Long Beach Sign Permit Size and Height Limits

Signs and Advertising California 4 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026 Flag of California

In Long Beach, California, sign permits and size or height limits are governed by local planning and zoning rules administered by the City’s planning and code enforcement departments. This guide summarizes where to find the rules, how size and height are typically controlled, common permit routes, enforcement pathways, and practical steps to get a compliant sign permit. For definitive legal text and any numeric limits that apply to a specific property or sign type, consult the municipal code and the City’s sign permit pages listed below.[1]

How sign size and height are regulated

Long Beach controls signage through its zoning and sign regulations that define sign types (wall, freestanding, awning, temporary), measurement methods for area and height, and where specific signs are permitted by zoning district. Numeric limits and allowed locations vary by zoning district, sign type, and whether a sign is on private or public property. Where the municipal code or permit pages list a specific measurement method or numeric limit, that rule governs the permit review. Long Beach Municipal Code[1]

Always confirm the zoning designation for your property before designing a sign.

Permits, variances, and approvals

Most permanent signs on private property require a sign permit; certain temporary signs may need permits or be subject to time and size limits. Variances or conditional use approvals can be required when a proposed sign exceeds code limits or is in a special overlay zone. The Planning Bureau and the Permit Center administer sign permits and pre-application reviews; contact the City for site-specific determinations and any required historic or coastal reviews. Sign permit information and submittal[2]

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of sign regulations is handled by the City’s Code Enforcement and Planning/Building divisions. Typical enforcement steps include notice of violation, compliance order, and administrative or civil penalties when a property owner fails to comply. Specific monetary fines, escalation amounts, and time limits for correction are addressed in the municipal enforcement procedures or penalty schedules where published; if an exact fine amount or escalation schedule is not published on the cited page, this guide notes that the amount is not specified on the cited page and directs you to the City for current figures.[1]

  • Enforcer: City of Long Beach Code Enforcement and the Planning/Building divisions handle inspections, notices, and compliance orders; complaints can be submitted through the City’s code enforcement contact page. Code Enforcement contact[3]
  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: whether fines escalate per day, per violation, or by tier for repeat offenders is not specified on the cited page.
  • Appeals/review: the City provides administrative appeal routes for planning decisions in line with municipal procedures; specific time limits for filing an appeal are not specified on the cited page and should be confirmed with Planning.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: compliance or abatement orders, removal of unlawful signs, stop-work orders, and potential court action.
  • Inspection and complaint pathway: report via Code Enforcement online or contact the Planning Permit Center for sign permit review.[3]
If you receive a notice, act quickly; deadlines and appeal windows can be short.

Applications & Forms

Sign permit applications and required plan sets, structural calculations, and supporting documents are available from the City’s Planning and Building permit pages. Where the City publishes a named form or application packet it should be used; if a specific form number or fee is not listed on the cited page, that detail is not specified on the cited page.

  • Sign Permit Application: see the City’s permit center for the current application packet and submission checklist.[2]
  • Fees: fee schedules for permits are published separately; if a fee amount is not shown on the sign permit page, it is not specified on the cited page.
  • Deadlines and review time: review timelines and any submittal deadlines are available from the Permit Center; specific review timeframes may vary by application complexity and are not specified on the cited page.

Common violations

  • Unpermitted permanent signs (installed without a permit).
  • Signs that exceed permitted height or square footage for the zoning district.
  • Signs in the public right-of-way or on city property without authorization.
  • Illuminated signs that do not meet electrical or safety approvals.
Temporary signs may have different size and duration rules than permanent signs.

Action steps

  • Confirm zoning and permitted sign types with the Planning Permit Center before designing a sign.
  • Prepare drawings showing sign area, height, attachment details, and structural calculations if required.
  • Submit the sign permit application and pay applicable fees per the Permit Center instructions.[2]
  • If you receive a notice of violation, contact Code Enforcement immediately to learn the compliance deadline and appeal options.[3]

FAQ

Do all signs in Long Beach need a permit?
Most permanent signs on private property require a permit; some temporary signs have limited exemptions—check the City sign permit rules and zoning code for your property.[1]
How is sign height measured?
The municipal code and sign measurement rules define height measurement methods by sign type; consult the code for the exact measurement method used for your sign type.[1]
What happens if I put up an unpermitted sign?
The City may issue a notice of violation, require removal or modification, and assess penalties or abatement costs per enforcement procedures.

How-To

  1. Confirm the property zoning and any overlay restrictions with the Planning Permit Center.
  2. Review applicable sign rules in the Long Beach Municipal Code and the City sign permit guidance.[1]
  3. Prepare required plans, structural documents, and the sign permit application packet per the Permit Center checklist.[2]
  4. Submit the application, pay fees, respond to plan check comments, and obtain final approval before installation.
  5. If cited for a violation, follow the compliance order and use the City’s appeal process if you disagree with the determination.

Key Takeaways

  • Sign rules vary by zoning and sign type; always verify your property’s rules first.
  • Permits typically required for permanent signs; temporary signs have separate rules.
  • Contact Planning and Code Enforcement early to avoid fines or removal orders.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Long Beach Municipal Code - Code of Ordinances
  2. [2] City of Long Beach - Sign permit information and submittal
  3. [3] City of Long Beach - Code Enforcement

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data