Sign Regulations in Santa Fe Springs, California
Santa Fe Springs, California has specific sign regulations covering 28 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Sale/Lease Sign, Directional Sign (Parking/Loading), Nameplate Sign. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 8, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Santa Fe Springs, California
Sample Sign Requirements in Santa Fe Springs
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nameplate Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — |
| Product Identification Sign | — | 32 sq ft per sign | Must be 25 ft apart |
| Sale/Lease Sign | — | 32 sq ft total for all such signs | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
28
- Sale/Lease Sign
- Directional Sign (Parking/Loading)
- Nameplate Sign
- Temporary Subdivision Tract or Architect/Builder Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
13
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Santa Fe Springs
Other Cities in California
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign height limits in Santa Fe Springs 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 Santa Fe Springs, 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 Santa Fe Springs, regulated sign types include Sale/Lease Sign, Directional Sign (Parking/Loading), Nameplate Sign, Temporary Subdivision Tract or Architect/Builder 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 Santa Fe Springs 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 Santa Fe Springs are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Santa Fe Springs has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Santa Fe Springs, California Sign Rules at a Glance
Santa Fe Springs, California regulates 28 sign types across 13 zoning districts. Monument Signs in the Limited Manufacturing, Administration and Research (ML), Light Manufacturing (M-1), Heavy Manufacturing (M-2) zoning district are capped at 5 ft tall and 40 sq ft, with a Must be 5 ft from property line setback (Sec. ML: § 155.199(D); M-1: § 155.229(B)(6); M-2: § 155.259(B)(6)). Most commercial signs in Santa Fe Springs require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Santa Fe Springs, California
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Santa Fe Springs (13 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light Agricultural (A-1) | 4 | — | 32 sq ft per sign | — |
| Single-Family Residential (R-1) | 3 | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — |
| Multiple-Family/Medium Density Residential (R-3), Multiple-Family/High Density Residential (R-4) | 4 | Must not extend above the roof | 20 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Commercial (C-1) | 4 | — | 100 sq ft (total thereafter maximum) | — |
| Community Commercial (C-4), Mixed-Use (MU), Mixed-Use Downtown (MU-DT), Mixed-Use Transit-Oriented Development (MU-TOD) | 7 | 20 ft (may exceed by Planning Commission approval) | 200 sq ft | — |
| Limited Manufacturing, Administration and Research (ML), Light Manufacturing (M-1), Heavy Manufacturing (M-2) | 7 | 5 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| Buffer Parking (BP) | 4 | — | 16 sq ft per sign, 2 allowed, 50 ft apart | — |
| Public Use Facilities (PF) | 5 | — | 32 sq ft per sign, 2 allowed | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | 15 ft | 150 sq ft per sign | — |
| Planned Development Overlay Zone (PD) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Design Zone (D) | 1 | — | — | — |
| Freeway Overlay Zone (FOZ) | 1 | 50 ft (exclusive of certain architectural elements up to +6 ft) | 672 sq ft per face (14'x48') | — |
| Specific Plan Overlay Zone (SP1) | 1 | — | — | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Santa Fe Springs(sample of 3 of 13 zones)
Community Commercial (C-4), Mixed-Use (MU), Mixed-Use Downtown (MU-DT), Mixed-Use Transit-Oriented Development (MU-TOD)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign, Fascia Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building wall/fascia | — | Unlock | § 155.169(A), (D); § 155.175.12 |
| Monument Sign | 5 ft | 40 sq ft | — | At least 5 ft from property line | — | On property | — | Unlock | § 155.169(F), (E) |
| Freestanding Center Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property | — | Unlock | § 155.169(C), § 155.525–526 |
| Electronic Message Board or Reader Board (multi-tenant centers ≥10 acres) | 20 ft (may exceed by Planning Commission approval) | 200 sq ft | — | — | 1 per center | On property | — | Unlock | § 155.169(K) |
| Directional Sign (Parking/Loading) | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | For parking/loading only | — | Unlock | § 155.169(I) |
| Sale/Lease Sign | — | 16 sq ft per sign (two allowed, must be 50 ft apart) | — | 50 ft between signs | 2 per site | On property | — | Unlock | § 155.169(J) |
| Architect/Builder/Tract Sign (temporary) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 155.169(H) |
Limited Manufacturing, Administration and Research (ML), Light Manufacturing (M-1), Heavy Manufacturing (M-2)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign, Fascia Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building wall/fascia | — | Unlock | ML: § 155.199(A,C); M-1: § 155.229(B)(3); M-2: § 155.259(B)(3) |
| Monument Sign | 5 ft | 40 sq ft | — | Must be 5 ft from property line | See sign size restrictions | On property | — | Unlock | ML: § 155.199(D); M-1: § 155.229(B)(6); M-2: § 155.259(B)(6) |
| Freestanding Center Sign (Unified Dev.) | — | — | — | — | — | On property | — | Unlock | ML: § 155.199(C); M-1: § 155.229(B)(4); M-2: § 155.259(B)(4); § 155.525, § 155.526 |
| Directional Sign (Parking/Loading) | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | In connection with off-street parking/loading | — | Unlock | ML: § 155.199(F); M-1: § 155.229(B)(8); M-2: § 155.259(B)(8) |
| Sale/Lease Sign (Temporary) | — | 16 sq ft (ML); 16 sq ft (M-1/M-2, 2 allowed, 50 ft apart) | — | 50 ft between signs | 2 per site | On property | — | Unlock | ML: § 155.199(G); M-1: § 155.229(B)(9); M-2: § 155.259(B)(9) |
| Temporary Architect/Builder/Tract Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | ML: § 155.199(E); M-1: § 155.229(B)(7); M-2: § 155.259(B)(7) |
| Freestanding Sign or Monument Sign - Sale, Rental, Lease of Property with No Building (M-1, M-2) | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | — | On site | — | Unlock | M-1 § 155.229(B)(1); M-2 § 155.259(B)(1) |
Public Use Facilities (PF)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facility Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On facility | — | Unlock | § 155.289(A) |
| Bulletin/Announcement Board | — | 12 sq ft per 100 ft of street frontage | — | — | — | On facility property | — | Unlock | § 155.289(B) |
| Architect/Builder Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Unlock | § 155.289(C) |
| Directional Sign (Parking/Loading) | — | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | — | Parking/loading areas | — | Unlock | § 155.289(D) |
| Sale/Lease Sign | — | 32 sq ft per sign, 2 allowed | — | — | 2 per site | On property/facility | — | Unlock | § 155.289(E) |
PermitPal covers all 13 zoning districts in Santa Fe Springs — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 13 zones for Santa Fe Springs — start freeProhibited Signs in Santa Fe Springs
- No signs or advertising structures of any kind shall be erected or located except those permitted in the various zones and in compliance with the provisions of the following sections (§ 155.516).
- Portable signs, including A-frame, sandwich boards, poster boards and signs mounted on trailers or motor vehicles which are capable of being carried or readily moved from one spot to another, shall be prohibited in all zones (§ 155.521).
- No property in any zone shall be used for the purpose of displaying an advertising sign or structure located upon or fastened to a motor vehicle, nor shall a motor vehicle be parked on any parking area or street for the purpose of displaying an advertising sign or structure (§ 155.522).
- Streamers, banners, pennants, whirling devices or similar objects which wave, float, fly, rotate or move in the breeze shall be prohibited in all zones, except as provided for permitted banners for temporary sales promotion or new business identification, official flags or banners for public events, and holiday decorations (§ 155.530).
- No sign shall be permitted which projects over the planned street width of any street, highway or other public way (§ 155.532).
- No sign or advertising structure shall be permitted which in any way endangers the health or public safety by causing distraction to operators of motor vehicles on streets and highways, or creates a traffic hazard by obstructing vision, or is detrimental or harmful to the use of surrounding properties (§ 155.529(A)).
- No sign shall be illuminated in such a way as to cause glare or light to be transmitted in detrimental or harmful concentrations onto adjoining properties or streets (§ 155.529(B)(2)).
- No sign shall be of such color or lighted with such color as to be confused with or resemble public regulatory signs or signals (§ 155.529(B)(3)).
- Signs which move, or which have moving parts or flashing lights, shall not be permitted in any zone unless specifically allowed (zone and section dependent, e.g., § 155.051(F), § 155.078(E), § 155.139(D), § 155.169(G), § 155.199(H), § 155.229(B)(10), § 155.255(E), § 155.289 (not specified), § 155.312(E)). But generally, they are prohibited.
- No sign shall be located where it would interfere with, obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign (§ 155.529(B)(1)).
Exempt Signs in Santa Fe Springs
- Official notices issued by any court, public body or officer (§ 155.517(A)).
- Notices posted by any public officer in performance of a public duty, or by any person in giving legal notice (§ 155.517(B)).
- Traffic, directional, warning or information signs, or structures, required or authorized by any federal, state, county or city regulation, ordinance or resolution (§ 155.517(C)).
- Any signs used for emergency purposes only (§ 155.517(D)).
- Permanent memorial or historical signs, plaques or markers (§ 155.517(E)).
- Bulletin or announcement boards not over 12 square feet in area per 100 feet of street frontage, related to the structure to which it is appurtenant and located on the premises of public, charitable or religious institutions (§ 155.517(F)).
- Identification signs not more than one square foot in area may bear the name, title and address of the occupant on the premises where said sign is located (§ 155.517(G)).
- The following signs and advertising structures are exempt from the required permit: (1) Signs and advertising structures regulated by the Building Code and for which a valid building permit has been issued. (2) Temporary architects or builder's signs. (3) Signs pertaining to the sale, lease or rental of any structure or site when the sign is located on said site. (4) Direction signs in connection with off-street parking and loading facilities. (5) Signs of less than four square feet in area (§ 155.518(B)).
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Santa Fe Springs
- A comprehensive sign program shall be prepared for approval by the Director of Community Development for all unified commercial and industrial developments such as shopping centers, business parks, industrial parks and similar developments which are five or more acres in area (§ 155.526).
- Development plan approval shall be required for the establishment of freestanding center signs (§ 155.525(A)). Freestanding center signs shall only be approved in conjunction with the approval of a comprehensive sign program (§ 155.525(B)(2)).
- Signs in the Mixed-Use Zones are subject to the sign standards of the C-4 zone (§ 155.169) and the provisions of §§ 155.515 through 155.536 regarding signs shall also apply (§ 155.175.12).
- Development plan approval is required for the erection or substantial alteration of a sign, wall or fence in the Design Zone (§ 155.348(D)).
- Development plan approval required for establishment of any building or structure, or an improvement or change to any building or structure within a Freeway Overlay Zone, unless the underlying zone district specifies a conditional use permit is required to establish a specific use (§ 155.378(A)). Fences, walls, signs, and similar types of improvements, or additions or alterations that will not significantly affect the appearance or function of existing uses will require administrative approval only (§ 155.378(B)).
- Electronic billboards along the Interstate 605 corridor require both an operating agreement with the city and development plan approval. Electronic billboards shall be subject to development plan approval review and approval consistent with §§ 155.735 through 155.747 (§ 155.519(G)).
- Billboards within the Freeway Overlay Zone require both a conditional use permit and a development agreement prior to the issuance of a building permit for any project involving construction of a new billboard, expansion or modification of a billboard, or addition of additional face(s) to a billboard (§ 155.384(A)).
- For nonconforming signs, a sign permit may be required to maintain a nonconforming sign (§ 155.535; § 155.397(B)).
Source: municode municipal code