# Sign Regulations in Belfast, Maine

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Belfast, Maine (ME)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/maine/belfast
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/37472065#37472065)

## At a glance

Belfast, Maine regulates 22 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Sandwich Board Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 42 in tall and 4 sq ft (footprint) (Sec. Sec. 86-124). Most commercial signs in Belfast require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 20 | Not to exceed roof ridge, except in zones listed in Article VI, Sec. 86-154: not to exceed 10 ft above roof ridge | 32 sq ft | — |
| Residential Districts 1, Residential Districts 2, Residential Districts 3, Residential II, Residential Growth | 1 | — | — | — |
| Downtown Commercial, Waterfront Mixed Use 1, Waterfront Mixed Use 2 | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 4 sq ft | 2 ft 6 in (maximum side) | — | 1 | On property of home occupation | — | Sec. 86-61 |
| Directional Sign | 7 ft | 5 sq ft | — | — | — | At driveway locations (not in Residential Districts) | — | Sec. 86-69 |
| Real Estate Sign (No Permit) | — | 24 in x 24 in (4 sq ft) | 24 in | — | — | On property offered for sale | — | Sec. 86-75 |
| Gasoline Pump Sign/Logo | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 6 per business | On gasoline pump | — | Sec. 86-76 |
| Vending Machine Sign | — | Area of front face of machine | — | — | 1 per machine | On vending machine | — | Sec. 86-77 |
| Multiple Business Sign (Freestanding or On-Building) | 25 ft (freestanding) | See respective zoning district; not to exceed maximum sign size for zone. | — | — | — | On-property, as freestanding or on-building | — | Sec. 86-121 |
| Ground Sign | 25 ft (maximum) | See respective zoning district | — | — | — | On property, outside of public right-of-way except as permitted | — | Sec. 86-122 |
| Sandwich Board Sign | 42 in | 4 sq ft (footprint) | — | — | 1 per qualifying establishment | On public sidewalk, directly in front of permitted establishment; must leave a minimum 4 ft unobstructed sidewalk width. | — | Sec. 86-124 |

### Residential Districts 1, Residential Districts 2, Residential Districts 3, Residential II, Residential Growth

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Illuminated Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 86-67 |

### Downtown Commercial, Waterfront Mixed Use 1, Waterfront Mixed Use 2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Ground Sign (Over Public Right-of-Way) | — | — | — | — | — | Ground signs may be permitted over the public right-of-way in these districts. | — | Sec. 86-68 |

## Prohibited signs in Belfast

- No sign shall be erected or altered except in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.
- No sign permitted that causes a sight, traffic, health or welfare hazard or results in a nuisance due to illumination, placement, display, or manner of construction.
- No sign shall project over a traveled way (street or road).
- No sign shall have visible moving parts, blinking, moving or glaring illumination, except traditional barber poles for licensed barber shops.
- A string of lights shall not be used for advertising or attracting attention unless used as part of a holiday celebration.
- Obsolete signs (no longer advertising ongoing activity, business, or product) must be removed within 30 days of notice.
- Illuminating signs solely for outlining any part of a building (gable, roof, sidewalk, corner) are prohibited.
- No mobile or portable signs shall be permitted.
- There shall be no off-premises signs except as regulated by State of Maine legislation.
- The placement of signs, bulletins or any other matter on City-owned poles is prohibited without prior approval of the Belfast City Council.
- No ground sign shall be permitted in the public right-of-way.
- Except as provided in referenced sections, no sign shall be permitted on a permanent or temporary basis on any municipal road or sidewalk.
- The owner of a sign shall regularly maintain it in good condition; failure to comply after notice is a violation.
- No person shall take, deface or disturb a lawfully placed sign bearing political messages relating to an election, primary, or referendum.
- No sign, except as permitted, shall be displayed in a manner detrimental to public health or safety, or that constitutes a distraction or obstruction for traffic.

## Signs exempt from permit in Belfast

- A temporary on-premises advertising sign does not require a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer.
- A temporary construction sign no greater than 32 square feet in size, placed outside the public right-of-way and in conformance with time limitations, does not require a permit.
- A bulletin board or similar sign for a church, museum, library, school or similar public structure not exceeding 12 square feet and attached to the building is allowed.
- Directional signs for ingress and egress, not containing advertising, having a display area not exceeding five square feet and not higher than seven feet, are permitted (except in Residential Districts) without a permit.
- A real estate sign not exceeding 24 inches by 24 inches and located on the property for sale is allowed without a permit.
- A maximum of two credit card signs per business, each not exceeding one square foot, are allowed and not counted as signage.
- A maximum of six gasoline pump signs/logos per business, each not exceeding two square feet and part of the pump, are not counted as signage.
- Vending machine signs that do not exceed the size of the front face of the vending machine are exempt (additional conditions apply if more than two machines).
- Signage of special merit, defined as art or architectural enhancements not including indicators regarding use of the property, is not considered signage.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Except as otherwise herein provided, no person shall erect, modify or move any signs without first applying for and obtaining from the Code Enforcement Officer a sign permit.
- A permit is required for a flag/banner used as a sign.
- A temporary construction sign greater than 32 square feet in size shall require a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer.
- A real estate sign greater than 24 inches by 24 inches may be permitted subject to issuance of a sign permit and zoning compliance.
- A sandwich board sign shall comply with requirements and obtain a permit. The City Code Enforcement Officer shall have authority to review and approve/deny design.
- Application for sign permit shall be on forms prescribed and provided by the Code Enforcement Officer with required information.
- A sign that is electrically illuminated shall require an electrical permit.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Belfast, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Belfast+ME&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-belfast

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