# Sign Regulations in Orono, Maine

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Orono, Maine (ME)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/maine/orono
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/ME/Orono/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIIOR_CH18LAUS_ARTVPEST_S18-140SI)

## At a glance

Orono, Maine regulates 16 sign types across 15 zoning districts. All Signs (Aggregate)s in the Village Commercial District (VC) zoning district are capped at No sign shall exceed 35 feet in height above ground level tall and Maximum of 300 square feet total of all signs (Sec. Sec. 18-140(a)(19) Sign Regulations Table; Sec. 18-140(a)(1-19)).

## Sign rules by zoning district (15 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Village Commercial District (VC) | 3 | No sign shall exceed 35 feet in height above ground level | Maximum of 300 square feet total of all signs | — |
| Commercial District 1 (C-1) | 3 | No sign shall exceed 35 feet in height above ground level | Maximum of 300 square feet total of all signs | — |
| Commercial District 2 (C-2) | 4 | No sign shall exceed 35 feet in height above ground level | Maximum of 300 square feet total of all signs | — |
| Industrial District | 2 | No sign shall exceed 35 feet in height above ground level | Maximum of 400 square feet total of all signs | — |
| Economic Development Zone (EDZ) | 2 | No sign above the roof surface | Maximum of 100 square feet per building for the total of all signs | — |
| Forest & Agriculture District | 2 | — | 24 square feet | — |
| Resource Protection District | 1 | — | 2 square feet | — |
| Residential Districts | 2 | — | 24 square feet | — |
| Shoreland Regulations | 4 | No sign shall extend higher than 20 feet above the ground. | 16 square feet | — |
| University District | 1 | — | 15 square feet | — |
| Low Density Residential District (LDR) | 2 | — | 24 square feet | — |
| Medium-Density Residential District (MDR) | 2 | — | 24 square feet | — |
| High Density Residential District (HDR) | 2 | — | 24 square feet | — |
| Gateway Medium Density Residential District (GMDR) | 2 | — | 24 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | 32 square feet | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 15 zones)

### Village Commercial District (VC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs (Aggregate) | No sign shall exceed 35 feet in height above ground level | Maximum of 300 square feet total of all signs | — | — | 1 (up to 3 permitted by Site Plan); 2 for businesses with 2 street frontages | — | — | Sec. 18-140(a)(19) Sign Regulations Table; Sec. 18-140(a)(1-19) |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | 18 square feet per side | 3 feet | — | 1 per building | Within boundaries of lot or within 25 feet of building entrance, whichever is greater; may be in pedestrian right-of-way but must meet ADA standards. | — | Sec. 18-140(a)(6); Table in Sec. 18-140(a)(19) |
| Light Pole Sign | — | 15 square feet | — | — | One per 1,000 square feet of area within urban plaza | On light poles in urban plazas. | — | Sec. 18-140(a)(18) |

### Commercial District 2 (C-2)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs (Aggregate) - Option 1 | No sign shall exceed 35 feet in height above ground level | Maximum of 300 square feet total of all signs | — | — | 1 | — | — | Sec. 18-140(a)(19) Sign Regulations Table; Sec. 18-140(a)(1-19) |
| All Signs (Aggregate) - Option 2 (Planning Board Approval) | No sign shall exceed 35 feet in height above ground level | An additional 200 square feet | — | — | 1 additional | — | — | Sec. 18-140(a)(19) Sign Regulations Table |
| Sandwich Board Sign | — | 18 square feet per side | 3 feet | — | 1 per building | Within boundaries of lot or within 25 feet of building entrance, whichever is greater; may be in pedestrian right-of-way but must meet ADA standards. | — | Sec. 18-140(a)(6); Table in Sec. 18-140(a)(19) |
| Light Pole Sign | — | 15 square feet | — | — | One per 1,000 square feet of area within urban plaza | On light poles in urban plazas. | — | Sec. 18-140(a)(18) |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Identification Sign (All Zones) | — | 2 square feet | — | — | 1 | On premises to which it relates. | — | Sec. 18-140(a)(1) |
| Church/School/Public Bulletin Board | — | 24 square feet | — | — | — | In connection with church, school or public structure. | — | Sec. 18-140(a)(2) |
| Temporary Public Event/Political Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 18-140(a)(3) |
| Construction Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | On property being developed or improved. | — | Sec. 18-140(a)(4) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign (General) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | — | On property being sold, leased or rented. | — | Sec. 18-140(a)(5) |
| Sandwich Board Sign (General) | — | 18 square feet per side | 3 feet | — | 1 per building | Within lot boundaries or within 25 feet of building entrance, may be in pedestrian right-of-way but must meet ADA standards. | — | Sec. 18-140(a)(6) |

## Prohibited signs in Orono

- No sign shall be permitted except as provided in section 18-140.
- All portable signs, exclusive of sandwich boards, are prohibited.
- A sign or structure shall not be illuminated in any manner which causes undue distraction, confusion or hazard to vehicular or pedestrian traffic.
- A sign shall not include moving parts or blinking lights.
- No sign shall project over any public right-of-way.
- No sign shall be constructed, erected or in any way located above or beyond the eaves, roofline or parapet of the building or structure on the side of which such sign is located.
- Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted, product sold, or activity or campaign being conducted shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building, structure or lot upon which such sign may be found within ten days after written notification from the Building Inspector.
- No billboard shall be constructed or erected in any district or zone.
- No sign shall exceed 35 feet in height above ground level.

## Signs exempt from permit in Orono

- In any district, a sign not exceeding two square feet in surface area is permitted which announces the name, address, and, if applicable, professional or home occupation of the premises on which the sign is located.
- A bulletin board not exceeding 24 square feet is permitted in connection with any church, school or similar public structure.
- Temporary signs announcing public and semipublic events, political campaigns and candidates are allowed for up to six weeks and shall be removed within five days after the conclusion of the event.
- A construction sign, not exceeding 32 square feet, is permitted on property being developed or improved. Such construction sign shall be promptly removed when it has fulfilled its function.
- A temporary real estate sign, not exceeding 32 square feet, is permitted on property being sold, leased or rented. Such temporary real estate sign shall be promptly removed when it has fulfilled its function.
- One sandwich board sign not exceeding 18 square feet per side and not to exceed 3 feet in width is allowed per building; placement may be in pedestrian right-of-way if ADA standards are met.
- Light pole signs installed by the Town for a public purpose on Town property or in public rights-of-way are permitted.
- Light pole signs, in addition to those installed by the Town, are permitted on private property only in urban plazas as defined in this ordinance and located in certain commercial and university districts, with specific standards.
- Signs for identification purposes up to two square feet in area are allowed in all districts as described in the Table of Sign Regulations.
- Temporary sign for sale, rental or lease of premises up to three square feet, where allowed by Table of Sign Regulations.
- No restriction of signs relating to trespassing and hunting, up to two square feet, in shoreland regulations.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- ‘Up to three’ signs per building are permitted in the Village Commercial District, Commercial District 1, Commercial District 2, and Industrial Districts if allowed by site plan approval (i.e., as permitted by Site Plan).
- A sandwich board sign is only permitted in the quantities and locations described, and only one per building is allowed.
- Where shopping centers are permitted, the number and area of signs are to be calculated per store or shop, and additional attached signs may be allowed at each separate street entrance to the shopping center.
- In certain districts (Village Commercial, Commercial-1, Commercial-2, Economic Development Zone, Industrial), the area and number of signs allowed per building may be increased by site plan review or Planning Board approval.
- Light pole signs in urban plazas require compliance with specific standards and may require a permit if the replacement sign is larger than the original.
- The total sign area, number of signs, and lighting methods are determined in part by site plan review, Planning Board approval, or as specified in the Sign Regulations Table.
- Replace or add light pole/banner signs only as allowed, and a new permit is required only if the replacement is larger than the original.

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

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