Do all business signs in Glendale need a permit?

Most permanent signs require a permit; some minor or temporary signs may be exempt—verify with the Planning Division or Building Division permit guidance.

How is sign area measured?

Measurement conventions are defined in the municipal code; consult the sign chapter for whether background area or letter-only area is used.

What if I receive a notice for an unpermitted sign?

Follow the compliance instructions in the notice, contact the issuing department promptly, and inquire about appeal or administrative hearing options.

Glendale Sign Permit Rules and Size Limits

Land Use and Zoning California 3 Minutes Read · published February 10, 2026

Glendale, California businesses must follow the city sign rules and obtain permits for most exterior signs. This guide summarizes where to find the official standards, how size and placement are controlled, and the steps businesses typically follow to apply for a permit and resolve violations. For official zoning standards and sign definitions see the City of Glendale Planning Division^[1], the Glendale municipal code^[2], and the Building Division for permit filing and inspections^[3].

Sign Standards and Size Limits

Sign regulations in Glendale are governed by the municipal zoning rules and the sign chapter in the city code. Typical controls include sign type (wall, projecting, freestanding, canopy, temporary), maximum sign area by frontage, maximum height, spacing from property lines, and illumination rules. Exact numeric limits and measuring conventions are set in the municipal code and the zoning regulations cited above.^[2]

Wall signs: area usually tied to linear frontage or tenant width; consult zoning tables in the code.
Freestanding and monument signs: height and area limits vary by zone and lot type.
Temporary signs: duration, size and placement rules are distinct from permanent signs.
Illumination and electronic message displays: subject to specific restrictions on brightness, animation and hours of operation.

Always check the code table for your zoning district before designing a sign.

Permit Triggers and Exceptions

Most permanent signs and many temporary signs require a permit; minor non-structural repairs often do not. Signs within historical districts, on public right-of-way, or attached to awnings and canopies may need additional review or approvals.

New permanent sign installations generally require a building permit plus a sign permit review.
Structural changes or new support structures require building-division review and stamped plans.
Temporary signage and special event banners may require a separate temporary sign permit or written authorization.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of sign rules in Glendale is handled by the Community Development and Building divisions (for code compliance and unsafe structures) and by Code Enforcement for violations. Civil fines, abatement orders, and stop-work orders are typical enforcement tools; specific fine amounts and escalation schedules must be confirmed in the municipal code and enforcement policy pages cited below.^[2]

Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page; see the municipal code and enforcement pages for exact amounts and per-day calculations.
Escalation: first offence, repeat offence and continuing violation procedures and timeframes are not specified on the cited page.
Non-monetary remedies: abatement orders, mandatory removal, stop-work notices, permit revocation and referral to court or administrative hearings are possible.
Enforcers and complaints: contact the Planning Division or Building Division to report unsafe or unpermitted signs; see official contact pages for submission methods.^[1]

When enforcement actions are issued, deadlines to comply or appeal are strictly enforced.

Applications & Forms

The Building Division issues permits and posts application forms and checklists for sign permits. Fees, plan requirements, structural calculations and any required electrical permits are listed by the Building Division; if a specific form number or fee table is not published on the referenced page, it is not specified on that page.^[3]

Sign Permit Application: obtainable from the Building Division permit center or online portal; check for required attachments such as site plan, elevations and manufacturer specs.
Fees: project fees vary by scope and valuation; specific fee amounts are listed by the Building Division or fee schedule when published.
Structural review: required if sign is over a size or requires attachment to structural elements; may need licensed engineer stamping.

Common Violations

Unpermitted signs installed without a building or sign permit.
Signs exceeding allowed area or height for the zoning district.
Obstructing public right-of-way or placed on utility poles without authorization.

FAQ

Do all business signs in Glendale need a permit?: Most permanent signs require a permit; some minor or temporary signs may be exempt—verify with the Planning Division or Building Division permit guidance.^[1]
How is sign area measured?: Measurement conventions are defined in the municipal code; consult the sign chapter for whether background area or letter-only area is used.^[2]
What if I receive a notice for an unpermitted sign?: Follow the compliance instructions in the notice, contact the issuing department promptly, and inquire about appeal or administrative hearing options.

How-To

Confirm zoning district and sign standards in the municipal code and Planning Division resources.
Prepare plans: site plan, elevations, dimensions, materials, and structural info if required.
Submit a sign permit application through the Building Division permit center with required fees and attachments.
Respond to plan-check comments and obtain any structural or electrical permits needed.
Schedule inspections after installation and retain the final approval documentation.

Key Takeaways

Always check the municipal code table for zoning-specific size limits before designing signs.
Most permanent signs require permits from the Building Division and review by Planning.