Palm Desert, CA Sign Regulations: Freeway-Facing Signs (2026)

Freeway signage in the City of Palm Desert is tied to Interstate 10 and to the Freeway Commercial Overlay Zone. Section 25.56.080(B)(1) permits one freeway-oriented monument sign for planned commercial properties in that zone that are greater than 10 acres with at least 1,000 feet of lineal frontage abutting Interstate 10. A center with freeway frontage in excess of 1,600 lineal feet gets 1 additional sign, and multiple signs for the same center must be separated by at least 400 lineal feet. Signs cannot exceed 40 feet in height, though the Architectural Review Commission can approve deviations of up to 20 percent for artistic elements and superior design quality. Every freeway monument sign must be part of a Sign Program with line of sight studies and photo simulations and renderings for both night and day, and the ARC must find that approval visually enhances the aesthetic quality of the property. Table 25.56-2, row 5c, lists 450 sq. ft. of sign area, 40 ft. of height and a setback of at least 10 ft. and at most 50 ft. along the freeway frontage. Height is measured under § 25.56.060(F) from the highest part of the text area to the adjacent street grade or the grade beneath the sign, whichever the Director determines is appropriate.

Building signs facing the freeway follow § 25.56.080(H). A business in a building with 1 side facing the freeway gets 1 sign on that side in addition to its front signs. A single-tenant sign is limited to 50 percent of the area allowed on the front, and multitenant signs are limited to 16-inch high letters. Signs use black Bernard Gothic T Medium font except for federal trademark signs, must be reverse halo lit or non-illuminated individual letters, and must be turned off after 11:00 p.m. Logos, slogans, and phone numbers are not allowed.