Local zoning · Perris

Perris — Signage

Signage under the Perris local zoning and planning code, with the controlling citations.

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Last reviewed: July 2, 2026

Overview

Perris regulates signs primarily in the City Development Code under Title 19 — Zoning, Chapter 19.75 (Sign Regulations). The chapter establishes the purpose and intent (visual environment, safety, and compatibility), permit routes (minor development plan review, conditional use for outdoor advertising), basic application and building-permit requirements, and numeric standards for wall, monument/freestanding, freeway, temporary, and political signs (§ 19.75.010–§ 19.75.060, § 19.75.070–§ 19.75.150) . For project-level sign decisions the Development Services Department (planning) is the reviewing body; some sign types (outdoor advertising/billboards, certain freeway/off-site signs) also require a conditional use permit (§ 19.75.030) .

Note: This page stays strictly to the Perris sign rules in Title 19 (signage). For building-code structural or electrical requirements for signs see the California Building Standards Code.

How this chapter is structured

  • Purpose & intent: § 19.75.010 and § 19.75.020 (goals: minimize clutter, traffic safety, sign compatibility) .
  • Review & permits: § 19.75.030, § 19.75.040 (minor development plan review for typical sign plans; CUP for outdoor advertising) .
  • Numeric & use-based standards: § 19.75.080 (exemptions), § 19.75.100 (permitted signs & dimensional standards by use), § 19.75.110 (political signs), § 19.75.140 (temporary signs) .
  • Sign programs / master signage for multi-tenant/large sites: § 19.75.150 .

You should also check site-level development standards such as landscaping and parking early in the sign design process (see Perris Development Standards and Perris Parking).

District-by-district (how the sign chapter is applied across Perris zones)

Note: Chapter 19.75 organizes many limits by land-use type (residential, commercial/office/industrial, institutional, freeway/off-site). Below are Perris-specific zone groups and the sign rules that govern them. Where a numeric limit is quoted the controlling code § is given.

Residential zones — R-10,000, R-7,200, R-6,000 (single‑family and similar)

  • Purpose / typical uses: detached single‑family dwellings, accessory dwelling units in certain cases (see local ADU rules) — refer to each zone chapter (e.g., R-10,000, R-7,200, R-6,000) for allowed uses and development standards; signs on residential lots are primarily limited to identification and temporary/real‑estate signs (§ 19.22, § 19.24, § 19.25; see sign chapter references below) .
  • Key signage rules that apply:
    • Address identification signs: minimum character heights are set by occupancy type (single‑family: 4 in.) — § 19.75.080(1) .
    • Real estate signs (on‑site): residential sale/rent signs non‑illuminated, max 6 sq ft and 7 ft high, one sign per street frontage; remove within 15 days after close of escrow — § 19.75.080(2)(a) .
    • Political signs: allowed in any zoning district but must meet limits (max one side 32 sq ft, overall height 6 ft, aggregate per lot 80 sq ft, removal deadlines) — § 19.75.110 .
    • Model home signage / construction signage in new subdivisions requires temporary sign permits and has its own allowances (§ 19.75.140) .
  • Where it applies: citywide to parcels zoned R-10,000, R-7,200, R-6,000 (see individual zone chapters) .

(For permitting of accessory signs on ADUs see Perris ADUs; verify with the jurisdiction if a multi‑unit building’s signage should follow residential or commercial provisions.)

Office zones / Commercial zones — (single‑ and multi‑tenant retail/office)

  • Purpose / typical uses: professional offices, retail, service businesses. Permitted sign types and area are tied to building frontage, tenant size, and complex acreage. See § 19.75.100(a) for base allowances .
  • Key dimensional standards:
    • Wall signs (typical): 1 sq ft of sign per lineal foot of frontage up to a maximum of 200 sq ft per frontage; for building frontages > 80 ft a second wall sign may be allowed, but combined area still limited to the same per‑frontage maximum — § 19.75.100(a)(1) .
    • Width limit for wall signs: each wall sign width shall not exceed 80% of the building elevation width — § 19.75.100(a)(1)(b) .
    • Monument (freestanding) signs: allowed with parcel/tenant-size tiers (example: single‑tenant small building: 20 sq ft and 4 ft height; median tenants 32 sq ft and 5 ft; large tenants 50 sq ft and 5 ft — see full table in § 19.75.100) .
    • Sign program: for new office/commercial complexes with four or more tenant spaces a sign program (master signage plan) is required prior to permits — § 19.75.150 (see sign program requirement in the code) .
  • Where it applies: commercial and office zoning districts and multi‑tenant shopping centers; larger centers are required to prepare sign programs (§ 19.75.100; § 19.75.150) .

Industrial zones — industrial/office/manufacturing

  • Purpose / typical uses: warehouses, light manufacturing, industrial parks. Sign rules distinguish single‑tenant pad tenants vs. large parks/complexes. Key rules are in § 19.75.100(3) and related subparts. Examples:
    • Single‑tenant industrial small parcel: 20 sq ft and 5 ft height monument allowance; larger industrial parks have graduated allowances and may require a sign program for parks over a threshold acreage — § 19.75.100(3) .
  • Where it applies: industrially zoned properties and industrial parks; sign programs likely required for parks over 25 acres (check code text applicable to the specific site) .

Institutional uses — churches, schools, hospitals

  • Purpose / typical uses: civic/institutional. Sign area and height are tied to site area:
    • Sites < 3 acres: one monument sign up to 20 sq ft, 4 ft high.
    • Sites 3–7 acres: monument up to 32 sq ft, 5 ft high.
    • Larger sites: design review and possible sign program required — § 19.75.100(2) .
  • Where it applies: institutional sites across city where such uses are located; design review may be required for larger sites.

Freeway / Off‑site freeway signs (special)

  • Freeway signs and off‑site freeway (shopping center) signs are tightly controlled:
    • A conditional use permit is required for freeway signs; one freeway sign per parcel is typical; parcel must be within 660 ft of freeway right‑of‑way; typical max overall height 25 ft and 100 sq ft area, with interchange proximity exceptions allowing additional height — § 19.75.100(4) and related subsections .
    • Off‑site freeway signs tied to shopping centers have their own size limits (example: off‑site parcel adjacent to freeway, shopping center min 5 acres, max 50 ft height and 100–150 sq ft depending on single vs multi‑tenant panels; no digital signage allowed for off‑site freeway signs) — § 19.75.100(5) .
    • Outdoor advertising (billboards) has a separate conditional/relocation framework and distance/height/illumination limits; CUP and building permits required — see § 19.75.030 and the outdoor advertising subsections .

Downtown Design Overlay — D overlay

  • Sign controls inside Perris' Downtown Design Overlay are subject both to Chapter 19.75 and to overlay/specific plan provisions; the overlay explicitly states signage and building elevation requirements are part of redevelopment design criteria — see Sec. 19.40.050 for overlay purpose and design items (signage is a listed consideration) . Where overlay/specific plan standards conflict with Title 19 sign chapter, the specific plan/overlay rules govern for that area (see specific plan language referenced in the sign chapter) .

Quick reference table — most decision‑relevant sign standards

Sign type Limit / common numeric rule Where it applies Code Reference
Wall sign (commercial/office) 1 sq ft per lineal foot of frontage, up to 200 sq ft per frontage; width ≤ 80% of elevation Office and commercial tenants § 19.75.100(a)(1)
Monument / freestanding (small tenants) Typical 20 sq ft, 4–5 ft height depending on tenant/site size Commercial/office/industrial (tiered by acreage/tenant size) § 19.75.100 (multiple subsections)
Complex/pylon signs (median/large) Pylon up to 100–150 sq ft, heights up to 20 ft (tiered by center acreage) Shopping centers, regional centers § 19.75.100
Freeway signs CUP required; typical max 25 ft height / 100 sq ft area; parcel within 660 ft of freeway ROW (exceptions apply) Parcels adjacent to/freeway‑oriented commercial sites § 19.75.100(4–5)
Temporary / Grand opening banner Grand opening banner up to 60 sq ft for up to 60 days per calendar year (separate permit) Any business with temporary permit § 19.75.140(3)(a)
Political signs Max 32 sq ft (one side); height 6 ft; aggregate per lot 80 sq ft; time limits apply Any zoning district (with restrictions) § 19.75.110
Exempt: address signs Single‑family: 4 in. character height; Multi‑family: 6 in. per unit Residential/complex address identification § 19.75.080(1)

Checklist — what an applicant must satisfy for a new or altered sign in Perris

  • Confirm the sign type is permitted for the property's use (residential, commercial, industrial, institutional) and comply with the numeric limits in § 19.75.080–§ 19.75.150 .
  • Submit a sign application and fee to Development Services (planning) and obtain the appropriate review: minor development plan review for most signs, CUP for outdoor advertising/freeway signs — § 19.75.030–§ 19.75.040 .
  • Include a scaled site plan, building elevations showing sign location/dimensions, copy area, letter height, colors, and method of illumination per § 19.75.040 .
  • Obtain building and electrical permits before installation (separate permits per sign or group of signs) — § 19.75.060 .
  • If project is multi‑tenant or a new commercial/office complex with four or more tenants, prepare a sign program/master signage plan for planning division review (§ 19.75.150) .
  • For temporary signs (banners, vertical banners, grand openings) apply for a temporary sign permit and follow time/size/location rules in § 19.75.140 .
  • If the site is inside a specific plan or overlay (e.g., Downtown 'D' overlay) verify whether overlay/specific plan sign standards supersede Title 19 (§ 19.40.050; sign chapter includes a specific‑plan compatibility clause) .

Risks & Ambiguities

Issue Why it matters What to verify
Overlay / Specific Plan overrides Specific plans and overlays may have tailored sign rules that conflict with Chapter 19.75; relying only on the chapter may lead to noncompliance Verify overlay or specific plan language and precedence for the parcel (code notes that sign provisions in a specific plan govern within that plan area) — § 19.75.060(d)
Which numeric tier applies (tenant size vs. parcel acreage) Monument and complex sign allowances are tiered (small/median/large) and different measurements (tenant area vs. center acreage) determine the allowable sign Confirm the accurate measurement basis on the site: tenant building area, number of tenants, and parcel acreage; cite § 19.75.100 subsections that list tiers
Freeway/off‑site sign eligibility Strict distance, proximity, CUP, and digital sign prohibitions apply; misreading 660 ft/300 ft/500 ft standards causes permit denial Confirm parcel meets the distance tests and that the proposed sign conforms to § 19.75.100(4–5) and any applicable Caltrans and Business & Professions Code conditions
Sign program requirements for multi‑tenant sites A sign program must be prepared for some projects; omitting it at application will delay review Verify whether the project is a new commercial/office/industrial project with four or more tenant spaces (see § 19.75.150); if so, prepare the master sign program
Exemptions vs. permit requirements Some signs (address, temporary real estate, political under limits) are exempt from sign permits but still have numeric/time limits; assuming “exempt” means unconstrained is risky Verify the exact exempt category and the numeric/time limits in § 19.75.080 and § 19.75.140

Plain‑English Summary

Perris regulates signs in Title 19, Chapter 19.75: everyday business wall signs are sized by frontage (typically 1 sq ft per lineal foot, capped at 200 sq ft), monument/pylon sizes depend on tenant or center size, temporary and political signs have specific time and size limits, and off‑site/freeway advertising needs a conditional use permit; most signs require Development Services review plus building/electrical permits (§ 19.75.040–§ 19.75.060) .

Source References

  • City of Perris Development Code — Title 19, CHAPTER 19.75 (Sign Regulations): § 19.75.010 (Purpose), § 19.75.020 (Findings/Intent) — ordinance text and purpose language .
  • Sign authority, minor review & CUP: § 19.75.030 — permit routes and authority .
  • Application requirements: § 19.75.040 — plan content and submittal requirements .
  • Building permits: § 19.75.060 — building/electrical permits required before installation .
  • Definitions and prohibited/exempt signs: § 19.75.070 and § 19.75.080 — exemptions (address signs, real estate, prospective tenant, safety signs) .
  • Permitted signs & dimensional standards (wall, monument, pylon, industry/complex tiers, drive‑through, gas canopy, theaters): § 19.75.100 (multiple subparts) .
  • Sign regulations by use (political, etc.): § 19.75.110 .
  • Temporary signs (banners, vertical banners, model homes, directional subdivision signs): § 19.75.140 .
  • Sign programs / master signage plans for multi‑tenant/large projects: § 19.75.150 .
  • Freeway, off‑site freeway, outdoor advertising and relocation agreements: § 19.75.100(4–5) and related outdoor advertising subsections; conditional use permit and relocation provisions — see sign chapter text .
  • Perris Downtown Design Overlay (signage mentioned in design criteria): Sec. 19.40.050 (Downtown overlay references signage and building elevation) .
  • For related municipal zoning context and zone chapters (example residential zones): Title 19 zone chapters such as CH. 19.22 (R‑10,000), CH. 19.24 (R‑7,200), CH. 19.25 (R‑6,000) (these describe typical permitted uses and development standards; signage still governed by Chapter 19.75) .

Internal planning links (first mention inline in the page text above): Perris Zoning, Perris Development Standards, Perris Parking, Perris Design Review, Perris Overlay Districts, Perris ADUs, California Building Standards Code.

Sources

Retrieved passages

  • Perris Zoning Code (§ 5) High relevance
  • Perris Zoning Code (section and) High relevance
  • Perris Zoning Code (chapter to) High relevance
  • Perris Zoning Code (section 19.75.150.) High relevance
  • Perris Zoning Code High relevance
  • Perris Zoning Code (chapter is) High relevance
  • Perris Zoning Code Medium relevance
  • Perris Zoning Code (chapter and) Medium relevance
  • Perris Zoning Code (§ 5) Medium relevance
  • Perris Zoning Code (Chapter 7.34) Medium relevance
  • Perris Zoning Code (section 19.85.080) Medium relevance
  • Perris Zoning Code (§ 5) Medium relevance
  • Perris Zoning Code Medium relevance

Cited sections

Frequently asked questions

What chapter of Perris code controls signs?

Signs are regulated in Title 19 — ZONING, Chapter 19.75 (Sign Regulations); the chapter sets purpose, permit routes, definitions, numeric limits, temporary sign rules, and sign program requirements (§ 19.75.010–§ 19.75.150) .

How much wall sign area can a retail tenant in Perris have?

A retail or office tenant is generally allowed 1 sq ft of sign per lineal foot of building frontage, up to 200 sq ft per frontage; building frontage over 80 ft may allow a second sign but combined area is still limited — § 19.75.100(a)(1) .

Do I need a permit to put up a banner or grand‑opening sign?

Yes. Most temporary signs (including grand‑opening banners) require a temporary sign permit; a grand opening banner can be up to 60 sq ft and displayed up to 60 consecutive days per calendar year under § 19.75.140 .

Are political signs allowed in Perris front yards or on private lots?

Political signs are permitted in any zoning district but must follow limits (max 32 sq ft per side, 6 ft height, aggregate per lot 80 sq ft, removal deadlines). They cannot be on city property and must not obstruct traffic — § 19.75.110 .

When is a sign program/master signage plan required?

A sign program is required for new office or commercial complexes with four or more tenant spaces, and the planning division may require sign programs for large or redeveloped commercial sites; see § 19.75.150 for the master signage plan requirement and incentives for unified design .

Can I install a digital billboard or LED freeway sign along I‑215?

Digital displays on outdoor advertising signs are strictly limited and generally allowed only under relocation agreements and subject to Caltrans standards; typical freeway/off‑site sign rules prohibit digital signage for off‑site freeway signs — check § 19.75.100 and the outdoor advertising/relocation agreement subsections and verify whether a relocation agreement and city council approval are required .

How close can a freestanding sign be to my property line?

Freestanding or monument signs shall be located no closer than 5 ft from the property line by the sign chapter’s development standards (measure height from finished grade, account for berms per code) — § 19.75.060 (additional freestanding sign development standards described in the chapter) .

If my site is in the Downtown Design Overlay, which sign rules apply?

Signs inside the Downtown Design Overlay must comply with overlay/specific plan design criteria; signage standards in the overlay or specific plan control within that plan area, with Title 19 used where the plan is silent — see Sec. 19.40.050 and the sign chapter’s specific‑plan cross‑reference .

Are address signs and real‑estate signs exempt from permits?

Some signs are exempt from sign permits but still have numeric and time limits: address identification signs are exempt with minimum character heights (single‑family 4 in.) and real‑estate on‑site for residential is limited to 6 sq ft and removed within 15 days after escrow — § 19.75.080 .

Who approves outdoor advertising (billboards) relocations?

Outdoor advertising relocation agreements and any new or relocated outdoor advertising displays require City Council review/approval of the relocation agreement and a conditional use permit for the sign itself; the sign chapter sets findings and permit routes for relocation agreements — see the outdoor advertising subsections and § 19.75.030 and related provisions . ---

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