# Sign Regulations in Rosemead, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Rosemead, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/rosemead
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Rosemead/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CD_ORD_TIT17ZO_ART4SUST_CH17.116SI)

## At a glance

Rosemead, California regulates 19 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Subdivision Signs in the Residential Zones (R-1, R-2, R-3) zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall, 72 sq ft, and 6 ft x 12 ft wide (Sec. 17.116.060.D). Most commercial signs in Rosemead require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Zones (R-1, R-2, R-3) | 5 | 20 ft | 72 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Zones (C-1, C-3, C-4, CBD, CI-MU, C1-MU) | 7 | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| Industrial Zone (M-1) | 6 | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — |
| P-D | 1 | — | — | — |
| P-O | 1 | — | — | — |
| R/C MUDO | 1 | — | — | — |
| Garvey Avenue Specific Plan | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Residential Zones (R-1, R-2, R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Sale, Lease or Rent Sign | — | 7 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling | On the premises | — | 17.116.060.A |
| Temporary Construction Sign | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per project | On the property under construction | — | 17.116.060.B |
| Identification Sign (Single and Duplex Dwelling Structures) | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per dwelling | On the dwelling structure | — | 17.116.060.C.1 |
| Identification Sign (Multiple Dwelling Structures) | — | 15 sq ft | — | — | 1 per structure | On the property | — | 17.116.060.C.2 |
| Subdivision Sign | 20 ft | 72 sq ft | 6 ft x 12 ft | — | Not specified | On property included in approved subdivision | — | 17.116.060.D |

### Commercial Zones (C-1, C-3, C-4, CBD, CI-MU, C1-MU)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Directory Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building entrance | At each building entrance | — | 17.116.070.A |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | Not specified | On exterior walls of main building or structure | — | 17.116.070.B and 17.116.030.B |
| Flag (Vertical) Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per structure/building | Exterior wall of building | — | 17.116.070.D and 17.116.030.E |
| Freestanding Sign (C-1) | 35 ft | 100 sq ft | — | — | See formula | On property along street from which address is derived | — | 17.116.070.E.1-2; 17.116.030.C |
| Freestanding Sign (C-3, CBD, C1-MU, CI-MU) | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — | — | See formula | On property along street from which address is derived | — | 17.116.070.E.2 |
| Roof Sign | 35 ft above grade | 200 sq ft (C-3, CBD, C1-MU, M-1); 100 sq ft (C-1) | — | — | See formula for freestanding signs | On roof of main building | — | 17.116.070.C and E.2; 17.116.030.C |
| Residential Zone Sign Types | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17.116.070.F |

### Industrial Zone (M-1)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Directory Sign | — | 10 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building entrance | At each building entrance | — | 17.116.070.A |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | Not specified | On exterior walls of main building or structure | — | 17.116.070.B |
| Flag (Vertical) Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per structure/building | Exterior wall of building | — | 17.116.070.D and 17.116.030.E |
| Freestanding Sign (M-1) | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — | — | See formula | On property along street from which address is derived | — | 17.116.070.E.2; 17.116.030.C |
| Roof Sign | 35 ft | 200 sq ft | — | — | See formula for freestanding signs | On roof of main building | — | 17.116.070.C and E.2; 17.116.030.C |
| Residential Zone Sign Types | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 17.116.070.F |

## Prohibited signs in Rosemead

- No sign is permitted to advertise or display an unlawful act, business or purpose.
- Illuminated signs must be shielded to prevent glare, annoyance, or hazard to the public or neighboring properties.
- No blinking or flashing signs are permitted in any zone, except for time and temperature signs.
- Maximum height of freestanding and roof signs in any commercial or industrial zone is 35 feet above grade level of the adjoining public walk.
- Signs projecting over the building line or public right-of-way are prohibited, except vertical flag signs.
- Signs must be maintained in good condition and repair and must not pose a hazard to public safety.
- Signs that create a safety hazard to pedestrian and vehicular traffic are prohibited.
- Ground or roof signs are prohibited if they adversely affect access to air, light or visual corridors by adjacent residential property.
- Portable, folding, A-frame, box, or similar portable signs on rollers or casters are prohibited.
- Signs on utility poles, traffic sign posts, traffic signals, parkways, or sidewalks are prohibited, except limited City Council-approved exceptions.
- Freestanding signs displayed from trucks, autos, trailers, or other vehicles except public buses are prohibited.
- Revolving and/or flashing signs are prohibited.
- Development of new billboards is expressly prohibited in any zone within the City.
- Nonconforming signs may only be altered to decrease or abate the nonconformity; no new nonconforming signs may be added.
- No signs may be added to an occupancy with a nonconforming sign unless all signs associated with such occupancy are made conforming.
- Illegal signs in the public right-of-way may be removed by the city without prior notice.
- Persons responsible for the posting of an illegal sign on public property are liable for the costs of its removal.
- Living or sleeping in any vehicle in a parking space is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Rosemead

- Official notices issued by any court, public body, or public officer.
- Notices posted by any public officer in performance of a public duty or by any public agency to give legal notice.
- Traffic, directional, warning or information signs required or authorized by law or by the federal, state, or municipal authority.
- Official signs used for emergency reasons.
- Temporary signs displaying political election campaign material or signs advertising community events, provided size requirements are met and signs are removed within two working days after the event or election.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs must be established under a valid building permit in accordance with fire and building code regulations.
- Nonconforming sign replacement or alteration: A nonconforming sign may only be replaced by a conforming sign. Alteration is only permitted to decrease or abate the nonconformity.
- No signs may be added to an occupancy with a nonconforming sign unless all signs are made conforming.
- Amortization and removal of nonconforming signs and billboards is required as described in Chapter 17.116.
- Upon determination that a sign is nonconforming, a public hearing is held and, if the period of continuation has expired, repair, alteration, correction, or removal must take place within 30 days.

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

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