# Sign Regulations in Ogunquit Town, Maine

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ogunquit Town, Maine (ME)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/maine/ogunquit-town
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/33477543#33477543)

## At a glance

Ogunquit Town, Maine regulates 13 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 42 inches tall, 6 sq ft, and 27 inches wide, with a No closer than the front yard setback setback (Sec. 225-8.12A(1)(a)-(e), (f), (c)). Most commercial signs in Ogunquit Town require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | 42 inches | 6 sq ft | — |
| Business districts (DB, GB1, GB2, LB, SG1, SG2, SG3, Shoreland Zone) | 1 | 18 inches (vertical band only for letters/symbols) | Max 25% of permitted sign area | — |
| Downtown Business District, General Business District 1, General Business District 2 | 3 | 15 ft (per general regulation) | 40 sq ft (total for all signs on lot) | — |
| Limited Business District, SG1, SG2, SG3 | 3 | 15 ft (per general regulation) | 12 sq ft (total for all signs on lot) | — |
| Residential districts (OFR, R, RR1, RR2, F) | 2 | 18 inches (vertical band only) | 2 sq ft | — |
| Farm District | 1 | 15 ft | 40 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 42 inches | 6 sq ft | 27 inches | No closer than the front yard setback | Each lot with a nonresidential use and each multifamily development may have no more than one freestanding sign | On private property, no closer to the street than the front yard setback allows | — | 225-8.12A(1)(a)-(e), (f), (c) |
| A-frame Sign (Sandwich Board) | 42 inches | 6 sq ft | 27 inches | No closer than the front yard setback | — | On private property, no closer to the street than the front yard setback allows | — | 225-8.12A(1)(a)-(e), (f), (c) |
| Business/Residential Sign (General) | 15 ft | — | — | — | No business may have a total of more than six signs. See also collective sign rules for multi-tenant buildings. | On building or property as allowed by zone | — | 225-8.12A(1)(d)-(f), (c) |
| Temporary Business Sign | — | No larger than permanent sign it will replace | — | Must comply with all permanent sign location requirements | — | Same location as permanent sign would be allowed | — | 225-8.12A(1)(h) |
| Advertising Sign | — | 6 sq ft (aggregate per establishment) | 3 ft (any dimension) | — | — | On property or in windows | — | 225-8.12E(1) |
| Nonconforming Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 225-8.12F |

### Downtown Business District, General Business District 1, General Business District 2

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Option 1 (One Business on Lot) | 15 ft (per general regulation) | 40 sq ft (total for all signs on lot) | — | — | All signage combined up to 40 sq ft | On building, affixed to facade | — | 225-8.12D(2)(a)[1] |
| Collective Sign (All Businesses with Common Entrances, No Direct Outside Access) | 15 ft (per general regulation) | 40 sq ft total for all tenants, all signage combined on collective or freestanding signpost | — | — | One collective sign or signpost per side facing public way | One collective sign per building side facing public way | — | 225-8.12D(2)(a)[2], 225-8.12C(3) |
| Collective and Additional Wall Sign (More Than One Business, Some with Direct Outside Access) | 15 ft (per general regulation) | Collective sign/post: 40 sq ft; Each business with outside entrance: 1 sign up to 6 sq ft in close proximity to entrance | — | — | Collective sign/post plus one additional sign (max 6 sq ft) per business with own outside entrance | Collective sign identifying building, lot, or development; individual sign at individual outside entrance | — | 225-8.12D(2)(a)[3], 225-8.12C(3) |

### Limited Business District, SG1, SG2, SG3

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign - Option 1 (One Business on Lot) | 15 ft (per general regulation) | 12 sq ft (total for all signs on lot) | — | — | All signage up to 12 sq ft | On building, affixed to facade | — | 225-8.12D(2)(b)[1] |
| Collective Sign (All Businesses with Common Entrances, No Direct Outside Access) | 15 ft (per general regulation) | 12 sq ft total for all tenants, all signage combined on collective or freestanding signpost | — | — | One collective sign or signpost per side facing public way | One collective sign per building side facing public way | — | 225-8.12D(2)(b)[2], 225-8.12C(3) |
| Collective and Additional Wall Sign (More Than One Business, Some with Outside Access) | 15 ft (per general regulation) | Collective sign/post: 12 sq ft; Each business with outside entrance: 1 sign up to 6 sq ft in close proximity to entrance | — | — | Collective sign/post plus one additional sign (max 6 sq ft) per business with own outside entrance | Collective sign identifying building, lot, or development; individual sign at individual outside entrance | — | 225-8.12D(2)(b)[3], 225-8.12C(3) |

## Prohibited signs in Ogunquit Town

- No person shall paste, glue, tack or otherwise post any sign, placard, advertisement, or inscription whatever, nor shall any person erect or cause to be erected any sign whatever, on any Town-owned lands or highways or roads, except as provided by ordinance or with Town Manager approval.
- Freestanding and/or A-frame signs shall only be allowed on private property and must conform to front yard setback requirements; otherwise, similar signage must be affixed to the building.
- Freestanding and/or A-frame signs can be no larger than six square feet and no wider than 27 inches or taller than 42 inches.
- No business or residential signs may be erected, altered, or relocated without a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer.
- All business and residential signs must be made of wood, metal, or high-density urethane board; no fluorescent, day-glow, or other reflective materials permitted (except for awnings and temporary signs where allowed). Gold leaf is permitted.
- Sign illumination is permitted only by steady, uncolored, external, dark sky compliant lighting.
- Signs shall not be more than 15 feet high.
- Any sign which no longer advertises an active business, product, or activity must be removed within 30 days by the property owner or tenant, except for seasonal business signs at end of season.
- Signs (regulated or exempt) shall not be placed in rights-of-way or on Town properties without Select Board authorization.
- Roof signs are prohibited.
- Strings of pennants, inflated signs, tethered balloons, or banners are prohibited unless expressly allowed elsewhere in the chapter.
- Flags (except those of any nation, state, city, coalition, or other political unit, including military/veterans groups) are prohibited; no flag may exceed 50 square feet.
- Internally illuminated signs (including neon, LED, digital, or electronic message center) are prohibited, including those inside buildings visible to the public.
- Signs which move, rotate, create the illusion of movement, or emit audible sound/noise are prohibited.
- Signs that appear animated, projected, intermittently illuminated, or have scrolling/sequential lighting, or contain flashing/animated lights (including LED/digital/electronic message center signs) are prohibited.
- Any signs placed within the public way right-of-way without Select Board authorization are prohibited and subject to removal.
- Freestanding A-frame or other portable signs on public or private property are prohibited unless exempted or authorized by the Select Board.
- Signs which attempt to direct, imitate, or interfere with official traffic controls or signals are prohibited.
- Signs that may prevent a driver from having a clear view of an official sign or other traffic are prohibited.
- Off-premises signs are prohibited unless exempted elsewhere in the section.
- Advertising or business signs attached to or painted on vehicles (car, truck, trailer, etc.) are prohibited if parked or used in a manner suggesting purpose as an off-premises sign.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ogunquit Town

- One sign not exceeding one square foot in area bearing only street number, property name, or occupant name.
- Signs erected and maintained as part of governmental functions or required by law/ordinance/government regulation.
- Flags (less than 50 sq ft) of any nation, state, city, coalition, or other political entity, including military and veterans groups.
- Signs within buildings oriented solely to patrons who have entered the premises.
- Directional/parking signs (on private property, not over 4 sq ft, without commercial matter—business name allowed if needed to avoid confusion).
- One on-premises real estate sign (for sale, lease, or rent) per lot/dwelling unit not exceeding six square feet, removable upon sale/occupancy.
- Inside window-type displays or paraphernalia necessary/incidental to the business (e.g., jewelry cases, mannequins, clothing layouts).
- Outside-mounted, glass-front display cabinets (no greater than six sq ft, menus, real estate ads, etc.).
- Memorial signs/tablets, historic building names/dates when engraved or constructed of permanent material.
- One permanent, freestanding, joint off-premises identification sign for civic group meetings at Town entrances (max 32 sq ft, integrated and landscaped).
- Temporary signs (erected for ≤30 days), on or off premises, for educational, charitable, philanthropic, civic, professional, religious, or similar events.
- Off-site directional signs for nonprofit museums, theaters, or houses of worship in Ogunquit.
- Warning signs ('Posted', 'No Trespassing', etc.) no greater than 2 sq ft.
- One contractor/tradesman sign (no larger than six sq ft) during work, removed within five days after completion.
- Ogunquit Playhouse may maintain certain existing signage and marquees, not subject to sunset and allowed changeable lettering.
- Movie theaters may maintain certain billboards/marquees/banners in use at adoption; not subject to sunset and allows changeable lettering.
- Specific cultural/Town organizations may erect limited portable/freestanding/A-frame signs, up to a town-wide maximum, with Select Board/Town Manager approval.
- Businesses may erect one compliant temporary 'Grand Opening' or similar sign (≤3 sq ft, compliant materials/illumination) for ≤30 days.
- Businesses may have a sign at entrance indicating open/closed (≤3 sq ft, compliant materials/illumination).
- Political signs about elections, primaries, or referenda are exempt from regulation and governed by state law and specific Town Code.
- No more than two yard sale signs on the property and two on the street where the sale occurs (max four signs, each ≤ six sq ft, displayed only during sale dates as per permit).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No business or residential signs may be erected, altered, or relocated without a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer. Before issuing a permit, the Code Enforcement Officer may submit the application to the Planning Board for review, interpretation and possible approval.
- Awnings in business districts may be erected, altered, or relocated with issuance of a permit from the Code Enforcement Officer. Before issuing a permit, the Code Enforcement Officer may submit the application to the Planning Board for review, interpretation and possible approval.
- The content and placement of certain cultural and civic group portable/freestanding/A-frame signs, as well as the allocation of signs among groups, must be approved annually by the Town Manager, as authorized by the Select Board.
- Any sign replacing a nonconforming sign must conform to the current ordinance provisions.
- Any sign(s) on a lot with a multiple-tenant building must be brought into compliance within one year of the effective date of amendments.

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

---

PermitPal — AI sign code research. Full HTML page: https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/maine/ogunquit-town