Illuminated Signs & LED Neon Signs in San Francisco

In San Francisco sign controls are found mainly in Article 6 of the Planning Code, and permits are processed at the Permit Center at 49 South Van Ness Avenue, where the city departments review your proposal. According to SF Planning:

• A permit is required to install, replace, reconstruct, expand, intensify or relocate a sign unless it is specifically exempt; the Department of Building Inspection ultimately determines whether your sign needs a permit.
• Illumination: neon and exposed-lamp signs count as directly illuminated. Whether a directly illuminated sign is allowed, and how large it may be, depends on your zoning district. Signs should not flash or show animation or moving text.
• Window signs must keep the storefront transparent: a visibility zone at pedestrian eye level has to stay at least 75% open to view.
• Historic buildings and districts: signs on parcels subject to Article 10 or 11 need historic preservation review. In the downtown Article 11 conservation districts, signs must appear indirectly or externally illuminated – for example reverse channel halo-lit letters – and internally illuminated box signs are not permitted.
• Tenderloin: a Neon Special Sign District encourages the preservation of existing neon signs and the addition of new signage, with its own standards.

Find your zoning district on the SF Property Information Map before you choose a sign type.

Sources: SF Planning – Signs, SF Planning – Signs handout, August 2025 (PDF), SF Planning – Tenderloin Neon Special Sign District, as of November 2026. This is not legal advice – the local authority makes the final decision.

The city's sign permit checklist asks for signage drawings – plans, sections, elevations and photographs – including the length of your business frontage. 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 San Francisco.

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

• Back-lit acrylic letters – halo-lit letters, the method SF Planning names for conservation districts
• LED neon signs – steady, non-flashing light for bars, cafes, salons and studios
• Blade signs – for neighborhood commercial streets where customers pass on foot
• Channel letters – individual illuminated letters rather than a box sign

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 San Francisco

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.

Do I need a permit for a business sign in San Francisco?
According to SF Planning, a permit is required to install, replace, reconstruct, expand, intensify or relocate a sign unless it is specifically exempt. The Department of Building Inspection ultimately determines whether your sign needs a permit.

What signs are allowed on historic buildings in downtown San Francisco?
In the Article 11 conservation districts, signs must appear indirectly or externally illuminated, for example reverse channel halo-lit letters. Internally illuminated box signs and flashing signs are not permitted, according to SF Planning.

Do you install signs in San Francisco?
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.