# Sign Regulations in Lawrence, Kansas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lawrence, Kansas (KS)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kansas/lawrence
- **Data last verified:** 2026-05-21
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/ks/lawrence/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH5BUCO_ARTXXSICO)

## At a glance

Lawrence, Kansas regulates 27 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Permanent Freestanding Monument Sign (Nonresidential uses on <2 acres)s in the Residential very low density (R-1); Residential low density (R-2); Residential medium density (R-3); Residential high density (R-4); Residential very high density (R-5); Urban reserve (UR); Open space (P-2) zoning district are capped at 6 ft base max; may increase by 1 ft per 5 ft of setback, up to 8 ft max tall and 32 sq ft per sign base max; may increase by 8 sq ft per 5 ft of setback, up to 48 sq ft max per sign, with a Setback from public right-of-way or property line increases area/height as stated. setback (Sec. Sec. 5-2018(d) (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, UR, P-2 column)). Most commercial signs in Lawrence require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 48 inches | Width ≤32 inches; Height ≤48 inches | — |
| Residential very low density (R-1); Residential low density (R-2); Residential medium density (R-3); Residential high density (R-4); Residential very high density (R-5); Urban reserve (UR); Open space (P-2) | 10 | Setback <50 ft: 4 ft max; setback ≥50 ft: 6 ft max | 32 sq ft per sign (and ≤5% of wall area) | — |
| Mixed small neighborhood (M-1); Mixed large neighborhood (M-2); Mixed corridor (M-3); Civic and institutional (P-1); Planned development (PD); Industrial business park (IBP) | 11 | Within 15 ft of ROW/PL: 3 ft; >15 ft but ≤50 ft: 4 ft; >50 ft: 6 ft. Signs serving drive-throughs may be up to 8 ft when set back ≥50 ft and located behind the wall of the primary building facing the ROW. | 60 sq ft base max; may increase by 6 sq ft per 5 ft of setback to max 72 sq ft; on lots ≥3 acres, either +20 sq ft additional area for one sign OR one additional sign up to 40 sq ft | — |
| Commercial center (CC); Light industrial (IL); General industrial (IG) | 8 | 16 ft base; may increase by 2 ft per 5 ft of setback to max 20 ft | 72 sq ft base max; may increase by 6 sq ft per 5 ft of setback to max 84 sq ft; on lots ≥3 acres, either +20 sq ft additional area for one sign OR one additional sign up to 48 sq ft | — |
| Downtown commercial (CD) | 10 | 48 inches | Width ≤32 inches; Height ≤48 inches | — |
| University (U) | 7 | 48 inches | Width ≤32 inches; Height ≤48 inches | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### Residential very low density (R-1); Residential low density (R-2); Residential medium density (R-3); Residential high density (R-4); Residential very high density (R-5); Urban reserve (UR); Open space (P-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Multi-tenant Exterior Entrance) | — | 32 sq ft per sign (and ≤5% of wall area) | — | — | 1 per tenant (multi-tenant buildings) or 1 per tenant for properties with no public street frontage | On wall with exterior public entrance to tenant space that fronts a street right-of-way or shared parking area; 1 sign per tenant. For properties with no public street frontage, 1 sign per tenant. | — | Sec. 5-2018(b) (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, UR, P-2 column) |
| Wall Sign (Single-tenant Public Street Frontage) | — | 32 sq ft per sign (and ≤5% of wall area) | — | — | 1 per public street frontage (single-tenant buildings) | On wall facing a public street; 1 sign per public street frontage (single-tenant building), regardless of number of buildings with street frontage. | — | Sec. 5-2018(b) (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, UR, P-2 column) |
| Permanent Pedestrian Sign | 4 ft (when ground-mounted) | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per public entrance | Within 20 ft of the public entrance it serves (when ground-mounted). | — | Sec. 5-2018(c) (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, UR, P-2 column) |
| Permanent Freestanding Monument Sign (Nonresidential uses on <2 acres) | 6 ft base max; may increase by 1 ft per 5 ft of setback, up to 8 ft max | 32 sq ft per sign base max; may increase by 8 sq ft per 5 ft of setback, up to 48 sq ft max per sign | — | Setback from public right-of-way or property line increases area/height as stated. | 1 monument sign per public street frontage (nonresidential uses) | Per public street frontage for nonresidential uses. | — | Sec. 5-2018(d) (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, UR, P-2 column) |
| Permanent Freestanding Monument Sign (Residential projects on ≥2 acres) | 6 ft base; may increase by 1 ft per 5 ft of setback, to max 8 ft | 32 sq ft per sign; may increase by 8 sq ft per 5 ft of setback, to max 48 sq ft | — | Setback from public right-of-way or property line increases area/height as stated. | 1 per entrance (residential projects ≥2 acres) | At each entrance for residential subdivision or multi-dwelling projects on lots/parcels of 2 acres or more (excluding single-unit and attached 2-unit dwellings). | — | Sec. 5-2018(d) (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, UR, P-2 column) |
| Temporary Free-standing Sign | 4 ft max (6 ft max for allowed principal nonresidential uses) | Lots with single street frontage: total free-standing temporary sign area ≤16 sq ft per lot; max 8 sq ft per sign. Allowed principal nonresidential land uses: total ≤32 sq ft per lot; max 32 sq ft per sign. | — | — | Max 3 signs at same time for single street frontage lots; max 4 signs for multiple street frontages (max 3 on any one frontage) | May be attached to fences, guardrails, or retaining walls. | — | Sec. 5-2018(e) (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, UR, P-2 column); Sec. 5-2019(d) |
| Temporary Sign - Exceptions (R Districts) | R-1/R-2 subdivision sign ≤8 ft; R-3/R-4/R-5 construction sign ≤10 ft | Residential subdivisions (R-1 or R-2, ≥2 acres): 1 sign ≤64 sq ft; R-3, R-4, R-5 lots >1 acre under construction: 1 sign ≤64 sq ft | — | Subdivision temporary sign: ≥15 ft from public right-of-way. | 1 per lot (as stated for the exception) | Subdivision sign near a main public street entrance; construction sign installed on lot under construction/development. | — | Sec. 5-2018(e) Exceptions to maximum sign area and height (R-1/R-2; R-3/R-4/R-5) |
| Permanent Internal Ground Sign | Setback <50 ft: 4 ft max; setback ≥50 ft: 6 ft max | Lots <2 acres: 6 sq ft; lots ≥2 acres and setback ≥50 ft: up to 8 sq ft | — | Area/height vary by setback from public ROW/property line as stated. | 1 per each 10,000 sq ft of lot/parcel | Internal to site; for permitted nonresidential or multi-dwelling structure land uses (excludes single-unit and attached 2-unit dwellings). | — | Sec. 5-2018(f) (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, UR, P-2 column) |

### Mixed small neighborhood (M-1); Mixed large neighborhood (M-2); Mixed corridor (M-3); Civic and institutional (P-1); Planned development (PD); Industrial business park (IBP)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Multi-tenant Exterior Entrance) | — | ≤10% of wall area; cap 150 sq ft base; with setback increases up to 450 sq ft total across wall signs | — | — | 1 per tenant (multi-tenant buildings) | On wall with exterior public entrance to tenant space (multi-tenant buildings). | — | Sec. 5-2018(b) (M-1, M-2, M-3, P-1, PD, CD, IBP column) |
| Wall Sign (Other Allowed Walls) | — | ≤10% of wall area; cap 150 sq ft base; up to 450 sq ft total with setbacks | — | — | Unlimited on walls where signs are allowed | On walls facing/fronting a public right-of-way or a parking lot/open space under same ownership with ≥50 ft separation to any adjacent building; prohibited on walls fronting/facing directly abutting permitted principal nonresidential uses. | — | Sec. 5-2018(b) (M-1, M-2, M-3, P-1, PD, CD, IBP column) |
| Permanent Pedestrian Sign - Option 1 (Per Entrance) | 6 ft (when ground-mounted) | 8 sq ft | — | — | 1 per public entrance | Within 20 ft of each public entrance (when ground-mounted). | — | Sec. 5-2018(c) (M-1, M-2, M-3, P-1, PD, IBP column) |
| Permanent Pedestrian Sign - Option 2 (Per Street Frontage Length) | 6 ft (when ground-mounted) | 6 sq ft per sign | — | — | 1 per each 25 ft of building public street frontage | Along building public street frontage. | — | Sec. 5-2018(c) (M-1, M-2, M-3, P-1, PD, IBP column) |
| Permanent Freestanding Monument Sign (General) | 12 ft base; may increase by 2 ft per 5 ft of setback to max 16 ft | 60 sq ft base max; may increase by 6 sq ft per 5 ft of setback to max 72 sq ft; on lots ≥3 acres, either +20 sq ft additional area for one sign OR one additional sign up to 40 sq ft | — | Setback from public right-of-way/property line increases area/height as stated. | 1 per lot (lots ≥3 acres may have 1 additional at secondary entrance facing a different ROW) | 1 per lot; on lots ≥3 acres, a second monument at a secondary entrance facing a different public right-of-way may be allowed. | — | Sec. 5-2018(d) (M-1, M-2, M-3, P-1, PD, IBP column) |
| Temporary Free-standing Sign (Single-tenant lots) | 9 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 2 at same time for single street frontage; max 3 for multiple frontages (max 2 on any one frontage) | May be attached to fences, guardrails, or retaining walls. | — | Sec. 5-2018(e) (M-1, M-2, M-3, P-1, PD, IBP column); Sec. 5-2019(d) |
| Temporary Free-standing Sign (Multi-tenant lots) | 9 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 1 per tenant space at a time; max 4 at same time for single frontage lots; max 6 for multiple frontage lots (max 4 on any one frontage) | May be attached to fences, guardrails, or retaining walls. | — | Sec. 5-2018(e) (M-1, M-2, M-3, P-1, PD, IBP column); Sec. 5-2019(d) |
| Permanent Internal Ground Sign | Within 15 ft of ROW/PL: 3 ft; >15 ft but ≤50 ft: 4 ft; >50 ft: 6 ft. Signs serving drive-throughs may be up to 8 ft when set back ≥50 ft and located behind the wall of the primary building facing the ROW. | Within 15 ft of ROW/PL: 6 sq ft max; >15 ft but ≤50 ft: 8 sq ft max; >50 ft: 16 sq ft max. Signs serving drive-throughs may be up to 36 sq ft when set back ≥50 ft and located behind the wall of the primary building facing the ROW. | — | Area/height vary by distance from public right-of-way/property line. | 1 per 5,000 sq ft up to and including 20,000 sq ft lot area; plus 1 per each additional 10,000 sq ft over 20,000 sq ft | Internal to site. Drive-through facility signs subject to additional size/height provisions. | — | Sec. 5-2018(f) (M-1, M-2, M-3, P-1, PD, IBP column) |

### Commercial center (CC); Light industrial (IL); General industrial (IG)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Multi-tenant Exterior Entrance) | — | ≤10% of wall area; 150 sq ft cap base; up to 450 sq ft total with setbacks | — | — | 2 per tenant (multi-tenant buildings) | On wall with public exterior entrance to tenant space (multi-tenant buildings). | — | Sec. 5-2018(b) (CC, IL, IG column) |
| Wall Sign (Other Allowed Walls) | — | ≤10% of wall area; 150 sq ft cap base; up to 450 sq ft total with setbacks | — | — | Unlimited on walls where signs are allowed | On walls facing/fronting a public right-of-way or a parking lot/open space under same ownership with ≥50 ft separation to any adjacent building; prohibited on walls fronting/facing directly abutting permitted principal nonresidential uses. | — | Sec. 5-2018(b) (CC, IL, IG column) |
| Permanent Freestanding Monument Sign (General) | 16 ft base; may increase by 2 ft per 5 ft of setback to max 20 ft | 72 sq ft base max; may increase by 6 sq ft per 5 ft of setback to max 84 sq ft; on lots ≥3 acres, either +20 sq ft additional area for one sign OR one additional sign up to 48 sq ft | — | Setback from public right-of-way/property line increases area/height as stated. | 1 per lot (lots ≥3 acres may have 1 additional at secondary entrance facing a different ROW) | 1 per lot; on lots ≥3 acres, a second monument at a secondary entrance facing a different public right-of-way may be allowed. | — | Sec. 5-2018(d) (CC, IL, IG column) |
| Temporary Free-standing Sign (Single-tenant lots) | 9 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 2 at same time for single street frontage; max 3 for multiple frontages (max 2 on any one frontage) | May be attached to fences, guardrails, or retaining walls. | — | Sec. 5-2018(e) (CC, IL, IG column); Sec. 5-2019(d) |
| Temporary Free-standing Sign (Multi-tenant lots) | 9 ft | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 1 per tenant space at a time; max 4 at same time for single frontage lots; max 6 for multiple frontage lots (max 4 on any one frontage) | May be attached to fences, guardrails, or retaining walls. | — | Sec. 5-2018(e) (CC, IL, IG column); Sec. 5-2019(d) |
| Temporary Wall-Attached Sign | — | 32 sq ft per sign; and ≤5% of wall area facing a public street | — | — | Max 2 per public street frontage | On building walls facing a public street. | — | Sec. 5-2018(e) (CC, IL, IG column) |
| Permanent Internal Ground Sign | Within 15 ft of ROW/PL: 4 ft; >15 ft but ≤25 ft: 6 ft; >25 ft: 8 ft. Signs serving drive-throughs may be up to 8 ft when set back ≥50 ft and located behind the wall of the primary building facing the ROW. | Within 15 ft of ROW/PL: 8 sq ft; >15 ft but ≤25 ft: 12 sq ft; >25 ft: 16 sq ft. Signs serving drive-throughs may be up to 36 sq ft when set back ≥50 ft and located behind the wall of the primary building facing the ROW. | — | Area/height vary by distance from public right-of-way/property line. | 1 per 5,000 sq ft up to and including 20,000 sq ft lot area; plus 1 per each additional 10,000 sq ft over 20,000 sq ft | Internal to site. Drive-through facility signs subject to additional size/height provisions. | — | Sec. 5-2018(f) (CC, IL, IG column) |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) | — | — | — | 200 ft perpendicular and 100 ft parallel from adjacent residential zones (Sec. 5-2020(g)). | Max 1 per lot street frontage (except small EMC windows and EMC internal ground signs for drive-throughs) | Must be ≥200 ft from adjacent residentially zoned lot (perpendicular) and ≥100 ft (parallel) from sign face; limited to one EMC per lot street frontage (excluding EMC window signs ≤12 sq ft and EMC internal ground signs for drive-throughs). | — | Sec. 5-2020(a),(c)–(j); Sec. 5-2005(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Lawrence

- No sign may be installed, erected, constructed, or hung within a public right-of-way, except governmental signs or where specifically exempted (e.g., certain pedestrian signs in the CD district).
- No sign may imitate or resemble governmental traffic or public safety signs.
- Within the sight triangle at intersections/driveways (50 feet each way from intersecting curb lines), signs may not exceed 36 inches in height so as not to obstruct driver visibility.
- No sign may be placed on a vehicle or trailer when the intent/effect is to circumvent the sign code (excludes taxi cabs, pedicabs, buses, or mobile food units unless clearly used to evade the code).
- No building-attached sign may extend vertically above the highest portion of any roofline or parapet.
- Any sign projecting over pedestrian areas must maintain at least 8 feet of vertical clearance.
- No sign (excluding temporary signs) may be installed within a public utility or drainage easement, except governmental or legally required utility location signs.
- No non-governmental sign may be installed within 5 feet of the side or rear lot line of the lot on which it is located.
- No balloons, pennant streamers, pennants, or other air-activated elements, or animated sign elements (mechanical, electrical, or environmental) are allowed; this prohibition does not apply to flags (government, corporate, decorative) or feather signs as defined.
- Illuminated signs may not flash or oscillate or create negative effects on surrounding rights-of-way or adjacent properties, and external light sources must be directed and shielded to limit illumination to the sign only.
- Except as may be permitted in a Planned Development, commercial message signs must be on-premises; off-premises commercial signs are not allowed.
- Signs not authorized by the sign code are prohibited.
- Any sign that requires a sign permit and is installed, erected, constructed, hung, or altered without a valid sign permit is prohibited.
- Permanent free-standing pole signs are prohibited, except governmental signs or permanent internal ground signs.
- Billboards are prohibited.
- Mobile signs are prohibited.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Snipe signs are prohibited.
- Manually activated changeable message signs are prohibited.
- Pennant streamer signs are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Flashing signs are prohibited.
- Scrolling message signs are prohibited.
- Traveling message signs are prohibited.
- Any sign that blocks or prevents ingress/egress at emergency doors, egress windows, or fire escapes is prohibited.
- Any sign that obstructs clear vision at intersections of streets/alleys/driveways is prohibited.
- Any sign that, due to its intensity, position, shape, or color, impedes the view of right-of-way users or may be confused with authorized traffic control devices is prohibited.
- Any sign using words, phrases, symbols, or characters in a manner that interferes with, misleads, or confuses traffic is prohibited.
- Any sign located in a public right-of-way is prohibited, excluding governmental signs or portable pedestrian signs in the CD zoning district.
- Any sign displaying material that is obscene, indecent, immoral, or harmful to minors within the meaning of K.S.A. 21-6401 is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lawrence

- Address numbers (maximum two signs per address: one wall and one free-standing; wall-mounted between 4 and 10 feet above grade; free-standing located at the primary access point and no more than 3 feet in height).
- Governmental signs.
- Government flags.
- Decorative flags (up to 3; each not exceeding 24 square feet).
- Corporate flags (1 allowed; not exceeding 24 square feet; must be on a flagpole and set back at least 25 feet from a public right-of-way or property line).
- Window signs in nonresidential zoning districts: nonilluminated interior or first-floor window signs between 2 and 12 feet above grade; and internally illuminated interior or first-floor window signs between 2 and 12 feet above grade not exceeding 12 square feet.
- Small, nonilluminated wall signs (one per wall; not exceeding 3 square feet).
- Temporary signs that meet the standards in Sections 5-2018(e) and 5-2019(d).
- Minor signs (not more than 4 square feet in area intended for internal site users).
- Portable pedestrian signs that meet the standards in Section 5-2019(b).
- Automated teller machine (ATM) signs.
- Fuel pump signs.
- Fuel pump topper signs.
- Memorial signs or tablets.
- Exempt signs do not count toward size allocation standards and, except for governmental signs, must comply with all other provisions of the sign code unless a variance is granted.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A sign permit is required before installing, erecting, constructing, hanging, or altering any sign, and before replacing sign copy or sign face, unless the sign is exempt (Section 5-2004).
- Sign permit applications must include a site plan showing the proposed sign location with dimensions to property lines/right-of-way and existing signs on the lot; drawings/photos of sign graphics and dimensions; and other details per sign type (Section 5-2005).
- A separate electrical permit is required for internally or externally illuminated signs unless the permanent electrical wiring was previously installed under a valid permit (Section 5-2005(c)).
- Electronic Message Center (EMC) sign applications require manufacturer nit (brightness) specifications, dimming control information, and a compliance letter (some items waived for signs not exceeding 3,000 nits) (Section 5-2005(b)).
- Variances from sign code standards may be requested and are heard by the Sign Code Board of Appeals; a $350 nonrefundable fee applies and specific findings are required (Section 5-2028).
- Appeals of sign-related decisions (permits, notices, interpretations, monument design review) go to the Sign Code Board of Appeals; a $25 docketing fee applies (Section 5-2027).
- Monument Sign Design Review Committee may approve deviations from the monument sign base width ratio (within 33%–150% of the sign width); requests must be submitted in writing and decisions are appealable (Section 5-2029).
- Monument signs must be located within a landscape area as may be required by site plan approval under the Land Development Code (Section 5-2019(c)(1)).
- Signs on historic landmark structures or within historic districts/context areas require compliance with Chapter 22 in addition to sign code standards (Section 5-2021(a)).
- Signs in Urban Conservation Overlay Districts must meet the overlay standards and policies in addition to sign code standards (Section 5-2021(b)).
- When a site undergoes a major development project requiring site plan approval, all nonconforming signs on the property must be removed prior to occupancy; this must be noted on the site plan (Section 5-2023(c)).

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

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