# Sign Regulations in Ferguson, Missouri

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Ferguson, Missouri (MO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/missouri/ferguson
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MO/Ferguson/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH36SI)

## At a glance

Ferguson, Missouri regulates 15 sign types across 3 zoning districts. Pole Signs in the Airport District (AD) zoning district are capped at 30 ft above mean grade at its base tall, with a Must comply with district setbacks and not encroach into any required setback or public right-of-way, unless specifically permitted. setback (Sec. 18.9.C(43), 18.9.E(13), 18.10). Most commercial signs in Ferguson require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (3 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Airport District (AD) | 10 | 30 ft above mean grade at its base | 0.5 sq ft | — |
| Approach Zone, Transitional Zone, Horizontal Zone, Conical Zone | 1 | Subject to FAA Part 77 surfaces: Approach Zone – imaginary plane sloping 50:1 for first 10,000 ft, then 40:1 for next 40,000 ft; Transitional Zone – 7:1 up to 150 ft above Airport Elevation; Horizontal Zone – 150 ft above Airport Elevation; Conical Zone – 20:1 up to 350 ft above Airport Elevation. | — | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 4 | — | 32 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### Airport District (AD)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | Must comply with standard building setbacks (no building/structure within 30 ft of any roadway right-of-way; exceptions for approved signs). Permitted information and directional signs allowed within front yard setback. See also zone-wide height/setback rules, including signage-specific sections. | — | Affixed to building wall below roof line; permitted on premises of allowed uses | — | 18.5.A(35), 18.9.B, 18.9.D, 18.9.E, 18.10 |
| Pole Sign | 30 ft above mean grade at its base | — | — | Must comply with district setbacks and not encroach into any required setback or public right-of-way, unless specifically permitted. | — | Detached sign located on same lot or parcel as use it advertises | — | 18.9.C(43), 18.9.E(13), 18.10 |
| Ground Mounted Sign | — | — | — | Must comply with district setbacks; see also 18.9.G. | — | Detached, supported by ground or planter box, at least 50% of support width of sign. Must be on the same lot as the use advertised. | — | 18.9.C(35), 18.9.D |
| Directional Sign | 3 ft | — | — | — | — | Permitted within the minimum front yard setbacks, at points of ingress and egress, or pathways, as approved. | — | 18.7.D(3)(iv), 18.9.G(2) |
| Information Sign | — | — | — | Permitted within minimum Front Yard Setback as approved. | — | Allowed within minimum Front Yard Setback as approved by the Intergovernmental Commission. | — | 18.7.D(3)(iii), 18.9.G(1) |
| Project Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Permanent, identifying planned development or subdivision; subject to placement standards and may require written/graphic sightline analysis if on commercial subdivision or as project ID sign. | — | 18.9.C(44), 18.9.D(1)(vii) |
| Occupational/Identification Sign | — | 0.5 sq ft | — | — | — | Wall sign, mounted adjacent to main entrance | — | 18.9.C(40) |
| Awning Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Painted or affixed to an awning at building entrance | — | 18.9.C(30) |

### Approach Zone, Transitional Zone, Horizontal Zone, Conical Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Sign Types (subject to overlay height restrictions) | Subject to FAA Part 77 surfaces: Approach Zone – imaginary plane sloping 50:1 for first 10,000 ft, then 40:1 for next 40,000 ft; Transitional Zone – 7:1 up to 150 ft above Airport Elevation; Horizontal Zone – 150 ft above Airport Elevation; Conical Zone – 20:1 up to 350 ft above Airport Elevation. | — | — | As for AD in general, plus must not intrude into RPZ/object free area. | — | Permitted lots, subject to additional setback/placement rules if any. No sign in Runway Protection Zone (RPZ) except navigation objects. | — | 18.10.C, 18.10.D, 18.6, 18.9 |

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Real Estate Sign (Temporary, Exempt) | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | — | Premises advertised only | — | 18.9.B(6) |
| Bulletin Board Sign (Temporary, Exempt) | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | — | On premises of public, charitable, or religious institutions | — | 18.9.B(7) |
| Memorial Sign/Tablet (Exempt, Permanent) | — | — | — | — | — | Masonry surface or bronze/other incombustible material, on building | — | 18.9.B(8) |
| Professional Name Plate/Occupational Sign (Exempt) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18.9.B(9) |

## Prohibited signs in Ferguson

- Animated signs are prohibited.
- Any sign erected in a public easement or right-of-way except as provided in this section is prohibited.
- Any sign erected so as to prevent free ingress to or egress from any door or window, or any other exit way required by the building or fire codes of the City is prohibited.
- Any sign attached to any public utility pole, tree, fire hydrant, curb, sidewalk or other surface located on public property is prohibited.
- Any sign erected that obstructs the view of any authorized traffic sign, signal, or other traffic control device, or that by its shape, position or color interferes with traffic control is prohibited. Signs also may not obstruct driver's view of the public right-of-way during ingress, egress, or travel.
- Any on-premises sign advertising an article or product not manufactured, assembled, processed, repaired or sold or a service not rendered upon the premises upon which the sign is located is prohibited.
- Any sign or advertising device such as banners and pennants affixed on poles, wires, ropes or streamers, wind-operated devices, fluttering signs, pinwheels, streamers, banners, street banners, and 'A' frames or other portable signs of like nature and other similar contractions or techniques are prohibited.
- Signs placed or affixed to vehicles and/or trailers parked to advertise to the public are prohibited (unless incidental to the vehicle’s primary use).
- Off-premises signs except as provided in this section are prohibited.
- Flashing signs including electronic message centers are prohibited, except digital time and temperature signs displaying only that information;
- Portable signs, signs not permanently affixed to the ground are prohibited.
- Signs which contain characters, cartoons, statements, words or pictures of an obscene, indecent, prurient, or immoral character are prohibited.
- Standard outdoor advertising structures and/or billboards are prohibited.
- No sign may be enlarged, expanded, or extended if it is nonconforming.
- No sign may be relocated except as specifically allowed for government-required moving.
- Nonconforming signs must be removed if the business or service ceases for 30+ days.
- Destroyed nonconforming signs may not be reconstructed except in conformance.
- Signs may not be erected without obtaining a Sign Permit and required zoning approval.
- Signs may not be erected without a site plan indicating accurate placement and compliance with this and related codes.
- Any sign erected without a permit is required to be removed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Ferguson

- Flags of any nation, state, county, City or other governmental unit and any not-for-profit organization are exempt.
- Banners of any nation, state, county or City affixed to utility poles, with utility and governmental approval, are exempt.
- Signs or materials temporarily displayed for traditional patriotic, religious or local holidays or events are exempt.
- Official traffic, fire and police signs, signals, devices, and markings of the state, county, or City are exempt.
- Non-illuminated directional or informational signs of a public nature are exempt.
- Real estate signs not exceeding six (6) square feet in area, advertising only the sale, rental, or lease of the premises on which they are located, are exempt (must be removed within five days after sale or lease).
- Bulletin boards not over thirty-two (32) square feet in area for public, charitable, or religious institutions on the institution premises are exempt.
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or other incombustible materials are exempt.
- Professional name plates or occupational signs are exempt.
- Signs erected inside a building not visible through windows are exempt.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- Applications for sign permits must include a site plan of the property showing accurate placement of the proposed sign.
- A site plan showing the location, size, and height of all free standing signs is required for Site Plan approval for all new construction or development.
- Commercial subdivision signs and/or project identification signs require a written and graphic analysis of the sight lines along the public right-of-way as part of the sign permit application.
- All new construction or Development within the Airport District requires Site Plan review and approval, which includes the location, size, and height of all free standing Signs.
- No sign shall be erected without obtaining a Sign Permit from the City, with prior review and approval by the Intergovernmental Commission.
- Any application for a sign permit must include detailed plans, specifications, and sometimes structural engineering documentation if required.
- Supplemental parking requirements and other land use controls may be imposed during Site Plan review which could include signage considerations.
- The location, general design and width of driveways, curb cuts and sidewalks, and the location, size and height of all free standing signs must be depicted on the required Site Plan for approval.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Ferguson, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Ferguson+MO&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-ferguson

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