# Sign Regulations in Commerce, California

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Commerce, California, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Commerce, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/commerce
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Commerce/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT9PESAMO_CH9.40POCASI)

## At a glance

Commerce, California regulates 16 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Nonresidential zones, C/M-1, M-1, M-2 zoning district are capped at 20 feet at property line; for every 1 foot of setback from the property line, height can increase by 1 foot up to 42 feet maximum tall and 800 square feet, with a 1 foot of height above 20 ft per 1 foot of setback from property line; max height 42 ft setback (Sec. 19.25.100, Table 19.25.100A). Most commercial signs in Commerce require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential zones (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 3 | 6 feet | 10 square feet | — |
| Nonresidential zones, C/M-1, M-1, M-2 | 4 | 20 feet at property line; for every 1 foot of setback from the property line, height can increase by 1 foot up to 42 feet maximum | 800 square feet | — |
| Modelo Specific Plan zone | 1 | 42 feet | 800 square feet per sign face | — |
| M-2 | 1 | 42 feet | 800 square feet per sign face | — |
| Redevelopment project area | 1 | 42 feet | 800 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 8 | Temporary signs and banners must be at least 10 feet above ground level; one inflatable up to 75 ft above grade or 50 ft above building | 30 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Residential zones (R-1, R-2, R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Neighborhood Identification Sign | 6 feet | 10 square feet | — | — | 2 per neighborhood entry point | At each neighborhood entry point | — | 19.25.090, Table 19.25.100A |
| Permanent Building Identification Wall Sign | 6 feet | 10 square feet | — | — | 1 per land parcel | On exterior wall of building | — | 19.25.090, Table 19.25.100A |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 10 square feet per parcel | — | — | Per parcel (see note: only as long as property is for sale) | On property for sale (model home/house for sale) | — | 19.25.090, Table 19.25.100A |

### Nonresidential zones, C/M-1, M-1, M-2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 20 feet at property line; for every 1 foot of setback from the property line, height can increase by 1 foot up to 42 feet maximum | 800 square feet | — | 1 foot of height above 20 ft per 1 foot of setback from property line; max height 42 ft | 1 sign per property (<800 ft frontage); additional for 800+ ft | On-site, minimum of 100 lineal feet of street frontage required | — | 19.25.100, Table 19.25.100A |
| Wall Sign | — | Aggregate (roof + wall): 3 sf per 1 foot of building frontage, not to exceed 35% of wall area for any one sign | — | — | Up to 3 per property (see aggregate limit) | On exterior wall of building | — | 19.25.100, Table 19.25.100A |
| Roof Sign | 5 feet per building story; max 25 ft above roof level | Aggregate (roof + wall): 3 sf per 1 foot of building frontage | — | — | 1 roof sign per property | On or above roof | — | 19.25.100, Table 19.25.100A |
| Readerboard Sign | 20 feet at front property line; 1 extra ft of height per 1 foot of setback up to 30 ft maximum | 500 square feet | — | 1 foot of height above 20 ft per 1 ft of setback (max height 30 ft) | 1 per property | On-site; not permitted within 750 linear feet of The Citadel property | — | 19.25.100, Table 19.25.100A |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign | Temporary signs and banners must be at least 10 feet above ground level; one inflatable up to 75 ft above grade or 50 ft above building | Not to exceed total area of permitted permanent onsite signs | — | — | Maximum 4 per event | All temporary signs and banners must be attached to building; streamers, pennants, balloons, etc. may be detached but not on public/adjacent property or on utility poles/standards in ROW | — | 19.25.110 |
| Construction Sign | — | 6 square feet (residential zones); 32 square feet (all other zones) | — | — | 1 per parcel | On property under construction or alteration | — | 19.25.050G |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 6 square feet (residential zones); 32 square feet (all other zones) | — | — | 1 per parcel | On property for sale, lease, or rent | — | 19.25.050H |
| Directional or Convenience Sign | 4 feet | 6 square feet | — | — | — | On-site for purposes such as 'entrance', 'exit' | — | 19.25.050C |
| Warning Sign | 4 feet | 2 square feet | — | — | — | On-site, e.g. 'No trespassing' | — | 19.25.050E |
| Name Plate | — | 1 square foot | — | — | 1 per tenant occupant | Upon the building for each tenant occupant | — | 19.25.050F |
| Bulletin/Announcement Sign (Institutional) | 6 feet above ground level | 30 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage per institution | On premises | — | 19.25.050D |
| Murals | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 19.25.050K |

## Prohibited signs in Commerce

- No sign or advertising display shall be erected or maintained that does not comply with the provisions of this chapter and any other applicable statutes or laws.
- No sign or advertising display shall be attached to or placed upon any vehicle except those that are painted directly upon, or permanently affixed to the body of a vehicle used regularly in a business to which the sign or advertising display pertains. No vehicle shall be parked on any parking area or street for the purpose of displaying a sign or advertising display.
- Portable signs or advertising displays are not permitted.
- Flashing signs or advertising displays are not permitted.
- No sign, advertising display, or portion thereof shall rotate or revolve at a speed greater than eight revolutions per minute.
- Wind signs or advertising displays are not permitted, except official flags or banners announcing public events placed by government entities.
- Signs or advertising displays that resemble or hide from view any official traffic sign, signal, or device; attempt to direct the movement of traffic; or interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic are not permitted.
- Signs or advertising displays shall not be erected so as to constitute or potentially constitute a hazard to the safe and efficient operation of vehicles upon any street, highway, or freeway.
- Signs or advertising displays shall not utilize any light of any color of such brilliance or be positioned so as to blind or impair the vision of drivers upon the street, highway, or freeway, nor shall any light be placed in such position as to prevent the driver of a vehicle from readily recognizing any official traffic sign, signal, or device.
- Signs that are projected by electronic means, such as by a video projector or movie camera, are prohibited.
- No live animal or human being shall be used as a part of any sign or advertising display, except during authorized promotional activities and as approved by the community development director.
- No sign or advertising display shall emit sound of any kind for the purpose of attracting the attention of the general public.
- No person shall use, operate, or employ any projector, stereopticon, television, or motion picture machine in conjunction or attached to any sign or advertising display.
- The backs of all signs and advertising displays shall be screened, encased, or otherwise covered so that no structural members are visible to the public.
- All signs and advertising displays and the ground area thereunder shall be maintained at all times in a state of good repair, free from deterioration, rot, rust, and loosening. The display surfaces of all signs and advertising displays shall be kept neatly painted or posted, and the area beneath and about the base of all signs and advertising displays shall be kept free of all weeds, rubbish, and inflammable waste materials by the owner of the sign or advertising display.

## Signs exempt from permit in Commerce

- Signs placed by a governmental body or public utility, including signs required to be maintained by law.
- Flags of any nation, political subdivision, or flags identifying the business or organization on the site; provided, that not more than three flags are placed on any site.
- Nonilluminated directional or convenience signs, not exceeding six square feet in area and four feet in height, that facilitate traffic flow and safety, such as signs that say 'entrance,' 'exit,' 'caution,' 'parking,' 'one-way,' etc.
- Bulletin or announcement signs erected on the premises of churches, schools, and other public institutions, not exceeding one in number per street frontage and used solely for the purpose of stating items related to activities conducted on the premises; provided, such signs do not exceed thirty square feet in area and six feet in height above ground level.
- Nonilluminated warning signs not exceeding two square feet in area and four feet in height, such as signs that say 'no trespassing,' 'beware of dog,' 'no parking,' 'no soliciting,' etc.
- One name plate containing the name and/or profession of the occupant of the premises upon the building for each tenant occupant, not exceeding an area of one square foot.
- One temporary, nonilluminated construction sign per parcel, not exceeding an area of six square feet in residential zones or thirty-two square feet in all other zones. Such signs shall be removed within seven days following removal of the property from the market.
- One temporary, nonilluminated real estate sign per parcel, not exceeding six square feet in residential zones or thirty-two square feet in all other zones. Such signs shall be removed within seven days following removal of the property from the market.
- Temporary (sixty days or less), noncommercial signs devoted to a religious, charitable, cultural, governmental, or educational purpose. Time and temperature signs shall be exempt from the sixty-day limitation.
- Signs located on real property either owned in fee by the city or over which an easement for public right-of-way purposes has been acquired by the city, where such signs are placed under permit or license approved by the city council.
- Murals, as defined by Section 19.45.140 of this Title 19.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit shall be required prior to the placing, erecting, moving, reconstructing, altering, or displaying of any sign or advertising display in the city.
- A master sign plan shall be required for all new nonresidential development projects with three or more tenant spaces, or for any nonresidential development involving the reconstruction and reuse of existing buildings with three or more tenant spaces.
- Approval of a master sign plan by the planning commission shall be required whenever the director or designee determines that a master sign plan is needed because of special project characteristics or when unique, creatively designed signs are being proposed and certain aspects of the sign's design might not otherwise be allowed.
- A temporary sign permit must be obtained for each promotional time period prior to placement of temporary signs, flags, banners, pennants, or balloons. Placement shall be subject to approval of the community development director.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 6 zoning districts in Commerce — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Commerce+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-commerce

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