Sign Regulations in Bangor, Maine
Bangor, Maine has specific sign regulations covering 17 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Any Sign, Roof Sign. 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 Bangor, Maine
Sample Sign Requirements in Bangor
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | Varies by zone; see zone-specific regulations | — |
| Freestanding Sign | Varies by zone; see zone-specific regulations | Varies by zone; see zone-specific regulations | See zone-specific regulations |
| Projecting Sign | — | Varies by zone; see zone-specific regulations | — |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for BangorFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
17
- Freestanding Sign
- Any Sign
- Roof Sign
- Projecting Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
12
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Bangor
Municipal Code3 permit application links available
Other Cities in Maine
Frequently Asked Questions
In Bangor, monument signs are limited to Varies by zone; see zone-specific regulations. 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 Bangor, 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 Bangor, regulated sign types include Freestanding Sign, Any Sign, Roof Sign, Projecting Sign, and 2 more types. Most commercial signs require permits. Temporary signs and certain small signs may be exempt. Use PermitPal for specific exemptions.
In Bangor, monument signs typically require a See zone-specific regulations setback from property lines. Setbacks may increase near residential zones or intersections. Wall signs attached to buildings generally don't have setback requirements. Use PermitPal for location-specific setback data.
Digital and LED signs in Bangor are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Bangor has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Bangor, Maine Sign Rules at a Glance
Bangor, Maine regulates 17 sign types across 12 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Varies by zone; see zone-specific regulations tall and Varies by zone; see zone-specific regulations, with a See zone-specific regulations setback (Sec. §260-2, §260-3, §260-4A). Most commercial signs in Bangor require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Bangor, Maine
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Bangor (12 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | Varies by zone; see zone-specific regulations | No more than 20% of any window except as provided by other chapter for the Bangor Center Revitalization Area | — |
| URD-1; URD-2; M&SD; LDR; HDR; RR&A; P&O | 2 | 15 feet | 24 square feet per side | — |
| NSD | 3 | 15 feet | 150 square feet (*see below for integrated shopping centers*) | — |
| USD | 3 | 25 feet | 150 square feet per side | — |
| DDD | 7 | 8 ft (2 stories or less), 12 ft (3-5 stories), 15 ft (6+ stories); max overall 15 ft | 12 sq ft (0-9,999 sq ft building); 36 sq ft (10,000-39,999); 50 sq ft (40,000+); max overall 50 sq ft | — |
| Contract DDD | 1 | — | — | — |
| WDD | 7 | 25 ft | 200 sq ft per side | — |
| BPD | 1 | — | 150 square feet per side | — |
| ADD | 3 | 25 ft | 150 sq ft per side | — |
| UID; S&PS; GC&S; I&S | 3 | 25 ft | 150 sq ft per side | — |
| G&ISD | 4 | 25 ft | 150 sq ft per side | — |
| T&S | 3 | 25 ft | 150 sq ft per side | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Bangor(sample of 3 of 12 zones)
General Regulations For All Zones
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | — | Varies by zone; see zone-specific regulations | — | — | See zone-specific regulations | Attached parallel to wall surface, projecting not more than 15 inches; must not be attached to or obstruct any window, door, stairway, or other opening intended for ingress, egress, or for ventilation or light | — | Unlock | §260-2, §260-3, §260-4A |
| Freestanding Sign | Varies by zone; see zone-specific regulations | Varies by zone; see zone-specific regulations | — | See zone-specific regulations | See zone-specific regulations | Supported by itself, one or more uprights, poles, braces, or wheels placed in or on the ground, or other structure; must maintain a clearance of at least 10 feet if over sidewalk/driveway/parking | — | Unlock | §260-2, §260-3, §260-4A |
| Projecting Sign | — | Varies by zone; see zone-specific regulations | — | — | See zone-specific regulations | Extends more than 15 inches from the wall, must maintain clearance of at least 10 feet above ground level if above sidewalk/parking/driveway | — | Unlock | §260-1 Definition, §260-4A(2) |
| Window Sign | — | No more than 20% of any window except as provided by other chapter for the Bangor Center Revitalization Area | — | — | — | Per window; visible from exterior; may be painted/attached/glued/affixed | — | Unlock | §260-5G, §260-6A, §71-22A(3) |
| Nameplate Sign | — | No more than 2 square feet | — | — | One per façade facing a street (historic district) | Affixed to structure | — | Unlock | §260-5F |
| Open Flag | — | No larger than 15 square feet | — | — | — | Affixed to pole or building by a frame at one or more edges | — | Unlock | §260-1, §260-5H |
DDD
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign - Horizontal | 3 ft (first through sixth floor); 6 ft (high-rise buildings, signs on/above 7th floor); 3 ft + 1 ft per floor over two (parking garages) | — | — | — | One per building side with right-of-way or public entrance | Attached to and parallel to building; below 2nd-floor windowsill on 1st floor, above 2nd-floor windowsill for upper floors; not painted directly on building | — | Unlock | §260-7D(2) |
| Wall Sign - Vertical (Option to horizontal) | — | — | 3 ft | — | One per business (in lieu of horizontal wall sign) | Attached to and parallel to building; not painted directly on building | — | Unlock | §260-7D(3) |
| Projecting Sign - Horizontal | 3 ft | — | — | — | One per business per building side | Facing on each public right-of-way or public parking area | — | Unlock | §260-7D(4)(a) |
| Projecting Sign - Vertical (Education/Cultural Use) | 5 ft per story, not to exceed 20 ft | 1 sq ft per linear foot of building frontage, not to exceed 80 sq ft | 4 ft | — | One per building per side | Corner or right-of-way/public parking lot side, one per side per building | — | Unlock | §260-7D(4)(b) |
| Awning Sign (in lieu of wall sign) | — | — | — | — | — | On awning | — | Unlock | §260-7D(5) |
| Flag | — | — | — | — | Varies by frontage (see table) | On face of building | — | Unlock | §260-7D(6) |
| Directory Sign (Freestanding) | 8 ft (2 stories or less), 12 ft (3-5 stories), 15 ft (6+ stories); max overall 15 ft | 12 sq ft (0-9,999 sq ft building); 36 sq ft (10,000-39,999); 50 sq ft (40,000+); max overall 50 sq ft | — | Minimum 2 ft from property line | One per planned group development or property | Freestanding, must meet setback | — | Unlock | §260-7D(9) |
WDD
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign - Horizontal | 3 ft (3rd floor or below); 4 ft (4th fl); 5 ft (5th fl); 6 ft (6th fl+); Electronic wall signs: 7 ft (2nd fl+), 3 ft (below 2nd fl) | — | — | — | One per business per applicable side | Below 2nd-floor windowsill if on 1st fl; above 2nd-floor windowsill if above 1st fl. Channel letters allowed. | — | Unlock | §260-7E(2) |
| Wall Sign - Vertical (Option to horizontal) | — | — | 3 ft | — | One per business (in lieu of horizontal wall sign) | Attached to and parallel to building | — | Unlock | §260-7E(3) |
| Projecting Sign | 3 ft | — | — | — | One per business per applicable side | Facing on public right-of-way or public parking | — | Unlock | §260-7E(4) |
| Awning Sign (in lieu of wall sign) | — | — | — | — | — | On awning | — | Unlock | §260-7E(5) |
| Flag | — | — | — | — | See table | Face of building | — | Unlock | §260-7E(6) |
| Directory Sign (Freestanding) | 8 ft (2 stories or less), 12 ft (3-5 stories), 15 ft (6+ stories); max overall 15 ft | 12 sq ft (0-9,999 sq ft building); 36 sq ft (10,000-39,999); 50 sq ft (40,000+); max overall 50 sq ft | — | Min 2 ft from property line | One per planned group development/property | Freestanding | — | Unlock | §260-7E(9) |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft | 200 sq ft per side | — | Front: 0 ft; Side: 5 ft; Rear: 10 ft | One per business | — | — | Unlock | §260-7E(10) |
PermitPal covers all 12 zoning districts in Bangor — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 12 zones for Bangor — start freeProhibited Signs in Bangor
- A sign shall not be erected on, attached to, or in any other manner affixed to or painted or drawn upon any tree, rock, other natural feature, or any utility pole.
- No sign shall be indirectly illuminated so as to cause light to shine onto adjacent properties or into any public right-of-way.
- A sign shall not obstruct a motorist's vision of an official traffic signal.
- Wall signs shall not be attached to or obstruct any window, door, stairway or other opening intended for ingress, egress or for ventilation or light.
- All signs and their supporting structures shall be properly maintained to prevent rust, rot, peeling or similar deterioration.
- Painted wall signs, painted murals and painted artistic signs must be repainted at least every five years.
- Any sign which advertises a business, activity or campaign no longer conducted or product no longer sold on the premises shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having control of the premises or land upon which such sign is erected within 30 days of the closure of the advertised entity or within 30 days after a written notice from the Code Enforcement Officer stating that such sign must be taken down and removed, whichever occurs first.
- A sign visible from a public street shall not simulate, by wording or shape and color, any municipal or state highway sign, emergency sign, traffic control sign or railroad crossing sign if such sign, in the opinion of the Code Enforcement Officer, will constitute a traffic hazard.
- Business directional signs, as provided for by the Maine Traveler Information Services Act (23 M.R.S.A. §§ 1901 through 1925), are not permitted in any public way within the City of Bangor.
- Flashing or rotating signs are prohibited in the City of Bangor, except insofar as the sign is considered an electronic sign meeting the requirements of § 260-8.
- No sign shall be erected without a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer, except as specifically exempted elsewhere in the chapter.
- Signs shall not extend over or project into any public way more than 15 inches, except as expressly permitted.
- Nonconforming signs shall not be expanded, enlarged in any dimension, relocated, or otherwise moved, except as permitted by § 260-6J.
- No off-premises sign shall be suspended over any public street or sidewalk, with the exception of a flag or banner as provided in § 260-12E.
- All off-premises signs shall be prohibited, except as specified.
- All off-premises signs shall comply with any and all state and federal statutes and regulations prohibiting outdoor advertising, billboards and off-premises signs.
- No person shall place, maintain or display any device, other than an official warning or direction sign or signal erected under authorized authority, upon or in view of a street which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official warning or direction sign or signal or which attempts to direct the movements of traffic or the actions of drivers.
- No public utility or City department shall erect, place or maintain any barrier or sign unless of a type first approved by the City Manager or Chief of Police.
Exempt Signs in Bangor
- Municipal and state highway and emergency signs and traffic control signals installed in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices published by the United States Department of Transportation.
- Railroad crossing signs and signals.
- Customary holiday decorations.
- Flags of countries, states, counties, cities and religious and civic organizations.
- Memorial signs and tablets.
- In an historic district, one nameplate sign per façade facing a street.
- Window signs.
- Open flags.
- Umbrella signs.
- Sidewalk merchandise displays.
- Murals and artistic signs, as defined in this chapter, that meet the requirements of § 260-6L.
- For entertainment and recreation uses in WDD, wall signs located inside the facility.
- Signs located on or in the rolling stock of common carriers and signs on registered and inspected motor vehicles, except such signs which are determined by the Code Enforcement Officer to be circumventing the intent of this chapter.
- Handheld signs.
- Signs on or in bus shelters as provided in the Land Development Code.
- Special intracommunity service signs erected by the City of Bangor to direct traffic to certain locations, as specified.
- Downtown seasonal and promotional banners owned and erected by the City of Bangor.
- Signs erected by a public, civic, philanthropic, charitable or religious organization announcing an auction, public supper, lawn sale, campaign or drive or other like event or soliciting contributions (off-premises, outside right-of-way).
- Signs erected by fairs and expositions operated within the City of Bangor (off-premises, outside right-of-way).
- Signs bearing religious messages and signs showing the time and place of services or meetings of religious and civic organizations (off-premises, outside right-of-way).
- Signs erected by nonprofit historical and cultural institutions identifying landmarks or historic districts (off-premises, outside right-of-way; limited to number and size).
- Signs bearing political messages (off-premises, outside right-of-way).
- Park sponsorship signs erected by the City of Bangor, subject to limitations.
- Signs required by the Fire Chief for wood truss warnings in applicable structures.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Bangor
- Application for a sign permit must include plans drawn to scale showing the dimensions of the sign, the position of the sign in relation to nearby buildings or structures, the location of the premises or land upon which the sign is to be erected and the method of illumination, if any, and such other information as the Code Enforcement Officer shall require.
- For signs subject to review in the Bangor Center Revitalization Area or Historic Districts, the sign must receive review and approval under the applicable ordinance, including submittal of a scale drawing, installation details, materials, colors, lettering, finishes or any other documentation required by the Planning Division or Code Enforcement Division.
- Approval of sign permits in historic or revitalization areas may require review or minor alteration/design review consideration at a meeting of the Design Committee if not approved by staff.
- Murals and artistic signs are exempt from sign calculation and restrictions if they receive approval under the City's Public Arts and Monuments Policy and the appropriate approval under Chapter 95 and a building permit if required.
- Variances for signs may be granted only by the Board of Appeals upon written request and meeting hardship criteria, subject to a public hearing.
- Any sign permit application not decided within 45 days of submission to the Staff Coordinator is deemed denied.
Source: ecode360 municipal code