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Sign Code Summary

City of Glendale, CA

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

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Understanding sign regulations in City of Glendale, CA

Every outdoor sign in City of Glendale 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 Glendale 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 Glendale.

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 Glendale, 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 Glendale, 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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Awning Signs

Awning Sign Quantity Per Awning
awning signs: One awning sign shall be permitted per awning
Awning Sign Sf Calc
Entire awning counts toward SF, wall calculation used for awning sf if landlord allows
Awning Projection Clearance
in full report

1 more awning signs rule in the full report →

Building Signs

Max Additional Wall Signs
wall signs: A maximum of four additional wall signs are permitted cumulatively
Building Sign Formula
1 sq ft per lineal ft of unit frontage, max 100 sf; one sign per wall; per wall frontage
Building Sign Max Number
in full report
Building Sign Illumination
in full report

2 more building signs rules in the full report →

Definitions

Advertising Structure Definition
An advertising structure means a sign structure

Directional Signs

Directional Max Size
2 sf
Directional Max Height
4' off grade

General Standards

Window Sign Setback
Illuminated window signs must be 3' back from window
Directional Sign Branding
No branding of directional signs

Ground Signs

Ground Sign Formula
One accessory ground sign shall not exceed an aggregate area of 80 square feet
Gas Station Ground Sign Max Area
gas station accessory ground sign: One accessory ground sign shall not exceed an aggregate area of 80 square feet
Ground Sign Type
in full report

1 more ground signs rule in the full report →

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Illumination

Pedestrian Sign Illumination Prohibition
Pedestrian signs: The sign shall not be animated or illuminated

Permit Process

Permit Time Frame
10 to 20 days
Permit Fee
Variance starts at $375.00 per application, based on scope of work
Permit Application Url
in full report

1 more permit process rule in the full report →

Prohibited Signs

Unauthorized Sign Placement
Signs posted, painted, or affixed to private property without owner consent are prohibited
Sign Obstruction Safety
Signs must not interfere with fire escapes, exits, stairways, fire equipment, ventilators, or doors
Animated Signs Prohibition
in full report
Wind Signs Prohibition
in full report

2 more prohibited signs rules in the full report →

Temporary Signs

Banner Max Height
20 ft max height
Banner Min Ground Clearance
8 ft minimum ground clearance
Vending Cart Sign Max Quantity
in full report
Vending Cart Sign Max Area Percentage
in full report
Temp Signs Allowed
in full report
Temp Sign Rules
in full report

4 more temporary signs rules in the full report →

Variance Appeals

Variance Process
Submit application to city; site hardship required; council meets every second Tuesday of the month

Window Signs

Window Sign Allowable Area
20% of the available window area

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