Earlier editions: 2026-09
Zoning and Development Code›Chapter 30 — ZONING AND DEVELOPMENT CODE›Article XII — SIGN REGULATIONS
Fontana Municipal Code Div. 2 Applicability
Fontana Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Fontana
Cite as: Fontana Municipal Code Division 2 · Text as of 2026-10-04
Sec. 30-719. - Applicability.¶
(a) Regulatory scope. The regulations of this article shall apply to all signs, as defined in Division 13 of this article, that are placed on private property, in the public right-of-way, and on property owned by public agencies other than the City and over which the City has zoning authority, unless specifically exempted in this article.
(b) Design review sign application required. Design review sign applications shall be required for specific sign types in compliance with Division 4 of this article. In addition, the provisions of Chapter 5 of the Municipal Code relating to building and electrical codes, fees, penalties, and a method of enforcement shall also apply. Signs approved in conjunction with any other application shall be consistent with this article, unless modified by a discretionary permit. Where approval of a conditional use permit, minor use permit, design review creative sign, site plan or design review, or sign variance has been obtained, any applicable conditions of that approval may supersede the requirements of this article.
(c) Figures and graphics. Figures, illustrations, graphics, and pictures are included in this article to help illustrate the minimum intent and requirement of the text. In the case of a conflict between the text of this article and any figure, illustration, graphic, or picture, the text shall govern.
(Ord. No. 1868, § 9(Att. 2), 5-25-21)
Sec. 30-720. - Severability.¶
If any part, section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, sentence, phrase, clause, term, or word in this article is held to be invalid, unconstitutional, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining portions of this article.
(Ord. No. 1868, § 9(Att. 2), 5-25-21)
Sec. 30-721. - Exemptions.¶
The following sign types are expressly exempted from the design review sign requirements of this article and shall not count towards cumulative allowable sign area, but must satisfy all other permit requirements, as applicable (e.g., building, electrical, plumbing, grading, encroachment, etc.).
(1) Exempt signs without limitations. The following signs are exempt from design review sign requirements with no specific limitations, other than a prohibition on displaying general advertising signs (billboards), as defined in Division 13 of this article.
a. Commemorative signs. Tablets and plaques installed by the City, or by a state, federal, or county recognized historical organization exempt from federal taxation under Section 501 of USC Title 26 (IRS Code) that are no larger than six square feet, or signs authorized and installed by City, county, state, or federal agencies on public owned lands.
b. Equipment signs. Signs incorporated into allowed displays, machinery, or equipment by a manufacturer, distributor, or vendor and identifying or advertising only the product or service dispensed by the machine or equipment, such as signs customarily fixed to automated teller machines (ATMs), vending machines, and gasoline pumps.
c. Interior graphics or signage. Signs or displays within a structure that are not visible (i.e., capable of being seen, whether or not capable of being read) by the public from any public right-of-way or publicly accessible area.
d. Message substitution. Any permitted sign may contain, or substitute in lieu of any other message or copy, any commercial message or constitutionally protected noncommercial message, provided that the sign complies with the applicable requirements of this article. This substitution of message or copy may be made without any additional approval or permitting. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary.
e. Non-signs. All devices that are excluded from the definition of a "sign," as set forth in Division 13 of this article.
f. Official notices. Any non-internally illuminated (unless required by law) sign, posting, notice, or similar signs placed, installed, or required by law by the City, county, or a federal or state governmental agency in carrying out its responsibility to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, including, but not limited to, the following:
Emergency and warning signs necessary for public safety or civil defense;
Legal notices posted pursuant to law or court order;
Traffic and parking signs erected and maintained by an authorized public agency or approved by an authorized public agency;
Direction, warning, or information signs required or authorized to be displayed by law;
Numerals and lettering identifying the address from the street to facilitate emergency response and compliant with City requirements; and
Signs erected by a government agency.
(2) Exempt signs with limitations. The following signs are exempt from design review sign requirements if they meet the size, height, duration, maximum number limitations, and any additional requirements set forth in Table No. 30-721.A. If the allowed duration is exceeded, as set forth in Table No. 30-721.A, exempt signs shall apply for design review sign approval.
Table No. 30-721.A. Exempt Signs with Limitations Exempt signs do not require design review sign approval, but may require building permits
| Sign Type | Maximum Number | Maximum Sign Area | Maximum Sign Height | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Permanent Signs | 1. Permanent Signs | 1. Permanent Signs | 1. Permanent Signs | 1. Permanent Signs |
| a. Projecting signs (downtown only) | In addition to wall signs: 1 per tenant space | 15 sf | Must be below eave line and maintain a minimum vertical clearance of at least eight feet from bottom of such sign to highest finished grade shall be maintained | • Permitted within downtown boundary only • A tenant space shall be allowed either a downtown core projecting sign or a projecting sign otherwise permitted under the provisions of this section, but not both. (Refer to the Table in Section 30-743.A(h) for specific regulations pertaining to downtown core projecting signs.) • Such signs shall project no more than four feet from the face of the building wall upon which the sign is mounted • Any encroachment into City right-of-way is subject to City Engineer approval and requires an encroachment permit • Such signs, including supporting structures, shall be designed as an integral design element of a building's architecture and shall be architecturally compatible with any building to which the sign is to be attached. Where more than one sign is provided, all signs shall be complementary to each other. |
| b. Suspended signs | One per each street frontage per nonresidential tenant | 4 sf | A minimum vertical clearance of at least eight feet from bottom of such sign to highest finished grade shall be maintained | • Such signs shall be limited to building frontages on the ground floor of nonresidential buildings • Any encroachment into City right-of-way is subject to City Engineer approval and requires an encroachment permit • Such signs, including supporting structures, shall be designed as an integral design element of a building's architecture and shall be architecturally compatible with any building to which the sign is to be attached. Where more than one sign is provided, all signs shall be complementary to each other. |
| c. Window signs | N/A | 25 percent of the total window glass area of the first floor, including glass doors, of the building frontage | N/A | • Such signs shall be placed so that law enforcement and public safety personnel have a clear and unobstructed view of the interior of the establishment, including cash registers • Signs inside the building not mounted to windows shall not be located within three feet of the window • Illuminated and electronic message window signs shall comply with Section 30-734 • Perforated and/ |
| d. Downtown core holiday window signs | For all window areas | 50 percent of window area | N/A | • Only permitted in the downtown core • Windows signs as specified in subsection (c) above are permitted • Signs shall be positioned so as to ensure a clear and unobstructed view of the interior of the establishment • Signs located inside the building, but not mounted on windows, must be placed at least three feet from the window • Illuminated and electronic message window signs shall comply with Section 30-734 • Sign display is restricted to federal and state recognized holidays • Display of these signs are limited to the period beginning 45 days before a federal or state recognized holiday and ending 15 days after that holiday |
| 2. Temporary Signs | 2. Temporary Signs | 2. Temporary Signs | 2. Temporary Signs | 2. Temporary Signs |
| a. Yard signs on private property where there is a garage/ |
1 per street frontage of the subject property on which the event is taking place | 6 sf | 4 ft | • Such on-site signs shall be removed within seven days after the close of the sale • For each single temporary event, the person sponsoring the event may place up to six off-site temporary yard signs on private property for the purpose of directing the public to a residential event (e.g., garage/ |
| b. Yard signs on residential property offered for sale, lease, or rental | 1 sign per street frontage | 6 sf (on lots < 2 acres in size) 24 sf (on lots ≥ 2 acres in size) | 4 ft | • Such signs shall be removed within seven days after the close of escrow, rental, or lease of the property • Each owner or agent of the property being advertised for sale, lease, or rental may place up to six off-site temporary signs on private property for the purpose of directing the public to a residential activity (e.g., real estate open house). Permission shall be granted by the owner of the property on which such signs are posted. Said signs may be posted for no more than 48 hours and shall be removed within six hours of the end of the event • See also Division 7 of this article |
| c. Yard signs on nonresidential property under construction or offered for sale, lease, or rental | 1 per street frontage | 32 sf | 8 ft | • Such signs shall only be posted on the subject property; shall be located in a yard, in a window, or on a wall; and shall not be illuminated • Such signs shall be removed within seven days after the close of escrow, rental, or lease of the property • See also Division 7 of this article |
| d. Temporary signs displaying noncommercial messages | See Municipal Code Chapter 3, Article IV (Noncommercial signs) | See Municipal Code Chapter 3, Article IV (Noncommercial signs) | See Municipal Code Chapter 3, Article IV (Noncommercial signs) | See Municipal Code Chapter 3, Article IV (Noncommercial signs) |
| e. Portable (A-Frame) signs | 1 per business frontage | 6 sf | 3 ft | • Permitted within downtown boundary only. Such signs shall maintain a minimum access width of four feet and shall not interfere with vehicular, pedestrian, and wheelchair access in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) • Any encroachment into a City right-of-way is subject to City Engineer approval and requires an encroachment permit specifying that the business, person, or entity responsible for placing the sign indemnify and hold harmless the City from any action or expense that may occur as a result of a such sign being located on a City right-of-way • Such signs may be placed during the hours a business is open for business and one-half hour before opening and one-half hour after closing. Such signs shall be removed during hours when the establishment is not open to the public |
(Ord. No. 1868, § 9(Att. 2), 5-25-21; Ord. No. 1974, § 4(Exh. A), 9-9-25)
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