# Sign Regulations in Chesterfield, Missouri

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Chesterfield, Missouri (MO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/missouri/chesterfield
- **Data last verified:** 2026-01-22
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/35257685)

## At a glance

Chesterfield, Missouri regulates 33 sign types across 10 zoning districts. Freestanding Business Signs in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 6 ft when within the minimum front yard setback; may increase 1 ft per additional 4 ft of setback beyond the minimum yard requirement up to 10 ft; Planning Commission may approve up to 20 ft tall and 50 sq ft per face or frontage-based formula (whichever is less), with a Must meet minimum yard setbacks of district; signs ≤6 ft allowed within minimum front yard setback; height increases allowed with additional setback per 405.04.050(F)(2)(b) Exception (a). setback (Sec. UDC 405.04.050(C); 405.04.050(F)(1)-(2); 405.04.050(E)(2)-(3); 405.03.030(A)(3)). Most commercial signs in Chesterfield require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (10 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 13 | 10 ft | 300 sq ft per sign (absolute); otherwise 5% of wall area | — |
| Planned Commercial District (PC) | 7 | 35 ft above adjacent street (general); 15 ft maximum above ground when within view of specified highways per H.B. 831 authority | Up to 800 sq ft (general limit); additionally, if within view of Federal/State/Interstate/Primary/other highways in the City, max 15 ft height and 5-mile separation apply | — |
| Planned Industrial District (PI) | 5 | 35 ft above adjacent street (general); 15 ft above ground within view of specified highways | Up to 800 sq ft (general); subject to 15-ft height and 5-mile separation if within view of highways per H.B. 831 authority | — |
| Light Industrial District (LI) | 4 | 6 ft within min front yard; up to 10 ft with additional setback; up to 20 ft with PC approval | 300 sq ft | — |
| Mixed Use District (MXD) | 3 | 35 ft (general); 15 ft within view of specified highways | Up to 800 sq ft (general); 15-ft height and 5-mile separation if within view of highways per H.B. 831 authority | — |
| Planned Commercial & Residential District (PC&R) | 2 | Per Article 04 general standards if not superseded | Per Article 04 general standards if not superseded | — |
| Museum and Arts Overlay District (MAA) | 5 | — | All signs combined: ≤ 2× lot frontage (sq ft). Illuminated non-flashing signs combined: ≤ 1× lot frontage. | — |
| Floodplain Overlay District (FP) | 2 | Information signs: ≤6 ft height | Per underlying zoning and Article 04 | — |
| Residential Business Use Procedure (RBU) | 1 | 6 ft total height | 18 inches by 24 inches (sign face) | — |
| Adult Entertainment Area Procedure (AEA) | 1 | 8 ft in height from ground level | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 10 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Business Sign | 6 ft when within the minimum front yard setback; may increase 1 ft per additional 4 ft of setback beyond the minimum yard requirement up to 10 ft; Planning Commission may approve up to 20 ft | 50 sq ft per face or frontage-based formula (whichever is less) | — | Must meet minimum yard setbacks of district; signs ≤6 ft allowed within minimum front yard setback; height increases allowed with additional setback per 405.04.050(F)(2)(b) Exception (a). | 1 per frontage per developed lot/building | On the lot/building frontage; not to impair visibility of official signs; subject to yard/setback rules of the applicable district | — | UDC 405.04.050(C); 405.04.050(F)(1)-(2); 405.04.050(E)(2)-(3); 405.03.030(A)(3) |
| Project Identification Sign (Commercial/Industrial 20+ acres) | 6 ft; may increase 1 ft per additional 4 ft of setback (up to 10 ft); Planning Commission may approve up to 20 ft | 50 sq ft per face (unless increased by Planning Commission to 100 sq ft) | — | As per district; height may increase with additional setback per exception | 1 per main entrance | At each main entrance; on a platted lot, common ground, or unplatted portion identified on approved plans | — | UDC 405.04.050(F)(2)(b)5; 405.04.050(C); 405.04.050(F)(2)(b)2 |
| Subdivision Identification Sign (Commercial/Industrial/Mixed-Use subdivisions <20 acres and ≥10 lots/units) | 6 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — | As per district | 1 per main entrance | At each main entrance; within an easement on any platted lot or common ground; or on unplatted portion identified on approved plans | — | UDC 405.04.050(F)(2)(b)6 |
| Residential Subdivision Identification Sign | 6 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — | As per district | 1 per main entrance | At each main entrance; within an easement on any platted lot or on common ground; or on unplatted portion identified on approved plans | — | UDC 405.04.050(F)(5) |
| Attached Wall Sign | — | 300 sq ft per sign (absolute); otherwise 5% of wall area | — | — | Generally 1 per allowed wall; number of allowed walls varies by building/lot condition | On up to two exterior walls per tenant/sole occupant; on up to three walls for sole occupant on corner or double-frontage lot; interior buildings allowed same as peripheral; buildings with interior entrances limited to one sign on any two walls with roadway frontage; additional sign allowed above exclusive exterior access point | — | UDC 405.04.050(F)(3)(a)-(b) |
| Temporary Signs — Non-Commercial Message (Yard/Banner) | 6 ft | Residential districts: 8 sq ft per sign; Non-residential districts: 24 sq ft per tenant/sole occupant | — | As applicable per district | — | On premises | — | UDC 405.04.050(G)(2); 405.04.050(G)(1) |
| Temporary Signs — Commercial Message (Residential Districts) (Yard/Banner) | 6 ft | 8 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 2 per lot | On premises in residential zoning districts | — | UDC 405.04.050(G)(3) |
| Temporary Construction Sign | 10 ft | 32 sq ft; may be increased to 64 sq ft with Planning Commission approval | — | — | 1 per roadway frontage | On construction site; one per roadway frontage | — | UDC 405.04.050(G)(7)(b) |

### Planned Commercial District (PC)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Business Sign | 6 ft (within min front yard); up to 10 ft with additional setback; up to 20 ft with Planning Commission approval | 50 sq ft per face or frontage formula (whichever is less) | — | Per district; signs ≤6 ft permitted within minimum front yard setback (405.03.030(A)(3)) | 1 per frontage (some large-lot exceptions) | On-site along roadway frontage(s) | — | UDC 405.04.050(F)(2)(a)-(b)(1)-(3) |
| Project Identification Sign (20+ acres) | 6 ft; up to 10 ft with additional setback; up to 20 ft with Planning Commission approval | 50 sq ft per face (Planning Commission may approve up to 100 sq ft) | — | Per district | 1 per main entrance | At each main entrance | — | UDC 405.04.050(F)(2)(b)4-5; 405.04.050(C) |
| Subdivision Identification Sign (10+ lots/units; <20 acres) | 6 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — | Per district | 1 per main entrance | At each main entrance; on easement/common ground or location shown on approved plans | — | UDC 405.04.050(F)(2)(b)6 |
| Attached Wall Sign | — | 300 sq ft per sign; 5% of wall area | — | — | Per general rules | On allowed exterior walls per general rules | — | UDC 405.04.050(F)(3) |
| Advertising Sign (Billboard) | 35 ft above adjacent street (general); 15 ft maximum above ground when within view of specified highways per H.B. 831 authority | Up to 800 sq ft (general limit); additionally, if within view of Federal/State/Interstate/Primary/other highways in the City, max 15 ft height and 5-mile separation apply | — | ≥50 ft from ROW unless averaging rule applies; ≥10 ft from side/rear property lines | Per structure limits | Only if permitted in the specific PC ordinance; not within required separation distances/areas | — | UDC 405.04.050(F)(4)(a)-(g), (h)(1)-(3) |
| Electronic Message Center (via Approved Sign Package) | As approved in sign package | As approved in sign package; subject to distance/location constraints when exceeding administrative size | — | Per approved package and district | Per approved package | Not within 2,000 ft of property with a land use designation permitting residential uses; not within 1,000 ft from the center point of intersecting arterial roadways (for EMCs exceeding administrative size) | — | UDC 405.04.050(D)(5)(a)-(d) |
| Temporary Signs (All types as allowed generally) | Per general temporary sign standards | Per general temporary sign standards | — | — | — | On premises | — | UDC 405.04.050(G) |

### Planned Industrial District (PI)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Business Sign | 6 ft (within min front yard); up to 10 ft with additional setback; up to 20 ft with Planning Commission approval | 50 sq ft per face or frontage formula (whichever is less) | — | Per district | 1 per frontage | On site along roadway frontage | — | UDC 405.04.050(F)(2) |
| Project/Subdivision Identification Signs | 6 ft; up to 10 ft with additional setback; up to 20 ft with PC approval (Project ID only) | Project ID: 50 sq ft (up to 100 sq ft with PC approval). Subdivision ID: 50 sq ft. | — | Per district | 1 per main entrance | At main entrances | — | UDC 405.04.050(F)(2)(b)4-6; 405.04.050(C) |
| Attached Wall Sign | — | 300 sq ft | — | — | Per general rules | On allowed exterior walls | — | UDC 405.04.050(F)(3) |
| Advertising Sign (Billboard) | 35 ft above adjacent street (general); 15 ft above ground within view of specified highways | Up to 800 sq ft (general); subject to 15-ft height and 5-mile separation if within view of highways per H.B. 831 authority | — | ≥50 ft from ROW unless averaging rule; ≥10 ft side/rear; distance from PS/residential/NU per code | — | Only if permitted in specific PI ordinance | — | UDC 405.04.050(F)(4)(a)-(h) |
| Temporary Signs | — | Per general temporary standards | — | — | — | On premises | — | UDC 405.04.050(G) |

## Prohibited signs in Chesterfield

- Signs illuminated by intermittent light sources are prohibited, except for manual changeable copy on a sign (405.04.050(B)(3)).
- Sign illumination may not cast light directly onto any public right-of-way or onto adjoining property in NU, PS, AG, or any residential district (405.04.050(B)(4)).
- Placement of freestanding signs that impairs the visibility of any official highway sign or marker is prohibited (405.04.050(F)(1)(b)).
- On corner lots, signs located within the sight distance triangle may not exceed three feet above the elevation of the adjacent street pavement (405.04.050(E)(2)(c)).
- A sign not permanently affixed to a vehicle or trailer, parked or located primarily to display the sign, is prohibited (405.04.050(G)(1)(a)).
- Abandoned signs are prohibited (405.04.050(H)(2)).
- Neon signs are prohibited (405.04.050(H)(2)).
- Off‑premises signs are prohibited except where expressly allowed elsewhere in the UDC (405.04.050(H)(2)).
- Portable signs are prohibited, unless used to convey public, not‑for‑profit, or civic information (405.04.050(H)(2)).
- Projecting signs are prohibited (405.04.050(H)(2)).
- Rooftop signs are prohibited (405.04.050(H)(2)).
- Signs attached or painted on vehicles parked and visible from the public right‑of‑way are prohibited unless the vehicle is used in the normal day‑to‑day operations of a business (405.04.050(H)(2)).
- Signs affixed to bus stop shelters or similar structures are prohibited (405.04.050(H)(2)).

## Signs exempt from permit in Chesterfield

- Official traffic or government signs, including memorial plaques and signs of historical interest (405.04.050(H)(1)(a)).
- Flags of any nation, government, or non‑commercial message (405.04.050(H)(1)(b)).
- Scoreboards on athletic fields (405.04.050(H)(1)(c)).
- Display window signs that are incorporated in and related to the display (not attached to the window) (405.04.050(H)(1)(d)).
- Temporary signs indicating a potential danger (405.04.050(H)(1)(e)).
- Public notices and legal notices required by law (405.04.050(H)(1)(f)).
- Signs mandated by Federal, State, local, or City government (405.04.050(H)(1)(g)).
- Gravestones (405.04.050(H)(1)(h)).
- Commemorative tablets and monument citations under 10 square feet that are integral to a permanent structure (405.04.050(H)(1)(i)).
- Incidental signs (405.04.050(H)(1)(j)).
- Post office address numbers required to be displayed on buildings (including rear numbering for certain non‑residential buildings) (405.04.050(H)(1)(k)).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A Municipal Zoning Approval (MZA) from the City and a St. Louis County sign permit are required for any sign unless excepted by the UDC or Building Code; illuminated signs require a separate electrical permit (405.04.050(C)(1)).
- Planning Commission approval is required for freestanding business or project identification signs that exceed standard height/area limits (up to 20 feet in height and/or 100 square feet in area), and applicants must submit a written justification addressing specified criteria (405.04.050(C)(3) and 405.04.050(F)(2)(b) exceptions).
- For very large frontages (≥850 feet and lots ≥20 acres), a single freestanding sign may be increased to 150 square feet, subject to Planning Commission approval (405.04.050(F)(2)(b)(3)).
- Temporary construction sign area may be increased from 32 to 64 square feet subject to Planning Commission approval (405.04.050(G)(7)(b)–(c) and 405.04.050(C)(3)).
- A sign package is required for all developments in the MXD Mixed Use District (405.03.040(I)(3)(d)).
- Sign package submittals (optional for other developments) allow flexible, comprehensive signage and must include narrative, sign counts, locations, sizes/heights, elevations, illumination details, materials, and landscaping; the Planning Commission may approve, modify, or deny; appeals go to City Council (405.04.050(D)(1)–(7)).
- Electronic Message Centers requested within a sign package have specific restrictions (distance from residential and arterial intersections, static image minimum duration, no motion or special effects, required dimmer control, brightness limits, pixel pitch, malfunction default); any of these standards may be modified by a separate two‑thirds vote of the Planning Commission (405.04.050(D)(5)–(6)).
- Sign regulations may be made more restrictive in planned district or special procedure ordinances; regulations may also be modified when a sign package is submitted and approved (405.04.050(B)(2)).

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

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