Sign Regulations in Augusta, Maine
Augusta, Maine has specific sign regulations covering 13 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Wall or Roof Graphic, Ground Graphic, Projecting Graphic. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: April 20, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Augusta, Maine
Sample Sign Requirements in Augusta
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Graphic | 25 ft (CB, CC, CD, IA, KBD2, MED, PD); 15 ft (GS) | 120 sq ft (CB, CC, KBD2, MED); 200 sq ft (CD, PD, IA); 50 sq ft (GS) | 10 ft (side/rear) |
| Wall or Roof Graphic | 35 ft above grade for roof graphics | 500 sq ft max. (and subject to formula above) | — |
| Projecting Graphic | Cannot project above roofline or 18 ft above grade (whichever is lower); must not extend above 3rd story windowsill | 50 sq ft | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
Sign Types Covered
13
- Wall or Roof Graphic
- Ground Graphic
- Projecting Graphic
- Awning or Marquee Graphic
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
10
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Augusta
Other Cities in Maine
Frequently Asked Questions
In Augusta, wall signs can be up to 35 ft above grade for roof graphics. Height limits vary by zoning district and sign type. Use PermitPal to get exact requirements for your specific location.
To get a sign permit in Augusta, submit an application to the local building or planning department with sign dimensions, location, and design specifications. Our data confirms permits are required for most commercial signs. Processing typically takes 1-4 weeks. PermitPal helps you identify specific requirements and prepare complete applications.
In Augusta, regulated sign types include Wall or Roof Graphic, Ground Graphic, Projecting Graphic, Awning or Marquee Graphic, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
Sign setback requirements in Augusta vary by zone and sign type, typically ranging from 5-15 feet from property lines. Use PermitPal for specific setback requirements at your location.
Digital and LED signs in Augusta are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Augusta has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Augusta, Maine Sign Rules at a Glance
Augusta, Maine regulates 13 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Ground Graphics in the CB, CC, CD, GS, IA, KBD2, MED, PD zoning district are capped at 25 ft (CB, CC, CD, IA, KBD2, MED, PD); 15 ft (GS) tall and 120 sq ft (CB, CC, KBD2, MED); 200 sq ft (CD, PD, IA); 50 sq ft (GS), with a 10 ft (side/rear) setback (Sec. § 300-516D(1)(a), D(2)-(8), E, H(5)-(6), H(7)-(9), I, O). Most commercial signs in Augusta require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Augusta, Maine
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Augusta (10 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CB, CC, CD, GS, IA, KBD2, MED, PD | 6 | 35 ft above grade for roof graphics | 500 sq ft max. (and subject to formula above) | — |
| BP, RBV, RC, RD, WP, RV | 5 | 35 ft for roof graphic | 500 sq ft max | — |
| PD2, RA, RB1, RB2, RPDS, RR, RR2, RRES | 5 | 35 ft above grade for roof graphics | 500 sq ft max | — |
| KBD1, KL | 4 | 35 ft above grade (roof graphics) | 50 sq ft (KBD1, KL) | — |
| All shoreland overlay zoning districts | 2 | 35 ft above grade (roof graphics) | Shall have same number as underlying base zoning district. Size: 12 sq ft (All shoreland except GD); For GD see underlying base zoning district. | — |
| Residential Zones, Business Professional | 2 | — | 6 sq ft (Residential and Shoreland, other than GD); 20 sq ft (KBD1, KBD2, BP, WP); 32 sq ft (CB, CC, CD, MED, PD, PD2, IA, RR, RRES, RPDS, RV, RR2) | — |
| KBD1, KBD2, RD | 1 | 40 in | 24 in wide x 30–40 in tall | — |
| All base zoning districts | 1 | 35 ft above grade (roof graphics) | 500 sq ft (max 30% of facade if signable area exceeds 50% facade) | — |
| All zoning districts | 2 | 18 ft or roofline, whichever is less | 50 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | — | 24x18 in (individual); 48x96 in (multiple contractors on project board) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Augusta(sample of 3 of 10 zones)
CB, CC, CD, GS, IA, KBD2, MED, PD
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Graphic | 25 ft (CB, CC, CD, IA, KBD2, MED, PD); 15 ft (GS) | 120 sq ft (CB, CC, KBD2, MED); 200 sq ft (CD, PD, IA); 50 sq ft (GS) | — | 10 ft (side/rear) | One per street or highway frontage | One on each street or highway on which the premises has frontage | — | Unlock | § 300-516D(1)(a), D(2)-(8), E, H(5)-(6), H(7)-(9), I, O |
| Wall or Roof Graphic | 35 ft above grade for roof graphics | 500 sq ft max. (and subject to formula above) | — | — | Aggregate area as permitted; may be divided among 2+ signs | On walls/roofs adjacent to each street, parking (15+ spaces), or highway frontage | — | Unlock | § 300-516E(1)-(5), J, I |
| Projecting Graphic | Cannot project above roofline or 18 ft above grade (whichever is lower); must not extend above 3rd story windowsill | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per street/highway frontage (if no ground graphic displayed) | One per street/highway frontage if no ground graphic displayed | — | Unlock | § 300-516F |
| Awning or Marquee Graphic | — | — | — | — | One per street or highway frontage | One per street or highway frontage | — | Unlock | § 300-516G |
| Manual Changeable Copy Ground Graphic | — | — | — | — | Same as ground graphics | Same as ground graphics | — | Unlock | § 300-516H(5) |
| Electronic Message Center Ground Graphic | — | — | — | — | Same as ground graphics | Same as ground graphics | — | Unlock | § 300-516H(6) |
BP, RBV, RC, RD, WP, RV
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Graphic | 15 ft | 15 sq ft (BP, RC, RD, WP, RV); 50 sq ft (RBV) | — | 10 ft (side/rear) | One per premises per street/highway | Only one on one street or highway on which the premises has frontage | — | Unlock | § 300-516D(1)(b), D(2)-(8) |
| Wall or Roof Graphic | 35 ft for roof graphic | 500 sq ft max | — | — | Per signable area allocation | On walls/roofs adjacent to street, parking (15+), or highway frontage | — | Unlock | § 300-516E |
| Projecting Graphic | 18 ft or roofline (whichever is less); no higher than 3rd story windowsill | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per qualifying frontage | One per street/highway frontage if no ground graphic | — | Unlock | § 300-516F |
| Awning or Marquee Graphic | — | — | — | — | One per street or highway frontage | One per street or highway frontage | — | Unlock | § 300-516G |
| Manual Changeable Copy Ground Graphic | — | — | — | — | As allowed for ground graphics | Same as ground graphic | — | Unlock | § 300-516H(5) |
PD2, RA, RB1, RB2, RPDS, RR, RR2, RRES
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Premium Details(Illumination, Size Formula, Permit Requirements, Additional Requirements — available with a free PermitPal account) | Ordinance Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Graphic | 15 ft | 15 sq ft (BP, RA, RB1, RB2, RPDS, RR, RR2, RRES, PD2) | — | 10 ft (side/rear) | One maximum, if no other signs | Only one, and only if no other street graphics are on the premises | — | Unlock | § 300-516D(1)(c), D(2)-(8), I |
| Wall or Roof Graphic | 35 ft above grade for roof graphics | 500 sq ft max | — | — | Subject to signable area and aggregate item-of-info limit | On walls/roofs adjacent to each street, parking area (15+ spaces), or highway frontage | — | Unlock | § 300-516E, I |
| Projecting Graphic | 18 ft or roofline maximum; not above 3rd-story windowsill | 50 sq ft | — | — | One per qualifying frontage (if no ground graphics) | One per street/highway frontage if no ground graphic is used | — | Unlock | § 300-516F, I |
| Awning or Marquee Graphic | — | — | — | — | One per street or highway frontage | One per street or highway frontage | — | Unlock | § 300-516G, I |
| Manual Changeable Copy Ground Graphic | — | — | — | — | Same as ground graphics | Same as ground graphics | — | Unlock | § 300-516H(5), I |
PermitPal covers all 10 zoning districts in Augusta. Run a code check for your exact address to get the zone that applies to your property and its full sign requirements — illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
Run a code check for your exact address — freeProhibited Signs in Augusta
- No person shall place bills or other advertising matter on any post, pole or tree within any street in the City.
- No person shall place political signs or political advertising matter on or over any park, school lot, traffic circle or other public property within the compact or built-up section of the City.
- No person shall place, deposit or throw any advertisement, handbill or other written material upon any unoccupied motor vehicle in any parking area used in connection with the Augusta Civic Center and owned or leased by the City, or upon the grounds within such parking area, or within any public way within the City.
- Graphics which, by color, location, or design, resemble or conflict with traffic control signs or signals are prohibited.
- Above-roof graphics are prohibited.
- Any street graphic not permitted by this chapter is prohibited.
- A street graphic may not be animated or give the illusion of animation and may not have exposed bare-bulb or flashing illumination.
- Projecting graphics may not extend vertically above the windowsill of a third story.
- Wall and roof graphics may not include electronic or digital changeable copy.
Exempt Signs in Augusta
- Street graphics required by law, including E911 assigned addresses with numbers and letters 12 inches in height or less.
- Public notices or other street graphic required by a governmental entity.
- Any street graphic integrated into or on a coin-operated machine, vending machine, gasoline pump, parking lot cart corral, or telephone booth.
- A street graphic that cannot be viewed and read by a person with 20/20 vision from a public or private right-of-way or access road.
- A street graphic no larger than four square feet placed at the entrance and/or exit of a property to a public or private right-of-way that conveys directional information.
- A single street graphic offering for sale the real estate on which it is displayed, within specified size limitations per zone.
- A street graphic less than two square feet in size posting a property for no trespassing, no hunting, no fishing, or other similar restrictions.
- A ground graphic posted in the public right-of-way categorized as an official business direction sign (OBDS), subject to additional conditions and Maine DOT rules.
- A street graphic carried by a person.
- A street graphic where the items of information measure two inches in height or less on any door used to access a business.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Augusta
- No person shall erect or display a street graphic unless the Code Enforcement Officer has issued a permit for the street graphic or the street graphic is exempted from the permit requirement.
- A person proposing to erect or display a street graphic shall file an application for a permit with the Code Enforcement Officer, who may require sketch drawings and details needed to establish compliance.
- There is no reference in this section of a requirement for a Master Sign Plan, but individual permits and applications with supporting material (e.g., drawings) are required except for exempted signs.
Source: ecode360 municipal code