# Sign Regulations in Whittier, California

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Whittier, California (CA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/california/whittier
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-09
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CA/Whittier/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT16SI)

## At a glance

Whittier, California regulates 11 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Monument)s in the C-0, C-1, C-2 (HO) zoning district are capped at 48 inches tall and 32 sq ft (aggregate), with a 5' from property line (see further details above) setback (Sec. 18.76.060 Table 6). Most commercial signs in Whittier require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Uptown Whittier Specific Plan (UWSP) | 1 | — | — | — |
| C-0, C-1, C-2 (HO) | 8 | 48 inches | 32 sq ft (aggregate) | — |
| C-2, C-3 and M Zones Lots > 30 acres | 1 | 40 ft | 0.5 sq ft per lineal ft of street frontage (no max specified) | — |
| C-2, C-3, and MU-3 and M Lots 2 to 30 acres | 1 | 25 ft | 0.5 sq ft per lineal ft of street frontage | — |
| C-2, C-3, MU1, MU2, MU3, INV, MED Lots < 2 acres | 1 | 6 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| R-3, R-4, R-5 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Residential Zones (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-E) | 1 | 36 in (plus 12 in decorative features) | 24 sq ft | — |
| MU-1, MU-2, MU-3, INV, MED | 1 | — | — | — |
| M Zones | 1 | — | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### C-0, C-1, C-2 (HO)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per business per primary facade; 1 per business on 1 secondary facade ≤50% size of primary | 1 sign per business per primary facade; 1 sign per business on 1 secondary facade ≤ 50% size of primary facade sign; attached parallel to exterior wall, ≤12" projection; not allowed on freestanding exterior walls or fences; not above parapet/eave. | — | 18.76.020 Table 2 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per primary facade; or 1 per secondary if no primary facade | Attached perpendicular to exterior wall or bisecting building corner; within sign placement area; 8-foot clearance from adjoining public right-of-way; minimum 10' apart, 5' from adjacent property/lease line, 3' from building edge unless at corner. | — | 18.76.030 Table 3 |
| Awning/Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per awning | Ground floor businesses abutting public street/walkway; directly above a public entry/transparent window; awnings/canopies may extend for facade length with public entrance. | — | 18.76.040 Table 4 |
| Permanent Window Sign | — | — | — | — | See above | Only in transparent windows, not in opaque. Illuminated neon outlining counts toward area. | — | 18.76.050 Table 5 |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument) | 48 inches | 32 sq ft (aggregate) | — | 5' from property line (see further details above) | 2 per lot | 5' setback from property line along street frontages; may extend up to 3' into setback if in planter; 10' from any driveway or ingress/egress; 10' from side/shared lot line; 150' minimum between signs. | — | 18.76.060 Table 6 |
| Temporary On-Premises Signs (Commercial) | — | If larger than 4 sq ft, subject to permanent sign rules | — | 5' setback from public right-of-way. | 1 per 1/4 acre | Entirely inside subject property, not over property line; 5' setback from public right-of-way. | — | 18.76.080 Table 7 |
| Portable Sign (A-frame/Sandwich Board) | 4 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | — | Not in public ROW, parking, or planters; may be in building recesses or non-obstructive locations. | — | 18.76.080(J) |
| Readerboard/Changeable Copy Sign (Institutional Uses Only) | — | 30 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 1 per development | Only along minor or major arterial street for institutional use. | — | 18.76.070, 18.76.140 |

### C-2, C-3 and M Zones Lots > 30 acres

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Monument/Pylon) | 40 ft | 0.5 sq ft per lineal ft of street frontage (no max specified) | — | See above | No maximum | Monument or pylon. Monument: 5' setback from property line, or up to 3' into required setback if in planter; Pylon: 10' setback from property line. 10' from driveway/ingress; 10' from side/shared property line; minimum 150' between signs; cannot project into ROW. | — | 18.76.060 Table 6 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning/Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per awning | Ground-floor businesses only, over public entries or windows; must be centered. | — | 18.76.040 Table 4 |
| Permanent Window Sign | — | — | — | — | 3/5 per window size | In transparent windows only. | — | 18.76.050 Table 5 |
| Directional Sign (On-Premises) | 6 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | On private property as required for wayfinding | — | 18.76.060 Table 6, 18.76.140 Table 9 |

## Prohibited signs in Whittier

- No person shall erect, construct, or maintain, or permit the erection, construction, or maintenance of any outdoor advertising structure (billboard) on any real property within the city.
- Pole signs are prohibited.
- Balloon strings are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Vehicle-mounted signs are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Signs that produce smoke, sound, or other emissions are prohibited.
- Any sign containing fluorescent colors is prohibited.
- Can signs are prohibited.
- All permanent off-premises signs are prohibited in the city.
- All temporary off-premises signs are prohibited, except for specific exceptions regarding directional signs.
- No private person, group, or entity may place any type of sign, temporary or permanent, or any human advertisement, in the public right-of-way, except as allowed for temporary directional signs.
- All human advertisement is prohibited where intended to attract attention of passing motorists to a business or service.
- No signs are allowed other than on a primary or secondary facade. Any side of a building without a public entrance or not facing a public street may not have any signs.
- No freestanding sign may project into the public right-of-way.
- Off-premises directional signs are prohibited.
- Wood signs are prohibited in C or M zones, except as provided in Section 18.76.030.
- Readerboard and changeable copy signs may not display neon or day-glo colors.
- Temporary signs may not be displayed for longer than 30 consecutive days nor for more than four such periods during a calendar year.
- Prohibited temporary signs include balloon strings (with or without text) and vehicle-mounted signs (except advertising displays on mass transit vehicles).
- Portable and temporary signs or sign structures are not permitted to be repaired, maintained, or reconstructed.
- Off-premises directional signs are prohibited for institutional uses.
- No new freestanding sign shall be installed on any lot classified in residential zones R-E, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, or R-5 if any nonconforming sign is located upon such lot.
- No person may erect or install any sign on any lot after the use to which it relates has been removed, discontinued, or abandoned.

## Signs exempt from permit in Whittier

- Any sign located entirely within a building and not within three feet of a window, and which is not readily visible from the exterior of the building, is exempt from the requirements of Chapters 18.73 through 18.78 and this chapter.
- No permit is required for the changing of advertising copy or message on a painted or printed sign.
- No permit is required for replacing copy in signs specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy.
- No permit is required for maintenance of the sign.
- Seasonal or holiday displays, other than window signs, do not require a permit.
- Signs authorized under Chapters 18.73 through 18.78 and this chapter can contain noncommercial copy in lieu of any other copy (substitution clause).
- The provisions of Chapters 18.73 through 18.78 and this chapter do not apply to outdoor advertising structures, as defined and regulated by Chapter 18.68.
- Provisions do not excuse, prevent, materially alter, or restrict any signage requirements under California or federal law; any inconsistent or conflicting provision is preempted.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign plan is required for construction, erection, installation, relocation, or alteration of any permanent on-premises sign prior to obtaining the applicable permit.
- Sign plan review is required for banners, flags, portable signs, permanent window signs, wall signs, projecting, awning, and freestanding signs in all zones (for development with less than 3 tenants).
- For development with 3 or more tenants: sign plan review and compliance with a master sign program is required.
- Master sign program must be submitted to the planning division for review and approval by the design review board for commercial centers containing three or more tenants.
- Signs included in projects requiring development review or a conditional use permit (CUP) must undergo sign plan review within the respective application process.
- Any modification or alteration of an existing sign requires that a supplemental sign plan or master sign program, as applicable, be submitted for review and issuance of a new permit.
- Promotional sign program applications, for lots 75,000 square feet or more seeking outdoor commercial promotional signage, require annual review and approval.
- Modifications to an approved promotional sign program require review and approval by the planning division.
- For nonconforming sign owners seeking an exception to amortization, a minor variance application is required at least ninety days before termination of the amortization period.
- Owners of existing on-premises signs may request a determination of nonconforming status; the request must contain the same information required for a permit application (sign plan or master sign program).
- Any redevelopments or permits for a property with an existing legal nonconforming sign may require the sign to be brought into compliance with current code or removed as a condition of approval, when there is a nexus between the permit/approval and the nonconforming sign.

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

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