Sign Regulations in Holden, Maine
Holden, Maine has specific sign regulations covering 23 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Regulated sign types include Temporary Sign - Real Estate, Temporary Sign - Business Opening, Temporary Sign - Civic/Political/Education/Philanthropic. Height restrictions apply. Permits are required for most commercial signs. Use PermitPal to get instant access to the complete regulations.
Data last verified: May 30, 2025
Sign Regulation Overview for Holden, Maine
Sample Sign Requirements in Holden
| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Setback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Sign | 25 feet above grade | — | Must comply with Article 5, Section 505 setbacks: not in right-of-way, min 7 ft from paved surface, min 20 ft from side lot lines. |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet above grade | 200 square feet per sign | See section above (location_of_sign). |
| Portable Sign - Commercial Message | — | 32 square feet | See Article 5, Section 505 |
* Sample data shown. Actual requirements may vary by zone. Use PermitPal for complete, location-specific regulations.
PermitPal Coverage for HoldenFull Coverage
Sign Types Covered
23
- Temporary Sign - Real Estate
- Temporary Sign - Business Opening
- Temporary Sign - Civic/Political/Education/Philanthropic
- Political Sign
- +2 more types
Zoning Districts
7
Different zoning districts with specific sign regulations
Data Includes
- Permit requirements
- Height restrictions
- Illumination rules
Official Resources for Holden
Other Cities in Maine
Frequently Asked Questions
In Holden, wall signs can be up to 25 feet above grade and monument signs are limited to 25 feet above grade. 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 Holden, 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 Holden, regulated sign types include Temporary Sign - Real Estate, Temporary Sign - Business Opening, Temporary Sign - Civic/Political/Education/Philanthropic, Political 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 Holden, monument signs typically require a See section above (location_of_sign). 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 Holden are regulated with specific requirements for brightness, animation, and message duration. Holden has documented illumination rules in our database. Use PermitPal to see the exact requirements for electronic message centers.
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Holden, Maine Sign Rules at a Glance
Holden, Maine regulates 23 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the General Commercial Zone (GC), Limited Commercial Zone (LC) zoning district are capped at 25 feet above grade tall and 200 square feet per sign, with a See section above (location_of_sign). setback (Sec. Article 6, Section 601; Article 5, Section 505, 511, 512). Most commercial signs in Holden require a permit.
Detailed Sign Ordinance Requirements for Holden, Maine
Sign Rules by Zoning District in Holden (7 zones)
| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Commercial Zone (GC), Limited Commercial Zone (LC) | 13 | 25 feet above grade | 200 square feet per sign | — |
| Community Service and Institutional Zone (CS & I), Village Center Zone (VC) | 12 | 25 feet above grade | 200 square feet per sign (150 sq ft max in Village Center Zone) | — |
| High Density Residential (R-1 & R-1G), Low Density Residential (R-2), Rural Resource/Residential Zone (R-3) | 10 | — | 24 square feet | — |
| Seasonal Residence (R-4), Resource Protection (R-P) | 9 | — | 24 square feet | — |
| Industrial and Business Park | 1 | — | 400 square feet | — |
| Commercial Complexes | 3 | 25 feet above grade | 400 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | No higher than 4 feet above roof edge (flat roof); at least 4 feet lower than ridge (other roof) | 48 square feet (12 ft length x 4 ft height) | — |
Zone-by-Zone Sign Requirements in Holden(sample of 3 of 7 zones)
General Commercial Zone (GC), Limited Commercial Zone (LC)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet above grade | 200 square feet per sign | — | See section above (location_of_sign). | 1 per lot; 2 if >300 ft frontage; 3 if >500 ft frontage. | On premises; not in right-of-way; min 7 ft from edge of pavement; min 20 ft from side lot lines. | — | Unlock | Article 6, Section 601; Article 5, Section 505, 511, 512 |
| Portable Sign - Commercial Message | — | 32 square feet | — | See Article 5, Section 505 | 1 per lot/parcel | On premises; must comply with setback requirements | — | Unlock | Article 5, Section 507(a) |
| Wind Banners/Business Flags | 15 feet | 32 square feet per device | — | See Article 5, Section 505 | 2 (combined wind banners and business flags) | On premises; comply with setback | — | Unlock | Article 5, Section 507(c) |
| Arcade Sign | 12 inches (height) | Determined by size: Shall not exceed 12 inches height x 8 feet length (8 sq ft) | 8 feet (length) | — | 1 per establishment | One per establishment in integrated shopping centers; mounted at right angles to the nearest face of the building. | — | Unlock | Article 5, Section 501(H) |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate | — | 32 square feet | — | See Article 5, Section 505.1/.2 | 1 per 200 feet | Comply with setback | — | Unlock | Article 5, Section 508(a) |
| Temporary Sign - Business Opening | — | 32 square feet (in all Route 1A zones) | — | Not in right-of-way; see Article 5, 508(b). | 2 per business opening event | On premises | — | Unlock | Article 5, Section 508(b) |
| Temporary Sign - Special Event Business | — | 32 square feet | — | Not in right-of-way; 20 ft from side & rear property lines. | 1 per event (3 events/year) | On premises, not in right-of-way | — | Unlock | Article 5, Section 508(c) |
| Electronic Sign | — | Up to 50% of allowed sign area (see sign area maximums above) | — | Within 100 feet of Route 1A. | 1 per lot | On premises; must be within 100 ft of Route 1A | — | Unlock | Article 10, Sections 1000-1011 |
Community Service and Institutional Zone (CS & I), Village Center Zone (VC)
| 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 | 25 feet above grade | — | — | Comply with general setbacks. | — | On premises, attached to building. | — | Unlock | Article 6, Section 602; Article 8, Section 510 |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 feet above grade | 200 square feet per sign (150 sq ft max in Village Center Zone) | — | See above | 1 per lot; 2 with >300 ft frontage; 3 with >500 ft frontage | On premises; min 7 ft from paved surface, min 20 ft from side lot lines. | — | Unlock | Article 6, Section 602; Article 5, Sec 512 |
| Portable Sign - Commercial Message | — | 32 square feet | — | Comply with general setbacks | 1 per lot/parcel | On premises; as per Section 507 | — | Unlock | Article 5, Section 507(a) |
| Wind Banners/Business Flags | 15 feet | 32 square feet per device | — | Comply with general setbacks. | 2 (banners and/or flags) | On premises | — | Unlock | Article 5, Section 507(c) |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate | — | 32 square feet | — | See Article 5, Section 505 | 1 per 200 ft | Comply with setbacks | — | Unlock | Article 5, Section 508(a) |
| Temporary Sign - Business Opening | — | 32 square feet | — | Not in right-of-way; see Article 5, Sec 508(b) | 2 | On premises | — | Unlock | Article 5, Section 508(b) |
| Temporary Sign - Special Event Business | — | 32 square feet | — | See above | 1 per event | On premises, not in right-of-way | — | Unlock | Article 5, Section 508(c) |
| Electronic Sign | — | 50% of allowed sign area in CS & I; 30% of allowed sign area in VC | — | Within 100 feet of Route 1A. | 1 per lot | On premises; within 100 feet of Route 1A | — | Unlock | Article 10, Sections 1001-1011 |
High Density Residential (R-1 & R-1G), Low Density Residential (R-2), Rural Resource/Residential Zone (R-3)
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subdivision Sign | — | 24 square feet | — | — | 2 per subdivision | On subdivision site | — | Unlock | Article 6, Section 603(a) |
| Directional/Guiding Sign (Non-Advertising) | — | 4 square feet (aggregate) | — | — | — | On private property. | — | Unlock | Article 6, Section 603(b) |
| Detached Produce Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot | One per lot of record. | — | Unlock | Article 6, Section 603(c) |
| Home Occupation Sign (Nameplate) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per home occupation | On premises | — | Unlock | Article 5, Section 509 |
| Temporary Sign - Real Estate | — | 8 square feet | — | See Article 5, Section 505 | — | On premises, at least 7 ft from pavement and 20 ft from property lines. | — | Unlock | Article 5, Section 508(a) |
| Temporary Sign - Business Opening | — | 4 square feet | — | Not in right-of-way | 2 per business opening event | On premises | — | Unlock | Article 5, Section 508(b) |
| Temporary Sign - Special Event | — | 4 square feet | — | Not in right-of-way; 20 ft from lot lines. | 1 per event (3 events/year) | On premises, min 20 ft from side & rear lines. | — | Unlock | Article 5, Section 508(c) |
| Yard Sale Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per sale | On property holding sale. | — | Unlock | Article 5, Section 508(f) |
PermitPal covers all 7 zoning districts in Holden — full sign requirements for every zone, plus illumination rules, size formulas, and permit requirements for every sign type — with a free account.
See all 7 zones for Holden — start freeProhibited Signs in Holden
- Flashing, rotating, moving signs, foil, streamers, and balloons are prohibited, except for electronic signs meeting the requirements of Article 9 and permitted wind banners and flags.
- Signs shall not obstruct a motorist's vision of an official traffic signal.
- Signs 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.
- No illuminated sign shall be of such intensity or brilliance to cause glare or impair the vision of a motor vehicle operator or otherwise interfere with operation.
- Projecting and freestanding signs above sidewalks, driveways, or parking areas must maintain at least 10 feet of clearance from the ground.
- Signs and their supporting structures must be properly maintained to prevent rust, rot, peeling, or similar deterioration.
- No sign shall be indirectly illuminated so as to cause light to shine on adjacent properties or into any public right-of-way.
- Business directional signs under the Maine Travelers Information Service Act are not permitted in any public way of the Town of Holden; only Institutional Directional Signs are allowed with appropriate permission.
- On-premises signs shall not extend over or project into any public way.
- Wall signs shall not be attached to or obstruct any window, door, stairway, or other opening intended for ingress, egress, ventilation, or light.
- Signs shall not obstruct access to vehicle stops, benches, fire hydrants, or other street furnishings.
- Signs on motor vehicles, boats, or trailers that circumvent the intent of the ordinance (including those continuously in one location or extending beyond vehicle dimensions) are prohibited.
- All off-premise signs are prohibited, except for Official Business Directional Signs or Institutional Directional signs.
- Revolving signs are prohibited, except for barbershop poles not exceeding four feet in height.
- No sign (except Official Business Directional or Institutional Directional Signs) shall be erected inside public rights-of-way.
- All signs must be set back at least 20 feet from side lot lines.
- No sign shall be located such that it interferes with or impairs the vision of a vehicle operator.
- It is unlawful for any non-conforming sign to remain on display after it ceases to be functional; non-functional signs must be removed or repainted per the ordinance.
- Flashing and/or revolving signs are prohibited.
- No free-standing or detached sign in Community Service & Institutional, Limited or General Commercial Zones shall exceed 200 square feet; in the Village Center Zone, no more than 150 square feet.
- Signs may not exceed 25 feet above ground level.
- No sign, either attached, detached, or affixed, shall extend to a height greater than 25 feet above ground.
- Electronic signs are subject to additional restrictions (e.g., no blinking, flashing, rotating, scrolling, or changing intensity except when the message changes, and must meet brightness and sizing limits).
- Electronic signs must freeze in a static display if malfunctioning and be stoppable on demand.
- No electronic sign may be of such location, intensity, or brilliance to adversely impact the vision of a driver or interfere with official signs/devices/signals.
- Undue brightness is prohibited: no illumination in excess of 7500 nits in daytime, 500 nits at night.
- Only on-premises electronic signs are allowed; advertising off-site products/services/events is prohibited.
Exempt Signs in Holden
- Flags or insignia of any government are not considered signs under this ordinance.
- Legal notices, identification, information, traffic-related, or directional signs erected or required by governmental bodies (excluding Official Business Directional Signs) are not considered signs.
- Temporary signs pertaining to real estate sale, rental, or lease do not require a permit.
- Temporary signs for campaigns, drives, or events of political, civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organizations do not require a permit.
- Political signs relating to an election, primary, or referendum do not require a permit.
- Temporary yard sale signs do not require a permit.
- Portable signs advertising products or services (permitted in certain zones) require a permit, but no fee is charged.
- Temporary signs smaller than 8 square feet and temporary signs as defined are exempt from the requirement to have a structural frame.
- Electronic signs used by drive-through businesses (not facing public roads or residential properties) with limited display size are exempt from most electronic sign provisions.
- Gas stations and other commercial establishments may install an on-premises electronic sign for price information only (limited size and change frequency) regardless of zone.
Sign Plan & Submission Notes for Holden
- A sign permit is required for any sign unless specifically exempted (Article 4, Section 401).
- Applications for sign permits must be accompanied by plans drawn to scale, showing sign dimensions, sign position in relation to buildings/structures, and other details (Article 4, Section 402).
- Article 7 (Commercial Complexes) refers to additional rules for sign placement and size in commercial complexes.
- Registration of temporary advertising/event signs with the Code Enforcement Officer is required for businesses wishing to display such signs (Section 508c).
- Variance requests (e.g., for dimensional or placement changes) must be decided by the Zoning Board of Appeals, requiring a written application and public hearing (Article 12, Section 1202).
- Permits for electronic signs require submission of written certification from the manufacturer regarding intensity settings being factory pre-set and protected from end-user manipulation (Article 10, Section 1011).
Source: other municipal code