If your business sits back from the street, shares a building with other tenants, or is hard to see from passing cars, you probably need a freestanding sign. The two main choices are a monument sign and a pylon sign. Here is the simple difference, and how to pick the right one for your property in Los Angeles.
What is a monument sign?
A monument sign is a low sign that sits on a solid base right on the ground, usually near the driveway or entrance. It is often made of aluminum with a stone, stucco or brick-look base, and it can be lit from inside, lit with halo letters, or lit by ground lights. Monument signs are common at office buildings, medical centers, schools, churches, apartment communities and small shopping centers. See an example in our Californian Pasadena healthcare sign project.
What is a pylon sign?
A pylon sign is a tall freestanding sign, raised high on one or two posts or on a wide covered base. Because it is high, drivers can see it from far away and from busy roads. Pylon signs often hold several tenant panels, one for each business in a shopping center. A sign on a single bare pole is usually called a pole sign. See our Premier Plaza pylon project, where we replaced tenant panels.
Monument vs. pylon: side by side
- Height: monument signs are low, near eye level. Pylon signs are tall and seen from far away.
- Best for: monument signs suit slower streets, campuses, offices, medical buildings and apartments. Pylon signs suit fast roads, big parking lots and shopping centers with many tenants.
- Look: monument signs look more upscale and blend with landscaping. Pylon signs are bolder and built for visibility.
- Cost: a monument sign usually costs less than a pylon sign, because a pylon needs taller structure, engineering and a deeper footing.
- Permits: both need a permit. Pylon and pole signs face more rules, and Los Angeles and many nearby cities limit their height or do not allow new ones in some areas.
- Updates: both can use replaceable panels, so new tenants only need new faces.
Which one should you choose?
Choose a monument sign if your building is close to the street, traffic moves slowly, you want a high-end look, or your area does not allow tall signs.
Choose a pylon sign if your property is set back from a busy road, you need drivers to see you from a distance, or you manage a center with several tenants. If your property already has a pylon or pole sign, it is often smarter and cheaper to refresh it with new panels, LED lighting and paint than to remove it, because a new tall sign may not be allowed.
Permits and planning in Los Angeles
Freestanding signs need a sign permit and often engineering drawings, and the rules change from city to city and even street to street. We check what is allowed at your address before we design, then prepare the drawings and handle the permit. Learn more on our sign permits page and our monument signs page.
Get a free recommendation
Not sure which sign fits your property? Send us a photo of your building and the street, and we will tell you what is allowed and what will work best. Global Signs & Graphics designs, builds and installs monument, pylon and pole signs from our shop in Pacoima, serving all of Los Angeles.
Call (818) 723-4047 or request a free quote.