What is a Sign Ordinance?

The City's Sign Ordinance is the set of regulations, established by the Murrieta City (ouncil, that governs signs. This includes the locations allowed for varying types of signs, the sizes of the signs, amount of time they can be displayed and the permitting process. The City will commence active enforcement of prohibited signs on May 1,2012.

Do I Need a Temporary Sign Permit?

What is a Temporary Sign?

A temporary sign is a sign that is not, permanently or for a long periods of time, affixed to a bUilding, wall or structure. There are three types of temporary signs:

• Temporary Business Identification Signs are for new businesses that need a temporary sign while coordinating the installation of permanent signs; a maximum of two temporary signs not to exceed ninety (90) days and not exceeding a total of fifty (50) square feet for the two signs.
• Temporary Advertising/Promotional Signs are for advertising or promoting business or events that are affixed to a window, wall, building surface, or similar structure and may be erected for a maximum of thirty (30) days per annual quarter. Signs painted or placed on windows shaH not exceed twenty·five (25) percent of the window area, all other signs affixed to other surfaces or structures shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet.
• Noncommercial Signs are for signs communicating a personal message, including campaign/election signs. Noncommercial signs on residential properties shall not exceed sixteen (16) square feet of
  sign area or eight (8) feet in height. On non-residential properties, the signs shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet.

Signs Not Allowed

Several types of signs are not allowed in the City of Murrieta at any location. These include:

• Signs placed or projecting into the public right-of-way or public property.
• Portable freestanding signs.
• Off-site signs.
• Vehicle signs (where the vehicle is parked for 48-hours or more to function as a sign).

Public Right-of-Way

The public right-of-way includes public streets, sidewalks and utilities. It also includes landscaping that is parallel to the street and sidewalk. The public right-ofway typically extends twelve (12) feet to sixteen (16) feet tram the curb face.

Business, advertising/promotional and noncommercial signs are not permitted within the public right-at-way.

Subject to Change

Murrieta's City Council is still working through the questions and details regarding this sign ordinance, therefore changes to this ordinance are possible. We will keep our business community informed. 

Download the City'sTemporary Sign Regulation Flyer here.