F
FreeCodeChecks

Sign Code Summary

City of Highland, CA

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

Last updated

Run a full lookup for an address in City of Highland

Understanding sign regulations in City of Highland, CA

Every outdoor sign in City of Highland 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 Highland 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 Highland.

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 Highland, 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 Highland, 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.

Advertisement
Max ground sign height
monument signs: 5.5 feet max height
Ground sign setback
Within the site's front setback; not into public right-of-way unless approved.

Awning Signs

Awning Sign Sf Calc
Awning signs counted as part of aggregate wall sign area for building-mounted business identification signs; total aggregate area of wall signs, including awning signs or similar signs affixed to building elevation, shall not exceed 10% of storefront or 100 square feet, whichever is less.

Building Signs

Building Sign Min Units For Approval
building-mounted signs: A project shall consist of 4 or more dwelling units to have a building-mounted sign and shall be approved by the community development director.
Building Sign Mounting Height
building-mounted signs: Not to be mounted above the first floor or roof line of the building, whichever is less
Building Mounted And Wall Signs With Individual Letters Maximum Area
in full report
Wall Sign Panel Requirement
in full report
Building Sign Illumination
in full report
Building Sign Formula
in full report
Building Sign Max Number
in full report

5 more building signs rules in the full report →

Definitions

Comprehensive Sign Program Definition
The purpose of a comprehensive sign program is to integrate all of a project's signs with the overall design and the structures' design into a unified architectural statement.
Nonconforming Pole Mounted Signs Definition
A nonconforming pole-mounted sign is any permanent pole sign that was legally established and maintained in compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws in effect at the time of original installation but that does not now comply with the provisions of this development code.
Temporary Political Signs Definition
in full report
Sign Definition
in full report
Abandoned Pole Mounted Signs And Sign Structures Definition
in full report
Directory Sign Definition
in full report
Sign Area Measurement Definition
in full report
Sign Height For Signs On Walls Freestanding Walls Not A Part Of A Building Wall Definition
in full report
Signs Are An Essential Element Of Any Community Definition
in full report

7 more definitions rules in the full report →

Directional Signs

Directional Max Size
under four square feet
Directional Max Height
four feet

General Standards

Abandoned Signs Definition
An abandoned pole-mounted sign or sign structure shall be a sign or sign structure remaining in place or not maintained for a period of 180 days which no longer advertises or identifies an ongoing business product or service available on the premises where the sign or sign structure is located
Max Electronic Changeable Copy Signs Per Site
electronic changeable-copy signs: No more than 1 electronic changeable-copy sign shall be permitted per site
Sign Service Connection
in full report
Double Faced Sign Requirement
in full report
Signs And Displays Previously Approved Requirement
in full report
Three Dimensional Sign Requirement
in full report

4 more general standards rules in the full report →

Ground Signs

Monument Sign Max Height
monument signs: 5.5 feet max height
Offsite Ad Display Height
The maximum height of an off-site advertising display shall not exceed 20 feet from the roadbed of the adjacent freeway or highway, or a maximum height of 20 feet from the grade on which it is constructed, whichever is less
Ground Sign Type
in full report
Ground Sign Setback
in full report

2 more ground signs rules in the full report →

Advertisement

Illumination

Illumination Level Review Required
externally illuminated signs: Externally illuminated signs shall be subject to illumination level review
Externally Illuminated Sign Requirement
Externally Illuminated Signs: The light source for externally illuminated signs shall be arranged and shielded to substantially confine all direct light rays to the sign face and away from streets and adjacent properties.

Permit Process

Permit Application Requirements
Applications for sign permits or for approval of comprehensive sign programs shall be made on forms provided by the community development director, and shall be accompanied by plans and exhibits as required by the community development director
Permit Review Responsibilities
The reviewing authority as provided in this chapter shall determine whether the proposed sign or planned sign program conforms to the provisions of this chapter and shall accordingly approve, approve subject to modifications and/or conditions, or deny the sign application
Applications For Sign Permit Requirement
in full report
Noncommercial Sign Permit Requirement
in full report
Temporary Sign Permit Required Permit Requirement
in full report
Temporary Signs Or Banners Permit Exemption
in full report
Permit Time Frame
in full report

5 more permit process rules in the full report →

Temporary Signs

Temp Sign Rules
Permit required for temporary signs over 6 sq ft with advertising copy. No permit for signs under 6 sq ft displayed 7 days or less. Temporary banners on exterior building walls limited to 10% of storefront or 100 sq ft (whichever is less); maximum 3 separate 30-day periods per year (90 days total). Temporary posters: 12 sq ft or 25% window area if mounted in window, first floor only. Political signs: 32 sq ft max, prohibited in residential zones if over 6 sq ft, posted no more than 45 days before election, removed within 10 days after. Construction signs: 3 per parcel, 16 sq ft, 6 feet high. Garage/yard sale directional signs: 3 double-faced per parcel, 6 sq ft, 5 feet or 4 feet in setback area, removed immediately after sale.
Temp Signs Allowed
Yes; permit required for temporary signs over 6 square feet, with a short-term exception for smaller signs.

Window Signs

Window Sign Neon Limit
Maximum of 3 neon signs per business
Window Sign Total Area Limit
Window signs shall not exceed 25% aggregate of the areas of the window
Window Sign Neon Total Area Limit
in full report
Window Sign Allowable Area
in full report

2 more window signs rules in the full report →

Zoning

Zoning For Offsite Ads
Industrial (I) Zone; zones I: Off-site advertising displays are permitted only in the Industrial (I) Zone; provided only, that the display meets all of the other requirements of the zoning classification and this chapter. Off-site advertising displays are expressly prohibited in all other zones

Need the full sign-code report?

The full interactive report includes all sign types, illumination rules, permit requirements, and source citations — for free.

See full report →