Sign Regulations in Long Beach, CA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Long Beach or are thinking about moving there, sign regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Long Beach has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of sign regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Digital Billboards

Long Beach treats every electronic billboard as a discretionary land use. A Conditional Use Permit is required before any new digital billboard is built or an existing static billboard is converted, and Municipal Code § 21.54.280(B) locks down message timing, motion and nighttime brightness once one is approved and installed.

Key details: Permit required: Conditional Use Permit, § 21.54.111. Min. message duration: 8 seconds, no blank interval. Night brightness cap: 0.3 foot-candles above ambient. Removal ratio, new electronic sign: 8x its display area citywide. Malfunction rule: freeze to one message or go blank.

Zoning citations for Title 21 violations, including unpermitted billboard construction, conversion or brightness noncompliance, escalate under Section 21.10.080: a first infraction citation carries a $100 fine, a second within six months $250, and continued noncompliance is referred for misdemeanor prosecution punishable by up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail under Section 1.32.010. The City may also pursue civil abatement or injunctive relief in addition to citation.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Long Beach actively enforces its digital billboards requirements.

Window Signs

Long Beach limits window signs to 10 percent of a window's total area under Municipal Code § 21.44.500's Table 44-4, sign class 5. The exemption lets businesses skip a sign permit and fee only if they stay within that cap, with density further capped at one sign per three linear feet of window, each window measured separately.

Key details: Coverage cap: 10% of window area, per window. Density limit: 1 sign per 3 linear feet of window. Calculation: Each window measured separately. Permit status: Exempt from sign permit and fee. Escalating fines: $100, then $250, then $1,000 misdemeanor.

A window sign exceeding the 10-percent cap loses its permit-exempt status and is treated as an unpermitted sign under Chapter 21.44. Planning and Building inspectors can issue a notice of violation with a 10-day cure period under LBMC § 1.32.060; an uncured or repeated violation escalates to a $100 infraction citation, then $250, then a $1,000 misdemeanor citation if it recurs within six months.

Political Signs

Long Beach gives political campaign signs no class of their own. Section 21.44.420 says they are not regulated as a separate class, so the general sign standards apply. The Table 44-4 class for noncommercial signs allows 16 square feet per sign and 80 square feet per lot, with no sign permit, and requires removal within 5 days after the event.

Key details: Separate political sign class: None (§ 21.44.420). Size per sign (Table 44-4, item 17): 16 sq. ft.. Total area per lot or parcel: 80 sq. ft. in any zoning district. Number of signs: No limit inside the 80 sq. ft. total. Sign permit and fee: Exempt under § 21.44.500.

A sign that breaks Chapter 21.44 is handled through correction under the Municipal Code, including the Administrative Citation process, after the Director of Development Services gives the sign owner written notice (§ 21.44.740(A)). The City Engineer can authorize removal without notice of any sign that poses an immediate safety threat or sits on a public right-of-way or public property in violation of the chapter (§ 21.44.740(B)). A sign illegally placed on public property is declared a public nuisance and can be removed summarily, and the person responsible is liable for the City's removal costs (§ 21.44.900(E)). The chapter prints no dollar fine for a sign violation.

Garage Sale Signs

Long Beach allows one garage-sale sign per sale on the property holding the sale under Municipal Code § 21.44.500's Table 44-4, Class 9. The exempt sign can't top 4 feet in height or 6 square feet in area, and it can't be placed on public property such as medians, sidewalks or utility poles.

Key details: Max height: 4 feet. Max area: 6 sq. ft.. Number allowed: 1 sign per garage sale. Placement: Not allowed on public property. Permit: Exempt from sign permit/fee.

An unpermitted garage-sale sign placed on a sidewalk, median, or utility pole can be summarily removed by the City, and the underlying violation of Table 44-4 or the right-of-way prohibition in § 21.44.600 is enforceable under the general infraction procedure at LBMC § 1.32.060: a notice of violation followed by escalating fines of $100, $250, and up to $1,000 for a misdemeanor-level repeat offense.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Long Beach gives residents more flexibility on garage sale signs.

The Bottom Line

Long Beach's sign regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Long Beach is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Long Beach's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.