# Sign Regulations in Houston, Missouri

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

- **Jurisdiction:** Houston, Missouri (MO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/missouri/houston
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/MO/Houston/codes/Code_of_Ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH25ZO_ARTXXSIRE)

## At a glance

Houston, Missouri regulates 16 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Signs in the C-1 commercial zone, C-2 commercial zone zoning district are capped at 45 feet above finished grade of the primary highway it services tall and 200 square feet per sign, with a 5ft minimum from paved road/right-of-way; 10ft from city side street lines (Sec. 25-20.60(h)) setback (Sec. Sec. 25-20.70(a)(2)-(3), 25-20.70(a)(5)-(6), 25-20.60(g)-(h), 25-20.90). Most commercial signs in Houston require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| C-1 commercial zone, C-2 commercial zone | 7 | 45 feet above finished grade of the primary highway it services | 200 square feet per sign | — |
| I-1 industrial zone, I-2 industrial zone | 6 | 45 feet above finished grade | 200 square feet per sign | — |
| R-1 residential zone | 5 | — | 8 feet high × 12 feet wide (max monument size general; specific R-1 max area not stated) | — |
| R-2 residential zone | 6 | — | 8 feet high × 12 feet wide (max monument size general; specific R-2 max area not stated) | — |
| R-3 residential zone | 6 | — | 8 feet high × 12 feet wide (general monument sign limit) | — |
| Shopping centers | 3 | 45 feet above finished grade of the primary highway | 400 square feet | — |
| Strip malls | 3 | 45 feet above finished grade | 4 square feet | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 2 | — | — | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### C-1 commercial zone, C-2 commercial zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 25 feet above the level of the ground upon which it is erected | — | — | See general setback: must not project over a lot line, street or right-of-way (Sec. 25-20.60(g)); see affixed sign height/placement rules (Sec. 25-20.60(o)) | — | Affixed to building wall; may project up to eighteen (18) inches from wall | — | Sec. 25-20.70(a)(1)-(6), 25-20.60(a), 25-20.60(o), 25-20.50, 25-20.90 |
| Freestanding Sign | 45 feet above finished grade of the primary highway it services | 200 square feet per sign | — | 5ft minimum from paved road/right-of-way; 10ft from city side street lines (Sec. 25-20.60(h)) | 1 per lot or parcel (may increase to 2 with >300ft frontage, 3 with >500ft frontage); each at least 100ft apart | On-premises only | — | Sec. 25-20.70(a)(2)-(3), 25-20.70(a)(5)-(6), 25-20.60(g)-(h), 25-20.90 |
| Projecting Sign | Maximum height 25 feet; minimum 8 feet above grade at lowest point | — | — | Cannot project over lot line, street, or street right-of-way | — | Attached to building; may not project over lot line, street, or right-of-way | — | Sec. 25-20.70(a)(1), 25-20.60(g) |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | In window; visible from public way or adjacent property | — | Sec. 25-20.70(a)(1) |
| Portable Sign (Advertising/Promotion) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot or parcel | On-premises; held in place by stakes, guy wires etc. | — | Sec. 25-20.60(j)(1) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | As per ratio | On-premises or in right-of-way; must comply with general sign regulations | — | Sec. 25-20.60(k)(1) |
| Portable Sign (Non-Advertising, e.g. Civic/Nonprofit Message) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | — | On private property; any zone | — | Sec. 25-20.60(j)(2) |

### I-1 industrial zone, I-2 industrial zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | 25 feet above ground | — | — | — | — | Affixed to building wall | — | Sec. 25-20.70(b)(1), 25-20.60(a), 25-20.60(o), 25-20.90 |
| Freestanding Sign | 45 feet above finished grade | 200 square feet per sign | — | 5ft from paved road/ROW, 10ft from side street lines | 1 per lot/parcel, or 2/3 with qualifying frontage | On-premises | — | Sec. 25-20.70(b)(2)-(3), 25-20.60(a), 25-20.60(h), 25-20.90 |
| Projecting Sign | 25 feet; minimum 8 feet above grade at lowest point | — | — | Not over lot line, street, or ROW | — | Attached to building; not over lot line, street, or right-of-way | — | Sec. 25-20.70(b)(1), 25-20.60(g) |
| Portable Sign (Advertising/Promotion) | — | 32 square feet | — | — | 1 per lot or parcel | On-premises; held with stakes/guy wires | — | Sec. 25-20.60(j)(1) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 32 square feet | — | — | Per area ratio | On-premises or in right-of-way | — | Sec. 25-20.60(k)(1) |
| Portable Sign (Non-Advertising, e.g. Civic/Nonprofit Message) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | — | On private property; any zone | — | Sec. 25-20.60(j)(2) |

### R-2 residential zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Monument Sign (Subdivision Entrance) | — | 8 feet high × 12 feet wide (max monument size general; specific R-2 max area not stated) | — | 5ft min from paved road/ROW, 10ft from side streets; not in sight triangle | No more than 2 at each entrance | At subdivision entrance on subdivision site | — | Sec. 25-20.70(c)(2)a, 25-20.60(a), 25-20.60(h) |
| Home Occupation/Nameplate Sign | — | 4 square feet | — | — | 1 per home occupation | On private property, R-2 residence | — | Sec. 25-20.70(c)(2)a, 25-20.60(n) |
| Directional/Traffic Sign (Private Property, Non-Advertising) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | — | On private property | — | Sec. 25-20.70(c)(2)a |
| Detached Sign (Property Management) | — | 8 square feet | — | 5ft from paved road/ROW; 10ft from side streets | 1 per property | On R-2 property | — | Sec. 25-20.70(c)(2)b, 25-20.60(a), 25-20.60(h) |
| Temporary Real Estate Sign | — | 8 square feet | — | — | Ratio | On-premises/in ROW | — | Sec. 25-20.60(k)(1) |
| Portable Sign (Non-Advertising, e.g. Civic/Nonprofit Message) | — | 4 square feet | — | — | — | On private property; any zone | — | Sec. 25-20.60(j)(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Houston

- It is unlawful to maintain a sign that has been erected or altered in violation of this article.
- No person shall erect any sign without first obtaining a permit from the code official, except for those signs exempted by section 25-20.60.
- All erected or maintained illuminated signs must use only non-flashing and non-intermittent lights; no flashing or intermittent lamps are allowed.
- No illuminated sign may be of such intensity or brilliance as to cause glare, impair the vision of motorists, or otherwise interfere with vehicle operation.
- All off-premises signs are prohibited without a proper permit from the Missouri Department of Transportation.
- No attached sign shall obstruct any window, door, stairway, or other opening intended for ingress, ventilation, or light.
- No sign shall be attached to any tree or public utility pole.
- No on-premises sign may be erected or maintained upon trees or painted or drawn upon rocks or other natural features.
- Any new sign painted directly on the surface of a building must comply with the total allowable surface area of signs defined in this article.
- Revolving signs are prohibited, except for barbershop poles not exceeding four feet in height.
- No signs shall project over any lot line.
- No signs shall project over any street or street right-of-way.
- No projecting sign shall be less than eight feet above grade level at its lowest point nor extend to a height greater than 25 feet.
- No sign except those Official Business Directional signs of the Missouri Department of Transportation shall be erected inside of the public right-of-way.
- No part of a sign may be erected within the public right-of-way.
- All signs must be set back at least ten feet from all side street lines and not interfere with vehicle operator vision.
- It is unlawful for any non-conforming sign to remain on display after it ceases to be functional for 90 days; owners must remove the sign after notice.
- Non-functioning, conforming signs must be painted a solid neutral color and bear no advertising material if left in place after 90 days.
- No freestanding or detached on-premises sign in the specified commercial and industrial zones shall have an area greater than 200 square feet nor a height greater than 45 feet.
- No sign attached or affixed to a wall or roof shall extend higher than 25 feet above ground level.
- No sign shall project more than three feet above the roofline, parapet, or eaves to which it is affixed.
- All flashing and/or revolving signs are prohibited.
- Non-conforming signs destroyed or damaged beyond 50% of replacement cost must be removed.

## Signs exempt from permit in Houston

- Flags or insignia of any government are not considered signs.
- Legal notices, identifications, information, traffic-related, or directional signs erected or required by governmental bodies are not considered signs.
- Signs measuring not more than four square feet, designed to direct and facilitate the flow of vehicular traffic into and out of a commercial establishment and containing no advertising matter, are not considered signs within the ordinance.
- Temporary signs pertaining to the sale of motor vehicles, boats, or trailers do not require a permit or fee.
- Temporary signs for campaigns, drives, or events of a political, civic, philanthropic, educational, or religious organization are allowed with no permit or fee required.
- Temporary window signs measuring no more than four square feet are allowed in all windows and public bulletin board areas, subject to compliance with the ordinance.
- Political signs relating to an election, primary, or referendum are permitted without a permit and may be placed in the city right-of-way with adjoining property owner consent.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All permit applications must be accompanied by plans, to scale, showing sign area, position of the sign in relation to lot lines, streets, adjoining buildings, methods of illumination, and other information required by the codes official to assure compliance.
- Plans are required for all sign permit applications; however, the ordinance does not specifically mention a 'master sign plan' or require a variance meeting except as noted for sign variances.
- In cases where a variance is requested for a wall sign, fee calculations and potentially additional review may apply.

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

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