes
- Signs on public property, utility poles/boxes, trees, sign posts, traffic signals or other official traffic control devices, or within the public right-of-way (except City-owned signs or as otherwise allowed by the Division)

## Signs exempt from permit in South Pasadena

- Temporary signs are allowed in all zoning districts without a Sign Permit if they comply with size, height, number, and duration limits (max area 6 sq ft; max height 48 inches; no more than one per parcel; display max 30 days followed by at least a 30-day gap; temporary window signs limited to 20% of window area and ground-floor windows for up to 30 days)
- Portable sidewalk (A-frame/sandwich board) signs may be displayed without a Sign Permit (one per business) when compliant with size, placement, clearance, stabilization, and daily removal standards; an Encroachment Permit and liability insurance naming the City are required if placed in the public right-of-way
- Menu board signs (one wall-mounted per street frontage, up to 2 sq ft, illuminated or non-illuminated) do not require a Sign Permit

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Sign Permit is required before any sign is installed, constructed, or altered; applications must include elevations, scaled plans with dimensions, and illustrations/samples of copy, colors, and materials
- The Director approves Sign Permits; signs on properties listed on the Historic Resources Inventory require approval by the Chair of the Cultural Heritage Commission (appealable to the Cultural Heritage Commission; the CHC Chair does not participate in the appeal)
- A Master Sign Plan is required prior to issuance of any Sign Permit for: (a) a new nonresidential use with three or more tenants; and (b) major rehabilitation of an existing nonresidential use with three or more tenants involving exterior remodeling (defined as adding more than 50% to building gross floor area or redesigning more than 50% of the length of any facade)
- All signs installed or replaced within a nonresidential project subject to a Master Sign Plan must comply with the approved Master Sign Plan
- Master Sign Plan content must provide standards for uniform style, size, and placement of signs within the project; substantial revisions require new approval, minor revisions may be approved by the Director
- Sign Permit or Master Sign Plan applications must be approved or disapproved within 30 days of being deemed complete, or acted upon concurrently if filed with another project approval
- An Encroachment Permit (in addition to a Sign Permit) is required for any sign that projects over a public right-of-way; portable sidewalk signs in the right-of-way also require an Encroachment Permit
- A Banner Permit is required prior to displaying any banner; commercial real estate banners may be permitted for six months (renewable at the Director’s discretion); other banners may be displayed for up to 30 consecutive days and no more than 90 cumulative days per calendar year (no issuance sooner than 14 days after the end of a previous banner permit)

## 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 12 zoning districts in South Pasadena — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=South+Pasadena+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-south-pasadena

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