San Bernardino Commercial Sign Permits Guide

Signs and Advertising California 3 Minutes Read · published February 10, 2026 Flag of California

San Bernardino, California businesses must follow local sign rules when installing or changing commercial signage. This guide explains the permit types, typical documentation, review steps, inspection triggers and enforcement pathways used by the City of San Bernardino to regulate advertising and signs on commercial properties.

Overview of the Permit Process

Most commercial signs require a planning review and a building permit if they are structural or electrically powered. Applicants normally submit site plans, elevations, dimensions, and electrical diagrams where applicable. Check the municipal sign regulations and the Planning Division guidance before preparing plans to avoid re-submittals. Municode - San Bernardino Code of Ordinances[1] Also confirm submittal and structural requirements with Building & Safety. Building & Safety[2]

Typical Documentation

  • Site plan showing sign location relative to property lines and structures.
  • Scaled elevation drawings with sign dimensions and materials.
  • Payment of applicable plan-check and permit fees at submission.
  • Structural calculations for mounted or rooftop signs, stamped by a licensed engineer when required.
  • Contact information for owner, applicant, and contractor.
Start early: allow extra time for design review and structural checks.

Applications & Forms

Sign permit applications are handled through the City’s Development Services departments. Look for a Sign Permit or Sign Review application on the Planning or Building Division pages and confirm fee amounts and submittal formats before filing. If a dedicated sign application or checklist is not published, applicants submit a standard planning application plus building permit documents as required by Building & Safety. Planning Division - Sign Permits[3]

Penalties & Enforcement

The City enforces sign rules through Planning, Building & Safety, and Code Enforcement. Specific monetary fines and escalation amounts are not consistently itemized on the primary sign pages and must be confirmed in the municipal code or fee schedules; where amounts are not published on the cited page, the text below notes that fact and cites the official source.

  • Enforcer: Planning Division, Building & Safety, and Code Enforcement handle compliance, inspections and abatement orders.
  • Fines: specific dollar amounts for sign violations are not specified on the cited sign pages; see the municipal code and fee schedule for penalties or contact Code Enforcement for current fines.[1]
  • Escalation: first notices, correction orders, and possible administrative citations or abatement are typical; precise escalation steps and per-day penalties are not specified on the cited sign guidance pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: removal orders, stop-work notices, withholding of permits, and referral to hearing officers or code hearings are used.
  • Inspection & complaints: report sign violations to Code Enforcement using the City complaint portal or Planning Division contacts listed on official pages.
  • Appeals & time limits: appeals are processed through the City’s planning review or administrative hearing process; specific appeal deadlines are not specified on the cited sign guidance pages and should be confirmed on the Planning Division or municipal code references.
  • Defences & variances: permitted exemptions, variances or conditional use approvals may be available through Planning; submit variance requests where strict compliance creates hardship.
If enforcement action is threatened, request written notice and appeal instructions immediately.

Applications & Forms

Look for a Sign Permit application and the Building Permit forms; if the City does not publish a dedicated sign application, submit a planning application plus the applicable building permit forms and structural documents. Fee schedules and permit checklists are sometimes published as PDFs on the City website; if no fee or form is shown, it is not specified on the cited page.[2]

How-To

  1. Prepare site plan, elevations, materials and electrical/structural details.
  2. Confirm application type and fees with Planning and Building & Safety.
  3. Submit application, pay fees, and respond to plan-check comments.
  4. Schedule inspections once the permit is issued; correct any noncompliant work promptly.
Document electrical work and obtain final inspection to avoid future enforcement notices.

FAQ

Do all commercial signs need a permit?
Generally yes for new, structural, or electrically powered signs; small nonstructural signs may be exempt per municipal rules—check the City sign regulations and Planning Division guidance.
How long does approval take?
Review times vary by submittal completeness and workload; specific standard timelines are not specified on the cited sign guidance pages and should be confirmed with Planning.
What are typical fees?
Fees depend on permit type, valuation and plan-check scope; exact fee amounts are listed in the City fee schedule when published, otherwise not specified on the cited sign pages.

Key Takeaways

  • Confirm permit type early to avoid rework or installation delays.
  • Submit complete plans with structural/electrical details when applicable.
  • Contact Planning, Building & Safety or Code Enforcement for clarification before proceeding.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Municode - San Bernardino Code of Ordinances
  2. [2] Building & Safety - City of San Bernardino
  3. [3] Planning Division - City of San Bernardino

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