Understanding sign regulations in City of Brea, CA
Every outdoor sign in City of Brea is governed by the municipality’s sign ordinance, which sets how large a sign may be, how tall it may stand, how far it must sit from the property line, whether it may be illuminated, and which sign types are permitted in each zoning district. This page summarizes those requirements in plain language and links each value back to the section of the City of Brea code it came from.
Sign rules here are layered. The base zoning district — commercial, industrial, or residential — sets the default limits, and overlay districts such as historic or downtown districts can tighten them further. Because the most specific jurisdiction controls, a freestanding monument sign on a commercial parcel and a wall sign in a historic overlay can face very different limits even on the same street in City of Brea.
Use the figures below as a fast first check, then run a full address lookup to confirm the exact limits for a specific parcel in City of Brea, California. The full report also covers permit requirements, prohibited sign types, and illumination rules — each cited to the source ordinance so your permit application can reference it directly.
Before you order or install a sign in City of Brea, confirm three things: the maximum sign area and height allowed in the parcel’s zoning district, the minimum setback from the right-of-way, and whether the sign type you want — freestanding, monument, wall, projecting, or awning — is permitted there at all. Many permit denials come from missing a setback or an overlay-district restriction rather than from the size of the sign itself, so checking the governing section before applying saves a costly resubmittal.
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Max ground sign height
Monument: 6 ft max; Ground sign: 12 ft max
Authority
Sign Chapter Scope
Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: etic, pictographic, or symbolic informational content of which can be changed or altered on a fixed display surface composed of electronically illuminated or electronically actuated or motivated elements can be changed or altered electronically. This includes billboards with displays that must be preprogrammed to display only certain types of information (i.e., time, date, temperature) and freeway oriented off-site a
Sign Chapter Scope 2
Source-backed sign ordinance/chapter scope: information (i.e., time, date, temperature) and freeway oriented off-site advertising signs whose informational content can be changed or altered by means of computer- driven electronic impulses. This includes, without limitation, signs also known as digital billboards or LED billboards. "Frontage." As utilized in this chapter, shall mean the length of a lot along each street or other public thoroughfare, but not inc
Source-backed freestanding/ground/monument sign rules: s located, or to which it is affixed. Nothing contained in this definition shall be construed to permit the erection or construction of a off-site advertising sign unless said off-site advertising sign is otherwise permitted. "Center identification sign." Any freestanding sign which advertises or directs attention to a shopping center or area having three (3) or more separate businesses located on a single parcel or
Freestanding Ground Monument 2
Source-backed freestanding/ground/monument sign rules: s or devices which are intermittently on and off, change in intensity, or which creates the illusion of flashing in any manner. "Free standing sign." Any self-supporting sign standing on the ground and in no way attached to any building or building extension. Freestanding signs include, but are not limited to: 1. Directory signs. Multi-tenant directory signs advertising two or more businesses or tenants within small
Monument signs; ground signs (freestanding signs from 6 to 12 ft tall)
Ground Sign Max Height
Monument: 6 ft max; Ground sign: 12 ft max
Permit Process
Permit Time Frame
45 days
Permits
Permit Required
Source-backed sign permit requirement: gns, or displays shall exceed thirty (30) square feet in area or have mechanical or moving parts; or (5) Directional warning or informational structures required or authorized by law; or (6) Official notices issued by any court or public body or officer. 2. A sign permit shall be issued only for those signs which comply with the above guidelines. (Ord. 425, 10-14-1968; Ord. 877, 11-21-1989; Ord. 1247, 3-19-2024) § 20
Permit Required 2
Source-backed sign permit requirement: of replaceable or changeable copy, unless electrical alterations are made. 2. Repainting and cleaning of a sign or advertising structure, unless a change in structure size, height, or location is made. (Ord. 425, 10-14-1968; Ord. 1247, 3-19-2024) § 20.28.090. Temporary sign permits on private property — General. A. A temporary sign permit for signs intended as temporary display and advertising devices such as flags,
Source-backed prohibited signs: 8.020 BREA CODE § 20.28.020 c. Marquee signs are characterized by changeable copy. 3. Ground signs. Ground signs are freestanding signs from six (6) to twelve (12) feet in height. The base structure-to-sign area proportion shall be a minimum of one-half (½) the length of the sign area. These signs may advertise a combination of major tenant(s) and center identification. 4. Directional signs. Directional signs are sig
Prohibited Signs 2
Source-backed prohibited signs: § 20.28.020 c. Marquee signs are characterized by changeable copy. 3. Ground signs. Ground signs are freestanding signs from six (6) to twelve (12) feet in height. The base structure-to-sign area proportion shall be a minimum of one-half (½) the length of the sign area. These signs may advertise a combination of major tenant(s) and center identification. 4. Directional signs. Directional signs are signs which inform
Temporary
Temporary Signs
Source-backed temporary sign rules: suant to the provisions of the Subdivision Map Act (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code, §§ 11500, et seq.); or Two (2) or more parcels of real property which are combined by an appropriately recorded written instrument or by common fee ownership and usage. "Pole sign." A freestanding sign where the sign area is supported by one (1) or more braces. "Political sign." Any sign advocating the election of a specific candidate or cand
Temporary Signs 2
Source-backed temporary sign rules: he Subdivision Map Act (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code, §§ 11500, et seq.); or Two (2) or more parcels of real property which are combined by an appropriately recorded written instrument or by common fee ownership and usage. "Pole sign." A freestanding sign where the sign area is supported by one (1) or more braces. "Political sign." Any sign advocating the election of a specific candidate or candidates for political office
Temporary signs are allowed on private property with a permit; one permit type allows up to 90 calendar days in a year, and another once-per-week permit allows up to 24 sq ft, 5 ft maximum height, and 8-hour weekly display for up to 6 months, with only one approval per business or location per calendar year.
Temp Signs Allowed
Yes. Temporary signs are allowed by permit.
Wall Signs
Wall Signs
Source-backed wall sign rules: five (45) days. "Tenant." A business which occupies a commercial and/or industrial building. The tenant may own, lease, or rent the space which it occupies or intends to occupy within an existing or new development. "Under canopy sign." Any illuminated or non-illuminated sign attached to the underside of a projecting canopy or a separate freestanding canopy which is attached perpendicular to the building frontage. "W
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