Are LED Signs Allowed in Riverside, Riverside County, California? A Guide to Permits, Sizes, and Zoning
1. EMC Sign Allowed?
✅ Yes. Electronic Message Center (EMC) signs are permitted under restricted conditions in the City of Riverside.
"Electronic message center signs (EMC) are permitted in commercial complexes ten acres or larger and on parcels with assemblies of people—entertainment uses 15 acres or larger, subject to the approval of a conditional use permit..."
— §19.620.080.D.4
Key Conditions:
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EMCs are only allowed on commercial complexes ≥10 acres or entertainment parcels ≥15 acres
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Must front an Arterial Street as designated in the General Plan
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Cannot abut or face residential districts
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Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is required
🔗 Full Ordinance – Riverside Municipal Code §19.620
2. EMC Sign Summary Table
| Feature | Answer |
|---|---|
| Zoning districts that allow EMCs | Not based on zoning codes, but on use/parcel size in commercial & entertainment parcels |
| EMC sign styles allowed | Monument / Freestanding / Wall (on-premises only) |
| Off-premise EMCs allowed | ❌ No |
| EMCs allowed in ROW | ❌ No (Encroachment Permit required for projections) |
| Minimum setback required | 150 ft from other streets, ≥ sign height from residential zones |
| Use restrictions | Only for on-premises commercial complexes (≥10 acres) or entertainment (≥15 acres) |
3. City of Wildomar – § 17.252.040 On‑Site Advertising Structures and Signs
| Use Type | Max Size | Max Height | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| EMC for single parcel business | 50 sq. ft. | 15 ft | One per frontage; must be integrated in monument sign |
| Shopping center adjacent to I-15 | 200 sq. ft. | 45 ft | EMC max = full area; must face freeway |
| On-site freestanding signs (non-EMC) | 150 sq. ft. | 45 ft | Only near freeway; others capped at 20 ft / 50 sq. ft. max |
| Building-affixed wall signs | ≤10% of front wall | N/A | Must stay below roofline and parapet |
✅ EMCs Allowed in:
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C-1/C-P and C-P-S zones
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Shopping centers along I-15
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Private schools and non-profit organizations
🧱 Structural Standards (Wildomar)
🔌 EMC Technical Restrictions:
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💡 Brightness: Max 7,000 nits daytime / 500 nits nighttime
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⏱️ Message Change: Every 8 seconds
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🎞️ Animation: ❌ No animation, scrolling, flashing, or rotating
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📢 Audio: ❌ No sound allowed
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📏 Setbacks: EMCs must be at least 5 ft from property lines and comply with base design standards
📌 Multiple Signs Rule:
Shopping centers may have 2 freestanding signs per street if frontages are at least 600 ft apart.
4. Zoning District Overview
Although EMC approval is tied to land use and parcel size rather than specific zoning districts, here’s a breakdown of zones where commercial/industrial/entertainment uses are typically allowed:
✅ Common Applicable Zones:
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CR, CG, CRC – Commercial Retail/General/Regional Commercial
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O – Office
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MU-N, MU-V, MU-U – Mixed Use Zones
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BMP, I, AI, AIR – Industrial Zones (Business/Manufacturing Parks)
📍 Zoning Identification:
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Use the City of Riverside Zoning Map to check if the parcel qualifies.
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Look for arterial frontage and confirm site area ≥10 or ≥15 acres.
4. Zoning-Specific EMC Sign Size & Placement
Maximum Sign Sizes for EMCs
| Site Type | Maximum EMC Area | Maximum Height | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Complex (≥10 acres) | Up to 65 sq. ft. | 15 ft monument sign | Must be along arterial, CUP required |
| Entertainment Use (≥15 acres) | Up to 65 sq. ft. | 15 ft freestanding or wall-mounted | |
| Parking Garage Entrance | 4 sq. ft. (Wall EMC) | N/A | Allowed if not facing residential areas |
| Amusement Park (≥24 acres + freeway) | Up to 750 sq. ft. | 66 ft freestanding | Must be freeway-facing, 100 ft from freeway, CUP required |
🔦 Brightness: Max 0.3 foot-candles above ambient light
⏱️ Message Change: No more than 1x every 8 seconds
🚫 Animation/Flashing: Not permitted
💡 Auto-Dimming Required: Based on ambient light sensors
5. Permit Filing Requirements
✅ Required Permits:
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Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
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Sign Permit (from Community & Economic Development)
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Electrical Permit (if illuminated)
💵 Approximate Costs (City Fees):
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Sign Permit: Varies by size and zone
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CUP Application: ~$1,500–$3,000+
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Electrical Permit: ~$150–$500
📎 Your Service Fee (example): $325 per permit filing
6. Local Project Example
📍 Canyon Springs Parkway – 2550 Canyon Springs Pkwy, Riverside, CA
A shopping complex over 10 acres installed a freestanding 65 sq. ft. EMC monument sign, 15 ft tall, facing an arterial. It met all EMC regulations and was approved via CUP.
7. Full Ordinance Text (Verbatim Excerpt)
"Electronic message center signs (EMC) are permitted in commercial complexes ten acres or larger and on parcels with assemblies of people—entertainment uses 15 acres or larger subject to the approval of a conditional use permit...
Must front an arterial street
Must not face or abut residential zones
Maximum brightness: 0.3 foot-candles above ambient
No flashing, animation, or rapid transitions
Message duration: Minimum 8 seconds per message"
📜 See: Riverside Municipal Code §19.620.080.D.4