# Sign Regulations in Hiawatha, Kansas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Hiawatha, Kansas (KS)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kansas/hiawatha
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-09
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://drive.google.com/file/d/19cjKPtpNWMBWQCYNRa9lSKYttHPGH2UE/view?usp=drive_link)

## At a glance

Hiawatha, Kansas regulates 36 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Advertising Signs in the B-2 Business - Highway Service, B-3 Business-General zoning district are capped at Advertising signs treated as ground/pole/elevated structures: subject to 15 ft max, except elevated signs ≤30 ft. tall and Per sign: ≤300 sq ft. Aggregate for lot: 4 sq ft per lineal foot of street frontage (all signs)., with a Ground signs must maintain 10 ft setback from property line; other structural types may have no setback requirement absent other code provisions. setback (Sec. Section 7(A)(1); Section 14(A) Functional Types table; Section 14(D)(2).). Most commercial signs in Hiawatha require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | Ground Sign: ≤10 ft. Monument Sign: ≤6 ft. Elevated Sign: ≤30 ft and bottom of sign base ≥10 ft above ground. Roof Sign, Elevated/Projecting Roof Sign, Awning/Canopy/Marquee Sign, Projecting Sign, Wall Sign, Window Sign: height governed by district standards and specific roof sign limits (see Additional Requirements). | Total gross area of all signs on a lot shall not exceed maximum gross area for one sign permitted by district regulations (per Section 8(A) and 14). | — |
| Exempt Signs (All Zones) | 5 | — | Standard real estate temporary signs: generally ≤32 sq ft unless a larger one is specifically authorized. Signs over 32 sq ft may be authorized by Planning Commission. District‑specific caps also apply (e.g., 9 sq ft typical; 100 sq ft subdivision sign under 14(C)(2)(e)). | — |
| Office Parks, Shopping Centers and Planned Districts (All Zones Where Applicable) | 3 | — | Not specified beyond underlying district limits; master plan must fit within district maximums. | — |
| A-1 Agricultural, R-1 Residential - Low Density, R-2 Residential - Medium Density, R-3 Residential - High Density, R-4 Mobile Home Park | 16 | ≤10 ft by structural definition of ground sign. | Up to 50 sq ft gross area in these districts (per 14(C)(2)(b)); additionally, exempt bulletin boards accessory to churches/schools/public/non‑profit institutions may be up to 100 sq ft without a permit per 9(B)(2), but district cap of 50 sq ft applies to bulletin board and identification signs generally in these districts. | — |
| B-2 Business - Highway Service, B-3 Business-General | 17 | May not exceed 30 ft; district sets max sign height 15 ft “except elevated signs may not exceed 30 feet.” Thus elevated signs between >15 ft and ≤30 ft allowed. | Per sign: ≤300 sq ft. Aggregate for lot: 4 sq ft per lineal foot of street frontage (all signs). | — |
| B-1 Business - Office, B-4 Business - Primary | 15 | All signs: 10 ft, except wall and projecting signs may extend to roof eave line. | Per sign ≤100 sq ft; aggregate per lot 4 sq ft/ft frontage. | — |
| I-1 Industrial - Light, I-2 Industrial - Heavy | 17 | Elevated signs: ≤30 ft in industrial districts. Advertising signs, regardless of elevated or not, ≤16 ft; the more restrictive 16 ft limit should apply to advertising signs. | Per advertising sign: ≤700 sq ft. Other signs: ≤300 sq ft per sign. Aggregate for all signs: 4 sq ft per lineal ft street frontage. | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### B-2 Business - Highway Service, B-3 Business-General

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Advertising Sign | Advertising signs treated as ground/pole/elevated structures: subject to 15 ft max, except elevated signs ≤30 ft. | Per sign: ≤300 sq ft. Aggregate for lot: 4 sq ft per lineal foot of street frontage (all signs). | — | Ground signs must maintain 10 ft setback from property line; other structural types may have no setback requirement absent other code provisions. | Advertising signs count within limits on ground/elevated/projecting signs (one such per zoning lot) and within aggregate area limit. | On premises in B-2 and B-3 directing attention to off‑premise goods/services. | — | Section 7(A)(1); Section 14(A) Functional Types table; Section 14(D)(2). |
| Bulletin Board Sign | Depends on structural type used (ground ≤10 ft; wall limited by building; elevated ≤30 ft; projecting subject to clearance and building height). Overall district max height: 15 ft except elevated signs up to 30 ft. | Included within 4 sq ft per lineal foot of street frontage aggregate limit; no specific per‑sign cap given for bulletin boards beyond that. | — | Ground signs require 10 ft setback; others no setback except safety/right‑of‑way rules. | No explicit numeric limit for bulletin boards; but structural count limits (one ground/elevated/projecting per lot) and area caps apply. | Accessory to institutions or organizations. | — | Section 7(A)(2); Section 9(B)(2); Section 14(A) Functional Types table; Section 14(D). |
| Business Sign | 15 ft maximum for signs generally; elevated signs may reach 30 ft. | Per sign ≤300 sq ft; aggregate ≤4 sq ft per lineal ft of street frontage. | — | Ground signs must have 10 ft setback; other sign structures may have no required setback except safety/ROW restrictions. | Awning/canopy/marquee, portable display, and wall signs: no limitation in number. Ground, elevated, or projecting signs: one per zoning lot. | On premises for on‑site business in B-2 and B-3. | — | Section 7(A)(3); Section 14(A) Functional Types table; Section 14(D)(1)-(5). |
| Identification Sign | 15 ft except elevated signs up to 30 ft. | Per sign ≤300 sq ft; aggregate per lot 4 sq ft/ft frontage. | — | Ground sign version requires 10 ft setback; others per general rules. | Within structural limits: unlimited wall/awning/portable; one ground/elevated/projecting per lot. | On premises to identify structure/business/development. | — | Section 7(A)(4); Section 14(A) Functional Types table; Section 14(D)(2)-(3),(5). |
| Awning, Canopy or Marquee Sign | Must not project above/below/beyond supporting awning/canopy/marquee; overall building height and 15 ft general max apply if freestanding portions considered. | Counts toward aggregate 4 sq ft per lineal ft frontage and ≤300 sq ft per sign. | — | Cannot project into public right‑of‑way except where separately allowed (B-4 only for sidewalk projections). | No limit. | Mounted on awning/canopy/marquee on building façade in B-2/B-3. | — | Section 7(B)(1); Section 14(A) Structural Types table; Section 14(D)(1). |
| Ground Sign | 15 ft maximum for ground signs in these districts (unless classified as elevated). Structural definition of ground sign itself is ≤10 ft, but district max of 15 ft allows some flexibility; the more restrictive structural limit (10 ft) should apply to ground sign category as defined. | Each ground sign ≤300 sq ft and plus other signs aggregate to ≤4 sq ft per ft of street frontage. | — | 10 ft from property lines. | One per zoning lot, combined with elevated and projecting signs. | Freestanding sign on ground in front/side yards of B-2/B-3 lots. | — | Section 7(B)(2); Section 8(I); Section 14(D)(1)(b),(2)-(4). |
| Elevated Sign | May not exceed 30 ft; district sets max sign height 15 ft “except elevated signs may not exceed 30 feet.” Thus elevated signs between >15 ft and ≤30 ft allowed. | Subject to 300 sq ft single‑sign cap and aggregate 4 sq ft per lineal ft frontage. | — | No specific district setback except where sign is also a ground sign or safety rules; must not project into right‑of‑way. | One per zoning lot (shared with ground/projecting). | Freestanding elevated sign on ground in B-2/B-3 districts. | — | Section 7(B)(4); Section 8(I); Section 14(D)(1)(b),(3). |
| Pole Sign | By implication within 15 ft general maximum if considered non‑elevated; if designed as elevated sign, ≤30 ft. | ≤300 sq ft per sign, aggregate 4 sq ft/ft street frontage. | — | If treated as ground sign, 10 ft setback applies; otherwise must avoid right‑of‑way and sight triangle. | One per zoning lot (shared with other freestanding sign types). | Freestanding pole‑mounted signs in B-2/B-3. | — | Section 14(A) Structural Types table (Pole Sign row – P in I-1, I-2, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4); Section 14(D). |

### B-1 Business - Office, B-4 Business - Primary

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulletin Board Sign | All signs: 10 ft, except wall and projecting signs may extend to roof eave line. | Within 4 sq ft per lineal ft of street frontage aggregate; ≤100 sq ft per sign (district cap). | — | 10 ft from all property lines in B-1; none in B-4 (0 setback). | Within structural and aggregate limits (see wall/ground/projecting counts). | Accessory to institutions/businesses in B-1/B-4. | — | Section 7(A)(2); Section 9(B)(2); Section 14(A) Functional Types table; Section 14(E)(2)-(5). |
| Business Sign | 10 ft for freestanding signs; wall/projecting may extend to roof eave line. | Per sign ≤100 sq ft; aggregate per lot 4 sq ft/ft frontage. | — | B-1: 10 ft from all property lines for all signs. B-4: no setback required; may project over a sidewalk (per Section 8(G)(2) plus 14(E)(4)). | Awning/canopy/marquee, portable display, wall signs: no limit. Ground and projecting signs: one per zoning lot. | On premises of office or primary business uses in these districts. | — | Section 7(A)(3); Section 14(A) Functional Types table; Section 14(E)(1)-(5). |
| Identification Sign | 10 ft for freestanding; wall/projecting can extend to roof eave line. | ≤100 sq ft per sign; 4 sq ft/ft frontage aggregate. | — | B-1: 10 ft from all property lines; B-4: none. | Within structural number limits. | On premises to identify business/office structure/development. | — | Section 7(A)(4); Section 14(A) Functional Types table; Section 14(E). |
| Awning, Canopy or Marquee Sign | Must not project above/below/beyond awning/canopy/marquee; located on façade; building height governs. | Counts toward 100 sq ft per sign cap and aggregate 4 sq ft/ft frontage. | — | B-1: 10 ft from all property lines; B-4: none, but projection over sidewalk allowed per Section 8(G)(2). | Unlimited per zoning lot. | On building awnings/canopies/marquees in B-1/B-4. | — | Section 7(B)(1); Section 14(A) Structural Types table; Section 14(E)(1)(a),(2). |
| Ground Sign | 10 ft maximum for ground signs (all signs). | Per sign ≤100 sq ft; aggregate 4 sq ft per lineal ft frontage. | — | B-1: 10 ft from all property lines. B-4: no setback required; but must respect safety and right‑of‑way rules. | One per zoning lot (plus potential extra for center ID via 13(A)). | Freestanding on B-1/B-4 lots. | — | Section 7(B)(2); Section 8(I); Section 13(A); Section 14(E)(1)(b),(2)-(5). |
| Portable Display Sign | — | Within 100 sq ft per sign cap and aggregate 4 sq ft/ft frontage. | — | Must stay out of sight triangle and not project into ROW; if within 3 ft of driveway/alley/parking, bottom must be ≥10 ft (often impractical for typical portable signs). | Unlimited per zoning lot. | On B-1/B-4 lots; movable. | — | Section 7(B)(5); Section 14(E)(1)(a),(2). |
| Projecting Sign | 10 ft cap on signs generally, but projecting signs may extend to roof eave line, meaning their top can align with eave height. Clearance over pedestrian areas must be safe (not numerically specified). | ≤100 sq ft per sign; aggregate 4 sq ft/ft frontage. | — | B-1: projecting signs must still respect 10 ft setback from property lines (effectively limiting them to within building envelope). B-4: no setback; projection over sidewalk allowed but not into street ROW beyond sidewalk. | One per zoning lot (combined with ground sign). | Attached to buildings in B-1/B-4, may project over private property; in B-4 may project over sidewalk by explicit exception. | — | Section 7(B)(6); Section 8(G)(2); Section 14(A) Structural Types table; Section 14(E)(1)(b),(3). |
| General District Caps - B-1, B-4 | All signs 10 ft, except wall and projecting signs may extend to roof eave line. | Per sign ≤100 sq ft. Total for all signs: 4 sq ft per lineal ft of street frontage. | — | B-1: 10 ft from all property lines. B-4: none (0 ft), but must obey traffic safety and ROW rules. | Awning/canopy/marquee, portable display, wall signs: unlimited. Ground and projecting signs: one per zoning lot. | B-1 and B-4 districts. | — | Section 14(E)(1)-(5); Section 8(G)(2); Section 14(B). |

### I-1 Industrial - Light, I-2 Industrial - Heavy

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Advertising Sign | Advertising signs: ≤16 ft. Roof signs: not to exceed highest point of structure. Other signs (non‑elevated, non‑roof advertising): 10 ft; elevated signs: ≤30 ft. | Per advertising sign: ≤700 sq ft. Other signs: ≤300 sq ft per sign. Aggregate for all signs: 4 sq ft per lineal ft street frontage. | — | Same as setback for principal structure in district; 1,000 ft spacing between advertising signs. | Within overall two‑signs‑per‑lot limit, but multiple advertising signs may be constrained by 1,000 ft spacing and aggregate area. | On industrial lots as off‑premise advertising signs. | — | Section 7(A)(1); Section 14(A) Functional Types table; Section 14(F)(2)-(4) and 14(G)(2)-(4). |
| Bulletin Board Sign | 10 ft if freestanding non‑elevated; elevated up to 30 ft; roof bulletin boards not typical but roof sign rule applies. | Per sign ≤300 sq ft (general per‑sign cap). Aggregate 4 sq ft/ft frontage. | — | Non‑advertising signs have no required setback except general safety rules; if on ground as ground sign, may respect industrial yard requirements as needed. | Within two‑sign‑per‑lot limit. | Accessory to institutions/organizations on industrial lots. | — | Section 7(A)(2); Section 9(B)(2); Section 14(A) Functional Types table; Section 14(F),(G). |
| Business Sign | 10 ft for non‑elevated signs; elevated signs up to 30 ft; roof business signs must not exceed highest point of structure. | Per business sign ≤300 sq ft; aggregate 4 sq ft/ft frontage. | — | No setback required except general safety and ROW rules; advertising signs have additional setbacks as noted. | Two signs per zoning lot total (all types combined), unless modified via special use permit. | On premises of industrial uses. | — | Section 7(A)(3); Section 14(A) table; Section 14(F)(2)-(3),(5), 14(G)(2)-(3),(5). |
| Identification Sign | 10 ft for non‑elevated, ≤30 ft for elevated; roof identification signs limited to highest point of structure. | Per sign ≤300 sq ft; total 4 sq ft/ft frontage. | — | No required setback except general rules; if identification sign is advertising‑type (it is not by definition) then additional setbacks would apply. | Within two‑sign‑per‑lot cap. | On premises to identify industrial facilities. | — | Section 7(A)(4); Section 14(A) Functional Types table; Section 14(F),(G). |
| Ground Sign | 10 ft for non‑advertising ground signs by 14(F)/(G)(3)(b); advertising signs have specific 16 ft height limit which may supersede general 10 ft; thus advertising ground signs ≤16 ft. | Per sign ≤300 sq ft for non‑advertising ground signs; advertising ground signs may be up to 700 sq ft if classified as advertising sign (see advertising rules). Aggregate 4 sq ft/ft frontage. | — | Non‑advertising signs: no required setback beyond ROW and safety rules. Advertising signs: must maintain same setback required for principal structures and be at least 1,000 ft from any other advertising sign. | Two signs per zoning lot, combined across all structural types and functional types. | Freestanding on industrial lots. | — | Section 7(B)(2); Section 8(I); Section 14(F)(2)-(4), 14(G)(2)-(4). |
| Monument Sign | ≤6 ft as per monument sign definition. | Not explicitly given but must be within 300 sq ft per sign and 4 sq ft/ft frontage aggregate for non‑advertising. If monument sign is advertising, 700 sq ft cap applies. | — | Same as ground signs (including extra restrictions if advertising). | Within two‑sign‑per‑lot cap. | Freestanding low‑profile sign on industrial lots. | — | Section 7(B)(3); Section 8(I); Section 14(F),(G). |
| Elevated Sign | Elevated signs: ≤30 ft in industrial districts. Advertising signs, regardless of elevated or not, ≤16 ft; the more restrictive 16 ft limit should apply to advertising signs. | Non‑advertising elevated signs ≤300 sq ft per sign; aggregated with others to 4 sq ft/ft frontage. Advertising elevated signs may be ≤700 sq ft per sign. | — | Advertising elevated signs: same setback as principal structures and 1,000 ft spacing from other advertising signs. Non‑advertising: no required setback except safety/ROW. | Two signs per zoning lot total. | Freestanding elevated signs on industrial lots. | — | Section 7(B)(4); Section 8(I); Section 14(F)(3)(b), 14(G)(3)(b). |
| Pole Sign | Non‑advertising pole signs ≤10 ft if considered non‑elevated; if designed as elevated, ≤30 ft. Advertising pole signs ≤16 ft. | Within 300 sq ft per sign and 4 sq ft/ft frontage for non‑advertising; advertising pole sign ≤700 sq ft. | — | For advertising pole signs: same as principal structure and 1,000 ft spacing. Others: general safety/ROW setbacks only. | Two signs per lot including this and all other signs. | Freestanding pole‑mounted sign on I‑1/I‑2 lots. | — | Section 14(A) Structural Types table (Pole Sign row – P in I-1, I-2); Section 14(F),(G). |

## Prohibited signs in Hiawatha

- No land, personal property or structure shall be used for sign purposes except as specified in the sign regulations (all signs must comply with this article).
- Nonconforming signs shall not be enlarged, moved, lighted, or reconstructed; only the advertising display may be changed, subject to the stated limits on enlargement, movement, lighting, or reconstruction.
- Illuminated signs shall be designed to reflect or direct light away from any residential dwelling district, and any illuminated sign visible from a residential district on a lot adjacent to, in front of, or across the street from a residential district shall only be illuminated during operating hours or no later than 2:00 a.m.
- Illuminated signs in direct vision of a traffic signal shall not use red, amber, or green illumination.
- No sign shall block any required access way or window.
- No sign shall be attached to any tree or utility pole, including light poles, using metallic fasteners.
- No sign shall be maintained where, by reason of its position, size, shape, or color, it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with any traffic or railroad control sign, signal, or device, or where it may interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- Any sign located within three feet of a driveway, alley, or within a parking area shall have its lowest elevation at least ten feet above the curb level; in no event shall any sign be placed so as to project over any public right-of-way, except in the B‑4 Business Primary district where signs may project over a sidewalk.
- No sign shall be placed in the sight triangle as defined by the regulations.
- All signs must be constructed of permanent all‑weather materials.
- Any sign installed or placed on public property, except in conformance with the requirements, is prohibited and shall be forfeited to the public and subject to confiscation, except for logo signs on public athletic fields that are expressly allowed.
- No person shall display upon any sign or other advertising structure any obscene, indecent, or immoral matter.
- Roof signs mounted or projecting above the highest roofline are prohibited.
- Any sign located on public right‑of‑way is prohibited, except those signs required by governmental authority or political signs as may be permitted.

## Signs exempt from permit in Hiawatha

- Flags or emblems of a government or of a political, civic, philanthropic, educational or religious organization displayed on private property are totally exempt from the requirements of this article, except they must comply with the general standards in Sections 8(A)–8(K).
- Signs of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic or similar regulatory signs, legal notices, warnings at railroad crossings, and other instructional or regulatory signs relating to health, safety, parking, swimming, dumping, etc., are totally exempt, except they must comply with Sections 8(A)–8(K).
- Memorial signs and tablets displayed on public or private property are totally exempt, except they must comply with Sections 8(A)–8(K).
- Small signs not exceeding three square feet in area, displayed on private property for the convenience of the public (including signs identifying entrance and exit drives, parking areas, one‑way drives, restrooms, freight entrances, and similar signs) are totally exempt, provided they do not display logos or other business advertisements and they comply with Sections 8(A)–8(K).
- Scoreboards in athletic stadiums are totally exempt from this article, except they must comply with Sections 8(A)–8(K).
- Political election signs not exceeding a total of four square feet in area, displayed no more than four weeks before and one week after a public election and not placed on or affixed to any public structure or sign, right‑of‑way, sidewalk, utility pole, street lamp post, tree or other vegetative matter, or any public park or other public property, are totally exempt, except they must comply with Sections 8(A)–8(K).
- Temporary signs for the sale of household goods at a residence (e.g., garage sales or auctions) for a period not to exceed three days are totally exempt, except they must comply with Sections 8(A)–8(K).
- Temporary signs for the sale at auction of real estate for a period not to exceed twenty‑one days are totally exempt, except they must comply with Sections 8(A)–8(K).
- Name plate signs not exceeding two square feet in gross area accessory to a single‑family or two‑family dwelling are exempt from the sign permit requirement but must comply with all other regulations of this article.
- Bulletin board signs not exceeding 100 square feet in gross area accessory to a church, school, or public or non‑profit institution are exempt from the sign permit requirement but must comply with all other regulations of this article.
- Business signs located on property used for agricultural purposes and pertaining to the sale of agricultural products produced on the premises are exempt from the sign permit requirement but must comply with all other regulations of this article.
- Real estate signs not exceeding nine square feet in area are exempt from the sign permit requirement but must comply with all other regulations of this article.
- Construction signs not exceeding nine square feet in area are exempt from the sign permit requirement but must comply with all other regulations of this article.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- In the case of a proposed office park, shopping center, or other grouping of three or more tenants or establishments (new or remodeled), the developer must prepare and submit to the Planning Commission a master signage plan for all permanent exterior signs. This plan must set standards that run with all leases or sales of portions of the development and include a full and accurate description of all signs (location, placement, materials, graphic design styles, type of illumination, etc.). Final development plans shall not be approved until the Planning Commission has approved the sign standards.
- For office parks, shopping centers, or other groupings of more than one tenant, one monument sign or ground sign may be permitted in addition to wall‑mounted signs, depicting only the name of the center or grouping; the allowance for this sign is contingent on the overall master signage plan approval process for such developments.
- Where all tenants and/or property owners within a building or shopping center, office park or other grouping agree in writing, one tenant may, in lieu of the wall sign otherwise permitted, have one monument sign or ground sign depicting the business or product; the design and location of this sign must be approved by the Planning Commission (functionally requiring submission/review as part of the signage plan for the grouping).
- Exceptions to district regulations regarding number of signs, maximum gross area, maximum height, and required setbacks may be granted only through approval of a Special Use Permit, implying a discretionary review process when a sign proposal does not conform to standard requirements.

## 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 7 zoning districts in Hiawatha — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Hiawatha+KS&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-hiawatha

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