Fullerton Signage Rules Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

Fullerton's home occupation regulations include an unambiguous prohibition on exterior signage for any business operated from a residential dwelling. This rule is a central component of the city's broader requirement that a home occupation must not change the residential character or appearance of the property and must not be evident to observers from the street, sidewalk, or neighboring properties. The prohibition reflects Fullerton's emphasis on preserving the aesthetic quality and tranquility of its residential neighborhoods, many of which are characterized by well-maintained homes, mature landscaping, and a consistent suburban streetscape.

The signage prohibition is comprehensive and covers every form of exterior advertising that might indicate a commercial activity is taking place at a residential address. Specifically prohibited are: permanent wall-mounted or freestanding signs of any size; temporary signs, banners, pennants, or streamers attached to the home, fence, mailbox, or any structure on the property; A-frame or sandwich board signs placed on the driveway, sidewalk, or parkway; window signs, displays, or merchandise visible from outside the home; illuminated signs or displays of any type; and directional signs placed on public roadways or neighboring properties directing customers to the home business. The prohibition also extends to conspicuous parking of commercial vehicles bearing business advertising — if a vehicle with prominent business signage is regularly parked in the driveway or in front of the home in a manner that effectively serves as a commercial sign, it may be cited as a violation of the residential appearance requirement.

Fullerton's commercial sign regulations, which permit various types of business signage subject to size, height, illumination, and design standards, apply only to properties in commercial and industrial zoning districts. Home occupations in residential zones do not qualify for any commercial sign permits. The logic is straightforward: if a business needs exterior signage to attract customers, it inherently generates the type of public-facing commercial activity that is incompatible with a residential neighborhood and should be located in a commercial zone.

Enforcement of the signage prohibition is handled by Fullerton's Code Enforcement Division, often in response to neighbor complaints. If a home business operator is found to have posted exterior signage, they will receive a notice of violation requiring removal of the sign within a specified deadline. Failure to comply leads to administrative citations with escalating fines. Repeated or egregious signage violations — particularly when combined with other home occupation violations such as excessive traffic or noise — may result in revocation of the home occupation permit. Contact the Community Development Department at (714) 738-6884 for questions about home occupation signage rules.