# Sign Regulations in Kittery Town, Maine

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Kittery Town, Maine (ME)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/maine/kittery-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/38532103#38532103)

## At a glance

Kittery Town, Maine regulates 25 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Accessory Use, including Home Occupation)s in the Residential - Rural Conservation, Residential - Rural, Residential - Suburban, Residential - Urban, Residential - Village zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and 8 sq ft, with a Located outside right-of-way; must follow 33 ft from centerline for highways <66 ft wide, or 20 ft from outside paved portion if highway with >2 lanes and paved portion exceeding 24 ft setback (Sec. §16.5.23G(1)(a), §16.5.23D(3), §16.5.23C(2)). Most commercial signs in Kittery Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential - Rural Conservation, Residential - Rural, Residential - Suburban, Residential - Urban, Residential - Village | 5 | 20 ft | 24 sq ft | — |
| Conservation Zone, Shoreland Overlay Zone, Resource Protection Overlay Zone | 6 | 20 ft | 12 sq ft (aggregate) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | — | 75 sq ft | — |
| Commercial Fisheries/Maritime Uses Overlay Zone | 1 | — | — | — |

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

### Residential - Rural Conservation, Residential - Rural, Residential - Suburban, Residential - Urban, Residential - Village

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Accessory Use, including Home Occupation) | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | §16.5.23G(1)(a), §16.5.23C(1), §16.5.23L |
| Freestanding Sign (Accessory Use, including Home Occupation) | 20 ft | 8 sq ft | — | Located outside right-of-way; must follow 33 ft from centerline for highways <66 ft wide, or 20 ft from outside paved portion if highway with >2 lanes and paved portion exceeding 24 ft | See §16.5.23E; generally one per development except as otherwise authorized | On premises; located outside right-of-way | — | §16.5.23G(1)(a), §16.5.23D(3), §16.5.23C(2) |
| Wall Sign (Other Permitted Use) | — | 16 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises | — | §16.5.23G(1)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Other Permitted Use) | 20 ft | 16 sq ft | — | Located outside right-of-way; setback 33 ft from centerline or 20 ft from outside paved portion (see above). | See §16.5.23E | On premises; located outside right-of-way | — | §16.5.23G(1)(b), §16.5.23C(2), §16.5.23D(3) |
| Freestanding Sign (Residential Development) | 20 ft | 24 sq ft | — | See general requirements above. | — | Within residential development, on premises owned by developer or owners' association | — | §16.5.23G(1)(b) |

### Conservation Zone, Shoreland Overlay Zone, Resource Protection Overlay Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| On-premises Sign (Goods and Services) | 20 ft | 6 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On premises | — | §16.5.23K(1), §16.5.23K(7), §16.5.23K(8) |
| Name Sign | 20 ft | 12 sq ft (aggregate) | — | — | 2 | On premises | — | §16.5.23K(3), §16.5.23K(7), §16.5.23K(8) |
| Temporary Sign (Relating to Sale, Rental, or Lease) | — | 3 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | §16.5.23K(4) |
| Trespassing/Hunting Sign | — | 2 sq ft | — | — | No restriction | On premises | — | §16.5.23K(5) |
| Public Safety Sign | — | — | — | — | No restriction | On premises | — | §16.5.23K(6) |
| All Signs (Height Restriction) | 20 ft | — | — | — | — | On premises | — | §16.5.23K(7) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Temporary Sign (Business Special Event) | — | 72 sq ft | — | — | 1 | Mounted to building or attached to freestanding sign structure, on premises | — | §16.5.23I(1) |
| Temporary Sign (Sidewalk Sales Event) | — | — | — | — | 1 additional | Mounted to building or to a freestanding sign structure | — | §16.5.23I(2), §5.7.12A/B |
| Political Sign (Public Property) | — | — | — | — | — | On public property (not in specifically prohibited locations) | — | §16.5.23J(8)(a), §12.10.2 |
| General Information Sign | — | 4 sq ft for 'enter/exit', 2 sq ft for other information signs | — | — | — | On property to which they pertain | — | §16.5.23J(2) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 2 | On property being advertised or as an off-premises directional sign | — | §16.5.23J(12) |
| Food Menu Sign | — | 32 sq ft per sign | — | — | 2 | Building mounted or free-standing within 75 ft of restaurant | — | §16.5.23J(15) |
| Construction Phase/Contractor Sign | — | 75 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises of construction project | — | §16.5.23J(17) |
| Off-premises Business Directional Sign | — | 12 in x 48 in | — | — | Up to 3 per business/service | On existing assemblies where possible; not on inbound leg of Kittery traffic circle or near scenic/historic/park locations. | — | §16.5.23H(1) |

## Prohibited signs in Kittery Town

- No sign may be erected, posted, enlarged, or substantially changed without a permit issued by the Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) and also approved by the Town Planner, except where specifically exempted.
- No exterior sign may be artificially illuminated except where hooded or shielded or otherwise designed to prevent direct light spilling onto traveled ways or neighboring property.
- No sign may contain a moving message board or intermittent illumination, except where necessary in time/temperature/date signs.
- Any sign that interferes with or closely imitates any official traffic sign, signal or device is prohibited.
- No sign designed to be transported by means of wheels is allowed, unless said vehicle is used in the normal day-to-day transportation operations of the business. All trailer signs are prohibited.
- Any sign not expressly permitted herein is prohibited.
- In no event may the degree of nonconformity of any sign or type of signage on any lot be increased.
- No sign may be located so that it interferes with the safe sight distances necessary for motorists to proceed safely through intersections or to enter onto or exit from public streets, private roads or driveways.
- Signs must not be posted on trees, utility poles, traffic control devices, or unregistered motor vehicles or trailers.
- Signs must not be placed on or above the roof of any building, except as specified.
- Freestanding signs must not extend higher than 20 feet above the original ground level or the elevation of the center line of the nearest street measured at the closest point to the sign, whichever is greater.
- Except as authorized, each development is prohibited from having more than one freestanding sign.
- Moveable signs are prohibited as temporary signs.
- Signs may not advertise on wireless communication services facilities.
- All signs must be maintained in a safe and sound structural condition.
- Any unpermitted and unallowed sign located in a public road right-of-way may be removed by the Town without notice to the owner.
- Any sign that endangers public safety, including those dangerous by reason of structural defect or that interfere or obstruct a driver's safe operation of a motor vehicle, must be corrected or removed.
- Signs relating to goods or services not sold or rendered on the premises are prohibited in Conservation, Shoreland Overlay, and Resource Protection Overlay Zones.
- Signs higher than 20 feet above the ground are prohibited in Conservation, Shoreland Overlay, and Resource Protection Overlay Zones.

## Signs exempt from permit in Kittery Town

- Public information signs for the control of traffic and other regulatory purposes, route markers, street signs, warning signs, utility, danger or warning signs, signs indicating direction to hospitals, churches, places of worship, or other public facilities.
- General information signs that provide direction or instruction, such as location of telephone, restrooms, parking, ATMs, transit stops, entrances and exits, open and closed signs, installed on the property; these are limited to 4 sq ft for 'Enter' and 'Exit' signs and 2 sq ft for all others, with no logos/business names permitted except as specifically approved for safety/confusion.
- Memorial tablets, grave markers, signs commemorating a historical figure or event, names or dates of buildings to which a sign is attached.
- Official public notices and community signs posted by public employees in performance of their duties, and any sign for Town-sponsored or supported events or facilities as approved by the Town Council.
- Flags of any government or recognized political subdivision, provided they are displayed no higher than 50 feet, with specific exceptions for memorial flagpoles.
- Religious symbols.
- Building street numbers (in accordance with Town records).
- Political campaign signs: on public property within 30 days before to 2 days after, and on private property at any time.
- Interior signs placed inside a building, at least 10 feet inside, or not oriented to be viewed from outside.
- Signs painted on or affixed to registered motor vehicles or trailers where such signs are incidental to the regular transportation function.
- Service club signs with approval of the Commissioner of Public Works, as consolidated structures at major entrances or under 4 sq ft at meeting locations.
- Real estate signs advertising sale, lease, or rent, up to 12 sq ft each, no more than two per property, removed within 60 days of sale/transfer, with one allowed off-premises directional sign.
- Window signs covering no more than 50% of the area of any window.
- Legally required signs, not exceeding two square feet or minimum size required by law.
- Up to two food menu signs per restaurant, each not to exceed 32 sq ft, building-mounted or within 75 feet, subject to other regulations.
- One undercanopy pedestrian-oriented sign per business, up to 10 sq ft, for multi-business buildings with walkways/canopies.
- Construction phase and contractor signs (except trailer signs), up to 75 sq ft, only during construction.
- Garage sale signs as allowed by other code sections.
- Signs relating to trespassing and hunting, without restriction on number, not exceeding 2 sq ft in the Conservation, Shoreland Overlay and Resource Protection Overlay Zones.
- Signs relating to public safety, without restriction, in the Conservation, Shoreland Overlay and Resource Protection Overlay Zones.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit issued by the Code Enforcement Officer and also approved by the Town Planner is required for erection, posting, enlargement, or substantial change of any sign, unless specifically exempted in §16.5.23J.
- Certain signs (e.g., those in §16.5.23J, minor changes to nameplates, changeable message content, routine maintenance not involving changes) do not require a sign permit.
- All sign permit applications must include a completed application form, application fee, and self-addressed stamped envelope, and are reviewed by the CEO for compliance.
- Applications for signs within the Shoreland Zone or those requiring Planning Board opinion may take up to 35 days; others up to 14 working days for a response.
- If the proposed sign is non-conforming or special (e.g., off-premises signs, third freestanding sign, or exceptions to location), Planning Board approval may be required.
- All approved new signs must display a Town-provided numbered sign permit sticker in a visible location.
- A variance or Planning Board review may be necessary for additional or non-standard signage, as described in the relative code sections (e.g., off-premises, third freestanding sign, increased size or logos on general information signs, generic commercial off-premises signs).

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

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