Burbank — Signage

Last reviewed: July 3, 2026

Overview

Burbank regulates signs through a citywide sign article in its zoning code (often called Title 10, Article 10 — “Sign and Advertising Structure Regulations”) that controls where signs may go, how big they can be, illumination and special treatments for historic signs. The rules require permits for most signs, list exemptions, and create district- and context-specific exceptions (for example, residential zones, the Media District, MPC- zones, and the North San Fernando Commercial Zone) — see the Burbank zoning & planning overview for how signage fits into local land use. Sign work that triggers structural or electrical change may also require a building permit under the state code; verify with the California Building Standards Code. All citations below point to the Burbank Municipal Code excerpts retrieved for this summary.

Citywide framework (Article 10 — Sign and Advertising Structure Regulations)

• Purpose and scope: The sign article is intended to maintain the city’s appearance, preserve property values, and protect public health and safety. Applicability is citywide for all signs except advertising signs (billboards) which are expressly prohibited by the code. § 10-1-1001 and § 10-1-1002 describe purpose and applicability.
• Permit requirement: A sign permit from the Building Division is required to erect, alter, move or replace most signs; changing copy alone on an existing permitted sign is typically exempt from a permit so long as no structural work is done. See § 10-1-1003. Note: building permits may still be required for structural or electrical work under the state code.
• Exemptions: Interior-only signs, official notices, certain directional/warning signs, and short-term holiday decorations are listed exemptions. See § 10-1-1002.
• Variances: The Planning Commission may grant variances from many sign standards; a complete “sign program” is required for variance review. See § 10-1-1918.

Related local program topics you may need while planning signage: Burbank Zoning, Burbank Development Standards, Burbank Design Review, Burbank Overlay Districts, Burbank Historic Preservation, Burbank Parking, and California Building Standards Code.

District-by-district rules and highlights

Below are the sign rules organized by the primary districts / contexts where the code imposes distinct sign treatments. Each subsection gives the local purpose, typical permitted sign types, key dimensional or design limits, and where the rule applies.

Citywide commercial / general (applies unless a district-specific rule overrides)

• Purpose: Manage overall sign area, placement, and appearance to ensure compatibility with buildings and public safety. § 10-1-1001.
• Typical permitted signs: wall signs, ground/monument signs, projecting signs, awning/marquee signs, window signs — subject to maximums and placement rules in Article 10 (see the wall, ground, roof and awning sections listed below). See § 10-1-1005, § 10-1-1007, § 10-1-1008, § 10-1-1009.
• Key standards to check: total allowable sign area for a parcel (see § 10-1-1012 for parcel-level maximums referenced throughout the article), mounting and setback rules for ground signs, and rules prohibiting signs projecting into public right-of-way except where allowed. See § 10-1-1012 and § 10-1-1006/1009 references.

Residential zones — R-1, R-1-H, R-2, R-3, R-4

• Purpose: Minimize visual clutter and protect residential character. See § 10-1-1011.
• Typical permitted signs: very small identity signs and limited real-estate/open-house signage.
• Key dimensional standards:
  • R-1, R-1-H, R-2: one single-face sign not to exceed 1 sq ft per parcel unless otherwise specified. § 10-1-1011(A).
  • R-3, R-4: one single-face sign up to 1 sq ft per 2 linear feet of street frontage (check frontage measurement). § 10-1-1011(B).
  • Real estate signs: each parcel may have one real estate sign up to 7 sq ft including riders; an additional temporary open-house sign rules are explicitly set out. § 10-1-1011(C).
• Where it applies: any property whose base zoning is R-1 / R-1-H / R-2 / R-3 / R-4. Verify frontage calculations with the City when in doubt. § 10-1-1011.

MPC zones (Magnolia Park Commercial — MPC-1, MPC-2, MPC-3)

• Purpose: Encourage pedestrian-scaled signage compatible with the village character.
• Typical permitted signs: wall signs and pedestrian-scaled projecting signs; street frontage counts and per-frontage limits are applied.
• Key limits:
  • Wall sign counts per street frontage: MPC-1: one sign per street frontage; MPC-2 & MPC-3: two signs per street frontage. See § 10-1-1007(C).
• Variances in MPC zones must consider pedestrian orientation and compatibility; see variance rules for additional findings. § 10-1-1918(C).

Media District / MDC (e.g., MDC-2 and Media District zones)

• Purpose: Support the Media District’s mixed-use/industry character while limiting intrusive sign elements.
• Key limit: Roof signs are prohibited in all Media District zones. See § 10-1-1008(C).
• The Media District zones are defined and their uses are governed elsewhere in the zoning code; see the Media District zone purpose and uses in § 10-1-2109 / § 10-1-2110.

North San Fernando Commercial Zone

• Purpose: Promote high-quality signs compatible with a mixed-use, multi-modal corridor and to set special standards for live-work units. See § 10-1-2711.
• Typical permitted signs / special rules:
  • Live-work units: limited to one ground-floor window sign and one projecting sign per unit; window signs may not cover more than 15% of the pane. Projecting signs are limited to 9 sq ft per face, max 4 ft width, square/horizontal orientation, and minimum 8 ft clearance to the ground. § 10-1-2711(B–D).
  • Ground signs in this zone must be monument-mounted, are pole-supported signs prohibited, and have monument width/height limits (e.g., monument width max 10 ft, height max 18 ft, sign face max 100 sq ft per face). Setback rules include setbacks from interior side/rear lot lines and from buildings equal to sign height; signs taller than 5 ft must be set back at least 5 ft from front and street-facing side lot lines. See § 10-1-2711(E) and cross-reference to § 10-1-1005 for ground sign design standards.

Automobile dealerships (special temporary banner/bunting rules)

• Dealerships may display bunting/banners under a specific temporary permit with deposit and time limits; banner / bunting display counts toward maximum parcel signage and must meet construction and maintenance standards. Permit and administrative procedures are in § 10-1-1014.

Historic Signs (special preservation path)

• The city identifies historic or iconic signs and provides incentives (fee waivers or reductions, and an increase in allowed sign area for properties with a designated Historic Sign). Historic signs have separate preservation and relocation rules; replica historic signs and incentives are set out in § 10-1-942 through § 10-1-943 and related subsections. Historic sign square footage may not count toward the parcel’s maximum, and preservation standards apply. § 10-1-943.

Quick reference table — most decision-relevant standards

Checklist

• Determine the zoning of the parcel (e.g., R-1, C-2, MPC-1, MDC-2) and any overlay districts; consult Burbank Zoning.
• Confirm whether the sign is exempt per § 10-1-1002 (interior signs, official notices, etc.) .
• Measure frontage and building elevations to confirm the applicable size/area allowance for the zone (see § 10-1-1011, § 10-1-1012) .
• For ground/monument or projecting signs, confirm setbacks and clearance rules for your zone (e.g., North San Fernando detailed rules in § 10-1-2711(E)).
• Prepare sign permit application drawings and structural/electrical notes (permit required under § 10-1-1003 unless copy-only).
• If the property or proposed sign is within a design review area or MPC/Media/Transit corridors, confirm whether Burbank Design Review approvals are also needed and plan for that process.
• If the sign is historic or might qualify as historic, contact the city for designation and incentives per § 10-1-942–943.
• If deviating from standards, prepare a sign program and variance application under § 10-1-1918.

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Burbank’s zoning code controls most signs across the city: you usually need a sign permit, there are small limits in residential zones, special pedestrian-scaled rules in Magnolia Park (MPC) and North San Fernando, roof signs are forbidden in the Media District, and billboards are banned. If your sign is unusual, historic, or bigger than the standard allowances you’ll need a variance or special review. See the code sections listed below for the exact legal language and check with the City for parcel-specific determinations.

Source References

• Burbank Municipal Code, Article 10 — Sign and Advertising Structure Regulations: § 10-1-1001 (Purpose) and § 10-1-1002 (Applicability & exemptions).
• Sign permit requirements: § 10-1-1003.
• Ground sign design reference: § 10-1-1005 (see cross-references in district subsections).
• Wall signs and MPC sign limits: § 10-1-1007.
• Roof signs: § 10-1-1008 (includes Media District prohibition).
• Residential zone sign rules: § 10-1-1011.
• Bunting / temporary auto dealership signs: § 10-1-1014.
• Parcel-level maximums and counting references: § 10-1-1012 (referenced throughout Article 10).
• North San Fernando Commercial Zone special sign rules: § 10-1-2711.
• Variance rules for signs: § 10-1-1918.
• Historic sign preservation, incentives, and maintenance: § 10-1-942–943.
• Advertising signs (billboards) prohibition referenced in applicability: § 10-1-502.

Retrieved passages

• CBC § 31 (Article is) High relevance show source text
• Burbank Zoning Code (section wrought) High relevance show source text
• Burbank Zoning Code (Section 50485.3.) Medium relevance show source text
• Burbank Zoning Code (Section 10-1-1006) Medium relevance show source text
• Burbank Zoning Code (Section 31-126) Medium relevance show source text
• Burbank Zoning Code (Section 31-206) Medium relevance show source text
• Burbank Zoning Code (Section 31-226) Medium relevance show source text
• Burbank Zoning Code (section wrought) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Burbank Municipal Code, Article 10 — Sign and Advertising Structure Regulations: **§ 10-1-1001** (Purpose) and **§ 10-1-1002** (Applicability & exemptions). (Article 10)
• Sign permit requirements: **§ 10-1-1003**. (§ 10-1-1003)
• Ground sign design reference: **§ 10-1-1005** (see cross-references in district subsections). (§ 10-1-1005)
• Wall signs and MPC sign limits: **§ 10-1-1007**. (§ 10-1-1007)
• Roof signs: **§ 10-1-1008** (includes Media District prohibition). (§ 10-1-1008)
• Residential zone sign rules: **§ 10-1-1011**. (§ 10-1-1011)
• Bunting / temporary auto dealership signs: **§ 10-1-1014**. (§ 10-1-1014)
• Parcel-level maximums and counting references: **§ 10-1-1012** (referenced throughout Article 10). (§ 10-1-1012)
• North San Fernando Commercial Zone special sign rules: **§ 10-1-2711**. (§ 10-1-2711)
• Variance rules for signs: **§ 10-1-1918**. (§ 10-1-1918)
• Historic sign preservation, incentives, and maintenance: **§ 10-1-942–943**. (§ 10-1-942)
• Advertising signs (billboards) prohibition referenced in applicability: **§ 10-1-502**. (§ 10-1-502)
• Burbank_ZoningCode.md