Santa Clarita's Sign Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles sign regulations a little differently. In Santa Clarita, California, there are 5 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Freeway-Facing Signs

Santa Clarita allows one freeway-oriented pylon sign per lot for food, lodging or fuel businesses visible from an adjacent freeway. The sign is capped at 200 square feet per face and 35 feet in height, and copy is limited to the business name and logo under Municipal Code Section 17.51.080(Q)(10).

Key details: Max signs per lot: 1 freeway-oriented pylon sign. Max sign face area: 200 square feet. Max height: 35 feet (CUP can raise it). Eligible businesses: Food, lodging, motor vehicle fuel only. Allowed zones: C, MX, PI, I zones.

A freeway-oriented pylon sign erected without the required sign review approval, exceeding the 200-square-foot face or 35-foot height cap, or carrying prohibited advertising copy such as prices or phone numbers is an illegal sign under Section 17.11.020's illegal-sign definition and subject to the City's sign enforcement and abatement process, which can require removal or modification at the owner's expense.

Digital Billboards

Santa Clarita only allows digital billboards inside the BR (Billboard Relocation) overlay zone along I-5 and SR-14, and only under a Council-approved billboard reduction and relocation agreement. Each display may only show still images held for at least 8 seconds, with no motion, flashing or traveling lights.

Key details: Governing zone: BR overlay zone, within 300 ft of I-5/SR-14 centerline. Minimum image duration: 8 seconds per still image. Digital billboard separation: 2,500 feet minimum, same freeway side. Max sign area: 700 sq ft per face. Max structure height: 65 feet from lowest adjacent grade.

Because digital billboards exist only through a negotiated billboard reduction and relocation agreement or development agreement, a display installed or operated outside an approved agreement, or one that violates its still-image, spacing or size terms, is treated as a breach of that agreement and an unpermitted sign subject to the City's general sign and zoning enforcement remedies, including a stop-work or removal order from the Planning Division and civil penalties under the Municipal Code's general enforcement chapter.

This is one of the stricter rules in Santa Clarita's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Garage Sale Signs

Garage sale signs in Santa Clarita fall under the City's general temporary sign rules, not a separate garage-sale-specific standard. Section 17.67.030(M)(5) sends garage sale signage to Section 17.51.080, which in a residential zone caps each temporary sign at 32 square feet, all temporary signs on the property at 100 square feet combined, and requires removal within ten days of the event.

Key details: Max sign area: 32 sq ft per sign in R zone. Aggregate cap: 100 sq ft per residential parcel. Removal deadline: Within 10 days after the event. Lighting: Not permitted. Governing sections: UDC §§ 17.67.030(M)(5) and 17.51.080(S).

A garage sale sign larger than 32 square feet, more than 100 square feet of combined temporary signage on one parcel, a sign left up more than ten days after the sale ends, a lighted sign, or a sign encroaching into the public right-of-way or sidewalk all violate Section 17.51.080(S) as applied through Section 17.67.030(M)(5), and the Community Development Department can require removal of a noncompliant sign.

Window Signs

Santa Clarita caps window signage at 25% of window area under UDC Section 17.51.080(U). The limit applies to every single window, or to a group of adjoining windows sharing one street frontage, in every zoning district citywide. Business names, logos and service messages are the only content permitted, and signs built into a genuine merchandise display are exempt from the percentage cap entirely.

Key details: Coverage cap: 25% of single window or adjoining group. Governing section: UDC § 17.51.080(U). Permitted content: Business name, logo, services incidental. Cure period: 15 days minimum after Director's notice. Appeal body: Planning Commission (subsection X).

A window sign over the 25% cap, or one displaying banned content such as prices, phone numbers or web addresses, is an illegal sign under Section 17.51.080(W)(2). The Director issues written notice specifying the violation and gives the owner or tenant at least fifteen days to remove or correct it before the order can be appealed to the Planning Commission. Signs the City deems unsafe may be removed immediately without notice, with removal and storage costs charged to the permit holder or owner.

Political Signs

Political signs protected under First Amendment and CA Elections Code. Cannot be banned on private property during election periods.

Key details: Private Property: Protected by state law. Public ROW: Generally restricted. State Law: CA Elections Code protections. Removal: Must remove post-election.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Santa Clarita actively enforces its political signs requirements.

The Bottom Line

Santa Clarita is tougher than many cities when it comes to sign regulations. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Santa Clarita, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Santa Clarita's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.