# Sign Regulations in Camden Town, Maine

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Camden Town, Maine (ME)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/maine/camden-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/38271825#38271825)

## At a glance

Camden Town, Maine regulates 17 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Subdivision Signs in the Rural 1 (RU-1), Rural 2 (RU-2), Rural Recreation (RR), Village Extension (VE), Traditional Village (V), Coastal Residential (CR) zoning district are capped at 9 ft tall and 16 sq ft (Sec. § 290-11.11B, § 290-11.11C(1)). Most commercial signs in Camden Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 5 | — | 12 inches x 18 inches | — |
| Industrial District (I) | 1 | — | 30 sq ft | — |
| Rural 1 (RU-1), Rural 2 (RU-2), Rural Recreation (RR), Village Extension (VE), Traditional Village (V), Coastal Residential (CR) | 5 | 9 ft | 16 sq ft | — |
| Downtown Business (B-1), Highway Business (B-2), Business Transition (B-3), Harbor Business (B-H), Transitional Harbor Business (B-TH), River Business (B-R), Neighborhood Service (B-4) | 8 | 9 ft | 50 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Illuminated Sign (Internally Illuminated 'Open' Window Sign) | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Window, visible from exterior | — | § 290-11.7 |
| Temporary Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | 1 per construction project; other types as temporary needs. | — | — | § 290-11.12 |
| Directional/Informational Municipal Sign | — | 12 inches x 18 inches | — | — | — | Municipal property | — | § 290-11.11H |
| Directional Sign (Public Parking/Transportation Facilities) | — | 12 inches x 18 inches (roadside); 16 sq ft (freestanding within parking facility) | — | — | — | Parking and transportation facilities | — | § 290-11.11I |
| Temporary Flag, Banner, or Pennant (Event Promotion) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | § 290-11.8 |

### Rural 1 (RU-1), Rural 2 (RU-2), Rural Recreation (RR), Village Extension (VE), Traditional Village (V), Coastal Residential (CR)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-Premises Sign (Freestanding or Wall) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | Up to 2 per permitted use | Premises of the business/use | — | § 290-11.11B, § 290-11.7 |
| Subdivision Sign | 9 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per subdivision | At subdivision entrance/within subdivision | — | § 290-11.11B, § 290-11.11C(1) |
| Home Occupation Sign (On-Building) | — | 6 sq ft (V, VE); 16 sq ft combined (RU-1, RU-2, CR) | — | — | 1 per home occupation | On-building, at home occupation | — | § 290-11.11E(1) |
| Home Occupation Sign (Freestanding) | — | 6 sq ft (V, VE where speed limit 35 mph or greater); 16 sq ft combined (RU-1, RU-2, CR) | — | — | 1 per home occupation | Freestanding at home occupation | — | § 290-11.11E(1) |
| Tradesmen's Shop Sign (On-Building and Freestanding) | — | 16 sq ft combined | — | — | 1 on-building and 1 freestanding (max 16 sq ft combined) | On-building and/or freestanding | — | § 290-11.11E(2) |

### Downtown Business (B-1), Highway Business (B-2), Business Transition (B-3), Harbor Business (B-H), Transitional Harbor Business (B-TH), River Business (B-R), Neighborhood Service (B-4)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 9 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business (may be 1 of 3 total signs allowed per business) | On premises | — | § 290-11.11C(1), § 290-11.7 |
| On-Building Sign (Main Business ID) | — | 50 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business (within 3 sign max, may get 1 additional if on multiple thoroughfares) | On-building (premises) | — | § 290-11.11C(2), § 290-11.7 |
| Canopy Sign or Projecting Sign | — | 12 sq ft (if not over right-of-way); 6 sq ft (overhanging right-of-way) | — | — | 1 per business (within 3 sign max, may get 1 additional if on multiple thoroughfares) | On-building/canopy or projecting, or overhanging public right-of-way | — | § 290-11.11C(3), § 290-11.7 |
| Freestanding/A-frame Blackboard Sign (Downtown Business - B-1 or Transitional Harbor Business - B-TH) | — | 17 in x 28 in (3.3 sq ft) | — | — | 1 per business (additional to 3 sign max?) | Private property | — | § 290-11.11C(5) |
| Freestanding/A-frame Blackboard Sign (Highway Business - B-2, Business Transition - B-3, Neighborhood Service - B-4) | — | 24 in x 36 in (6 sq ft) | — | — | 1 per business (additional to 3 sign max?) | Private property | — | § 290-11.11C(5) |
| Parking Lot Entrance/Exit Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | 2 per lot | Parking lot entrance/exit | — | § 290-11.11C(6) |
| Subdivision Sign | 9 ft | 16 sq ft | — | — | 1 per subdivision | At subdivision entrance/within subdivision | — | § 290-11.11C(7), § 290-11.11C(1) |
| Blackboard Sign (Window) (Business ID/Menu, etc.) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 per business | Attached to building near entrance | — | § 290-11.4G |

## Prohibited signs in Camden Town

- No billboards, animated signs, flashing signs, roof signs, rotating signs, signs containing any visible moving parts, and portable signs are permitted in any zone. Engraved cornerstones and stone engraved building or structure names are exempt from this prohibition.
- Sandwich board signs, easels, and other sidewalk signs not affixed to a structure or sign post are prohibited on any public or private way except as permitted under § 290-11.11C(5).
- Ladder signs affixed by the use of hooks and chains are prohibited, except that ladder signs no larger than three inches by 18 inches may indicate open or closed or vacancy status.
- All other off-premises signs, including official business directional signs (OBDS), are prohibited in all zones, except for specific grandfathered signs approved by the Department of Transportation and present in the 12 months preceding June 27, 1985.
- Any sign that no longer advertises a bona fide business, product, activity, or campaign must be removed within 10 days of notification from the Code Enforcement Officer.
- No sign shall constitute a hazard to vehicular or pedestrian safety.
- All illuminated exterior signs must be externally illuminated only, with shielded sources and no exposed source of illumination, except for a single permitted 'open' sign.
- Commercial advertising is prohibited on traffic signs or signals installed on highways.
- It is prohibited to place, maintain, or display unauthorized signs, signals, or markings on or in view of any highway that imitate or interfere with official traffic control devices.

## Signs exempt from permit in Camden Town

- Any sign lawfully in existence prior to the adoption date of this chapter is exempt, but any change in lettering, size, construction, wording, location, or lighting constitutes a new sign subject to this chapter.
- House addresses, family name signs, and 'no trespassing' signs.
- Traffic control signs and safety signs, including handicapped access signs.
- Signs painted on the window of a business not exceeding 10% of the area of the glass.
- Informational and directional signs concerning hospitals and emergency medical care facilities.
- Vending and dispensing machines, provided those outside are not internally illuminated.
- A single blackboard sign (max. 3 sq. ft.) near a building entrance, in specified business zones, for information like menus, specials, sales, etc.
- Temporary sandwich board signs directing vehicles or pedestrians to civic, organizational, or arts group events.
- Directional signs within private or public property not exceeding 3 inches by 18 inches.
- A single sign (max. 4 sq. ft.) advertising fresh produce grown on the premises.
- Directional and informational signs on municipal property with approval of the Code Enforcement Officer.
- Temporary signs on Town property as authorized by the Select Board for events not exceeding three consecutive days, subject to content and placement restrictions.
- Flying of national, state, or municipal flags, or the official flag of any institution or business.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Every application for a sign permit must be accompanied by plans to scale showing sign area, location, illumination, and other information required by the Code Enforcement Officer to show compliance.
- A permit from the Code Enforcement Officer is required for nearly all signs, including illuminated signs and temporary signs displayed for more than 90 days within a twelve-month period.
- A permit for Town directional signage is issued by the Code Enforcement Officer upon recommendations of the Camden Planning Board and the Parking, Transportation and Traffic Committee, and approval of the Camden Select Board.
- The Select Board may authorize signage for temporary events (not exceeding three days) on Town-owned property, determining type, number, and duration of posting.
- Signs for Town directional signage must have specific placement approved by Maine DOT or local authorities, as applicable.
- Site plan review projects may have one construction sign of up to 16 square feet for the duration of project.
- All sign permits require submission of scaled plans and relevant details to the Code Enforcement Officer.

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

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