Design standards for all signs.
Long Beach Municipal Code § 21.44.060
in effect21.44.060 - Design standards for all signs.
The following standards shall apply to the design of all signs subject to this chapter, for the purpose of carrying out the intent and achieving the goals of this chapter set forth in Section 21.44.010 - Purpose:
A. Character. Signs shall enhance the public realm and aid in the creation of a street's character. No sign shall impede pedestrian traffic, block sight lines in the public viewshed, or disturb adjacent residences.
B. Complementary. The color, material, scale, lettering, and lighting shall complement the surrounding street environment and buildings that the sign addresses.
C. Size. Signs shall never overpower the building. The sign shall fit comfortably into the architecture and character of the building or storefront. Signs shall be mounted in a manner that does not detract from the building's architectural presence and aesthetics.
D. Audience. Signs intended for tourists, locals, or different age groups can suffer from poor sign design. Therefore, regardless of the intended audience, sign design shall conform to these design principles.
E. Concise. Information on signs shall be brief, clear, and simple with appropriately-sized lettering, and a clear information hierarchy. When appropriate, symbols may be used in place of text.
F. Illumination. Lighting used with signs shall be focused and minimal, especially for exterior-lit signs. Lighting shall be in scale with the sign and building. Design of sign illumination shall make every effort to avoid contributing to night-sky light pollution.
G. Consistency. Signs shall be consistent across a building or property. If multiple tenants are listed on a single sign or a multi-tenant building, variation between size and typeface of tenant names and color shall be limited to a palette of three (3) or fewer options.
H. Timelessness. Sign design should convey a timeless character of a street, place, or business, and should avoid design tendencies associated with fleeting trends. Signs also shall be designed with durable, long-lasting materials, and shall be well-maintained.
(ORD-13-0014, § 19(Att. A), 2013)
Source: City of Long Beach, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/long_beach/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT21ZO_CH21.44EMSI_21.44.060DESTALSIFetched: 10/28/2026