Redlands — Signage

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Redlands’ zoning code delegates almost all sign standards to a standalone Redlands Sign Code / sign ordinance, while each zoning district’s chapter references that sign code and occasionally adds zone‑specific limits (for example, maximum sign area facing a residential zone). This reference summarizes what the Redlands Title 18 zoning text explicitly says about signs (where it appears in the zoning code), points out the zone-by-zone cross‑references and the limited, explicit numeric exceptions the zoning text contains, and identifies gaps where the full sign ordinance text is required. Where the zoning code prescribes application and design review rules that affect signs (site plans, architectural review, or conditional use permit limits), those sections are cited as well.

Note: the actual Redlands Sign Code text (the local chapter that prescribes sign types, measurement, temporary signs, permit thresholds, etc.) is not reproduced in the zoning excerpts provided here; the zoning chapters repeatedly say “the Redlands sign code applies.” Verify sign‑type definitions, measurement rules and permit triggers in the standalone sign ordinance. For zoning procedures that require sign information in submittals, see the site plan / architectural review rules cited below.

How the zoning code treats signs (high level)

• The default rule in most districts is that the Redlands sign code controls signage. See the sign line in virtually every zone (for example § 18.44.190 for R‑1) .
• A few zone chapters add numeric exceptions to the general rule (e.g., a 75 sq ft maximum for signs facing residential zones in several commercial/industrial zones) — those numeric exceptions are stated in the Title 18 zone chapters themselves (examples below) .
• Project approvals that go through site plan approval, architectural/design review or conditional use permits must include sign drawings and may have sign conditions attached (see § 18.12.090, § 18.12.160–170) .

(First time the page mentions related topics they are linked inline: this page will refer to parking, development standards, design review, overlay districts, historic preservation, landscaping and screening, ADUs and the California Building Standards Code where each topic appears in the code.)

District-by-district breakdown (what Title 18 actually says about signs)

(Each subsection below gives the district name in bold, a short purpose/uses note, the Title 18 sign rule, any explicit numeric or operational exception in the zoning chapter, and where the rule applies.)

R-1 Single‑Family Residential

• Purpose / typical uses: single‑family homes; low density residential uses.
• Sign rule in Title 18: signage is governed by the Redlands Sign Code (the zoning chapter directs sign regulation to the sign ordinance). See § 18.44.190.
• Where it applies: all land in R‑1. For residential uses that propose nonresidential activity under adaptive‑reuse or bed‑and‑breakfast rules, separate small sign limits exist (see adaptive reuse / B&B entries below) .

R-2 / R-3 / R‑S / R‑A / R‑R / R‑R‑A (all residential variants)

• Purpose / typical uses: multi‑family or varying residential densities.
• Sign rule: each residential zone chapter points to the Redlands Sign Code (e.g., § 18.52.240 for R‑2, § 18.60.240 for R‑3, § 18.40.180 for R‑S) .
• Where it applies: standard residential neighborhoods. For special uses inside residential buildings (adaptive reuse, bed & breakfast), the zoning chapters impose separate small sign limits — see § 18.156.040 and § 18.156.260 below .

A-2 Estate Agricultural / A-1 / A-D (airport area)

• Purpose / typical uses: large lots, agricultural, airport development overlay for A‑D.
• Sign rule: the zoning chapter points to the Redlands sign code (A‑2 and A‑1) § 18.24.180, and A‑D uses the sign code but adds airport‑specific limits (no flashing/rotating/moving signs; sign size and illumination caps for building‑mounted signs). See § 18.128.160 for A‑D (explicit numeric limits: building‑parallel signs up to 150 sq ft; on‑site sale/lease signs up to 6 sq ft; prohibition on flashing/ rotating) .

MF (Multi‑Family) and A‑P (Administrative/Professional)

• Purpose / typical uses: apartments and office/professional uses.
• Sign rule: § 18.68.150 states MF uses the A‑P sign provisions as contained in the Redlands sign code; in short, MF inherits A‑P sign standards (the underlying sign code text is required to know exact limits) .

C‑1, C‑2, C‑3, C‑4 (Commercial districts)

• Purpose / typical uses: neighborhood stores up to general commercial/regional commercial.
• Sign rule: each commercial district defers to the Redlands sign code (for example § 18.84.160 for C‑1, § 18.88.220 for C‑2, § 18.92.200 for C‑3, § 18.96.190 for C‑4) .
• Explicit commercial exceptions in Title 18:
  • Several commercial/industrial chapters add: the maximum area of any sign facing a residential zone is seventy‑five (75) square feet (listed in C‑3 § 18.92.200, C‑4 § 18.96.190, C‑M § 18.100.190, M‑P § 18.104.170, M‑1 § 18.108.170) — those numeric caps are in the zoning chapters themselves, not the separate sign code text. .

C‑M, M‑P, M‑1, I‑P (Industrial / Manufacturing / Planned Industrial)

• Purpose / typical uses: light industrial to planned industrial parks.
• Sign rule and exception: sign control is by the Redlands sign code; multiple industrial/planned industrial chapters add the 75 sq ft limit for signs that face residential zones (e.g., § 18.100.190 for C‑M and § 18.104.170 for M‑P) .

T (Transitional), E (Educational), P (Parking), O (Open land), C‑D (Civic Design)

• Purpose / typical uses: transition uses, schools, parking districts, open land.
• Sign rule: these chapters point to the Redlands sign code for actual standards (for example § 18.72.140 for T; § 18.76.120 for E; § 18.120.050 for P) and, in superimposed districts like C‑D, the civic design rules control appearance and can be applied in addition to the underlying zone. Design/architectural review explicitly considers signs as part of visual compatibility (see architectural review criteria) .

Key decision‑relevant numeric and procedural items (table)

Practical guidance / interpretation (plain‑English synthesis)

• If your property is in any Redlands zone, start by reading the Redlands Sign Code itself — Title 18 repeatedly defers to that ordinance for the details (size measurement, permitted sign types, temporary signs, exemptions, permit triggers). The zoning code gives only a small number of zone‑level exceptions (notably the 75 sq ft facing‑residential cap and the A‑D airport limits) that you must also obey. See the relevant zone sign subsection (examples: § 18.92.200 for C‑3, § 18.96.190 for C‑4, § 18.100.190 for C‑M) .
• When a project goes through site plan approval or architectural review, be prepared to show sign elevations, materials and how the sign matches the building — design review criteria explicitly ask reviewers to evaluate signs as part of architectural compatibility (see § 18.12.160–170) .
• For small, residence‑based uses (adaptive reuse, bed & breakfasts), Title 18 contains its own small, explicit sign allowances (e.g., 4 sq ft for residential adaptive reuse/B&B signs, 20 sq ft for B&B in nonresidential zones) and lighting/time limits — those are zoning‑chapter rules you must follow in addition to the sign code (see § 18.156.040(C) and § 18.156.260(D)) .

Checklist

• Confirm the zoning district for the parcel and note the sign subsection (e.g., § 18.44.190 for R‑1, § 18.92.200 for C‑3) and any numeric exceptions (75 sq ft facing residential, etc.) .
• Retrieve and follow the full Redlands Sign Code (separate ordinance) for type‑by‑type definitions, measurement, temporary sign rules, permit thresholds — the zoning chapters point to that code (Title 18 does not reprint sign technical rules). Not found in retrieved materials.
• For projects requiring site plan approval or architectural review, include sign drawings (design, dimensions, area, location) as required by § 18.12.160 and § 18.12.090 .
• If the property is in the A‑D (airport) area, check § 18.128.160 for special caps and prohibited illumination/animations and consult the Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for additional review .
• If the site abuts or faces a residential zone, check the 75 sq ft facing‑residential limit found in multiple zone chapters (verify which chapter governs your parcel) .
• Where historic resources / overlays apply, expect additional review under design/historic preservation standards — verify with the historic preservation rules and overlay chapters (Title 18 superimposed districts) .
• Verify whether the sign requires building‑code / electrical permits (California Building Standards Code applies to sign construction/illumination) — see Appendix H (California Building Standards Code) for construction/electrical constraints and anchorage requirements .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain‑English Summary

Redlands zoning chapters almost always say "follow the Redlands Sign Code;" Title 18 itself only lists a few explicit numeric exceptions (notably the 75 sq ft cap for signs facing residential zones and specific airport area limits). For most practical questions — sign area measurement, allowed sign types, temporary signs, and permit thresholds — you must read the separate Redlands Sign Code and supply sign drawings as part of site plan or architectural review when required (see § 18.12.160–170).

Source References

• Redlands zoning code excerpts showing zone sign cross‑references: § 18.44.190 (R‑1) .
• Commercial/industrial sign facing‑residential caps: § 18.92.200 (C‑3) and § 18.96.190 (C‑4) .
• C‑M and M‑P / M‑1 sign limits: § 18.100.190, § 18.104.170, § 18.108.170 .
• Airport A‑D zone sign provisions (no flashing, rotating; building sign up to 150 sq ft) § 18.128.160 .
• Adaptive reuse sign rule (CUP context; 4 sq ft): § 18.156.040(C) .
• Bed & breakfast sign rule (4 sq ft residential / 20 sq ft nonresidential): § 18.156.260(D) .
• Site plan / architectural review and sign submittal requirements and criteria (design and appropriateness of signs): § 18.12.090, § 18.12.160–170 .
• P district signs: § 18.120.050(C) refers to the Redlands sign code (P district) .
• California Building Standards Code (Appendix H — signs: construction/electrical/height/attachment): California Building Standards Code (Appendix H) excerpt in provided files; see Appendix H provisions for construction and electrical (for building permit coordination) .
• NOTE: The full text of the Redlands Sign Code (the municipal code chapter that defines sign types, measurement, temporary signs, exemptions, permit fees and application forms) was not included in the Title 18 excerpts I searched. Not found in retrieved materials.

Retrieved passages

• Redlands Zoning Code (§ 27.40) High relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (§ 23.30) High relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (section 18.168.220) High relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (chapter 18.168) Medium relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (§ 26.30) Medium relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (chapter shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (chapter 3.24) High relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (§ 31.53) High relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (chapter 18.192) Medium relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (title shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (§ 25.30) Medium relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (§ 23.30) Medium relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (§ 22.52) Medium relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (§ 11) Medium relevance show source text
• CEC § H103 (SECTION H103) Medium relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (§ 32.20) Medium relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Redlands Zoning Code (§ 1) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Redlands zoning code excerpts showing zone sign cross‑references: **§ 18.44.190** (R‑1) . (§ 18.44.190)
• Commercial/industrial sign facing‑residential caps: **§ 18.92.200** (C‑3) and **§ 18.96.190** (C‑4) . (§ 18.92.200)
• C‑M and M‑P / M‑1 sign limits: **§ 18.100.190**, **§ 18.104.170**, **§ 18.108.170** . (§ 18.100.190)
• Airport A‑D zone sign provisions (no flashing, rotating; building sign up to **150 sq ft**) **§ 18.128.160** . (§ 18.128.160)
• Adaptive reuse sign rule (CUP context; **4 sq ft**): **§ 18.156.040(C)** . (§ 18.156.040)
• Bed & breakfast sign rule (4 sq ft residential / 20 sq ft nonresidential): **§ 18.156.260(D)** . (§ 18.156.260)
• Site plan / architectural review and sign submittal requirements and criteria (design and appropriateness of signs): **§ 18.12.090**, **§ 18.12.160–170** . (§ 18.12.090)
• P district signs: **§ 18.120.050(C)** refers to the Redlands sign code (P district) . (§ 18.120.050)
• California Building Standards Code (Appendix H — signs: construction/electrical/height/attachment): California Building Standards Code (Appendix H) excerpt in provided files; see Appendix H provisions for construction and electrical (for building permit coordination) .
• NOTE: The full text of the Redlands Sign Code (the municipal code chapter that defines sign types, measurement, temporary signs, exemptions, permit fees and application forms) was not included in the Title 18 excerpts I searched. Not found in retrieved materials. (chapter that)
• Redlands_ZoningCode.md
• 2025 California Building Code.md

• Official Redlands code library