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Division 9 — Zoning Administrator›Article 66 — SIGN ORDINANCE

§ 33-1396. General use signs.

Escondido Zoning Code · 2026-05 edition · updated 2026-07-25 · Escondido

Sign permits may be issued for signs included under this section in any zone in the city unless otherwise designated. Applications for permits for general use signs shall be made as provided in section 33-1392 or as otherwise indicated by this section. These signs are in addition to those signs expressly permitted in particular zones and are subject to the following provisions:

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City of Escondido, CA

ESCONDIDO CODE

§ 33-1396

§ 33-1396

  • (a) Special event signs. Commercial grand opening and similar signs may be approved by the director for a limited period of time in the CG (general commercial) and CN (neighborhood commercial zones) and for specific uses in the M-l (light industrial) and M-2 (general industrial) zones, as a means of publicizing grand openings and special events such as new management and promotional sales. In addition, special event signs are also allowed for private schools, day care centers and churches regardless of the zoning. The regulation and limitation of the signs shall be as follows:

    • (1) In advance of a special event, the business owner shall submit a temporary sign application, which includes the dates of the special event and the types of signs to be used. The sizes and locations of the signs shall also be indicated.

    • (2) Special event signs shall be limited to a maximum of 60 days per calendar year per business, not exceeding 30 consecutive days at any time.

    • (3) Special event signs may be approved in the M-1 and M-2 zones for motor vehicle dealers, lumberyards, restaurants, and other permitted uses of similar retail nature, as determined by the director.

    • (4) Special event signs may include balloons, flags, searchlights, beacons, pennants and streamers, banners, portable signs, or other similar devices. Balloons may not exceed 24 inches in any dimension.

    • (5) One special event banner is allowed for each street frontage, except for individual inline shops in commercial centers where one banner is allowed for each building face fronting on a parking lot or a street.

    • (6) Each special event banner shall not exceed 72 square feet in area.

    • (7) Large balloons and other inflatable displays may be allowed for a maximum of 14 days per calendar year. If these balloons and displays are to be ground-mounted, they may not exceed 30 feet in height and, if located in the parking lot, not more than 10% of the required number of parking spaces may be utilized for the installation of the device, including the required tethering area around it. Roof-mounted inflatable displays shall not extend above the height limit of the zone. A sign permit and nominal fee is required. All requests shall be reviewed by the planning, building and fire departments for compliance with all fire and building codes.

    • (8) No special event signage (of any type) may be displayed on or attached to any public property including telephone or utility poles, traffic control signs or devices, street lights or other structures located on public property.

  • (9) No special event signage of any type shall interfere with or restrict vehicular or pedestrian access or visibility.

    • (10) Automobile sales businesses that sell new vehicle inventory, which are located outside the Escondido Auto Park and in zones other than PD (planned development), shall utilize the Escondido Auto Park standards listed below:

      • (A) Large, roof-top balloons are permitted for four, 10 day periods per calendar year.

      • (B) Helium filled balloons, not exceeding 24 inches in any dimension, are permitted on Saturdays, Sundays and for special events. They shall be removed at the close

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City of Escondido, CA § 33-1396

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▸ Contents — Escondido Zoning Code
Escondido Zoning Code
  1. Chapter 6
  2. Division 2 — Routing
  3. Division 2 — Weed and Rubbish Abatement Program
  4. Division 1 — Generally
  5. Division 1
  6. Division 2 — Variances and Administrative Adjustments
  7. Division 3 — Nonconforming Uses and Structures
  8. Division 4 — Amendments and Zone Changes
  9. Division 5 — Reasonable Accommodation
  10. Division 6 — Public Hearings, Notices, Fees and Appeals
  11. Division 7 — Enforcement and Penalties
  12. Division 8 — Plot Plans
  13. ▸ Division 9 — Zoning Administrator
    Overview
    1. § 33-1318. Office established—Authority.
    2. § 33-1319. Powers and duties and procedure.
    3. Article 62 — WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE REGULATIONS
    4. Article 63 — TRANSIENT LODGING FACILITIES
    5. Article 64 — DESIGN REVIEW
    6. Article 65 — OLD ESCONDIDO NEIGHBORHOOD
    7. ▸ Article 66 — SIGN ORDINANCE
      Overview
      1. § 33-1390. Purpose and applicability.
      2. § 33-1391. Definitions.
      3. § 33-1391 ordinance, including overlay, area and neighborhood …
      4. § 33-1392. Permit administration.
      5. § 33-1392 - (1) Three copies of a scaled plan showing:
      6. § 33-1393. Exempt and prohibited signs.
      7. § 33-1393 - (1) Glazing area signs.
      8. § 33-1393 - (16) No trespassing, no parking, and similar warni…
      9. § 33-1393 16-119.
      10. § 33-1394. Construction and maintenance of signs.
      11. § 33-1395. Sign standards—General.
      12. § 33-1396. General use signs.
      13. § 33-1396 of business each day.
      14. § 33-1396 major subdivisions located within the general plan a…
      15. § 33-1396 - (B) Theaters;
      16. § 33-1397. Temporary signage on private property.
      17. § 33-1398. Enforcement and penalties.
      18. § 33-1399. Nonconforming signs.
    8. Article 67 — DENSITY BONUS AND RESIDENTIAL INCENTIVES
    9. Article 68 — GROWTH MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE
    10. Article 69 — ESCONDIDO BUSINESS ENHANCEMENT ZONE
    11. Article 70 — ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWE…
    12. Article 71 — (RESERVED)
    13. Article 72 — (RESERVED)
    14. Article 73 — TEMPORARY USES, OUTDOOR DISPLAY AND SALE OF RETAI…
    15. Article 74 — DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION AREA SPECIFIC PLAN
    16. Article 75 — SAN DIEGUITO RIVER VALLEY FOCUS PLANNING AREA
    17. Article 77 — CENTRE CITY RESIDENTIAL (CCR) OVERLAY ZONE
    18. Article 78 — MERCADO AREA PLAN OVERLAY
    19. Article 79 — EAST VALLEY PARKWAY OVERLAY ZONE
    20. Article 80 — PUBLIC FACILITIES OVERLAY ZONE

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