Local zoning · Pasadena

Pasadena — Signage

Q: Are temporary banners allowed and do they need a permit in Pasadena?

Yes — promotional temporary banners in CD/CG/CL/CO/IG generally require a Temporary Sign Permit ; limits on banner area, height and duration are set in Table 4‑22 (e.g., typical banner max ~30 sq ft and limited number/duration). § 17.48.120

Q: Where am I allowed to place a freestanding (monument/pylon) sign and how far from the street?

Freestanding signs must generally be set back minimum 5 ft from the street property line, 5 ft from interior property lines, and 10 ft from driveway edges; distances between freestanding signs and landscaping at the base are also required (with some exceptions inside the Central District). See the freestanding sign rules and Table 4‑21. § 17.48.090 and supporting sign‑type text (see referenced subsections)

Q: Does the Chapter allow creative or non‑standard signs?

Yes — the Creative Sign Permit process (administrative, Director decision) exists to permit unique designs that differ from the Chapter’s numeric rules, but the permit requires findings focused on design quality, context, and architectural integration. § 17.48.070

Signage under the Pasadena local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

Ask a question free See coverage

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page explains how the City of Pasadena regulates signs in the Zoning Code (Title 17). It summarizes the Chapter 17.48 framework (purpose, applicability, prohibited signs), the district-by-district allowed sign types and size/height rules, the City’s Master Sign Plan and Creative Sign Permit tools, and temporary / noncommercial sign limits. Key controlling provisions include § 17.48.010, § 17.48.060, § 17.48.070, § 17.48.090, and § 17.48.120.

Note: this page covers only Pasadena’s zoning/sign rules in Title 17 (Chapter 17.48). For building-safety or structural sign code (electrical, anchorage, accessibility), consult the California Building Standards Code.

Also see the City overview pages for related topics: Pasadena zoning & planning overview, Pasadena Zoning, Pasadena Development Standards, Pasadena Parking, Pasadena Design Review, and Pasadena Overlay Districts.

How Pasadena’s sign rules are organized (quick map)

Purpose and applicability: § 17.48.010–§ 17.48.020 (Chapter 17.48) — objective, applicability, and design-review linkage.
Sign standards by district (tables & text): § 17.48.080–§ 17.48.090 (Tables 4-18–4-21 for RS/RM/OS/PS, CD, CL/CG/CO/IG, etc.).
Master Sign Plan (project-level alternative): § 17.48.060 (when required and decision criteria).
Creative Sign Permit (unique/exceptional designs): § 17.48.070 (design-focused administrative approval).
Temporary signs: § 17.48.120 and Table 4‑22 (limits, permit requirement in commercial zones).
Noncommercial sign rules (residential/PS/religious): § 17.48.115 (size, height, setbacks).
Sign exceptions (variances): § 17.48.050 (procedures and findings).
Prohibited signs list: § 17.48.130 (types that are barred city-wide).

District-by-district breakdown (what matters on the ground)

Each zoning district uses the Chapter 17.48 district tables and associated text (see § 17.48.090). The entries below synthesize Pasadena-specific district rules and point to the exact controlling provisions.

Note: district names and abbreviations below are used exactly as in the Code; always confirm a parcel’s current base zone and any overlay before applying these rules (verify with the jurisdiction).

RS (Single‑family Residential) / RM (Multi‑family Residential) / OS / PS

Purpose & typical uses: RS = single‑family residential; RM = multi‑family; OS/PS = open space / public/semi‑public. (See Title 17 district tables referenced by Chapter 17.48.)
Key signage rules:
- Aggregate limit for commercial/noncommercial/temporary signage in RS/RM: 25 sq ft per dwelling unit (cumulative); individual sign maxima differ by type (see table). § 17.48.090 and § 17.48.115.
- Height cap for noncommercial signs: 10 ft (measured from existing grade); setback 5 ft from street property line. § 17.48.115.
Where it applies: typical residential neighborhoods across the city; residential sign allowances are more limited than commercial districts. § 17.48.090.

CD (Central District)

Purpose & typical uses: CD governs Central District commercial/retail/mixed uses (Central District Specific Plan rules also apply). See the Central District Specific Plan and the sign table for CD.
Key signage rules:
- Sign area for business identification: 1.5 sq ft per linear foot of primary building frontage (with numeric maxima for projecting signs and window sign percent limits). See Table 4‑20 and related text. § 17.48.090 / table references to § 17.48.110.
- Freestanding/monument signs: one per x feet of frontage; height and area limits depend on frontage/lot width (see Table 4‑20 and 17.48.110 references). § 17.48.090.
- Downtown / CD often uses Master Sign Plans for larger projects; Central District projects may be subject to specific PD or CDSP provisions requiring master plans. § 17.48.060 and Central District sections.
Where it applies: Old Pasadena/Central business core; consult the Central District Specific Plan for overlay or special rules.

CL / CG / CO / IG (Commercial / General Commercial / Commercial Office / Industrial)

Purpose & typical uses: commercial, retail, office, industrial uses with varying intensity; sign allowances are commercial‑oriented. § 17.48.090 tables.
Key signage rules:
- Business identification (wall, projecting, awning) generally allowed; wall sign allowance commonly expressed as 1.5 sq ft per foot of building frontage (see Table 4‑21) with 25 ft (or bottom of second‑story window) vertical placement limits for many wall/projecting signs. References to § 17.48.110 for type standards.
- Temporary promotional banners in these districts require a Temporary Sign Permit; banners limited by size/duration by § 17.48.120 (Table 4‑22).
- Freestanding signs (pylon/monument) rules (setbacks, minimum distance between signs, landscaping requirements) are spelled out in the chapter (see the freestanding sign rules and Table 4‑21 text). § 17.48.090 and supporting text.

IG / Industrial & MU / Mixed‑Use

Follow the same district table approach (Table 4‑21 and district text). Many industrial parcels are allowed monument/pylon signage with larger area limits; verify specific limits in the district table and the associated sign type standards. § 17.48.090.

Special districts & Planned Developments (PDs)

Many PD ordinances require a Master Sign Plan (Chapter 17.48) and list project‑specific totals and maximums (example: Old Pasadena / PD excerpts contain Table IV Signage Regulations — fixed totals per development area). See the PD development standards where they call out signage (PD excerpts reference Chapter 17.48). § 17.48.060 and the PD text (e.g., tables in PDs).

Most decision‑relevant numeric standards (quick reference table)

Topic	City rule (short)	Code Reference
Master Sign Plan — when required	When ≥ six nonresidential tenant spaces or ≥ six permanent non‑exempt signs, or Director finds necessary	§ 17.48.060
Creative Sign Permit (unique designs)	Director may approve deviations based on design/findings	§ 17.48.070
RS/RM noncommercial signage	Cumulative 25 sq ft per dwelling unit; single sign ≤ 16 sq ft; height ≤ 10 ft; setback 5 ft	§ 17.48.115
Commercial wall signs (typical)	1.5 sq ft per linear ft of primary building frontage (with local maxima for projecting/window signs)	§ 17.48.090 (Table 4‑20/4‑21)
Temporary promotional banners (commercial districts)	Permit required in CD/CG/CL/CO/IG; banners typically 30 sq ft, limited frequency/duration, annual permit possible	§ 17.48.120 (Table 4‑22)
Freestanding / monument sign setbacks	Min 5 ft from street property line / min 5 ft from interior lot line / 10 ft from driveway edge; landscaping at base (exceptions for CD)	Chapter text and district tables (see Table 4‑21 and freestanding sign rules) § 17.48.090 / sign type text (see references to § 17.48.110)
Prohibited signs (examples)	Internally back‑lit awnings, cabinet(can) signs (except corporate logos as projecting signs), electronic message signs (except time/temp)	§ 17.48.130

Practical guidance & interpretation (plain‑English synthesis)

For small residential signs (yard sale, “for sale”): treat them as noncommercial or temporary per § 17.48.115 and § 17.48.120; keep cumulative area under 25 sq ft per unit and single signs under 16 sq ft, 10‑ft height limit.
For multi‑tenant retail buildings (downtown or shopping centers): expect the City to require a Master Sign Plan if there are many tenant spaces or multiple permanent signs; the Plan can trade stricter and looser rules in limited respects but cannot allow signs that are otherwise prohibited. Use § 17.48.060 to determine applicability and findings.
If you want a highly creative, unusually placed, or illuminated sign that deviates from the numeric tables, prepare to apply for a Creative Sign Permit and demonstrate the design criteria and contextual findings in § 17.48.070.
Temporary promotional banners in commercial areas normally require a Temporary Sign Permit and are limited in size/duration (see Table 4‑22). Consider the annual temporary permit option if you need recurring campaign periods. § 17.48.120.
Downtown (Central District) frequently has special placement rules and exceptions (e.g., some setback or landscaping rules do not apply inside the Central District). Always check Central District specific plan text in addition to Chapter 17.48.

Practical links you’ll use while preparing submittals: the City’s sign chapter references Design Review and Parking standards; coordinate sign plans with parking and site access where freestanding sign visibility or sight triangles are affected.

Checklist (what an applicant must satisfy for a typical commercial sign or sign program)

Confirm base zone and overlays for the parcel (e.g., CD, CL, CG, CO, IG, RS, RM) — verify permitted sign table in § 17.48.090.
Determine whether a Master Sign Plan is required (≥6 tenant spaces or ≥6 permanent non‑exempt signs) — § 17.48.060.
If proposing unique design elements outside normal tables, prepare Creative Sign Permit materials and address § 17.48.070 findings.
For temporary banners/promotions: secure Temporary Sign Permit where required (CD/CG/CL/CO/IG) and follow Table 4‑22 limits (§ 17.48.120).
Confirm freestanding sign setbacks, minimum distances between signs, landscaping at the base, and address plate requirements (see freestanding sign text and district tables).
Check prohibited sign types and ensure proposed sign is not on the banned list (§ 17.48.130).
Prepare drawings showing compliance with wall sign placement rules (middle 70% of facade, max projection, window coverage limits) — see sign type standards and § 17.48.100/110 references in the district tables.
Coordinate with Pasadena Design Review if the site/building is subject to design review (Chapter 17.61) or historic review.
Verify electrical/structural/building code requirements with the Building Division (California Building Standards Code) — structural/electrical compliance is separate from zoning. Not enforced by Chapter 17.48.

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue	Why it matters	What to verify
Parcel‑specific overlay or PD standards	PDs and specific plans often override Chapter 17.48 numeric limits (they may require master sign plans or set custom totals)	Confirm whether parcel is in a PD or specific plan (e.g., Central District Specific Plan) and read the PD wording; verify project-level tables in the PD ordinance. Verify with the jurisdiction.
Central District exceptions	Some freestanding setbacks and landscaping requirements are waived inside the CD zone	Check the Central District provisions and the CD sign table (Table 4‑20) before assuming standard freestanding requirements apply. Verify with the jurisdiction.
Application of Master Sign Plan flexibility	Master Sign Plans may relax some numeric standards but cannot legalize signs that are explicitly prohibited	If pursuing a Master Sign Plan, prepare to justify design benefits per § 17.48.060 findings and expect Director review (appealable).
Which section controls a given sign type (tables vs. text)	District tables reference other subsections for sign‐type details (e.g., 17.48.110). Conflicts can be confusing	Cross‑reference the specific table row to its referenced subsection (see the "Section numbers in the last column" note in § 17.48.080–090).
Structural/electrical code vs. zoning	Zoning controls size/placement/appearance; Building Code controls anchorage, electrical work, accessibility, and structural safety	Zoning approval does not replace Building Division permits; follow the California Building Standards Code for construction/installation compliance. Verify with the jurisdiction.

Plain-English Summary

Pasadena’s sign rules live in Chapter 17.48 of Title 17. Residential zones get small, noncommercial sign allowances (generally capped at 25 sq ft per unit and 10 ft height). Commercial and Central District rules are table-driven (square‑feet per linear foot of frontage, limits on projecting/freestanding signs), and larger multi‑tenant or downtown projects commonly use a Master Sign Plan or a Creative Sign Permit to get design flexibility; temporary banners are allowed with limits and often require a Temporary Sign Permit. Key rules are in § 17.48.010, § 17.48.060, § 17.48.070, § 17.48.090, and § 17.48.120.

Source References

Chapter 17.48 — Signs; Purpose, Applicability and Chapter text (§ 17.48.010, § 17.48.020, etc.)
§ 17.48.050 — Sign Exceptions (procedures & findings)
§ 17.48.060 — Master Sign Plan (when required, findings, authority)
§ 17.48.070 — Creative Sign Permit (design criteria, approval)
§ 17.48.080 / § 17.48.090 — Regulations for On‑Premises Signs and Sign Standards by Zoning District (Tables 4‑18 through 4‑21)
§ 17.48.110 — (Referenced in district tables for sign‑type standards)
§ 17.48.115 — Standards for Noncommercial Signs (residential/religious/PS)
§ 17.48.120 — Standards for Temporary Signs and Table 4‑22 (promotional, construction, future tenant)
§ 17.48.130 — Prohibited Signs (list of banned sign types)
Central District / PD sign tables and project sign program examples (PD excerpts referencing Table IV Signage Regulations) — PD ordinance excerpts referencing Chapter 17.48.

If you want, I can: (A) extract and assemble the exact table rows that apply to a single parcel if you provide the parcel address/zone; or (B) draft a checklist + drawing template for a Master Sign Plan submittal. Verify with the City for parcel‑specific questions. Not found in retrieved materials: any City fee amounts or exact submittal checklist PDF (fees are referenced to the Council Fee Resolution but the resolution text was not included in the retrieved materials).

Sources

Retrieved passages

Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 65091) High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (Chapter 17.48) High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code Medium relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 17.61.030) Medium relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code Medium relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (Chapter to) Medium relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (Section numbers) High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (Chapter but) High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 2) Medium relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (Section establishes) Medium relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (Section 17.61.030.) High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 6) High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code High relevance
Pasadena Zoning Code (§ 42) Medium relevance

Cited sections

Official Pasadena code library

Frequently asked questions

What does Pasadena’s Zoning Code say about when a Master Sign Plan is required?

A Master Sign Plan is required when a site creates six or more separate nonresidential tenant spaces or proposes six or more permanent non‑exempt signs, or when the Director determines a plan is needed for special project characteristics; approval is by the Director and must meet the Chapter’s findings. § 17.48.060

How much sign area can I have on a retail storefront in the Central District?

Central District storefronts use the district table (Table 4‑20): wall signs are typically allowed at 1.5 sq ft per linear foot of primary building frontage (subject to maxima for projecting signs and window coverage limits). See the CD table and the sign‑type rules referenced in the table. § 17.48.090

Are temporary banners allowed and do they need a permit in Pasadena?

Yes — promotional temporary banners in CD/CG/CL/CO/IG generally require a Temporary Sign Permit; limits on banner area, height and duration are set in Table 4‑22 (e.g., typical banner max ~30 sq ft and limited number/duration). § 17.48.120

What are the limits for residential / noncommercial signs (yard signs, political signs)?

Noncommercial signs on residential uses are exempt from building permits but must meet § 17.48.115: cumulative total 25 sq ft per dwelling unit, no single sign over 16 sq ft, maximum height 10 ft, and 5 ft setback from the street property line. § 17.48.115

Can I have an electronic message board or LED sign in Pasadena?

Electronic message signs are specifically listed among prohibited signs (except time/temperature signs). Check § 17.48.130 for the prohibited list; such signs are generally barred unless a specific exception/plan indicates otherwise. § 17.48.130

Where am I allowed to place a freestanding (monument/pylon) sign and how far from the street?

Freestanding signs must generally be set back minimum 5 ft from the street property line, 5 ft from interior property lines, and 10 ft from driveway edges; distances between freestanding signs and landscaping at the base are also required (with some exceptions inside the Central District). See the freestanding sign rules and Table 4‑21. § 17.48.090 and supporting sign‑type text (see referenced subsections)

Does the Chapter allow creative or non‑standard signs?

Yes — the Creative Sign Permit process (administrative, Director decision) exists to permit unique designs that differ from the Chapter’s numeric rules, but the permit requires findings focused on design quality, context, and architectural integration. § 17.48.070

Will a zoning sign approval substitute for required Building Division permits?

No. Zoning determines allowed size, number, placement and design constraints; structural, electrical, and life‑safety compliance (including anchorage and wiring) are governed by the Building Division and the California Building Standards Code. Always get building/electrical permits where required. Not found in retrieved materials: a comprehensive checklist of the Building Division permit triggers for signs in a single consolidated place — verify with the Building Division.

What if my project is in a Planned Development or Central District Specific Plan?

Many PDs and the Central District Specific Plan include their own sign totals or require Master Sign Plans and may supersede or augment Chapter 17.48. Read the PD or Specific Plan language that applies to the parcel; PD excerpts in the code call out the requirement to prepare a Master Sign Plan in accordance with Chapter 17.48. § 17.48.060 and the PD text.

Can I apply for an exception to the sign standards?

Yes — the City has a Sign Exception process (a form of variance) administered under § 17.48.050 (Hearing Officer review) that requires findings demonstrating compatibility with neighborhood character and General Plan goals. § 17.48.050

Ask about any Pasadena property

Get a cited, plain-English answer on Pasadena zoning, setbacks, FAR, ADUs and permits — for any address.

Start Free Trial