# Sign Regulations in Westlake Village, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Westlake Village, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/westlake-village
- **Data last verified:** 2025-11-04
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Westlake_Village/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=ART9ZORE_CH9.18SI)

## At a glance

Westlake Village, California regulates 34 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Construction Period Temporary Sign (Freestanding)s in the Single-Family Residential (R-1); Residential Planned Development (RPD); Mobilehome Park (MHP) zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 35 sq ft (sign face area), with a Minimum 10 ft inside sidewalk or property line; if building setback <10 ft, place at ≥ one-half the distance from sidewalk/property line to building setback (Sec. § 9.18.060(C); § 9.18.030(A), (C)). Most commercial signs in Westlake Village 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 | 2 | 5 ft | 6 sq ft per face; if displayed in a window, total sign area per window ≤ 6 sq ft | — |
| Single-Family Residential (R-1); Residential Planned Development (RPD); Mobilehome Park (MHP) | 6 | 5 ft | 35 sq ft (sign face area) | — |
| Commercial Planned Development (CPD); Commercial Recreation (CR); Business Park (BP); Public/Institutional (PI) | 26 | 14 ft | 85 sq ft (sign face area) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Election Period Temporary Sign (Governmental Elections) | 5 ft | 6 sq ft per face; if displayed in a window, total sign area per window ≤ 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per office or measure per lot during the election period | On private property with owner/authorized representative consent | — | § 9.18.100(A)(1)(a), (A)(1)(c), (A)(2) |
| Election Period Temporary Sign (HOA/POA Elections) | 5 ft | 6 sq ft per face; if displayed in a window, total sign area per window ≤ 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per office or measure per lot during the election period | On private property within the association’s membership area, with owner/authorized representative consent | — | § 9.18.100(A)(1)(b), (A)(1)(c), (A)(2) |

### Single-Family Residential (R-1); Residential Planned Development (RPD); Mobilehome Park (MHP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Multiple Residential Project only) | 5 ft | 35 sq ft (sign face area) | — | — | 1 per multiple residential project | — | — | § 9.18.060(A); § 9.18.030(A), (C) |
| Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | As deemed necessary by the Director | On-site, as needed for safe traffic flow | — | § 9.18.060(B); § 9.18.030(A), (C) |
| Construction Period Temporary Sign (Freestanding) | 5 ft | 35 sq ft (sign face area) | — | Minimum 10 ft inside sidewalk or property line; if building setback <10 ft, place at ≥ one-half the distance from sidewalk/property line to building | 1 per lot during construction/remodel period | On the lot under construction/remodel | — | § 9.18.060(C); § 9.18.030(A), (C) |
| Real Estate Marketing Sign (Individual Residential Unit) | 5 ft | 6 sq ft (sign face area) | — | Minimum 10 ft inside sidewalk or property line; if building setback <10 ft, place at ≥ one-half the building setback from sidewalk/property line | 1 per lot during the marketing period | On the marketed residential lot | — | § 9.18.100(B) |
| Real Estate Marketing Sign (Multi-Unit Residential Development) - Primary Sign | 5 ft | 35 sq ft (single-faced) | — | Minimum 10 ft inside sidewalk or property line; if building setback <10 ft, place at ≥ one-half the building setback from sidewalk/property line | 1 per development during the marketing period | At the development under marketing | — | § 9.18.100(C)(1) |
| Real Estate Marketing Sign (Multi-Unit Residential Development) - Model Home Signs | 4 ft | 4 sq ft each | — | — | 1 per type of model on display | At each model type on display in a first-time sale project | — | § 9.18.100(C)(2) |

### Commercial Planned Development (CPD); Commercial Recreation (CR); Business Park (BP); Public/Institutional (PI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Single Purpose Building; Frontage 50–300 ft) | 5 ft | 35 sq ft (sign face area) | — | — | 1 per lot | On the lot of the single-purpose building | — | § 9.18.070(A)(1) (first sentence); § 9.18.030(A), (C) |
| Monument Sign (Single Purpose Building; Frontage ≥ 300 ft) | — | As calculated by formula (no explicit cap stated) | — | Set back at least 100 ft from the property line | 1 per lot | On the lot of the single-purpose building | — | § 9.18.070(A)(1) (second sentence and side-ratio sentence); § 9.18.030(A), (C) |
| Wall Sign (Single Purpose Building - Main Public Entrance) | — | Up to accumulated maximum of 70 sq ft across main-entrance wall signs | Max sign dimension 20 ft | — | 1 per main public entrance (subject to total area cap) | On building facade at main public entrance(s) | — | § 9.18.070(A)(2); § 9.18.030(A), (C) |
| Monument Signs (Multi-Unit Complex) | 5 ft | 35 sq ft per monument sign | — | — | Up to 2 per complex | At complex entries or on-site | — | § 9.18.070(B)(1)(a), (B)(2); § 9.18.030(A) |
| Automobile Service Station - Monument Sign | 5 ft | 35 sq ft (sign face area) | — | — | 1 per service station | On the service station lot | — | § 9.18.070(C)(1); § 9.18.030(A) |
| Construction Period Temporary Sign (Commercial/Industrial/PI) | 5 ft | 35 sq ft (sign face area) | — | Minimum 5 ft inside sidewalk or property line | 1 per lot during construction/remodel period | On the lot under construction/remodel | — | § 9.18.070(E); § 9.18.030(A) |
| Real Estate Marketing Sign (Commercial/Industrial/PI Complex; Frontage < 100 ft) | 6 ft | 20 sq ft (single-faced) | — | Minimum 10 ft inside sidewalk or property line; if building setback <10 ft, place at ≥ one-half the building setback from sidewalk/property line | 1 per complex during the marketing period | At the complex under marketing | — | § 9.18.100(D) (frontage <100 ft case) |
| Real Estate Marketing Sign (Commercial/Industrial/PI Complex; Frontage ≥ 100 ft) | 6 ft | 35 sq ft (single-faced) | — | Minimum 10 ft inside sidewalk or property line; if building setback <10 ft, place at ≥ one-half the building setback from sidewalk/property line | 1 per complex during the marketing period | At the complex under marketing | — | § 9.18.100(D) (frontage ≥100 ft case) |

## Prohibited signs in Westlake Village

- No signs may be constructed, erected, attached, placed, painted, or otherwise maintained on public property or within the public right-of-way.
- Installing or maintaining any sign that requires a sign permit or sign modification permit without first obtaining the appropriate permit is prohibited.
- Pastel and bright colors on signs are prohibited; sign colors must be consistent with the earthen colors of the surrounding hills and low in intensity.
- Signs may not have more than two faces.
- Illuminated signs may not be so placed or directed that beams/illumination are directed onto public streets, walkways, or adjacent premises so as to cause glare, a traffic hazard, or a nuisance; excessively brilliant illumination is subject to dimming by order of the Director.
- Portable signs (A-frame or sandwich board) are prohibited in all zones.
- Flashing or scintillating signs are prohibited in all zones.
- Revolving signs are prohibited in all zones.
- Devices dispensing bubbles or free-floating particles of matter are prohibited in all zones.
- Devices projecting or otherwise reproducing the image of an advertising sign or message on any surface or object are prohibited in all zones.
- Outdoor advertising signs (billboards), including bus bench and bus shelter signs, are prohibited in all zones.
- Projecting signs are prohibited in all zones.
- Signs that project into an existing or future street right-of-way are prohibited in all zones.
- Automatic changing signs are prohibited in all zones.
- Streamers, banners, and pennants are prohibited in all zones.
- Pole signs are prohibited in all zones, except for on-site directional signs not visible from any street or from outside the property.
- Any sign affixed to a vehicle or trailer on a public right-of-way, or on public or private property, for the purpose of advertising an event or attracting people to a place of business is prohibited unless the vehicle or trailer is intended to be used in its normal business capacity and not for advertising.
- Temporary signs are prohibited except as specifically permitted by the sign ordinance.
- Signs consisting of, or having the appearance of, exposed tube lighting visible from outside the building when reasonably likely to draw attention to the business or activity are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited in all zones.
- Can-style monument signs are prohibited in all zones.
- Digital signs are prohibited in all zones except as specifically permitted for high schools under Section 9.18.080.

## Signs exempt from permit in Westlake Village

- Public agency signs are exempt (including signs for a private event sponsored by a public agency with staff involvement, provided agency sponsorship is identified on the signs).
- Public utility signs not exceeding 3 square feet in sign face area are exempt.
- Flags installed on one flagpole at a developed lot are exempt.
- One sign not exceeding 2 square feet in sign face area per developed residential lot is exempt.
- Holiday decorations displayed for no more than 45 consecutive days are exempt.
- Signs exclusively regulated by federal or state law are exempt.
- Exempt temporary signs during election periods: during the period from 35 days before the ballot submission deadline to 2 days after, each lot may display one temporary sign per office or measure (max 6 sq ft per face and 5 ft height; if in a window, max 6 sq ft per window).
- Exempt temporary signs during real estate marketing (individual residential unit): one unlighted temporary sign (max 6 sq ft, max 5 ft height) with specified setback placement; period ends 7 days after close of escrow, lease execution, or listing termination.
- Exempt temporary signs during real estate marketing (multi-unit residential development): one single-faced temporary sign (max 35 sq ft, max 5 ft height) with specified setbacks; plus one model sign per type on display (max 4 sq ft, max 4 ft height); period ends 7 days after final unit close of escrow, lease execution, or listing termination.
- Exempt temporary signs during real estate marketing (commercial, industrial, or public/institutional complex): one unlighted single-faced sign (max 20 sq ft if frontage <100 ft; max 35 sq ft if frontage ≥100 ft; max 6 ft height) with specified setbacks; period ends 7 days after final unit close of escrow, lease execution, or listing termination.
- Existing legal signs in place on the effective date of the Chapter that conform to the Chapter may continue to be maintained without securing new approval.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign program is required for any commercial, industrial, or public/institutional complex before any signs are displayed; City Council approval by resolution after a publicly noticed hearing (Chapter 9.32) is required; findings per Section 9.18.040(D) must be met; any modification to an approved sign program is effective only if all occupants agree to comply within the time specified by City Council.
- A sign permit from the Director is required for signs authorized under Sections 9.18.060 (Residential), 9.18.070 (Commercial/Industrial/Public/Institutional), and 9.18.080(B) (non-publicly visible school digital signs).
- A sign modification permit from the City Council (with a public hearing noticed under Chapter 9.32) is required if: the sign does not comply with general regulations in Section 9.18.050; the sign is not authorized by Sections 9.18.060, 9.18.070, or 9.18.080; or the sign is a publicly visible school digital sign under Section 9.18.080(A).
- Approval criteria for sign permits and sign modification permits: compatibility with nearby signs and adjacent structures (form, proportion, scale, color, materials, surface treatment, overall size, lettering style); legibility under normal viewing conditions; sign copy designed to reduce driver distraction; and avoidance of needless repetition of signage.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Westlake Village, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Westlake+Village+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-westlake-village

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