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.

Political Signs

Long Beach doesn't carve out a special political-sign category. LBMC § 21.44.420 says campaign signs "are not regulated as a separate class of signs." They fall under the general noncommercial promotional-activity exemption in Table 44-4, capped at 16 square feet per sign and 80 square feet total per lot, with no permit required.

Key details: Governing sections: LBMC §§ 21.44.420, 21.44.500, Table 44-4 item 17. Special political-sign rule: None: treated as noncommercial promotional sign. Max size per sign: 16 sq. ft.. Max total per lot/parcel: 80 sq. ft.. Permit: Not required (permit-exempt class).

Chapter 21.44 has been enforced as an infraction under California Penal Code § 17 since January 1, 1992, per LBMC § 1.32.060.B.1.a, rather than under the Code's default misdemeanor penalty. A sign that exceeds the 80-square-foot lot cap, sits on public property or a utility pole, or isn't removed within five days of the promoted event's end is subject to citation and removal by the City regardless of its political content.

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

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.

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

Compared to many U.S. cities, Long Beach gives residents more room on sign regulations. 2 of the 4 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

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.