The granting of a sign permit for either a temporary or permanent sign is to ensure that specific City standards are met. These standards are to ensure that the signs present no adverse distractions to motorists and pedestrians, communicate effectively, and promote the aesthetic and environmental values of the community. This is accomplished by providing for signs that do not impair the attractiveness of the City, prohibiting the visual clutter of obtrusive signs, and by prohibiting signs in the public right-of-way. For information in processing either Permanent Signs or Temporary Signs, please see below.

Please contact the Planning Division at (805) 583-6769, if you desire to discuss your proposed sign(s), and for any questions you may have regarding the planning process and/or the required application submittal information and materials.

Permanent Signs

If you are interested in a permanent sign for your project or business, please refer to SVMC Section 9-37.060, which calls out specific standards depending on whether the project is located in the residential or commercial/industrial zoning district. The standards regulate the size and placement of wall signs depending on the size and proximity of the building to the street, and the size, height, and site location of freestanding monument signs.

In designing your sign(s), please refer to the Permanent Sign Handout and the Citywide Design Guidelines to review the quality of signs the City is visualizing for our community.

Any new or revised sign requires a Sign Permit, which is issued by the Planning Division. In most cases, your sign contractor prepares the exhibits and applies for the permit, with the appropriate Planning Review Fees. The exhibits should include a photo simulation(s) showing the proposed sign(s) on the building and/or the monument sign along the street frontage of the property.

Temporary Signs

The intent of a temporary sign is to allow the business owner an opportunity to promote and to create a more visual presence by temporarily displaying a sign either on the building or freestanding on the site of the business.

Please refer to SVMC Section 9-37.070 for general standards for all temporary signs. The following criteria for temporary signs are required to ensure fairness among the businesses and to preserve the aesthetic value of our City.

Temporary signs should be prepared by design professionals (e.g., graphic designers) whose principal business is the design, manufacture, or sale of signs, or others who are determined by the Director of Environmental Services to be capable of producing professional results.

Principals of Copy Design

The City of Simi Valley does not regulate message content (copy) of signs; however, the following are principals of copy design and layout that can enhance the readability and attractiveness of signs:

1. Sign copy should relate only to the name and/or nature of the business and/or promotion.
2. Information should be conveyed briefly or by logo, symbol, or other graphic manner. The intent should be to increase the readability of the sign and thereby enhance the identity of the business.
3. The materials should be durable and capable of withstanding weathering.
4. The colors on signs and structural members should be harmonious (e.g., compatible and complementary) with one another.

Types of Temporary Signs

For information regarding the specific types of temporary signs, please see below.

Temporary Commercial Signs

Temporary Commercial Signs consist of any message including words, symbols, graphics and/or logo that convey a message for the purpose of proposing a commercial transaction. Such signs require a Sign Permit with the appropriate Planning Review Fees.

Temporary Commercial Signs are not allowed in any residential zone. Currently, a business is allowed either 1 on-building sign up to 50 square feet, or 1 free-standing sign up to 12 square feet (maximum 6 feet high).

A business person may apply for a permit 8 times a calendar year for 16 days each period. The sign(s) is to be located on the same parcel as the business, and not interfere with vehicle line-of-sight. Note that the sign is not allowed in the public right-of-way.

To apply for a Temporary Sign Permit, please refer to the Temporary Sign Permit Application.

Temporary Non-Commercial Signs

Temporary Non-Commercial Signs do not convey a message as described above under Commercial Signs. Temporary Non-Commercial Signs do not require a permit, subject to the following standards:

1. Property owner permission is required
2. Posting period is limited to 128 calendar days per calendar year (Election sign duration shall not exceed 60 days prior to, and including the date of, any election and must be removed within 7 days after the date of the election)
3. The posting period is affixed to the lower right side of the sign.

The size of the sign is limited to a maximum 6 feet high and 12 square feet. There is no limit to the number of signs on a site or the zone for which they are located; however, no sign is allowed in the street public right-of-way.

Temporary Charitable Commercial Signs

Temporary Charitable Commercial Signs are commercial signs posted by a charitable organization, as defined in SVMC Section 9-80.020. Temporary Charitable Commercial Signs do not require a permit, subject to the following standards:

1. Property owner permission is required
2. Posting period is limited to 30 days prior and 5 days after the respective charitable commercial event
3. The posting period is affixed to the lower right side of the sign

The size of the sign is limited to a maximum 6 feet high and 12 square feet. There is no limit to the number of signs or the zone for which they are located; however, no sign is allowed in the street public right-of-way.

Temporary Window Commercial Signs

Temporary Window Commercial Signs are allowed without permit on a continuous basis in commercial and industrial zones, subject to the coverage of the windows being limited to a maximum 40 percent. Signs mounted within two feet of the window are considered window signs. Half of the allowed 40 percent coverage may be lighted such as neon. However, no sign is allowed to move, rotate, flash, or vary in intensity.

Real Estate Signs

Real Estate Signs for the purpose of sale or lease are allowed without a permit per State Civil Code Section 713. The signs are allowed on a continuous basis subject to one sign per parcel, maximum six feet high, and limited to 50 square feet in commercial/industrial zones and 12 square feet in residential zones.

Vehicle Signs

Vehicle Signs are allowed without a permit, if the sign is painted directly upon, magnetically affixed, or permanently affixed to the body or other integral part of the vehicle, and does not extend more than 12 inches above or beyond the overall height or width of the vehicle.

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