Custom Design, Permitting & Installation by Dave’s Signs

At Dave’s Signs, we design, permit, fabricate, and install custom channel letter signs in Los Angeles for businesses that need maximum visibility and long-term durability. Our channel letter signs are built to stand out in competitive commercial environments—day and night.

From retail storefronts and office buildings to mixed-use developments and multi-tenant properties, we create channel letter signage that enhances brand visibility while meeting local code and property requirements.

With more than 30 years of experience working throughout Los Angeles County, we understand local sign codes, landlord standards, and permitting processes that can delay projects if they’re not handled correctly.

Our team manages the entire process in-house, ensuring your channel letter sign is code-compliant, professionally installed, and built to perform in demanding urban environments.

Why Channel Letter Signs Are a Smart Choice in Los Angeles

Channel letter signs are one of the most effective signage solutions for Los Angeles businesses competing for attention in busy commercial corridors. Their three-dimensional construction and integrated illumination help businesses stand out in dense, visually competitive environments.

Designed for both daytime impact and nighttime visibility, channel letters are ideal for storefronts, office buildings, and high-traffic retail locations throughout Los Angeles.

With customizable styles, finishes, and lighting options, they allow businesses to maintain brand consistency while meeting local visibility and code requirements.

Their bold, three-dimensional design improves brand visibility and helps businesses make a lasting impression, even from a distance and in busy commercial areas.

Types of Channel Letter Signs We Install in Los Angeles

Front-Lit Channel Letters

Bright, internally illuminated letters ideal for retail storefronts and shopping centers.

Front-lit channel letters are the most common and widely used channel letter signs in Los Angeles, valued for their clarity, brightness, and strong visual impact.

These letters illuminate from the front, making your logo bold and easy to read from a distance. Restaurants, retail shops, and office buildings often choose this style for its dependable visibility and clean, professional appearance—especially in busy commercial areas.

Each channel letter style is fully customizable to meet your branding needs, building requirements, and desired level of visibility.

Halo-Lit (Reverse-Lit) Channel Letters

Back-lit letters that create a soft halo glow, popular for professional offices, studios, and upscale properties.

Halo-lit channel letters emit light from behind each letter, creating a subtle halo effect against the mounting surface. This style adds depth and sophistication while maintaining excellent nighttime visibility.

Commonly used by restaurants, boutiques, entertainment venues, and professional offices, halo-lit channel letters are a familiar sight in shopping centers and mixed-use developments throughout Los Angeles. They’re often fabricated with metal or acrylic faces and finished to match brand colors for a refined, high-end look.

Combination-Lit Channel Letters

A hybrid style combining front-lit and halo-lit illumination for maximum impact.

Combination-lit channel letters use both front illumination and reverse halo lighting, delivering strong readability during the day and a layered, dimensional glow at night. This option offers the visibility of front-lit letters with the upscale effect of halo lighting.

Businesses choose combination-lit channel letters when they want to make a bold statement while still projecting a polished, architectural appearance. This style works especially well for flagship locations, high-profile storefronts, and properties where brand presence is critical.

Channel Letter Sign Permitting in Los Angeles

Los Angeles sign permitting can be complex, especially for illuminated signage and multi-tenant buildings. City regulations, landlord requirements, and neighborhood-specific codes all play a role in whether a sign is approved or delayed.

We handle the entire permitting process from start to finish, coordinating with city planning departments, landlords, and property managers to ensure your channel letter sign meets all local codes and approval requirements before installation begins.

From accurate drawings and permit submissions to final approvals, installing channel letter signs in Greater Los Angeles requires careful planning and a clear understanding of local regulations. Our experienced team manages the full process—from concept through installation—so your sign is code-compliant, professionally fabricated, and installed with confidence.

Designed for Los Angeles Neighborhoods & Property Types

We design and install channel letter signs throughout Los Angeles and surrounding areas, including Downtown LA, West LA, Hollywood, Santa Monica, Pasadena, and Burbank. Each location presents its own visibility, mounting, and code considerations, and our team designs signage solutions that account for those differences from the start.

Our experience spans a wide range of property types, including retail storefronts, office buildings, restaurants, studios, shopping centers, and mixed-use developments. Every project is tailored to fit the client’s brand identity, architectural style, and property requirements.

Our Channel Letter Projects in Los Angeles

At Dave’s Signs, we’ve designed and installed face-lit channel letters and other custom signage for businesses across Los Angeles County. From high-traffic commercial corridors to neighborhood shopping centers, each project is carefully planned to balance visibility, compliance, and long-term performance.

No matter where your business is located, you can expect the same level of craftsmanship, precision, and attention to detail that has made Dave’s Signs a trusted Los Angeles sign company since 1992.

Our Channel Letter Sign Process

Design & Engineering

Every successful sign starts with thoughtful design. Our team creates custom channel letter signage that reflects your brand identity and complements the building and surrounding environment.

Whether you need illuminated channel letters, custom metal lettering, or non-illuminated signs, we develop designs that balance visual impact, legibility, and long-term performance—both functionally and visually.

Permitting & Approvals

Installing channel letter signs—whether on a building façade or as part of a pylon sign—requires full compliance with Los Angeles city codes and property requirements.

Each neighborhood, from Hollywood to Santa Monica, enforces specific regulations related to sign size, placement, and illumination. Navigating the Los Angeles sign permit process can be complex, but our experienced permitting team manages every step, including drawings, paperwork, approvals, and inspections.

We handle the details so your project moves smoothly from concept to installation, ensuring your finished sign meets code and aligns with your business and branding goals.

Fabrication & Installation

As a full-service sign company, we manage fabrication and installation in-house, helping reduce delays and maintain consistent quality throughout the project.

Our channel letters are fabricated using high-quality materials, including aluminum returns, acrylic faces, and durable trim caps, with all electrical components and power supplies properly enclosed for long-term performance.

Once fabrication is complete, our installation crew handles channel letter sign installation throughout Greater Los Angeles County with precision and care. Each sign is mounted using industry-approved methods and safety standards, resulting in a clean, secure, and professional finish.

From start to finish, Dave’s Signs makes the process seamless. You focus on running your business—we’ll make sure your signage stands out.

Why Choose Dave’s Signs for Channel Letters in Los Angeles

• Over 30 years of experience serving Los Angeles businesses (since 1992)
• Full-service sign company, handling design, permitting, fabrication, and installation in-house
• Deep knowledge of Los Angeles sign codes and local approval processes
• Trusted by national brands, studios, and local businesses throughout Southern California
• One of the few sign shops producing neon in-house, offering true craftsmanship and control

What Are Channel Letter Signs?

Channel letter signs are three-dimensional, individually fabricated letters used to display a business name or logo on a building façade. Each letter is custom-built from durable metal or acrylic and can be illuminated or non-illuminated, depending on your design and visibility needs.

Mounted directly to a building, channel letters create a clean, professional look that enhances brand visibility and delivers long-lasting performance in commercial environments.

Illumination Options

Most illuminated channel letters today use energy-efficient LED lighting, which provides bright, reliable illumination with low maintenance and reduced power consumption.

Traditional neon lighting is still available for select designs where a classic look is desired.

Common illumination styles include:

• Front-Lit Channel Letters – Light shines through the letter faces for bright, high-visibility signage.
• Back-Lit (Halo-Lit) Channel Letters – Light glows from behind each letter, creating a soft halo effect.
• Side-Lit Channel Letters – Light emits through the sides of the letters while the faces remain opaque.
• Fully Illuminated Channel Letters – Light radiates through both faces and sides for maximum impact.

Non-illuminated channel letters offer the same dimensional, professional appearance and are often used on properties with existing exterior lighting or where a more subtle daytime look is preferred.

Whether you choose LED lighting for a storefront in Downtown LA or classic neon for a flagship location, channel letter signs deliver clarity, durability, and strong brand presence.

Mounting Options for Channel Letter Signs

In many cases, channel letters are flush mounted directly to the wall surface, creating a clean, architectural appearance while keeping wiring and hardware concealed.

The way channel letters are mounted depends on your building design, landlord requirements, and desired appearance. The most common mounting methods used in Los Angeles include flush, raceway, and wireway mounting.

• Flush (Direct) Mount – Letters are mounted directly to the building façade for a clean, architectural look. All wiring is concealed behind the wall.
• Raceway Mount – Letters are attached to a narrow metal raceway that houses wiring and power components, minimizing wall penetrations and simplifying installation.
• Wireway Mount – A larger mounting structure that conceals electrical components while providing a clean, integrated backdrop for the letters.

We help you select the mounting option that meets city code requirements, property standards, and aesthetic goals.

If you’d like help choosing the right channel letter style or mounting method for your Los Angeles storefront, give us a call at (805) 641-1387. We’ll guide you through every step—from design and permitting to fabrication and installation.

For a deeper dive into mounting styles and configurations, visit our Channel Letters 101 Guide.

FAQs About Channel Letter Signs in Los Angeles

How much do channel letter signs cost in Los Angeles?

Pricing depends on the size, style, materials, and lighting used. Non-illuminated channel letters are typically more affordable, while illuminated LED channel letters cost more upfront but offer long-term savings through lower energy use and maintenance.

Do channel letter signs require a permit in Los Angeles?

Yes. Channel letter signs in Los Angeles almost always require city approval. Requirements vary by neighborhood and property type, but we handle the entire permitting process on your behalf.

What types of lighting can be used in channel letter signs?

We offer several lighting options, including front-lit, halo-lit (reverse-lit), open-face, and LED channel letters. LED lighting is the most popular choice in Los Angeles due to its brightness, reliability, and energy efficiency.

How long does channel letter sign installation take?

Once permits are approved and fabrication is complete, many channel letter sign installations can be completed in a single day. Installation timelines may vary depending on sign size, complexity, and the number of signs being installed.

Can you create custom channel letter designs?

Yes. We specialize in custom channel letter sign design, offering a wide range of styles, materials, and finishes to match your brand and property—from sleek metal lettering to boutique signage for high-end retail.

Get a Quote for Channel Letter Signs in Los Angeles

If you’re planning a new sign or upgrading an existing storefront, we’re here to help. Contact us to discuss your project, review permitting requirements, and get expert guidance on the best channel letter solution for your Los Angeles location.

📞 Have questions? Call us today at (805) 641-1387 or Request a Free Quote Online to get started.