# Sign Regulations in Los Alamitos, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Los Alamitos, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/los-alamitos
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-10
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://ecode360.com/42856959#42856959)

## At a glance

Los Alamitos, California regulates 3 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Wall Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Below eave line tall and 24 square feet (Sec. § 17.26.090, Table 3-09). Most commercial signs in Los Alamitos require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | Varies by zone (8-20 feet) | 50 square feet | — |
| R-1, R-2, R-3, MH | 2 | 6 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| C-O, C-G, P-L-I, TCMU | 2 | Varies by zone (8-20 feet) | 50 square feet | — |
| CF, OA | 2 | 10 feet | 50 square feet per street frontage | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | Below eave line | 24 square feet | — | — | Multiple signs permitted | Affixed to a permanent wall | — | § 17.26.090, Table 3-09 |
| Freestanding Sign | Varies by zone (8-20 feet) | 50 square feet | — | — | 1 per parcel or street frontage | Within landscaped planter or private parkway | — | § 17.26.090, Table 3-09 |

### R-1, R-2, R-3, MH

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign | 6 feet | 50 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage or 1 on each side of main neighborhood entrance | Major entrances to projects or neighborhoods | — | § 17.26.090, Table 3-08 |
| Wall Sign | Below eave line | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per street frontage or 1 on each side of main entrance | Affixed to a permanent wall | — | § 17.26.090, Table 3-08 |

### C-O, C-G, P-L-I, TCMU

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | Varies by zone (8-20 feet) | 50 square feet | — | — | 1 per parcel or street frontage | Within landscaped planter or private parkway | — | § 17.26.090, Table 3-09 |
| Wall Sign | Below eave line | 24 square feet per tenant | — | — | Multiple signs permitted | Affixed to a permanent wall | — | § 17.26.090, Table 3-09 |

## Prohibited signs in Los Alamitos

- Signs that are not expressly allowed in this chapter shall be expressly prohibited.
- Signs Not Specifically Allowed or Illegally Erected.
- Signs Constituting a Traffic Hazard.
- Signs on or Projection over a Public Property or Right-of-Way.
- Signs on Doors, Windows, or Fire Escapes.
- Animated or Moving Signs.
- Offsite Outdoor Advertising Signs (Billboards).
- Vehicle Signs.
- Signs Blocking the Visibility of Other Signs.
- Inflatable Devices.
- Portable Signs.
- Pennants and Banners.
- Roof Signs.
- Audible Signs.

## Signs exempt from permit in Los Alamitos

- Nameplates, directional, or informational signs not exceeding three square feet in area.
- Interior signs not visible outside the building.
- Window signs not exceeding 25 percent of the aggregate window area.
- Signs exclusively regulated by the State; traffic, directional, warning, or informational signs required by any public body.
- Signs used for the sole purpose of advertising a property for sale, lease, or rental.
- The flag of the United States of America, State of California, the City, or corporate flag.
- Memorial signs on tablets or plaques.
- Holiday decorations displayed for a period not exceeding 30 consecutive calendar days.
- Signs announcing a garage sale.
- Signs displaying information about a project under construction.
- Temporary signs displaying noncommercial messages.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Planned Sign Program shall be required whenever a parcel will have permanent signs that exceed either five signs or an aggregate area of 200 square feet.
- Menu board signs shall be approved as part of a Planned Sign Program.
- A Planned Sign Program shall be required for all new service stations.
- If more than 2 of any kind of signs are proposed, a Planned Sign Program shall be required.

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

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