# Sign Regulations in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Cape Girardeau, Missouri (MO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/missouri/cape-girardeau
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-01
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MO/Cape_Girardeau/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH25DECO_ARTVSI)

## At a glance

Cape Girardeau, Missouri regulates 9 sign types across 7 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at Varies by zone tall and Varies by zone (Sec. Sec. 25-137(b)). Most commercial signs in Cape Girardeau require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (7 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 9 | 48 inches | 150 square feet | — |
| RE, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and RMH Districts | 1 | 5 feet | 40 square feet | — |
| NC, Nonresidential Uses in Residential Zones, AG, AG-1 | 1 | 12 feet | 120 square feet | — |
| C-1, C-2, CBD, PD, M-1, and M-2 | 1 | 35 feet | 150 square feet | — |
| C-1, C-2, CBD, PD, M-1 and M-2 Located on Kingshighway, Southern Expressway and MO Route 74 (Shawnee Parkway) | 1 | 40 feet | 150 square feet | — |
| C-1, C-2, PD, M-1 and M-2 Located on Interstate 55 | 1 | 60 feet | 150 square feet | — |
| A-1 District (airport) | 1 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 7 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | Minimum of 50 square feet | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 25-137(a) |
| Freestanding Sign | Varies by zone | Varies by zone | — | — | Varies by zone | Per street frontage | — | Sec. 25-137(b) |
| Canopy and Marquee Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Affixed to canopy or marquee | — | Sec. 25-137(c) |
| Projecting Sign | — | 150 square feet | — | — | One per occupancy per street frontage | In lieu of freestanding signage | — | Sec. 25-137(e) |
| Roof Sign | — | Assessed against the maximum permitted area for wall signs | — | — | — | Commercial, planned development, and manufacturing districts only | — | Sec. 25-137(f) |
| Electronic, Video, or Digital Message Sign | — | 50 square feet in CBD, C-1, C-2, PD, M-1 or M-2; 32 square feet in NC or nonresidential in residential districts | — | — | — | CBD, C-1, C-2, PD, M-1, M-2, NC, or nonresidential in residential districts | — | Sec. 25-137(g) |
| A-frame Sign | 48 inches | 8 square feet per sign face | 30 inches | — | — | On the sidewalk in front of the place of business | — | Sec. 25-137(h) |
| Directional Sign | — | 6 square feet | — | — | No more than two on-premises directional signs per public street entrance | On-premises or off-premises as specified | — | Sec. 25-137(j) |

### RE, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and RMH Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 5 feet | 40 square feet | — | — | 2 per arterial street entrance | 2 per arterial street entrance | — | Sec. 25-137(b) |

### NC, Nonresidential Uses in Residential Zones, AG, AG-1

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 12 feet | 120 square feet | — | — | 1 per street front | 1 per street front | — | Sec. 25-137(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Cape Girardeau

- No sign other than an official traffic sign shall be placed within any public right-of-way, unless specifically authorized by other ordinances or regulations of the city.
- Signs projecting over public walkways shall be permitted to do so only subject to the projection and clearance limits either defined herein or, if not so defined, at a minimum height of ten feet from grade level to the bottom of the sign.
- No sign or sign structure shall be erected within 30 feet of the paved portion of the intersection of any street or in such a manner as to obstruct free and clear vision, nor at any location whereby its position, shape or color it may interfere with or obstruct the view of or be confused with any authorized traffic sign, signal or device.
- Signs that advertise goods or services not located on the same premises as the sign are not allowed, except as authorized elsewhere in this article.
- Any sign structure that has no message or no sign face for a continuous period of one year or more, or for which has advertisement that no longer applies shall be considered an abandoned sign.
- Signs located in such a manner as to obstruct or otherwise interfere with an official traffic sign, signal or device, or obstruct or interfere with a driver's view of approaching, merging or intersecting traffic.
- Signs which blink, flash or are animated by lighting in any fashion that would cause such signs to have the appearance of traffic safety signs and lights, or emergency vehicle warnings from a distance.
- Banner signs, except as otherwise specifically authorized in this code.

## Signs exempt from permit in Cape Girardeau

- Official notices authorized by a court, public governmental body or public safety official.
- Directional, warning or information signs authorized by federal, state or municipal governments.
- Memorial plaques, building identification signs and building cornerstones when cut or carved into a masonry surface or when made of noncombustible material and made an integral part of the building or structure.
- The flag of a government or noncommercial institution, such as a school.
- Street address signs and combination nameplate and street address signs that contain no advertising copy and which do not exceed six square feet in area.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Master sign plan required. All landlord or single-owner controlled multiple-occupancy developments on parcels exceeding three acres in size shall submit to the code official a master sign plan prior to issuance of new sign permits.

## 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 7 zoning districts in Cape Girardeau — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Cape+Girardeau+MO&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-cape-girardeau

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