Sign Regulations in Riverside, CA (2026)
6 verified sign regulations for Riverside, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Political Signs
Riverside lets people carry political, religious, or protest signs in traditional public forums like streets, parks, and sidewalks under RMC § 19.625.050, but only if the sign is personally held or attended within 15 feet at all times. A single carrier may display up to 12 square feet total, a sign attended by two or more people up to 50 square feet, and inflatable or air-activated signs are barred.
Riverside Political Signs on Public Property
Some RestrictionsRiverside Municipal Code § 19.625.050
In areas qualifying as traditional public forums, such as streets, parks and sidewalks, persons may display noncommercial message signs thereon, provided that their sign displayed on public property conforms to all of the following:A.The signs must be personally held by a person, or personally attended by one or more persons. "Personally attended" means that a person is physically present withi...
Garage Sale Signs
Riverside doesn't create a special sign category for garage sales -- § 5.49.080 sends yard-sale sign placement straight to the citywide sign code, Chapters 19.620 and 19.625. That means the usual ban on posting private signs on public property or in the right-of-way applies to garage sale signs too, and the City can pull down noncompliant ones without notice.
Riverside Garage Sale Sign Placement Rules
Significant RestrictionsCity of Riverside, CA, Municipal Code §§ 5.49.080, 19.625.030, 19.625.100
All signs advertising yard sales shall conform to the City's Sign regulations as set forth in Chapters 19.620 and 19.625 of this Code. [5.49.080] Except as expressly allowed by a provision of this chapter, or another provision of law, private parties may not display or post signs on public property or in the public right-of-way. [19.625.030] Any sign posted on public property or the public righ...
Holiday Displays
Riverside allows individual balloons and balloon arches at businesses only if securely tethered to a permanent structure and set back from driveways and the public right-of-way by a distance equal to the tether length, under RMC § 19.620.090(A)(3)(c). Any single balloon over 24 inches in diameter counts as a prohibited inflatable structure, and clusters cannot be tethered higher than the building itself.
Riverside Balloon and Inflatable Display Rules
Some RestrictionsRiverside Municipal Code § 19.620.090(A)(3)(c)
c.Balloons and balloon arches. Individual balloons and balloon arches shall be allowed if they are securely fastened to permanent structures and set back from all driveways and from the public right-of-way a distance equal to the tether of the balloon. Individual balloons shall not exceed 24 inches in diameter. Balloons and balloon arches or clusters shall be tethered at a height that does not ...
Digital Billboards
Riverside bans new billboard construction outright under RMC § 19.623.020, but § 19.623.025 lets the City Council negotiate individual billboard relocation agreements that may include electronic message displays, consistent with the state Business & Professions Code outdoor-advertising provisions. Any resulting digital billboard must still meet the site, operation, and design standards of applicable state law.
Riverside Digital Billboard Relocation Rules
Significant RestrictionsRiverside Municipal Code § 19.623.025(A)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, and consistent with the California Business & Professions Code Outdoor Advertising provisions, outdoor advertising signs (billboards) as defined by Chapter 19.910 (Definitions), may be considered and constructed as part of a billboard relocation agreement subject to the following.A.Intent and purpose.a.The purpose of an outdoor advertising si...
Window Signs
Riverside caps how much of a storefront window can be covered by signs or opaque material: RMC § 19.590.110 requires at least 75 percent of window surface area to stay transparent, meaning window signs and any opaque backing may not exceed 25 percent of the glass. Retailers separately get up to 25 percent of window area for signage under Chapter 19.620's general sign standards.
Riverside Window Sign Coverage Limits
Some RestrictionsRiverside Municipal Code § 19.590.110
B.At least 75 percent of the window surface area shall be transparent.1.Fully opaque treatments or coverings including any allowable window signs, exceeding 25 percent of the window surface area are prohibited.C.Window signs shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 19.620.D.Exceptions.1.Exterior windows in areas for storage or mechanical and/or utility equipment shall not be subject to the...
Freeway-Facing Signs
Freeway-oriented signs in Riverside need a Minor Conditional Use Permit from the Planning Commission under RMC § 19.620.080(B)(7), plus findings that standard signage would be invisible from at least one-third mile before the freeway exit. Approved signs must sit within 150 feet of the freeway right-of-way, at least 500 feet from a city boundary, and 1,000 feet from any other freeway-oriented sign.
Riverside Freeway-Oriented Sign Standards
Significant RestrictionsRiverside Municipal Code § 19.620.080(B)(7)
7.Freeway-oriented signs. Unless exempt from the requirements of this chapter, all freeway-oriented signs...shall require approval of a Minor Conditional Use Permit by the Planning Commission provided that the Commission can make the following findings...a.Findings:i.A freeway-oriented sign is necessary because signage that conforms to the area and height standards otherwise applicable to the s...
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Riverside city rules.
Sign Regulations in Riverside County →