Illuminated Signs & LED Neon Signs in Los Angeles

In the City of Los Angeles sign permits are issued by the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS); the sign rules are part of the Los Angeles Municipal Code. In short:

• A sign permit is generally required for a new exterior business sign and for altering an existing one.
• Illuminated signs also need an electrical permit, and the work is carried out by a licensed contractor – in California typically a C-45 sign contractor or a C-10 electrical contractor.
• Zoning and overlays: specific plans, sign districts and Historic Preservation Overlay Zones (HPOZs) can add their own limits and design review. You can look up the zoning and overlays for your address in the city's ZIMAS map.
• Neighboring cities: West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Culver City, Burbank, Pasadena and Glendale are separate cities with their own sign rules and permit offices.

Ask LADBS or your sign contractor what applies to your address before you order – many landlords and shopping centers also have their own sign criteria.

Sources: City of Los Angeles – ZIMAS zoning lookup, Los Angeles City Planning – local historic districts (HPOZs), as of November 2026. This is not legal advice – the local authority makes the final decision.

A sign permit application is based on drawings that show the size, position and illumination of the sign. With your free design preview you get:

• your sign shown on a photo of your storefront
• dimensions, materials and light color
• which elements light up and which are printed

You or your sign installer submit the application.

• Indoor LED neon signs come with mounting hardware and a plug-in power supply – hang it up and plug it in, step by step in our installation guide.
• Outdoor signs, light boxes and hard-wired signs – including halo-lit and back-lit letters – are connected by a licensed electrician or sign installer in Los Angeles.

Tell us where the sign will go and we will tell you what you need for installation.

• LED neon signs – window and interior signs for bars, cafes, salons and studios
• Channel letters – the classic for boulevard and strip-mall storefronts, readable from the road
• Blade signs – for walkable streets where customers pass on foot
• Back-lit acrylic letters – halo-lit logos for lobbies, showrooms and offices

All sign types at a glance

1. Send your logo, sketch or text – ideally with a photo of your storefront
2. Receive your free digital design preview
3. Happy with the design? Place your order – production takes approx. 2–3 weeks after your order
4. Express delivery in 2–4 days to your address in Los Angeles

LED neon signs come with a plug-in power supply with dimmer and remote control. Halo-lit, back-lit and 3D illuminated letters are hard-wired by an electrician and are not dimmable. Every sign has a 24-month warranty, and shipping is included.

Who issues sign permits in Los Angeles?
In the City of Los Angeles, the Department of Building and Safety (LADBS). Neighboring cities such as West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Burbank have their own permit offices and sign rules.

Does an illuminated sign need an electrical permit in Los Angeles?
For an exterior illuminated sign, generally yes – in addition to the sign permit, with the work done by a licensed contractor. Check with LADBS what applies to your address.

Do you install signs in Los Angeles?
Indoor LED neon signs come with mounting hardware and a plug-in power supply, so you can hang them yourself. For outdoor signs, light boxes and hard-wired signs, use a local licensed electrician or sign installer.

Can I see the sign on my storefront before ordering?
Yes. Send us a photo of your storefront and we will show you a free design preview with your sign in place.