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Sign Code Summary

City of Dana Point, CA

Local sign ordinance requirements — free, cited to the source section.

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Understanding sign regulations in City of Dana Point, CA

Every outdoor sign in City of Dana Point is governed by the municipality’s sign ordinance, which sets how large a sign may be, how tall it may stand, how far it must sit from the property line, whether it may be illuminated, and which sign types are permitted in each zoning district. This page summarizes those requirements in plain language and links each value back to the section of the City of Dana Point code it came from.

Sign rules here are layered. The base zoning district — commercial, industrial, or residential — sets the default limits, and overlay districts such as historic or downtown districts can tighten them further. Because the most specific jurisdiction controls, a freestanding monument sign on a commercial parcel and a wall sign in a historic overlay can face very different limits even on the same street in City of Dana Point.

Use the figures below as a fast first check, then run a full address lookup to confirm the exact limits for a specific parcel in City of Dana Point, California. The full report also covers permit requirements, prohibited sign types, and illumination rules — each cited to the source ordinance so your permit application can reference it directly.

Before you order or install a sign in City of Dana Point, confirm three things: the maximum sign area and height allowed in the parcel’s zoning district, the minimum setback from the right-of-way, and whether the sign type you want — freestanding, monument, wall, projecting, or awning — is permitted there at all. Many permit denials come from missing a setback or an overlay-district restriction rather than from the size of the sign itself, so checking the governing section before applying saves a costly resubmittal.

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Authority

Sign Chapter Scope
Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: by this Chapter. (Added by Ord. 91-17, 11/26/91; amended by Ord. 94-03, 1/11/94) § 9.37.020. Definitions. (a) "A" Definitions. Advertising device — Any object, person, or animal including but not limited to banners, balloons, statues, flags, pennants, lights, portable signs, signs or landscaping, used to attract attention for the purpose of drawing attention to a site or promoting the sale of goods or services. A-fra
Sign Chapter Scope 2
Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: 7.020 EXHIBIT 9.37-2 AREA OF DETACHED SIGNS Sign area = area within not more than eight straight lines. (b) "B" Definitions. Balloon — A spherical, flexible, non-porous bag or similar object capable of being filled with air or gas such as helium. Banner — A sign usually constructed of cloth, paper, or other lightweight material used for the purposes of advertising a business, organization, service, product, or event.
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Directional Signs

Directional Max Size
2.5 square feet

Freestanding

Freestanding Ground Monument
Source-backed freestanding/ground/monument sign rules: of the display. When a sign has two or more faces, the area of all faces shall be included in determining the area of the sign except where two such faces are placed back to back. When a five foot space or greater is provided between two advertising devices, sign area shall be calculated as two separate signs (Exhibit 9.37-1). Detached sign — Sign area for a detached sign shall be considered the entire area within wh
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Source-backed freestanding/ground/monument sign rules: luded in determining the area of the sign except where two such faces are placed back to back. When a five foot space or greater is provided between two advertising devices, sign area shall be calculated as two separate signs (Exhibit 9.37-1). Detached sign — Sign area for a detached sign shall be considered the entire area within which a single continuous perimeter of not more than eight straight lines enclose the e
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Ground Signs

Ground Sign Type
pole signs, monument signs, and flag signs are recognized freestanding/detached sign types

Illumination

Illumination
Source-backed illumination rules: or to a permanent structure used as a stationary advertising device and usually supported by two upright sign faces (also known as a "sandwich board"). Aggregate area — The total area of sign and/or advertising device surface. Alteration — Any change of copy, sign face, color, size, shape illumination, position, location, construction, or support of any sign or advertising device. Animated sign — A sign designed and
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Source-backed illumination rules: e illumination, position, location, construction, or support of any sign or advertising device. Animated sign — A sign designed and constructed to attract attention through the movement of the whole or any part of the sign. Area of sign (for). Attached sign — Sign area for an attached sign shall be considered the entire area within which a single continuous perimeter of not more than eight straight lines enclose the
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Maintenance

Maintenance
Source-backed maintenance rules: ntial districts — Areas with land use and zoning designations for which residential uses are the primary permitted uses. Roof — The upper covering of a building for weather protection or any architectural feature resembling the covering in design or material. Roof sign — Any sign which is erected, constructed, or maintained on or above a roof system, roof line, or parapet of any building. (s) "S" Definitions. Sandwic

Permits

Permit Required
Source-backed sign permit requirement: Uniform Electrical Code. A tag issued by the City indicating the sign permit number shall be affixed to the sign so as to be readily visible. (Added by Ord. 91-17, 11/26/91; amended by Ord. 94-03, 1/11/94) § 9.37.050. Permit Application. An application for a sign permit shall be made in writing upon forms provided by the Department of Community Development. The application shall be signed either by the owner, lessee,
Application Requirements
Source-backed sign permit application requirements: either by the owner, lessee, or authorized agent of the premises on which the sign is located. Permit application requirements shall include: (a) A completed application form. (b) Plans, drawn to scale, to include the following: (1) All sign details including sign area, dimensions, colors, materials, letter style, proposed copy, letter height and method of illumination. (2) A site plan indicating the location of all
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Prohibited

Prohibited Signs
Source-backed prohibited signs: face of a sign. "Snipe" sign — Any sign made of cloth, paper, cardboard, poster material, plastic, metal or other material affixed to or upon fences, posts, trees, buildings, people, or other structures or surfaces usually found off-site. (t) "T" Definitions. Temporary sign — Any sign constructed of paper, cloth, canvas, fabric, cardboard, or other materials, including but not limited to flags, streamers, pennants, b

Temporary

Temporary Signs
Source-backed temporary sign rules: more buildings sharing common facilities such as off-street parking, access, or landscaping. In each case, a center will consist of two or more retail stores or businesses, but may not necessarily be under a single ownership. Center identification sign — Any freestanding sign which identifies the name or address or directs attention to a center but that does not identify an individual business or activity and which d
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Source-backed temporary sign rules: of a roof. The area used for identification over the front of a shop. Flag — Cloth or other lightweight material of distinctive size, color, and design, used as a symbol, standard, signal, emblem, or a device used to attract attention. Flag sign — A permanent freestanding sign with its advertising device suspended by a post and beam support. Flashing sign — Any electric sign which intermittently flashes on and off, c
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Wall Signs

Wall Signs
Source-backed wall sign rules: w a canopy or covered arcade. An Under-Canopy sign does not project beyond the canopy or covered arcade. (v) "V" Definitions. Vehicle mounted sign — Any sign or advertising device attached to any vehicle for the purposes of advertisement. (w) "W" Definitions. Wall sign — Any sign or advertising device permanently attached to a building. A sign attached to a parapet shall be considered a wall sign. Window sign — Any s
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Source-backed wall sign rules: cle mounted sign — Any sign or advertising device attached to any vehicle for the purposes of advertisement. (w) "W" Definitions. Wall sign — Any sign or advertising device permanently attached to a building. A sign attached to a parapet shall be considered a wall sign. Window sign — Any sign exposed to public view, attached, painted, posted, or displayed, either permanently or temporarily, on or within one foot of t
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