# Sign Regulations in Independence, Kansas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Independence, Kansas (KS)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kansas/independence
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/KS/Independence/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=APXBZO_ARTVIIISIRE)

## At a glance

Independence, Kansas regulates 32 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Developed Project Identification Signs in the Residential districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5) zoning district are capped at 6 ft tall and 20 sq ft, with a No closer than 10 ft to property line setback (Sec. 802.2.a). Most commercial signs in Independence require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A-1, agricultural district (A-1) | 2 | — | 20 sq ft | — |
| Residential districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5) | 5 | 6 ft | 40 sq ft | — |
| O&P, office and professional district (O&P) | 1 | — | 5% of wall area | — |
| Neighborhood commercial district (C-1) | 4 | — | 10 sq ft | — |
| General business district (C-2), Highway commercial district (C-4) | 5 | 30 ft | 150 sq ft per face, not to exceed 300 sq ft for all faces | — |
| Central commercial district (C-3) | 7 | 25 ft above ground | 80 sq ft per face, 160 sq ft total sign area | — |
| Light and heavy industrial districts (M-1, M-2) | 3 | May not exceed height or yard requirements for buildings in district | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 7 | — | 300 sq ft (10 acres), +150 sq ft per additional 10 acres | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### Residential districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Developed Project Identification Sign | 6 ft | 20 sq ft | — | No closer than 10 ft to property line | 1 per 20,000 sq ft of land area | Detached, identifying multifamily use and ownership | — | 802.2.a |
| Church Sign (Standard) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per church | Detached, on church premises | — | 802.2.b.(1) |
| Church Sign (US Hwy 160 and 75) | — | 40 sq ft | — | — | 1 per church | Detached, on church premises abutting US Hwy 160 and 75 | — | 802.2.b.(2) |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | Min 10 ft from property line | 1 per building under construction | On premises of building being constructed | — | 802.2.c |
| For Sale/Rent Sign (Temporary) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot for sale/rent | — | 802.2.d and 803.3 |

### General business district (C-2), Highway commercial district (C-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall or Marquee Sign | 5 ft above average roof level of one-story building; not above average level of two or more story building | 20% of facade area | — | — | 3 per establishment | On facade or marquee of business or commercial establishment | — | 802.5.a |
| Projecting Sign (In Lieu of Attached Sign) | See wall/marquee sign height; detached sign height applies if greater | 20% of facade area | — | — | 1 per establishment (in lieu of wall/marquee sign) | Projecting from building facade | — | 802.5.b |
| Detached Sign (Freestanding) | 30 ft | 150 sq ft per face, not to exceed 300 sq ft for all faces | — | Min 3 ft from property line | 1 per establishment (in lieu of wall/marquee sign); see shopping center/service station rules | Not less than 3 ft from property line | — | 802.5.b |
| Electronic Detached Sign | — | 20% of allowable detached sign area per face (i.e., up to 30 sq ft if 150 sq ft face) | — | Min 100 ft from residential district boundary | See Detached Sign limits | As per detached sign; must be detached | — | 802.5.c |
| Billboard (Poster Panel) | — | — | — | Min 1,000 ft from residential districts and other billboards | — | — | — | 802.5.d |

### Central commercial district (C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 50 sq ft or 5% of total area per face, whichever is smaller | — | — | 1 per face (more for corner buildings, see 802.6.a.3) | On face of building; must not extend above transom/storefront beam (whichever is higher) | — | 802.6.a.2,3,4 |
| Projecting Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Projecting from wall below the transom/storefront beam | — | 802.6.a.1 |
| Temporary Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 802.6.a.1 |
| Sign hanging from Awning or Mounted to Storefront | — | 5 sq ft per face | — | — | — | Hanging from awning or mounted to storefront | — | 802.6.a.5 |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft above ground | 80 sq ft per face, 160 sq ft total sign area | — | — | 1 per freestanding building | Freestanding building only | — | 802.6.a.6 |
| Rear Wall Sign (Business Identification) | — | 18 in x 36 in | — | — | 1 per business | Rear wall | — | 802.6.a.8 |
| Signs on Awnings, Canopies, and Marquees | — | 10% of gross area of awning/canopy/marquee per principal building; per sign max 50% of awning/canopy/marquee area | — | — | 1 per awning/canopy/marquee | On awning, canopy, or marquee | — | 802.6.c.1,2 |

## Prohibited signs in Independence

- No sign or other advertising structure shall be erected within the ten-foot sight triangle of any street intersection in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision.
- No sign shall be erected at any location where, by reason of intensity, position, shape, or color, it may interfere with, obstruct the view, or be confused with any traffic sign, signal, or device.
- No sign shall make use of the words 'stop,' 'look,' 'drive-in,' 'danger,' or any word, phrase, symbol, or character in such manner as to interfere with, mislead, or confuse traffic.
- No part of any detached or temporary sign shall be located less than ten feet from a side or rear property line.
- It shall be unlawful to display upon any sign or other advertising structure any obscene, indecent, or immoral matter.
- Any attention-attracting device, as defined in Section 403.0, is hereby prohibited from use except as provided.
- No temporary signs of any nature shall be attached to any public utility pole or installed within the right-of-way of a public road or street, except as provided for political signs around elections.
- All signs shall be constructed in a safe and substantial manner, using sound materials.
- Signs in legal nonconformance shall not be enlarged, moved, lighted, or reconstructed.
- No permanent or portable sign shall be erected, enlarged, constructed, located, or otherwise installed without first obtaining a sign permit.

## Signs exempt from permit in Independence

- Signs indicating directional traffic movement, vehicular control, parking restrictions, and specific instructions for the control of vehicles or pedestrians on private property are permitted in all zoning districts.
- Banners advertising civic functions of nonprofit groups and community celebrations that are officially endorsed by the city may be hung over street rights of way upon approval of the city manager.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into any masonry surface or constructed of bronze or other incombustible material are permitted in any zoning district.
- Outdoor bulletin boards not over six square feet in area for promotion of a civic, welfare, or charitable purpose, when located on the premises of said institutions and specifically authorized by the governing body, are permitted.
- Attention-attracting devices and electronic signs are permitted in any zoning district for noncommercial purposes to designate time, date, temperature, community service, or similar nonprofit information if they receive approval of the City Commission and comply with applicable standards.
- Temporary political signs may be placed on public utility poles or within the right-of-way of a public road or street during the 45-day period prior to any election and the 2-day period following any such election.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Scale drawings of the sign and manner of supports shall be furnished to the zoning administrator in application for a sign permit for all signs.
- No permanent or portable sign shall be erected, enlarged, constructed, located, or otherwise installed without first obtaining a sign permit, which requires submission of relevant information as specified to the zoning administrator.
- Application for a sign permit must include a set of scale drawings and specifications showing the proposed structure and method of construction and attachment.
- A conditional use permit is required for poster panels and billboards.
- Historically significant or reproduced signs in the C-3 zone shall be referred to the Main Street Committee for recommendation to the city commission, who may authorize such installation.
- Cross reference: Variances granted by the board of zoning appeals are noted as available under § 2-116.

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

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