Most cities in Riverside and Orange County require a permit before you install a permanent business sign, and illuminated or freestanding signs usually go through more review than a simple wall sign. If you lease space in a shopping center, you will typically need written landlord approval first. Every city has its own rules, so the key to a smooth process is complete drawings, landlord sign-off and knowing your city's requirements before the sign is built.
Do I need a permit for a business sign?
In most cases, yes. Permanent signs such as channel letters, lit cabinets, blade signs, monument signs and pylon signs almost always need a permit. Some cities also regulate window graphics, banners, temporary signs and A-frame signs, though the rules for those vary widely.
Do not assume that because a sign was there before, a new one is automatically allowed. Changing a sign face, adding lighting or changing the size can trigger review, and an older sign may not meet current rules. The safe move is to check before you order anything.
Who reviews sign permits in Riverside and Orange County?
Sign permits are handled by the city where your business is located, or by the county if the property is in an unincorporated area. Within the city, review usually involves two groups.
The planning department
Planning looks at whether the sign is allowed where you want it. That includes sign size and area, how many signs you can have, placement on the building, height, lighting and design standards. Planning also checks whether your property falls under a specific plan, a design overlay or an approved sign program for the center.
Building and safety
Building and safety looks at whether the sign is built and attached safely. For wall signs, that means how the sign is fastened to the building. For illuminated signs, it includes electrical details. For freestanding signs, it includes the foundation and structure. After installation, the city may send an inspector to sign off on the work.
What is a sign program, and why does the landlord have to approve my sign?
Most shopping centers and business parks have a sign criteria document, sometimes called a sign program. It sets the rules for every tenant sign on the property: letter height, colors, lighting, mounting, materials and where signs can go. Some centers have a master sign program that the city has formally approved, which means the city will check your sign against it.
The usual order is:
- Get a copy of the sign criteria from your landlord or property manager.
- Design the sign to fit those rules.
- Submit drawings to the landlord for approval.
- Receive a signed or stamped approval.
- Submit the approved drawings to the city.
Skipping the landlord step is one of the most common ways a project stalls. Many cities will not accept an application for a shopping center sign without proof of landlord approval.
What drawings and information are typically needed for a sign permit?
Exact requirements vary, and many cities post a checklist on their website. A typical sign permit package includes:
- A site plan showing the property and where the sign will go
- A building elevation with the sign drawn to scale
- Sign dimensions and a calculation of sign area
- The length of your tenant frontage or building wall
- Construction details, materials and how the sign attaches
- Electrical details for illuminated signs
- Colors and finishes
- Landlord or property owner authorization
- Contractor information
Drawings need to be accurate. If the elevation shows a sign that does not match the dimensions listed, or the sign area math does not add up, expect a correction notice.
When do signs need electrical or structural review?
Illuminated signs typically need electrical review. The city will want to see that the sign uses listed components and carries a UL label, and that it is connected to a proper circuit with a disconnect. An electrical inspection is common after installation.
Freestanding signs like monument signs and pylons need structural review of the footing and support. Larger or taller signs may need calculations from an engineer to show they can handle wind loads. These signs also get checked for setbacks and sight lines near driveways.
Large wall signs may need attachment details showing what they are fastened to and how.
What are common reasons sign permits get rejected or delayed?
- The sign is larger than the area allowed for your frontage
- Missing landlord approval
- The design does not match the center's sign program
- Incomplete drawings or missing dimensions
- The sign is in the wrong spot, such as too close to a property line or blocking sight lines
- Too many signs for the business or the building
- Missing electrical or structural details
- Lighting that is not allowed facing nearby homes
- Existing unpermitted signs on the property that have to be dealt with first
How can I avoid sign permit delays?
- Get the sign criteria before design starts. Designing to the rules from day one saves rounds of revisions.
- Check city rules early. Find out what your city allows before you fall in love with a design.
- Get landlord approval in writing. An email that says "looks good" may not be enough.
- Submit a complete package. Missing items are the most common reason for a resubmittal.
- Answer corrections quickly. The clock usually stops while the city waits on you.
- Do not build first. Hold off on fabrication until the permit is approved, or at least until the design is locked.
- Plan around your opening date. Ask your city about temporary signs or banners if you need something up in the meantime.
Why is the sign permit process different in every city?
Each city writes its own sign ordinance and sets its own review process. A sign that is approved without trouble in Corona might need changes in Anaheim, and the reverse is just as true. Master-planned communities often add their own design guidelines on top of city rules. Older downtown areas may have district standards. Some cities handle simple sign permits over the counter, while others route every sign through a longer review.
That is why we do not quote permit timelines or fees without knowing the address. The same sign can follow a very different path depending on the city and the property.
Can my sign company handle the permit for me?
Yes, and in most cases it should. Tov Sign's sign permit and landlord approval service covers the drawings, the landlord submittal, the city application, corrections and inspections. You stay informed, but you do not have to learn the city's process from scratch.
Get a free 3D mockup and permit-ready plan
Send us your logo, a photo of your storefront and your landlord's sign criteria if you have it. Within 24 hours, we will send a free 3D mockup and an itemized quote that shows the permit work as its own line item. Request your free quote or call 951-552-0709.