# Sign Regulations in Foristell, Missouri

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Foristell, Missouri (MO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/missouri/foristell
- **Data last verified:** 2025-10-22
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/29735219#29735219)

## At a glance

Foristell, Missouri regulates 49 sign types across 5 zoning districts. Temporary Non-Business Special Event Signs - Off-premise Directionals in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at 8 ft tall and 4 sq ft per sign, with a Out of public right-of-way setback (Sec. 405.141(B)(2)). Most commercial signs in Foristell 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 | 11 | Inflatable (cold-air) devices max 48 ft; other promo signs must not exceed height of principal structure and may not be erected upon/above the roof | 50 sq ft per sign | — |
| Agricultural Districts - A-1 | 3 | 15 ft above average grade | 32 sq ft per face; 64 sq ft total aggregate | — |
| Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, R-6) | 9 | 8 ft | 50 sq ft per face | — |
| Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2, C-3) | 23 | Up to 80 ft (by CUP) | 70 sq ft per face | — |
| Industrial Districts (M-1, M-2, M-3) | 23 | Up to 80 ft (by CUP) | 70 sq ft per face | — |

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

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Signs - Permit Requirements | — | — | — | — | — | Signs must not be located in rights-of-way or where they obstruct sight distance or traffic control devices. | — | 405.040(C), 405.040(D)-(O); 405.040(F)-(G); 405.040(J); 405.040(O)(1)-(9) |
| All Signs - Illumination Standards | — | — | — | — | — | Lighting must be directed onto the sign face; no light beams directed into roads or toward residences. | — | 405.040(I)(1)-(4) |
| Temporary Promotional Event Signs (Business) | Inflatable (cold-air) devices max 48 ft; other promo signs must not exceed height of principal structure and may not be erected upon/above the roof | 48 sq ft (per sign) | — | — | Max 2 displays per promotion; up to 2 weeks/quarter; max 2 quarters/year; inflatables: max 2 devices per calendar year | Freestanding promotional signs and hot/cold air balloons must remain securely affixed to the ground or rooftop of a permanent building; promo signs may attach to or suspend from the roof edge but not above the roof. | — | 405.141(A)(1)-(6) |
| Temporary Non-Business Special Event Signs - On-site Identification | 8 ft | 50 sq ft per sign | — | — | Up to 2 on-site signs per event | On the site of the event. | — | 405.141(B)(1) |
| Temporary Non-Business Special Event Signs - Off-premise Directional | 8 ft | 4 sq ft per sign | — | Out of public right-of-way | Max 4 off-premise directional signs per event (more by CUP) | Outside the public right-of-way. | — | 405.141(B)(2) |
| Subdivision Development Project Signs - Off-premise Directional | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per face (double-faced allowed back-to-back) | — | Out of ROW and sight triangles | Per table by number of lots (2/4/6/8) | Out of any applicable rights-of-way and out of applicable sight triangles; requires approval of the property owner where sign is placed. | — | 405.141(C)(3)(a)-(b) |
| Weekend Directional Signs | 4 ft | 4 sq ft per sign | — | — | Max 1 per 200 linear feet | Placement prohibited on private property without owner permission; subject to MoDOT rules in State ROW; must be within 3-mile radius of the subdivision being advertised. | — | 405.141(D)(1)-(9) |
| Locally Grown Products - Off-site Signs | — | — | — | — | Max 2 off-site locations per advertiser | No more than two off-site premises. | — | 405.141(F) |

### Commercial Districts (C-1, C-2, C-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Occupancy) | Shall not project above the parapet wall, mansard, or other roof line | 10% of building face area (per frontage) | — | — | 1 per frontage (corner lots may have 1 per street frontage) | On the building face; may be allowed on each street frontage for corner lots (each limited to 10% of the respective building face). | — | 405.110(A)(12); 405.110(A)(12) (corner lot), 405.030 (Three Dimensional; Design Criteria) |
| Wall Sign - Multiple Occupancy Buildings (Per Tenant) | Not above parapet/mansard/roof line | 10% of that tenant’s building face | — | — | 1 per tenant frontage | On the representative lease unit’s frontage. | — | 405.110(A)(3); 405.110(A)(12); 405.030 (Three Dimensional; Design Criteria) |
| Ground-Mounted or Monument Sign | 8 ft (overall height) | 40 sq ft per face | — | ≥10 ft from property or ROW; ≥15 ft from any building/structure | 1 per lot | Min 10 ft from any property line or right-of-way; must not obstruct vision at vehicular entries/exits; must be at least 15 ft from any building or structure. | — | 405.110(A)(13); 405.110(A)(16) |
| Pole Sign | 40 ft (overall height) | 70 sq ft per face | — | ≥10 ft from property or ROW; ≥15 ft from any building/structure; greater setback may be required if adjacent to residential (CUP) | 1 per lot | At least 10 ft from any commercial property line or right-of-way; must not obstruct vision at vehicular entries/exits; must be at least 15 ft from any building/structure. | — | 405.110(A)(14); 405.110(A)(16) |
| Pole Sign - Interstate 70 Corridor (CUP) | Up to 80 ft (by CUP) | To be determined via conditional use process | — | — | — | On property adjacent to Interstate 70 corridor. | — | 405.110(A)(15) |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) - Ground Sign Component | — | 20 sq ft per face (EMC portion) | — | — | Max 1 EMC location per lot; 1 EMC per face of multi-faced ground sign | Only on ground signs serving a use within a development of at least 1 acre; one EMC location per lot. | — | 405.110(A)(5)(a)-(j) |
| Property Real Estate Signs (Commercial) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per lot frontage | On the property offered for sale, rent, or lease. | — | 405.110(A)(9) |
| Special Use - Fuel/Service Station Brand Identification Pole Sign | Per general pole sign limits unless CUP obtained | 70 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 pole-mounted brand ID sign | On service station property. | — | 405.140(A)(1)(a)(1); 405.140(A)(1)(d)(1) |

### Industrial Districts (M-1, M-2, M-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Single Occupancy) | Shall not project above the parapet wall, mansard, or other roof line | 10% of building face area (per frontage) | — | — | 1 per frontage (corner lots may have 1 per street frontage) | On the building face; may be allowed on each street frontage for corner lots (each limited to 10% of the respective building face). | — | 405.110(A)(12); 405.110(A)(12) (corner lot), 405.030 (Three Dimensional; Design Criteria) |
| Wall Sign - Multiple Occupancy Buildings (Per Tenant) | Not above parapet/mansard/roof line | 10% of that tenant’s building face | — | — | 1 per tenant frontage | On the representative lease unit’s frontage. | — | 405.110(A)(3); 405.110(A)(12); 405.030 (Three Dimensional; Design Criteria) |
| Ground-Mounted or Monument Sign | 8 ft (overall height) | 40 sq ft per face | — | ≥10 ft from property or ROW; ≥15 ft from any building/structure | 1 per lot | Min 10 ft from any property line or right-of-way; must not obstruct vision at vehicular entries/exits; must be at least 15 ft from any building or structure. | — | 405.110(A)(13); 405.110(A)(16) |
| Pole Sign | 40 ft (overall height) | 70 sq ft per face | — | ≥10 ft from property or ROW; ≥15 ft from any building/structure; greater setback may be required if adjacent to residential (CUP) | 1 per lot | At least 10 ft from any commercial property line or right-of-way; must not obstruct vision at vehicular entries/exits; must be at least 15 ft from any building/structure. | — | 405.110(A)(14); 405.110(A)(16) |
| Pole Sign - Interstate 70 Corridor (CUP) | Up to 80 ft (by CUP) | To be determined via conditional use process | — | — | — | On property adjacent to Interstate 70 corridor. | — | 405.110(A)(15) |
| Electronic Message Center (EMC) - Ground Sign Component | — | 20 sq ft per face (EMC portion) | — | — | Max 1 EMC location per lot; 1 EMC per face of multi-faced ground sign | Only on ground signs serving a use within a development of at least 1 acre; one EMC location per lot. | — | 405.110(A)(5)(a)-(j) |
| Property Real Estate Signs (Commercial) | 8 ft | 32 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 per lot frontage | On the property offered for sale, rent, or lease. | — | 405.110(A)(9) |
| Special Use - Fuel/Service Station Brand Identification Pole Sign | Per general pole sign limits unless CUP obtained | 70 sq ft per face | — | — | 1 pole-mounted brand ID sign | On service station property. | — | 405.140(A)(1)(a)(1); 405.140(A)(1)(d)(1) |

## Prohibited signs in Foristell

- Signs that obstruct the view of authorized traffic signs, signals, or devices; that by shape, position, or color interfere with or are confused with traffic control devices; or that obstruct a vehicle operator’s vision of the public right-of-way
- Permanent signs that do not meet the approved combustible plastic flammability test
- Signs located in any place prohibited by the ordinance
- Signs erected so as to block required ingress or egress, fire escapes, windows, or doors under applicable Building or Fire Codes
- Signs attached to public utility poles, fire hydrants, curbs, sidewalks, trees, or other surfaces on public property
- On-premises signs advertising products or services not sold or rendered on that premises
- Banners, pennants, streamers, wind-operated devices, fluttering signs, pinwheels, street banners, commander boards, A-frames or other portable signs, and similar devices, except by permit for up to 30 days in any 12-month period
- Roof signs unless approved by a conditional use permit
- Signs that imitate, are confused with, or hide any official traffic or street sign or signal
- Signs placed on or affixed to vehicles or trailers parked to be visible from a public right-of-way for the apparent purpose of advertising, unless the sign is incidental to the primary use of the vehicle or the vehicle is approved as a storage unit for an approved temporary business
- Signs with obscene, indecent, prurient, or immoral content
- Signs containing flashers, animators, electronic or mechanical movement or contrivances of any kind, including interior window displays visible from outside, except for automatic changeable copy signs showing public service time, date, or temperature
- Signs or billboards erected within 20 feet of the curb of two intersecting streets that exceed 18 inches in height above the crown of the street at the point of intersection
- Electronic message centers or animated signs, except where specifically allowed by the Code
- Audio associated with any sign
- Direct paint signs unless approved by a conditional use permit
- Revolving or rotating beams or beacons of light that simulate emergency lights
- Flashing, intermittent, or moving lights, except for public service time, date, or temperature displays or automatic changeable copy signs
- External sign lighting that is not effectively shielded or that directs beams/rays into any portion of a public road, causes glare, impairs drivers, intrudes on residential privacy, or interferes with or obscures official traffic control devices
- Signs that have an adverse effect on existing residences
- Signs that visually block an adjacent business

## Signs exempt from permit in Foristell

- Decals, numbers, names, addresses, hours, credit information, and similar items attached to doors and windows occupying a total area of 1 square foot or less
- City, State, and Federal historic markers
- Property real estate signs not exceeding 6 square feet, advertising sale, rental, or lease of the property on which they are located; must be removed within 10 days after the property is sold, rented, or leased
- Bulletin boards not over 32 square feet for public, charitable, or religious institutions located on the premises
- Memorial signs or tablets, names of buildings, and date of erection when cut into masonry or constructed of bronze or other non-combustible materials
- Traffic or other government/municipal signs (including directional signs and public venue identifications), legal notices, railroad crossing signs, danger, and temporary/emergency/non-advertising signs as approved by the Administrative Officer
- Political signs: erected no more than 30 days prior to an election and removed no later than 10 days after; must be registered; maximum 32 square feet per face and 8 feet in height unless on billboards; must be maintained; violations must be corrected/removed within 2 working days after notice
- Professional nameplates, non-illuminated, not exceeding 2 square feet
- Yard and garage sale signs: must be removed within 2 days after the sale; must be freestanding; not attached to utility poles, road signs, traffic signals, or other approved/permitted signs
- Signs erected inside a building and not visible through windows or doors, intended solely for information related to interior operations
- Official Federal, State, County, City, or corporate flags, emblems, and insignia used for non-commercial purposes and adhering to proper flag etiquette
- Directional signs not exceeding 6 square feet in area and 3.5 feet in height, located entirely on the property to provide instructions (e.g., restrooms, phones, walkways, parking entrances/exits)
- No trespassing or privacy signs not exceeding 2 square feet per side and 4 feet in height

## Sign plan & submission notes

- No master sign plan requirement is specified in the ordinance
- A sign permit is required before erecting, altering, enlarging, moving, or reconstructing any sign; a separate permit is required for each sign
- Permit timing: work must commence within 6 months and be completed within 1 year or the permit expires
- Permit applications must include: applicant/owner/erector contact info; site location; a to-scale site plan showing sign placement, distances to buildings/other signs/property and right-of-way lines; two sets of plans/specifications with dimensions, materials, colors, weight, and attachment methods; engineered plans may be required; evidence of compliance with Building Code and Missouri Standard Specifications
- Applications are reviewed within 10 working days
- General application constraints: signs may not adversely affect existing residences and may not visually block an adjacent business
- Conditional use permit required in specified cases, including: roof signs; direct paint signs; directory signs (when substituted for a pole sign in multi-tenant buildings); multiple signs on a single pole; pole signs adjacent to residential property; pole signs up to 80 feet along I-70; billboards in C-2 or C-3 districts adjacent to I-70; additional off-premise directional signs for temporary non-business events
- Variances may be granted by the Board of Adjustment for permitted forms of signage upon showing of undue hardship; appeals of Administrative Officer decisions or conditional use findings go to the Board of Adjustment
- Electronic message center directory signs: lighting and other specifications must be submitted with the application when an EMC is proposed
- Non-profit organizations must obtain sign permits (no fee charged)
- Co-sponsored public venues/events may erect off-premise advertising signs for up to 6 months; applications are reviewed by staff and presented to the Board of Aldermen for approval

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

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