# Sign Regulations in Torrance, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Torrance, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/torrance
- **Data last verified:** 2025-07-02
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/Torrance/#!/Torrance09/Torrance0911.html#911)

## At a glance

Torrance, California regulates 34 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential)s in the R-1 Single Family Residence District (R-1), R-2 Two Family Residence District (R-2), R-3 Limited Multiple Family Residence District (R-3), R-3-3 Three-Unit Multiple-Family Residential District (R-3-3), R-R-3 Restricted Multiple Family Residence District (R-R-3), R-4 Unlimited Multiple Family Residence District (R-4), R-5 Highrise Residential District (R-5), R-P Residential Professional District (R-P), RTH Residential Townhouse District (RTH), R-H Hillside and Local Coastal Overlay District (R-H), LP Limited Professional Office District (L-P), A-1 Light Agricultural District (A-1) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 12 sq ft, with a Minimum 5 ft from property line setback (Sec. 911.7.060(a)(1), 92.2.3, 91.11.2(c)(1), 91.11.2(c)(2)). Most commercial signs in Torrance require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R-1 Single Family Residence District (R-1), R-2 Two Family Residence District (R-2), R-3 Limited Multiple Family Residence District (R-3), R-3-3 Three-Unit Multiple-Family Residential District (R-3-3), R-R-3 Restricted Multiple Family Residence District (R-R-3), R-4 Unlimited Multiple Family Residence District (R-4), R-5 Highrise Residential District (R-5), R-P Residential Professional District (R-P), RTH Residential Townhouse District (RTH), R-H Hillside and Local Coastal Overlay District (R-H), LP Limited Professional Office District (L-P), A-1 Light Agricultural District (A-1) | 10 | 25 ft | 100 sq ft per street facing | — |
| C-1 Retail Commercial District (C-1), C-2 General Commercial District (C-2), C-3 Solely Commercial District (C-3), C-4 Shopping Center District (C-4), C-5 Conditional Commercial District (C-5), C-R Restricted Commercial District (C-R), M-1 Light Manufacturing District (M-1), M-2 Heavy Manufacturing District (M-2), M-L Limited Manufacturing District (M-L) | 8 | 25 ft (may increase 1 ft for every 1 ft set back from front property line to max 50 ft) | 300 sq ft | — |
| Civic Center District, Downtown Torrance District, Downtown Residential Multiple-Family Residential District, P-1 Open Area - Planting - Parking (P-1), P-U Public Use District (P-U), HMD Hospital-Medical-Dental District (HMD), P-D Planned Development District (P-D), Madrona Marsh District | 3 | 25 ft (may increase up to 50 ft with additional setback) | 300 sq ft | — |
| Housing Corridor Overlay Zone (HCO) | 4 | 25 ft (up to 50 ft with added setback) | 300 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |
| Torrance Tract Overlay Zone | 2 | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| Small Lot, Low-Medium Overlay Zone | 2 | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| Hawthorne Boulevard Corridor Specific Plan Zone (HBCSP) | 4 | 25 ft (may increase to 50 ft via added setback) | 300 sq ft (or more restrictive if required by HBCSP) | — |
| Residential Office Overlay District (ROO) | 1 | — | 4 sq ft | — |
| Commercial/Residential Transition Overlay District (C/RTO) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### R-1 Single Family Residence District (R-1), R-2 Two Family Residence District (R-2), R-3 Limited Multiple Family Residence District (R-3), R-3-3 Three-Unit Multiple-Family Residential District (R-3-3), R-R-3 Restricted Multiple Family Residence District (R-R-3), R-4 Unlimited Multiple Family Residence District (R-4), R-5 Highrise Residential District (R-5), R-P Residential Professional District (R-P), RTH Residential Townhouse District (RTH), R-H Hillside and Local Coastal Overlay District (R-H), LP Limited Professional Office District (L-P), A-1 Light Agricultural District (A-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single-Family/Two-Family Use) | — | 1 sq ft per sign; up to 3 signs per occupancy for R-1 and R-2 | — | — | Up to 3 per occupancy | Affixed to dwelling | — | 911.4.070(b), 92.2.3, 911.4.070(a) |
| Wall Sign (Multiple-Family Use; not R-5) | — | Up to 10% of wall area, not to exceed 40 sq ft per wall face | — | — | One per wall face (elevation) | Affixed to wall of building | — | 911.4.070(a) |
| Wall Sign (R-5 Highrise Residential) | — | Up to 40 sq ft | — | — | Max 3 small ID/name/notice plates per occupancy | Affixed to wall panel | — | 91.11.2(a), 911.4.070(a) |
| Ground Sign (R-5 Highrise Residential) | 25 ft | 40 sq ft | — | — | One per site | Ground | — | 91.11.2(b) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (Residential) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | Minimum 5 ft from property line | One per street/lot | Minimum 5 ft from property line; on lot for sale/lease/rental | — | 911.7.060(a)(1), 92.2.3, 91.11.2(c)(1), 91.11.2(c)(2) |
| Temporary Open House Signs (Residential) | 4 ft | 6 sq ft per sign; one pennant per sign | — | — | Max 6 (along route); one open house sign and 4 flags at property (R-5 special: 3 sq ft for open house sign, 4 flags) | On private property with owner's consent along route to open house | — | 911.7.060(a)(2), 91.11.2(c)(1), 91.11.2(c)(2) |
| Temporary Construction Signs (R-5) | 10 ft | 100 sq ft per street facing | — | — | One per 600 ft street frontage or part thereof | At construction site | — | 91.11.2(c)(2) |
| Agricultural Stand Sign (A-1 district only, for sale/hire/lease of premises or products) | — | 12 sq ft per face | — | At least 10 ft from street | One | At least 10 ft from any street | — | 91.15.1(d) |

### C-1 Retail Commercial District (C-1), C-2 General Commercial District (C-2), C-3 Solely Commercial District (C-3), C-4 Shopping Center District (C-4), C-5 Conditional Commercial District (C-5), C-R Restricted Commercial District (C-R), M-1 Light Manufacturing District (M-1), M-2 Heavy Manufacturing District (M-2), M-L Limited Manufacturing District (M-L)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed to wall/face of building | — | 911.4.010, 911.4.060 |
| Ground/Monument/Pylon/Pole Sign | 25 ft (may increase 1 ft for every 1 ft set back from front property line to max 50 ft) | 300 sq ft | — | Setback increases allowed for additional height | One per development | On commercial property, must be permanently attached to ground | — | 911.4.020 |
| Projecting Sign | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per development | From building wall | — | 911.4.040 |
| Roof Sign | 10 ft above apparent flat roof or eave line | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per development | On flat roof or above eave | — | 911.4.030 |
| Electronic Message Center Sign (EMCS) | 25 ft (same as ground sign), or per approval up to 50 ft with setback | Same as ground sign (max 300 sq ft) | — | Min 25 ft from interior side lot line, 200 ft from any residential property, 100 ft from other EMCS (on other frontages), 300 ft from another EMCS on same frontage | 1 per 600 ft of frontage (with spacing/lot size rules) | Commercial/industrial/public zones only, on a major/arterial/ regional corridor | — | 911.8.020–911.8.070, 911.8.030 |
| Temporary Banner Signs | — | Max 100 sq ft; 50% of building frontage in width; min 20 sq ft, max 60 sq ft at property line; may increase by 1 sq ft per 10 ft setback, up to 100 sq ft max. | — | — | — | Against flat building wall under roofline (where feasible) | — | 911.7.010, 911.7.020, 911.7.030 |
| Leasing/For Sale Real Estate Sign (Commercial/Industrial) | — | Up to 32 sq ft (<100 ft frontage); up to 64 sq ft (≥100 ft frontage) | — | — | One per frontage; properties with 2+ frontages may display on each | On lot for lease/sale | — | 911.7.050 |
| Temporary Construction Trade Sign | — | 64 sq ft | — | — | — | At construction site | — | 911.7.040 |

### Housing Corridor Overlay Zone (HCO)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Commercial and Mixed-Use Buildings) | — | — | — | — | — | Building facade | — | 91.51.0160, 911.4.060, HCO standards |
| Monument/Ground Sign | 25 ft (up to 50 ft with added setback) | 300 sq ft | — | — | One per development | Frontage at main entrance or street | — | 911.4.020, HCO design standards |
| Projecting Sign (Commercial/Mixed-Use Only) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | One per development | Perpendicular to wall face | — | 911.4.040, HCO design standards |
| Temporary Banner | — | Max 100 sq ft (additional limits apply) | — | — | — | Building wall, per sign code location limits | — | 911.7.010, 911.7.030, HCO design standards |

## Prohibited signs in Torrance

- No sign shall project into any alley below a height of seventeen (17) feet above grade or more than twelve (12) inches when over seventeen (17) feet. (911.6.010)
- No sign shall be erected in such a manner that any portion of its surface or supports will interfere with the free use of any fire escape, exit, standpipe, or obstruct any required ventilator, door stairway, or window. (911.6.020)
- No sign may extend over any public street, sidewalk, other public property, or beyond a building line except as specifically permitted and with adherence to clearance requirements. (911.6.030)
- No sign permit shall be issued for any sign or billboard encroaching upon or over City-owned or controlled property without an encroachment permit. (911.6.040)
- No sign may project more than six (6) inches from the face of a building over private property used or intended for use by the general public, unless there is a minimum of eight (8) feet clearance from the bottom of the sign to sidewalk or grade, or seventeen (17) feet to a vehicular trafficway. (911.6.050)
- No sign shall be placed on any public property, including but not limited to City buildings, sidewalks, lamp posts, trees, public utilities, or street signs. (911.6.110)
- No sign shall be placed or maintained that is abandoned or dilapidated.
- Inflatable devices, lightbulb strings or tube lighting (unless approved as part of the building design), flashing signs, snipe signs, obscene or unlawful signs, portable signs (including A-frame, rolling, bow banners or human-held signs), audible/odor/particulate matter emitting signs, rotating/moving/changing/blinking signs, signs emulating traffic signals/devices, and Mylar balloons are prohibited. (911.6.100)
- No sign or vehicle sign may be parked or used as a stationary billboard or sign on public or private property. (911.6.070)
- No sign shall obstruct the free use of any window on the same premises.
- Billboards are prohibited except as set forth in Article 9 and only by conditional use permit.
- All signs must be maintained in a state of good repair and safety; unsafe, insecure, or unpermitted signs may be removed by the City at the owner's expense. (911.12.040)

## Signs exempt from permit in Torrance

- Official traffic, fire and police signs, signals, devices, and markings of the State, City Council, or other appropriate authorities, as well as the posting of notices required by law are exempt and do not require a sign permit. (911.3.020)
- Legal notices, telephone and underground utility warning signs not exceeding one (1) square foot, and other safety signs may be erected without a permit.
- Nonadvertising, directional or informational signs less than six (6) square feet in area may be used in 'C', 'M', or multiple-family uses in addition to other permitted signs without a permit. (911.3.020c)
- Wall signs may be used with any single-family or two-family residential use with a maximum area of one (1) square foot per sign with a limit of three (3) signs per occupancy, erected without a permit. (911.4.070b)
- Bulletin boards or changeable copy signs for public, charitable, or religious institutions, up to twelve (12) square feet in area, may be used on property in residential use zones without a permit. (911.6.080)
- Memorial signs and historical tablets or plates commemorating a historical event or memorial to a deceased person not exceeding two (2) square feet in area and permanently fastened to the building surface are permitted without a permit; larger signs require Planning Commission approval. (911.6.060)
- Temporary civic and religious signs are permitted without a permit and are not subject to regular wall, roof, ground, or projecting sign regulation. (911.7.100)
- Seasonal signs, lights and decorations with no commercial message and up to ninety (90) days per year are permitted. (911.7.150)
- Temporary window signs in commercial areas are permitted provided they do not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of window area and do not require a permit. (911.7.090)
- Real estate signs for one to four residential units: one up to twelve (12) sq ft up to six (6) feet high plus five (5) flags, not less than five feet from the property line, allowed without a permit in residential zones. (911.7.060)
- Six (6) unlighted directional open house signs, up to six (6) square feet and four (4) feet high with one (1) pennant each, on private property with consent of owner, during daylight only, do not require a permit. (911.7.060)
- Political candidate and ballot issue signs may be placed on private property with owner's consent in any zone during relevant campaign periods and removed within fourteen (14) days after election. No permit required. (911.7.080)
- Construction trade signs up to sixty-four (64) sq ft may be displayed without permit at discretion of the Director for the construction period. (911.7.040)

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign program is required for any sign application submittal for two (2) or more new or replacement signs (not including exempt or temporary signs) intended for a site; any new commercial, industrial, or institutional buildings; any new mixed-use development with two (2) or more nonresidential tenant spaces; and any residential project consisting of five (5) or more new dwelling units. (911.5.020.1)
- A master sign program may also be applicable for a single business proposing two (2) or more signs.
- All sign program (including master or creative/innovative sign programs) applications must be submitted to the Community Development Department and are subject to approval by the Community Development Director or, if exceeding certain standards, by the Planning Commission. (911.5.020.3)
- Creative/Innovative Sign Program approval may be sought as a discretionary process for unique signs that depart from some standards, but cannot approve prohibited signs. (911.5.010-911.5.010.4)
- No sign permit may be issued for any additional signs or alterations to existing signs until all signs on the property or development conform to the provisions of this Chapter or an approved sign program. (911.3.010b, 911.5.020.4A)
- Electronic message center signs require a conditional use permit, must be part of a master sign program, and are subject to special findings. (911.8.020)
- Nonconforming sign applications, or sign permit applications for sites where nonconforming signs exist, must be submitted to the Planning Commission for review. (911.3.040)
- For shopping centers, professional office centers and industrial parks with two or more occupants, a sign program (including master sign program) is intended to ensure aesthetically compatible, consistent signage. (911.2.350, 911.5.020)

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/torrance