Earlier editions: 2026-07
Title 18 — Zoning, Land Use and Development Regulations›Chapter 18.50 — SIGN REGULATIONS
Calimesa Municipal Code Art. II Real Estate Signs
Calimesa Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Calimesa
Cite as: Calimesa Municipal Code Article II · Text as of 2026-10-04
§ 18.50.090. Definitions.¶
Definitions contained in CMC § 18.50.020, wherever applicable, shall apply to this article.
(Code 1990 § 9.3.01; Ord. 91-9; Ord. 342 § 3 (Exh. A), 2016)
§ 18.50.100. Maximum area.¶
The maximum area for real estate signs in all zones within the city is as follows:
A. For all properties, developed or undeveloped, of less than one acre, one sign not to exceed four square feet in area may be permitted.
B. For all properties, developed or undeveloped, of one acre or larger, one sign not to exceed 12 square feet in area may be permitted.
C. The standards shall apply to for sale, for rent, and for lease signs.
(Code 1990 § 9.3.02; Ord. 91-9; Ord. 342 § 3 (Exh. A), 2016)
§ 18.50.110. General provisions.¶
A. Real estate signs shall not be lighted, either directly or indirectly. The sign shall not be attached to any tree, fence post, utility pole, or any temporary or portable structure, other than a post made specifically for the sign, or to a building.
B. Real estate signs may be modified to indicate the property has been sold, leased, or rented; provided, however, that no increase in the area of the sign shall be permitted. The sign shall be removed not more than 60 days following modification of the sign.
C. Real estate signs may not be placed less than 50 feet from any other real estate sign as measured along the public right-of-way. No more than two real estate signs may be placed on any individual property.
D. The maximum height of real estate signs and supporting structures shall not exceed six feet above the ground level.
(Code 1990 § 9.3.03; Ord. 91-9; Ord. 342 § 3 (Exh. A), 2016)
§ 18.50.120. Open house signs.¶
A. One on-site open house sign, four square feet in area, may be permitted in conjunction with the sale of a detached single-family unit.
B. Three off-site open house signs, each four square feet in area, may be permitted for a period not to exceed 72 hours in conjunction with the sale of a single-family dwelling unit.
C. Subject to the approval of the planning director, one on-site open house sign, four square feet in area, may be permitted on property where units within a multiple residential structure are offered for sale, rent, or lease, for a period not to exceed 120 days.
(Code 1990 § 9.3.04; Ord. 91-9; Ord. 342 § 3 (Exh. A), 2016)
§ 18.50.130. Off-site subdivision signs.¶
Kiosks, off-site subdivision signs, and tract signs shall not be permitted within the city unless approved by the planning director and subject to the following conditions:
A. No kiosk shall contain more than eight tract signs per face.
B. No kiosk shall exceed four faces.
C. No kiosk shall be greater than nine feet in height or five feet in width.
D. Tract signs shall not exceed 10 inches in height and five feet in length.
E. Tract signs may contain the following information: name of the subdivision, developer logo, no more than four colors, and a directional arrow.
F. No tag signs, streamers, devices, display boards, or other additions may be added to or placed upon any kiosk or at any kiosk location except as may be approved in writing by the planning director.
G. No other directional signs, posters, or trailer signs shall be permitted.
H. Kiosks may be permitted in all land use districts on private or public property. In addition to approval by the planning director, kiosks on public property shall require approval by the city engineer.
I. Each developer, or the developer’s agent, shall remove all subdivision directional signs prior to the issuance of any new sign permit.
J. All liabilities, costs, and expenses arising from the location, installation, and construction of kiosks and tract signs, and from the administration of the provisions of this section, shall be borne by the developers benefitted by the kiosks and tract signs, or their agents.
K. An off-site subdivision sign or kiosk program may be implemented and installed pursuant to an agreement entered into between the city and a contractor. If such a program is implemented, all off-site subdivision signs shall be regulated and installed pursuant to the agreement and approvals between the parties thereto. No new structures may be installed under this section without the express written consent of the planning director as provided under the terms of this article.
(Code 1990 § 9.3.05; Ord. 91-9; Ord. 342 § 3 (Exh. A), 2016)
§ 18.50.140. Violations.¶
A violation of this article shall constitute an infraction. Each such violation shall constitute a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which violation of this article occurs or continues. After two or more violations of this article, each subsequent violation shall be prosecuted as provided in CMC § 18.50.080, Enforcement.
(Code 1990 § 9.3.06; Ord. 91-9; Ord. 342 § 3 (Exh. A), 2016)
§ 18.50.150. Permitted signs – Residential districts.¶
| Class | Sign Type | Max. No. | Max. Area | Max. Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Institutional (Church/ |
|||||
| A. < 3 acres | Wall or | 1 [b] | 20 sq. ft. | [f] | Copy shall be limited to the name/ |
| A. < 3 acres | Monument | 1 [b] | 20 sq. ft. | 5' [c] | Copy shall be limited to the name/ |
| B. 3 to 7 acres | Wall or | 1 [b] | 32 sq. ft. | [f] | Copy shall be limited to the name/ |
| B. 3 to 7 acres | Monument | 1 [b] | 32 sq. ft. | 5' [c] | Copy shall be limited to the name/ |
| C. 7+ acres | Wall or | 1 [b] | 32 sq. ft. | [f] | Copy shall be limited to the name/ |
| C. 7+ acres | Monument | 1 [b] | 32 sq. ft. | 5' [c] | Copy shall be limited to the name/ |
| 2. Agricultural | Wall or | 1 [a] | 20 sq. ft. | [f] | |
| 2. Agricultural | Monument | 1 [b] | 32 sq. ft. | 5' [c] | |
| 3. General Nonresidential | Wall or | 1 [a] | 20 sq. ft. | [f] | Signs shall not be internally lighted |
| 3. General Nonresidential | Monument | 1 [b] | 32 sq. ft. | 5' [c] | Signs shall not be internally lighted |
| 4. Community Identification – Multifamily | |||||
| A. < 40 units | Wall or | 1 [d] 2 max. | 20 sq. ft. | [e], [f] | Copy shall be limited to project name, address and manager’s number |
| A. < 40 units | Monument | 1 [d] 2 max. | 20 sq. ft. | 5' [c] | Copy shall be limited to project name, address and manager’s number |
| B. 40+ units | Wall or | 1 [d] 2 max. | 32 sq. ft. | [e], [f] | Copy shall be limited to project name, address and manager’s number |
| B. 40+ units | Monument | 1 [d] 2 max. | 32 sq. ft. | 5' [c] | Copy shall be limited to project name, address and manager’s number |
| C. On-site directory | Wall or | 1 [g] | 12 sq. ft. | [e], [f] | Copy shall be limited to project name, address and manager’s number |
| C. On-site directory | Monument | 1 [g] | 12 sq. ft. | Copy shall be limited to project name, address and manager’s number | |
| 5. Community Identification – Mobile Home Parks, Subdivisions | Wall or | 2 [g] | 20 sq. ft. | 6' [e], [f] | Copy shall be limited to the name/ |
| 5. Community Identification – Mobile Home Parks, Subdivisions | Monument | 2 [g] | 20 sq. ft. | 4' [c] | Copy shall be limited to the name/ |
| 6. Community Identification – Single-Family Residential Subdivisions | Wall or | 2 [g] | 20 sq. ft. | 6' wall | Copy shall be limited to the name and/ |
| 6. Community Identification – Single-Family Residential Subdivisions | Monument | 2 [g] | 20 sq. ft. | 4' [c] | Copy shall be limited to the name and/ |
| 7. Community Identification – Specific Plans | Subject to design review. Specific plans (or master planned communities) which have signage for the purpose of community identification shall be approved through the development design guidelines or a master sign program for the specific plan. | Subject to design review. Specific plans (or master planned communities) which have signage for the purpose of community identification shall be approved through the development design guidelines or a master sign program for the specific plan. | Subject to design review. Specific plans (or master planned communities) which have signage for the purpose of community identification shall be approved through the development design guidelines or a master sign program for the specific plan. | Subject to design review. Specific plans (or master planned communities) which have signage for the purpose of community identification shall be approved through the development design guidelines or a master sign program for the specific plan. | Subject to design review. Specific plans (or master planned communities) which have signage for the purpose of community identification shall be approved through the development design guidelines or a master sign program for the specific plan. |
| 8. Miscellaneous Nonresidential | Subject to design review. Any miscellaneous nonresidential uses located within a residential zone district shall substantially conform to the signage requirements of the district and shall be subject to design review. | Subject to design review. Any miscellaneous nonresidential uses located within a residential zone district shall substantially conform to the signage requirements of the district and shall be subject to design review. | Subject to design review. Any miscellaneous nonresidential uses located within a residential zone district shall substantially conform to the signage requirements of the district and shall be subject to design review. | Subject to design review. Any miscellaneous nonresidential uses located within a residential zone district shall substantially conform to the signage requirements of the district and shall be subject to design review. | Subject to design review. Any miscellaneous nonresidential uses located within a residential zone district shall substantially conform to the signage requirements of the district and shall be subject to design review. |
Notes:
| [a] | Per occupant/ |
|---|---|
| [b] | Per site/ |
| [c] | Per finished grade. |
| [d] | Per street frontage. |
| [e] | Max. 20 feet from finished grade. |
| [f] | Below roofline. |
| [g] | Per major entrance. |
| [h] | Per development. |
| [i] | Per building frontage. |
| [j] | 1:1 ratio – one square foot of sign area per linear foot of building frontage. |
| [k] | 1:2 ratio – one square foot of sign area per every two linear feet of building frontage. |
(Code 1990 Ch. 12.9, Table 1; Ord. 342 § 3 (Exh. A), 2016)
§ 18.50.160. Permitted signs – Office/commercial districts.¶
| Class | Sign Type | Max. No. | Max. Area | Max. Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Permitted Signs – Office/ |
|||||
| 1. Office Uses* – Tenant Identification (Single-Tenant Buildings, Including Pad Tenants) | Wall or | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:1 [j] 100 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | A combination wall/ |
| 1. Office Uses* – Tenant Identification (Single-Tenant Buildings, Including Pad Tenants) | Monument | 1 [d] | 20 sq. ft. | 4' [c] | A combination wall/ |
| 2. Office Uses* – Small Complex (2 – 10 Tenants) | |||||
| A. Complex identification | Wall or | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:1 [j] 50 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | Sign copy may identify name and/ |
| A. Complex identification | Monument | 1 [d] 2 max. | 32 sq. ft. | 5' [c] | Sign copy may identify name and/ |
| B. Tenant identification | Wall | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:1 [j] 100 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | Tenant signs shall identify name and/ |
| 3. Office Uses* – Large Complex (10+ Tenants) | |||||
| A. Complex identification | Wall or | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:1 [j] 75 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | Sign copy may identify name and/ |
| A. Complex identification | Monument | 1 [d] 2 max. | 50 sq. ft. | 5' [c] | Sign copy may identify name and/ |
| B. Tenant identification | Wall | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:1 [j] 100 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | Tenant signs shall identify name and/ |
| 4. Office Uses* – Office Park (10+ Acres) | Subject to design review. Large office park developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. Large office park developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. Large office park developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. Large office park developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. Large office park developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
| *All office uses which contain two or more tenants shall be required to submit a master sign program that encompasses the entire development/ |
|||||
| 5. Commercial Uses** – Tenant Identification (Single-Tenant Buildings, Including Pad Tenants) | |||||
| A. Small tenants (< 10,000 sq. ft. of building area) | Wall | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:1 [j] 100 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | Tenant signs shall identify name and/ |
| A. Small tenants (< 10,000 sq. ft. of building area) | Monument | 1 [d] 2 max. | 20 sq. ft. | 4' [c] | Tenant signs shall identify name and/ |
| B. Median tenants (10,000 – 30,000 sq. ft. of building area) | Wall and | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:1 [j] 100 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | A combination wall/ |
| B. Median tenants (10,000 – 30,000 sq. ft. of building area) | Monument | 1 [d] 2 max. | 32 sq. ft. | 5' [c] | A combination wall/ |
| C. Large tenants (30,000+ sq. ft. of building area) | Wall and | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:1 [j] 150 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | |
| C. Large tenants (30,000+ sq. ft. of building area) | Monument | 1 [d] 2 max. | 50 sq. ft. | 5' [c] | |
| 6. Commercial Uses** – Small Complex (< 5 Acres) | |||||
| A. Complex identification | Wall or | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:1 [j] 75 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | Sign copy may identify name and/ |
| A. Complex identification | Monument | 1 [d] 2 max. | 32 sq. ft. | 6' [c] | Sign copy may identify name and/ |
| B. Tenant identification | Wall | 1 [i] | 1:1 [j] 2 max. | [e], [f] 100 sq. ft. max. | Tenant signs shall identify name and/ |
| 7. Commercial Uses** – Median Complex (5 to 15 Acres) | |||||
| A. Complex identification | Wall | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:1 [j] | [e], [f] | Sign copy may identify name and/ |
| A. Complex identification | Monument | 1 [d] 2 max. | 100 sq. ft. max. | 6' [c] | Sign copy may identify name and/ |
| A. Complex identification | Pylon | 1 [d] 2 max. | 100 sq. ft. 1:1 [j] | 20' [c] | Sign copy may identify name and/ |
| B. Tenant identification | Wall | 1 [i] 2 max. | 100 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | Tenant signs shall identify name and/ |
| 8. Commercial Uses** – Large Complex (15 to 25 Acres) | |||||
| A. Complex identification | Wall | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:1 [j] 100 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | Sign copy may identify name and/ |
| A. Complex identification | Monument | 1 [d] 2 max. | 75 sq. ft. | 8' [c] | Sign copy may identify name and/ |
| A. Complex identification | Pylon | 1 [d] 2 max. | 150 sq. ft. | 20' [c] | Sign copy may identify name and/ |
| B. Tenant identification | Wall | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:1 [j] 100 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | Tenant signs shall identify name and/ |
| 9. Commercial Uses** – Community Center (25+ Acres) | Subject to design review. Large community center developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. Large community center developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. Large community center developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. Large community center developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. Large community center developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
| **All commercial uses which contain two or more tenants shall be required to submit a master sign program that encompasses the entire development/ |
|||||
| 10. Pole Signs*** Retail Establishments | Pole | 1 [b] | 80 sq. ft. | 45' [c] | One sign cabinet per major anchor tenant. Refer to location criteria below. |
| Location Criteria: Located within 1,320 feet (one-quarter mile radius) from freeway interchange as determined by the following formula: 1,320 feet (one-quarter mile radius) from the intersection of the freeway and cross-street centerline. Any retail establishment on a parcel located within this radius may construct a pole sign. | |||||
| ***All retail commercial uses which intend to utilize a pole sign shall be required to submit a master sign program that encompasses the entire development/ |
|||||
| 11. High-Rise Buildings (3+ Stories) | Subject to design review. High-rise building developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. High-rise building developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. High-rise building developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. High-rise building developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. High-rise building developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Notes:
| [a] | Per occupant/ |
|---|---|
| [b] | Per site/ |
| [c] | Per finished grade. |
| [d] | Per street frontage. |
| [e] | Max. 20 feet from finished grade. |
| [f] | Below roofline. |
| [g] | Per major entrance. |
| [h] | Per development. |
| [i] | Per building frontage. |
| [j] | 1:1 ratio – one square foot of sign area per linear foot of building frontage. |
| [k] | 1:2 ratio – one square foot of sign area per every two linear feet of building frontage. |
(Code 1990 Ch. 12.9, Table 2; Ord. 342 § 3 (Exh. A), 2016)
§ 18.50.170. Permitted signs – Industrial/manufacturing districts.¶
Permitted Signs – Industrial/Manufacturing Districts
| Class | Sign Type | Max. No. | Max. Area | Max. Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Industrial Uses* – Tenant Identification (Single-Tenant Buildings, Including Pad Tenants) | |||||
| A. Small tenants (< 5 acres) | Wall and | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:1 [j] 100 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | Tenant signs shall identify name and/ |
| A. Small tenants (< 5 acres) | Monument | 1 [d] 2 max. | 20 sq. ft. | 5' [c] | Tenant signs shall identify name and/ |
| B. Median tenants (5 – 15 acres) | Wall and | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:1 [j] 100 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | A combination wall/ |
| B. Median tenants (5 – 15 acres) | Monument | 1 [d] 2 max. | 32 sq. ft. | 6' [c] | A combination wall/ |
| C. Large tenants (15+ acres) | Wall and | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:1 [j] 150 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | |
| C. Large tenants (15+ acres) | Monument | 1 [d] 2 max. | 50 sq. ft. | 7' [c] | |
| 2. Industrial Uses* – Small Complex (< 10 Acres) | |||||
| A. Complex identification | Wall or | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:2 [k] 50 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | Sign copy may identify name and/ |
| A. Complex identification | Monument | 1 [d] 2 max. | 20 sq. ft. | 5' [c] | Sign copy may identify name and/ |
| B. Tenant identification | Wall | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:2 [k] 50 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | Tenant signs shall identify name and/ |
| 3. Industrial Uses* – Large Complex (10 – 25 Acres) | |||||
| A. Complex identification | Wall or | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:2 [k] 100 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | Sign copy may identify name and/ |
| A. Complex identification | Monument | 1 [d] 2 max. | 32 sq. ft. | 6' [c] | Sign copy may identify name and/ |
| B. Tenant identification | Wall | 1 [i] 2 max. | 1:2 [k] 50 sq. ft. max. | [e], [f] | Tenant signs shall identify name and/ |
| 4. Industrial Uses* – Industrial Park (25+ Acres) | Subject to design review. Large industrial park developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. Large industrial park developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. Large industrial park developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. Large industrial park developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. Large industrial park developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
| *All industrial uses which contain two or more tenants shall be required to submit a master sign program that encompasses the entire development/ |
|||||
| 5. High-Rise Buildings – (3+ Stories) | Subject to design review. High-rise building developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. High-rise building developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. High-rise building developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. High-rise building developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. High-rise building developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Notes:
| [a] | Per occupant/ |
|---|---|
| [b] | Per site/ |
| [c] | Per finished grade. |
| [d] | Per street frontage. |
| [e] | Max. 20 feet from finished grade. |
| [f] | Below roofline. |
| [g] | Per major entrance. |
| [h] | Per development. |
| [i] | Per building frontage. |
| [j] | 1:1 ratio – one square foot of sign area per linear foot of building frontage. |
| [k] | 1:2 ratio – one square foot of sign area per every two linear feet of building frontage. |
(Code 1990 Ch. 12.9, Table 3; Ord. 342 § 3 (Exh. A), 2016)
§ 18.50.180. Permitted signs – Public/semi-public districts.¶
Permitted Signs – Public/Semi-Public Districts
| Class | Sign Type | Max. No. | Max. Area | Max. Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Facility Identification | Subject to design review. Public and semi-public facility developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. Public and semi-public facility developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. Public and semi-public facility developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. Public and semi-public facility developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
Subject to design review. Public and semi-public facility developments shall substantially conform to the sign regulations of this chapter, and shall be approved through the development review process/ |
(Code 1990 Ch. 12.9, Table 4; Ord. 342 § 3 (Exh. A), 2016)
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