# Sign Regulations in Saco, Maine

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Saco, Maine (ME)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/maine/saco
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-21
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/38559568#38559568)

## At a glance

Saco, Maine regulates 12 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the Historic District zoning district are capped at 25 ft above adjacent ground grade (§230-904F(3)); for corner lot/near exit lane, must be below 3 ft or above 10 ft if within 15 ft of ROW (§230-904C) tall and See general/district rules and Table 9-1, with a 5 ft from lot line (§230-904F(3)), see also sight line rules setback (Sec. §230-1915; §230-904C, F(3)). Most commercial signs in Saco require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Historic District | 5 | 42 inches | As per general district/table, but must be pedestrian scaled and appropriate for facade (see §230-1915D); generally placed no higher than the windowsill of the second story | — |
| Residential District | 3 | — | 4 sq ft (standard); If property approved for nonresidential use and on major streets: 12 sq ft | — |
| Business District, Industrial District, D, SI, CE, GB, HB, I, BI, PR, MB, I, BI abutting turnpike | 7 | 25 ft above adjacent grade | D, SI, CE: 100 sq ft; GB, HB, I, BI: 100 sq ft; PR: 150 sq ft; MB: 16 sq ft; I, BI abutting turnpike: 150 sq ft (within 50 ft of ROW), 200 sq ft (>50 ft from ROW) | — |
| Downtown District, Main and Beach Districts | 2 | 42 inches | 50 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | 4 sq ft surface size | — |

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

### Historic District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | As per general district/table, but must be pedestrian scaled and appropriate for facade (see §230-1915D); generally placed no higher than the windowsill of the second story | — | — | As per district/table; see general allowances | Generally at first floor level, no higher than second-story windowsill (see §230-1915C) | — | §230-902; §230-1915A-H |
| Projecting Sign | — | See general district/table. For Downtown/Main Street (if within Historic District), max 1.5 sq ft/ft width of the principal structure, up to 50 sq ft (§230-904H(1)) | — | — | As per table/district | Shall not project more than 10 ft from building; bottom at least 10 ft above sidewalk; at least 3 ft back from line perpendicular to curbline (§230-904H) | — | §230-1915; §230-904H |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft above adjacent ground grade (§230-904F(3)); for corner lot/near exit lane, must be below 3 ft or above 10 ft if within 15 ft of ROW (§230-904C) | See general/district rules and Table 9-1 | — | 5 ft from lot line (§230-904F(3)), see also sight line rules | As per general district/table | Subject to general rules, minimum 5 ft setback from lot line (§230-904F(3)) | — | §230-1915; §230-904C, F(3) |
| Awning/Canopy Sign | — | See district/table; internal illuminated awning rules apply (§230-904B(2)) | — | — | As per general district/table | Awning/canopy must fit window/door opening and fully fill the width of the window/door (§230-1915G) | — | §230-1915G; §230-904B(2) |
| A-frame Sandwich Board Sign | 42 inches | 30 inches wide x 42 inches high | 30 inches | — | 1 per business | On sidewalk in front of business only | — | §230-904I |

### Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | 4 sq ft (standard); If property approved for nonresidential use and on major streets: 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On wall of building | — | §230-904E(1-2) |
| Freestanding Sign | — | 4 sq ft (standard); If nonresidential use on major streets: 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | On the lot; not specified | — | §230-904E(1-2) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 4 sq ft (standard); If nonresidential use on major streets: 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per building | Projecting from wall | — | §230-904E(1-2) |

### Business District, Industrial District, D, SI, CE, GB, HB, I, BI, PR, MB, I, BI abutting turnpike

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | D, SI, CE: 100 sq ft; GB, HB, I, BI: 100 sq ft; PR: 150 sq ft; MB: 16 sq ft; I, BI abutting turnpike: 150 sq ft (within 50 ft of ROW), 200 sq ft (>50 ft from ROW) | — | — | Single occupancy: 2 signs (only one may be freestanding), plus 1 extra wall sign ≤12 sq ft; PR: 2 signs plus 1 extra wall sign ≤12 sq ft; MB: 2 signs, only 1 may be freestanding; I, BI abutting turnpike: 3 signs, only one freestanding | On principal structure | — | §230-904F(1); Table 9-1 |
| Freestanding Sign | 25 ft above adjacent grade | D, SI, CE: 50 sq ft/side; GB, HB, I, BI: 75 sq ft/side; PR: 100 sq ft/side; MB: 16 sq ft/side; I, BI abutting turnpike: 100 sq ft/side | — | 5 ft from lot line; 100 ft between freestanding signs on same property | See Wall Sign above | On lot; freestanding | — | §230-904F(1,3); §230-904G |
| Projecting Sign | — | As per Wall Sign, but see special rules for Downtown District and Main & Beach Districts | — | — | See Wall Sign above | Projecting from structure | — | §230-904F(1); Table 9-1 |
| Directory or Anchor Tenant Sign (For Multiple Occupancy Premises) | — | Up to 50% of the overall size allowance for the premises type | — | — | 1 per complex | Freestanding or wall sign serving as directory/anchor tenant sign | — | §230-904F(1); Table 9-1 |
| Wall/Projecting/Awning Sign (First Floor Occupancies, Multiple-occupancy) | — | Per maximum zone type | — | — | 2 per first floor occupancy | Wall, projecting, or awning per first floor occupancy for all districts except MB | — | §230-904F(1); Table 9-1 |
| Wall/Projecting Sign (Upper Floor and Basement Occupancies, Multiple-occupancy) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per upper/basement occupancy | Wall or projecting sign | — | §230-904F(1); Table 9-1 |
| Banner Sign | — | 3 ft x 5 ft (15 sq ft) | — | — | 1 per business | On building or permitted freestanding sign | — | §230-904F(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Saco

- Signs that block the view of traffic, street signs, traffic signals, or that distract motorists.
- Signs that are flashing, moving, animated, spinning, revolving, scrolling, inflatable, intensely lighted, or that emit audible sounds or noise.
- Roof signs above the cornice or top of the parapet wall, if any.
- Signs on motor vehicles or trailers parked or stored in a location visible from a public way or regularly parked or stored in a front yard, side yard, or in the public right-of-way adjacent to the front yard when parking is available elsewhere on the property.
- Electronic message center signs that change messages more frequently than every five minutes, or that have continuously scrolling, blinking, or intermittent lighting. (The display of the time and temperature is exempt from this five-minute limit.)
- Billboards.
- No person shall place, maintain or display upon or in view of any highway any unauthorized sign, signal, marking or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic control device or railroad sign or signal or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic control device or any railroad sign or signal.
- No person shall place or maintain any traffic sign or signal bearing thereon any commercial advertising.
- Light trespass from signs on nearby residential properties is prohibited.
- No sign shall be animated by means of flashing, blinking, or traveling lights or by any other means not providing constant illumination.
- All signs, either new or upon alteration, require appropriate permits or certificates.

## Signs exempt from permit in Saco

- Temporary (on-site) signs not exceeding 32 square feet, posted for 10 consecutive days or less, and for a maximum of 30 days per year; duration must be marked on the sign.
- Public purpose signs, directional signs (no more than four square feet in area and three feet above grade) that guide motorists to exits and entrances, signs erected by government agencies, signs prohibiting trespassing or hunting, and historical plaques.
- Signs not visible from the public way.
- Signs on the interior of windows visible from a public way.
- Directional signs not exceeding three square feet in area as measured on one side, and not exceeding six feet above ground level within a site, with permission of the Code Enforcement Officer; directional only.
- Official business directional signs regulated by 23 M.R.S.A §§ 1901 to 1925, as amended.
- Sign announcing name and/or activity of the occupant of premises not exceeding four square feet in surface size.
- Historical sign or placard on a building more than 50 years old not exceeding two square feet (not to be lit if in a residential district).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No sign, billboard, or exterior graphic display shall be erected, enlarged, refaced, or replaced without first obtaining a sign permit from the Code Enforcement Officer.
- Within the Historic District, a certificate of appropriateness shall be obtained before a sign permit is issued.
- All signs, either new or upon alteration, require a certificate of appropriateness in the Historic District (§ 230-1915A).
- Signs in Business, Industrial Districts, and master planned developments may have master sign plans; numbers, types, and sizes regulated per dimensional tables and may require review/approval.
- Sign plan or master sign plan may be implied as required for multiple-occupancy premises per Table 9-1 and related standards.
- Design of signs in the Historic District must be consistent with Article IX and additional standards, and may require approval by the Historic Preservation Commission.
- Variance or appeals procedures are governed by Article XVI of the Zoning Ordinance.

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

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