# Sign Regulations in Ellsworth, Kansas

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Ellsworth, Kansas, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Ellsworth, Kansas (KS)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kansas/ellsworth
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/KS/Ellsworth/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.76SIRE)

## At a glance

Ellsworth, Kansas regulates 18 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Advertising Signs in the A-1 Agricultural District zoning district are capped at 35 ft tall and 600 sq ft, with a None setback (Sec. 17.76.030.1.d, 17.76.030.1.g). Most commercial signs in Ellsworth require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-1 Agricultural District | 9 | 35 ft | 600 sq ft | — |
| R-S Residential District, R-1 Residential District, RR-1 District, MH-2 District | 6 | 15 ft (8 ft for one/two-family dwellings or manufactured/mobile homes) | 40 sq ft | — |
| R-2 Residential District, MH-1 District | 6 | 15 ft (8 ft for one/two-family dwellings or manufactured/mobile homes) | 40 sq ft | — |
| R-3 Residential District, PUD District, M-H District, M-P District | 6 | 15 ft (8 ft for one/two-family dwellings or manufactured/mobile homes) | 40 sq ft | — |
| C-S Highway Service Business District | 3 | 30 ft | — | — |
| C-1 Central Business District | 3 | 30 ft | 100 sq ft for a single sign (except advertising signs) | — |
| C-2 General Commercial District, C-3 Adult Entertainment District | 3 | 30 ft (C-3 max 7 ft height/7 ft length for non-wall signs) | — | — |
| I-1 District, I-2 District | 5 | 35 ft | 200 sq ft for a single sign (except advertising signs) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 10 ft | 60 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### A-1 Agricultural District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Advertising Sign | 35 ft | 600 sq ft | — | None | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises | — | 17.76.030.1.d, 17.76.030.1.g |
| Bulletin Board Sign | 15 ft | 40 sq ft | — | None | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises | — | 17.76.030.1.d, 17.76.030.1.g |
| Business Sign (Home Occupation) | 15 ft | 4 sq ft or minimum required by State statutes | — | None | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises | — | 17.76.030.1.d, 17.76.030.1.g |
| Business Sign (Agricultural Product) | 15 ft | 20 sq ft | — | None | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises | — | 17.76.030.1.d, 17.76.040.2.d |
| Business Sign (Other Business) | 15 ft | 100 sq ft | — | None | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises | — | 17.76.030.1.d, 17.76.030.1.g |
| Construction Sign | 15 ft | — | — | None | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises during construction period | — | 17.76.030.1.a, 17.76.030.1.e |
| Identification Sign | 15 ft | — | — | None | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises | — | 17.76.030.1.a, 17.76.030.1.e |
| Nameplate Sign | 15 ft | — | — | None | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises | — | 17.76.030.1.a, 17.76.030.1.e |

### R-S Residential District, R-1 Residential District, RR-1 District, MH-2 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulletin Board Sign | 15 ft (8 ft for one/two-family dwellings or manufactured/mobile homes) | 16 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line (except temporary real estate and garage sale signs), none from side lot line | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises | — | 17.76.030.2.d |
| Identification Sign | 15 ft (8 ft for one/two-family dwellings or manufactured/mobile homes) | 16 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line (except temporary real estate and garage sale signs), none from side lot line | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises | — | 17.76.030.2.d |
| Business Sign (Home Occupation) | 15 ft (8 ft for one/two-family dwellings or manufactured/mobile homes) | 2 sq ft or minimum required by State statutes | — | 10 ft from front lot line (except temporary real estate and garage sale signs), none from side lot line | One per functional type per zoning lot | Affixed flush to building wall | — | 17.76.030.2.d, 17.76.030.2.b |
| Construction Sign | 15 ft (8 ft for one/two-family dwellings or manufactured/mobile homes) | 40 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line (except temporary real estate and garage sale signs), none from side lot line | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises during construction period | — | 17.76.030.2.d |
| Nameplate Sign | 15 ft (8 ft for one/two-family dwellings or manufactured/mobile homes) | 2 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line (except temporary real estate and garage sale signs), none from side lot line | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises | — | 17.76.030.2.d |
| Real Estate Sign | 15 ft (8 ft for one/two-family dwellings or manufactured/mobile homes) | 6 sq ft per lot; one up to 100 sq ft in subdivision sales | — | 10 ft from front lot line (except temporary real estate and garage sale signs), none from side lot line | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises | — | 17.76.030.2.d |

### R-2 Residential District, MH-1 District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulletin Board Sign | 15 ft (8 ft for one/two-family dwellings or manufactured/mobile homes) | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line (except temporary real estate and garage sale signs), none from side lot line | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises | — | 17.76.030.2.d |
| Identification Sign | 15 ft (8 ft for one/two-family dwellings or manufactured/mobile homes) | 32 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line (except temporary real estate and garage sale signs), none from side lot line | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises | — | 17.76.030.2.d |
| Business Sign (Home Occupation) | 15 ft (8 ft for one/two-family dwellings or manufactured/mobile homes) | 2 sq ft or minimum required by State statutes | — | 10 ft from front lot line (except temporary real estate and garage sale signs), none from side lot line | One per functional type per zoning lot | Affixed flush to building wall | — | 17.76.030.2.d, 17.76.030.2.b |
| Construction Sign | 15 ft (8 ft for one/two-family dwellings or manufactured/mobile homes) | 40 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line (except temporary real estate and garage sale signs), none from side lot line | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises during construction period | — | 17.76.030.2.d |
| Nameplate Sign | 15 ft (8 ft for one/two-family dwellings or manufactured/mobile homes) | 2 sq ft | — | 10 ft from front lot line (except temporary real estate and garage sale signs), none from side lot line | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises | — | 17.76.030.2.d |
| Real Estate Sign | 15 ft (8 ft for one/two-family dwellings or manufactured/mobile homes) | 6 sq ft per lot; one up to 100 sq ft in subdivision sales | — | 10 ft from front lot line (except temporary real estate and garage sale signs), none from side lot line | One per functional type per zoning lot | On premises | — | 17.76.030.2.d |

## Prohibited signs in Ellsworth

- It is unlawful to erect, move, alter, change, repair, place, suspend, or attach any sign in violation of this title and this chapter.
- It is unlawful to fasten, paste, place, post, paint, or attach any sign, handbill, poster, advertisement, or notice on any curbstone, lamp post, telephone, telegraph, or electric light pole, tree, or bridge. It is also unlawful to paste, place, paint, or attach any sign on any building, street, or city property, except for addresses on curbing with zoning administrator approval.
- Billboards (signs advertising products or services not available on the premises and which are 300 square feet or more per face) are not permitted in any city zoning district.
- No flashing signs, rotating or moving signs, animated signs, signs with moving lights or signs that create the illusion of movement are permitted in any residential district.
- No sign shall block any access way or window required by any applicable building, housing, fire or other codes or regulations.
- No private sign shall be attached to a tree or utility pole whether on public or private property.
- No sign shall be maintained at any location where it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with any traffic control sign, signal, or device, or where it may mislead or confuse traffic.
- No sign shall be located in any vision triangle except official traffic signs and qualifying signs mounted 8 feet or more above the ground with narrow supports.
- No sign or structure thereof shall be permitted on a public right-of-way or public easement, except temporary real estate and garage sale signs (with restrictions).
- No sign shall be permitted to project over the public right-of-way or public easement, except with board of zoning appeals approval as a special use or as a permitted use in the C-1 district (with height clearance requirements).
- Damaged or deteriorated signs constituting a public hazard must be repaired or removed immediately upon order from the zoning administrator.
- Unauthorized portable signs placed on public property, including the public street or road right-of-way, are declared to be a public nuisance and may be removed and impounded without notice.
- Portable signs are not permitted on the roofs of structures.
- Strobe light sources or flashing bulbs or signs which create the illusion of movement are not permitted on portable signs in any district.
- Electrified portable signs shall not be connected to any electrical power source except during business or institution open hours; extension cords are prohibited; electrical lines may not lay on the ground where vehicles or pedestrians pass.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ellsworth

- Signs of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic or similar regulatory devices, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings, and other instructional or regulatory signs relating to health, hazards, parking, swimming, dumping, etc.
- Flags or emblems of a government or of a political, civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organization, when displayed on private property.
- Small signs (not exceeding 5 square feet) displayed on private property for public convenience, including entrance/exit, parking, one-way, restroom, rest entrance, and similar informational signs.
- Address numerals and other signs required by law, rule, or regulation (provided size/content does not exceed requirement).
- Garage sale signs not exceeding 4 square feet and memorial signs displayed on private property.
- Scoreboards in athletic fields or stadiums.
- Political campaign signs not exceeding 6 square feet, displayed on private property and removed within 48 hours after an election or campaign conclusion.
- Nameplate signs not exceeding 2 square feet, accessory to a residential building (including manufactured homes), are exempt from zoning permit requirements but must comply with all other chapter regulations.
- Identification signs not exceeding 40 square feet, accessory to a multiple-family dwelling, are exempt from zoning permit requirements but must comply with all other chapter regulations.
- Bulletin board signs not exceeding 40 square feet, accessory to a church, school, or public/non-profit institution, are exempt from zoning permit requirements but must comply with all other chapter regulations.
- Business signs on agricultural property pertaining to sale of products produced on premises are exempt from zoning permit requirements but must comply with all other chapter regulations.
- Real estate signs not exceeding 6 square feet and which pertain to sale or lease of the lot or structure are exempt from zoning permit requirements but must comply with all other chapter regulations.
- Temporary signs not exceeding 20 square feet and displayed no more than 4 times per calendar year are exempt from zoning permit requirements but must comply with all other chapter regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The ordinance does not mention a requirement for a master sign plan or sign plan for general sign installation.
- A permit is required for the erection, construction, or alteration of any sign in the Ellsworth zoning jurisdiction (except as exempted in 17.76.040).
- Certain signs (such as signs projecting over the right-of-way in the C-1 district or special/conditional uses for oversize or overheight signs) require approval by the board of zoning appeals.
- Applications for sign permits by non-owners must be accompanied by proof of authorization (letter or lease).
- A zoning permit is required for each portable sign for each 30-day period or part thereof, or annual permits may be obtained for portable signs used at one or more locations.
- No explicit mention is made of a required sign plan or master sign plan for multiple signs, planned development, or coordinated signage. All install/alter applications are handled by individual sign permits unless specified as a special use or conditional use requiring board review.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 9 zoning districts in Ellsworth — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Ellsworth+KS&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-ellsworth

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