Pasadena sign permit requirements

A Building Permit is required to alter, apply, erect, move, or reconstruct a permanent sign, except exempt signs. Exempt signs include window signs of individual lettering not exceeding 4 in. height with total area of 2 sq ft per window.

“To ensure compliance with the regulations of this Chapter, a Building Permit shall be required in order to alter, apply, erect, move, or reconstruct a permanent sign, except signs or routine maintenance that are exempt from the regulations of this Chapter”

1.5 sq ft of sign area per foot of primary or secondary building frontage, total for any combination of wall and/or projecting signs (CL, CG, CF, IG, MU districts)

“1.5 sq. ft. of sign area per foot of primary or secondary building frontage total for any combination of wall and/or projecting signs. 20 sq. ft. max for projecting signs. Window signs, 25% max of each window area.”

1.0 sq ft of sign area per linear foot of property frontage, 150 sq ft max per sign (CL, CG, CF, IG, MU districts)

“1.0 sq. ft. of sign area per linear foot of property frontage, 150 sq. ft. max per sign.”

Minimum 5 ft from a street property line, minimum 5 ft from an interior property line, and minimum 10 ft from edge of a driveway (does not apply in Central District)

“Freestanding signs shall be set back a minimum of five feet from a street property line, a minimum of five feet from an interior property line, and a minimum of 10 feet from the edge of a driveway. This requirement shall not apply within the Central District.”

Minimum 8 ft above the surface over which they project in pedestrian areas; shall not project more than 5 ft into a public right-of-way and not closer than 2 ft to a curb; max thickness 18 inches

“Projecting signs shall not be less than eight feet above the surface over which they project in pedestrian areas. Signs shall not project more than five feet into a public right-of-way and shall not project closer than two feet to a curb.”

25% max of each window area

“Window signs, 25% max of each window area.”

Lighting allowed. Signs shall not have exposed fluorescent tubes or incandescent bulbs exceeding 15 watts, and brightness of luminous or backlighted signs shall not exceed 250 footlamberts. Internally illuminated signs visible from residential districts shall not be illuminated between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless the establishment is open during those hours.

“Signs shall not have exposed fluorescent tubes or incandescent bulbs exceeding 15 watts, and the brightness of luminous or backlighted signs shall not exceed 250 footlamberts.”

Electronic message signs are prohibited except time and/or temperature signs

“Electronic message signs except time and/or temperature signs.”

Promotional banner: 1 banner per frontage, 30 sq ft max, 20 ft height; allowed 3 times per calendar year, 30 days each period; Temporary Sign Permit required (annual permit total not to exceed 90 days)

Prohibited: back-lit awnings; flush-mounted cabinet/can wall signs (except corporate logos); electronic message signs (except time/temperature); freeway-oriented signs; blinking/flashing/moving signs; balloons/inflatables (except by Temporary Sign Permit); banners/pennants/streamers (except by Temporary Sign Permit); portable/folding signs; roof signs (including mansard roofs); off-site billboards; signs emitting sound/odor

“L. Signs mounted on the roof of a building, including mansard roofs, and similar architectural roof-like elements.”

Standards reported are for CL, CG, CF, IG, MU zoning districts and all other commercial, industrial, and mixed-use districts (Table 4-21). Standards vary materially by district; separate tables exist for RS/RM/OS/PS (4-18), CO (4-19), and CD (4-20).

“TABLE 4-21 - CL, CG, CF, IG, and MU ZONING DISTRICTS, AND ALL OTHER COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, AND MIXED-USE ZONING DISTRICTS IN OTHER ADOPTED SPECIFIC PLANS SIGN STANDARDS”