# Sign Regulations in Fillmore, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Fillmore, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/fillmore
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Fillmore/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT11STSI_CH11.20SIAW)

## At a glance

Fillmore, California regulates 36 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Apartment Identifications in the Residential-Rural Zone (RPD-R), Residential-Low Zone (RPD-L), Residential-Medium Zone (RPD-M), Residential-Medium/High Zone (RPD-M/H), Residential-High Zone (RPD-H) zoning district are capped at Below roofline (wall sign), 6 ft (monument sign) tall and 10 sq. ft. each, with a 5 ft. from property lines setback (Sec. 6.04.3899, Table III-2 A.2.). Most commercial signs in Fillmore require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential-Rural Zone (RPD-R), Residential-Low Zone (RPD-L), Residential-Medium Zone (RPD-M), Residential-Medium/High Zone (RPD-M/H), Residential-High Zone (RPD-H) | 9 | 15 ft | 100 sq. ft. each | — |
| Commercial Neighborhood Zone (CN), Commercial Highway Zone (CH) | 11 | 25 ft | 70 sq. ft. per face | — |
| Central Business District Zone (CBD) | 6 | 6 ft (monument), wall below roofline | 25 sq. ft. | — |
| Commercial Office Zone (CO) | 4 | Below roofline (wall); 6 ft (monument) | 50 sq. ft. | — |
| Manufacturing/Industrial Zone (MPD) | 7 | Wall: below roofline; Monument: 4 ft max | 75 sq. ft. | — |
| Business Park-1 Zone (BP-1), Business Park-2 Zone (BP-2) | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

_3 additional zoning districts are covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### Residential-Rural Zone (RPD-R), Residential-Low Zone (RPD-L), Residential-Medium Zone (RPD-M), Residential-Medium/High Zone (RPD-M/H), Residential-High Zone (RPD-H)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Name Plate | Below roofline | 2 sq. ft. each | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | Wall or door of dwelling unit | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 A.1. |
| Apartment Identification | Below roofline (wall sign), 6 ft (monument sign) | 10 sq. ft. each | — | 5 ft. from property lines | 1 per street frontage | 5 ft. setback from property lines | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 A.2. |
| Institutional Sign | Below roofline (wall), 4 ft (monument) | 20 sq. ft. each | — | 10 ft. front, 5 ft. side | 1 per street frontage | 10 ft. setback from front and 5 ft. from side property line | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 A.3. |
| Mobile Home Park Identification | Below roofline (wall), 4 ft (monument) | 20 sq. ft. each | — | — | 2 per major entrance | At main entrance to park | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 A.4. |
| Temporary Sign – Subdivision Identification (On-site) | 15 ft | 100 sq. ft. each | — | 5 ft. from property lines | 3 per project | On project site, 5 ft. setback from property lines | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 A.5.a & 6.04.3830(A) |
| Temporary Sign – Subdivision Directional (Off-site) | 15 ft | 100 sq. ft. each | — | 5 ft. from property lines | 3 per project | Off project, 5 ft. setback from property lines | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 A.5.b & 6.04.3830(A) |
| Temporary Real Estate (Single-family) | 6 ft | 7 sq. ft. each | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Within subject property | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 A.5.c |
| Temporary Construction Signs | 8 ft | 20 sq. ft. each | — | 5 ft. from property lines | 1 per street frontage | 5 ft. setback from property lines | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 A.5.e & 6.04.3820(5) |

### Commercial Neighborhood Zone (CN), Commercial Highway Zone (CH)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Identification (Single Tenant) | Not above roofline/eaveline | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 2 per building frontage, max 3 per project | Wall and/or awning; parapet/canopy | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 C.1.a |
| Business Identification Projecting | See 6.04.3880 (projecting sign standards) | 6 sq. ft. face (CN), 10 sq. ft. face (CH) | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Projecting from building frontage | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 C.1.b |
| Business Identification – Monument | 4 ft. no setback; 8 ft. if 15 ft. setback (monument) | 25 sq. ft. per face | — | Setback as described above | 1 per site with min. 100 ft street frontage | Monument sign centered 80% of frontage | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 C.1.d |
| Business Identification – Freestanding | 25 ft | 70 sq. ft. per face | — | — | 1 per site with min. 300 ft. of street frontage | Centered 80% of building/project frontage; not creating traffic hazard | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 C.1.e |
| Business Identification (Multi-Tenant/Shopping Centers) – Wall or Awning | Not above roofline/eaveline | 50 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per tenant per building frontage | Wall or awning, parapet/canopy | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 C.2.a & 6.04.3825 |
| Service Station Identification and Pricing – Wall | Not above roofline | 30 sq. ft. per face | — | — | 2 per street frontage | On building wall | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 C.3.a |
| Service Station Identification and Pricing Monument | 5 ft | 30 sq. ft. per face | — | — | 1 per use | Shall not create traffic hazard at driveways/corners | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 C.3.b |
| Portable Sidewalk Signs (Sandwich Board style) | 4 ft. | Max width: 24 inches; Max height: 4 ft | 24 inches | — | 1 per business | Directly in front of business, not in street; CH/CN: private property; CBD: sidewalk, with 5 ft access maintained | — | 6.04.3891 |

### Manufacturing/Industrial Zone (MPD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Business Identification (Single Tenant) | Wall: below roofline; Monument: 4 ft max | 75 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 wall and/or 1 monument per street frontage | Wall and/or monument; monument not to create traffic hazard at driveway/corner | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 E.1.a |
| Advisory/Directional | 4 ft | 3 sq. ft. | — | Min 3 ft. from property lines | Minimum necessary | Wall or freestanding, minimum 3 ft. setback from property lines | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 E.1.b |
| Multi-Tenant Sites – Center or Project Identification Monument | 4 ft | 20 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Monument sign, not to create driveway/corner hazard | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 E.2.a |
| Business Identification (Primary – Multi-Tenant Sites) | May not project above roofline | 75 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per tenant | On primary building frontage (wall/canopy) | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 E.2.b |
| Business Identification (Secondary – Multi-Tenant Sites) | May not project above roofline | 25 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 per tenant | On secondary building frontage (wall/canopy) | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 E.2.c |
| Business Directory (Multi-Tenant Sites) | 4 ft | 25 sq. ft. | — | Not in any setback | As determined by director | Wall or freestanding, not in any setback area | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 E.2.d |
| Advisory/Directional (Multi-Tenant Sites) | 4 ft | 3 sq. ft. | — | Min 3 ft from property line | Minimum necessary | Wall or freestanding; min 3 ft setback from property line | — | 6.04.3899, Table III-2 E.2.e |

## Prohibited signs in Fillmore

- No sign shall be erected, moved, altered, repaired, or maintained within the city except in compliance with the provisions of the sign ordinance (6.04.3805).
- Abandoned signs and sign structures are prohibited throughout the city (6.04.3850).
- Animated, moving, flashing, blinking, reflecting, and similar signs are prohibited, except as approved in the CBD through design review (6.04.3850).
- Banner signs for the sale, rental, or lease of property are prohibited (6.04.3850).
- Cabinet/can signs with plastic/plexiglass faces are prohibited in the CBD zoning district, except for 'scribed can signs' (6.04.3850).
- Bench signs are prohibited, except at approved bus passenger loading areas (6.04.3850).
- Chalkboards or blackboards are prohibited, except for restaurants in the CBD zoning district (6.04.3850).
- Changeable copy signs (electronically or manually controlled) are prohibited except as approved for a religious facility, movie theater, time/temperature display, gasoline pricing sign, or digital sign within the city's commercial highway zoning district, subject to standards (6.04.3850).
- Inflatable signs are prohibited (6.04.3850).
- Light bulb strings are prohibited except in the CBD and for temporary uses with a temporary use permit (6.04.3850).
- Off-site signs are prohibited except those specifically permitted by the ordinance (6.04.3850).
- Painted signs on fences or roofs are prohibited except in the CBD zoning district (6.04.3850).
- Pole signs are prohibited in the CBD zoning district (6.04.3850).
- Portable signs or A-frame signs are prohibited (see 6.04.3850 and portable sidewalk sign standards, but only in specific conditions allowed).
- Roof signs extending above roof eave or parapet line are prohibited except in the area bounded by Main, Mountain View, Santa Clara, and the extension of Fillmore Street (6.04.3850).
- Signs on public property are prohibited, except regulatory or informational signs required by a governmental agency (6.04.3850).
- Signs emitting audible sounds, odors, or visible matter are prohibited (6.04.3850).
- Signs erected or maintained in a manner that obstructs fire escapes, exits, standpipes, doors, stairways, or above the first story windows are prohibited (6.04.3850).
- Vehicle signs when parked or stored on property or public streets to identify a nearby business or promote a product available nearby are prohibited (6.04.3850).
- Nonconforming signs shall not be structurally altered to extend their useful life, expanded, moved, relocated, re-established after certain periods of abandonment or after destruction beyond 50% of value, or after destruction not repaired within 30 days (6.04.3840).
- No sign shall interfere with required traffic safety sight areas (6.04.3815, 6.04.3830, 6.04.3890, etc.).
- All signs must be maintained in good repair and functioning properly at all times; failure to do so is a public nuisance subject to abatement (6.04.3855, 6.04.3835).

## Signs exempt from permit in Fillmore

- Sign permits are not required for: Interior signs completely within a structure and not intended to be read from outside the structure (6.04.3820.1.A).
- Official flags of the United States, State of California, other states, counties, or municipalities; flag pole location subject to director approval (6.04.3820.1.B).
- Directional, warning, or safety information signs required or authorized by law or governmental authority, including public utility signs (6.04.3820.1.C).
- Political signs (6.04.3820.1.D).
- Holiday decorations for nationally recognized holidays and local celebrations, provided the decorations are displayed for no more than 60 days and contain no commercial advertising messages (6.04.3820.1.E).
- One window sign per business entrance (not exceeding 2 sq. ft.) limited to business identification, hours, address, and emergency info (6.04.3820.2.A).
- Vehicle-oriented safety and directional signs solely for traffic, parking, and loading, not bearing advertising; max area 4 sq. ft.; max height 4 ft. (6.04.3820.2.B).
- One tenant name plate per business/unit, not to exceed 1 sq. ft. (6.04.3820.2.C).
- Incidental signs for auto, motel, and hotel uses for notices of services provided or required by law, trade affiliations, credit cards accepted, and the like, up to 2 sq. ft., attached to a permitted sign/structure (6.04.3820.2.D).
- Menu signs/chalkboards (not exceeding 3 sq. ft.) associated with a restaurant use in the CBD zoning district; one per business entrance (6.04.3820.2.E).
- Temporary promotional window signs (paper, cloth, or similar materials) if aggregate does not cover more than 25% of window area, no sign is larger than 20 sq. ft., and no sign is displayed for more than 21 days in a 90-day period (6.04.3820.3).
- Real estate signs, within specified size, height, and type; see 6.04.3820.4 for exact allowances per property type.
- Construction signs within specified size, height, time, and location restrictions (6.04.3820.5).
- Future tenant identification signs, within limits for number, sign area, time, and height restrictions (6.04.3820.6).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required for all signs (including permanent and temporary) except for those listed as exempt in Section 6.04.3820.
- A planned sign program is required for all multi-tenant developments of three or more tenants sharing a parcel or structure with common access and parking; for developments where five or more signs are proposed; for wall signs on structures over two stories in height; and for any sign proposed that incorporates the use of changeable copy (6.04.3825.1).
- Sign programs must be approved by the review authority (typically the commission, see Table IV-1, Item: Sign Programs; 6.04.5001).
- Sign permits are reviewed and approved by the director unless part of a planned sign program (6.04.3815, Table IV-1).
- All sign permit applications require detailed plans, descriptions, and site information (6.04.3815.2).
- Deviation from sign regulations (e.g., for prohibited signs or signs not conforming to district limits) may only be allowed by variance following commission review (6.04.6410.2, 6.04.6425).
- For any new multi-tenant project, a coordinated/planned sign program shall be developed, and any changes must follow the process outlined for revisions (6.04.3825.5).
- Any installation or change to signs outside the permitted by-right, or outside of an approved sign program, requires approval through the relevant discretionary process, which may include design review, development permit, or variance (6.04.3815, 6.04.3825, 6.04.66, 6.04.64).

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

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