# Sign Regulations in Smith Center, Kansas

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Smith Center, Kansas (KS)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/kansas/smith-center
- **Data last verified:** 2026-04-27
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://smithcenterks.com/documents/135/ZONING_ORDINANCE.pdf#page=64)

## At a glance

Smith Center, Kansas regulates 16 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Off-Site Sign (Special Use Permit - Unilluminated)s in the Agriculture District (A-L) zoning district are capped at Top edge ≤ 10 ft above average ground; bottom edge ≥ 3 ft above average ground tall and 50 sq ft per face (single- or double-faced), with a ≥50 ft from ROW line or entrance drive; ≥500 ft from intersection of two or more roads setback (Sec. Article XXI, Section 2(1)(d)(1)-(3)). Most commercial signs in Smith Center 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 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Agriculture District (A-L) | 5 | Top edge ≤ 10 ft above average ground; bottom edge ≥ 3 ft above average ground | 50 sq ft | — |
| Residential Low Density District (R-L); Single-Family Dwelling District (R-1); Two-Family Dwelling District (R-2); Multiple Family Dwelling District (R-3) | 4 | Building-affixed: ≤10 ft above ground; Ground sign: ≤4 ft above normal grade | 24 sq ft | — |
| Highway Service District (C-S); Industrial Park District (I-P) | 4 | 6 ft | 400 sq ft per face cap (also subject to 3× frontage formula) | — |
| Retail Business District (C-1); General Commercial District (C-2) | 4 | Bottom elevation ≥8 ft above sidewalk surface | 400 sq ft per face cap (also subject to 3× frontage formula) | — |
| Light Industrial District (I-1); Heavy Industrial District (I-2) | 5 | ≤20 ft above ground | 500 sq ft (single face) | — |

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

### Agriculture District (A-L)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Nameplate - Unilluminated) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 nameplate per dwelling unit | Affixed to the principal building, flat against the wall. | — | Article XXI, Section 2(1)(a)(1)-(4) |
| Real Estate Sign (For Sale/For Rent - Unilluminated) | — | — | — | — | 1 sign per residential building lot | — | — | Article XXI, Section 2(1)(b)(1) |
| Business Sign (Accessory - Unilluminated) | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 sign per residential building lot | — | — | Article XXI, Section 2(1)(b)(1)-(2) |
| Temporary Sign (Informational) | 6 ft | 45 sq ft | — | — | 1 per location | Must not extend over/into any street, alley, sidewalk, or other public thoroughfare unless approved by the Governing Body; must not obstruct any wall opening; located to avoid line-of-sight or other traffic-related obstructions. | — | Article XXI, Section 2(1)(c)(1)-(6); Section 3(8) |
| Off-Site Sign (Special Use Permit - Unilluminated) | Top edge ≤ 10 ft above average ground; bottom edge ≥ 3 ft above average ground | 50 sq ft per face (single- or double-faced) | — | ≥50 ft from ROW line or entrance drive; ≥500 ft from intersection of two or more roads | Max 1 on one roadside within any one mile | Not closer than 500 ft from two or more intersecting roads; not closer than 50 ft from a right-of-way line or entrance drive to private property. | — | Article XXI, Section 2(1)(d)(1)-(3) |

### Residential Low Density District (R-L); Single-Family Dwelling District (R-1); Two-Family Dwelling District (R-2); Multiple Family Dwelling District (R-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Nameplate - Unilluminated) | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 nameplate per dwelling unit | Affixed to the principal building, flat against the wall. | — | Article XXI, Section 2(2)(a)(1)-(4) |
| Real Estate/Business Sign (For Sale/For Rent - Unilluminated) | Building-affixed: ≤10 ft above ground; Ground sign: ≤4 ft above normal grade | 4 sq ft | — | ≥5 ft from any property line | 1 per lot | Either affixed to building or ground-mounted. | — | Article XXI, Section 2(2)(b)(1)-(5) |
| Institutional Bulletin Board/Sign (Churches and Public Institutions) | Building-affixed: ≤10 ft above ground; Ground sign: ≤6 ft above normal grade | 24 sq ft | — | ≥8 ft from any side or rear property line; Front yard placement no closer to the street line than 1/2 the required front yard | 1 per street side (if located on the same site as the principal building) | On the same site as the principal building; in front yard, no closer to street line than one-half the required front yard. | — | Article XXI, Section 2(2)(c)(1)-(9) |
| Wall Sign (Identification - Preexisting Building on Property Line) | — | — | — | — | 1 identification sign per qualifying building | On buildings constructed on the property line prior to adoption of the ordinance. | — | Article XXI, Section 2(2)(c)(8) |

### Light Industrial District (I-1); Heavy Industrial District (I-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Business) | — | — | — | Clearance requirement near driveways/intersections as above. | Max 2 signs per business/profession; max 1 per facade | On building; within 50 ft of a residential district, signs must be affixed to or be part of the building. | — | Article XXI, Section 2(5)(a)(1)-(5),(6) |
| Freestanding Sign (Business) | — | — | — | Clearance requirement near driveways/intersections as above. | Max 2 signs per business/profession; max 1 per facade | On lot; signs within 50 ft of a residential district must be affixed to or be part of the building (freestanding not allowed within 50 ft of a residential district). | — | Article XXI, Section 2(5)(a)(4)-(9); (5)(a)(5) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On lot/business premises. | — | Article XXI, Section 2(5)(a)(9) |
| Billboard | ≤20 ft above ground | 500 sq ft (single face) | — | Must not project beyond front/side/rear building lines; ≥5 ft from any building unless attached | — | On lot; subject to building line constraints; in fire limits, plans referred to Fire Department for review. | — | Article XXI, Section 2(5)(b)(1)-(10) |
| Temporary Sign (Informational) | 6 ft | 45 sq ft | — | — | 1 per location | Must not extend over/into any street, alley, sidewalk, or other public thoroughfare unless approved by the Governing Body; must not obstruct any wall opening; located to avoid line-of-sight or other traffic-related obstructions. | — | Article XXI, Section 2(5)(c)(1)-(6); Section 3(8) |

## Prohibited signs in Smith Center

- It is unlawful to erect, move, alter, change, repair, place, suspend, or attach any sign in violation of the zoning ordinance and Article XXI.
- 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 unlawful to paste, place, paint, or attach any sign on any building, street, or property of the City.
- Nonconforming signs must be removed or converted to conform to Article XXI and other applicable City, State, and Federal regulations.
- Signs on vacant buildings must be removed within 30 days after the premises are vacated.

## Signs exempt from permit in Smith Center

- A property owner or occupant may paint or stamp the property address on the curbing directly in front of the building, subject to approval by the Building Official.
- Advertising painted or placed on a structure is subject to these regulations only if it is permanent and over 8 square feet in area (implying that non-permanent or 8 square feet or smaller painted/placed advertising is generally exempt).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Off-site signs in the A-L District require a special use permit reviewed and approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals; the applicant must submit a plot plan showing location, size, and construction details, plus owner authorization or a lease; permit term is 5 years with renewal subject to site and area condition review.
- Billboards in I-1 and I-2 require an application and plans filed with the City Building Inspector and approval as to size, location, and construction; billboard plans within fire limits are referred to the Fire Department for review and recommendation.
- No master sign plan requirement is mentioned in the provided text.
- Variances are authorized by the Board of Zoning Appeals per the ordinance definitions; no sign-specific variance trigger is stated in the provided text.

## 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 Smith Center — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Smith+Center+KS&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-smith-center

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