# Sign Regulations in Lisbon, Maine

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Lisbon, Maine (ME)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/maine/lisbon
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/ME/Lisbon/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTICOORREALWR2CORE1PUHEAD_CH70ZOOR_ARTVISUDIRE_DIV5SI)

## At a glance

Lisbon, Maine regulates 10 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Permanent Signs (all types) except where otherwise restricteds in the Resource Protection District, Limited Residential District, General Residential District, Rural Open Space I District, Rural Open Space II District, Rural Residential District, Limited Rural Residential District, Village District, Commercial District, Industrial District, Diversified Development District zoning district are capped at 20 ft tall and 24 sq. ft. (Resource Protection, Limited Residential, General Residential, Rural Open Space I, Rural Open Space II, Limited Rural Residential); 40 sq. ft. (Village, Commercial, Industrial, Diversified Development), with a Minimum of 4 ft from lot line/street right-of-way; exceptions for Village zone (waiver allowed) setback (Sec. Sec. 70-718(4)(h), Sec 70-713, Sec 70-719(1), Sec 70-716, Sec 70-712, Table: Zoning District | Maximum Total Sign Area (sq. ft.) | Maximum Number of Signs). Most commercial signs in Lisbon require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Resource Protection District, Limited Residential District, General Residential District, Rural Open Space I District, Rural Open Space II District, Rural Residential District, Limited Rural Residential District, Village District, Commercial District, Industrial District, Diversified Development District | 6 | 20 ft | No more than 30% of window area on any single facade facing a road | — |
| Aquifer Protection Overlay District (Zone 1), Aquifer Protection Overlay District (Zone 2), Aquifer Protection Overlay District (Zone 3) | 1 | Per underlying district (see above) | Per underlying district (see above) | — |
| Floating Industrial District | 1 | 20 ft | 40 sq. ft., 2 per property (per Industrial District standards) | — |
| Shoreland Overlay Zone (Resource Protection District), Shoreland Overlay Zone (Limited Residential District), Shoreland Overlay Zone (Limited Commercial District), Shoreland Overlay Zone (General Development I District), Shoreland Overlay Zone (Stream Protection District) | 1 | 20 ft | As set forth in underlying zoning (see above); generally 24 sq. ft. (RP, LR); 40 sq. ft. (LC, GD); See section 70-718(4)(h) | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 5 zones)

### Resource Protection District, Limited Residential District, General Residential District, Rural Open Space I District, Rural Open Space II District, Rural Residential District, Limited Rural Residential District, Village District, Commercial District, Industrial District, Diversified Development District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Permanent Signs (all types) except where otherwise restricted | 20 ft | 24 sq. ft. (Resource Protection, Limited Residential, General Residential, Rural Open Space I, Rural Open Space II, Limited Rural Residential); 40 sq. ft. (Village, Commercial, Industrial, Diversified Development) | — | Minimum of 4 ft from lot line/street right-of-way; exceptions for Village zone (waiver allowed) | Max 2 permanent signs requiring a permit per property | On property; no part of any sign within 4 feet of a street right-of-way or lot line (waiver allowed in Village zone); off-premises signage generally NOT allowed except certain cases | — | Sec. 70-718(4)(h), Sec 70-713, Sec 70-719(1), Sec 70-716, Sec 70-712, Table: Zoning District \| Maximum Total Sign Area (sq. ft.) \| Maximum Number of Signs |
| Temporary Signs | 20 ft | Up to 12 sq. ft. without permit; larger up to 60 sq. ft. (nonresidential) with permit | — | Not within 4 ft. of right-of-way or lot line (waiver allowed); not in gardens/landscaped areas | Max 4 per business/use at once (not counting political) | On property, not within 4 ft. of street right-of-way or lot line (waiver in Village zone for temp signs); not attached to trees, fences, etc. | — | Sec. 70-720(1)-(4), Sec. 70-716(5), Town Parks & Gardens: special rules |
| Portable Signs (Sandwich Board, A-frame) | — | 6 sq. ft. per face (two-faced sign allowed) | — | With above placement; must not block access or safety | Max 1 per property | On property only, except: On sidewalk immediately in front of property in Village Zone (Village St./Main St.) allowed, not to create pedestrian hazard/ADA obstruction. | — | Sec. 70-718(5)(j), 70-715 Definitions |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 8 sq. ft. | — | — | 1 | Building or on property | — | Sec. 70-606(c)(2)a, 70-606(d)(2)e, 70-719(4) |
| Directional/Informational (Wayfinding) Signs | — | 2 sq. ft. | — | — | ≤4 without triggering plan review | On property | — | Sec. 70-716(7), 70-719(5) |
| Window Signs | — | No more than 30% of window area on any single facade facing a road | — | — | — | Behind glass/window. Each side/frontage of bldg gets 30%. | — | Sec. 70-715, 70-718(5)(h) |

### Aquifer Protection Overlay District (Zone 1), Aquifer Protection Overlay District (Zone 2), Aquifer Protection Overlay District (Zone 3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signs (general, see notes) | Per underlying district (see above) | Per underlying district (see above) | — | Per underlying zone | Per underlying zone | On property, per underlying district | — | Sec. 70-563 (use table applies to hazardous/industrial uses, not signs), 70-564 (dimensional req.), 70-718 (general sign standard applies) |

### Floating Industrial District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Signs | 20 ft | 40 sq. ft., 2 per property (per Industrial District standards) | — | Min 4 ft. from right-of-way/lot line | 2 requiring permit per property | On property | — | Sec. 70-527(d), which refers to allowed Industrial District uses; Sec. 70-718 |

## Prohibited signs in Lisbon

- No sign shall be erected, enlarged, illuminated or substantially altered without a sign permit issued by the code enforcement officer, except as expressly exempted.
- No sign may be erected in such a manner as to obstruct clear and free vision, or another sign, nor by reason of its position, shape, color, or illumination interfere with, obstruct the view of, or be confused with any authorized public safety or traffic sign, signal or device or otherwise constitute a hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
- No sign or any portion of a sign or its structure shall be located within four (4) feet of a street right-of-way or other lot line, except as expressly stated for certain exemptions, and except in the village zone where a waiver application is allowed.
- Signs shall not be permanently attached to trees or utility poles.
- Flashing, moving or animated signs are prohibited.
- Cars, trucks or other vehicles shall not be used as signage. Commercial vehicles with advertising information shall not be regularly or permanently parked or placed in a location where a sign would not be permitted, or used in a way that has the effect of circumventing these standards or Lisbon's Ordinances.
- Hand lettered signs are not allowed unless lettering is stenciled and laid out in a well-designed, professional manner.
- Banners or other temporary sign material or type are not allowed for permanent signs. Signs must be constructed using a solid frame structure with durable materials.
- No temporary sign or any portion of a temporary sign or its structure shall be located within four (4) feet of a street right-of-way or other lot line, except for off-premises signs as allowed.
- Illumination of temporary signs, both internal and external, is prohibited.
- Animated signs are not permitted (electronic/digital signs).
- Signs not expressly listed as a temporary sign are treated as permanent signs, and shall be regulated accordingly.
- No sign or any part of its structure shall exceed 20 feet in height, as measured from the normal grade.
- No more than two signs requiring a sign permit shall be located on any property (excluding certain signs as explicitly described).
- Signs must not be permanently attached to or obscure any part of or architectural details on a building.
- No permanent sign may be placed in town-owned parks, gardens, or trail properties except for purposes of park/property identification, wayfinding, safety, or other informational purpose pertaining to the use and activities appropriate for that property, as approved by the Town.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lisbon

- Signs smaller than two (2) square feet.
- Temporary political signs.
- Temporary real estate signs.
- Trespass, hunting, posted property signs required or permitted by law.
- Temporary signs smaller than twelve (12) square feet.
- Public safety signs, placed by or required by the town or any state or federal authority.
- Informational signs less than two (2) square feet in size. (If more than four such signs with additional permitted signs, a signage plan is required.)
- Official business directional signs permitted by the Maine Department of Transportation.
- Signs permitted through the Maine DOT not related to traffic/roadway rules and located in the road right-of-way.
- Street address numbers not exceeding two (2) square feet.
- The flag of any nation or political subdivision.
- Flags, banners, balloons, or other decorations not expressly used to advertise a business, product, or business-related event or activity.
- Religious symbols or insignias.
- Historic plaques or memorial signs or tablets not exceeding four (4) square feet in area.
- Subdivision or residential development signs: one (1) non-internally lit sign at each driveway entrance, not to exceed twenty-four (24) square feet per sign.
- Signs required by state or federal law or regulation.
- Town signs used and maintained by the Town of Lisbon, including welcome/gateway signs, business park signage, public school signs, town office or other town department or committee signs, and temporary notice or advertising for Town events and activities.
- Temporary public safety signs for the duration of an event or construction.
- Temporary signs for community, charity, or non-profit events placed as per section 70-720.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All sign plans or signs not requiring a permit must comply with the standards and requirements of this ordinance and any state or federal regulations (Sec. 70-713(5)).
- A signage plan is required for any property proposing more than four informational signs in addition to other permitted signs (Sec. 70-716(7)).
- A master signage plan for a multi-tenant property shall be required for properties seeking site plan review approval and permitting. The plan should describe the size, location, lighting, color, and material for all proposed signs, including directional and informational signs (Sec. 70-719(1)(e)).
- For new development or redevelopment along Route 196, a sign permit is required and 'the sign design guidelines will also be met to the greatest extent possible' (Sec. 70-831(2)).
- Site plan review applicants (and also conditional use permits that meet the thresholds for design review) must demonstrate compliance with sign regulations and provide a sign plan as part of their submission if signage is proposed (see Sec. 70-831 and 70-719(1)(e)).

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

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