Imperial — Signage

Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

Overview

Imperial regulates signs through the City’s zoning ordinance, Title 24, Chapter 24.16 Sign Regulations, which applies citywide and is administered through design review procedures when a sign is not exempt. The chapter defines key terms, lists prohibited and exempt signs, establishes zone-specific allowances, and requires coordinated programs for multi-tenant sites. It also sets design, maintenance, enforcement, and nonconforming-sign rules that interact with broader zoning and development standards policies.

Most important rule: All signs in Imperial are subject to Site Plan Review unless specifically exempted by the sign chapter (§ 24.16.020 ).

Citywide structure of the sign code

• Purpose and scope. The sign chapter is intended to enable effective communication, traffic safety, and attractive development, implemented through citywide standards and review (§ 24.16.010–.020 ).
• Applicability and review. Signs are reviewed for placement, color, architectural integration, legibility, size, illumination, and more as part of Site Plan Review (§ 24.16.020 ).
• Definitions. The code defines terms such as animated sign, awning sign, billboard, building frontage, clear view zone, and others used in the standards (§ 24.16.030, incl. Clear View Zone definition and corner visibility limits ).
• Design, maintenance, and enforcement. Design standards apply to all signs, including architectural compatibility, landscaping at monument/freestanding signs, and stationary, non-flashing illumination; maintenance and cure periods are specified (§ 24.16.100–.120 ).

Zone- and district-specific allowances

Commercial & Auto Mall zones

• Purpose and where it applies: Commercial corridors and the auto mall area where retail and auto-oriented uses locate (see land use). Sign scale and forms reflect multi-tenant visibility needs.
• Core allowances (§ 24.16.080 ; Commercial & Auto Mall tables ):
  • Wall/canopy signs: Limited to below the roofline; up to 10% of the building face, with a maximum of 150 sq ft per business; typically one per building face, up to three signs to identify a single business (§ 24.16.080, Commercial/Auto Mall tables ).
  • Freestanding sign (single-tenant or center ID): Up to 35 ft height and up to 150–175 sq ft sign area, generally one per street frontage (Commercial/Auto Mall tables; values vary by table context—verify the applicable table for your site) (§ 24.16.080 ).
  • Monument sign: 6–8 ft height (context-dependent), typically 24 sq ft area, one per street frontage, with a 5 ft setback from property line (§ 24.16.080, notes on setbacks and sizes ).
  • Compatibility: Wall, freestanding, and monument signs must be architecturally compatible with the building (§ 24.16.080 remarks; § 24.16.100 design standards ).

Shopping centers (within Commercial & Auto Mall zones)

• Purpose: Multi-tenant retail centers require coordinated signage for tenants and center identity.
• Core allowances and coordination requirements:
  • Wall/canopy: Same 10% of building face and 150 sq ft cap; up to one per building face, max three per business (§ 24.16.080, shopping center table ).
  • Freestanding center sign: Up to 35 ft height and about 175 sq ft area, one per street frontage (shopping center table; verify for your frontage) (§ 24.16.080 ).
  • Multi-tenant/Directory/Monument: Examples include 8 ft height and 24–30 sq ft for tenant directory, typically one per site/center; monument signs require a 5 ft setback (§ 24.16.080 ).
  • Master Sign Program: Required for multi-tenant facilities with 8+ tenants; only permitted sign types may be included; Planning Commission approval is required (§ 24.16.090 ).
  • Design/landscaping: Signs must relate to center architecture; each monument/freestanding sign must sit in a planted area at least equal to the sign area (§ 24.16.100(2)–(6) ).

Industrial zones

• Purpose: Accommodate business identification without visual clutter in employment districts.
• Core allowances (Industrial table, § 24.16.080 ):
  • Wall signs: Below the roofline, up to 10% of the building face, capped at 150 sq ft; generally one per building face, with a total of two for a single-tenant parcel; wall signs must be on the building (§ 24.16.080, Industrial table ).
  • Monument signs: Height and area scale with street classification; examples include up to 20 ft at freeway/major arterial frontages and 10 ft near collector streets; typical areas range 32–50 sq ft; 5 ft setback from the property line applies; wall and monument signs must be architecturally compatible (§ 24.16.080, Industrial table and notes—values vary by frontage; verify specifics) .

Subdivisions (on-site and off-site directional)

• On-site subdivision advertising signs and flags are allowed during original sales with tight limits:
  • Max 100 sq ft per sign face, no illumination, at least 100 ft from any off-site residence, and no more than two such signs per subdivision; flags limited to six per street frontage, each 2 ft x 3 ft on poles up to 16 ft high, located inside subdivision property lines (§ 24.16.070 ).
• Off-site directional signs are allowed only via a City-managed kiosk system with strict specs (e.g., max 8 ft tall and 5 ft wide kiosks; up to 6 directional panels per face; standard panel dimensions; approvals by the Planning Director/Commission; property-owner permission; indemnity/insurance) (§ 24.16.070, kiosk standards and approvals ).

Open Space — O-S

• Signs in the O-S zone must specifically relate to the use of the parcel and require Planning Commission approval. Code reference number was not visible in retrieved materials; see the O-S zone development standards as adopted (Not found in retrieved materials; Ordinance excerpt cited) .

What’s allowed, exempt, or prohibited (selected rules)

• Exempt signs include: change of copy within an approved sign/program; interior signs; memorial/directional tablets; public transit/utility/safety and public or quasi-public signs; certain window signs and temporary/special-event/holiday window coverings with coverage and duration caps; for sale/lease signs; and “projects under construction” signs with size, height, and setback limits (§ 24.16.060, incl. window limits and construction sign specs ).
• Prohibited signs include: signs in the public right-of-way or on public property (exceptions for marquee and certain public-interest signs), signs that obstruct openings/visibility or resemble traffic controls, painted wall signs, revolving signs, animated/flashing/audible/intermittent signs, roof signs, and off-site advertising by content; some previously listed prohibitions (e.g., billboards, banners/streamers, portable/poster signs, and certain in-ROW projections) show strike-throughs in the ordinance as amended (§ 24.16.050; check current applicability) .

Selected decision-relevant standards

Design, construction, maintenance, and enforcement

• Architectural compatibility, relationships among multiple signs on a site, proportional dimensions, landscaped bases, and stationary, non-flashing illumination are mandatory design themes (§ 24.16.100(1)–(8) ).
• Signs must be manufactured/erected per State, Federal, and City regulations; maintain surfaces and lighting; correct deficiencies within 30 days of City notice (§ 24.16.110 ). For structural/electrical matters, see the California Building Standards Code.
• Illegal signs in the public right-of-way may be noticed, heard (Planning Commission/City Council), and then removed; hazardous signs may be removed immediately (§ 24.16.120; removal process details ).

Nonconforming signs

• Nonconforming signs cannot be changed to another nonconforming sign, structurally altered to extend life, expanded, or reestablished after 60 days of discontinued business, or after >50% damage; new signs or building permits are withheld until nonconforming signs are brought into compliance (§ 24.16.1130(2) a–c ).
• Historical signs and hardship cases may be allowed to remain with Planning Commission findings (e.g., no hazard/visual blight, proper maintenance; potential remodeling conditions) (§ 24.16.1130(3)–(4) ).

Variances, master programs, and conditions

• The Planning Commission may grant a sign variance for location and similar performance standards—but not for area or height—if base variance findings and additional sign-specific findings are met (no detriment to city appearance; no safety hazard) (§ 24.19.440; § 24.19.445 ). See variances and exceptions.
• Conditional Use Permits may impose sign regulations among other conditions on a project (§ 24.19.335(A)(10)–(15) ).
• Centers with 8+ tenants must adopt a Planning Commission–approved Master Sign Program that uses only permitted sign types (§ 24.16.090 ). For area-wide rules that may overlay your site (e.g., auto mall or other special areas), see overlay districts and coordinate the program accordingly.

Information Gaps

• O-S zone signage appears in an adopted ordinance excerpt without a visible section citation; only that signs must relate to the use and require Planning Commission approval. Not found in retrieved materials for the controlling §; Verify with the jurisdiction (Ordinance excerpt ).
• Some Commercial/Auto Mall freestanding sign areas show both 150 sq ft and 175 sq ft across tables due to OCR/artifact differences. Verify with the jurisdiction which metric applies to your frontage (§ 24.16.080 tables ).
• Whether “billboards” are permitted as a subset of “Outdoor Advertisement” versus prohibited is ambiguous because “Billboards” are struck through in the prohibited list while “Outdoor Advertisement” is listed as a permitted use. Verify current policy with staff (§ 24.16.050; § 24.16.080 ).

Checklist

• Confirm your base zoning, frontage type, and whether a special area applies (e.g., auto mall); start with the zoning map.
• Determine if your sign is exempt under § 24.16.060 (e.g., window signs within coverage limits, construction site signs) .
• If not exempt, prepare Site Plan Review materials (location, elevations, illumination, materials, landscaping) per § 24.16.020 and § 24.16.100 .
• Compute sign area and counts (e.g., 10% of building face; 150 sq ft cap; max signs per face/business where applicable) per § 24.16.080 .
• Check visibility and safety (Clear View Zone at corners; mounting heights) per § 24.16.030(12) .
• For centers with 8+ tenants, draft a Master Sign Program for Planning Commission approval per § 24.16.090 .
• Ensure design compatibility and required landscape base for monument/freestanding signs per § 24.16.100(2)–(6) .
• If the site has nonconforming signs, plan removal or compliance upgrades to avoid permitting holds per § 24.16.1130(2) .
• For subdivision wayfinding, use the kiosk system only and follow kiosk specs/approvals per § 24.16.070 .
• For temporary banners, track duration and removal deadlines (e.g., ≤48 days per 12 months; remove ≤10 days post-event) per § 24.16.080 .

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Imperial’s sign rules are prescriptive but navigable: most businesses can use modest wall signs (about 10% of their storefront) and one monument or freestanding sign per frontage, all designed to match the building and landscaped at the base. Many small items (window signs, for-sale signs) are exempt, but anything larger typically goes through design review. If you manage a shopping center, expect to adopt a Master Sign Program and coordinate tenant signage; if you’re replacing old signs, resolve any nonconforming signs first to avoid permit holds and consider a variance only for placement—height/area waivers aren’t available.

Source References

• § 24.16.010–.030 (Purpose, Applicability, Definitions)
• § 24.16.040 (Sign area calculations) — formula excerpt visible; Verify with the jurisdiction for full method
• § 24.16.050 (Prohibited signs)
• § 24.16.060 (Exempt signs; window, political/ROW, construction signs)
• § 24.16.070 (Subdivision on-site signs; off-site kiosk system)
• § 24.16.080 (Permitted signs; Commercial/Auto Mall; Industrial)
• § 24.16.090 (Master Sign Program)
• § 24.16.100–.120 (Design standards; Construction/Maintenance; Enforcement)
• § 24.16.1130 (Nonconforming signs; Historical/Hardship)
• § 24.19.335 (Conditions on CUPs, incl. signs)
• § 24.19.440; § 24.19.445 (Variance findings, including signs)
• O-S zone signage note (Planning Commission approval; ordinance excerpt) — Not found in retrieved materials for a § number; Verify with the jurisdiction

Retrieved passages

• Imperial Zoning Code (section may) High relevance show source text
• Imperial Zoning Code (Section 24.19.440) High relevance show source text
• Imperial Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Imperial Zoning Code (section to) Medium relevance show source text
• Imperial Zoning Code (Section 24.16.050) Medium relevance show source text
• Imperial Zoning Code (Section 24.16.080) Medium relevance show source text
• Imperial Zoning Code (section shall) Medium relevance show source text
• Imperial Zoning Code (title may) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• § 24.16.010–.030 (Purpose, Applicability, Definitions) (§ 24.16.010)
• § 24.16.040 (Sign area calculations) — formula excerpt visible; Verify with the jurisdiction for full method (§ 24.16.040)
• § 24.16.050 (Prohibited signs) (§ 24.16.050)
• § 24.16.060 (Exempt signs; window, political/ROW, construction signs) (§ 24.16.060)
• § 24.16.070 (Subdivision on-site signs; off-site kiosk system) (§ 24.16.070)
• § 24.16.080 (Permitted signs; Commercial/Auto Mall; Industrial) (§ 24.16.080)
• § 24.16.090 (Master Sign Program) (§ 24.16.090)
• § 24.16.100–.120 (Design standards; Construction/Maintenance; Enforcement) (§ 24.16.100)
• § 24.16.1130 (Nonconforming signs; Historical/Hardship) (§ 24.16.1130)
• § 24.19.335 (Conditions on CUPs, incl. signs) (§ 24.19.335)
• § 24.19.440; § 24.19.445 (Variance findings, including signs) (§ 24.19.440)
• O-S zone signage note (Planning Commission approval; ordinance excerpt) — Not found in retrieved materials for a § number; Verify with the jurisdiction (§ number)
• Imperial_ZoningCode.md