# Sign Regulations in Lomita, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lomita, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/lomita
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Lomita/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=MUCO_TITXIPLZO_CH1ZO_PT6GESTDE_ART67SI)

## At a glance

Lomita, California regulates 39 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Portable (A-frame/Sandwich Board) Signs in the Downtown commercial (DC), Neighborhood commercial (NC), Community commercial (CC), Regional commercial (RC) zoning district are capped at 4 ft tall, 8 sq ft, and 2 ft wide (Sec. Sec. 11-1.67.04(6)(l)(ii)). Most commercial signs in Lomita require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential—Agriculture (A-1), Residential—Low density (R-1), Residential—Medium density (R-2), Residential—High density (R-3) | 5 | — | 72 sq inches | — |
| Publicly owned land (PL) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Downtown commercial (DC), Neighborhood commercial (NC), Community commercial (CC), Regional commercial (RC) | 11 | Max 30 ft; min 10 ft above grade | 200 sq ft per face (no less than 35 sq ft) | — |
| Manufacturing-commercial (M-C) | 4 | 10 ft above roof, or 35 ft above ground | 200 sq ft per face | — |
| Open space and recreation (O-S) | 1 | — | — | — |
| P—Parking (P, as a suffix zone) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Housing overlay (H) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Mixed-use overlay district | 1 | — | — | — |
| 24000 Crenshaw Boulevard Specific Plan | 11 | 42 inches | 697 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | Masts under 12 ft above roofline exempt; higher with director approval | 6 sq ft (per private property sign); city-authorized public ROW banners subject to approval | — |

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

### Residential—Agriculture (A-1), Residential—Low density (R-1), Residential—Medium density (R-2), Residential—High density (R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Nameplate | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On the premises, identifying occupant | — | Sec. 11-1.67.04(1)(a) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 4 sq ft (R-1), 12 sq ft (R-V with 4+ units) | not more than 4 ft in any dimension | — | 1 | On the premises, offering sale/rental | — | Sec. 11-1.67.04(1)(b), Sec. 11-1.67.04(2)(ii) |
| Construction Sign | — | 16 sq ft (R-1), 32 sq ft (R-V with 4+ units) | — | — | — | On the premises | — | Sec. 11-1.67.04(1)(c), Sec. 11-1.67.04(2)(iii) |
| No-peddling Sign | — | 72 sq inches | — | — | 1 | On the premises | — | Sec. 11-1.67.04(1)(d), Sec. 11-1.67.04(2)(iv) |
| Building Identification Sign (R-V with 4+ units) | — | 1 sq ft per dwelling unit, up to 24 sq ft (no less than 10 sq ft) | — | — | No more than 2 | Flush against the wall, not above parapet | — | Sec. 11-1.67.04(2)(b) |

### Downtown commercial (DC), Neighborhood commercial (NC), Community commercial (CC), Regional commercial (RC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign—Front Wall | — | DC: 40 sq ft; NC/CC/RC: 15% of front wall area (no explicit sq ft cap) | — | — | — | On building frontage, not above parapet/eave | — | Sec. 11-1.67.04(6)(a), Sec. 11-1.67.04(4)(a)(i) |
| Projecting Sign | — | DC: 20 sq ft per face; NC/CC/RC: ≤ area allowed for that frontage | Projects max 3 ft over ROW, not above parapet/eave, min 8 ft above sidewalk (15 ft over drive/ROW), max 5 ft above roof | — | 1 per eligible frontage | On primary frontage entrance wall | — | Sec. 11-1.67.04(6)(c), Sec. 11-1.67.04(4)(d) |
| Freestanding/Pole Sign | Max 30 ft; min 10 ft above grade | 200 sq ft per face (no less than 35 sq ft) | — | — | One per eligible use | On property frontage, not more than 3 ft over ROW | — | Sec. 11-1.67.04(4)(c), (e) |
| Pedestrian-Oriented Sign | — | 4 sq ft per face | — | — | One per entrance | Near entrance, suspended or wall-mounted | — | Sec. 11-1.67.04(6)(e) |
| Temporary Promotional Banner | — | 32 sq ft per banner; max 48 sq ft total per frontage | Cannot exceed single banner area/limits | — | One per frontage | Mounted to wall/building, not above roofline or off-site | — | Sec. 11-1.67.06(6) |
| Real Estate Banner Sign | — | 32 sq ft per sign, 48 sq ft total for corner lots | — | — | 1 per frontage | Mounted to building or freestanding; on premises | — | Sec. 11-1.67.06(3) |
| Portable (A-frame/Sandwich Board) Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | 2 ft | — | 1 per business | On private property or public ROW, must maintain min 4 ft clearance on sidewalk | — | Sec. 11-1.67.04(6)(l)(ii) |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft (NC/CC/RC), DC: 4 ft; 42 inches in 24000 Crenshaw Blvd. zone | 2 sq ft | — | — | As approved | As approved (at director's discretion or as per plan) | — | Sec. 11-1.67.04(6)(g), 24000 Crenshaw Blvd. Specific Plan Sec. 11-1.27.12(F)(1) |

### 24000 Crenshaw Boulevard Specific Plan

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Identification Sign - Wall Sign | — | 0.5 sq ft per unit (per sign) | — | — | Max 4 wall signs (included in total 5 building ID signs) | Flush against building wall, not above parapet | — | Sec. 11-1.27.12(D)(1)(2) |
| Building Identification Sign - Monument Sign | 6 ft from lowest finished grade | — | — | 2 ft from property line minimum | 1 per property (part of max 5 ID signs) | At entry/within site if not obstructing visibility of vehicles/pedestrians | — | Sec. 11-1.27.12(D)(1)(1) |
| Parking Entrance/Exit Sign | — | 14 sq ft | — | — | As needed | Near driveways/parking entrances | — | Sec. 11-1.27.12(D)(3) |
| Initial For Lease Banner (Temporary) | — | 697 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Mounted on wall of building | — | Sec. 11-1.27.12(E)(1) |
| Banner - Temporary | — | 36 in × 24 in (6 sq ft) | 36 in × 24 in | — | 1 per application/display period | Ground or building mounted; not obstructing visibility | — | Sec. 11-1.27.12(E)(2) |
| Directional Sign (Exempt) | 42 inches | 2 sq ft | — | — | At director's discretion | As determined by director (number/location at director discretion) | — | Sec. 11-1.27.12(F)(1) |
| Door Nameplate (Exempt) | 2 ft | 2 ft × 2 ft per glazing pane | 2 ft | — | 1 per glazing pane | Affixed to door on ground floor | — | Sec. 11-1.27.12(F)(2) |
| Window Sign (Exempt) | 2 ft | 2 ft × 2 ft per glazing pane | 2 ft | — | Per window panel | Affixed to interior window, ground floor | — | Sec. 11-1.27.12(F)(5) |

## Prohibited signs in Lomita

- No person shall erect or maintain a sign attached to, suspended from, or supported by a vehicle unless the sign is permanently affixed and the vehicle is used regularly in business for purposes other than as an advertising device, and conforming to the limitations in the California Vehicle Code.
- No person shall place, maintain, or display any unofficial sign, signal, or device, or any sign resembling an official traffic sign or signal, or which attempts to direct or interfere with traffic, or conceals from view any official traffic sign or signal.
- No person shall maintain any light on a sign in such position or brilliance as to blind, dazzle, interfere with, or prevent drivers from readily recognizing any official traffic sign or signal.
- Signs must be maintained: Signs and awnings, including all supporting hardware, must be structurally safe, clean, free of visible defects, and functioning properly at all times.
- Sign copy is limited to the name of the business, products or services sold/offered, and business address (does not apply to temporary or directional signs).
- All signs must be reviewed by the planning director prior to installation, unless otherwise specified.
- Prohibited: Rotating, flashing, scintillating, and other signs indicating motion or change of light intensity (with civic/special event temporary suspension possible by city council).
- Prohibited: Freestanding rectangle 'A-frame' or 'sandwich' signs or similar portable signs, whether carried or freestanding.
- Prohibited: Signs that encroach into public right-of-way except as permitted by ordinance.
- Prohibited: Billboards and other outdoor advertising signs (as defined), in all zones.
- Prohibited: Abandoned signs must be removed within 90 days (or earlier if new occupant assumes tenancy).
- Prohibited: Advertising on or affixed to benches in the right-of-way without approval.
- Prohibited: No sign shall be erected that does not comply with the zone-specific requirements of the ordinance.
- No sign may be erected, constructed, altered, or relocated without first obtaining a sign approval (except those specifically identified as exempt).
- No temporary sign may be erected without a written request to the planning director, except as noted.
- Failure to remove expired temporary signs or maintain temporary signs in good condition will result in abatement by the city.
- Signs required for legal compliance are not prohibited, but must not advertise a business.
- No sign may advertise off-site businesses, products, real estate, or other items, except as allowed for civic events and political candidates.
- No sign may display or contain any lighting that causes a hazard, creates glare, or is distracting.
- No change may be made to the approved sign plan without authorization.
- No person shall erect or maintain a sign that violates any local, state, or federal law.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lomita

- Over-the-air reception devices (such as satellite dishes under one meter, certain television/radio antennas, and similar devices per FCC guidelines) are exempt from permit requirements if all other zoning and height requirements are met.
- Official notices authorized by a court, public body, or officer, as well as directional, warning, or information signs authorized by federal, state, or municipal authority, are exempt.
- Signs required by law (legal notices, etc.) are exempt.
- Directional signs (on private property, not containing advertising, up to 2 sq. ft., maximum height 4 ft. in commercial, or per specific plan) are generally exempt.
- Noncommercial copy may be substituted for commercial copy on any permitted sign.
- Temporary holiday displays, political signs, and certain civic event signs may be exempt from the written application requirement if conforming to size and duration limits.
- Address signs meeting minimum requirements are allowed and may be illuminated.
- Window signs up to a certain percentage of window area (see temporary sign provisions) are permitted without written request.
- Official government signs and traffic control signs are exempt.
- Signs inside buildings that are not visible from the exterior are exempt.
- Mural review: Murals that do not advertise a business and are approved by the planning commission via site plan review may be permitted and are not subject to sign area requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A master sign plan or sign plan is required as part of any land use entitlement or site plan review when requested by the community development director (Sec. 11-1.70.06(B)(7)).
- All signs (except those specifically identified as exempt) require sign approval before erection, construction, alteration, or relocation (Sec. 11-1.67.03(C)(2)).
- Applications for sign review must be submitted with fees and must include scaled plans showing: dimensions, lettering style/size, construction details, elevation, color/material samples, and illumination specifications (Sec. 11-1.67.03(C)(2)(c)).
- Sign permits expire if work is not completed in one year.
- Planning commission approval is required for creative signs deviating from standards, for certain signs in the D-C zone, and for signs not expressly permitted by ordinance.
- Specific Plan areas (such as 24000 Crenshaw Blvd.) require sign plans as part of their development/permitting process; detailed requirements apply for signage, including review of illumination, content, materials, and location.
- Planned residential developments and mixed-use projects typically require administrative site plan review, which may encompass a sign plan.
- Any request for exceptions or modifications to sign standards (such as creative signs, murals, or nonconforming/historic signs) requires review/approval by the planning commission.
- A site plan must be submitted for any required parking facilities for three or more vehicles, except for single-family residences; said plan may be required to include a sign plan as part of the submission (Sec. 11-1.66.10(A)).

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

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