# Sign Regulations in Montebello, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Montebello, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/montebello
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Montebello/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT12STSIPUPL_CH12.14RESIATOBPUPR)

## At a glance

Montebello, California regulates 27 sign types across 11 zoning districts. Pylon Signs in the C-1 zone, C-2 zone, C-M zone, M-1 zone, M-2 zone zoning district are capped at 10 ft tall, 80 sq ft total (max 40 sq ft per face), and 4 ft wide, with a 5 ft from street, 10 ft from driveway, 25 ft from residential, 150 ft from other monument/pylon sign setback (Sec. 17.62.100(A)(3)(b)(iii)). Most commercial signs in Montebello require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (11 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 30 sq ft per facade (except inflatables) | — |
| Residential Zones (R zones) | 3 | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| R-A zone | 1 | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| R-3 zone, R-4 zone | 1 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| C-R zone | 3 | — | 50 sq ft | — |
| C-1 zone, C-2 zone, C-M zone, M-1 zone, M-2 zone | 17 | 25 ft above grade of freeway or site, whichever is greater | Up to 600 sq ft per face | — |
| Interstate 5 Freeway Digital Display Sign Corridor | 1 | 75 ft | 672 sq ft (face only, not including trim, base, etc) | — |
| California State Route 60 Freeway Digital Display Sign Corridor | 1 | 75 ft | 672 sq ft (face only, not including trim, base, etc) | — |
| Commercially Zoned Property | 1 | — | 200-300 sq ft (existing sign face for conversion) | — |
| Industrial Zoned Property | 1 | — | 200-300 sq ft (existing sign face for conversion) | — |

_1 additional zoning district is covered in PermitPal (free account)._

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 11 zones)

### Residential Zones (R zones)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Sale/Lease) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property | On property to which sign pertains | — | 17.62.080(A)(1) |
| Outdoor Advertising Structure (Model Home) | — | — | — | — | — | With model homes | — | 17.62.080(A)(2) |
| Temporary Architect/Builder Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On construction site | — | 17.62.080(A)(3) |

### C-R zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 2 per business/use per lot | On building | — | 17.62.090(A)(1)-(3) |
| Accessory Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business/use | — | — | 17.62.090(A)(5) |
| Real Estate Sign (Sale/Lease) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | To inform of premises for sale or lease | — | 17.62.090(B) |

### C-1 zone, C-2 zone, C-M zone, M-1 zone, M-2 zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Front Facade) | — | — | — | — | No specific limit | Front building facade | — | 17.62.100(A)(1)(a)(i) |
| Pole Sign | 20 ft (22 ft with architectural projection) | 240 sq ft (120 sq ft max/sign face) | — | 5 ft from street, 10 ft from driveway, 25 ft from residential, 150 ft from other pole sign | 1 per 75 ft frontage per street | Site with at least 75 ft street frontage; additional if another frontage of 75 ft. | — | 17.62.100(A)(2) |
| Monument Sign | 6 ft | 80 sq ft total (max 40 sq ft per face) | — | 5 ft from street, 10 ft from driveway, 25 ft from residential, 150 ft from other monument/pylon sign | 1 per 75 ft frontage per street | Site with at least 75 ft street frontage; additional if another frontage of 75 ft. | — | 17.62.100(A)(3) |
| Pylon Sign | 10 ft | 80 sq ft total (max 40 sq ft per face) | 4 ft | 5 ft from street, 10 ft from driveway, 25 ft from residential, 150 ft from other monument/pylon sign | 1 per 75 ft frontage per street | Site with at least 75 ft street frontage; additional if another frontage of 75 ft. | — | 17.62.100(A)(3)(b)(iii) |
| Fence Mounted Sign (M-1/M-2 only) | — | 20 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Fence facing public right-of-way when building is not visible and blocked by fence | — | 17.62.100(A)(11) |
| For Sale, For Rent Sign | — | 20 sq ft | — | 5 ft from street, 10 ft from driveway | 1 per building/business; 1 per street frontage in large centers | Same as location of permanent signs. Not in pedestrian path. | — | 17.62.100(A)(12) |
| Freeway-Oriented Sign (Service Station) | 25 ft above grade of freeway or site, whichever is greater | 160 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per qualifying business | Within 500 ft of freeway right-of-way, at service station or detached restaurant | — | 17.62.100(B) |
| Freeway-Oriented Sign (Other Businesses) | 25 ft above freeway or site grade | Up to 600 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per qualifying site | Within 500 ft of freeway right-of-way, for businesses/centers of at least 2 acres | — | 17.62.100(B) |

## Prohibited signs in Montebello

- Signs that include video, blink, or move in any manner, have any portions that move, or have the appearance of moving, including animated or scrolling electronic text, and digital displays (with exemptions for clocks, time and temperature displays, and civic and public services displays).
- Flags (except those which are raised and lowered on permanently fixed flag poles), pennants, banners, paper, wind driven signs (except where specifically provided for within this code).
- Roof signs.
- Sign structures and supports no longer in use.
- Portable signs.
- Commercial advertising statuary.
- Signs painted directly onto exterior wall surfaces (such as exterior building walls and masonry block walls, etc.).
- Inflatable signs (except as provided for temporary signs and off-premises digital display signs).
- New off-premises signs, except those permitted pursuant to this chapter.
- No person shall construct, place or maintain any sign, signboard, billboard, street bulletin board, sign or advertisement in, over, along, across or upon any public street or public parkway, or other public place within the city except as provided in specific sections.
- It is prohibited to paint, post, attach or affix any handbill, notice, sign or advertisement upon any object in the public right-of-way, or to any bridge, fence, light pole, building, structure, or other property within public view, or to any tree in any public right-of-way or public place, nor to deface, mar or disfigure any such structure.
- Signs must be constructed and located in compliance with this chapter and more restrictive applicable codes (California Outdoor Advertising Act, Uniform Building/Sign Code, and California Electrical Code).
- No sign shall project over public right-of-way without written permission from the city council.
- No sign, or portion thereof, shall extend or project over any public sidewalk, parkway, street, or other public property or over any private property used as access ways (with specifics on limited projections at certain heights).
- All signs must be constructed of permanent materials and permanently attached to a rigid structure (see Section 17.62.030).
- All electric signs shall be composed entirely of noncombustible materials and approved by UL or equivalent, and display approval label.
- Temporary signs in the public right-of-way are prohibited.
- Inflatable temporary signs made of mylar or similar metal-coated plastics are prohibited.
- No off-premises digital display shall be placed or maintained in violation of the state Outdoor Advertising Act or other applicable state, federal, or local law.
- An off-premises digital display shall not encroach over public rights-of-way.
- Off-premises digital displays are prohibited within 200 feet of residentially zoned property.
- Off-premises digital displays shall not be structurally attached on the roof of a building.
- Signs may not be painted, posted, or attached on any object or infrastructure in the public right-of-way or publicly visible bridge, fence, light pole, building, tree, etc.
- Nonconforming signs may not be changed to another nonconforming sign, improved/altered to extend life (except for copy change), or expanded/moved except as specifically allowed.
- Every sign, including exempt signs, must be maintained and kept in good repair. Lack of timely repair after notification constitutes a public nuisance.

## Signs exempt from permit in Montebello

- Official notices issued by any court, public body or officer.
- Notices posted by any person or public officer in performance of a public duty.
- Signs required or authorized by any federal, state, county or city regulation, ordinance or resolution.
- Any signs used for emergency purposes only.
- Official flags of the United States of America, the state of California, the county of Los Angeles, or the city of Montebello.
- Temporary election posters and posters for charitable causes are exempt from limitations on temporary signs, but must be placed on private property and removed after the associated event.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A planned sign program (master sign plan) may be approved for freeway signs or commercial/industrial centers on sites of 20,000 square feet or more; application must be reviewed/approved by Planning Commission.
- Planned sign program allows flexibility and exemption from strict numerical/area standards, but signs must be equal or better than normally permitted; application includes a narrative, plot plan, elevations, architectural details, and may require 17 copies.
- Minor deviations (up to 10% increase in height or area, or 10% decrease in landscape area) may be granted by the director of planning in connection with a sign permit application. Planning Commission deviations (greater) require formal application, plan sets, and a deviation finding process.
- Off-premises digital display signs require approval of a development agreement by the city council and an off-premises digital display sign permit issued by the planning manager or designee, with required submittals including visual simulations and a photometric study.
- All permanent signs require approval from the Montebello departments of planning and building services prior to erecting, constructing, altering, rebuilding, replacing, or moving any sign.
- Approval from the department of public works is also required for any freestanding or projecting sign located within 20 feet of or projecting over the public right-of-way.

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

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