City of Fountain Valley

The City of Fountain Valley Planning Department is dedicated to serving the public. The primary functions of the department are the implementation of the General Plan and the administration of the Development Code, Title 21. The Planning Department reviews projects for compliance to the General Plan and Development Code and makes recommendations to Area Variance Committee, Sign Committee, Environmental and Development Review Committee, Planning Commission, and City Council.

Summary of Code Amendment Pertaining to Real Estate Signage

Effective May 31, 2007

For a complete copy of the Code Amendment click here. Ordinance 1395

On-site Real Estate Signage

One sign per street frontage
- Maximum sign area - 9 sq. ft.
- Maximum height – 6 ft.
- Setback a minimum of 2 ft. from property line

One (1) additional sign for properties adjoining arterials
- May not extend over property line
- Sign may be located on top of, or behind tract wall but cannot extend into the public right-of-way

Six sq. ft. of rider signage (e.g. pool, great view, price reduced, etc.) permitted per on-site real estate sign

Sign can only remain on site during the period the home is listed for sale, rent, or lease

Sign and structural supports must be removed within 7 days after the property is sold, leased or rented. Property is deemed sold upon close of escrow.

Directional Signage at Arterial Intersections

Signs can only be placed on private property with consent of owner. Signs on any public property is prohibited.

Maximum of four (4) OPEN HOUSE directional signs are permitted at any of the four nearest intersections provided:

No more than two (2) signs are placed at any single intersection and no more than one (1) sign per single street corner

Sign is limited to the following:

One red, blue or green directional arrow
Sign may include the name of agent and phone number or email address in a single colored font not to exceed 1.5”
Maximum sign area – 24” x 9”
Maximum height – 42”; except for flush mounted on tract wall
Permitted between 6:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. on day of open house
Must be setback a minimum of 2 ft. from the property line

No flags, pennants or balloons on OPEN HOUSE directional signs

OPEN HOUSE Signage at Tract Entrance

Signs can only be placed on private property with consent of owner. Signs on any public property is prohibited

Maximum of two (2) OPEN HOUSE signs per tract entrance

“Tract” shall refer to any quadrant bound by adjacent arterial streets
Tract entrance is limited to one entrance per arterial street
Can only be displayed between 6:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. on day of open house
Must be setback a minimum of 2 ft. from property line; except for those flush mounted on tract wall
Signs must direct traffic to a property that is offered for sale, lease, or rent

Sign can be personalized to include directional arrow, name of agent, real estate company, phone number, etc.

Maximum sign area – 24” x 18”
Maximum height – 42”; except for flush mounted on tract wall

No flags, pennants, or balloons on OPEN HOUSE directional signs

One additional sign may be placed within the tract at each change of direction to the most direct route to the open house

Abatement & Charges

Signs in violation of sign code will be removed

Signs with a value of $20 or less, or without identification, will be immediately discarded

Retrieval Changes for signs with a value of $20 or more:

First violation – warning
Second violation - $25 per sign
Third violation - $50 per sign
Additional violations – criminal prosecution

Signs not retrieved within 30 days will be discarded

Appropriate penalties will apply even if signs are not retrieved

Click here for a summary of Code Amendment pertaining to R-1 Development Standards adopted May 18, 2006.

Development Standards

Information regarding development standards for both residential and commercial/manufacturing zones can be found below.

Residential Development Standards

Commercial/Manufacturing Development Standards

Planning Commission

The Fountain Valley Planning Commission meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at 7pm. in the Council Chambers.

Commissioners : Margie Drilling, Kerry Frank, Brad Gaston, Michele Jensen, Carol Proctor, and Ron Walker.

Staff Rep : Andrew Perea (714) 593-4425.

Important Planning Department Telephone Numbers

Planning Department (714) 593-4425
Housing and Community Development (714) 593-4440
Code Enforcement (714) 593-4444