Are LED Signs Allowed in Orange, Orange County, California? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes, conditionally.
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EMC or digital signs are generally allowed if they comply with the local sign code’s requirements for changeable copy, illumination, size, height, and zoning district.
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A permit is required.
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Provisions against flashing, moving, and blinking lights often apply.
🔗 Full Ordinance – City of Orange Sign Code
🔗 Zoning & GIS Map – City of Orange Zoning & GIS Map
EMC Sign Summary Table (Typical / Expected Requirements)
| Feature | Expected Answer / Typical Requirement |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | Commercial, Industrial, and possibly Mixed Use zones |
| EMC sign styles allowed | Freestanding / ground signs, wall-mounted signs, possibly reader-board style elements |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | Probably no, or only under special billboard regulations |
| EMCs allowed in the public ROW | ❌No |
| Minimum setback required | Setbacks from property lines or street frontage, typically at least 5-10 ft or more in some districts |
| Use restrictions | ❌No flashing, blinking, or scrolling; maximum brightness; message change frequency limits; size and height caps; aesthetic standards |
Zoning District Overview
Orange uses various zoning districts: residential, commercial, industrial, and use.
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EMCs are more likely permitted in Commercial or Industrial zones.
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Residential and historic zones often have stricter restrictions or disallow EMCs.
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Overlay districts (historic, scenic, etc.) may have additional design review or illumination requirements.
Zoning-Specific Standards (What to Check For)
Here are the items you should verify in the code for Orange:
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Maximum sign face area for ground/wall signs in the relevant district.
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Maximum height for signs.
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What portion of the sign face, if any, may be changeable/digital copy?
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Message change minimum duration (how often the message can change).
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Illumination rules: shielded light, no glare, no flashing or animation, maybe time-of-day dimming.
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Setback from property lines/sidewalks/right-of-way.
Permit Filing Requirements
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Obtain a sign permit from Orange’s Planning / Building Department.
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Submit a site plan and sign plan showing dimensions, location, materials, and lighting / electrical details.
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Permit fees and review times vary by sign size and district.
Local Example (Hypothetical)
A retail store in Orange’s commercial district might install a ground sign with an EMC display portion that cycles messages every 8 seconds, with shielded LED illumination, meeting height, setback, and area rules.
Full Ordinance Text Needed
To be precise, we'd want the following text from Orange’s code:
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Definition of “Electronic message sign,” “Changeable copy sign,” or equivalent.
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Section on “Illumination” or lighting standards.
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Section on “Prohibited signs” that lists flashing, animation, etc.
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District-based sign area/height tables.
External Reference Links
🗺️ Walls Zoning & GIS Map
📘 Walls Zoning Sign Code
📝 Permit Application Portal