# Sign Regulations in Biddeford, Maine

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Biddeford, Maine (ME)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/maine/biddeford
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-20
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/15146409#15146409)

## At a glance

Biddeford, Maine regulates 29 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Temporary Sign (Sandwich Board or Similar)s in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 36 inches tall, 24 inches width x 36 inches height, and 24 inches wide (Sec. Section 59.B.12.e). Most commercial signs in Biddeford require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 36 inches | 40 sq ft (EMC portion) | — |
| Suburban Residential, R-1-A, R-1-B, C-R, W-1, W-3 | 5 | 8 ft (unless otherwise permitted) | 32 sq ft | — |
| MSRD-2, R-2, R-3, OR | 5 | 10 ft (unless otherwise permitted) | 32 sq ft | — |
| B-2, MSRD-3, Industrial Districts | 5 | 20 ft max (measured from street grade) | 72 sq ft max per sign, or 72 sq ft per business up to 210 sq ft if multiple businesses per pole | — |
| Rural-Farm, Limited Rural-Farm | 4 | 20 ft (unless otherwise permitted) | 32 sq ft | — |
| B-1, MSRD-1, W-2 | 2 | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| MSRD-1, MSRD-2, MSRD-3 (Historic Preservation Sign Standards) | 2 | — | 12 sq ft | — |
| IN Zone | 7 | — | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Nonconforming Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Section 59.B.2, B.3 |
| Temporary Sign (Sandwich Board or Similar) | 36 inches | 24 inches width x 36 inches height | 24 inches | — | 1 per establishment per frontage | On sidewalk/front of business where no private land exists between building and ROW; only on street frontage with public entrance. | — | Section 59.B.12.e |
| Window Sign | — | 20% of window area; up to 4 sq ft may be illuminated | — | — | — | In/on windows or doors of business | — | Section 59.B.8.l, B.15 |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) | — | 40 sq ft (EMC portion) | — | — | — | Where permitted; all types except gas pumps | — | Section 59.B.16 |
| Temporary Sign (Real Estate, Construction, etc.) | — | Real estate: 8 sq ft; Subdivision real estate: 64 sq ft; Rental: 2 sq ft; Construction: 16 sq ft; Directory: 4 sq ft; Door/menu: 2 sq ft; Awards: 32 sq ft; Temporary sale: 10 sq ft (off-premises); Project sign: 32 sq ft | — | — | Usually 1 per property (except as otherwise specified) | On or near premises being advertised/used | — | Section 59.B.13, 14 |
| Landmark Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Specific address/landmark as listed | — | Section 59.B.18 |

### MSRD-2, R-2, R-3, OR

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Section 59.C.2.a |
| Nonresidential Use Sign (R-2, R-3) | — | 8 sq ft | — | No closer than 10 ft to street ROW or side lot lines. | 1 per permitted nonresidential use | — | — | Section 59.C.2.b |
| Nonresidential Use Sign (MSRD-2, externally illuminated) | — | 8 sq ft (MSRD-2), 12 sq ft (OR) | — | No closer than 10 ft to ROW or side lot lines unless exception met. | 1 per permitted nonresidential use | — | — | Section 59.C.2.c |
| Permanent Project Sign | 4 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per project/subdivision | Must not interfere with traffic. | — | Section 59.C.2.e |
| Any Sign | 10 ft (unless otherwise permitted) | — | — | — | — | — | — | Section 59.C.2.d |

### IN Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Institution Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per campus | Center of campus or key campus location | — | Section 59.C.7.a |
| Gateway Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per main entrance | At principal campus entrances | — | Section 59.C.7.b |
| Building/Facility Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | At each principal and major entrance | On building/facility at principal or major entrances, or ground mounted or attached to landscape feature. | — | Section 59.C.7.c |
| Directional Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Within campus as appropriate | — | Section 59.C.7.d |
| Safety/Regulatory Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Within campus as appropriate | — | Section 59.C.7.e |
| Informational Kiosk | — | — | — | — | — | Within campus as appropriate | — | Section 59.C.7.f |
| Temporary Sign/Banner (Campus Events) | — | — | — | — | — | Within campus as appropriate | — | Section 59.C.7.g |

## Prohibited signs in Biddeford

- Posting, pasting, gluing, tacking, or otherwise affixing any sign, placard, advertisement, or inscription on any City-owned lands or highways or roads adjacent to a park, except as required by ordinance.
- Erecting any sign on City-owned lands or highways or roads adjacent to a park, except as required by ordinance.
- Removing, defacing, or tampering with a sign placed in accordance with Sec. 62-84 (street signs placed by the Director).
- Setting or planting any sign or structure within the limits of any right-of-way without the written consent of the Council or the Director, except as otherwise permitted.
- Erecting, enlarging, or replacing a sign without a sign permit, unless specifically exempted.
- Altering, changing, enlarging, or replacing a nonconforming sign unless in accordance with regulations.
- Failing to keep all signs and sign structures properly maintained and in a neat and proper state of appearance.
- Failing to remove signs advertising activities or products no longer on site.
- Failing to remove signboards for businesses that have closed or relocated within 30 days.
- Erecting signs with visible moving, revolving, or rotating parts or visible movement, except barber poles.
- Erecting signs which create the effect of optical illusion.
- Erecting roof signs (i.e., signs mounted wholly or in part on any roof or above the highest exterior point of any building), unless integral to the roof structure.
- Erecting signs using fluorescent or phosphorescent paint which causes the sign to glow in the dark.
- Displaying temporary and/or portable signs that do not meet standards for setback, size, lighting, and use for the district (unless otherwise exempted).
- Erecting unshielded neon signs, except permitted window signs.
- Erecting blinking, flickering, flashing, or rotating signs (except compliant electronic message centers).
- Erecting animated-type signs that use movement or change of lighting to depict action or special effects.
- Displaying strings of lights for more than 45 days or without approval of the Code Enforcement Office (except for special occasions).
- Displaying bare bulbs (except for time/temperature signs and theater marquees).
- Posting window signs covering more than 20% of window area, or exceeding four square feet.
- Erecting inflatable signs.
- Erecting sexually explicit signs (obscene as defined by law including depictions of nudity).
- Placing signs in such a manner as to block visibility for motorists or pedestrians at public ways.
- Extending any sign, or parts thereof, over or into public ways, rights-of-way, or sidewalks unless specifically permitted.
- Violating other specific requirements for sign construction, size, projection, maintenance, lighting, and location as set in the regulations.

## Signs exempt from permit in Biddeford

- On-premises real estate signs advertising the sale of property (not exceeding 8 square feet, max two per parcel, to be removed within 15 days after sale).
- Subdivision real estate signs approved by the Planning Board (not exceeding 64 square feet, after subdivision receives final approval).
- Temporary rental signs (not more than two square feet, no artificial lighting, on the premises).
- Temporary holiday or celebration decorations.
- Nameplates indicating the owner or occupant of a residential building (not exceeding two square feet).
- No trespassing, hunting/fishing prohibition signs (not more than two square feet).
- Signs for home occupations erected according to home occupation standards.
- Construction signs during construction (no more than 16 square feet, one per lot, not longer than six months unless extended).
- Directory signs for commercial establishments not on street level (not larger than four square feet).
- Door signs not larger than two square feet.
- Restaurant menus posted in windows not larger than two square feet.
- Official plaques or historic markers from the Maine Historic Preservation Commission or similar organizations.
- Temporary signs/banners for new business or occupant (max 45 days, subject to specific conditions).
- Signs recognized as "categorical signs" in the Maine Travelers Information Services Act (23 M.R.S.A. § 1913-A), Section 2 (outside right-of-way).
- Exempt off-premises categorical signs as defined in the Maine Travelers Information Services Act, Section 1.
- Publicly owned bus stop outdoor advertising signs meeting state law standards and specific City requirements.
- Signs on common carrier rolling stock or registered and inspected motor vehicles, except those determined to circumvent ordinance intent.
- Temporary unlit signs for non-business related sales (lawn/garage sales) up to 10 square feet, no more than one per parcel, for up to five days/week.
- Temporary signs for public/civic/religious events (auction, supper, lawn sale, fair, etc.) for not more than three weeks, with event date posted.
- Legal notices and regulatory/directional/informational signs required by governmental bodies.
- Flags and insignia of government.
- Signs directing traffic and parking on private property without advertising.
- Awards from state or federal governments or agencies (max two per property, up to 32 square feet, not more than two years, notification required).
- Traffic control/construction signs by/for Maine Turnpike Authority, Maine DOT, or City of Biddeford.
- Directional signage erected by the City for wayfinding.
- Political signs promoting elections, referenda, or policy matters, subject to specific time/place/manner restrictions.
- Landmark signs as explicitly recognized by the City.
- Sponsorship signs erected by the City per Recreation Commission guidelines.
- Street name signs and traffic control signs placed by the City or other governmental entities.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Sign permits are required for all signs unless they are listed as exempt in B13 (on-premises) or B14 (off-premises). Permit applications must include a drawing with dimensions, materials, illumination details, and written property owner approval if the applicant is not the property owner.
- A plan showing street sign and street light placement, consistent with City guidelines, must be furnished for committee approval prior to installation (Sec. 62-113).
- Where permanent signage in the Historic District (MSRD-1, MSRD-2, MSRD-3) is sought, the Historic Preservation Commission must issue a certificate of appropriateness before the Code Enforcement Office will issue a sign permit.
- In the IN Zone, all signs must be consistent with the approved institutional master plan, and sign types/locations must follow the plan's design standards.
- For temporary signs installed pending a permanent sign that requires a certificate of appropriateness, the application for that certificate must be submitted within 15 days of temporary sign installation.
- Administrative appeal of sign permit decisions is available for cases of hardship, as described in Sec. 59.D.
- Special consideration (but not a master sign plan per se) is given for landmark signs as identified by the City.
- Setting/planting a sign in any right-of-way requires written consent of the Council or Director (Sec. 62-85).

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

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