Monterey Park — Signage

Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

This page summarizes what the City of Monterey Park's zoning code (Chapter 21.24, “Sign Regulations”) actually requires for signs: who needs a permit, what sizes, materials and clearances are allowed in each zone, how temporary signs work, and when design review or a master sign plan is required. All requirements below are drawn from Monterey Park's sign chapter and the specific tables that apply to residential and commercial zones. (§ 21.24.010–.070; Table 21.24(A) and Table 21.24(B))

Note: this page stays strictly within the zoning/planning sign rules. For structural/electrical compliance see the California Building Standards Code and for on-site vehicle layout rules see Monterey Park Parking.

Key rules that apply citywide (short list)

• Most signs require a sign permit (§ 21.24.030) .
• The City requires written property-owner consent for permanent signs (§ 21.24.040) .
• Signs must comply with other applicable laws (building/electrical codes) (§ 21.24.060) .
• Deviations use the variance process in Chapter 21.32; many new signs require Planning Commission / design review (§ 21.24.070; § 21.24.570) .
• Master sign plans are available where a single coordinated program will improve overall design (§ 21.24.580–.620) .

I also refer to the City’s zoning maps and development rules in the Monterey Park Zoning and Monterey Park Development Standards pages where you’ll check zone boundaries and site standards.

District-by-district breakdown

Note: the code organizes specific numeric limits in two primary tables: Table 21.24(A) for commercial zones and Table 21.24(B) for residential zones. See the cited sections below for the exact tables.

Residential zones — R-1, R-2, R-3

Purpose / where it applies

• Applies to the City’s residential zoning categories as described in Chapter 21.08; rules are summarized in Table 21.24(B). (§ 21.24.655)

Typical permitted signage & practical standards

• Multi-family / assembly: one Wall Sign per building face; allowed area is set by the table (refer to Table 21.24(B)); first-story signs cannot exceed 15 ft above grade and no sign may extend above the building roof/parapet. (§ 21.24.655)
• Monument signs are allowed with size tied to property frontage; maximum height is 5 ft for R-1 and 7 ft for R-2/R-3. See frontage brackets in Table 21.24(B). (§ 21.24.655, Table 21.24(B))
• Illuminated signs are generally prohibited in residential zones unless specifically allowed; temporary seasonal noncommercial signs may be illuminated between November 15 and January 5 (§ 21.24.630).

What to watch for on-site

• Residential zones limit materials (foam and electronic message boards are prohibited in many residential applications) and require compliance with setbacks and design guidance that reflect residential scale (§ 21.24.655; materials lists in Table 21.24(B)).

Central Business — C‑B (downtown)

Purpose / where it applies

• Downtown pedestrian-oriented core where signage is intended to be pedestrian-scaled and uniform to support the General Plan vision. (§ 21.24.640)

Typical permitted signage & practical standards

• Wall signs are intended to be pedestrian-oriented; primary first-story signage is generally limited to 15 ft above sidewalk; upper-story signage is generally prohibited, except limited freeway-oriented second-story signage within 100 ft of the freeway right-of-way and only up to the building roof or parapet. Table 21.24(A) lists the full limits. (§ 21.24.640; Table 21.24(A))
• Freestanding/pole signs are prohibited in C‑B; pedestrian clearance minimums (e.g., 8 ft above sidewalks) apply to projecting/under‑canopy signs. (Table 21.24(A))
• Projecting "blade" signs: typically one per business, max 15 sq. ft., minimum 8 ft clearance over sidewalks; projection limits apply. (Table 21.24(A))

Design review and process

• New signs in C‑B are subject to design review goals and may require Planning Commission review; signage must be compatible with building architecture and the pedestrian environment. (§ 21.24.640; § 21.36.060)

Helpful internal links: the downtown/CB rules interact closely with Monterey Park Design Review and the city's Monterey Park Development Standards.

Other Commercial & Mixed zones — R‑S, C‑S, N‑S, S‑C, C‑P, O‑P

Purpose / where it applies

• A set of commercial, neighborhood-service and office/professional zones; specific sign rules for these zones are in Table 21.24(A) and referenced at § 21.24.650.

Typical permitted signage & practical standards

• Primary wall sign area: 1 sq. ft. per lineal foot of building or business frontage for a primary wall sign; secondary wall signs allowed at 50% of the primary sign area. (Table 21.24(A)) (§ 21.24.650)
• Freestanding (monument) signs: allowed depending on street frontage (1 sign if frontage < 600 ft, 2 signs if > 600 ft), typical height 7 ft, area 56 sq. ft. per side for some categories — check the table for exact frontage thresholds and combinations. (Table 21.24(A))
• For non‑C‑B commercial zones, freestanding signs may be up to 20 ft high and 120 sq. ft. per side in some categories (see Table 21.24(A) entries for the specific zone). (Table 21.24(A))
• Projection and clearance rules (no projection over parking lots/driveways with less than 14 ft ground clearance; no projection into pedestrian walkways with less than 8 ft clearance). (Table 21.24(A))

Materials and illumination

• The code lists preferred materials (metal letters, stucco/masonry backgrounds, carved wood, etc.) and expressly prohibits certain materials (e.g., foam). Electronic message boards are allowed in some commercial contexts only with conditional/standalone permits. (Tables 21.24(A) & 21.24(B))

Practical note: freestanding signs must respect sight lines and Monterey Park Parking lot clearances and may not be sited within 10 ft of a common lot line in some zones. (Table 21.24(A))

Important program-level rules and exceptions

• Master sign plan: allowed when a coordinated sign program for a multi-tenant development will improve design and may flex area/height/location within limits — master plans are reviewed per § 21.24.580–.620. Revisions to an approved master sign plan may be handled by the City Planner if they do not substantially change intent. (§ 21.24.580; § 21.24.610)

• Message substitution: noncommercial messages may be substituted for commercial copy on permitted signs without new permits (but this does not increase total permitted area). (§ 21.24.050)

• Temporary signs: temporary freestanding signs are exempt but tightly limited — residential temporary freestanding signs: max 6 sq. ft. and 4 ft high; nonresidential temporary freestanding signs: max 12 sq. ft. and 4 ft high. Time limits and numbers vary by use and event type. (§ 21.24.510–.520; § 21.24.530–.560)

• Prohibited items / general prohibitions: signs with commercial copy are generally prohibited in residential zones except where expressly allowed, illuminated signs are generally prohibited in residential zones, and some sign materials and types (e.g., foam, certain canister signs) are prohibited in many contexts. (§ 21.24.630; Tables)

• Enforcement / illegal signs: the City can remove illegal signs and recover costs and may abate signage as a public nuisance; legal nonconforming signs with special topographic circumstances may be retained in some cases. (§ 21.24.790; § 21.24.800; § 21.24.810)

Quick reference table — most decision-relevant numeric standards

Checklist

• Submit a complete sign permit application (plans, elevations, materials, dimensions) — City Planner reviews for completeness within 30 days. (§ 21.24.310–.320)
• Provide written property-owner consent for permanent signs. (§ 21.24.040)
• Confirm applicable zone and pick correct Table (21.24(A) or 21.24(B)) for sizing limits (commercial vs residential). (§ 21.24.650; § 21.24.655)
• Confirm whether Planning Commission / design review is required (many new signs require it). (§ 21.24.570; § 21.36.060)
• Confirm materials and illumination limitations (prohibited materials, electronic message board restrictions). (Tables 21.24(A) & 21.24(B))
• Verify temporary sign rules (counts, area, duration) if proposing short-term signage. (§ 21.24.510–.560)
• If multi-tenant or large site, consider a Master Sign Plan to coordinate allowances. (§ 21.24.580–.620)
• Verify required building and electrical permits and compliance with the California Building Standards Code. (§ 21.24.060)

Risks & Ambiguities

Plain-English Summary

Monterey Park requires a sign permit for almost every permanent sign, sets different numeric area/height/material rules depending on whether the property is in residential (R‑1/R‑2/R‑3), Central Business (C‑B), or other commercial zones, and routes many new or nonstandard signs through design review or the Planning Commission. Respect the clear tabulated limits in Table 21.24(A) and Table 21.24(B), get written owner consent, and coordinate with Planning early — frontage and building-size thresholds materially change what’s allowed. (§ 21.24.030–.070; Tables)

Source References

• Monterey Park Municipal Code — Chapter 21.24, Sign Regulations: § 21.24.010 through § 21.24.060 (purpose, application, permits, owner consent, message substitution, compliance)
• Monterey Park Municipal Code — § 21.24.070 (variances and conditional use interaction)
• Monterey Park Municipal Code — § 21.24.480 Design criteria and § 21.24.490–21.24.560 (temporary signs rules)
• Monterey Park Municipal Code — § 21.24.570 (Planning Commission review for new signage) and related Design Review standards in Chapter 21.36 (§ 21.36.060)
• Monterey Park Municipal Code — Table 21.24(A) (Commercial sign standards; C‑B and other commercial zones) (§ 21.24.640; § 21.24.650)
• Monterey Park Municipal Code — Table 21.24(B) (Residential sign standards; R‑1/R‑2/R‑3) (§ 21.24.655 and Table 21.24(B))
• Monterey Park Municipal Code — Master Sign Plans (§ 21.24.580–.620)
• Monterey Park Municipal Code — Enforcement, removal of illegal signs, and nonconforming signs (§ 21.24.790–.810)

Also check these related GoCodebook menu pages when preparing a submittal: Monterey Park Zoning, Monterey Park Development Standards, Monterey Park Design Review, Monterey Park Parking, Monterey Park Overlay Districts, and Monterey Park ADUs.

Retrieved passages

• Monterey Park Zoning Code (chapter is) High relevance show source text
• Monterey Park Zoning Code High relevance show source text
• Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 100 High relevance show source text
• Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) High relevance show source text
• CBC § 600 High relevance show source text
• Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text
• Monterey Park Zoning Code (§ 3) Medium relevance show source text

Cited sections

• Monterey Park Municipal Code — Chapter 21.24, Sign Regulations: § **21.24.010** through § **21.24.060** (purpose, application, permits, owner consent, message substitution, compliance) (Chapter 21.24)
• Monterey Park Municipal Code — § **21.24.070** (variances and conditional use interaction)
• Monterey Park Municipal Code — § **21.24.480** Design criteria and § **21.24.490**–**21.24.560** (temporary signs rules)
• Monterey Park Municipal Code — § **21.24.570** (Planning Commission review for new signage) and related Design Review standards in Chapter **21.36** (§ 21.36.060) (§ 21.36.060)
• Monterey Park Municipal Code — **Table 21.24(A)** (Commercial sign standards; C‑B and other commercial zones) (§ 21.24.640; § 21.24.650) (§ 21.24.640)
• Monterey Park Municipal Code — **Table 21.24(B)** (Residential sign standards; R‑1/R‑2/R‑3) (§ 21.24.655 and Table 21.24(B)) (§ 21.24.655)
• Monterey Park Municipal Code — Master Sign Plans (§ 21.24.580–.620) (§ 21.24.580)
• Monterey Park Municipal Code — Enforcement, removal of illegal signs, and nonconforming signs (§ 21.24.790–.810) (§ 21.24.790)
• MontereyPark_ZoningCode.md

• Official Monterey Park code library