# Sign Regulations in Carthage, Missouri

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Carthage, Missouri (MO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/missouri/carthage
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-07
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MO/Carthage/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=CO_CH6BUBURE_ARTVIISI)

## At a glance

Carthage, Missouri regulates 10 sign types across 9 zoning districts. Contractor/Architect Construction Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 sq ft, with a Set back of the established or customary building line setback (Sec. Sec. 25-302(8)(b)). Most commercial signs in Carthage require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (9 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | 8 sq ft | — |
| District A, First Dwelling House District, District B, Second Dwelling House District, District C-1, Garden Apartment District, District C, Apartment House District | 4 | — | 8 sq ft | — |
| District O, Nonretail District | 1 | — | — | — |
| District D, Local Business District | 1 | — | — | — |
| District E, General Business District | 1 | — | — | — |
| District C-P, Planned Shopping District | 3 | — | — | — |
| District F, Light Industrial District | 1 | — | — | — |
| District G, Heavy Industrial District | 1 | — | — | — |
| District AE, Adult Entertainment (Overlay in District G) | 1 | — | 50 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 9 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | — | — | Sec. 25-302(8)(b) |
| Church/Institution Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property of churches and institutions | — | Sec. 25-302(8)(b) |
| Contractor/Architect Construction Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | Set back of the established or customary building line | 1 | During construction of a building | — | Sec. 25-302(8)(b) |
| Bed and Breakfast Sign | — | 4 sq ft | 4 ft | — | 1 | At bed and breakfast facility | — | Sec. 25-251(13)(h) |
| Nonprofit Organization Sign | — | 4 ft square (16 sq ft) | 4 ft | — | 1 | At nonprofit organization facility | — | Sec. 25-251(15)(a) |
| Job Site Construction Trailer Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On at least one side of construction trailer | — | Sec. 25-255(a) |

### District A, First Dwelling House District, District B, Second Dwelling House District, District C-1, Garden Apartment District, District C, Apartment House District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Home Occupation Sign | — | 1 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On dwelling used as private residence for home occupation | — | Sec. 25-302(8)(a)(2) |
| For Sale/For Rent Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | — | — | On property for sale or rent | — | Sec. 25-302(8)(b) |
| Church/Institution Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On property of churches/institutions | — | Sec. 25-302(8)(b) |
| Contractor/Architect Construction Sign | — | 8 sq ft | — | Set back of the established or customary building line | 1 | During construction | — | Sec. 25-302(8)(b) |

### District C-P, Planned Shopping District

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Flat wall sign or under a marquee showing name of each business and commodities/services offered | — | Sec. 25-655(2) |
| Freestanding Sign (Filling Station) | — | — | — | — | 1 per filling station | For each filling station | — | Sec. 25-655(2) |
| Business District Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | 1 per business district | For each planned business district | — | Sec. 25-655(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Carthage

- Billboard, signboard, or advertising sign shall not be permitted as an accessory use in residential zones, except as provided for temporary 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' signs.
- No window display or sign, either illuminated or more than one (1) square foot in area, is allowed to advertise customary home occupations in residential districts.
- No outdoor operations or storage related to marijuana facilities; all such activities must occur in a fully enclosed building.
- No sign for an adult entertainment facility shall flash, blink, move by mechanical means, or extend above the roof line of the building.
- No merchandise or pictures of products or entertainment on the premises of an adult entertainment facility may be displayed in window areas or any area where they can be viewed from the sidewalk in front of the building.
- No flashing lights and/or lighting which leaves the impression of motion or movement are permitted on adult entertainment facility signage.

## Signs exempt from permit in Carthage

- Placing of an unilluminated 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' sign not more than eight (8) square feet in area may be permitted as an accessory use in residential districts.
- Churches and institutions may display signs showing names, activities and services.
- During construction of a building, one (1) unilluminated sign advertising contractors or architects or such building is permitted, not more than eight (8) square feet in area, set back from the established or customary building line, and must be removed immediately upon completion of the building.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- District C-P (Planned Shopping District) requires submission and approval of a preliminary development plan (which includes signage) and final development plan before construction. The design of signs or structure to identify each planned business district must be submitted as part of preliminary and final development plans.
- District AE (Adult Entertainment Overlay District) requires submission and approval of a site development plan, which includes specific delineation and details about signage, as a precondition to establishment of the overlay district. Failure to comply with the approved plan is a violation.
- Garden apartment projects (District C-1) require submission of plans for review and approval by the commission before issuance of a building permit. Submission of plans includes signage as accessory use, if applicable.

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

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