# Sign Regulations in Leavenworth, Kansas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Leavenworth, Kansas (KS)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kansas/leavenworth
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/KS/Leavenworth/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=APXADERE_ART8SI)

## At a glance

Leavenworth, Kansas regulates 17 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Neighborhood Business District (NBD), Residential Mixed Use District (RMX) zoning district are capped at 15 ft tall and 32 sq ft, with a 5 ft from public ROW and property lines; 50 ft from any other freestanding sign setback (Sec. Sec. 8.10.C/Table 8-02). Most commercial signs in Leavenworth require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | 4 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Residential District (R1-25, R1-9, R1-6, R1-7.5, R4-16, R-MF) | 7 | 10 ft | 50 sq ft | — |
| Mobile Home Park (MP) | 2 | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| Neighborhood Business District (NBD), Residential Mixed Use District (RMX) | 5 | 15 ft | 96 sq ft | — |
| Office Business District (OBD), Central Business District (CBD), General Business District (GBD), Light Industrial District (I-1), Heavy Industrial District (I-2) | 3 | 15 ft (all zones), may be increased to 25 ft if across from commercial/industrial district with additional setbacks | 150 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Directional Sign | 4 ft | 4 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance to a building site and drive-thru facility; not in right-of-way | — | Sec. 8.07.B |
| Contractor's Remodeling Sign | — | 8 sq ft (residential); 32 sq ft (other zones) | — | — | 1 per contractor | On property under construction/remodeling (not before permit issued) | — | Sec. 8.07.C |
| Address Sign | — | 2 sq ft (residential); 3 sq ft (other zones) | — | — | — | On premise | — | Sec. 8.07.D |
| Official Flag | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | Up to 3 per site | On site | — | Sec. 8.07.A |

### Residential District (R1-25, R1-9, R1-6, R1-7.5, R4-16, R-MF)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home-Based Business Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premise | — | Sec. 8.08, Table 8-01 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 3 sq ft per sign face | — | — | 3 | On lot | — | Sec. 8.08.C |
| Real Estate Sign | 6 ft | 6 sq ft per face, two faces permitted | — | — | 1 per street frontage | Per street frontage | — | Sec. 8.08.D |
| For Sale Sign (Undeveloped Land >5 acres) | 10 ft | 40 sq ft per face, two faces permitted | — | — | 2 | On property greater than 5 acres | — | Sec. 8.08.E |
| Open House Sign | 6 ft | 4 sq ft per face, two faces permitted | — | — | 1 | At site of open house | — | Sec. 8.08.F |
| Neighborhood Identification Sign | 8 ft | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance to a neighborhood, subdivision, or residential development | — | Sec. 8.08.G |
| Public and Semi-Public Building Signs | — | See NBD regulations | — | — | — | On site | — | Sec. 8.08.H |

### Neighborhood Business District (NBD), Residential Mixed Use District (RMX)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Attached Sign) | — | 96 sq ft | — | — | 1 per side; 1 projecting sign per business | 1 per side of structure, or 1 per business with defined wall space | — | Sec. 8.10.B/Table 8-02 |
| Freestanding Sign | 15 ft | 32 sq ft | — | 5 ft from public ROW and property lines; 50 ft from any other freestanding sign | 1 per parcel | One per parcel, located at least 5 ft from public ROW and property lines, not obstructing traffic vision | — | Sec. 8.10.C/Table 8-02 |
| Sandwich Board (A-frame) Sign | — | 6 sq ft per side, two sides max | — | — | 1 per street frontage | On-premises, on public sidewalk or planting strip adjacent to frontage | — | Sec. 8.10.D/Table 8-02 |
| Window Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | In window on each building side | — | Sec. 8.10.E/Table 8-02 |
| Temporary Sign | — | See General Regulations for zone-wide requirements | — | — | 1 per lot | On lot | — | Sec. 8.10.D.17 |

## Prohibited signs in Leavenworth

- No sign in the city shall be permitted in any district except in accordance with the provisions of this sign code.
- The sign code does not apply to signs erected in the public right-of-way (these are regulated by other processes).
- The sign code does not apply to signs erected wholly within a building and not visible outside.
- It is unlawful to erect, construct, enlarge, move, modify, alter, or convert any sign without first obtaining a sign permit unless exempted.
- Signs must be constructed of materials generally used for permanent signage; vinyl, fabric, or similar banners may not be used for permanent attached or free-standing signs.
- All signs, supports, braces, guys, and anchors must be kept in repair and in a proper state of preservation.
- Sign surfaces must be kept neatly painted or posted at all times.
- Premises surrounding every sign must be maintained in a clean, sanitary, and inoffensive condition, free of obnoxious substances, rubbish, and weeds.
- Illuminated signs are not permitted in residential districts unless specifically allowed.
- Electronic changeable message signs within sight line of any traffic control or safety device must be approved by the city engineer and may be disabled if deemed hazardous.
- All signs containing electrical wiring must comply with the governing electrical code and be inspected and labeled.
- No message or identification may be displayed more than once within the permitted sign surface area per frontage or wall.
- Window framing (continuous light source illuminating window perimeter) is prohibited.
- A noncommercial message may be substituted for any allowed commercial message, but not an off-premises commercial message for an on-premises one.
- Existing sign base/pole/face may not be relocated, changed, or enlarged except as permitted.
- All temporary signs require a permit unless specifically exempted.
- Temporary signs must not be posted on trees or utility poles.
- Temporary signs may not be internally/indirectly illuminated or painted with light-reflecting paint.
- No temporary sign may obstruct or impair access to sidewalks, streets, traffic control signs, bus stops, hydrants, or any street furniture, or otherwise create a hazard.
- No temporary sign may be placed off-premises or in any road right-of-way except as specifically provided.
- No EMC (Electronic Message Center) sign shall project into a public right-of-way, be included in a portable/temporary sign, or include audio, tones, or music.
- Each parcel is limited to one animated electronic changeable message sign.
- EMCs may not be located adjacent to residential property or closer than 100 feet to any residence.
- Any billboard is declared incompatible and inconsistent; new billboards are not permitted.
- Nonconforming billboards may not be increased in size/elevation, relocated, expanded, or altered structurally (except as specifically allowed for repairs/maintenance).
- Nonconforming billboards that remain vacant for over 3 months are deemed abandoned and must be removed.
- Signs found to be hazardous, dangerous, or illegal must be abated; city may remove such signs (costs assessed to owner).
- Vacated and abandoned signs must be removed within six months of discontinuance of the business or usage.

## Signs exempt from permit in Leavenworth

- Directional signs.
- Holiday decorations.
- Home security and neighborhood watch signs.
- Identification signs.
- Official signs.
- Name plate signs (specific size and content restrictions).
- Window signs (as further described in section 8.10 E).
- Contractor signs (subject to specific limitations).
- Public interest signs that do not exceed the size limitations.
- Address signs.
- Commercial real estate signs not exceeding 32 square feet in area per face (with additional standards).
- Residential real estate signs not exceeding three square feet in area (with additional standards).
- Garage sale signs (with specific restrictions and a separate permit requirement).
- Signs carried by a person.
- Costumed people promoting a business or event.
- Flags, pennants, emblems, memorial tablets, cornerstone etches, monuments, and insignia of government, schools, places of worship, community centers, public/semi-public/civic organizations or similar noncommercial entities, when not displayed in connection with a commercial promotion or as an advertising device, up to three per building/structure/premises.
- Integral decorative or architectural features of buildings, so long as these do not contain letters, trademarks, moving parts, or lights.
- Decorative landscape markers, including logos or trademarks.
- Signs attached to a currently licensed, operational, and legally parked or moving vehicle.
- Temporary signs containing noncommercial messages at churches, synagogues, places of worship, community centers, schools, and public/semi-public/service organizations.
- Special event signs: temporary signs for campaigns, drives, or seasonal events of civic or philanthropic organizations (up to 32 square feet; removal required within three days after event).
- A new sign permit is not required unless (a) the existing sign base, pole, or face is nonconforming, or (b) the existing sign base or pole is to be relocated, changed, or enlarged.
- Political signs on private property (with size and permission limitations).
- Contractor signs as defined in section 8.07 C.
- Decorative light pole banners (no business or advertising info).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Permits are required for the erection, construction, enlargement, moving, modification, alteration, or conversion of any sign unless specifically exempted.
- A permit is not required for exempted sign types listed in Sec. 8.04.C, but those signs must still comply with all applicable code provisions.
- All sign permit applications must be accompanied by information required to demonstrate compliance with city laws and regulations.
- If a permit is not obtained before sign construction or installation, the permit fee is tripled when assessed.
- All signs requiring a permit are subject to inspection.
- Permitting of signs in historic districts requires prior review and approval under historic preservation regulations (Article 9).
- A new sign permit is required if an existing sign base, pole, or face is nonconforming or is to be relocated, changed, or enlarged.
- If a temporary sign is erected prior to obtaining a permit, the permit fee is tripled.
- Certain actions (such as appealing a sign permit denial or nuisance determination) must follow appeal procedures set in Sec. 8.16.
- Reuse of a vacated, nonconforming sign or its appurtenances requires altering the sign to full code compliance. A new business use intending to reuse a conforming sign base or pole must obtain a sign permit.
- Projecting signs that exceed size restrictions require an exception granted by the city commission.
- Signs as part of subdivision plat approval (e.g., neighborhood identification signs at entrances) may require review and/or approval in conjunction with the plat.

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

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