# Sign Regulations in Cameron, Missouri

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cameron, Missouri (MO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/missouri/cameron
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-15
- **Source:** [other municipal code](https://www.cameronmo.com/DocumentCenter/View/53/ARTICLE-23--SIGN-REQUIREMENTS?bidId=)

## At a glance

Cameron, Missouri regulates 49 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Residential Yard Signs - R-1 and R-2s in the R-1 Single-Family Residential District; R-2 Two-Family Residential District; R-3 Multi-Family Residential District; R-4 Mobile Home Residential District zoning district are capped at 6 ft maximum height for any residential yard sign tall and 6 sq ft maximum per sign face; 36 sq ft total aggregate area per single-family lot or duplex housing unit, with a Must not be in the street right-of-way; must be on private property (yard or building setback area). setback (Sec. Art. 23 §7.A.2.d.i–vii). Most commercial signs in Cameron require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (5 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 22 | Cannot extend more than 4 ft above top edge of parapet/eaves of flat/shed roof; or above ridge line of gable, hip, or gambrel roof; or above deck line of mansard roof. | — | — |
| R-1 Single-Family Residential District; R-2 Two-Family Residential District; R-3 Multi-Family Residential District; R-4 Mobile Home Residential District | 11 | 15 ft (unless otherwise specified in specific sign provisions) | 100 sq ft maximum sign face area | — |
| C-1 Central Commercial District; C-2 General Commercial District; CM-P Commercial/Manufacturing-Planned District | 12 | Subject to overall district height limit (100 ft or 40 ft, see below) and canopy projection limits in general regulations | Per sign: ≤300 sq ft; total lot allowance: 4 sq ft per linear ft of street frontage | — |
| C-N Neighborhood Commercial District | 8 | 15 ft maximum height (district maximum) | Each sign face ≤20 sq ft | — |
| M-1 Light Manufacturing District | 11 | Subject to district max height of 50 ft and canopy projection/general rules. | Per sign: ≤700 sq ft; per lot: 4 sq ft per lineal ft of street frontage | — |

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

### R-1 Single-Family Residential District; R-2 Two-Family Residential District; R-3 Multi-Family Residential District; R-4 Mobile Home Residential District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Building Sign (Single-Family and Two-Family Uses) | — | 1 sq ft per sign face (max sign face) | — | — | 1 per dwelling (SF or 2F use) | On the building of a single-family or two-family dwelling in R-1 or R-2. | — | Art. 23 §7.A.2.a |
| Development Sign (Single-Family and Two-Family Uses - Subdivision Entrance) | — | 100 sq ft maximum sign face area | — | — | 1 per subdivision entrance | At each entrance to a subdivision development serving single-family or two-family uses. | — | Art. 23 §7.A.2.b |
| Project Entrance Monument Sign (Single-Family and Two-Family Uses) | 6 ft maximum height | 60 sq ft per sign face (maximum) | — | — | 2 per entrance | At entrances serving single-family and two-family uses. | — | Art. 23 §7.A.2.c–7.A.2.e |
| Residential Yard Signs - R-1 and R-2 | 6 ft maximum height for any residential yard sign | 6 sq ft maximum per sign face; 36 sq ft total aggregate area per single-family lot or duplex housing unit | — | Must not be in the street right-of-way; must be on private property (yard or building setback area). | No numerical limit, subject to aggregate area cap | In the yard or building setback area of a residential property in R-1 and R-2. | — | Art. 23 §7.A.2.d.i–vii |
| Project Entrance Monument Sign (Multi-Family and Mobile Home Uses) | 6 ft maximum height | 60 sq ft per sign face (maximum) | — | — | 1 per entrance | At each entrance to R-3 multi-family and R-4 mobile home developments. | — | Art. 23 §7.A.3.a, 7.A.3.d |
| Window Sign (Multi-Family and Mobile Home Uses) | — | 1 sq ft maximum per window sign | — | — | 1 per dwelling unit | On or behind a window pane of each dwelling unit in R-3 and R-4, intended to be viewed from outside. | — | Art. 23 §7.A.3.b; definition of Window Sign Art. 23 §3 |
| Residential Yard Signs - R-3 and R-4 | 6 ft maximum | 6 sq ft maximum per sign face; 36 sq ft total aggregate area per mobile home lot or residential housing unit | — | Must not be located within the street right-of-way; must be on private property. | No numerical limit, subject to aggregate area cap | In yard/building setback area of residential property in R-3 and R-4. | — | Art. 23 §7.A.3.e.i–vi |
| Freestanding / Electronic Message Center Sign (Non-residential Uses in R-1 and R-2) - Option 1 | 8 ft maximum height | Total sign area (all signs on lot) ≤50 sq ft per lot of record | — | 10 ft minimum from property line. Global section also states in 7.A.5: Setback: None, but specific 10-ft setback for these non-residential R-1/R-2 signs controls. | Total square footage cap of 50 sq ft per lot; number of structures not expressly limited | On lots with non-residential uses (e.g., churches, schools, hospitals, clubs) in R-1 and R-2. | — | Art. 23 §7.A.4.a–h |

### C-1 Central Commercial District; C-2 General Commercial District; CM-P Commercial/Manufacturing-Planned District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning / Canopy / Marquee Signs | Subject to overall district height limit (100 ft or 40 ft, see below) and canopy projection limits in general regulations | Subject to district maximum gross surface area: 4 sq ft per lineal foot of street frontage; no single sign may exceed 300 sq ft gross surface area | — | No required setback (Art. 23 §7.B.5), but C-1 projection rules apply for over sidewalk/right-of-way. | No limitation per zoning lot | On awnings, canopies, or marquees attached to buildings in C-1, C-2, and CM-P. | — | Art. 23 §7.B.1.a; §7.B.2.a; §7.B.3; §7.B.4; §4.E; §4.G; §4.L |
| Ground Sign | Up to 100 ft within 1,000 ft of centerline of US-36 or I-35; otherwise max 40 ft | Each sign subject to district cap: max 4 sq ft per lineal foot of street frontage aggregated; no single sign >300 sq ft gross surface area | — | No minimum setback required in these districts (Art. 23 §7.B.5), subject to traffic safety and highway spacing rules. | 2 per zoning lot (each with up to 2 faces) | Freestanding, permanently attached to ground, independent of buildings, in C-1, C-2, CM-P. | — | Art. 23 §7.B.1.b; §7.B.2.b; §7.B.3; §7.B.4; §4.C; §4.D |
| Pole Sign | Up to 100 ft within 1,000 ft of US-36/I-35 centerlines; otherwise 40 ft max | Within overall maximum: 4 sq ft per lineal foot of street frontage; no single sign >300 sq ft | — | No required setback (Art. 23 §7.B.5); must observe highway spacing for off-premise signs and not project over public ROW in ways prohibited by code. | 2 per zoning lot (each with up to 2 faces) | Freestanding on pole support in C-1, C-2, CM-P. | — | Art. 23 §7.B.1.b; §7.B.2.b; §7.B.3; §7.B.4; definition of Pole Sign §3 |
| Projecting Sign | Subject to 100-ft/40-ft district maxima | Counts toward 4 sq ft per lineal foot of frontage district total; no single sign >300 sq ft | — | No required setback from property line (Art. 23 §7.B.5); C-1 projection rules apply for signs over sidewalks/ROW. | 1 per zoning lot (2 faces allowed) | Affixed to wall and extending more than 1 ft from wall, usually perpendicular, in C-1, C-2, CM-P. | — | Art. 23 §7.B.1.d; §7.B.2.c; §7.B.3; §7.B.4; definition of Projecting Sign §3 |
| Wall Sign | Subject to 100-ft/40-ft maxima and wall/roof relationship; wall signs may not extend more than 12 inches from wall; building sign height limited by roof-sign rule if extended above roof lines. | Counts toward 4 sq ft per lineal foot of frontage; no single wall sign >300 sq ft | — | Not applicable (building-mounted); no required setback from property lines. | No numerical limit | On exterior walls of buildings in C-1, C-2, CM-P. | — | Art. 23 §7.B.1.e; §7.B.2.a; §7.B.3; §7.B.4; §4.J; building sign definition §3 |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) | Subject to freestanding/roof/wall height maxima (100 ft near highways; 40 ft elsewhere; 50 ft in M-1, see that zone). | Counts within 4 sq ft per lineal foot frontage and single-sign 300 sq ft max; EMC portion size governed by district rules (no explicit % limit here, but must comply with area caps). | — | No additional setback beyond none required for these districts, unless located within highway spacing area or near driveways/parking where clearance rules apply. | 1 per zoning lot (2 faces allowed) | Permitted only in commercial districts, including C-1, C-2, CM-P, as either freestanding or building-mounted signs consistent with structural types listed (e.g., ground, pole, wall). | — | Art. 23 §7.B.1.g; §7.B.2.c; §7.B.3; §7.B.4; §4.C.4 |
| Portable Sign | Subject to 100-ft/40-ft maxima for freestanding signs | Within 4 sq ft/lineal ft frontage and 300 sq ft max per sign | — | No required setback, subject to traffic safety and sight triangle prohibitions. | 1 per zoning lot (2 faces allowed) | Portable (not permanently affixed) on commercial lots in C-1, C-2, CM-P. | — | Art. 23 §7.B.1.h; §7.B.2.c; §7.B.3; §7.B.4; definition of Portable Sign §3 |
| Inflatable Sign | Max 15 ft high | Max 20 sq ft surface area | — | No required setback (Art. 23 §7.B.5). | 1 per zoning lot (2 faces allowed) | On commercial property in C-1, C-2, CM-P. | — | Art. 23 §7.B.1.j; §7.B.2.c; note to Art. 31.4.W |

### M-1 Light Manufacturing District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning / Canopy / Marquee Signs | Subject to district max height of 50 ft and canopy projection/general rules. | Counts toward district maximum: 4 sq ft per lineal ft of street frontage; no single sign >700 sq ft | — | None required (Art. 23 §7.D.5). | Part of combined cap: 2 total signs from 7.D.1.a–h per zoning lot | On buildings in M-1. | — | Art. 23 §7.D.1.a; §7.D.2.a; §7.D.3; §7.D.4; §7.D.6; §4.E |
| Ground Sign | 50 ft maximum | Within 4 sq ft per lineal ft of frontage; no single sign >700 sq ft | — | None required. | Together with other types in 7.D.1.a–h, total of 2 signs per zoning lot (2 faces each) | Freestanding ground signs in M-1. | — | Art. 23 §7.D.1.b; §7.D.2.a; §7.D.3; §7.D.4; §7.D.6 |
| Pole Sign | 50 ft maximum | Within 4 sq ft per lineal ft of frontage; max 700 sq ft per sign | — | None required. | Within combined cap: 2 total signs from a–h per zoning lot (2 faces each) | Freestanding pole signs in M-1. | — | Art. 23 §7.D.1.c; §7.D.2.a; §7.D.3; §7.D.4; §7.D.6 |
| Projecting Sign | 50 ft maximum; also subject to mounting height/clearance where projecting over walkways. | Within 4 sq ft per lineal ft frontage; ≤700 sq ft per sign | — | No required setback from property lines; general safety/ROW projection limits apply. | Within combined cap: 2 total signs from a–h per zoning lot (2 faces each) | On walls, extending more than 1 ft from surface, in M-1. | — | Art. 23 §7.D.1.d; §7.D.2.a; §7.D.3; §7.D.4; §7.D.6 |
| Wall Sign | 50 ft maximum sign height; wall signs may not extend more than 12 in from wall. | Within 4 sq ft per lineal ft frontage; ≤700 sq ft per sign | — | Not applicable (building-mounted). | Within combined cap: 2 total signs from a–h per zoning lot | On building elevations in M-1. | — | Art. 23 §7.D.1.e; §7.D.2.a; §7.D.3; §7.D.4; §7.D.6; §4.J |
| Electronic Message Center (M-1) | 50 ft maximum | Within 4 sq ft per lineal ft frontage; ≤700 sq ft per sign | — | None required (Art. 23 §7.D.5); traffic safety and highway spacing rules still apply. | Within combined cap: 2 total signs from a–h per zoning lot (2 faces each) | On M-1 properties (as wall, pole, or ground EMC) | — | Art. 23 §7.D.1.g; §7.D.2.a; §7.D.3; §7.D.4; §7.D.6; §4.C.4 |
| Portable Sign | 50 ft maximum | Within 4 sq ft per lineal ft frontage; ≤700 sq ft per sign | — | None required. | Within combined cap: 2 total signs from a–h per zoning lot (2 faces each) | Portable signs on M-1 lots. | — | Art. 23 §7.D.1.h; §7.D.2.a; §7.D.3; §7.D.4; §7.D.6 |
| Inflatable Sign | ≤15 ft high | ≤20 sq ft surface area | — | None required. | 1 per zoning lot (2 faces allowed) | On M-1 properties. | — | Art. 23 §7.D.1.i; §7.D.2.b; §7.D.3; §7.D.4; §7.D.6; reference to Art. 31.4.W |

## Prohibited signs in Cameron

- No sign shall be maintained at any location where, by reason of its position, size, shape or color, it may obstruct, impair, obscure, interfere with the view of, or be confused with, any traffic or railroad control sign, signal or device, or where it may interfere with, mislead or confuse traffic.
- Any sign located within three (3) feet of a driveway or within a parking area shall have its lowest elevation at least ten (10) feet above the curb level; no sign shall be placed so as to project over any public right of way.
- No sign shall be placed in the sight triangle as defined by these regulations.
- Electronic Message Centers are permitted only in commercial districts and their mode of operation shall not be confused with an official traffic sign, shall not flash, and shall not glare or operate in such a manner as to constitute a nuisance.
- No sign shall project above, below, or beyond the awning, canopy, or marquee to which it is affixed.
- Any banner stretched across and hung over a public right of way shall require specific permission from the City Manager or designee and must maintain a minimum ground clearance of fifteen (15) feet; banners not meeting these conditions are prohibited.
- No sign illumination shall cause direct light or glare upon the occupants of neighboring properties or upon motorists traveling public streets.
- No light source element over 15 watts (or equivalent) shall illuminate a sign in such a way that exposes the face of the bulb or lamp when viewed from a public street.
- Commercial sign illumination shall be shielded so that the light source elements, bulbs and lamps are not directly visible from property in a residential zone.
- No building sign shall extend more than four (4) feet above the top edge of the parapet or eaves of a flat or shed roof, above the ridge line of a gable, hip, or gambrel roof, or above the deck line of a mansard roof.
- Signs located within one hundred (100) feet of the rights-of-way of Interstate Highway 35 or U.S. Highway 36, and which are not owned by the property owner where they are placed, must have a minimum spacing of five hundred (500) feet; closer spacing is prohibited.
- No wall sign may extend more than twelve (12) inches from the surface of the wall to which it is affixed.
- All signs shall be maintained and not allowed to deteriorate, become dislodged, lean excessively, lose parts or components, or become unsightly or blighted; failure to maintain is prohibited and may result in the sign being declared a nuisance.
- All signs shall conform with building and electrical codes, the height and hazard ordinance, and all other regulations of the City of Cameron; nonconforming installation or operation is prohibited.
- Snipe signs (any sign placed upon public property without permission) are prohibited.
- Sound or smoke-emitting signs are prohibited, including any sign that discharges or utilizes any sound detectable on any traveled road or highway by a person with normal hearing, or any sign that emanates smoke, vapor, particles, or odors.
- Obscene, indecent, or immoral signs or advertising structures are prohibited.
- Animated signs are prohibited, defined as signs which flash, blink, revolve, travel, move, shift, or otherwise change appearance or location, except as allowed for electronic message centers under Article 23.3.C.4.
- Private signs placed on public property without permission, including on utility poles, traffic sign posts, public rights-of-way, or any other public property, are prohibited except those placed by federal, state, or local government agencies.
- Use of vehicles, vans or trailers that are not properly licensed as a sign, sign support or sign structure is prohibited.
- Billboards are prohibited along Walnut Street, Grand Avenue, and BB Highway/Evergreen Street from Walnut Street to the Cameron city limits.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cameron

- Official flags of the United States, its armed forces components, or the State of Missouri are exempt from the requirements of this Article, except that the height of the pole or support shall not exceed the height of structures permitted in the district.
- Holiday lighting displays are exempt from the requirements of this Article.
- Signs placed on public property by jurisdictions of government for traffic control, regulatory information, public safety, or other public purposes are exempt from the requirements of this Article.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Uniform sign plan is defined as coordinated drawings and specifications that establish a unified design concept regarding location, materials, size, letter style, and color of all signs to be placed on a property; however, within the provided text there is no explicit requirement that a uniform sign plan or master sign plan be submitted or approved for any zone or project type.
- Within the provided text there is no general requirement stated for a sign plan, master sign plan, or variance hearing specific to signs, other than general building permit requirements.
- A building permit is required for all signs exceeding twenty (20) square feet in area, which functions as the only generally applicable administrative requirement for sign approval mentioned in the provided text.

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

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