Sign Regulations in Monrovia, California
Monrovia, California has specific sign regulations covering 29 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Construction Sign (Residential), Real Estate Sign (Residential), Building Wall Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: December 18, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Monrovia, California
Sample Sign Requirements in Monrovia
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Sign (Residential) | — | 12 sq ft per permitted sign face | — |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — |
| Signs and/or Nameplates (Residential) | — | 1 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
29
- Construction Sign (Residential)
- Real Estate Sign (Residential)
- Building Wall Sign
- Graphic Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
6
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Monrovia
Other Cities in California
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Monrovia vary by zone and sign type. Wall signs typically range from 25-40 feet, while monument signs are usually limited to 6-10 feet. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your property.
To get a sign permit in Monrovia, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Monrovia, regulated sign types include Construction Sign (Residential), Real Estate Sign (Residential), Building Wall Sign, Graphic Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Monrovia vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Monrovia are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Monrovia has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Monrovia, California Sign Rules at a Glance
Monrovia, California regulates 29 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Identification Monument Signs in the Neighborhood Commercial (NC); Commercial-Regional/Subregional (CRS); Office/Research and Development/Light Manufacturing (O/RD/LM); Business Enterprise (BE); Manufacturing (M); Planned Development (PD) – Nonresidential Uses; Residential High Density (RH) – Nonresidential Uses (collectively “All Others” per § 17.28.090(A)(8)) zoning district are capped at 6 ft overall (including base); base max 2 ft tall and 50 sq ft per face, with a Landscape area required, min dimension 5 ft setback (Sec. § 17.28.090(B) (Identification monument sign—All Others P); § 17.28.100(B)(1)). Most commercial signs in Monrovia require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Monrovia, California
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Monrovia (6 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Foothill (RF); Residential Estate (RE); Residential Low Density (RL) | 4 | — | 12 sq ft per permitted sign face | — |
| Residential Medium Density (RM); Residential Medium/Residential High (RM/RH); Residential High Density (RH); Planned Development (PD) – Residential Uses | 5 | — | 24 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (NC); Commercial-Regional/Subregional (CRS); Office/Research and Development/Light Manufacturing (O/RD/LM); Business Enterprise (BE); Manufacturing (M); Planned Development (PD) – Nonresidential Uses; Residential High Density (RH) – Nonresidential Uses (collectively “All Others” per § 17.28.090(A)(8)) | 18 | Up to 40 ft above ground | As per frontage schedule (one face): up to 150 ft frontage: 40 sq ft; 151–250 ft: 75 sq ft; 251+ ft: 75–100 sq ft depending on height | — |
| Planned Development (Auto Center - PD-10) | 10 | Up to 40 ft over the height of the highest building within 100 ft | Frontage-based: up to 150 ft: 40 sq ft; 151–250 ft: 75 sq ft; 251+ ft: 75–100 sq ft per height tier | — |
| Public/Quasi-Public (P/QP) | 2 | Monument sign up to 6 ft overall (including base); base up to 2 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — |
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Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Monrovia(sample of 3 of 6 zones)
Residential Medium Density (RM); Residential Medium/Residential High (RM/RH); Residential High Density (RH); Planned Development (PD) – Residential Uses
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Sign (Residential) | — | 12 sq ft per permitted sign face | — | — | One per construction site | On the land where construction is occurring | — | Unlock | § 17.28.060 (RM/RM-RH/RH/PD—Construction sign PN); § 17.28.070(A); § 17.28.080(A) |
| Identification Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | One per street frontage | On parcel frontage(s) | — | Unlock | § 17.28.060 (RM/RM-RH/RH/PD—Identification sign P); § 17.28.070(B); § 17.28.080(B) |
| New Construction For Rent or For Sale Sign (Residential) | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | One | On land upon which an apartment or condominium building is under construction or site plan approved | — | Unlock | § 17.28.060 (RM/RM-RH/RH/PD—New construction for rent or for sale sign PN); § 17.28.070(C); § 17.28.080(A) |
| Real Estate Sign (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 2 per lot or parcel | Must be located on the land to which the sign refers | — | Unlock | § 17.28.060 (RM/RM-RH/RH/PD—Real estate signs PN); § 17.28.070(D); § 17.28.080(A) |
| Real Estate Sign – Condominiums (Residential) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | One per unit | On the condominium unit to which the sign refers | — | Unlock | § 17.28.060 (RM/RM-RH/RH/PD—Real estate sign—condominiums PN); § 17.28.070(E); § 17.28.080(A) |
Neighborhood Commercial (NC); Commercial-Regional/Subregional (CRS); Office/Research and Development/Light Manufacturing (O/RD/LM); Business Enterprise (BE); Manufacturing (M); Planned Development (PD) – Nonresidential Uses; Residential High Density (RH) – Nonresidential Uses (collectively “All Others” per § 17.28.090(A)(8))
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Wall Sign | — | 5% of total wall face | — | — | One per business frontage as described | On building face at front/entrance or on wall fronting a major/secondary highway | — | Unlock | § 17.28.090(B) (Building wall sign—All Others P); § 17.28.100(A)(2)(a)-(b); § 17.28.120(C)-(D) |
| Projecting Sidewalk Sign | — | 4.5 sq ft per face (18 in x 3 ft) | 18 in (width); 3 ft (height) | — | One per business | Over pedestrian walkway, hanging from canopy/architectural projection | — | Unlock | § 17.28.090(B) (Projecting sidewalk sign—All Others P); § 17.28.100(A)(5) |
| Identification Monument Sign | 6 ft overall (including base); base max 2 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — | Landscape area required, min dimension 5 ft | One per business frontage (shopping centers and auto centers: one per street frontage—see special use categories) | At business frontage (one per street frontage for a site) | — | Unlock | § 17.28.090(B) (Identification monument sign—All Others P); § 17.28.100(B)(1) |
| Freestanding Sign | Up to 20–30 ft per frontage schedule; cannot exceed building height if building within 50 ft (unless building < 20 ft, then sign may be up to 20 ft) | As per frontage schedule (one face): up to 150 ft frontage: 40 sq ft; 151–250 ft: 75 sq ft; 251+ ft: 75–100 sq ft depending on height | — | Must be within landscaped area (size equal to sign area, min dimension 5 ft) | One per eligible lot or group of contiguous lots with common parking | On any one lot or contiguous lots occupied by a single business or multiple businesses sharing common parking | — | Unlock | § 17.28.090(B) (Freestanding sign—All Others P); § 17.28.100(C)(2)(a)-(b) and schedule; Foothill Blvd note in § 17.28.100(C)(2)(a) |
| Freestanding Public Service Sign (Option) | 35 ft | 125 sq ft per face | — | — | One per site (if approved) | Freestanding on site | — | Unlock | § 17.28.100(C)(2)(b)2 |
| Balloon Sign (Non–Auto Center) | Up to 40 ft above ground | — | — | 50 ft minimum from front and rear property lines | One per retail site | On parcels fronting a dedicated street | — | Unlock | § 17.28.090(B) (Balloon sign—All Others P); § 17.28.100(E)(1)(a) |
| Sidewalk Sign (Freestanding) | 4 ft | 3 sq ft per face (18 in x 24 in) | — | Within 2.5 ft of building face (unless DRC approves otherwise) and ADA clearance maintained | One (per freestanding type); restaurants: one freestanding and one wall type | On sidewalk near building face | — | Unlock | § 17.28.090(B) (Sidewalk sign—All Others P); § 17.28.100(E)(2)(a)-(j), (k) |
| Sidewalk Wall Sign | — | 3 sq ft | 18 in | — | One; restaurants: one in addition to freestanding type | On building wall at eye level | — | Unlock | § 17.28.100(E)(2)(g), (j), (k) |
Planned Development (Auto Center - PD-10)
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Wall Sign | — | 5% of total wall face | — | — | One per applicable frontage | On building face at front/entrance or wall fronting a major/secondary highway | — | Unlock | § 17.28.090(B) (Building wall sign—Auto Center P); § 17.28.100(A)(2) |
| Identification Monument Sign | 6 ft overall (including base); base max 2 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — | Landscape area required (min dimension 5 ft) | One per street frontage | Auto center street frontage | — | Unlock | § 17.28.090(B) (Identification monument sign—Auto Center P); § 17.28.100(B)(1)(a)-(b) |
| Freestanding Sign | 20–30 ft per frontage schedule; cannot exceed height of nearest building within 50 ft (unless building < 20 ft, then sign may be up to 20 ft) | Frontage-based: up to 150 ft: 40 sq ft; 151–250 ft: 75 sq ft; 251+ ft: 75–100 sq ft per height tier | — | Landscape area required (min dimension 5 ft); no projection into public way | One per eligible lot or group of contiguous lots with common parking | On any one lot or contiguous lots occupied by a single business or multiple businesses sharing common parking | — | Unlock | § 17.28.090(B) (Freestanding sign—Auto Center P); § 17.28.100(C)(2)(a)-(b) and schedule |
| Balloon Sign (Auto Center) | Up to 40 ft over the height of the highest building within 100 ft | — | — | At least 50 ft from any street | One per dealership building | On auto center property; no less than 50 ft from any street | — | Unlock | § 17.28.090(B) (Balloon sign—Auto Center PN); § 17.28.100(E)(1)(b) |
| Temporary Display Sign | — | 30 sq ft | — | — | One | On site promoting special sales/openings | — | Unlock | § 17.28.090(B) (Temporary display sign—Auto Center PN); § 17.28.100(E)(3) |
| Directional/Instructional Sign | 4 ft | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On site | — | Unlock | § 17.28.090(B) (Directional/instructional sign—Auto Center P); § 17.28.100(G)(2) |
| Construction Sign (Nonresidential) | — | 100 sq ft | — | — | One | On the construction site | — | Unlock | § 17.28.090(B) (Construction sign—Auto Center PN); § 17.28.100(G)(1) |
| Real Estate Sign (Nonresidential) | — | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 2 per street frontage; plus one additional per frontage if 200 ft separation | On the land to which the sign refers | — | Unlock | § 17.28.090(B) (Real estate sign—Auto Center PN); § 17.28.100(G)(4) |
PermitPal covers all 6 zoning districts in Monrovia. Run a code check for your exact address to get the zone that applies to your property and its full sign requirements — illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
Run a code check for your exact address — freeProhibited Signs in Monrovia
- All signs not described in the ordinance as permitted for specific zones, uses, or areas are prohibited (unless treated as a special advertising device by the Development Review Committee).
- Advertising structures, billboards, and outdoor advertising signs are not permitted citywide.
Exempt Signs in Monrovia
- Official notices issued by any court or public body or officer, and directional warning or information signs or structures required or authorized by law, are excluded from the definition of 'signs' and are exempt from these regulations.
- Traffic and similar signs erected by order of the City Council, Chief of Police, Director of Public Works, or Fire Chief are not subject to this chapter.
- Theater marquees and similar signs designed for replaceable copy do not require a sign permit when the replaceable copy is changed (owner remains responsible for compliance and maintenance).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Monrovia
- All signs require Development Review Committee (DRC) approval of design, size, material, and placement unless expressly excepted.
- Multiple-tenant complexes (shopping centers and similar) must obtain approval of a comprehensive sign plan prior to any individual sign approvals.
- Residential identification signs may be approved at a larger size using the minor exception procedure if findings of architectural harmony and need are made.
- Nonresidential signs may be approved at a larger size using the minor exception procedure under Chapter 17.52 if findings are made.
- The DRC is empowered to interpret the ordinance; appeals of DRC interpretations follow §§ 2.56.050–2.56.060.
- Electronic message boards for certain uses in the P/QP zone and educational institutions require a minor conditional use permit from the DRC and must be incorporated into a monument sign.
Source: amlegal municipal code