# Sign Regulations in El Centro, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** El Centro, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/el-centro
- **Data last verified:** 2025-03-26
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/El_Centro/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CH22.1SI)

## At a glance

El Centro, California regulates 11 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Subdivision Directional Kiosk Signs in the All R, CN, CT zones zoning district are capped at 8' tall, 80 sf double sided, and 5' wide (Sec. Table 22.1-1). Most commercial signs in El Centro require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 10 square feet | — |
| ML, MG | 1 | 35' | 4 sf of primary property frontage | — |
| CT, CG, CH, ML, MG | 1 | 35' | Max. 675 sf per face | — |
| All C and M zones | 1 | 35' | 4 sf of primary property frontage not to exceed 675 sf | — |
| R2, R3, All C and M zones, MU1 | 1 | Not to exceed 3' above natural grade | 18 sf | — |
| All non-residential zones | 1 | — | 40% of window area | — |
| CT, CG | 1 | 50' | 800 sf | — |
| All R, CN, CT zones | 1 | 8' | 80 sf double sided | — |
| All C, M Zones and R-2 and R-3 Zones | 1 | 16 feet | 40 square feet and 30″ fabric width max | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Garage Sale Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | — | One at the location of the garage sale and one at the nearest corner property | On sale premises only | — | Sec. 16-416 |
| Carwash Sign | — | 10 square feet | — | — | — | On carwash premises only | — | Sec. 16-425 |
| Governmental Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Public property | — | Sec. 22.1-18 |

### R2, R3, All C and M zones, MU1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign (Commercial Private) | Not to exceed 3' above natural grade | 18 sf | — | — | Five | On-site or off-site within contiguous development | — | Table 22.1-1 |

### All R, CN, CT zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Subdivision Directional Kiosk Sign | 8' | 80 sf double sided | 5' | — | One | Private property or city right-of-way with permits | — | Table 22.1-1 |

## Prohibited signs in El Centro

- Signs that obstruct any window, door or other opening used as means of regular ingress and egress, or for required legal light and ventilation; or fire escapes and other openings for emergency access and escape; or that create a safety hazard by obstructing a sidewalk or the clear view of pedestrians or vehicular traffic or that impede pedestrian walkways, or hinder disabled access.
- Signs placed on public property or within the public right-of-way.
- Signs with an intensity of illumination or location that interferes with the proper operation of motor vehicles on a public street or intrudes into surrounding residences.
- Signs that are lewd, indecent or otherwise offensive to public morals.
- Murals of any kind, unless approved by the administrative committee or community services commission, where applicable.
- Signs that identify or advertise a product or business not located on the property where the sign is located.
- Revolving signs. Any sign or portion thereof that physically rotates about an axis.
- Painted wall signs. Any sign painted on the wall of a building or structure, with the exposed face of the sign in plane parallel to the plane of said wall.
- Mobile signs as defined.
- Signs that are false or misleading.
- The business placing the signage must be legal at the location at which it is offered.

## Signs exempt from permit in El Centro

- Governmental signs for control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, street signs, danger signs, railroad crossings signs, neighborhood watch signs and signs of public service indicating danger and aids to service or safety and public notices.
- Historical structure signs; includes commemorative plaques limited to designated historical structures or landmarks as determined by City Council.
- House numbers, 'No trespassing,' 'no parking,' and other warning signs are also allowed.
- Informational (private non-commercial) signs limited to non-commercial messages including, but not limited to: designation of restrooms, telephone locations, restrictions on smoking, door openings, and private traffic control and parking signs.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Prior to the construction or posting of a permanent sign within the city, a building permit (also called a 'sign permit') for the sign shall be approved by the community development director, unless the sign is specifically exempted from the sign permit requirements of this chapter.
- All sign permit applications shall include two (2) copies of a plot plan and sign layout showing size of sign, size of letters, and background area.
- A sign permit fee and plan checking fee shall be paid in accordance with the schedule established by resolution of the city council at the time of sign permit application.
- All signs for which a permit is required shall be subject to full and complete structural and safety inspections by the city, including but not limited to footing inspections.
- The community development director may order the removal of any sign that is not maintained in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

## 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 9 zoning districts in El Centro — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=El+Centro+CA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-el-centro

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